H . Stay Focused
Q1. The overriding idea is to go for simplicity. A quiet basement, a library table or the ground next to a big
tree outside allow you to focus on what you’re doing. Examples of poor locations would include the
kitchen table, common areas where you’re likely to encounter friends, or even your own room, as it’s
usually stocked with a computer, television, and video games that seem a lot more appealing than what
you’re doing. You have to remove yourself far enough from any potential disturbance. This is the key to
any successful session of work.
Q2. Making your work relate to your leisure activities or hobbies eliminates much of the tedium associated
with it. Whenever possible, make your schoolwork centre around something you love, and run with it.
Essay assignment? Write about your favourite hobby. History report? Write about your favourite historical
battle. Just pick anything to make your reports and assignments less mundane. As long as you meet all the
requirements of the assignment, the rest is yours to choose.
Q3. It’s okay to reward a long session of hard work with a quick break here or there. Eat something, watch
a TV show, play a bit of your favourite video game, pick up a musical instrument and practise a little bit.
Trying to work too long at too hard a pace without a break is only going to spoil your work in the end, as
you’ll start to tire, grow apathetic, and make mistakes. Taking semifrequent breaks proportional to the
amount of time you spent working keeps your mind fresh and your spirits up.
Q4. Ultimately, you are going to have to make executive decisions about the importance of various
assignments relative to how much time and effort you’re expending on them. Don’t get bogged down
worrying about finishing a small assignment that is worth a negligible fraction of your grade if it means
that finishing it will cost you important points on a far more important project or paper for another class.
Always rank assignments based on their due date and importance. In the grand scheme of things, it’s
always best to do what will get you the best overall average of grade points.