You asked:

I’m having a really hard time with the whole studying process. I can’t seem to find the time, and when I do buckle down, I can’t concentrate. What’s my problem?

Few students really enjoy studying, but it's a necessary evil if you want to, you know, graduate. And people who tell you “D’s get degrees” are not taking into account how terribly a low GPA reflects on a resume or curriculum vitae. Here are some tips for staying on task:

• Make schedules and lists. I find that being able to see at a glance what I have to finish and how much time I have is a huge motivator. If you know next week is going to be hectic, get little pieces finished early to make it easier on yourself.
• Cut yourself a deal. For each hour of working hard, break for a chocolate bar or 10 minutes of TV. Studying for a stretch of hours at a time without coming up for air isn't healthy, and it doesn't work very well. Stopping for a snack or some floor exercises or whatever lets you shift gears for a while so you don’t feel overloaded.
• Rank work by brainpower. How much cerebral energy do you need to complete it? Calculus problems or reading philosophy probably require a lot of attention, but defining terms or finishing your laundry can be done when you're not feeling so focused.
• Say no to extra responsibilities. If you’re trying to do it all -- philanthropy, sports, part-time job at the coffee shop -- you might have to scale down your schedule some. Figure out which activities are important to you and what you can live without.
• Budget your time and adjust your attitude. In terms of finding ways to concentrate, sometimes it's just a question of willpower. Do it now or spend all night worrying about getting it done in time … and spend all of tomorrow dragging because you lost sleep finishing what could have been done in an hour or two. Sound familiar?

Name: Liz Cruger
School: College of William and Mary
Year: Senior
Major: Psychology and English lit
Her deal: This is Liz’s second year as an R.A. for freshmen. She is also involved in several campus activities, including pep band and the belly dance club.

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