By Diana Blanco
Pulse Staff Reporter

where or when you acquired them, but failure has, to some extent, become a habit.

This is good news! Not only can bad habits be broken, but they can be replaced by good habits relatively easily. To get on the good habit trail, you need to consider the following: how much time time you set aside for study, the environment you study in, how you can get organized, and how many breaks you take.

If you are doing little or nothing in the way of schoolwork, then you are going to have to put in more time and effort. This should be you're first step toward making new and productive habits.

There are only 24 hours in a day. Time organization, or lack of it, is usually what hinders a student's ability to learn productively. It is imperative that the amount of time spent on each subject is appropriate to the assignment given and the level of difficulty in the course.

Crystal Shedrock, a former Palo Alto student now majoring in History at the University of Texas at San Antonio said, "A useful tip is that if you study better in the mornings, then try and set your schedule during the morning, and if nights are better, then take courses at night."

Your working environment plays a significant role in how efficient your studying will be. Some students say they enjoy studying alone in a quiet place, such as the library, but others enjoy working in groups with other students.

According to Morgan and Deese's "Handbook for Students," the best place to study is at a table or desk, not on a bed. The book says that if you read or study in a prone position, you're much more likely to daydream or doze off.

Author Arthur W. Kornhauser recommends making a plan of action. This can be as simple as one assignment or even having the whole day planned out.

Study sequence is also important. Some students enjoy doing the difficult subjects first and others like getting the easier assignments out of the way right off the bat. A hint is to try different methods until you find the most effective way for you.

Surprisingly enough, the amount of breaks you take are an important part of studying. Breaks are a way of relieving stress and frustration. Morgan and Deese add that sleepiness can affect studying. A good way to manage breaks is by planning and timing them.

Good study habits are lifelong skills worth developing. There are places on campus where you can find a place to study, such as the George Ozuna Jr. Learning Resource Centerand the Student Learning Assistance Center.

L.R.C. Hours of Operation

Mon. - Thurs. 7:45 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Friday 7:45 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p. m. - 9:00 p.m.

S.L.A.C. Hours of Operation

Mon. - Thurs. 8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday CLOSED