Q: . Find a quiet spot away from your household’s hustle and bustle to study or do homework. Put your phone in a drawer or otherwise out of sight so you won’t be tempted to check it. Some people focus better when they listen to music. If it helps you sink into your studies, try putting on some classical or instrumental tunes. Your brain can only stay focused for so long. Take 15 minutes to get up, stretch, go to the bathroom, get a snack, or another activity that gives your brain a rest. Try to schedule regular breaks between assignments or sections instead of just getting up in the middle of doing a homework problem. Keep your notebook handy when you do your assigned reading. Make a rough outline of the textbook chapter by writing the section heading, summarizing the main ideas, and defining key concepts. You'll be better prepared for class, and you'll appreciate your notes when it's time to study for the big test. Highlighting or underlining as you read isn't a very effective technique. It's one thing to only highlight a section's thesis, or its one major argument. However, coloring a bunch of text throughout the section won't help you retain information. Instead, try flash cards. Studies prove that flash cards are more effective than any other technique of memorizing. A study group can help you and your friends stay focused and motivate each other. Further, everyone learns and picks up information differently. Someone might get a concept that’s giving you trouble, and you might be able to help another student with a tough topic. Ask 3 or 4 classmates to set up a group study time after school, on the weekends, or during a free period.
A: Remove all distractions while studying Take a break after 45 minutes. Take notes as you read. Start a study group.

Q: On the 360 E and 360 S consoles, the “connect” button is located below and to the right of the power button. On the original Xbox console, the “connect” button is a small, round button located to the left of the power button. Your controller’s “connect” button is located at the top left side of the controller. The lights on your controller will stop flashing after the controller has been successfully synced with your Xbox 360.
A: Power on the Xbox 360 gaming console. Verify that your wireless Xbox controller contains batteries. Press and hold down the Xbox button on your controller to power on the controller. Press and release the “connect” button on your Xbox 360 console. Press and release the “connect” button on the controller within 20 seconds of pressing the “connect” button on the Xbox 360 console. Wait for the controller to automatically connect to your Xbox 360.

Q: They currently have over 1,500 stores and the website says that they are adding more stores each week. Use the search bar to ensure your store is not listed in another area before you leave the site. If you want to know if there are restrictions on your favorite online stores, go through the alphabetical list at http://www.ebates.com/help/storeexceptions.htm. Some stores only allow purchases from certain departments or up to a specific value. Once you make a return, the store informs Ebates and they subtract money from your account. Exchanges are processed the same way, so you must return an item and then make a new purchase through the Ebates link to get the cash back on your product. You can receive an additional $5 for each friend you refer who makes a purchase. Click the “Tell a Friend” tab at the top of the page to start this process. Ebates will only send your money via PayPal or check if you reach this threshold.
A: Understand that not all online stores are available through Ebates. Read through the restrictions. Return all products that you receive and don't want, instead of making exchanges. Refer friends to receive extra money in your account. Accrue at least $5 per quarter in order to receive your cash back.

Q: Remember that designing your own tag and actually tagging a physical space are two different things. Don’t rush out and try doing both at once. Before you pick up a spray can, sit down with some paper and a pen, pencil, or marker. Sketch your ideas and gradually perfect them before committing them to a (near) permanent canvas. If you’re anxious to dive right into actual tagging, decide which letters you need to focus on instead of practicing the whole alphabet. Before you settle on one, check online to see if anyone else already goes by that tag. If so, come up with another. However, if you feel more patient, hold off on a name for right now. Keep in mind that:  Your tag needs to be visually appealing, so a name that sounds cool might be less impressive visually than one that sounds blah but looks pretty awesome. You’re free to change your name at any time, both before and after you start tagging. If you plan on doing any illegal artwork, make sure that your alias can’t be traced back to you in any way. Understand that tagging incorporates your whole body’s movement as you paint, with the end result ideally conveying a sense of that movement and energy to the viewer. However, realize that you need to take baby-steps to do that with any level of mastery. For now, practice drawing simple forms of typography freehanded, like Arial or Sans-Serif. As you do, pay particular attention to:  Angles Spacing Symmetry Thickness As you grow more confident in drawing simple fonts freehanded, experiment by altering them slightly. Aim to suggest movement with each line to a letter. Play with angles, spacing, symmetry, and thickness to transform a whole letter into a more dynamic shape. For example, with the letter “P,” you could:  Tilt the angle of the whole letter so that its top is pointing slightly to the right, and its bottom to the left, or vice versa. Curve its vertical line so it resembles the letter “J” for a more languid, swooping effect. Reduce the size of the loop at its top to suggest a sharper, tighter, swifter line. Feel free to simply copy what others have already done when you start tinkering. Virtually all artists (whether they’re graffiti artists or another kind) start out by doing this, so don’t feel bad about it. If anything, feel confident, because this way you’ll be more conscious about what aspects you end up borrowing and which you can credit as your own original ideas. However:  Don’t be content with just copying. Blatant mimicry in finished tags (or “biting,” as it’s called in graffiti circles) is frowned upon. This is another reason why it’s important to start out with a sketchbook. This way you can learn by others’ examples without being accused of trying to pass off borrowed styles as your own. As you grow more satisfied with each letter on its own, start grouping them together to see how they look as a whole. You don’t have to literally paint the whole tag in one unbroken move, but aim to suggest a fluid, graceful motion from one letter to the next. Continue tinkering with each letter as needed with an eye toward how it gels with the rest until you’re satisfied with the full effect. For example: If you’re using the letters “U” and “V,” you may be pleased at first with how they each look individually. However, you may then realize that they’re too similar and confusing when paired together. In this case, you’ll have to alter one or both to make them more distinct so your tag is easily legible.
A:
Start with paper and pen. Choose an alias now, or wait until later. Start with “static” fonts. Start tinkering with each letter to suggest movement. Copy others’ styles at first. Practice your full tag.