Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Find the study environment that works best for you. Study with friends. Make sure you have everything you need before you go somewhere to study. Take advantage of technology. Take breaks.

Answer: While quiet, private places may be ideal for some people, human productivity varies for everyone in different settings.  In fact, some people focus better with lots of people around and a bit of noise.  Try studying in different environments to find the one that allows you to focus the best. Avoid screens, especially TVs.  This includes your phone.  Put your phone in your bag and leave it there.  Only check it during scheduled breaks. Wear headphones (or earplugs). Whether in a library or coffee shop, headphones will help reduce the frequency of auditory distractions.  Choose music that does not have lyrics, and is more ambient than bass-driven.  Think “background music” when you’re making your selection, but know that you can still listen to music you enjoy. If you’re studying at home, try to use a room in which you won’t be interrupted by family members or roommates.  Let others know you intend to work on homework for a certain amount of time, and ask them to let you be. If you have another friend that needs to get work done – perhaps even the same assignment – work alongside one another. Working beside someone else may actually increase your ability to focus on your homework.   The company of a friend can keep you from wondering what everybody else is up to, and can even make doing your homework feel like hanging out. Avoid studying with friends who tend to interrupt a lot, or who have trouble focusing themselves.  You can hang with whoever you want once your work is done! This includes your organizational materials, any textbooks or resources, and the equipment you’ll need to complete an assignment – even if it’s only a writing utensil and some paper or your computer and charger.  Include a healthy snack, as well as a water bottle.  Not having to get up for sustenance will keep you grinding through your homework for a longer period of time. Don’t forget sticky notes.  They’re weirdly helpful.  Use them as visual reminders of important things to remember, and to keep pages in books you’re studying or otherwise referencing frequently. Computers have increased human productivity immensely.  You can research, write, and edit much faster by using a computer. However, don’t allow all of the non-productive stuff you can do on a computer to distract you from your homework.  Computers can also help you organize.  Familiarize yourself with web-based storage systems like Google Drive and Dropbox.  These will allow you to save and access files from anywhere you have internet access.  Use a flash drive too. Save all electronic files to both a web-based storage system and a thumb drive.  Keep the drive with you at all times.  (Get a thumb drive with a keychain attachment!)  This way, even if you forget your hard copy, you can print another at school and eliminate the unfortunate “I forgot my homework” scenario. When you sit down to work on homework, commit to working for a certain length of time, and schedule yourself a short break.  This will keep you from getting overwhelmed or burnt out during long study days.  It will also help keep your mind focused.  Try a 10 minute break after every 50 minutes of focused work. Use these breaks to go for a short walk, use the washroom, do a brief physical exercise (like stretching, push-ups, or jumping jacks), or to get a simple chore out of the way. Do not allow yourself to get distracted by activities that will prevent you from going back to work or will get your mind out of study mode.  For instance, don’t call someone you haven’t spoken with in a while or sit down with friends who are hanging out but not studying. Reward yourself when completing assignments – but not before. If you’ve been itching for a bowl of ice cream, don’t dive into the freezer during a break. Instead, enjoy the ice cream once your homework is done for the evening and you can focus all of your attention – or none at all – on every bite.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Speak fairly minimally, slowly, or softly. Avoid eye contact. Use shy body language. Position yourself near or at the back of spaces. Stay away from group functions or new situations. Let others take initiative.

Answer: Being quiet and introverted can often signal a shy person. By speaking slowly and as little as necessary and keeping your voice soft, you can reinforce that you are meek.  Keep your volume to a medium or minimum level, which may prompt people to repeat what you're saying and signal to them that you're shy.  Avoid yelling, even if you are upset. In these cases, you may just want to avoid saying anything to help reinforce that you are shy. Take your time to respond to questions and reply as briefly as possible. Don't give away too much information and act uncomfortable if someone presses you to disclose too much.  Ask as few questions as possible, which can signal that you're uncomfortable talking or engaging with others. Act nervous when you're talking by letting your voice quiver or make longer pauses to convey that you're thinking about what you want to say to not rock the boat. Or talk fast and often add filler words like “like”, “um”, or “uh”.  Try blushing when asked questions or when you need to speak, which can be a sign of discomfort and shyness. When you're speaking with people, look at the floor frequently and blink a lot. This can show the other person you're uncomfortable and signal that you're shy. Look at the floor or past the person to whom you are speaking. Certain body language can cue that you are shy, including avoiding eye contact. Try using other forms of body language that reinforce the impression that you are shy. Some examples of shy body language are:  Crossing your arms or legs Touching your neck or fingering your collar Blushing Darting eyes Fidgeting. If you are in class or meetings at work, or even at social functions, position yourself at the back of a space or in a corner. This can keep focus on others and may also discourage people from engaging with you.  Sit in the back row in classes or at meetings. If the room is set up in a circle formation, sit as far away from the person convening the meeting as possible. You can also arrive early and sit in a corner. Stand or sit as far away from a party or gathering host as you can. Most people will want to talk to her and the farther away you are, the less likely you may be to have to talk to other people. If you can't see the front very well, sit in the front but stay at the sides. Keep yourself far away from being in the middle as much as possible. Withdrawing from social interactions or situations that are new is a sign of shyness. Avoid going to group functions or attending new situations if you can.  Kindly decline invitations to any group functions, which can make it seem like you are hesitant and shy. Be aware that this may make people think you're anti-social and they may stop asking you to attend if you decline often enough. Position yourself at the wings of social functions if you do attend.  Talk to one person or a group if you are in a new situation. Hesitate to accept if someone presses you attend an event. People who are outgoing usually have an easier time starting events or projects. Allowing other people to take the lead on things such as projects, parties can help you stay in the background and seem shy.  Try not to volunteer for anything. Let other people assign you some function first. You can blush or seem embarrassed if you want to act more shy. Casually mention something you'd like to start and let someone else get the ball rolling. Offer support where you can.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Decide your braid's length. Cut 3 pieces of string based on your measurements. Knot your strings together. Separate your string into 3 strands or groups. Start the braid. Maintain a consistent tension. Fasten the braid end into a knot. Remove the tape from the start of the braid.

Answer:
Figure out the length of your braid. Add on an extra 1/3 of that measurement to get your cutting length. This is how long you'll need to cut your string. For example:  Desired length: 24 inches (61 cm) 24 divided by 3 = 8 inches (20 cm) 24 + 8 = 32 inches (81 cm) 32 inches (81 cm) = cutting length Use the same color for each strand of string, or use different colors. For a fancier braid, cut 6 or 9 strings instead, then divide them into 3 groups. For example, you can do 3 pink strings, 3 purple strings, and 3 magenta strings. Embroidery floss is a popular choice, but you can use other types of string, such as yarn or leather cording. Gather the ends of your strings together. Treating them as a single strand, coil them into a loop, then pull the ends through the loop. This will make the knot. Keep the knot 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) from the string end. Tape the string above the knot to a flat surface, such as a table. 1 strand to the left, 1 in the middle, and 1 on the right. With multiple strands of color, group the strands by color instead. For example, place the pink strings to the left, the purple strings in the middle, and all the magenta strings to the right. Take the left string and cross it over the middle string. Take the right string and cross it over the new middle string. Again, if you have multiple strings of each color, treat that color group as a single string. For example, if you have 3 pink, 3 purple, and 3 magenta strings, cross all of the pink strings over all of the purple strings. Give the strings a gentle tug to tighten the strings as you braid. Repeat the process until you reach  the length you want, or until you have 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) left. Coil the braid end into a loop, then pull the tails through the loop. Tug on the tails to tighten the knot, then trim off the left over strands, You can now use the braid for the craft project you created it for. If this is a bracelet, wrap the braid around your wrist and tie the ends together into a double-knot.