user: You’ll have an easier time remembering the information you study if it’s something that you care about or can get excited about. Now, some stuff in school will be naturally interesting for you, but other stuff may seem really boring on the surface. When this happens, you’ll have to find a way to get yourself interested in the material. There are lots of different ways to go about this, but you can try:  Finding a reason why the information will be useful to you later in life. For example, the math you’re learning can help you calculate how much money you’ll need to save in order to retire. Be smart, and you might even be able to figure out how to retire early. Make the information into a story. For example, if you’re studying history, find a way to adapt what you’re learning into your own episode of Game of Thrones. If you’re studying science, think of a way that the science could be used to make your superhero origin story. If you pay very close attention during the original lectures, not only will you have an easier time remembering the information but you’ll also be able to study more efficiently because your brain will have an easier time recalling the information. Really work to listen when you’re in class and keep yourself engaged with the conversation of learning by asking questions and really getting involved with the lessons. . Another good way to “listen” to the lecture is to take notes. This will help keep you on track for paying attention, but it will also give you great material to study from later. Remember, when you take notes, the idea isn’t to write down everything that your teacher says. Instead, write down the important stuff. Write down the outline of the lecture and fill it in with facts, and explanations for the tough concepts that you know you’ll struggle with. For example, if you were taking notes on each article, you’d probably break your notes down for each section of the article, and write one or two takeaways for each step. You can help yourself remember what you learn and also help yourself get more interested in what you’re studying by taking ownership of your education and looking for more information outside of what your teacher talks about. This can help you better understand the concepts but also give you a more solid framework on which you can build with the information covered in class. You might even find interesting things that you think are really cool! For example, let’s say you’re studying chemistry and your teacher is talking about the discovery of all sorts of new compounds around the late 1800s and early 1900s. You might stop and think to yourself, “What did people do with all this new stuff?” If you did some research, you’d find out that all those new compounds were used to make new, brightly colored paints. These new colors were responsible for an artistic revolution which gave us painters like Van Gogh and Monet. If you’re having a hard time following along with what your teacher is saying, try giving yourself a bit more context for the information. Sometimes, when you can more clearly visualize what’s being discussed, you’ll have an easier time understanding what’s happening and keep track of new information as it comes in. For example, if you’re studying history but you find you just can’t keep track of everything that’s happening, try going to a museum or watching a documentary that deals with that subject. This will give you something to imagine as you learn and it might even explain some ideas in a different and better way than your teacher.
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One-sentence summary -- Find things to enjoy. Actively listen. Take notes Do your own research. Get some context.

Q: Don’t just send a message out of the blue. Instead, learn as much as you can about their interests by scrolling through their feed, pictures, and posts.Then reach out to them indirectly by liking or commenting on one of their posts. To make a comment seem less random, ask mutual friends to tag you in pictures or posts for a few days beforehand, so they'll have a chance to learn about you. Getting an introduction works best when the friend mentions something that you both have in common.This will provide you with a conversation starter. A friend could say something like, "Pat, have you met Jamie? You're both totally obsessed with Star Wars, by the way." Pick an item like a computer or a book they're reading. It helps if you know a lot about the item or topic. Begin by expressing interest in the item. Then move on and compliment something about them. Start by saying something like, "Is that a new smartphone? I really like the decal on the case. Did you draw it yourself?
A: Use social media to connect over shared interests. Ask a mutual friend to introduce you. Use their possessions as conversations starters.

Article: Make sure that the dough is neither too thick nor too thin so that the cookies are cooked throughout without burning their surfaces.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?


assistant: Roll the chilled cookie dough into a layer that is about 3/8" (10 millimeters) thick. Place a thin layer of flour in the bottom of a shallow bowl. Dip a round cookie cutter in the flour and press the cookie cutter into the dough. Place the cut cookies on a cutting board. Add a piece of wax paper on top of the first layer of cookies before adding a second layer of cookies. Continue layering the cookies until you have cut out as many cookies as you can. Group the leftover dough into a ball and roll it out again. Cut out more cookies, using as much of the leftover dough as possible, and place the cookies onto the wax paper.