Problem: Article: Paying attention in class will help you learn better and may also boost your grade. When a teacher is giving a lesson, take notes, and if you don't understand something, raise your hand and ask questions. Try to take notes in your own words and add your own annotations instead of writing what the teacher says word-for-word. For example, if the teacher says the definition of "ransack" is "to search through in a way that causes disorder," you might write: "ransack: to pillagelike a pirate!" The more questions you ask, the more you'll know about a certain topic. Teachers expect you to ask questions and form an impression of you based on how willing you are to do so. In some cases, class participation also counts toward your overall grade. Concentrate on staying focused. Keep your eyes on the teacher, keep your ears open, and keep taking notes. Sit in the front row if you're prone to distractions. Do not distract others and don't be distracted by them. Note the things that cause you to get distracted and try to avoid them. For instance, if you know you're more likely to daydream in class when you're hungry, eat a small snack beforehand. If you see your friends passing notes, don't engage. Whatever you have to say can wait until after class. If friends constantly try to distract you, don't be mean! Just tell them you are working and say you will talk later during recess or lunch. They'll understand and may even feel the same way themselves. Read over your notes whenever you get the chance to help you remember what you've written. Rewriting your notes can also be helpful if you're taking exceptionally hard classes, such as legal studies, economics, engineering, sciences, and more. Sleep deprivation can negatively impact your ability to focus and make you less enthusiastic about learning. Aim to get 7 to 8 hours per night. If you are short on sleep, try to take 20-minute power naps between classes (if your schedule allows). Avoid looking at your phone or watching television for an hour or two before bedtime. Do something relaxing like reading a book, taking a warm bath, or drawing. Avoid relying on caffeine to perk you up from a sleepless night. You may feel more energized after lots of coffee or an energy drink, but you won't be able to focus nearly as well due to underlying sleep deprivation. Make sure to eat a variety of foods from each group (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats). Snack on whole foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, or nuts to keep you energized between meals.
Summary: Take notes and ask questions to stay engaged in class. Avoid distractions in class. Review your notes when you have free time. Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep. Eat well to feed your body and mind.

Problem: Article: Many people have a knee-jerk reaction to say "Yes" when they're asked to do someone a favor. Keep in mind, you are never required to say "Yes." It's actually okay to say "No" sometimes. Accept this as you prepare to say "No" to someone. This will help you say "No" with ease. If you never say "No," this can have negative consequences. You can enable someone who relies too much on you for favors. You can also burn out on your own end and lose focus. If you say "No" too often, you may miss out on things that may be good for you. If you're overcommitted doing things you don't want to do, you won't have much time left for yourself. Make time for the things you really enjoy rather than saying "Yes" as a knee-jerk response. If you, say, agreed to help a friend move all weekend, you may have to turn down an invitation to go on a weekend hiking trip with another group of friends. It's always easier to say "No" if you have a reason. However, that reason does not have to be concrete. Many people think if they can do something, they should. Your reason for saying "No" can be a simple matter of your own personal boundaries. Think about what boundaries you have, and embrace the fact you're allowed to stay true to them. Consider what you are reasonably able to do, and what you actually enjoy doing. You can say "No" to things that drain you or distract you. You can set specific boundaries regarding what you will and will not agree to do. For example, maybe you value solitude. You can set a boundary that you won't go out two nights each weekend. You can use this boundary as a reason for saying "No." For instance, "I would love to go out with you Saturday, but I have plans Friday. I never go out two nights in a row because I get too tired." You can also set boundaries in regards to personal commitments. You can, for example, have a rule that you only volunteer for two charity events per month if this is reasonable for you given your schedule. People often won't take "No" for an answer. If you say "No" to someone, they may use persuasion techniques to try and change your mind. Be aware of potential persuasion techniques so you can establish a firm offense. People may try to guilt you into doing something to reciprocate a favor. Remember, just because someone did you a favor does not mean you owe them. Friends do not keep score. People may also ask twice. If you say "No" to one thing, they may try to get you to agree to a smaller commitment or favor. Remember to be firm. Keep saying "No." A person may also try to get you to do something by comparing you to other people. They may say another person agreed to help. You are not another person. You do not have to do something simply because someone else did. " It may sound silly, but you can actually practice saying "No" alone. Try standing before a mirror and looking at yourself. Practice giving a firm, "No" to someone so you get comfortable with the words. Many people are nervous about saying "No" and may say "Yes" due to anxiety. Practicing can help quell some of this anxiety.
Summary: Give yourself permission to say no. Establish your personal boundaries. Be aware of potential persuasion techniques. Practice saying "No.

Problem: Article: For temporary flare-ups of inflammation, NSAIDs like ibuprofen can be effective. If inflammation is causing joint paint or a headache, for instance, use an NSAID as directed by the bottle and see if it helps reduce your pain. NSAIDs are not meant to be taken for long periods of time, however, so they may not be suitable for treating chronic inflammation. Speak with your doctor about using NSAIDs for more than 10 days to treat inflammation. Be cautious of taking NSAIDs frequently if you are at risk of getting stomach ulcers. Some preconditions that might make you at risk include being a smoker or having kidney failure. If over-the-counter NSAIDs have little effect on your condition or you need medication for chronic inflammation, ask your doctor about possible prescription drugs you can take. Some of these may be more powerful or safer to take for longer periods of time than over-the-counter drugs. Some common prescription pain relievers include Celebrex and Vioxx. Medication that fights inflammation can have negative side effects on your stomach, liver, or kidneys. Your doctor may even ask you to take regular blood tests when taking these pills. Follow all of your doctor's orders and let them know immediately if you think something is wrong. For instance, if you're having stomach pain or nausea, this could be a side effect of medication.
Summary:
Take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Talk to your doctor about taking prescription medication for a stronger effect. Communicate with your doctor regularly when taking medication.