Problem: Article: Think about who your time capsule is for. This will help you pick contents, a location for the capsule, and a container. Whether you plan to open the capsule yourself, you would rather have your grandchildren open it, or you want a stranger from the distant future to stumble upon it, you should be clear about your intent. If you are struggling to find an audience, think about what kind you would most like to open. Do you wish your grandparents had left you a time capsule filled with memorabilia and handwritten notes? Does the thought of opening a 150 year old capsule left by someone lost to time long ago thrill you? . Depending on your audience, you may have different priorities for your contents. You can always collect more objects for your time capsule than you end up putting in. Your only limits are space and the ability of your capsule contents to be safely stored. If the capsule is for yourself, focus on personal mementos of your life as it is right now. Things like a pair of earbuds you wore every day for 2 years, an old key, or a takeout menu from a favorite restaurant will bring memories back in just a few years. For a time capsule that you plan to pass down to your children or grandchildren, find things that will interest them about your life and your world. Both personal objects of significance to you and your family, like wedding invitations, and things that depict the state of the world, like technology, are good choices. If your capsule is for people in the far future to uncover long after you are gone, focus on the era you are in. Things that may seem to be of little value now may be fascinating to someone in 75 or 100 years. Write down all of the contents and place the list in the capsule and in your records. This will help future openers know that everything is in place, and help you remember what you put in the capsule.
Summary: Choose an audience for your time capsule. Make a list of possible objects to include for your audience. Make an inventory of everything in the capsule.

Problem: Article: You are your first and best form of support. Writing about what you are doing can help you explore and express what you are feeling as you cut back or quit using marijuana. It can also help you examine and address the underlying reasons for your use. Keep a log or graph of your use. This visual reminder can show your progress, times when you are struggling, and serve as a general reminder of what you are doing. Write about your struggles. When you slip and use again (or use too much), write about it. Explore where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you were feeling, etc. Remember to write words of encouragement and celebration. Remind yourself that you can do this, that you are a great person, etc. While some people may not believe you, and some may even ridicule you, those people that really care about you will support what you are doing. Let them know why you are doing it. Although you don't have to share your whole life story, try saying something like, "I'm trying to quit marijuana so that I can get a promotion." The more they can understand about what you are doing, the more helpful they can be in supporting your goals. Share your successes and setbacks with them. They can celebrate with you and encourage you to keep trying when you stumble. This will also cut down on any confusion or misunderstandings caused by you "acting different." Connecting with others who are going through the same thing can help by letting you know you are not alone and by providing you encouragement. Your support group can also help you be accountable for your use. This can even be an informal support group of friends that are also trying to cut back or quit using marijuana. If you aren't comfortable or simply don't have the time to go to an in-person support group, consider visiting an online forum or group with use goals similar to yours. If you are using marijuana to self-medicate and/or feel that your marijuana use is having a negative impact on your life, it might be a good idea to speak with a professional about what's going on. Some research suggests that just one session with a therapist has helped some people with their marijuana use.
Summary: Keep a journal. Tell people close to you. Join a support group. Seek professional help.

Problem: Article: Whether you're taking a standardized test or a classroom examination, you will likely be able to find out the format of the test beforehand. Knowing the test's format will help you study, as well as give you ideas about how to approach the materials. If you're told that there will be three essay questions, for example, that will ask you to connect the larger theme of the course to specific texts that you've read in the class, you know to begin thinking about thesis statements. Or if your instructor says that there will be 15 multiple choice questions and 15 true/false questions, you understand that your focus should be much more specific, probably focusing on facts and dates. If you're taking a standardized test such as the GRE or the SAT, there are plenty of study guides available. Almost every current study guide will have practice tests, study materials, and approaches to taking the test. Typically these guides offer simulated exams as well, so that you can simulate the examination and your performance. Your school or local library may have study guides available for use within the library. You might find used copies of these guides online for a dramatically reduced price. You can also make your own study guide by compiling your notes and homework from class. Taking practice exams is a great way to familiarize yourself with the layout of the test and the kind of questions you'll be asked. Practice answering essay questions well before your test if you have a good source of feedback available, such as a writing center or your professor has agreed to look over your essays for you. Doing so will show you what part of your essay writing you need to develop, as well as help you get comfortable answering a question in prose. The more you practice, the more efficient and quick you will become. Your instructor might give you example essay questions if you ask for them. These might include questions from previous exams or simply questions that they think would serve as good practice. Do no assume that your institution's writing center or your professor will look over practice essays for you. Instead, respectfully ask if they are willing to review your practice essays and offer feedback. Devote extra study time to working on your weakest areas. This will help you out in a few ways. You'll be better prepared for material that isn't your strong suit, and you'll also spend much less time worrying about the information when you encounter it on the exam. Additionally, by studying your weakest areas, you'll develop strategies for handling the material efficiently and quickly. A good example is the GRE's verbal portion of the examination. Many people find this component especially challenging and devote extra time to studying flash cards, as well as developing strategies for word meanings, antonyms, and synonyms. If you make your own study guide, devote a lot of it to your weakest points so that you're focusing on these areas the most when you study. Create a study schedule that is realistic and is one to which you will commit. This ensures that you're devoting enough time to studying, and also establishes a pattern for you, which will help you manage your time when you get into the actual examination. There are free study calendar templates available for download from the internet. Some printed student calendars also have a study schedule feature built in to the calendar itself.
Summary:
Find out the test's format. Get a study guide. Practice your essays. Review your weakest points. Develop a study schedule.