Q: If you fall behind in your schoolwork, or don't set aside enough time to do your homework, it can create all sorts of problems that can drag you down. On the other hand, if you set aside specific times each day to study or do your homework, you'll stay on top of things and be more likely to be interested in your studies. Plus, you'll feel great about accomplishing what you need to do! Keep a running list of the things you need to do for school, such as in a course planner. This will help you keep track of things. Crossing tasks off as you finish them will help you feel accomplished and stay motivated. Try to find a quiet, distraction-free place to work. Make yourself take care of schoolwork before spending time on the computer, watching TV, playing games, etc. This might seem hard at first, but if you get in the habit of taking care of what you need to first, you'll ultimately have more time to spend on other things you enjoy. If you have a lot of work to do, remember to schedule short breaks. For instance, if you are going to be studying for several hours, remember to take a break (five minutes or so) every hour to clear your head, walk around, get a snack, etc. Focus on doing high-impact activities (those that are most important or interesting) first. This will help you build momentum and stay interested in your studies. For instance: If you have a big exam coming up that counts for a large percentage of your grade, studying for that might come before proofreading an essay you've already written for another class. If you have a chapter to read for a history class that you really enjoy, you could start with that before moving on to math homework, if you enjoy it less. Alternatively, you could do the math homework first if it is more important, and use wanting to reading the chapter for history as a motivator to get it out of the way. If you have a big project or exam to study for, it can seem daunting, and make you lose motivation and interest. However, if you break the task down into smaller parts, you will feel like you are accomplishing something and stay interested. For instance, if you have a biology exam coming up that covers 5 chapters of your textbook, don't try to study them at once. Instead, study a chapter or half of a chapter each day leading up to the exam. You'll feel good about the progress you make each day. If you feel bored with the schoolwork you are doing, remember that you may not always have to do things in the same way. A little variety will keep things interesting. For instance: If you have to write a book report each month, and you have been writing on autobiographies, perhaps try writing on a novel next month. Instead of writing yet another essay in your U.S. history class, see if your teacher will let you make a recording in the style of an old-time radio news show. You could even make a series of podcasts instead of a series of essays. Instead of just reading Shakespeare aloud in your English class, see if you can perform a scene, record it, and share it online on a video streaming site for others to enjoy and comment on. You could practice your geometry studies by building a scale model of a famous building or other object. Being part of a group of people all working on the same thing can be a motivator to get schoolwork done; you can quiz each other, help each other out on difficult problems or topics, etc. If you want to study with friends, however, make sure that everyone stays on task and doesn't get distracted. You can form a study group where everyone signs a pledge to work hard, stay on task, and help each other out. When you don't feel like you're alone, you're more likely to stay interested and motivated. If you are struggling in school, or just want to know how you are doing, ask your teachers for feedback. You can meet with them, and get help with a specific assignment or ask for general feedback. Most teachers are glad to help, and talking informally about your schoolwork can help you feel more at ease in school and stay interested in your studies. Don't be afraid to tell your teacher if there is a problem in class. For instance, if you feel like a teacher calls on you too often, talk to him or her about it. Most teachers will be happy to hear your concerns and to help you do well. You'll be more interested and care more about your studies if you're invested in them. Your teachers might be willing to incorporate ideas you have for learning or structuring lessons to make them interesting. Let them know about your learning style, and the things you find interesting, such as: Variety in assignment type Enthusiastic lectures Opportunities to choose what you want to work on Having good examples to learn from Learning from games (like "Jeopardy"-type quizzes) When you try hard, do well in school, or achieve a goal, see if there is someway to reward yourself. While you might not want to make tangible rewards be your primary motivation for doing well in school, a reward now and then can keep you interested in your studies. For instance: Let yourself play a favorite video game after you've finished all of your homework. Ask your parents if you can go out to a favorite restaurant if you do well on a big exam, or get good grades at the end of a semester. If you complete all of your assignments and don't have any big projects coming up, let yourself have a weekend to spend just doing things for fun, like hanging out with friends, going for a walk, or watching a favorite TV show.
A: Establish a set routine. Prioritize your school tasks. Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones. Look for ways to create variety in your schoolwork. Study with friends. Ask for feedback. Ask your teachers to let you take part in learning and planning. Reward yourself for your effort and successes.

Q: Using warm water and a soft cloth, gently rub the scratch. Lighter scratches should rub away with this method, and it's the gentlest way to treat a scratch. Add mild dish soap to the warm water to create more friction if you wish. Be sure to wipe away the soapy water and dry the surface of the marble when you are finished. They'll have industrial equipment designed to remove scratches from marble without harming it.
A: Start with a gentle cleaning. If the previous methods do not remove the scratch, consult with a professional marble cleaner.

Q: The best way to prove you are qualified in the travel field is to develop experience in domestic and international travel. If you don't have the money to travel internationally, start taking road trips wherever and whenever you can. Go places with friends and go places by yourself to get a sense of the differences between travelling in a group and travelling solo. As you embark on all of your adventures, reflect on the different cultures you're experiencing. Note what you liked and disliked about a place. Write down your favorite restaurants or shops so you could recommend them to others. This is all good practice for when you start planning other people's trips. The way you communicate with people will have a huge effect on how successful you are as a travel consultant. Start working on these skills now by becoming a better listener and promoting positivity. Practice active listening by repeating what someone says in your own words. This shows them you're engaged in the conversation. Create positive interactions by smiling when greeting others, offering them your assistance, and showing you care with a simple, "How are you today?"
A: Travel as much as possible. Keep a travel journal. Practice your interpersonal skills.

Q: Leave the heat on medium-high and set a timer for 30 minutes. Check and stir the skillet every 5 minutes to prevent the bottom from burning. If after 30 minutes the mixture is still not a gravy-like consistency, cook it for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. If you're having problems with your mixture thickening, try mixing 1 tablespoon (15mL) of cold water with 1 tablespoon (9 grams) of cornstarch in a small bowl. Then add that to the skillet and mix it until the liquid thickens. If you don't chill the pie interior, the mashed potatoes will sink down to the bottom of the mixture and change the consistency of the dish. So put it in the fridge for at least 3 hours, though if you could leave it overnight that would give the best results. If you're really crammed for time, pop the baking dish into the freezer for 1 hour before moving on with the rest of the recipe.
A:
Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes, or until it starts to thicken. Refrigerate the dish for several hours before making the potatoes.