Problem: Article: If the old tile is securely installed and in good condition, you can save yourself a lot of time by just laying new tile on top of it. However, the floor level will change a bit. If you rip up the old tile, it will take more time, but you can guarantee that the subfloor is secure. Get a small wood mallet and tap the center of each tile. Listen closely to the noise that follows. If it sounds hollow, then you need to pull up the tile, spread a layer of thin-set underneath it, and press it back down. Place a level down on the floor. Look at it to see if the floor reads out as perfectly level. Move your level device around to check all parts of the room. If there are high points in the room, use a masonry grinder to grind them down. If there are low points, plan to build them up with some extra thin-set before laying your new tile. Get an 80-grit or rougher sand paper. Go over the room, sanding each area until all of the tile is a bit rough on the surface. Use a broom or vacuum to pick up any dust left over from sanding. The rougher texture of the tile will help the new tile to attach more securely to the floor. Before you start working, put on a pair of construction goggles to protect your eyes. Don protective gloves that fit you well, if you are worried about skin irritation.
Summary: Decide whether or not to tile directly on top of the prior layer. Tap each old tile lightly to check for looseness. Check the floor for levelness. Sand the old tiles down.

Problem: Article: Biology textbooks have really good questions at the end of each chapter that reinforce the concepts that you need to understand from the material. Try answering the questions and see how many you can get through. Take note of the questions that are more difficult to answer. Revisit your notes on these topics and/or reread that part of the chapter. If you're having a lot of difficulty answering these questions, seek extra help from your classmates or teacher. Avoid walking out of class and forgetting about everything you just learned. Reviewing your notes later that evening or the next day can help you synthesize what you have learned. When reviewing, ask yourself if everything makes sense. If something stands out that confuses you, reread the material on that concept in your textbook. If it still doesn't make sense, ask your teacher about it in the next class. Because biology can be difficult for many students, you must put in the time to do well. If you set aside time every night or every other night for biology, you will get into the good habit of frequently studying. You will thank yourself later when you don't have to cram for the exam because you have been reviewing everything this whole time. Stick to your study schedule and make it a habit. If you skip 1 day, be sure to get back on track the next day and not let yourself slip into not studying multiple days in a row. Even if you're busy, plan to spend 15 minutes per day reviewing your notes. This can make a big difference! Creating mnemonic devices can be really helpful when studying biology. For instance, you could create a mnemonic to help you remember the order of the substrates in the Krebs cycle. A phrase like, "Citrate Is Krebs Starting Substrate For Making Oxaloacetate" can make it easier to remember Citrate, Isocitrate, Alpha-Ketoglutarate, Succinyl CoA, Succinate, Fumarate, Malate, Oxaloacetate. If you have access to exams from previous years, try taking them and see how much of you get right. If you don't have access to these, study your quizzes and previous tests for an idea of the types of questions you will get asked. Answering questions from old tests will give you an idea of what you need to keep studying and what topics you have mastered. You could also make up your own quizzes to test yourself on the material. Focus on the concepts you have the most difficulty with. This helps you process the information in a meaningful way, instead of just trying to memorize it.
Summary: Answer the questions at the end of each chapter. Review your notes within a day of each lecture. Set aside time specifically for studying biology. Use mnemonic devices. Study old quizzes and exams before tests.

Problem: Article: . Spend some time thinking about exactly what results you wish to achieve and be as specific as you can. Establish a time frame for achieving each part of your final goal. Set your sights on a goal that is reasonable to accomplish. As you set your goal, ask yourself not only what you want to accomplish, but why you want to accomplish it. Figuring out what drives your goal will help give you purpose in the beginning, and motivation as you move toward your target. If you want to lose weight, for example, your reasons may include wanting to feel more comfortable in your own skin, be more physically capable, and feel better about your appearance. It helps to write down your goal on a prominent place, such as your wall calendar. Divide the goal by a set of specific tasks that will take a certain amount of time to complete. A 1-hour goal could be broken up into 15-minute segments. Or, divide the task in segments, such as a particular number of files to sort each day. Establishing many small goals within a single larger one will keep you motivated and on track. You might even start by setting aside 5 minutes each day to work on your goal. Then, raise this up to 10 minutes each day by the second week and so on. If you have a swamped schedule, this will make working on your goal simply part of your routine and you are more likely to do it. If you are trying to save money to buy a house, stick a photo of your dream home to your fridge. If you are trying to pay off your credit card, attach a copy of the bill to your bathroom mirror. If you'd like an award at work, place a copy of last year's award announcement on your desk. If you already brush your teeth before bed each night, simply add your goal of washing your face right afterwards. You can also water your plants at the same time that you go outside to take out the garbage or grab the mail. Or, drink more water at work by stopping at the cooler each time you leave your desk. Not every goal that you need to achieve, such as paying off a credit card, is going to be riveting. However, you can make it more interesting by turning it into a game with prizes or rewards at certain intervals. You can even make bets about how much you can achieve by when. For example, turn on some music or listen to an audio book if you are working on a repetitive task. It's very easy to get caught up in the moment and confuse persistence with permission to behave in a negative way. Instead, stay true to the idea of positive persistence. Treat others the way you'd like to be treated. Obey the rules while pursuing success. You'll find that keeping a positive, pleasant attitude will also make others more willing to help you achieve your goals.
Summary:
Set a goal Break the goal down into smaller pieces. Devote a set amount of time each day to your goal. Place a goal reminder in a prominent place. Connect your goal to an already established habit. Keep your goals fun and exciting. Stay true to your values while pursuing your goals.