Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Use down time to study. Set alarms to remind you to study. Start with items that are due first. Stick to a study schedule. Take short breaks. Minimize distractions.

Answer: Carry at least some of your homework around with you. Whenever you find yourself doing something that doesn't use your total concentration, pull out your homework and spend some time on it. This is particularly easy to do with reading assignments. If your assignment is more complex, just scribble down a few notes to get the brainstorming process started. Lunchtime is a great opportunity to work on an assignment and so is the commute home, as long as someone else is driving. If you have a part-time job, take advantage of the slow moments. If your instructor gives you time during the class period to study, take advantage of it. It is especially important to make good use of study halls if you are an athlete. If you have trouble remembering your designated study times, the alarm function on your phone or watch can be a big help. You can also use a calendar app, such as Google Calendar, to set reminder alerts. Alarms or alerts can also be useful for reminding you to sit down and go over your work schedule or update your planner at a designated time (e.g., every Sunday evening after dinner). When you sit down for work or plan out your work schedule, start with most critical items. The deadlines for these assignments will only get closer, and you don't want to procrastinate. Keeping them in the forefront of your mind will help you to complete them quickly and efficiently. For example, if a paper is due tomorrow, it gets priority over a worksheet that you must complete by next week. Don't get distracted by the idea of multitaskingtry to focus your attention on 1 project at a time. Make homework time a part of your everyday routine. If you plan to study while out, determine exactly when that is possible and maintain that schedule. If you plan to study at home, assess your workload when you first walk in the door and decide how much time is needed to complete everything. You can also set aside 1-3 hours a night to help you get ahead. When creating your schedule, consider when you work the best. Some people prefer to work late into the night, while others enjoy working in the morning. There is nothing wrong with getting up early to get a jump on homework as long as you can stick to that schedule. Divide up your homework time with quick, pre-planned breaks. Depending on the project that you are working on, it is a good idea to aim for a 5-minute break every 30 minutes or 1 15-minute break per hour. Set a timer on your phone to make sure that you don't work through your breaks. Get up and move around during your breaks. You're probably sitting while working, so now is the time to get the blood flowing and re-energize. Take a quick walk. Eat a healthy snack, like some almonds, and drink a bit of water too. If you can, work someplace where you will not be surrounded by distractions, such as TV screens, loud music, or talkative friends. If you have a tendency to get distracted by social media or other online content, consider downloading an app or browser extension to block your access to problem sites while you're studying. Your phone can be a major source of distraction. Consider turning it off while you're studying, or put it on airplane mode so that you can't browse the web or receive notifications.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Purchase a meter from your local pharmacy. Fast overnight and wash your hands before testing. Set up the lancet device. Sanitize your finger and prick it with the lancet. Place a droplet of blood onto the test strip. Insert the test strip into the meter. Remember that a home test can't accurately diagnose diabetes.

Answer: You don't need a prescription to buy a blood glucose meter. They typically cost between $10 and $75 (USD), and more expensive meters tend to be easier to read and more accurate. You can also find glucose meters online, which will allow you to easily compare prices. Check if the product you purchase includes test strips. If you get a meter that doesn't come with strips, you'll have to buy strips that match that model. It's a good idea to check the price of strips before you choose a model, as this will affect the total amount you pay for the glucose meter. You may also be able to get a meter or strips that are covered by your insurance. Test your glucose levels in the morning after you've gone 8 hours without eating. Grease, dirt, and trace sugars on your skin can lead to inaccurate results, so wash up with soap and hot water before using the meter. Hot water and the motion of washing and drying your hands will also increase blood flow in your fingertips. Place the lancet into the lancet device, which is what you'll use to prick your finger. Push the lancet into its slot until you hear a click, then remove the cap that covers the lancet. Steps vary by product, so read your specific model's instructions before using it. Wipe your finger with an alcohol pad. Hold it against a tabletop with the bottom of your fingertip facing up. Hold the lancet to your fingertip and press the device's button to prick yourself. Pricking the bottom of your finger just to the side (near the edge of your fingernail) can help prevent soreness. If you don't see blood after pricking your finger, gently massage around the area until you see a drop of blood. Touch and hold the test strip to your fingertip to collect the droplet of blood. Promptly insert the test strip into the glucose meter. Test strips can't be exposed to air for more than a couple of minutes before testing. After a few seconds, you should see your reading. For a fasting blood glucose test, a reading lower than 100 mg/dL is normal. 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL may indicate prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher could suggest diabetes. Since a high reading can result from a big meal the night before, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns, especially if your readings are consistently high. Repeat the test at least once to check your reading's accuracy. A home test could give you an idea of your blood sugar levels, but home tests aren't as accurate as getting screened by a doctor. Only a medical professional can diagnose you with diabetes. If you test yourself at home and your numbers are high, schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask for a screening. To help your doctor make a better diagnosis, keep a food journal. Document what you ate, when you ate it, and when you tested your blood sugar. This will help your doctor determine if your high blood sugar readings are normal results from a meal or if they could be a symptom of diabetes.

Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Choose a good time to ask for a piercing. Create a slideshow. Present your slideshow. Outline a persuasive letter. Write the persuasive letter.

Answer:
If your parents are happy with you they're more likely to say yes. In the weeks leading up to your request, do your homework regularly and study for tests so that you do well in school. Additionally, stay on top of your chores. You want to be in your parents' good graces when you ask them for a nose piercing. Go the extra mile by volunteering for chores around the house. Your parents will appreciate your extra effort. If your parents are stressed out about something wait for a better time to ask for a piercing. Address a concern on each slide. For example, slide one could address concerns about the healing process and then explain the process in detail. Another slide might talk about the cost of a piercing and ways you could earn the money yourself. Make sure you include an introduction and conclusion slide as well. Keep all of the slides brief but be informative. Anticipate questions and concerns. This will help you plan out your slideshow. If you're having trouble thinking of potential concerns, ask a friend's parent for input. Exercise your sense of showmanship by setting up a viewing area with seats and snacks. Introduce your slideshow by stating your purpose and asking them to hold all questions until the end. While presenting, speak slowly and maintain eye contact with your audience. If your parents get angry or interrupt, let them voice their concerns and then ask them if you may continue. It is more mature to stay calm than to lose your temper. If your parents say they need time to think about it, let them have time. If you nag them they may say "no" out of anger. Create an outline by organizing your arguments into three parts: the introduction, three or four body paragraphs, and the conclusion. The introduction will acknowledge your audience and present your idea in a positive light. The body paragraphs will present the arguments you found during brainstorming and all of their corresponding solutions. The conclusion will explain the benefits to your audience. For example, in your introduction you could acknowledge your parents by mentioning the stress of raising a child and helping them make responsible decisions. In the conclusion the benefits to your audience could include chores you'll perform in exchange for a piercing. Use your outline as a guide to write your letter. Keep the tone of your letter positive and reassuring. Instead of writing "I'll get mad if you don't let me get a piercing," write about the many reasons that a piercing would benefit your life. For example, you could explain that a nose piercing could improve your social life or help you explore your own unique sense of style. Proofread your letter and leave out emoji's and abbreviations. Nothing looks less mature than a simple spelling mistake!