The simple act of saying no (to others or to yourself) will help insu-
late you from these unnecessary (and postponable) interruptions.
Remember, what you are seeking to achieve is not just time—but
qualitytime. Put your “Do not disturb” sign up and stick to your guns,
no matter what the temptation.
And if your schedule involves working with others, you need to take
theirsense of time into account—you may find you have to schedule
“waiting time” for a chronically late friend...and always bring a
book along.
A Special Note for Commuters
If you live at home (as opposed to being housed on campus), there
are some special pressures with which you need to contend.
Your commute to school will probably be longer than if you could
roll out of bed and walk to class. It will certainly require more
wakefulness, even if you just have to stumble to a subway or bus
(but especially if you have to drive!). It’s especially important that
you minimize travel time, planning enough to maximize your use of
the campus facilities without scheduling a trip home in between.
While nobody likes walking to class in rain, sleet, or snow—except,
perhaps, future postal employees—it is invariably easier to walk a
few tree-lined blocks than drive a few miles in inclement weather.
Take weather problems into account when scheduling your commute.
The very act of living at home—whether as a child or one “married
with children”—brings with it responsibilities to others you could
minimize living in a dorm. Be ready to allocate time to these respon-
sibilities and include them in your schedule. They’re as inevitable if
you live at home as meatloaf on Tuesdays.
92 How to Study