At times, I think that student is me.

I am a smart and intelligent person, but I really lack proper and efficient study skills sometimes! Last night I made a pact with myself to read the assigned chapter for one of my classes....BEFORE class. Not a difficult task, right? Well, I usually just read when I find the time during weekends, so reading before class is actually something I have to kick myself in the butt to do. Or had to do, I should say.

The importance of familiarizing yourself with text and class material beforehand is invaluable. Whereas during most classes prior I scrambled to write down the notes from each of 20+ slides, today I wrote down the information I knew was most important and that I didn't get from reading the text. I could write and listen, instead of drowning out the instructor's voice to focus on the information on the slides. I really got the most out of the class that I possibly could, and will undoubtedly be more prepared and have to study and read less (10 chapters less!), come test time.

Not reading for class is the real waste of time!