Write down your educational goals, both long- and short-term. Record what you need to get done in the next school year, as well as by month, by week and by day. Leave room for flexibility, and don't forget to factor in relaxation time, but plan to stick to your smaller goals in order to reach your larger ones.
Share your schedule with family and friends. Ask them to respect and support your goals and to try to be understanding if you're not always available on the spur of the moment. Ask them to help you stay on schedule.
Create the setting that works best for you when studying or completing assignments, and get everything ready ahead of time to avoid distractions. If you study best with music, set it up ahead of time. Prepare a few healthy snacks and have them ready to grab when you need them. Gather all the materials you will need for your work.
Adjust your schedule as needed. If you have a school committee meeting scheduled for the same time you planned to study for a test, study before or after the meeting--but don't skip the studying. Be consistent but sensible.
Reward yourself occasionally. If you meet or even exceed your monthly goals, take a short break from your studying goals and do something fun such as bowling or dancing--or keep a reward jar with fun activities written on folded pieces of paper to draw out of the jar. Remind yourself of how well you're doing and strive for a positive attitude.
Take a break from activities that are interfering with your educational goals. Cut your work hours if your job is taking too much time. Limit your social outings to one or two a week.
Stick to a schedule. Use a timer if necessary. Take breaks between subjects and get up and move around.