Think About Where You Learn

Whatever your preferred learning style, the plain truth is that you're unlikely to get the best results if you try to do your studying slumped on the living room couch in front of the TV. Instead, you're going to need a quiet space - ideally somewhere with a work surface, plus room for all your books and materials. 

It needn't be a whole room, just somewhere you can claim as your "study zone". A place you can set aside for productive effort. And a place other people in the household can come to respect, so that when they see you working there they know to leave you alone.

At the same time, it should be a place you're happy to spend time in. What about your chair - is it comfy? And the lighting - is it bright enough for reading, but warm enough to create a welcoming atmosphere? Is the area the right temperature? (Too hot and you may find yourself nodding off; too cold and you won't be able to concentrate.) And would it make sense to display a picture or object that reminds you, every time you look at it, of your final study goal? You might be tempted to dismiss such things as unnecessary or even trivial touches. But don't. It's exactly these touches that turn an "adequate" study environment into the perfect study environment. The kind of environment in which you'll be more than happy to spend a decent amount of "quality" time.