As you’re hanging up those 2010 calendars, you may feel infused with optimism about all the resolutions you’ve made for the year ahead. You’ll cut back on junk food and Cokes! Exercise every day! Amp up your volunteering efforts!… And study hard to improve your grades and test scores, right?

And if you’re like many people, by the end of February, the majority of your resolutions will be discarded like the Hot Cheetos wrappers littering your wastebasket. So how can you keep your resolve to improve your study habits? Here are a few ideas to help you out:

This week, I’m addressing some reader comments prompted by a recent post on dealing with stress.  This one comes from Sparkler amaryllismoon:

I'm obsessed with maintaining my average (especially since it's my junior year and I am trying to get higher up in class rank... I'm only number 5 and I'd like to at least be number 4 or 3 this year). The thing is, I will put stuff off until the last minute, which is not good at ALL. Any way to help me concentrate?

Ah, yes, the life of the procrastinator. No matter your good intentions to get an early start, you always find yourself making a strong pot of coffee and bracing yourself for an all nighter before the exam or paper due date. For many procrastinators, this approach can lead to success. Maybe that deadline breathing down your neck gives you the shot of adrenaline you need to do a great job; in fact, I would guess this is the case for amaryllismoon, who is in the top ten of her class ranking.