Like most college students, I have been stuck in a constant dilemma between sleep and the completion of a 120 page reading assignment for class. More times than not, I have chosen the former above the latter, leading to last minute ordeals during midterm season. With the coming of another round of midterms, I wanted to share with you my 7 steps to finishing that reading assignment.

1. Do NOT go on the bed.

We all know that going to bed means going to sleep. Don’t lie to yourself and say that you read more easily when you are more comfortable because whatever you are reading is boring. If you are too cozy you will, and I mean you WILL go to sleep.

2. Don’t be too warm or too cold.

Similar to number one, your body can’t be too comfortable. By being too warm, you will want to sleep and by being too cold you will want to wrap up in a blanket and then go to sleep.

3. Divide the reading assignment into three/four sessions.

Think of reading 30 pages instead of 120. It feels easier to the mind and the soul. While the latter feels like insanity, the former feels doable.

4. Don’t look up until you finish the required amount of pages.

Looking up means making eye contact with people, roommates, floor mates, hotties in the library, friends, strangers. You will start conversations or create futures, letting your mind go wild. These are all distractions. Don’t let yourself fall in that trap.

5. Reward yourself every time you read 50 pages (snack, meal, pizza, candy).

It’s important that you don’t pre-buy the rewards because if you’re like me, then you’ll eat it all at once. Instead, every time you accomplish 50 pages, go take a walk/break and get your reward.

6. Listen to the audio book as you read

This mostly works with literary reading, not text book homework. As you listen to the audio book, you are forced to flip the pages to match the pace. You can even force the audio to go twice as fast. Pro tip: create an audible account to get one free audio book!

7. Place the book under your pillow and pray that you’ll read it in your dreams.

We all know in the end, you will give up on the reading. When that time comes place the book under your pillow and think of it. Apparently, you can dream about it then.