Here's a study plan I developed when I started college. Every semester I used this study plan, I made the Dean's List. Every semester when I didn't use it (through sheer laziness), I didn't make the Dean's List.

1. Take notes for all lectures. When I was a student, that meant physically writing with a pen on paper. Now, I suppose it means typing in your notes on a PDA or something like that. Whatever it takes, take notes on all lectures. I think physically writing it with a pen on paper is the best way to do it, because it forms "muscle memory." As you go through the physical process of writing the notes, you build up a physical "memory" of the notes. Also, you have to interpret the lecture into a way that's personally meaningful to you.

2. Take notes on all reading. You will not learn as much if you simply underline or highlight a textbook. Again, this is a process of interpreting the text and forming muscle memory. I doubt that copying and pasting text you find online will form the muscle memory you need. Also, you need a paper copy for reviewing.

3. Arrange all your notes in a chronological file in a notebook.

4. Each day, at the start of a lecture (while the instructor is taking role, and all the "business" of the class) review the notes for last couple of lectures, and the current reading assignment.

If you follow this plan, you will always be constantly learning the material, and you will never be unprepared for a "pop quiz." And you will never have to "cram for an exam," which never works anyway. When I was in college, I had a roommate for a while, who tried the plan of cramming for exams by taking "speed" - benzedrine, in those days. She stayed up 24 hours cramming for exams.

I simply reviewed all my notes, for both lectures and reading. The result was that she did so badly on her exams, she was suspended for a semester, to get back on track academically, while I made the Dean's List.

Yes, it's hypocrisy. And it's also denial -- a psychological mechanism that allows them to believe two contradictory ideas at the same time. They can believe child rape is a sin, and do it anyway. Then they live with themselves by constantly denying internally what they did.

Great article, Laura. I loved your comparison of Bruno to an Internet troll. And I learned so much.

Thanks.

Nothing you said contains any argument in favor of moving in. Everything you said argues against it. Why are you even considering it?

All-in-all, the Democrats put on a great show for the first night of their convention, and Michelle Obama topped it off.

I loved the video that introduced her to us. And I loved her brother conducting the formal introduction. What a guy! Not only intelligent and well educated, he's also six foot six and the basketball coach of Oregon U.

And Michelle's speech was wonderful. She sounded utterly sincere, a loving wife and mother, as well as very intelligent and well educated.

And the two little girls are adorable. Naturally, they reminded me of JFK's adorable children in the White House. (And a bit off topic, but what genius having Caroline Kennedy introduce Teddy. Everybody loves her, and she's never had a whiff of scandal about her.)

And poised, and intelligent, and articulate, and she made such a good speech. The whole evening was taking us back to that prime time when JFK was in the White House.

I hope she did win over Middle America. I don't know how they could resist.

As a native Californian (who has also lived in Minnesota, near Garrison's hometown of Anoka), I especially liked his comment, "I grew up thinking you had to choose between smart and sexy; in California they think you can have it all."

Of course we think we can have it all. And we can be both smart and sexy. In fact, to me, a man who isn't smart isn't sexy, either.

Yes, I quickly learned, here, that the Repugs are considering postponing their convention. Right. There's no way they can compete with what the Dems just offered, especially when capped off by Obama's speech.

Those who've complained that he's all vague generalities with no specifics can STFU. He laid down plenty of specific actions tonight, without getting too wonky. (And BTW, I loved Al Gore's speech.)

And remember that adorable baby picture of Barack, when he was maybe four months old? It looks so much like some photos of my oldest son at that age, from about the same era. He's one of us, folks. He's one of us.

Thanks for the laugh, Astonishing and Mary Jo. I've had a remarkable evening, watching the B.O. acceptance speech and the end of the convention, then coming here to read what I've read. The laugh was great.

Of course, they want to delay the convention. They can't compete with the Dems. This convention was spectacular, and Obama's speech was precise and complete, blasting away the charge that he's all lofty rhetoric, without specific techniques to do what he says. Plus, it was held in a huge stadium, with tens of thousands of participants, shouting and chanting and swaying, along with not only the speakers, but the way-cool musicians (Stevie Wonder, what a marvel!).

It's been a spectacular convention, and the Rs know they can't offer anything like it. So let them "postpone" their convention. I wonder if McSame's going to be able to find anyone to accept the position of V.P. with him.