When we read too fast or too slowly, we understand nothing. Pascal

Don't put yourself in a black whole -
Be in control of your starting & stopping time.
Don't think there is no end.

2.  Regular time:  Set aside a regular time each day for studying and reading, so it becomes a habit.  Let studying be as habitual as breakfast, lunch, dinner & sleeping time. Make studying a regularly scheduled activity. 

You are a student. 
Be responsible & realistic about the need for a habitual, regular, & routine study schedule.  

3 Get a Symbol:  Get a study hat, a special cup, a picture, a statue that you love....& place it by you when you study.  This  symbol is a personalized  outward sign of your inwards state of mind.

This will say to you, "This is my time to study - no exceptions." 
This will say to your family "It's study time, let's be quiet & not interrupt."

4.  Get a Place:

Make a habit of always studying from the same place.  
This place should be relatively free of distractions.

When studying on campus, a popular hallway or cafeteria will open you up to too many distractions.  Find a remote spot in the library.

Let the answering machine get your phone calls during this time period.
You are not a slave to  of servant of the phone.

Research indicates your TV should be off and TV distracts you & slows you down.   It increases the amount of time you need to study.

A chair is better than a bed.  (You are less likely to fall asleep in a chair!) 

This place will be an automatic indicator to your brain that this is  serious study time. This place should have everything you need - paper, dictionaries, computer, & your favorite snack.  There should be no reason to leave this place of study. 

The right place will contribute to a positive state of mind for studying. 
When you get to that time and place, you will automatically get into the subject groove.

5.  Be Positive:  A book can't become a symbol of a negative environment & a negative dialogue:  "I hate this. I'll never learn. Let me daydream about something I'd rather be doing. Why does the teacher assign this? I'm frustrated. I'm dumb. I don't have time to read all of this..."

Don't waste your valuable time & energy with negativism  Just get to the assignment with as little resistance as possible.  

6.  Post-it Notes:  
If  distracting thoughts & concerns occur, write them on a bright post-it note.
    I must call X to schedule an appointment.
    I must get laundry out of dryer.
    I must pick up Y at mall
    I'll need to send a card in the mail.

 Don't spend your  valuable studying time worrying about chores to be done.  Write down items of concern on post-it notes (or whatever) as they occur to you,  and get to them AFTER your study time is over.  

On the same line, don't start an unfinished task before  studying (like placing clothes in dryer that needs to be removed in 30 minutes).

7.  Breaking Up:  Don't do all your assignment at once.  Break it up into  segments & divide these into smaller pieces.  Don't get discouraged by the big picture.  Castles are built one stone at a time.  Plan out segments to tackle.

Approach ALL reading assignments with this positive state-of-mind:  I will work for X amount of time,  not giving in to distractions, and accomplish these specific goals.