Emily applied for admission to a music school last year but was refected.
I make it a habit/a rule to review all the materials I've studied at school each day. / I am in the habit of reviewing all the materials I've studied at school each day.
He spent fice years finishing his doctoral dissertation. / It took him five years to finish his doctoral dissertation.
Patent can protect an idea for an invention from theft/being stolen.
Some large companies benefit from holding patents on certain inventions.