carolinestudys

Caroline // 19 // Cornell 2022 🐻❤️

[carolinestudys]

Preparing for the semester advice

Hi all! I haven’t posted on this forever and thats honestly because the pandemic has ruined my work ethic. I was wondering any digital websites people use to organize their semester/workload? I know notion is a popular one but I want other options

[comparatist]

Just finished writing the final copy on Savitribai Phule. Will be uploading the actual work shortly.

[scholasticbabe]

If you’re on the verge of adulthood and you feel like you have no idea what ‘adulting’ is, you might want to check out some of these books. Here’s a list of some daunting “grown up” books that range from self help to finance:

Rich dad poor dad- I had to start with a personal finance book because lets face it, us millennials have no idea where to start with personal finances. This book was written quiet a while ago but its still relevant and  easy to read. I read this book when I was 15 and I still re-read it every year to freshen up. It does a great job of introducing you to the relationship you’ll want to have with your money

The life changing magic of tidying up- One of my all time favorites! (it pleases my inner Monica Geller) if you want to go into adulthood having a healthy relationship with the objects you buy, this is the one for you. Marie Kondo has a wealth of knowledge on efficient cleaning/ tidying methods that actually make a huge difference in helping you maintain a clear mind and a happy living space. 

The 48 laws of power- ‘nuff said. Learning how powerful people work doesn’t necessarily mean you have to employ these tactics, but it’s important to recognize them when they’re being used on you.

Girl Boss- This one is popular for a reason; if you wanna know to grow a business with little capital on the internet, this is your go to. A great read, regardless if you wanna go into business or not.

5 Love languages- Another popular one. This book will help you understand communication in relationships (not just romantic ones). You can never go wrong with learning how to effectively communicate your love to the people most important to you.

Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science that Will Transform Your Sex Life- A book about female sexuality; A super insightful read regardless if you’re sexually active or not.

Freakonomics- Literally one of the most interesting books ever created. If you’re an econ geek like me or just wanna know the hidden economics of how the world works, this will be a good read for you. This is one of those books that you can never unread.

How to win friends and influence people- Similar to the 48 laws of power but with its own twist. This teaches you how to navigate the tricky world of making fiends or networking.

The Telomere Effect: A Revolutionary Approach to Living Younger, Healthier, Longer- A sciency approach to health and wellness. A perfect read to get informed about your health.

Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ- Emotional health is just as important physical health. You’re never too young to tend to your emotional well being and this book is just the place to start.

Ok, so that’s my round up of ‘grown up’ books. I hope you enjoyed and that this helped you to realize that books about life and self improvement are not just for adults. You can prepare for the life you want, you don’t have to wait for it.

[carolinestudys]

been a productive few days!!

[carolinestudys]

back to the grind!

[carolinestudys]

more late night studying :(

[carolinestudys]

12/08-did some late night studying in the harry potter library on this fine sunday night

[carolinestudys]

studying bio all snow day long

[nohatefornate]

Imposter (alien)

1. My dad tells me a lot about when he first got to America. He tells me about how he immediately filled job applications at any establishment that would let him. He’ll talk about seeing the box that will ask him about race, he tells me this is the first time he realized he wasn’t white.

2. The day after I got into an ivy league school one of my friends looked me up and down with those classic beading eyes and will ask me, “You know you only got in because you’re brown, right?” I wonder if it felt like a gut punch for my dad too. 

3. I tell a boy in the library my SAT score and GPA that got me my acceptance and he looks at me, with bewilderment, and the first thing to come out of this mouth is, “that doesn’t make sense.”

4. I get to my first semester of college to be slapped in the face by the wonderful class that is general chemistry. On my way to the library on a Friday night, I run into a friend who asks where I’m going. When I tell him, he tilts his head to the side, looking like a confused child, “Why?” he asked me

5. Sometimes, I feel like this whole college thing is a different planet. I was thrown here, but unlike other astronauts (or I guess my peers would call me an alien) I was not thrown here to collect samples- I was thrown here and expected to thrive. 

6. In the middle of a discussion group, I notice that every time I start a sentence someone starts to talk over me, stealing the point I was trying to make. It’s like they’re reaching out and grabbing the words and as they float into the air out of my mouth and then claiming it as their own. I realize that my peers have learned a lot from their colonizing ancestors. 

7. I’m at the dining hall, having dinner with a group of friends. I bring up having a job and everyone at the table admits to never having a job. 

8. Every night I come home from the library, usually, after someone comes up to tell me they’re closing, to find my roommate, who I’ve never seen pick up a book, sleeping. I study under my desk light until 2 am. 

9. The college admission scandal breaks. I read the story and cry, not out of sadness but anger. I wonder if these kids ever felt like they don’t belong in college like I do every day. I wonder if these are the kids stealing my words. 

10. I wake up to my 8 am alarm, exhausted. I turn over to my phone to see a text from my mom. Usually, it says her plans for the day or a message about missing me. Today, it says, “Hija, I am so proud of you.” Today, I almost feel bad for the kids who bribed their way into college, the kids stealing my ideas, the kids who have never worked. I would rather have a mom that brings me almonds while I’m studying because it's “brain food” than a mom who pays my way into college because she doesn’t believe in me. 

[carolinestudys]

I’m going to my dream school, now what?

In my senior year, I asked my parents if I could apply to Cornell University early decision because I was so sure of my love for it. My parents and I fought about it night after night- fighting about financial aid, distance, price, future career goals etc.- and it ended with me not applying to Cornell early decision.

In about a month, I’ll be moving into my dorm at Cornell University. I should be full of excitement, but weirdly I’m not. My love for Cornell has diminished greatly, almost as if now that I actually did it, that this dream of mine was actually attainable, that it has lost all appeal. I no longer find it impressive, or something I should be proud of, it’s almost like, if I did it, everyone must be able to. 

I recognize this is most likely imposter syndrome, but still I have a whole in my life now. Since I was 14, I have been working towards getting into an ivy league school and now that I’m going to one I don’t know what to do next. My only goal for five years was to get into this school and now that I have accomplished this- I have no other goals. 

I guess, my other goals could be doing well in school, getting a job, moving to my dream city but those all seem so far away. Right now, I’m 19 and I don’t know what to do with myself. I don’t have a test to study for, I don’t have an extracurricular to participate in, I have nothing to do. 

I think this has a lot to do with the fact in high school, I didn’t really develop habits or hobbies that I enjoyed but just ones that I thought would look good on my college application so now that my college application part of my life is finished, I have no hobbies. 

So essentially, I’m 19 and I have imposter syndrome and know nothing about myself.  

[carolinestudys]

Finals are finished! I got all my grades back and I finished this semester with a 4.0! I’m so proud of all the work I accomplished (and coffee I drank)

[carolinestudys]

finals finals finals

[carolinestudys]

checking things off my todo list is so rewarding!

[carolinestudys]

Spring break

Happy spring break! (or hope you enjoyed your break or hope you survive until spring break). I have a lot of work to do over break as well as actual work since I’m back home for the week!

I got an iPad to take notes on- so I'm gonna start posting pictures of notes I took on that so far and I welcome any questions from people thinking about investing in one!

Study hard!

[carolinestudys]

late night studying on the walk home from dance practice

[carolinestudys]

midterm this friday and i’m nervous™️

[carolinestudys]

First two weeks of my semester are done and I have not been as productive as I should be... Changing now! I’m studying like it’s finals season starting now :-) Happy spring semester friends! let's get those 4.0s