• 06/07/20 •
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@maenadstudies
• 06/07/20 •
My desk is a mess.
042420
As most people are working and studying from home right now, I wanted to share some concrete, implementable ways you can help yourself feel better. Though I believe productivity and quantity of work done (or lack thereof) doesn’t/shouldn’t translate into your self-worth and how you view yourself, when you get work done, you actually do feel better in your own body.
By the way, it’s the first time I’m formatting a tips/guide post like this, so I apologize that I couldn’t be more concise.
I’ve spoken to a licensed professional counsellor as well as to some professionals who have been working from home for a long time, and some of the advice above is from them. I’m also sharing from my own experience as someone who used to be very productive and an (ex-)overachiever, and still attach a lot of my self-worth to grades and other tangible accomplishments. I hope these slides can help you. In case it’s hard to read, I’ve included it (reworded) in text form if you’d like to read more.
Keep reading
how to get back on track when you are doubting yourself + feeling lost/unorganized
I’ve seen many posts on my timeline of people being out of the loop and not feeling like themselves. I’m not talking about being productive but rather getting the right mindset. Because yes, we are dealing with a pandemic but we also have responsibilities that we need to fulfill. These are some things that work for me. Think of this as a tutorial if you are “I go with the flow I don’t plan sh*t” typa person cuz trust me I’ve been there and sometimes the flow is nonexistent. “Trust the discipline not motivation” (quote from my smart friend)
1. Write down all the tasks that you have.
By all I mean ALL. Laundry? 2 problem sets for physics due friday? group project due thursday? Washing the dishes? Putting all the papers flying around the room in a recycling bag? Cleaning the bathroom mirror? 4 page essay? Write them all down.
2. Now analyze the tasks. Some of them will need sub-tasks. Cross out the main task and leave the sub-tasks on your list.
For example, for my group project. The tasks I wrote down were:
remind the group the project is due thursday
send them all the code that you have completed so far
ask to schedule the next meeting to find out what we have left
See? this is a lot easier to execute rather than just saying “complete the group project” because in reality, the tasks we have are way too complex. BREAK THEM DOWN. easier to remind yourself to email your team rather than just “complete the project” LOL
3. Now take this list of tasks and separate them in 3 categories: today, this week, this semester. Give them a specific time in the calendar (I use google calendar)
This will give you a time frame to complete the tasks. Kinda like deadlines. So you don’t feel like you need to complete 500 tasks that you have on your paper on the same day and then feel unmotivated and then give up and go on tiktok. Trust me we’ve all been there. You are your best friend. Don’t stress YOURSELF out. Help yourself. For example, from 10-11am attend class, from 5-6pm we will discuss the project details and from 6-7pm I will workout. etc
4. Last and final step - Start with the task that is the easiest and the least time consuming to create momentum.
Going from binge watching Netflix to doing your physics problem sets about rotational dynamics is a herculean task. So start with something simple like doing your laundry. Once you start checking small things off your list you will start feeling productive. That’s it! Grab that feeling. After completing ONE easy task, do a difficult task. Then move on to a bigger task. Then do an easier task. Note - Continuously doing easy tasks will also be known as “productive procrastination” so it is best to alternate between difficult and easy tasks.
5. FAQ - Feeling like you are being unproductive again? Switch to another task instead of taking a break. Completed half of each task? Now, take a break.
Trust me sometimes breaks are not that great either. Switching between tasks is another alternative. Wrote the introduction and first body paragraph of your english/bio essay and you don’t feel like writing anymore? Do 2 questions from your physics homework. And keep alternating until you complete at least half of both the tasks before you take a break. [So when you come back you see that half of it is already done and that will motivate you to finish the rest.] Because editing an essay is easier than starting something from a blank page.
I hope that helped! Shoot me a message/ask if you need to talk!!
hey friends!! a lot of you ask me for tips on things all the time + this is just some really good advice i’ve learnt throughout my years of being a student shared with you:
revision
study frequently so when exams/tests come by you only need to revise your shorter notes [you will thank yourself later]
i know it’s tedious but try to always do your homework [it’ll help you in the long run]
do your readings before class, this will help you understand better!!
use time wisely, for example study on the bus on the way to school [i really like doing this]
teach yourself material by giving lessons to soft toys or maybe using actual tools found in your household [i like using this method particularly for biology especially with water]
if you have to read to revise, read aloud
record yourself to be able to listen later when on the bus or something [i like doing this with poetry]
make sure to always get enough sleep, it’s not worth it losing sleep over studying! [also i find it better to wake up a little early to revise than sleep late]
incense works wonders if you’re trying to calm yourself down whilst studying
keep a hot beverage around when you’re studying + reward yourself by drinking a little bit of it when you want to
get rid of distractions while you’re studying, put your phone on flight mode or leave it to charge somewhere
if music doesn’t hinder your attention span, then listen to it whilst studying/doing homework [i suggest classical music/coffee shop noises/rain sounds] ~ [my spotify playlist // classical favourites // get ur studying on // flourishment]
watch videos on a particular topic before you cover it in class
if your syllabuses are available online, download them + print them out
have an organised desk, it helps you feel less stressed
use the pomodoro technique to study
make sure you have good lighting
work out past exam papers if they’re available to you, these are really good practice for your exam!
talk to your teachers during their office hours if you need to, that’s what they’re there for
if you’re too afraid to do the latter, send them an email when you need them!
have different files for every subject to keep you organised
don’t neglect any subject- just give them the time they need + prioritise
use a planner/bullet journal to help you plan your week
school stuff
smile at people, you have no idea how much it could brighten their day [plus your smile is great!!!]
always keep a water bottle handy
make your school lunch in the evening so you can sleep a bit more in the morning + not spend your money on school lunches
always take your headphones + charger to school [if they’re allowed]
keep some emergency money or something in your pencil case, you never know when you might need them!
if you menstruate make sure to keep a bag with stuff for when you’re menstruating [if not for you, maybe your friends may need something too]
take naps on the bus if the journey is long [make sure you don’t sleep + end up on the other side of the city/country]
if you have free lessons, utilise them! do your work at school if it can be done there so you are able to study/relax at home!
always take a book with you to school just in case you ever get bored
go to a guidance counselour if you need one [they can help with practically anything you may need!]
go to private tutoring lessons if you need them/can afford them
personal life
take pictures, lots of them!!! not just for instagram or something, they’re actually a really great memory
don’t forget to visit your relatives every now and then
watch the news/read articles to help you stay in touch with the real world
don’t worry so much about social media honestly from experience, it’s trivial anyway. indulge yourself in the real world + spend time with family and friends!!
don’t compare yourself to others, you’re not them + they are not you!
try to get some exercise done, even if it’s just using the stairs instead of a lift or dancing around in your room
always keep yourself hydrated
remember to take a day off once a week, it’ll help you avoid burnout
eat fruits/nuts as a snack!!
+ my masterposts
notes, studying, and self-study resources
self-study resources
supplies
igcse resources
improving your handwriting
how to studyblr
literature masterpost
organisation
aesthetically pleasing notes
annotating
studying a foreign language
really great apps
math
college + uni
motivation
biology
space!!!!
chemistry
physics
summary writing
the discursive/argumentative essay
the narrative essay + the descriptive essay
the ultimate english masterpost!!
stress relief
+ more
these are all practically all the tips i can remember!! i hope they help a lot of you out <3 good luck with school
-helena xx
tiny tips about things you never thought about
this is just some stuff i do that makes life a teensy bit easier for me; i hope they help you, too!
when using post-it/sticky notes that you want to last longer than a day, place them in layers. use 2-3 sticky notes whenever you want something to last. it makes the “page” stiffer so it won’t bend as much, won’t fall off as easily, and when the glue wears off, you can peel off the back note and get fresh glue to stick it again from the notes on top of it. face it, you get them in packs of 100 for less than a buck, and have you ever even finished a notepad before losing it? you’re not wasting much by using extra.
if you have trouble getting out the door in the morning or losing things you need on a daily basis, keep a “constants” box. anything you need pretty whenever you go out goes in it. stuff like wallets, keys, umbrella, etc. as soon as you get home, dump all of your “constants” in the box. next time you go out, you have it all right there and can pick + choose what you need and what you don’t. this is especially helpful if you switch between purses, or rely on pants with pockets that inevitably have to go in the wash.
when you use tape, peel + rip off a) slightly more than you need and b) before you start taping things.
keep multiple journals, and keep them in one spot.
ideas for journals:
journal to carry with you and write down stuff you have to remember to put in your other journals (very meta, i know)
book of every compliment you’ve received, or any positive thoughts you have
journal to scribble thoughts in when you feel bad. i recommend NOT keeping these pages for long; if you do, you run the risk of feeling sad and looking back on it to make you feel worse. ripping/shredding/burning the pages once you write on them is great anger therapy.
any interesting words/phrases you hear
something new you learn every day
things/luxuries you want when you have money; when you’re low on money, look at it and put symbols next to the ones where you think “wait, do I still want that? is it worth it?” resist buying those things when you do have money.
if you’re dieting or trying to eat healthy etc etc etc etc for whatever reason: if you struggle with giving in to cravings, drink 1 small-ish cup (not one measured cup, like one tall glass) of water before eating anything. it’s not starving yourself, it’s just that sometimes your body is more thirsty than it is hungry, which causes cravings.. it hydrates you and when you’re done, you’re less likely to still want whatever junk food it is. supposedly it takes 20min to get past a craving - use that information carefully. don’t chug!!
also if you’re trying to drink more water, keep a stationary cup of water wherever you sit normally (desk, bed, by the couch, etc.) or carry around a full water bottle at all times. when you sit down there, fill up the cup of water. you’re more likely to drink the water now that it’s just available right there, like wow you don’t even have to get up or anything!! magic.
if you use the same water bottle most of the time, use a different one when you’re sick. I can’t stress this enough. as soon as you find out you’re sick, wash your water bottle as thoroughly as you can and stop using it until you’re sure you’re better. use a different cup (preferably disposable) whenever you drink, or switch straws every time. if you continue using the same “healthy” water bottle, you will keep putting your mouth on the sick germs, and they will linger there while you are sick and once you are well again, which makes it harder for your body to fight them. (this is a very generalized idea of how germs work; basically it’s not a good idea to keep putting your mouth on infected spit.)
if you can’t find the time to go outside/get some fresh iar/sunlight, decrease the amount of time the whole “going outside” process takes by making an “outdoors” bag. mine is a picnic blanket that zips up into a purse, that I can then shove stuff in. I keep a pair of sunglasses, a book I’m reading, a small bottle of bug spray, and a long-lasting snack (granola). when I feel like going outside I can literally just put on my shoes, grab the bag, and walk out the door. I can go for a walk or read in the grass or do literally anything without worrying I might need something that I left at home.
if you’re trying to improve your handwriting, place small grid paper behind everything you’re writing on. you should end up improving without noticing, but if not, make an effort to line up your letters with the grid. pretty soon it’ll be come habit.
when you’re making hot cocoa, put whipped cream on it.
if you’re messy/disorganized, i have a much more detailed post about fixing that here.
if you use a personal computer for school/work, make a separate “professional” user account. I listed this on my organization post but this was the one that helped people the most/they hadn’t heard of, and I don’t expect all y’all to read through that whole thing.
how it works is: use the admin account for slacking off. the user account should be for work/school only. on the admin account you can set restrictions for the user account, such as bedtimes (so you have a deadline!) and website restrictions (so you don’t spend all your studying time on tumblr). also if you ever have to do a presentation or something, you’ll never accidentally open up an embarrassing email.
if you have a small rodent for a pet, i have a trick for filling up water bottles. you probably have one of these little fuckers for a water bottle, or something similar, yes? mine are super tiny, and if yours are too, then you know the trouble it is to unlatch it and make a trip to the kitchen sink 3x a day. to fix this, i keep a large gatorade water bottle by their cage. now all it takes is unscrewing the cap, one squirt into each bottle, and they’re good to go! the water in the gatorade bottle lasts them about a week, so i refill it on the weekends.
if you have a stuffy nose/sinus issues, there are two things you should do:
steam it out. take a hot shower or run hot water while you sit in the bathroom doing whatever. the bad part of this is that you’re stuck in the bathroom where probably the only place to sit is the toilet and if you’re sick you probably have aches and it’s uncomfortable and you can’t really read a book because steam might damage it and ughhhh.
idk about you but my mom always made me rub vicks vaporub on my chest. this isn’t product placement sorry, I’m sure there are off brands that work just as well. anyhow, it’s got this pungent minty smell that clears your nose right up. that being said, it’s this nasty gel you put on your chest (so it’s below your nose and you breathe it) that feels weird and just ugh sometimes I can’t stand it.
however! you can combine these two tips into a shining perfect solution:
boil water.
pour boiling water in a bowl.
take a spoonful of the gel and put it in the bowl.
stir it up or leave it floating, doesn’t matter.
sit with the bowl by your face or in your lap, intentionally breathing it in every once in a while.
this lets you sit anywhere you want and do whatever you want without worrying about paper/electronics getting steamy.
this also lets you just dump it out when you’re done and not worry about washing that gel off your skin!!
if your phone is whiny about storage space, transfer everything onto your computer periodically. photos take up a lot of room, but most of them you can’t delete because they have sentimental value. but think about it. it’s not like you need absolutely every photo from your last vacation on your phone at all times.
unfortunately, computers have a storage limit too. to conquer this, get an external storage unit or a USB drive. I believe there are websites that let you store photos as well, but I haven’t used these so I wouldn’t know what to recommend. transfer your photos from your phone onto your computer (hopefully it has enough space to hold them temporarily, you just don’t want to keep them there in case you don’t have room for something else). then just transfer the photos to the flash drive and voila! label it and put it in a box for whenever you need it.
if you want to save even more space, run through your photos before transferring them. once you get in the habit of transferring them, you won’t have hundreds of photos to run through so it won’t be such a hassle. I myself am that shitty friend who sends terrible memes in every chat so I ask myself, “do I really need this photo of a snail wearing sunglasses?” the answer is yes. delete it anyways.
if someone is nice to you or offers help, write their name down. I use this especially with online friends, not so much with people I know in real life because relationships in real life fluctuate so much that their support isn’t necessarily a constant, stable thing. if you feel sad, remember that these people have reached out to you in the past and probably will be happy to again. don’t expect much from them so they won’t disappoint you, but a simple “hey, I remember you offering help a while back and I’m wondering if that offer is still open,” is enough to get a conversation started and make you feel that you’re not a bother.
I hope these help!! ask me about it if you have any confusion :)
how i organize
one-subject notebooks.
These saved my life. I know everyone’s always saying to keep your stuff in one place and keep track of it all at once, and the way to do that is (apparently) thick, 5-subject looseleaf notebooks and 3″ binders. These have never worked for me, and here’s why: the larger the notebook, the more it catches and rips and doesn’t close right.
Plus, the larger the notebook, the longer you use it, and the longer it has to survive that wear and tear! (Bonus: without having to worry about the notebook being destroyed, I also don’t have to buy the more expensive and durable brands; now I only pay for quality of paper and pretty colours!)
So, I use one-subject notebooks for each class and go through multiple (I’ve never noticed a significant cost difference). A single one-subject notebook lasts me 4-6 units, or about one quarter/half a semester. When I complete a notebook, I simply begin the next, and carry only the newest one with me places. The previous notebooks are kept in my study space so I can always reference them as though it’s one large book, and I rarely need the previous chapters for in-class work.
I start with one notebook per class plus one notebook purely for scribbles or rip-out looseleaf paper, and keep a supply of empty notebooks at my permanent study space.
central grade collection.
I do this because it’s easy to reference back to. Soooo many terrible teachers who simply don’t trust their students. Feels nice to whip out a test to prove you were right (and aced it!). Calculating the grade myself makes me more aware of what’s going on with my academics. My biggest downfall this year was not paying attention to my grades!
I used to use an accordion folder for this, but this year I’m going to try combining that with a digital file.
Whenever I receive a grade back, the paper copy goes in a physical folder and the percentage/grade itself goes onto a file on my computer.
The physical folder is organized by classes. As I receive grades back, the newest goes in the front, so each class is naturally ordered chronologically. I tried organizing it further by putting flags to tell apart tests, quizzes, essays, etc. It worked well but eventually I just didn’t bother.
The computer file is actually multiple files (again, one for each class). An excel spreadsheet or a simple word doc works well. I specify the material as much as possible (for example, “Unit 1: Trig. Quiz 1: Identities. Date: 7-4-2015″ using both words and numbers) so I can easily search for it later. Next to it goes the numerical and letter grade. I’m thinking of incorporating a note-taking system as well, listing what went wrong and such.
This sounds like a lot of work, but it takes very little time and is well worth it. Logging the grades take about 5 minutes, tops. I often find myself putting off work by organizing grades. Obviously it’s hard to log things instantly, so I keep a stack of “to be graded” on my desk until I get around to it.
Oh, and keep the physical folder safe in your room/dorm. Carrying it around for spiteful moments is not worth the risk of losing all your grades!
separate days.
I don’t know about you, but my school has something similar to a block schedule. Monday, Wednesday, Fridays all have the same classes. Tuesdays and Thursdays have the same classes as well. My method works for real block scheduling, too, for even/odd or on/off days. I once had a chronic problem of bringing in the wrong day’s homework. Not anymore!!
Basically, just keep the two workpiles separate.
I have two cabinets on my desk: one for MWF classes, one for TTh classes. On my desk at all times are my “daily” tools: laptop, charger, planner, pencil pouch, water bottle, etc.
In the morning, I always put my dailies in first so I don’t forget, then I check the calendar. Tuesday? Shove in the TTh stack. It’s as simple as that.
When actually doing my homework, obviously, prioritize. There isn’t a hardfast “do your homework the day you get it” rule, especially since studying is a process! But when nothing’s especially urgent and I don’t have a favourite assignment, I literally flip a coin.
computer files have to be neat.
I have so many subfolders I don’t know what to do with them.
Separate everything, again, and again, and again. And label it all to hell and back. You can never have a file title that’s too long.
You know how you can make multiple accounts on your computer? Admin vs user? Yeah, do that.
Make your admin account your free-time, slacker account.
Make your user account your work account.
Make all the settings admin-only accessible. Don’t get distracted by downloading random crap while doing your homework. Put restrictions on internet usage, gameplay, etc. To get distracted, you have to make the effort to enter an admin password every time you get off task.
Bonus: during presentations, you never have to worry about accidentally opening something embarrassing. Everything embarrassing should be in your personal account!
Lastly: don’t stress!
When I stress, everything gets disorganized. My mind gets cluttered and so does the rest of my life. I used to stress so hard about grades.
If you don’t think you can make the deadline, don’t. One grade is not worth a night of sleep and mental health.
If the grade is super important (not all grades are like this: prioritize!) work on it as hard as you can. Don’t stress; put all that stressful energy into the work. Focus your ass off. If you can’t do that, it’s time to stop.
Talk to the teacher the next day. Take responsibility for your mistake. Apologize, and do not give excuses. Show to your teacher that you care more about the learning than the grade; it will pay off in the long run.
The day after missing a huge assignment is rough. Don’t let it get to you! Dwelling on this assignment only sets you up for failure on any other assignments you have that day. Focus on those and not on what you did wrong. Have yourself a good break, snack, jog, and get back in there. The world isn’t over!
Ways to ensure you’ll have a productive study session
1. Turn off your phone, and either put it in your desk drawer or in an old pencil case and put that in a different room. Don’t just leave it face down next to you, or turn off do not disturb, just bloody do it I promise you’re not missing out on anything.
2. If you’re revising for a long time, studying without some sort of background music or ambience tends to make you antsy. So if you’re into music, check out the Imitation Game soundtrack on both youtube and spotify, the Theory of Everything Soundtrack, the Harry Potter Soundtrack, Electronic Concentration on Spotify and on Youtube. If you’re not into music, head to ambientmixer.com and find your hogwarts house common room one, and
3. If you’re using your laptop, grab a sticky note and scribble down the main three things you absolutely need to get done during that study session and stick it next to your keyboard so you’re constantly reminded of the fact that you should be doing work. 4. Strongly separate your work time and your chill out time. Figure out how long you can stay focused, and take a break that is lowkey productive and most importantly has its own cutoff point. For example, working out for 15 minutes is a good break because not only are you taking care of your body but the workout will end at some point, especially if you follow along a workout on YouTube or something. And once it’s ended, you’re more likely to actually go back to work.
Shut down so you can restart.
Clear off your bed and change your sheets if you need to. Change into comfortable pajamas. Shut down all your devices/plug them in to charge. Drink tea, or warm milk, or drink a glass of water, then do your night skincare routine if you have one. Brush your teeth. Put on deodorant. Go to the washroom. Put a glass of water by the bed. Go to bed sometime before 10 PM. Don’t look at any devices. Don’t get back up. Listen to music, or a calming podcast, if you’re having trouble falling asleep. Set an alarm for 10 AM.
Restart and open up a new tab.
Do some yoga or light physical exercise. Go for a walk. Go for a run if that’s what you feel like.
Replace the battery.
Eat breakfast. Try to get some protein; avoid sugars and simple carbs. Eggs, brown bread and coffee are a good start. For quick iced coffee, brew strong, dark, hot coffee and fill a cup completely with ice. Pour the hot coffee into the cup full of ice. Eat without reading or watching anything. Once you’re done, immediately wash all dishes and wipe down the countertops.
Clean the hardware.
Get up sometime before 10 AM or at 10 AM. Pick out a nice outfit, something that’s comfortable, clean and that you think looks good. Go to the washroom. Gather all your shower supplies, any soaps or anything. Get in the shower. Wash your body. Shave, if that’s your thing. Wash your hair. Condition. Turn the shower off. Moisturize. Get out of the shower and dry off. Dry your hair or towel it off. Do your skincare. Put on deodorant. Put on your clothes.
Empty the recycle bin.
Empty out your trash or recycling bin. Go through your pens, your pencils, stuff you have around your room, even your clothes. Throw anything out that you don’t have or don’t need or that doesn’t fit you.
Clear off your desktop.
Put your desk/work area in order. Put your pens in jars, your markers and pencils in other jars. Sort your papers. Clear any clutter away. Put anything that doesn’t belong on your desk away.
Uninstall programs you don’t need.
Sit down at your desk. Make a list of things you’ve been doing recently, habits you’ve picked up. Write down a rough approximating of the times you’ve been waking up and going to sleep. Write down the media you’ve been consuming. Take a guess at your hours of screen time per day. Circle everything you don’t want to keep doing. Write it down in a list. Empty out your school bag. Sort out whatever’s inside. Make a list of everything you’re gonna need. Check off things you have. Plan out how to get things you don’t.
Install updates.
Write down your ideal sleep schedule. Write down habits you want to get into. Write down recipes you want to try. Make a list of things you want to implement.
Defragment your disk.
No, really, defragment your disk. Literally. Delete all temp files. Digitally declutter your devices. Clear out your camera roll, your Google Drive, your literal desktop. Repeat all the steps above- but literally.
Close any open tabs.
Clean up any small, nagging tasks. Sweep the floor, feed the cat, wipe down the kitchen counter.
Plan your next weeks out.
I just watched a kid break down in the bookstore because his books for the semester totaled $600 and that’s the american university system in a nutshell
I was on the verge of tears when I got to the cashier so yeah, that’s messed up
Go here and just, don’t waste any more money okay?
YES. I FOUND THE THING, IF ANYONE DOESN’T HAVE MONEY FOR COLLEGE TEXT BOOKS LIKE ME, THEN GO HERE OKAY?
reblogging to remember and help for u guys
a list of small study tips
these are small things you can add to your day to be 10% more productive with the estimated time it’ll take! these are things i do (or try to do) most days. they’re small enough to feel manageable, and i for sure don’t use all of them but i find that when i use at least 2-3 in a day i feel a lot better about the material.
retype notes in google docs (10-15 min/1 hour lecture)
Utilize pomodoro technique for at least one subject (25 min work/5 min break. total 30 min)
Look over notes before class (5 min)
Look over notes after class (5 min)
Make notecard summary after class (i find this one especially useful for calculus!) (10 min/notecard)
Explain short concept to a friend (10 min max)
write down to-do list of tasks (5 min)
Go over concepts in your head on your walk to class (absolute FAVORITE because of my daily calculus quizzes within the first 10 minutes of class) (as long as your walk is!)
i hope these are helpful, i need to learn more small tips myself too 😊
Tumblr Resources to Get You Through the School Year!
Hi guys!! Thank you all so much for your support!!! Happy 250 (EDIT: I SPENT A DAY ON THIS AND NOW IM PAST 300) and hope you all have a great start to the month! The community is more welcoming with all of you - I haven’t faced negativity from anyone at all. None of these are my posts - but they’ve helped me out a lot. With that said - let’s get started:
For bujos/planners:
This is one of my side blogs, and has tons of inspiration for weekly and monthly spreads, as well as a few aesthetic ideas and how to start one. I update this constantly.
How to start a studyblr - Studyblrs with creative fields
Lighting (for photos)
Study spreads
Planning your month
Printables (the same as some used down there but in a different category):
Weekly printable
To - do printable
Cornell Notes printable
Back to school printables
Daily Planner @theorganisedstudent
Weekly Planner II @theorganisedstudent
Essay Planner @theorganisedstudent
Assignment Planner @theorganisedstudent
Assignment Tracker
Novel Notes
Plot Diagrams
Correction Sheets
Grid & lined paper
Weekly schedule for studying
Printables masterpost
Exam printable & how to use it
2018 Calender set (by my QUEEN @emmastudies)
For students:
Exams & Studying:
Exam revision guide
How to beat different types of procrastination
How to deal with a crappy teacher (this has to do with studying ig)
Study tips!! (its a masterpost)
Exam Printable & How to Use it
Exam & Homework tips
Coping with hell i mean exams i mean hell
A cool studying outline to try
This is my favorite thing and it’s when to use certain remembering techniques
Correction Sheets
Memorization tips for different learners
Weekly study schedule
More sites to use in normal studying routines
How to study smarter and not harder
Study smarter II
Exam printable & how to use it
Self discipline
Study methods
Hoe tips for school and studying
Studying masterpoint
Tips and tricks to studying
Study tip - so easy
How to stay organized to study
Note - Taking:
Lecture notes
How i set up flash cards (these are nice to study from but be determined to finish setting them up)
Nifty highlighting idea (this post is so old)
Highlighting idea that i actually use
How to take Cornell Notes
Cornell style notes printable (gridded)
Notebook paper (grid & lined)
Tips for pretty notes!!
How to take notes
Notes for different classes
Life, man & general school stuff:
Back - to -school guide
Things I learned as a college freshman
Get ORGANIZED
Textbooks are expensive so here’s some free ones…
Tips for working students that sound extra but may work for u ily don’t overwork urselves
Masterpost for motivation and stuff
Get ur life together again bc haha i stay organized for like a day anyway
School supplies that u should have just to stay minimal
Grad school tips
Organization masterpost
Productive afterschool routine
30 websites to kill boredom
Back to school masterpost
Get confident in presentations
Overcome procrastination
Succeeding in school masterpost
For bad days
For bad days II
A GOOD MASTERPOST for getting ur life together
General school tips
Free online courses
GOOD POWERPOINT TIPS
Sites to learns stuff
More learning stuff sites
Dealing with a trashy class
Study resources masterpost
Summer Productivity
Summer life tips
PLEASE READ THIS THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MASTERPOST
Honest guide to college
University tips
SCHOOL MINDSET
What to do on Sundays
Back to school masterpost
Useful things for going back to school
How to clean your house
Cute self care tips!
More self care tips
Plant care tips!
English:
A handy list of words to fit into ur essays
How to write an article like a journalist
Words to replace over-used words
ESSAY STRUCTURE IDEA this is in bold so u losers don’t miss this bc it’s not just for English u nerds
Get gucci while reading and be an active reader
Get gud reading them academic articles amigo
Words to replace “the author or whatever shows…” bc that is baby writing and i accidentally used that on an essay and i failed so
Novel notes
Plot Diagrams
Reading Lists
Literary techniques (what themes, personifications, metaphors are etc)
Discussing in English
How to top a literature class
Literature class masterpost
Strong/weak verbs
More essay tips!!
MLA format - a how to
ESSAY GRADER.
How to avoid essay cliches
Chemistry (I’m taking chem so i have a few resources aha)
Da terms on exam papers
Chemistry resources masterpost
Cute periodic tables
Study chapters
History/Social Studies
How to write a history paper
AP world history powerpoints masterpost
Math
General tips
Resources
Understanding math masterpost
Test Prep
PSAT I
PSAT II
ACT tips!
100 words for the SATs (start studying early!!)
Thank you so much for the support! I couldn’t have done it without all of you. A simple reblog or like will help others see these tips, and will be very appreciated. I hope these links work - feel free to message me with questions and other links!! A possible part 2 might come out at the end of august, and one for languages!!!
SCHOOL CHEAT SHEET!!
soothe yourself | self care
stationery
printables
helpful sites
music for studying | more music
note taking methods | another one
studying methods
english | physics | chemistry | biology | maths | languages
how to learn a language
ultimate guide for writing | writing resources | writing helps | tips for writers
how to write a kickass essay | write a great essay | stuff you need to write essays | essay tips | essay checklist | grade your essay
how do I study for…
bullet journals | a guide to bullet journals
the testing effect
everything you need to succeed in school
time management
organisation
how to annotate | another one
guide to aesthetically pleasing notes | improve your handwriting
create a study guide
resources | helpful websites | there’s an app for that
get more out of google
productivity resources | 14 apps to become productive | how to stay productive
lazy night owl school survival guide
apps for a better life | useful websites for students
masterpost of studying tips
social media citation guide
college masterpost | another one | starting college on the right foot | packing for college | how to survive in college
how to ace that college interview
food to stay motivated | motivation guide
how to stay awake in class
balancing a healthy lifestyle
studying on your period
huge masterpost for the semester
a very long list to help you survive school
not enough time to finish an assignment?
100 delicious cheap recipes
53 posts for students
high school cheat sheet
other cheat sheets
This is a big, giant list of Youtube tutorials that will teach you all the basic life skills you need to know in order to be a functional adult. There are a lot of important skills that aren’t included in this list, but this should be enough of a basic guide to get you started and prevent you from making a total mess of yourself. Happy adulting! Household Skills:
How to unclog a toilet without a plunger
How to fix a blown fuse
How to fix a leaky faucet
How to clean soap scum from your tub and shower
How to escape from a house fire
How to make a budget and stick to it
How to sharpen a knife
How to clean a self-cleaning oven
How to clean red wine stains from carpet
How to clean blood stains from fabric
How to clean grease stains from fabric
How to do a load of laundry
How to iron your clothes
How to test your smoke detectors
Cooking Skills:
How to tell if produce is ripe
How to know if food is expired
How to properly sanitize a kitchen
How to cook an egg
How to make rice
How to make pasta
How to put out a kitchen grease fire safely
How to use a gas stove
How to use a convection oven
How to cook meat safely
How to use a stand mixer
How to use kitchen knives properly
How to make mashed potatoes
How to make grilled cheese sandwiches
Health Skills:
How to stop bleeding
How to treat a burn
How to do CPR (on an adult)
How to do CPR (on a child)
How to do CPR (on a baby)
How to help someone who is choking
How to save yourself if you are choking alone
How to read a nutrition label
How to treat frostbite
How to recognize when someone is having a stroke
How to maintain a healthy sleep schedule
Mental Health Skills:
How to calm down during a panic attack
How to help someone who is suicidal
How to meditate
How to stop self-harming
How to recognize problem drinking
How to choose a therapist
How to deal with disappointment
How to cope with grief
How to raise your self-esteem
Relationship and Social Skills:
How to apologize
How to cope with a breakup
How to accept criticism
How to deal with bullying
How to argue in a healthy way
How to ask someone out
How to break up with someone
How to recognize an abusive relationship
How to rekindle a damaged friendship
How to speak in public
Job Hunting Skills:
How to tie a tie
How to write a resume
How to write a cover letter
How to dress for a job interview (for women/femmes)
How to dress for a job interview (for men/masculines)
How to properly shake hands
How to nail a job interview
Other Skills:
How to sew on a button
How to hammer a nail
How to change your oil
How to put gas in your car
How to jump-start a car
How to pick a good password
How to back up your files
How to write a cheque
If there’s ever anything you want that isn’t on this list…youtube it. Everyone always comments on my handiness, but everything I know comes from an old guy and his iphone.
40 Study Tips & Tricks
I thought to write down the “script” to one of my most viewed videos, with 40 study tips & tricks. It’s easier to read them and pass on the word!
Organization Tips:
1. Incorporate homework and classes in you daily planner – that will give you an overall glimpse of how your week will be about and how much time you need to spend in your studying sessions!
2. Color coordinate classes – be it notes, your planner, your textbooks or binders, pick a unique color for each class and work around the hues of that color to get more organized!
3. Make your own syllabus – if your professor doesn’t provide a syllabus for your class, try to make one before the school year working around your given textbooks or other given material.
4. Make study guides – make a study guide from your syllabus and draw before each topic two boxes: one for a midtest and one for the final test. When you have one of these tests, check the boxes when you’ve finished studying the chapter so you won’t miss anything!
5. Reference your material throughout – most of the times, we students work with in-class notes, textbooks and a syllabus. Since we get small bits of information here and there it’s important to reference every page throughout all your material so you can quickly access your information without having to flip endlessly through pages!
6. Keep a dashboard nearby – Whenever you use a notebook or a binder, make a dashboard on the first page with post it notes so you can quickly scribble any questions, homework or page numbers. When you get home, you just need to open your dashboard and attend those notes.
7. Print any tests, exercises and exams you can find – keep those in the end of your binder. These are perfect to practice before exams and tests because they really reflect what you will be tested about. Set an alarm clock for the deadline and start working on those!
8. Condense – organization disappears when you have too many of everything. Working with more than one planner in your life will make everything chaotic. If you think you need a second planner because you don’t have enough space to write in the first one, it’s because you don’t have available time as well. Don’t fool yourself and set achievable goals!
9. Customize your textbooks – most of the times, textbooks are formal books where information is hard to come by. Make your own tabs and write every chapter on them so they stick out – flag any charts, tables or graphics. Everything needs to be incredibly accessible!
10 Print a special planning sheet before finals: Organizing your studying by chapters and/or topics before finals is tremendously important since it lets you organize the amount of time you dedicate to each subject,
Study Sessions and Time Management
11. Save at least one afternoon or one morning a week for intensive studying. These is your “life-saver” – when you get so full of homework and projects that you can’t incorporate them into your daily academic routine, one free afternoon to organize your school life will really come in handy! Make an appointment with yourself!
12. Prepare in advance – although most professors may not ask you to prepare a class in advance, if you have the means to, go ahead. Grab a sheet and make a summary of the chapter your class will be about. Write the major topics and key information and take that guide to class. When your professor repeats previously studied information, you will be able to understand everything much better!
13. Never leave something behind – Even if you have a more light class, where professors don’t request homework or any side projects, don’t let that fool you! Be disciplined and be your own professors! Make your own projects and learn everything you can so you can nail those finals when they arrive.
14. Write your questions – most of the time, in a heavy study session, we come up with tons of questions and sometimes we just leave them behind. Write them down in your dashboard or a small notebook and ask your professors (personally or via e-mail). You can also ask your schoolmates in a facebook group created for that purpose!
15. Set an alarm clock and reward yourself – even if you study during an entire afternoon your studying will be pointless if you don’t take regular breaks. Set an alarm clock for one hour/one hour and a half and then take a 15 minute break. Never study for more than 2 hours straight! Even if you don’t notice, you’ll get less and less focused.
16. . Make a list – before each study session I like to grab my notepad and write down everything that I need to do before my session ends: the chapters I need to read, the pages I need to go through and the homework I need to complete. Sometimes I even write theses lists when I’m in college so I’ll have more determination to complete those tasks once I get home.
17 Work on the least interesting thing first. There are always classes or projects that we like the least – and those are the ones that we need to tackle first. You will start your studying session concentrated, which will let you go through the worst tasks faster.
18 Print, print, print. try to print everything you can and never study from your computer. Having your PDF files printed at hand will let you concentrate better, highlight and write some notes in the margins. You can take these everywhere with you and even turn them into small guides for future classes!
19. If you finish ahead, don’t quit. Perhaps the time you’ve saved for your study session has come to an end way before you have planned. That doesn’t mean you should stop right now – Take that time to review what you’ve learned so far or prepare other classes ahead of time!
20. Study in an organized space – make your own studying corner – bring everything you will need, from textbooks, binders and notebooks, to a cup of coffee and your computer. Keep them neatily organized on your desk so everything is at hand and on sight. Put on some soft background music (links down below) and adjust the lightning.
In class notes
21. If your professor provides PowerPoint slides before each class, print them (six or four per page) and bring them to class. Write in the margins and more throughout information in the back so it’s all condensed and tight. This is where you’ll take your notes. If you prefer to write on lined paper, think about copying some ruled paper to the back of your printed slides.
22. If your professor asks you to prepare your class in advance, try to make a small guide for each class. Open the comments column in MSWord and print the pages with that column. When you go to class, incorporate the in-class notes in that column, next to the relevant information so everything is nice and condensed.
23 If you are in a information-heavy class, try to adopt the Cornell method, which is the best, in my opinion, when you need to be a fast writer. There’s a video right here on how to use this method.
24. If you are in a bits-and-pieces class, which is that kind of class where the professor just gives a few key points and then gives practical examples or makes you work in group, try to adopt the box method – you can draw these boxes yourself or make them with post it notes – these are way more visual and perfect to memorize information.
25. Write in-class flashcards – if you don’t have flashcards around, make tiny flashcards on the top of your notes, where you cover the definitions you’ve written with the name of the definition. Each time you open your notes, try to remember the hidden definition. Automatic studying, every time!
26. Participate in class – nothing better than to be actively involved in your class discussion. For most of us, shy creatures, participating can be dreadful – but once you get out of your box, you’ll see how participating really makes you understand the subject!
27. If you have any questions during class, raise your hand and ask them. If your professor doesn’t like being interrupted, write them down and approach them in the end of the class. Sometimes, the little things we don’t understand are exactly the ones that come up on the final exam!
28. Ask for examples. Examples are probably the thing that makes your brain connect the information faster. If your professor isn’t keen on providing examples, suggest your own and see if your answer comes up right. Sometimes, examples are the thing that really makes us understand our material and our definitions, since they transform formal information into relatable events.
29. Sit at the front. It sounds too straightforward but sitting at the front really makes wonders. You won’t get distracted by what you classmates are doing, you will focus on the professor, who is right in front of you and you will resist the temptation of going to Facebook and Instagram during a boring presentation.
30. Write a brief summary at the end of the class. During those five minutes where everyone is dismissed and leaving the room, write a brief summary of that classes’ key points in the back of a page – this is fundamental in the Cornell method but can be used in any other method as well.
Finals Guide
31 Skim through your material two times: at first, you should start by studying your material starting from the end. The last lessons will be fresh in your memory and it’s very important to reinforce your knowledge on these while you can. In the second reading, you should start from the beginning, as usual. It’s important to make these two readings so you can go through the information in a much more flexible way.
32. Make a mindmap of each chapter. A mindmap is a chart that relates key words and important information, making it easy to understand the relationship and hierarchy between such key words. Use colors and images to memorize your material better. Oh, and don’t forget to check out my video on how to make mindmaps!
33. Read each of the titles and try to say out loud its contents, explaining each concept and the relationship between them. Imagine you are the teacher and are lecturing that subject to a crowd. If you skip any of the subjects, do it all over again. The more you repeat, the better you will memorize.
34. It’s time for some flash cards! Write the topic or the title on one side and the meaning or the explanation on the other. Try to cover as many topics or titles as you can and go through your cards while memorizing as best as you can each of the concepts. Try to do it backwards if you have time to do so!
35. On the day before the exam, skim through your mindmaps and flash cards again and always try to study while talking. Saying your content out loud will force your brain to relate information in a much more cohesive way and you’ll memorize everything much better.
36. Read the entire exam from top to bottom. Underline or circle any important words that you think will be crucial in you answer. After that, calculate how much time you should spend answering each question: this simple calculation will take only twenty seconds and will help you organize your time. Try to save five minutes at the end for revisions.
37. If you are solving a written exam and not multiple choice, try as much as possible to organize each answer in a structured way, saving two lines just to present your line of thought and writing each different argument in a different paragraph. Draft a conclusion at the end to underline the centre of your answer. Sometimes softly underlining some keywords is important to make your professor notice that you’ve correctly given importance to certain concepts.
38. Use these symbols for each question: one dot if you aren’t sure of the answer, two dots if you are sure of your answer and a circle if you are completely unaware of your answer. Start by answering any question with two dots; after those are all answered, go on through the two dots question. Leave the circle questions to the end – and ALWAYS answer them! Even if you don’t know what they’re about, who knows if you will be able to come up with something right?
39. Review your test one final time – many times, we make a lot of mistakes under stress and now is when you should spot them and amend them. This can be the difference between a B and an A!
40. Don’t take this too seriously – school is an important aspect of our lives but it isn’t everything. Failure comes many times and these failures can even drive you away from something that was simply not meant to be. Don’t stress out because everyone goes through the same!
how to get back into studying when you don’t have a routine 🏡🌿🌙
it’s ok to have a fresh start whenever you need one - sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in a rut where you find you can’t plan, focus or be productive, or you have so much to catch up on you don’t have time to tackle much else. at any point, it’s fine to reboot. take care of yourself, plan your week, try something new, finish all the tasks you need to! why not now?
prioritise your tasks - organise your tasks into urgent, important but can wait, and to be done if you have free time, then tackle them from most important to least important. that way you’ve divided and cleared your to do list and that pile of tasks doesn’t look as intimidating. and if it works for you, a timetable could help!
switch up the ways in which you learn - doing the same thing over and over can be taxing so changing how you study and keeping things fresh can rekindle your interest and motivation. instead of glossing over old notes, watch a video. create a presentation ! teach your notes to a friend. introducing new ways of learning can help you have more fun and also improve what you retain.
do whatever you need to motivate you - make sure you’re eating. get enough sleep! dress comfy. or dress fancy! do your makeup all cute. don’t do your makeup at all! hang out with friends and family! spend some time alone. spice things up. deviating from your typical routine is a good way to feel like you’ve restarted and introduce change.
the one problem i have with people my age and younger is that a lot of us do not have hands on hobbies. like i have spoken to so many people my age who go to work, go to school and then fuck around on their phone/computer for hours and then ???????? like no wonder ur depressed and have low confidence in urself. u need to get ur hands on something, feed those dopamine receptors! learn how to play guitar, garden, scrapbook, fucking make model trains. i don’t give a shit, MAKE SOMETHING!!
it feels better than drugs when i finish making a thing—and then show it off or gift it.
and then so people my age say to me ‘well—i can’t draw/paint/knit/etc. like you can. my stuff would be terrible.’ yeah, well duh—a part of developing skill is sucking at something and then practicing it over and over and over again until you suck less. u’ll have a hard time feeling lonely or bored when you can’t stop thinking abt a technique you want to try or something you want to make for someone else. making things has SAVED MY LIFE. it gave me a reason to keep living day after day when i wanted to die.
making things improved my generational relationships (when i worked for the newspaper i would talk to customers abt jamming recipes or cross-stitch, one of my grandmas always gives me pattern books and tell me abt when she knitted things for mom, my other grandma is giving me a wedding quilt that HER grandma gave her 50 years ago because she knows i will appreciate it). it also got me likeminded friends who also make things.
take a ceramics class! pick up water colors, bake cakes! learn to work on cars! make soap. DO SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T INVOLVE STARING AT A SCREEN.
For people who don’t know where to start: so far I have taught myself knitting, tablet weaving, and soap making from YouTube, and I started all three the same way— by watching people make things. Not like in a tutorial video way, but just like. Woman Weaves Tapestry. Grandma Makin Soap in the Kitchen. Once you have watched hours of low-production-quality videos of normal people just making average things, it starts to seem much more possible that you, too, can Make a Thing. It also gives you a much better idea of how one actually starts and goes about it.
My plug: I seriously recommend knitting or crochet for anyone with a low budget. I picked it up specifically to keep myself busy one winter when I was very broke. A skein of cheap yarn and some needles is under ten bucks and will occupy you for hours as you slowly produce a long, uneven, but lovely scarf whose pattern came free on the yarn ball. Ten bucks might even be generous— I found several sets of needles at a thrift shop once, and Ravelry has endless amounts of free patterns that you can sort by difficulty. Go forth and be cheap and be happy and Make Things!
10 Angry College Tips For Incoming Freshmen
(I finished my freshman year this spring with a 4.0 GPA, an off-campus research internship, and three professors contacting me suggesting that I apply for a fulbright scholarship. These tips aren’t coming out of my ass.)
1. LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY THIS: YOU DO NOT NEED TO “GET INVOLVED” IN STUPID CLUBS IF YOU DON’T ENJOY THEM. Hear “get involved! :)” for the 1000th time and just barf in your mouth a little and move on. If you work hard and get good grades, and socialize with people on campus when you have free time (it comes more naturally than you think) YOU WILL. BE. FINE. Actually better than fine. You’ll have time to get a real job/internship, which by the way, is what the real world wants to see you prioritizing. Moral of the story: Only join clubs if they help your personality thrive and feel healthy. Don’t do them because you feel pressured.
2. DON’T TAKE SHIT FROM A N Y O N E. I know you’re trying to fit in and take the stance of trying to make everyone happy to make sure you’ll have plenty of friends. But you have to realize that you literally just met these people, and they just met you. If they create an uncomfortable environment for you that makes college harder to cope with, get them the fuck out of your life. Ain’t nobody got time for people’s high school-ass drama.
3. SKIP YOUR CLASSES SOMETIMES. If you really have your shit together, it won’t matter. Your school will say the amount of skips you can get away with before it harms your grade. Use. Them.
4. BECOME THE MASTER OF WRITING ESSAYS IN ONE NIGHT. You will have to. I’m telling you right the fuck now. And you can get an A, if you work your lil ass off. I’ve done it many times.
5. DON’T CARE FOR EVEN 1 SECOND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK OF YOU. If you wanna wear sweats and no makeup, do it. If you want to dress up and take time to put on makeup, do it. If you want to stay away from partying, do it. If you want to party, have a good ass time. If anyone has enough time to judge you, they need to be studying harder or getting a hobby. Make yourself comfortable and happy as fuck and enjoy your time in college worry-free.
6. BE THE ASSHOLE WITH A TABLET OR LAPTOP IN LECTURE. You won’t have time to copy it all down. You’ll be miserable. Just trust me. I know studies say its more effective to write stuff down for memory, but, write them out later or something. Learned that one the hard way.
7. DON’T REWRITE YOUR NOTES IF IT DOESN’T HELP YOU STUDY. If you know doing that doesn’t help you memorize, don’t do it, period. Or, if you have a collossal asston of notes (like I did) it isn’t even worth rewriting them all in the first place. I’ve fallen down that hole and lost motivation and time. Just reread them or make flashcards or whatever. Study for effectiveness, not aesthetic.
8. BE PREPARED FOR LAB TO GO THE “WHOLE TIME.” Yah, you’re gonna see 3 hours on that brand-shiny-new schedule of yours and be like there’s no way it’ll go that long, right? LOL about that. Just mentally brace yourself. Eat and drink beforehand for the love of god we don’t need hangry people handling chemicals.
9. COMMUTING DOESN’T MAKE YOU A LONER. Just. No. If you live close to campus, are comfortable with commuting, and know you’ll save yourself MAJOR debt by doing it, do it and don’t feel a fucking ounce of guilt about it. It’ll be some early mornings, but your fresh out of college broke ass will thank you, and you’ll use your time more effectively. (Plus you get a non grimy shower like??)
10. LOVE YOUR NEW FINE ASS SELF. College is a fresh start. Put energy into who you have always wanted to be. And don’t compromise that out of social anxiety and embarrassment. You’ll be happy and thank yourself if you step out of your comfort zone to be the person you’ve always had in mind.