Microbiology Nerd

[microbiologynerdd]

Effective Revision Methods - Learn Smarter NOT Harder

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all well! Lets jump straight into it!

Revision. The daunting task for every student, with the hardest thing being where to start. So, today I’ve decided to share with you my process, things that have worked for me, things that haven’t, and where to start.

What type of learner are you?

This is such an important question because you need to cater YOUR revision to YOU. This being visual, auditory or kinesthetic/tactile learning. If you aren’t sure just google ‘what type of learner am I quiz’ you can find hundreds of quizzes to find out. Or usually, you can deduce it from your current revision methods or the methods you know you defiantly hate. But remember you can be a mix, e.g. I’m both a visual and kinesthetic learner. Auditory learning is not my jam – seriously I hate it… haha. 

Once you know this you can make your learning EFFECTIVE, use your EVERY ADVANTAGE to learn content. No point listening to your notes if you are visual learner right? Catering to your style means that content which took you 1 hour to learn before could actually be learnt in 30 mins. Who doesn’t want SHORTER REVISION TIME but with the SAME quantity of information absorbed?

Ineffective revision methods:

1. STOP READING THE TEXTBOOK. – I’ve said it, your teachers said it, EVERYONE has properly said it. So STOP! This passive revision method well sucks. If you do not attempt to recall information from your brain you are not making ‘connections’ between neurones (cells) within your brain – or at least not at the rate you could be. More ‘connections’ = More information learnt (more or less).

2. Copying your notes – Not as horrendous as the devils spawn above, but still not ideal. You are not retrieving this information from your brain, and as mentioned above this is a really important factor.

EFFECTIVE revision methods:

This section is split into 2 parts depending on the type of assessment.

For multiple choice questions/ short answer questions:

1. Flashcards - Flashcards are my favourite. 

Writing the cards allows you to consolidate your learning, find out what you don’t understand and what you do understand. I recommend Anki or Quizlet for my visual/kinesthetic learners and recording your cards on your phone for my auditory learners. You can’t write a card on something you don’t understand! Once you’ve consolidated into cards you can go straight to learning! Skipping the time consuming and ineffective ‘copying your notes’ stage. More Time spent Learning the cards, rather than copying notes = more knowledge obtained, and most likely better grades! 

I know a lot of people are guilty of writing their notes out, then writing flashcards - me included. But this is essentially the same step. I’m not saying you wont absorb any knowledge from doing this, but you will learn more from practicing the flashcards... hence why you write them in the first place ;)

2. Practice papers/ Questions

Would you go into a driving test without ever driving a car before? No? Then, why are you doing this for exams? Practice papers don’t only allow you to test your knowledge but also practice your time-management during the exam. And if you are lucky sometimes questions can be repeated between each different exam years. FREE MARKS – HELL YES!

3. Focused group revision

I use the word ‘focused’ for a reason. Going to the library with your friends to ‘revise’ aka chat about last nights football game or the latest group gossip isn’t really going to help your grades – but you already know that. However, coming together, each with a set of questions, and asking each other about them will help. You will consolidate further the information you do know, and you will learn new information from your friends and vice versa. This method is great for kinesthetic and auditory learners.

For essay-based assessments:

1. Essay plan mind maps

Mind-maps. Mind-maps are a great way to plan potential essays for an exam, but you don’t want to be writing out full essays word for word. Hence why I recommend mind-maps. This style forces you to stay concise so you do not run out of room on the page. Try and keep 1 essay plan per page.

2. Recalling essay plans

Writing them is great, but no point writing them if you can’t remember them. So practice writing them out from memory and then fill in the gaps. Great for information learning but also great for structure learning too! This also helps you link ideas together, practicing what the you’ll be required to do in the exam. This is often a problem I find with using flashcards for essays, you are ‘triggered’ by the MCQ (multiple choice question), whereas in an essay exam you must create your own triggers to unlock the information you have learnt, from the previous sentence you have written

3. Essay plan lists: 

For my friends who hate mind-maps. I use essay lists – picture below. Simply write those mind map branches in a chronological bullet-point list. I use different colours to separate the information. Try and keep all the information on one page!

4. Group Study: 

This is the same as the group study above but this time discuss topics as a group, as though you were writing the essay aloud. Or work together to plan an essay together, using as much detail as possible. You will learn new phrasing and information from your peers. Use mark schemes too if they are available, but often at university level, they are not – a bit annoying I know.

But what if I love note taking/ reading from the textbook?

Okay, let’s make your note-taking a bit more effective. 

Write out your notes, but ensure you are consolidating and not copying. Copying won’t help. At the end of each page or each topic, write yourself a list of questions about the information you have just written. And then when you come to learn the information e.g. by reading it out loud to yourself hundreds of times; make sure you test yourself with these questions at the end and see what you can recall. This way you are still actively recalling this information.

My experience:

What I am trying to ‘sell’ you is this concept of active recall. If you actively recall something you are more likely to remember the information than if you are passively writing or reading. Once you have done this you need to go over this information at different time intervals i.e. spaced repetition. Anki – the flashcard app I mentioned earlier really helps me do this. If you want more information on space repetition or how I do this then let me know in the comments.

All of the above information comes from my education experience, I have tried note copying, reading my notes throughout GCSE and A level. Yes, they got me where I am, but using my time with efficient methods could have given my grades an extra boost like it has done at university. Once I took some time to look into ‘effective’ revision methods AND implemented them, my revision game changed – and so can yours.

 The information I’ve provided above is based on studies, not just some fairy-tale I have made up – This source and others online can show you the real positive impact active recall methods have on your learning. My explanations above are purposely ‘not sciencey’ but understanding this concept matters not the exact science. Active recall sounds like a big word, but its literally just testing yourself from the earliest opportunity.

Conclusion

I think by now you get the point and I don’t need to keep babbling on. But if you are to take anything from this post about revision is to:

1. Revise by the type of learner you are

2. Test yourself from the earliest opportunity.

Switch up your learning, make it exciting, make it effective. Then, you have more time to learn different content or for your leisure activities. More knowledge in less time!

As always you’ve got this!

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

P.s If you have any methods that work for you, mention them in the comments below!

[microbiologynerdd]

Ultimate University Guide - FRESHERS EDITION.

Hi everyone!

So, I expect any new university student is a tad nervous about starting their first year. New environment, new people, new place, NEW NEW NEW. Change can be scary, but I want you to embrace it and to help you to do that, here are my…

TOP 15 TIPS FOR FRESHERS WEEK AND BEYOND!

1.       Don’t you dare say NO to anything – within reason!

Be a yes person! This will take you in directions you cannot predict, meet new people have new experiences, make the most of that HEFTY tuition fee you spending to be here. Invited out for drinks? Say yes. You don’t even have to drink, just have a cheeky J20. But meet new people, listen to people’s stories thus far. New sport? Go to it. And if no one is asking you to go places, they may be shy too, so count to 3 and ask them. You’ll be surprised how great it might turn out. I said yes to a taekwondo class and the next year I became the VP of the society. Try new things, say yes, stay busy.

2.       Homesickness.

 This relates to number 1 but the busier you are the less time you have to be homesick. The sooner you start having fun, the easier the transition will be.

3.       Just go say hi.

I don’t care where you are, go say hi to everyone. Literally no-one is going to look at you weird or be say go away for being friendly. The conversation may go a bit dry, and you might figure out this person isn’t for you. But that’s okay, you miss all the shots you don’t try! Maybe the 5th person you speak to in a lecture turns out to be a lifelong friend.

Go to phrases if you are stuck.

Where are you from?

What subject are you doing?

What accommodation do you live at?

The above phrases aren’t anything knew, and by the end of the week you are going to be fed up of repeating yourself. But that’s all part of the fresher’s experience!

4.       Go to the club early one time.

Yes, yes you want to pre, get wasted before going. One night I decided not to drink, went to the club early and sober, and spoke to some random people with my flatmate and we made some great friends! Anywhere is a friend making area if you want it to be. Go up to people, they don’t bite, I promise! Just for one night, focus less on the alcohol and more on the people, you don’t know what might occur!

5.       Go to freshers fair – obvious but true!

Besides the freebies, you can get lots of information on joining societies. Future events, things you can involved in and discounts!

6.       Join a society.

You need a break from studying, so try everything you might be interested. Most societies have taster sessions, go get involved. Don’t be afraid to go alone! There will be lots of people who might be in the same position. And then it comes back to tip 2, just go say hi. What’s the worse that can happen? Also having outside commitments looks great on a CV – win win!

7.       Need a job? Get one on campus!

I know a lot of students need to support themselves whilst studying, and a great way to do that is getting a part-time role with the university or university shops and cafés. These are usually advertised at the start of the year; they are flexible and understanding of studying commitments. Keep an eye out and ask around, if you think it’s something you’ll be interested in.

8.       Be careful what you wear to taster session

Firstly, wear whatever makes you comfortable, but don’t wear the university branding. I made this mistake at a sports taster weekend. And lots of people thought I ran the session, its funny to look back on, but at the time it can get a bit intimidating . My own fault of course, but yeah just keep that in mind.

9.       NOONE CARES WHAT YOU WEAR

I know students have a lot of pressure on them to dress a certain way etc. But when I say no one gives a barnacle, they don’t! Turn up to your lectures in your pjs, wear that bold statement piece! Be you, wear you! If you think someone’s looking at you, 9/10 they aren’t! Or if they are just wave and smile, because you look awesome!

10.   If you are lost – just ask someone

You will most likely get lost on campus. Its fine, everyone has. The person you ask might know where the building is or direct you to a nearby map if they don’t. Or the other person might be a fresher also, perhaps even lost to the building you are looking for, you can be lost together or find help together… whatever you choose. Haha. But word of warning, second and third years will laugh at you, but its okay you will do the same thing next year… it’s a right of passage! But ask them, they will also help you find your way. We were in your boat once before!

11.   Attend your lectures, do the work.

Lectures matter, attend them, review them. Start as you mean to go on, they will build up. The more you do now the less stress you will have later, and the more you will thank yourself… and me😉 BUT – don’t do extra extra work within your first couple of weeks instead of joining in with activities. You have time to work, taster sessions don’t last forever! Get involved!

12.   Leave ‘getting lost’ time when attending lectures/events.

Its better to be early rather than late, and getting lost can be stressful enough for some, without worrying that you are going to be late too!

13.   If in doubt bribe people with food.

If you don’t know how to start a conversation with someone, bring a cake, a cookie or even sweets! Food gets people’s attention, and it’s a good place to start talking. Either they have an allergy to something obscure, or its their favourite food! Who knows, guess you’ll find out! Just go knock on their door!

14.   Bring a doorstop.

Leave your door open so people know you are open to company. It’s slightly less intimating going to an open door than a closed one! A nice way to make friends, and a good way on moving weekend to figure out who has moved in and who hasn’t just yet!

15.   Just have fun

No pressure to do anything, do what you want. Enjoy it. And if you get nervous talking to people, I like the ‘1,2,3 do it’ rule. Count to 3 and just do it!  Cliché but it works – or it does for me anyway!

 And that’s it from me!

Best of luck for anyone starting university, college or any new experience. I hope my tips were helpful! Just be yourself and you’ll be just fine!

Where are you guys going to Uni/college? And of course, any questions leave them in the comments or message me privately!

Best of luck, you’ve got this! 💪

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

BEFORE you start your A-LEVELS...

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all well!

As the UK is starting to go back to school next week, and a recent conversation with a friends sibling, here is some advice for new A-level students. 

THE COMBINATION OF YOUR A-LEVELS MATTERS!

When choosing any path in life, you want to attempt to keep as many doors open as possible. This applies to your A-Level options as well. 

Ultimately the average student uses their A-Levels to go to university - and even if you aren’t sure whether you want to go to Uni now, give yourself the option to change your mind. You may or may not, but giving yourself the door to enter is the important thing. 

Do what you enjoy, but be smart about it. For example, if you want to go down a science pathway, you will need more than just one science subject. I’m not telling you to take multiple science subjects if you hate them all but one. However, look at what options your A-levels give you. Taking a random selection may not help you in the long run.

If you want to go down the bioscience path, you need 2 science A-levels. But that doesn't have to be a traditional science, you can use geography and psychology. But if you don’t make these choices now, you are gonna be a bit stuck if you decide this career path.

Practical advice.

1. Put your A-levels choices into a career search engine to see what degrees or career options you have. Do you like these options? 

2. Look at Uni websites. You don’t have to love the Uni, or even know the exact course you want to do. But see what the requirements are for different subjects. Do you  like the sound of any of the degrees so far? Do have the correct subjects for these degrees? No? Might be worth reconsidering your choices.

Ultimately you want to choose the A-levels which give you the most options. You don’t want to kick yourself in 2 years time wishing you’d been more careful in your decision. 

You are never to young too young to start thinking about your future, get ahead of the game.

Just something to think about.

Want tips on a specific topic? Let me know in the comments!

Speak Soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

A Level Results Day - You are AMAZING no matter what ❤️

Hi everyone!

I just wanted to wish everyone the best of luck today when getting your A level exam results!

I know this year has been a strange one, particularly in terms of the education system here in the UK and elsewhere.

No matter how well you achieved relative to your opinion, you should all be so proud of yourselves. The hard work and determination you have put in the last 2 years I hope is justified through your result.

Whether you receiving unconditional offers for university or are walking down another path, just remember that everything happens for a reason. 

Whatever your choice, lessons shall be learn’t and knowledge shall be obtained. 

The education system is hard enough, and the fact that every student, no matter the level, has kept working and trying their best even during a pandemic; truly shows how incredible you all are. 

Good luck for the start of your new journey and remember to celebrate your success - socially distanced of course ;) 

Speak soon,

Lucinda x 

[microbiologynerdd]

Lecture Note Taking Tips - UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE STUDENTS

Hello Everyone!

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful weekend!

Today I wanted to share my tips and experience in the jump from Sixth form/Highschool to University/College.

There is a lot of lessons I have learnt over my two years at university, So I think I might turn this into a little series! So, keep an eye out! But for this week, here are my tips and tricks for lecture theatre note-taking! Enjoy!

From Classroom notes to Lecture Theatre:

Determine whether you can type quicker than you can write. The pace of a lecture varies between lecturers. But you want to be prepared for the snails and the cheetahs. You want to gain an understanding from the lecture, concentrating on the content, not panicking what content you have missed. Do what works best for you, not what you think you should do.

Please DO NOT copy the lecture slides. Nine times out of ten, you will have access to your lecture slides after the lecture. But fewer universities record their lectures. Write down what the lecturer is saying! This information cannot be accessed quickly or at all after the lecture - So focus on it! Your notes do not need to be pretty/complete; they need to be informative!

Asterisk/make a note of sections you may have missed. No one is expecting you to pick up everything in a lecture. We all get sloppy, and sitting in lecture theatres for hours upon end can be exhausting. Mark it out, so you know to check your lecture recording when you go back over your notes or ask a friend if they took note of it. Personally, I use ‘PAN’ to mark out information.

Ask your friends for notes at APPROPRIATE times. If you are mid-way through a lecture, don’t start pestering your friend for the note you have missed. Wait for the interval or a break in the lecture. Otherwise, while your friend is helping you, they are also missing potentially vital information.

Write in short-hand. Use standard abbreviations and make up your own too! E.g. APC = Antigen Presenting Cell or Spec = Spectroscopy. You will find you are getting your notes down faster, so you have more time to spend paying attention to the lecturer. Make sure you note them down though, there is no point writing in abbreviations if you cant remember what they mean later!

Remember to put the date on your work. When you drop all your notes, and they go out of order, you’ll thank me for this one. It makes finding your notes a lot easier. Even if you are on a computer, date your work. It can help you keep track of lectures you’ve missed or content you have lost etc.

Separate your notes via lecture slide. Personally, I like to write my notes in paragraphed bullet points. So my notes for slide 1 are in consecutive bullet points, and then I add a double space for the next slide. This helps me keep track of my notes, without writing lots of sub-titles - which can become time consuming in fast paced lectures. See the example below, it’s a little clearer than my explanation... haha!

I know 7 tips is an odd number to finish on, but I don’t want to give out pointless tips, so I think I shall leave it here!

Just remember, that EVERYONE in the lecture is new to university life and is still learning to get the hang of things too. Lecturers understand this, you aren’t the first lot of freshers they have taught, and you won’t be the last. Ask questions, enjoy your subject, relax. Time will fly by before you know it!

As always, you’ve got this!💪

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

August 2020 Bullet Journal Spread - Practical and Colourful

Hello everyone!

I hope you are well!

Today, I have decided to share my bullet journal spread which I have been working on for the last week or so! The theme is ‘under the sea’ (as in ocean animals etc, not the film ‘the little mermaid🧜‍♀️’.

I have been bullet journalling since June this year, testing out which spreads I use most, and thus which spreads help me stay PRODUCTIVE and ORGANISED!

At its core, this post is a PRACTICAL set of spreads, and helps me keep track of my habits and my to-do-lists. If you want to remove all my doodle moments, it would make a great template for anyone who is after a MINIMALIST journal layout!

Now I’m NO PICCASSO, I just like to doodle! So yes this journal probably looks like it belongs to a kid, but I love it.

I hope you like the spreads and find them useful!

Calendar spread

I don’t think this spread needs much of an explanation... it is just your basic monthly calendar. I use this part of my journal, to keep track of key dates or events happening over the month.

Habit Tracker and Gratitudes Spread

Habit tracker:

I currently have 8 habits which I am trying to keep on top of . Three of them are educational and the others are to remind me to give my body the minimum self care it requires. That being a good sleep routine, exercise routine, and correct nutritional intake. Without these basic habits, you are neglecting you minimum needs, without this foundation, I personally cannot function to my full potential. So I like to keep on top of them, I give myself ‘a kick up the backside’ if I am neglecting one!

My sleep and mood tracker are there to obviously track my sleep but also to see whether my others habits affect my mood. I have found on days that I have completed more of my desired habits, the happier I have been. Although I desire to keep all my habits, it is not a big deal if I miss a day. I remind myself of this, so my habits stay healthy and not obsessive. Putting too much pressure on ourselves to meet our own perfectionism standards can be dangerous - so remember to give yourself a break, you are pretty awesome just the way you are!

Gratitudes:

During my exams, I was struggling to find/have excitement for a new day. So this gratitudes section helped me start my day on a positive note. Remembering what I already have, and what I have to be excited about - no matter how small. It personally puts my mind in a great place to start the day.

Monthly Reminders and Daily To-Do-Lists

Monthly Reminders:

This page is to list any tasks I need to make sure I do, or just something general I need to remember. The task is not grand enough to put in the calendar section, but it’s bigger than just appearing on a daily to do list. I refer to this list if I have a particularly free day, so I can ensure I stay productive.

To do lists:

I have daily to-do-list for a 1 week time period on 5 pages (the photo is clearer than my explanation 😂). Everyday I fill up the correct date with a list of things I would like to get done, and I cross them off as I do them! Easy peasey!

This method allows me to keep track of the things I need to do all on one A5 page per week. I don’t particularly like double spread weekly calendars, I find they waste of a lot of sheets, or I don’t have enough room in each box. I have lots of short things (short in word length) I need to do, which I like to write one under the other. Standard horizontal weekly calendars, are too wide and shallow, and thus better for tracking events. But for me this begs the question as to ‘why they have monthly calendar spreads?’because, they tend to only track events as well? Ultimately, this is why I like bullet journalling, so I can create my own logical spreads.

Please tell me this makes sense? And that other people find this too... haha!

Reflection

This page I enjoy using at the end of each month, as a conclusion. It enables me to reflect and enjoy the memories of the last month. Time flies past so quickly, so I like to take a moment to appreciate what I have. It doesn’t feel like 5 minutes since we had started lockdown in the UK, and now it is AUGUST?! Honestly how?

This spread is super important to remember; although we all have our fair share of trials and tribulations, there is always something good you will be able to find within your life . It might be small, and you may have to search for it, but significant it is.

Appreciate the small things, and you’ll see the difference it makes to your life - or don’t, up to you XD

And there you have it my monthly spread for August! I hope you can see that it is practical behind the doodles, and perhaps a method you could adopt for your organisation. Or even if it inspired you to doodle too, it doesn’t have to be good, as long as it brings you joy!😊

What is your bullet journal theme for August?

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Week 3 of The My Summer Studying Challenge

Hello everyone!

I hope you are all well!

Firstly, I just want to thank you all for the amazing response to my Notion Organisation post on Sunday, I have really been blown away by all the positive feedback!

Secondly, my apologies for my lack of activity over the last couple days, I have been moving out of my student house! It was a rather busy few days! But I hope my notion post kept you all busy!

29th July - Have you done or are you planning to do any activities (such as work experience, summer schools or watching lectures) other than normal work during the summer? 

So I have been busy over July sorting out and applying for placements/internships! As I’ve mentioned before in a previous post , I received a job offer for one! In fact, I start on Monday which is crazy - It was a really quick turn around.

On top of this I have been attending micro-talk lectures from PHD students at SFAM, just to broaden my knowledge of microbiology.

So yeah, thats all the work I’ve been doing/ planning. The rest of summer I shall be working full time!

Do you guys work any summer jobs? If so what sorts of things do you get up to?

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Notion - BASIC and EASY Note taking system FOR STUDENTS

Hello everyone!

I hope you are well!

For this weeks #Microbiologynerddweeklytips post, I shall be sharing my university note taking and organisation system using Notion.

I have been using Notion for roughly 1 year, and have used it to organise my second year university studies, in addition to my voluntary position as the VP of my society.

So below is a very BASIC and EASY to use format you could adapt for yourselves! Enjoy😊

Contents

As a directory to everything I need at university, I have a contents page. Here I have each of my modules, as though they were chapters of a book. Each leading to a separate page of their own.

After this I have the required ‘modules’ for my placement year. I have arranged this slightly differently to my regular university notes - more details on this later.

Below this you can find pages for my summer microtalks hosted by SFAM. I attend these weekly and make notes in that subsection.

And finally I have a section for Taekwondo, to organise tasks I have to complete as the VP of Taekwondo.

Module pages:

So i have tested 2 different methods for module layout, each only having a slight twist.

- Please click the photos to enlarge -

In the photos above, I visualise the 2 different systems. Each of the systems involves having a new cell per lecture. However, in the first 2 photos (from left to right) I have separate pages for my lectures vs my lab notes. Whereas on the right, I have my lectures, labs, extra reading and questions all formulated into one table. Clicking the See All button at the top left of the table, above the search bar, you can choose to view classes by type i.e. just see my lectures or just see my lab notes for example.

The second system I have found works best, otherwise you are just clicking too many buttons to get to the area you need. However, in future I shall implement the ‘breadcrumb’ at the top the page, like i did with the first and second photos. (Breadcrumb = univeristy/ BMS2037:cellu../lecture below the page titles). Breadcrumbs make it easier to shift between pages instead of clicking the back button all the time. They are essientally hyperlinks to other pages.

Tip: to insert a breadcrumb simply put /breadcrumb and a breadcrumb will appear. This works for anything you are trying to insert e.g. a table

You can also choose to insert materials e.g. any lecture slides or resources you used within that lecture. Personally I dont find this helpful, as our VLE is clearly laid out with our lectures. But it might be something worth trying, as you can also insert pictures or any sort of media you require.

I also use the tick box function to keep track of whether I have written the lecture into Anki cards (flashcards)/ attended the lecture.

Side note: Please ignore my spelling/ how I label lectures, they make sense to me, they dont need to be 100% correct - right?

Internship/Placement Page:

I have recently been dabbling in the layout I would like to use for my internship year, however, I shall update you at a later date with any additional details, as due to COVID-19 the formate of the year and my assessments has changed. I also will find out more when I start my internship... which is soon - yay!

I’ve decided to have reminders at the top, which I inserted using /callout - you can change the emoji to anything you would like. This is for me to know instantly any important documents or tasks that I need to complete.

The external work to that provided by my internship is included in the table. This is essientally the coursework I have to complete on the side of the placement. Here i decided to note the deadlines and percentage of the year that it is worth. This is just to help me grasp the format of this year, since as mentioned above, it is slightly different.

Underneath this I have a selection of details to do with the company. This includes my acceptance letter and any insurance forms I need to send off. I just wanted to have them at hand so i can reference them at any time.

Summer 2020/Taekwondo pages:

These pages I format the same as the ‘Module’ Pages, so I haven’t included any pictures etc.

Miscellaneous things:

- NOTION IS FREE FOR STUDENTS - if you have an educational email, you can sign up for free! If not, packages start at $4 a month, which isn’t too bad for something you use frequently!

- This service is avaliable on tablets and computers, so anyone can take advantage of this organisational software!

- You can change the cover and icon at the top of each page. They include emojis and a standard image database, but you can also upload your own unique images if you desire.

- There are also template designs for pages, with different themes for different needs. So if you don’t want to start one from scratch you have lots of options to choose from. Use those as a base and edit them from there! For example, there are calendars, habit trackers, resume trackers and whole load of other things.

- Using a device for notes, such as notion, allows you access to any notes you have made at ease. It is organised, and you are unlikely to lose your notes. Paper is great until you scrunch up that important sheet, or it rains and the paper gets wet, or you are carrying every single note you have ever made - that can become heavy. Just something to bear in mind, especially if you can afford a laptop/ note taking device of some kind.

- You can create multiple pages for different aspects of your life (photo below). For example I have 2 additional pages, 1 for personal things and another for blog post ideas - to keep you guys entertained... haha! 😆

Conclusion :

What I have shared here is a very BASIC overview of how I use notion. If you desire a detailed in depth report of how notion works, it might be worth checking out Ali Abdaal, who can give you this information. As for me and what I require from the service, Notion has been working really well, keeping me organised with all my notes in one area. Knowing what I am doing, when, and being able to keep up with the speed of lectures - considering my writing speed is questionable. 😂

When you first download notion and look at all the templates, it can be a bit overwhelming/ exciting. Start with what you need, and then explore new ideas that you want to incorporate. There is no point setting up hundreds of pages if you aren’t going to use them, just like writing out pretty notes doesnt help you learn content - but more about that in a future post. Start small, being organised involves consistency, you can’t be consistent if you have given yourself too many things to do daily. Or at least you are unlikely to be.

One word of warning, Notion is not compatible with the Apple Pencil, so if you like writing notes on your iPad, this may not be the best software for you. As well as this, if you are a faster writer than you are typer, DO NOT USE NOTION. The whole basis of this app or at least how I use it, is to stay organised and write notes productively and efficiently. If you prefer writing, keep at it! Don’t just switch because suddenly you hear lots of tapping on keyboards in the lecture theatre.

Play to YOUR STRENGTHS , enhance what you are good at, not what everyone else is doing. As always, you’ve got this 💪

Let me know if you have any questions, or whether you’d like any further posts/details about my notion workflow. I’m happy to answer any queries you have.

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 13 of the My Summer Studying Challenge

Hi guys,

I hope you are doing great!

25th July - What was is your favourite event or day in the summer?   Are you a ‘summer person’ or do you prefer it when it is colder?

I don’t have a particular favourite day in summer. I just love meeting my friends and family , and going on little day trips where ever they may lead me.

And no, I’m definitely NOT a winter person. Of course I love Halloween, Christmas and my birthdays is in winter too. But I thrive in the warm weather, getting a tan, and spending as much time outside as possible. Longer days and brighter mornings just make me happy - even if the summer in the UK can be questionable at times.

Are there any holidays you love celebrating throughout the year? Or perhaps an annual family event you love going to? Let me know in the comments!

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

P.s. This weeks entry of #microbiologynerddweeklytips is live tomorrow at 5pm BST! Keep and eye out! 🎉

[microbiologynerdd]

Music Tag 🎧

Hi everyone!

A big thanks to @jesuisdorii for tagging me in this post! I’m definitely going to add a couple of your songs to my playlist! I’m super interested to see what songs come up for me, as my music taste is so random!

Rules: Put any of your playlists on shuffle and list the first 5 Songs

(I have a lot of playlists, so I’m going to pick 5 playlists, and then choose the first shuffle from each 🎉)

My songs:

1. Vienna - Ben Platt

2. Go somewhere - KREAM, RANI

3. Panama - Quinn XCII

4. Feel So Close - Radio Edit - Calvin Harris

5. She’s So Lovely - Scouting for Girls

Some of these are my absolute favourites! Especially the last one! Do you love any of these songs too?

My tags: @problematicprocrastinator @the-cs-ravenclaw and anyone else who wants to give it a go!

Let me know of any song recommendations, I’d love to hear them!

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 10 of My Summer Studying Challenge

22nd July - what is your dream vacation

Hello everyone!

I hope you are well!

I have a couple of dream vacation ideas, that I would love to go on - hence why they are a dreams😂

Firstly I would love to go to Italy. Ever since I was a child I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, I’m pretty sure at the time it was just because the country is shaped like a boot, and that fact made me happy. But of course the culture, cuisine and environment would be so beautiful to explore.

Secondly I would love to go basically anywhere with wild elephants. I’ve always wanted to see an elephant in its natural habitat, my love for them might be a little too strong... haha! So essientally I’d love to travel to Africa or Asia, to live out this dream!

Finally, I’ve always wanted to tour Spain, and emerge myself in the culture. Perhaps even move there for a time! But first I need to learn Spanish, or at least be half competent at it. Do you have any language learning tips?

Do you guys have a country you are dying to visit? Or perhaps you have already achieved your dream, if so where was it to?

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 8 My Summer Studying Challenge

20th July - Do you usually go on vacation during the summer?

Hello everyone!

Hope you are all good 🎉

I sort have mentioned this response yesterday, but usually I go on holiday with my family. Most of the time, it is to France, and we take our dogs with us too. But before we had the dogs, we would travel to other countries, such as Portugal and Lanzarote. Sometimes we stay in the UK and go to Cornwall!

However, I have started going travelling with my friends and boyfriend too, last summer I saved some money and went to Portugal again and Corfu! The picture above was from Portugal last year, it was just to pretty!

I feel so privileged to be able to to explore the world 🌍

What’s your favourite summer holiday that you have ever been on?

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Placement Applications Top Tips - Student to Student

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are well and happy.

So I have some good news... after months of searching I FINALLY got a PLACEMENT!🎉

It has been a very long process, especially considering the pandemic that is occurring... not that you could forget that though, haha!

Given my recent success, I have decided to share my top tips that I have learn’t along the way to help anyone else out their looking for an internship. Some of these tips are more aimed at placement/internship years, however they are adaptable to short term internships too! Enjoy.

Top 10 Placement Application Tips:

1. Have your CV ready

In the UK Placement opportunities are advertised from September (the start of our academic year), thus you want your CV READY for September 1st... or there abouts. So when it comes to applying for positions you are ready to go.

2. Have a draft of your cover letter

Most placements want a cover letter, so draft one during summer. Find an old placement advertisement that is similar to role/s you are looking for. This way when you comes to sending a cover letter for a specific company, you are not working from nothing.

3. Make your cover letter job specific

If you are planning on sending a generalised cover letter, don’t. You are reducing your chances of getting an interview/ or being selected for the next stage of the process.Tailor the letter:

- Talk about the qualities they are looking for... e.g. good organisation or communication skills, mention how you have them.

- Look into the company, show that you have done your research. Tell them why you want to work for THEM. Make this concise.

4. Use your university academics to your advantage

Your lecturers, personal tutors and careers department are there to HELP YOU. So use them, you are paying £9000+, get your moneys worth!

Ultimately you want someone within your field to look at and analyse your CV and Cover letter, just to make sure you are writing in your departments style. As a science- based CV is different to a law-based CV.

5. Get Company feedback

This is more relevant to interviews but some companies also do this for applications. If your application wasn’t followed up to the interview stage... ask WHY! Be proactive, most companies wont give out feedback unless you request it.

USE THIS INFORMATION, is there a common theme? Apply this to your applications, edit your CV. Make your CV stronger!

If you dont ask, you dont get - Simples!

6. The more applications you apply for the bigger your chance of success

I say this within reason, if you are sending off applications in the masses and you are dropping in quality, then no this isn’t going to work. But if you are putting your hopes and dreams on 1 or 2 companies you are limiting your options.

I made this mistake, I applied for 3 companies and had interviews lined up for a couple months after. Just because you have an interview doesnt mean you are guaranteed the position. Many companies, particularly science offer positions within September to December, keep applying.

Competition is fierce, you will not be the only amazing application.

7. Don’t apply for placements that you aren’t going to accept

May be obvious, but some people do this. It’s a waste of time, dont do it. Put your time into your university work or other applications.

8. Don’t wait for the deadline - apply ASAP

If you see a placement, apply for or it straight away! Make the time!

Many companies can start interviewing early even when the deadline still hasn’t gone. For example, I applied for a placement on the 12th July, interviews occured on the 16th and 17th of July. The application deadline was the 24th. If they think they’ve found the right person, they aren’t even going to read your application.

9. Keep track of your placements applications

Make sure you know who you have applied for: save the advertisement, the deadline, organise your company-specific CV and Cover letter. Have you applied? Have you received an interview? Any feedback?

Make a table to keep track of it all!

This way you can stay organised and keep on top of everything - if you want a cop/template of the table I used for keeping track of my placements, let me know, and ill upload it!

10. You WILL get REJECTED - but that’s okay

A slightly direct statement but true. Accept it early on. You aren’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, or what every company is looking for. But that’s okay, its a common theme in life, and a very NORMAL theme.

It doesn’t mean you give up, it means you try harder. I was rejected 9 times, 4 of those being at the interview stage. But I managed to get hired, you can too!

Learn from your experiences, every application, every interview is priceless chance of experience and knowledge. By the time you get into the big world of adulting you will a pro, and your rejections will reduce!

There you have it, my top 10 tips for CV/ applications! If you would like another one of these for interviews, or have any specific questions you want me to answer pop them in the comments or message me privately!

Remember I believe in you, its now time to believe in yourself! You’ve got this 💪

Speak soon, stay positive,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 7 of the Summer Studying Challenge

19th July - What did you do during the summer when you were a young child?

Hi guys!

Hope you are having an good day!

If I’m honest my memory of my childhood isn’t that great, I don’t remember much... haha. But over the summers my family would usually go to France, which was great fun!

Apart from that I used to watch a channel called Popgirl and Nickelodeon over the summer. I’d also spend a lot of time of the trampoline with my brother and dancing too! We would also have family picnics and I’d end up doing some sort of crafts with my mum as well!

Do you have any TV shows that define your childhood? Mine was definitely Spongebob Square Pants, loved it then, love it now!

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

P.s. I have my first studying based/study tips post going up at 5pm BST! So keep your eye out!

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 6 of the My Summer Studying Challenge!

July 18th - What do you usually do during the summer?

Hello everyone! Hope you are having/had a great day!

Usually during the summer I spend a lot of time outdoors, enjoying the countryside but also visiting friends both within England and Europe!

Especially last year, when I fell in love with travelling, and have been trying to do it as much as possible. The picture above was taken in Corfu last September!

However to fund this I tend to work for a month at the beginning of the holidays, so I can finance everything!

What do you guys do during summer?

Speak soon,

Lucinda x

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 5 of the summer studying challenge

17th July - What is the most important task that you need to complete this summer?

Hello everyone! Hope you are okay!

The most important task I need to complete this summer is not something academic. I find that I am often not performing self care acts, such as exercising, eating well and socialising with friends and family. So my most important task of the summer is to create a healthy self care habit that I can continue.

I have already begun by starting to workout 3 times a week! I’m very achy but it’s okay! I’m also trying to strengthen my leg as it currently has a long-term injury.

What important task are you completing this summer?

Speak soon and remember to take care of yourself,

Lucinda x

P.s. Sorry today’s submission has been late, but I’ve had a busy day... will update you about it over the weekend! ❤️

[microbiologynerdd]

Day 4 of the My Summer Studying Challenge

16th July - Do you have a lot of work to do for school or university or your job this summer?

As for today’s question the answer is kinda. For university I do not have any assigned extra-reading, but I am broadening my knowledge of microbiology to put myself in a better position for 3rd year. However I’m also still applying for placements, as I mentioned in a post earlier today. It’s weird trying to prepare for 2 paths, as come September I could be walking either of them!

Just trying to keep myself busy, and educating myself for fun!

Are you trying to learn anything knew?

I hope you are well as always ❤️

Speak soon,

Lucinda x