study blog

Abby. Class of 2017. Aspiring percussion performance major.

[nerdstudying]

Cramming for my SAT subject tests!!! I’m pretty nervous

[nerdstudying]

Study Tip

It doesn't matter if you don't want to study. When you eat healthy foods that you don't like, you still get the nutritional benefit. It's the same with studying. Just get started and do the work, and you'll be thankful later.

[nerdstudying]

(1/100 days) taking some sloppy stats notes in my pajamas. School started yesterday and I still can't quite believe I'm a senior in high school? Here's to hoping this year is productive and fun!

[nerdstudying]

Studying with Back Pain

I imagine a lot of people can relate when I say that I often suffer from lower back pain.  Here’s what I do when I need to study but my back is aching.

Pain Killers

Don’t tough this out.  Ibuprofen is magic.

Keep A Pillow On Your Chair

This helps soooo much.  It improves your posture and provides support, which helps to take some strain off your lower back.

Have Everything Within Reach

Water bottle, pencil sharpener, tissue box; whatever it is you might need, have it in your study space before you sit down.

Stand Up Occasionally

I personally try to stand up every 10-20 minutes, even if I only stand for five seconds at a time.  This might seem counter-intuitive, but in my experience sitting for prolonged periods of time is much more painful than standing every now and then.

Heating Pad

I love my heating pad.  They’re not too expensive (between $10-$20 on Amazon usually), and if you have chronic back pain it’s so worth it.  If you’re in a pinch, a hot water bottle might do the trick.  A lot of articles I’ve seen have said that you should NOT use ice for lower back pain.

This Pain Science article covers the heat v ice issue pretty well

KT Tape

I personally love KT tape, but I mostly use it on my wrist.  I only put it on my back when I really need some extra support, because it is rather pricey. 

Check out their website for specific prices and info

Try Some Exercises During Study Breaks

PLEASE BE CAREFUL.

If you’re in too much pain to walk, DON’T attempt.  I have only tried the exercises I have learned in person (which I do not want to try to explain here for fear of explaining them incorrectly), but there are plenty of online videos/articles that can help you get started.

Again, please be cautious.

Additional Thoughts

This post is aimed at people who experience lower back pain a lot and know that it’s normal for their body to feel this way.  If you are suddenly experiencing intense/acute pain in your lower back, please rest and consider talking to a doctor.

It’s okay to rest!  Back pain sucks and I’m proud of you for trying to get work done, but it’s absolutely okay to lie down.  Take care of yourself.

There are lots of real medical articles on the internet that might be of more use to you than this.  I am not a medical professional, this is just my own experience.

Feel free to add on any tips/ideas of your own!

[nerdstudying]

Classes?

I'm taking 7 classes my senior year! Concert band Concert choir AP Environmental Science AP Psychology AP Statistics AP Calculus BC AP Literature and Composition What classes are y'all taking? Do we have any of the same classes? Let's struggle together!!

[nerdstudying]

Common App Question

As a potential music major, most of my extracurricular activities throughout high school have been playing in different ensembles. On the Activities section of the Common App, should I list all of these separately or try to group them into one or two activities? Also, is it worth mentioning private lessons? Since I’m applying as a music major, I will have the opportunity to elaborate (for most schools at least) in a separate music resumé. Should I save all the details for that?

Thanks y'all :)

[schoolinks]

List them all separately! While it’s technically “the same thing” that you did, the fact that so many different ensembles accepted you is an awesome sign.

Kind of like how on a resume for a job, even if you had only ever flipped burgers, you’d still list out McD’s, Wendy’s, Jack-In-The-Box, etc. A successful track record of being accepted by multiple groups of people reflects much more highly on you. Plus, it’s true. It’s not stretching or exaggerating what you’ve actually done.

Did you take private lessons or give them? If you gave them, absolutely mention it. That’s seriously awesome and colleges will like your work ethic.

Definitely elaborate on all this in the music resume. But also mention it in brief in your Activities section.

Good luck!

[nerdstudying]

Thanks so much!!

[emmastudies]

Hi! Can anyone link me to a masterpost or info on how to be in an interview, questions to ask, etc?

Thank you so much!?

[nerdstudying]

Here's some questions you might be asked: https://solustudies.tumblr.com/post/147285009718/15-questions-to-know-for-college-interviews

And here's a masterpost: http://brain-exercise.tumblr.com/post/138893081032/a-list-of-college-interview-tips-for-any-seniors

All credit to solustudies and brain-exercise for the great posts!

[studyholls-blog]

Since school is coming up within the month for most people, I decided to make a post based on my study style in case you guys want to better your grades and study habits this year! Studying is essential for most courses, and a good study routine may just be what you need to get those A’s you’re shooting for :) Without further ado, here are some study tips!

STUDY ATMOSPHERE

The place you choose to study in is one of the most important factors going into the productiveness of your study session. You want to make sure your space is free of distractions, but still comfortable enough to get stuff done.

- DO NOT STUDY IN YOUR BED… Studies have shown that studying on your bed makes you feel very relaxed and you are more likely to fall asleep during your sesh. If you’re pulling an all-nighter, this is the LAST thing you want to be dealing with. 

Use a desk if you can, but tables work well, too.

- MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD LIGHTING… If your study spot is not well-lit, your chances of straining your eyes increase, which is not healthy. If you’re studying during the day, open up those blinds!! Natural light, in my opinion, is the best kind of light you can get.

- ACCESS TO WATER IS CRUCIAL… Water is super duper good for you, and drinking water during a study session can prevent headaches and it can also be a good refresher.

- FIND A GOOD STUDY PLAYLIST… If you’re doing a project/studying a subject that doesn’t require a lot of brain work, listen to some soft indie, but never anything too hardcore, as it can break your concentration. If you’re reading, I suggest sticking to classical music or white noise. Personally, I find it hard to concentrate with any music playing if I’m reading. 

If your task at hand does require concentration, and you want to try white noise, I recommend using the chrome extension Noisli. You can make virtually any sound mix for whatever you feel fits your task.

- TURN YOUR PHONE OFF/DO NOT DISTURB… Having your phone notifications going off every five seconds will only distract you from your tasks, and tempt you to check your phone, which will probably lead to scrolling through instagram for four hours… Not good, my friend. Not good.

TO-DO LIST

Making a to-do list is a great way to sort out everything you need to do, and focus on what’s important.

- ORDER YOUR SUBJECTS FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT… This helps enforce what your primary focus is, and it is useful to refer back to from time to time.

- DESCRIBE TASKS IN A LOT OF DETAIL… This will help you know exactly what steps you need to take to get tasks done. Instead of listing “Chapter 40″ under Biology, try listing what topics in particular you need to study from chapter forty. I suggest making these separate topics all separate bullet points so that you can cross off all of the topics as you go.

STUDY FOLABLES

I personally find flashcards to be a tremendous waste of paper. If you feel the same way, or just want a break from the flashcard technique, I suggest trying the study-foldables technique from @studyign​. This strategy has honestly become my favorite way to study. Here’s a picture of a study-foldable I made for my AP Bio class:

A vocab word or concept goes on the left side, and then the explanation/definition/diagram goes on the right side. I love using these sheets because I can break them up any way I want, and they don’t get bulky like flashcards. I can also staple my sheets and keep them more organized.

THE STUDYING ITSELF

“But how do I actually study, Holls??” said everyone reading this rn. WELL, HERE WE GO, PALS.

- MEMORIZATION… Are you focusing on something that requires the memorization of small facts (like history)? Try the study foldables mentioned above! Also, mindmaps are grrrrrreat for cause/effect memorization, so this might work for you! I personally don’t have any luck with this method, but a lot of people swear by it.

- LARGE CONCEPTS/PROCESSES… Studying a specific concept or process in a class like bio or chemistry? Try teaching the phenomenon to a family member. This allows for critical thinking and problem solving, because your audience of choice will probably have questions. This will force you to dig deeper and get involved with the concept. Another great way to deal with processes is by viewing (or making, if you’re brave) a model/animation of the process itself. For you auditory learners, try looking for animations that have commentary. This models a classroom setting, except you’re able to rewind if you miss something.

- EQUATIONS/FORMULAS… In eighth grade, my English teacher taught my class the best technique for memorizing equations or formulas (except, we were using it to memorize Latin roots in his class): simply write it over and over and over. Not only are you looking at it a bunch of times, but you’re forcing yourself to say it over and over in your mind, and the action of writing it becomes embedded into your muscle memory. If you have an eidetic like me, seeing it over and over again just solidifies that mental picture you see when you’re taking the test.

- ALL THE INFO, ALL AT ONCE… Do you have all the material down pat, but you are super nervous about taking the test? Happens to me all the time. To deal with this pre-test stress, I like to take practice tests online. I primarily use quizlet, but sometimes it’s hard to find specific subjects reviewed in a way I was taught. Taking practice tests helps model a traditional testing environment, which makes it easier to take the test in real life. When I take a practice test, I ask my parents not to bother me for around an hour, lock myself in my bedroom, and set a timer for me to finish the test. This gets me used to the stress of a timed environment, and also allows me to time-manage each question. If I notice I’m taking a while on the questions that cover a specific topic, I know I need to study those topics more before I take another practice test.

SUGGESTION: POMODORO TECHNIQUE

To study, I personally use the Pomodoro technique. This technique involves working/studying for 25 minutes straight, and then taking a 25 minute break. After four pomodoros, a 15 minute break is taken. For my five minute break, I usually take a trip to the bathroom, stretch, and tidy my desk if necessary. For my 15 minute break, I grab a quick snack, scroll through social media, answer any texts I’ve gotten recently, and then I get back to work. I love love love using this technique because I find my focus is still pretty strong by the end of the 25 minutes, and I’m not sitting too long. 

The only thing I don’t use this technique for is reading. I’m the kind of reader who has to finish a whole chapter before I stop reading and resume some other task. Based on the kinds of books I read, 25 minutes usually isn’t enough time to finish one whole chapter.

If you’ve tried this technique and it didn’t work for you, that is totally okay. Everyone studies differently, and it’s important to find a style that meets your needs, whatever they may be.

For this technique, I use FocusNow from the Apple app store. It’s very similar to Forest, if you’ve heard of that. Basically, the app plants a virtual tree that takes 25 minutes to grow, but you have to keep the app open for the tree to fully grow. If you leave the app to check your phone, the tree will die, and you will be filled with sadness and guilt. Trust me.

I hope this helped!! Feel free to ask me any questions!!

[nerdstudying]

Common App Question

As a potential music major, most of my extracurricular activities throughout high school have been playing in different ensembles. On the Activities section of the Common App, should I list all of these separately or try to group them into one or two activities? Also, is it worth mentioning private lessons? Since I'm applying as a music major, I will have the opportunity to elaborate (for most schools at least) in a separate music resumé. Should I save all the details for that? Thanks y'all :)

[nerdstudying]

App Tip

If you are planning to apply to colleges through the Common App, be sure to use this app to help stay on top of it all.

[nerdstudying]

Sorry for the not-strictly-study-tip, but I had to show you guys this. I just got this PlanAhead student planner (goes from July 2016-December 2017) from Big Lots for $4. Seriously, just $4. So my tip is to have a look at those office/school supply sections at your favorite stores now because you might find some really awesome deals. Seriously JUST FOUR DOLLARS. It's a little plain, but it does the job and I've never seen a planner this cheap before. I can't wait to start writing in it :D

[nerdstudying]

App Tip

Make a checklist of the application requirements for each school on your college list. Include application deadlines, application fees, recommendations, essays, and scholarship deadlines in your lists. Consider having hard copies of all these lists (one piece of paper for each school ideally) so that you can reward yourself by physically checking off each item when you complete it.

[nerdstudying]

When You Don’t Understand Something

Even the best and brightest students don’t understand everything they read in a text book immediately.  Here’s some ideas of what to do when you read something that just doesn’t make sense.

1) Reread it.

2) Read it aloud.

3) Read it aloud very slowly.

4) Close your eyes and try to visualize what the text is telling you.

5) Draw a picture of it.

6) Take a break (no, two minutes doesn’t count), and come back with “fresh eyes”.

7) Google it.

8) Ask a friend who has covered this material before.

9) Ask a friend who is covering this material at the same time as you.

10) Ask a friend/younger sibling who hasn’t covered this material yet (the different, simpler perspective can be more helpful than you’d think).

11) Ask a teacher.

12) Make up a melody and sing the passage.

13) Find a book on the subject for additional perspective.

14) Look on YouTube for aural and visual interpretations.

15) Translate a few lines into another language you are familiar with, especially a first language.

16) Do an interpretive dance of the words.

17) Act it out but without dancing if that’s how you feel.

18) Do a dramatic reading of the passage in your mirror.

19) Look up any words you didn’t immediately know in a dictionary or in the glossary of the text book- they might have a meaning in this context that’s different from the meaning you know.

20) Review earlier material to make sure you’re not missing any details that would be key to understanding this.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Don’t be hard on yourself.  Everyone has moments like these.  It is how you learn.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help!!  Especially from your teacher!!

Know your “studying limit”.  You can only stay focused for so long, and trying to interpret new information once you’ve reached this point will prove extremely difficult.  Taking breaks is essential to studying efficiently.

[nerdstudying]

Study Tip

If you’re in the middle of a study session and you feel yourself getting agitated, tired, frustrated, or bored, get up and do something that makes you feel cleaner.  Brush your teeth, comb your hair, wash your face, put lotion on your hands; basically anything that makes you feel like you’re taking care of yourself.

When you go back to studying, you should feel more energized and ready to refocus on the task at hand.

[nerdstudying]

Actual Introduction

Hey guys!  I’ve never completely introduced myself on here (oops) so I figured I’d give it a go.

My name is Abby (she/her), and I will be a senior in high school this fall. Playing percussion and piano is pretty much my life, and I want to study percussion performance in college.

This blog is actually my secondary blog.  My primary is moosicnerd which is kind of a mix between a studyblr, musicblr, and everything else.

Ask me questions if there’s anything else you want to know about me, and I’ll be reblogging some of my older study tips and coming up with new ones soon :)

[nerdstudying]

Productive Things to do over Summer Break

Hey guys! For a lot of you, summer break is either right around the corner or already here. To help combat the haze of laziness/boredom that often comes with this time of year, here’s a list of productive things to do.

1) Volunteer

2) Exercise

3) Get started on those college app essays

4) Start looking ahead at next semester’s subjects

5) Find a part time job

6) Spend time with family/friends

7) Take a class online or at a community college

8) Try a new hobby (personally, I’m going to start knitting again over the summer because I’ve found this really great program that you should look into if you want to knit as well)

9) Work on your list of colleges/grad schools

10) Read a book

11) Organize your email

12) Clean up your blog

13) Tidy up your room and workspace

14) Get around to those little things you’ve been putting off (changing light bulbs, buying more batteries, etc)

15) Catch up on Duolingo

16) Study for the SAT/ACT while you have free time

[nerdstudying]

I am studying this summer so I can skip the eighth grade. The material is too basic for me and I want to get into the high school classes. I already have all of the textbooks. But I don't know what kind if routine I should follow or how much work I should do per day. Summer vacation is really not an objective for me. I probably won't be doing much and I usually dedicate my summer time to academics but really I don't know when to study or how I would do it with no guidance. Thanks in advance!

Hey!

It sounds like you already are pretty good at studying and learning, and you’re skipping a grade so congratulations!

PlanGo through the table of contents in all of your textbooks and make a list of the chapters you feel you actually need to study. Don’t waste time reviewing things you already know very well. Next, get a planner or a calendar and make a schedule for yourself. Plan which days that you want to go over certain sections. Make sure you finish everything you need to by the time school starts, and don’t put too much work at the end of the summer when you’ll be preoccupied by school shopping, orientation, etc.

Have a routineMake and write down a daily schedule for yourself; get up at the same time each day, study at the same time each day, go to sleep at the same time each day. However, it is summer time and you should enjoy these blessed months, so make sure to schedule some free time in your routine and don’t be afraid to deviate every once in a while.

Actually studyingDon’t study for too long at once. Personally, I wouldn’t schedule a study time block longer than 2 hours, and I would use the Pomodoro technique (I use the free version of this app )

If you don’t understand somethingKhan Academy is always amazing too

In summary, make a plan that allows you to study everything you need to before the start of school. Study as much as you need to study in order to accomplish each day’s predetermined tasks, but never study longer than two hours at a time to prevent burn out. I highly recommend the Pomodoro technique and Khan academy videos, and don’t forget to have fun on occasion :)