Ultimate back to school tips? What planners and agenda do you use or recommend? Tips for adjusting to virtual learning🎀
I’ve made a college guide somewhere in my college tag that had more to do with the typical stuff, so I’ll make this one strictly about studying and academics.
•Personalized planner from plumpaper.com for college students, clothandpaper.com (black owned) or a bullet journal
-> For decorative stickers in my planner/agenda, I use the Happy Planner stickers. They typically come in a thin book of 1000 stickers and they’re usually cute.
•Best pens: Pilot 0.38, Pilot 0.5, Pilot 0.7. Here is the link for a multicolor pack as well. I always buy a multipack of black and multicolor.
The size depends on how bold you want your notes written, but Pilot pens have never failed me. My notes never bleed through the page, and they are always neat. I am always serious about my note taking, so my pens have to be elite.
•Best markers: PaperMate Flair Felt Tip Assorted Pack
•Best highlighters: Zebra Mildliners. They come in a multicolor pack. They are double ended, water resistant, pastel, and do not bleed through the page. One side I use for calligraphy headers for note titles and one side I use to highlight.
•Best notebook: Five Star — color, black and white. You can fit more than one subject in the notebook. I order two college ruled notebooks. They also have pockets.
•Organize your day before doing anything. Create a schedule and decide what time you’re going to study each subject.
•Have goals when you’re studying. Know what you want to accomplish each hour. Have a to do list, write in your planner. If you use the one I recommended, it will have a to do section next to the day by day break down!
•When I say create a schedule/routine...stick to it. One option to help is Pomodoro. Study for 25 mins which is one Pomodoro session, take a 5 min break, then achieve four more Pomodoros. Then you can take a longer break of 15-30 mins and feel refreshed. This way in your schedule you can write “break” and know what time you’ll finish.
Or if you are more comfortable with longer study sessions, study for an hour then do a 15-30 min break, and begin again. Make sure whatever you choose is scheduled before you begin — in your iPhone calendar, Google Calendar, planner, whatever you decide. I use digital and physical so it alerts me when to do what. I also set an iPhone timer for breaks or food.
•Write your notes by hand. If you feel like you want to use your laptop, type the notes then write them again. I say this because writing your notes by hand has been proven to work. It helps you memorize it more efficiently than if you just stared at the material. You also have more potential to be distracted on a device.
•Speaking of devices, they will slow you down. You should be blocking your social media apps or even turn off your phone/do not disturb... but if you don’t have that discipline, you have to download the Forest app.
It will fill the screen on your phone with an image of a tiny tree growing. You can set it for however long you want to study. If you swipe away from the app during your study period, the tree will begin to die. You can actually plant real trees on Earth once you gain enough points!
•Find a quiet space. Make sure where you are studying is clean, organized, and quiet. If you have any noise, make sure it is music that isn’t distracting such as lo-fi hip hop. This channel plays randomized calming study music 24/7. Put it on your TV or laptop, and get to work.
-> Do not study in your bed. I don’t care what you think you can get done. Your brain associates sanctuary with rest. Study at a table/desk. Have a clear space where you can sit up straight and be active. No laziness, or you will be tempted to procrastinate.
•Online classes are not as daunting as they seem. If you have structure with your classes, you won’t be having any problems.
-> Break up the course into tasks and weekly goals. Put the due dates in your planner and digital calendar when you get the syllabus. If your teacher lacks due dates and allows you to work ahead, then plan how you’re going to structure the class.
•Always watch the recorded lectures and take notes alongside them. Then revise and rewrite them again. Don’t take notes one time and never revisit the chapter. Cramming index cards aren’t as beneficial as rewriting the chapter and speaking out loud. Quizlet and index cards should be done after you’ve started to master the topic.
•If it is a live Zoom lecture, participate in it. Your professor will remember this, especially if participation counts towards your grade. Even if it doesn’t, engage in what you are learning as if you are in the class physically!
•If there is a required ebook/textbook, write your notes with the chapter you are currently studying before you view a lecture. Then, when your professor goes over it, it will stick in your mind even more.
•Taking notes everyday ensures you will retain information. There will be time to rest, but after you have learned the material. On weekends, even doing something small such as summarizing the unit will aid you in information recall. You should be able to teach someone else the material long before the exam for example.
•Don’t study the day before an exam, don’t cram, don’t pull an all nighter. If you organize the semester and have a daily schedule alongside your routine, you will not be panicking when exams and assignments are due.
-> If you follow my schedule rule, this means you should always have a time where you are finished studying and have accomplished your goals for the day. This way, you avoid burnout, lack of sleep, and cramming.
•Beat your deadlines. Work on important assignments long before it is due to avoid stress. If you have the resources, and the course allows, you should be finishing assignments early, not at 11:59 when it’s due the day of. For bigger assignments, recognize you will need more than one day. You should aim for perfection, not last minute scraps.
•Take advantage of virtual office hours when needed.
Your success depends on your attitude, overall. It will only be as productive and as fun as you make it. Classes should be an exciting time to learn, and do your best.
Remember: Grades are not indicators of who you are as a person... don’t be so hard on yourself, and work at a reasonable pace.
Know when you are slacking, yet know when to loosen up. Maintain discipline so you always have a balance of work and play.
Your academic success depends on your health and psyche overall, so take care of yourself. Know the importance of self, the importance of a solid routine.
Always focus on you, and direct your energy to academics. Avoid superficial topics such as gossip, exes, etc. Dont let anyone or anything drain you or distract you from your goals.
It will be a wonderful, productive semester, and you will be greatly rewarded for the determination you possess and the gratitude you maintain. Just continue to be thankful, and focus on the power you have. Asé.
Inhale positivity so you can exhale and release anxiety. Know your worth always.
Stay safe, wear your mask, wash your hands, and inbox me again anytime.
jacobvanloon
dededos
dailybridgerton
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