Prepared & Focused

[spammpost]

Credit to the owner

[emmastudies]

[ taken from my instagram: @emmastudiess ] some of my legal notes! this notebook is great for combining a diary with a class exercise book! also great for me who hates carrying around three different notebooks because i’m a weakling :’-)

[emmastudies]

[ taken from my instagram: @emmastudiess ] some of my legal notes! this notebook is great for combining a diary with a class exercise book! also great for me who hates carrying around three different notebooks because i’m a weakling :’-)

[fruitsaladchewits-deactivated20]

[yhbgk-blog]

How to Study Like a Harvard Student

Taken from Sophia Chua-Rubenfeld, daughter of the Tiger Mother

Preliminary Steps 1. Choose classes that interest you. That way studying doesn’t feel like slave labor. If you don’t want to learn, then I can’t help you. 2. Make some friends. See steps 12, 13, 23, 24. General Principles 3. Study less, but study better. 4. Avoid Autopilot Brain at all costs. 5. Vague is bad. Vague is a waste of your time. 6. Write it down. 7. Suck it up, buckle down, get it done. Plan of Attack Phase I: Class 8. Show up. Everything will make a lot more sense that way, and you will save yourself a lot of time in the long run. 9. Take notes by hand. I don’t know the science behind it, but doing anything by hand is a way of carving it into your memory. Also, if you get bored you will doodle, which is still a thousand times better than ending up on stumbleupon or something. Phase II: Study Time 10. Get out of the library. The sheer fact of being in a library doesn’t fill you with knowledge. Eight hours of Facebooking in the library is still eight hours of Facebooking. Also, people who bring food and blankets to the library and just stay there during finals week start to smell weird. Go home and bathe. You can quiz yourself while you wash your hair. 11. Do a little every day, but don’t let it be your whole day. “This afternoon, I will read a chapter of something and do half a problem set. Then, I will watch an episode of South Park and go to the gym” ALWAYS BEATS “Starting right now, I am going to read as much as I possibly can…oh wow, now it’s midnight, I’m on page five, and my room reeks of ramen and dysfunction.” 12. Give yourself incentive. There’s nothing worse than a gaping abyss of study time. If you know you’re going out in six hours, you’re more likely to get something done. 13. Allow friends to confiscate your phone when they catch you playing Angry Birds. Oh and if you think you need a break, you probably don’t. Phase III: Assignments 14. Stop highlighting. Underlining is supposed to keep you focused, but it’s actually a one-way ticket to Autopilot Brain. You zone out, look down, and suddenly you have five pages of neon green that you don’t remember reading. Write notes in the margins instead. 15. Do all your own work. You get nothing out of copying a problem set. It’s also shady. 16. Read as much as you can. No way around it. Stop trying to cheat with Sparknotes. 17. Be a smart reader, not a robot. Ask yourself: What is the author trying to prove? What is the logical progression of the argument? You can usually answer these questions by reading the introduction and conclusion of every chapter. Then, pick any two examples/anecdotes and commit them to memory (write them down). They will help you reconstruct the author’s argument later on. 18. Don’t read everything, but understand everything that you read. Better to have a deep understanding of a limited amount of material, than to have a vague understanding of an entire course. Once again: Vague is bad. Vague is a waste of your time. 19. Bullet points. For essays, summarizing, everything. Phase IV: Reading Period (Review Week) 20. Once again: do not move into the library. Eat, sleep, and bathe. 21. If you don’t understand it, it will definitely be on the exam. Solution: textbooks; the internet. 22. Do all the practice problems. This one is totally tiger mom. 23. People are often contemptuous of rote learning. Newsflash: even at great intellectual bastions like Harvard, you will be required to memorize formulas, names and dates. To memorize effectively: stop reading your list over and over again. It doesn’t work. Say it out loud, write it down. Remember how you made friends? Have them quiz you, then return the favor. 24. Again with the friends: ask them to listen while you explain a difficult concept to them. This forces you to articulate your understanding. Remember, vague is bad. 25. Go for the big picture. Try to figure out where a specific concept fits into the course as a whole. This will help you tap into Big Themes – every class has Big Themes – which will streamline what you need to know. You can learn a million facts, but until you understand how they fit together, you’re missing the point. Phase V: Exam Day 26. Crush exam. Get A.

[fistinq]

//September 11, 2016 (Never Forget) My study space for the new school year. I’ve been trying to make it more minimalistic but it really isnt working out considering how much stuff I hoard 😝

[lostlxmb]

03/26 › saturday › 3/100

spent the day researching art schools, planning my spring break, finishing up my english homework and completing application for the school’s newspaper! when i get home tonight from work i plan on cleaning my room and reorganizing my desk again :’-) i should probably also answer the asks in my inbox and reply to people on messenger since i didn’t have the time earlier ;;

[creatvestudies]

Studying for Anatomy & Physiology - the skeletal system

I work well with drawings and figured I’d make a poster since I’m already doodling the bones in my notebooks haha

In order to graduate from high school I have to blend my passion for art with my interest in medicine, and so here I am drawing the human skeleton // progress 1

[studyright]

Semester break revision for my new family module! Also I have been loving the nu-modern Spotify playlist while I have been studying at the moment!

Studygram: study_right

[bellestudy]

October 2, 2016 | planning the coming week, and doing some reading for my novel class ☕️

[cosystateofmind]

Hi everyone! I’m sorry I’ve been so inactive lately. Life got a little hectic and gave me no extra time. I’m leaving today on a trip, but hopefully I’ll have some great photos from it! • Tomorrow is my birthday and I hoping to look for some local bookstores to check out while I’m away. A day of relaxation and finding a new place to live are my only wants for tomorrow! ☺️ Also, mint chocolate chip ice cream! 😍

[theproductivenarwhal]

Days of productivity 6/100 (that are documented)

I know I’ve been pretty inactive in the disabledblr community as of late…but it seems like the disabledblr community itself has been pretty inactive. That’s a real shame. I changed schools and a lot of other situational things but i’m back on track now.

At the library today to try and focus on some work. I’m going to be out of town to see my partner for a few days last week and there will be really awful consequences if I fall behind on those two days.

Notes: The chairs here are too low for me (im p short) but im too embarrassed to sit on a book You can see a little pile of my jewelry next to my computer. I take it off when I’m going to be typing a lot Just started a new bullet journal last night. Trying to keep it more sophisticated, but not necessarily more minimalist.

[productivecoffee]

Hello again, my lovelies! I bring you part 2 of my “Starting a Bullet Journal” Masterpost! See part 1 here. Now that I’ve told you a bit about the supplies bullet journalers use, we can move on to how to actually start a bullet journal!

View The Official Bullet Journal Video

Identification Page

This should be the first page in your bullet journal, normally. In the off chance that you lose it (I’m constantly worried about losing things), the kind person who finds it can return it to you! I suggest writing your full name and a way to contact you at the least. Here’s a picture of mine, I’ve added a doodle I’ve made.

A Key

A lot of bullet journalers have keys to keep their thoughts organized. I, personally, don’t have one. But you can watch the Official Bullet Journal Video to get an idea of what a key should include!

This key/legend by @sushi-studies is beautiful!!!

Table of Contents

To make it much easier to flip back and forth through your journal and to keep it all organized, start by numbering all of your pages in a way that works for you. Leave at least 3 pages (or as much as you feel like you may need) for a table of contents. You can add to this as you work through your journal. This is mine as of right now. So far I’ve only used about one page but I can already tell I’m going to need all three, and maybe more than that.

Yearly Overview

For me, It’s good to be able to see my entire year on just a couple a pages. I just have mini calendars with important dates next to them. I transfer these dates later on into my monthly spread with more detail (we’ll talk about this later).

Extra Pages

This is the point where I left several pages blank, because I knew I’d want them later for spreads that I would come back to on a regular basis. So far I’ve used these pages for “2016 Yearly Goals”, My Personal Reading Challenge, A wish list, and a budget/spending list! There are so many great ideas out there. I’m really in love with 

Monthly Spreads

This is where I’ll talk about the earlier mentioned “Monthly Spreads”. This is where I make a bigger calendar that I add lots of detail to. I also transfer any dates from my yearly overview to the monthly spreads. I add goals sometimes if I feel like I need the motivation.

Habit Trackers

Habit trackers are a really good way to stay busy and productive! I’ve seen so many amazing ones. Some people make one fro the entire month and fill up a whole page with it. I prefer to make a smaller one on my weekly spreads (which I will go over next) because it seems less overwhelming to me that way! Some of my favorites are …. this one by @successaesthetics and this one by @eyesonthestars-feetontheground

Weekly Spreads

This is my most common spread. I make a new one each week. This is where I write all school assignments and things that have to get done in that specific week. I try to vary the way I lay them out from week to week so I don’t grow bored with one. This is where I put my habit trackers as well. I used to use two pages a week, but at the moment I’ve been cramming it all into one because I don’t like feeling like I’ve wasted space. If I end up needing the space, I can go back to two. This is a good example of how versatile the bullet journal is. You can always change it to fit your needs. Don’t ever feel pressured into doing it a certain way!

Examples and ideas:

Weekly Spread by @tumblstudies

Weekly Spread by @bandaidsdontfixbulletjournals

Weekly Spread by @genspen

That about wraps it up for the contents of a bullet journal. Do whatever works best for you! Enjoy journaling! It’s not for everyone, but i think you should at least give it a try. It’s an amazing way to sort through your brain and keep everything organized. If you have any questions or need any more clarification, don’t be afraid to ask! Have a fantastic day everyone!

[emmastudies]

10 small tips to improve your productivity

Who can resist reading another little post full of tips to help you get more work done? Here is a few things that I find useful when trying to get myself motivated.

Clear desk, clear mind - I like to organise things before I start working. If things are messy, I get a little preoccupied and procrastinate even more. My suggestion is clear your desk, sort everything you’ll need to study and get on!

The two minute rule - If a task that needs to be done takes less than two minutes, just do it. My dad has often suggested that this is a great way to sort out your priorities and so far it has worked for me. Things like check my emails, cross off events from my planner, file something away don’t take long but get you in the mood for productivity. As they say “object in motion, stay in motion”.

Break your time up - Schedule your study time and any breaks you need to take. This helps structure your day and acts as a motivation to get things done. Especially if you can reward yourself at the end!

Leave your phone alone - Like most people I use my phone constantly but when I’m trying to work, it is best to leave it alone. Out of sight, out of mind. Try leaving it on silent and behind you so you aren’t tempted to pick it up after every beep. Use your break times to check it.

Find your top three to five priorities - Seeing a long list of things to do is usually, for some people, kind of counterproductive. Figure out the main things that need to be done and work on those. If you’re able to complete those main things, you’ll feel like you’ve accomplished the days necessities and may even want to complete some more.

Try using a mindmap instead of a to do list - Apparently using a mindmap layout instead of a traditional list can help boost productivity. It is a little more funky way to see all your outstanding tasks and might not look as overwhelming as a super long list.

Wear headphones - You don’t have to always listen to things but it can help block out any noise that can distract you. If you’re someone that likes some music, try songs with little or no words. This is a great playlist by Spotify.

Don’t multitask - As much as you think you can do it, trying to multitask usually ends up in a confused mess and takes twice the time. Stick to one task at a time. If you think of something you need to do, write it down and do it later.

Change things up - Doing the same things in the same place can get boring. Make the effort every now and then to change where you’re studying or how you’re studying. This can include moving your studying from the desk to the kitchen table for a change of scenery, or making flash cards instead of annotating your notes. Studying with a family member or friends is a fun way to get some work done!

Be positive - Most people have times when they just don’t want to study or anything, it is natural. However it is not worth sitting staring at your books in an unmotivated mood just waiting to feel inspired. If you’re not feeling it, do something else for a while. Come back to it a bit later and have another go. Usually walking away and coming back is all you need to feel more productive.

I hope these few tips are useful! These are the kind of things that work for me, so give them a shot and let me know if they help. Best of luck with your studies x

[preparedandfocused]

How to Prepare for the Upcoming School Year

1. Make a list of all the school supplies you need this year

Go through all your supplies to see what you have and want you need (it might also be helpful to go through your class syllabus, if it is available, to see what each of your classes require). Then make a list on paper or on your phone, so that when you go out to buy your supplies you won't miss anything.

2.Clean your computer

This includes organizing your files, deleting or moving old files around to external hard drives or USB flash drives and literally physically cleaning your computer (dusting, wiping down screen, etc). Computers are a big part of school so organizing and cleaning them helps keep things clutter free and easier to find.

3. Clean your desk and room

If you are living at home or have your own apartment, it would be a good idea to clean and organize your study area and your room before school starts. Buy some storage solutions for your desk  (pencil holders, filing cabinets, baskets, etc) to organize your papers, and various stationery. Do a deep cleaning of your room. Get rid of clothes that you don't like or that don't fit, dust your furniture, vacuum or sweep your floors, wash your sheets and get rid of junk that is cluttering up your room.

4. Create a study/commute/workout playlist

If you are like me, music is a big part of your life. I personally like and find it helpful to listen to music while I study, so creating a few study playlists during the summer creates a library of music that I can easily reach when I need it. You can also create playlists for your commute, if you travel to school every day or a workout playlist if you workout.

5. Start getting on a schedule and start building habits now that will stick      once school starts

This is a big one because during the summer scheduling tends to go out the window or become lax. It also makes it so much harder to start up again in September. So start now. Start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier to get back on a regular sleep schedule.

It is also a great time to start building habits that you want to carry into the school year. If you want to start regularly working out, start creating a workout schedule now because once school starts it's going to be much easier to stick to.

6.Create a list of goals you want to accomplish during school year

Many people, myself included, always have a million ideas and goals running through their minds at all times. And it gets pretty hard to remember all the things that you want to do a few months down the line. Creating a list of everything you want to do during the school year helps you remember everything and allows you plan ahead of time.

7. Create a budget and get your finances in check

This is a good idea for all university students as managing your own money can get tricky. Finances can get out of control and before you know it you find yourself in a situation where you're broke and need some help from mom and dad. Create a budget (you can use the budget planner) in August for the month of September and continue to do so before the beginning of each month. This will help you keep track of where your money is going, make sure you have enough money to buy all the things you need and help you save a few extra dollars.

For More Info: https://preparedandfocused.wordpress.com/2016/08/20/how-to-prepare-for-the-upcoming-school-year/

[tbhstudying]

do you have any advice on remembering stuff?? i have a week before school starts and i've been procrastinating when i had to remember 12 music scales :(

practice your scales every day for a certain amount of time. repetition and practice will help ingrain them in your memory + fingers! also, just get started right away. get off tumblr and go practice them! good luck :)

[lunastudyblr-blog]

i went to Muji (for the 1st time!!) and Chapters a couple of days ago & bought these notebooks and this pen!!

black notebook + selectable colour pen are from muji & spiral bound notebook is from chapters!!

i cant wait to turn the black notebook into a bullet journal😋😁