when in doubt, go to the library

the shelves are from ikea

[octoswan]

I made these as a way to compile all the geographical vocabulary that I thought was useful and interesting for writers. Some descriptors share categories, and some are simplified, but for the most part everything is in its proper place. Not all the words are as useable as others, and some might take tricky wording to pull off, but I hope these prove useful to all you writers out there!

(save the images to zoom in on the pics)

[tea-feathers]

Another great reference for writing and world building!

[mundanities-and-camaraderies]

Executive Dysfunction Study Tips

(compiled by us, for us; not a comprehensive list by any means, just the ones that work well of our brain specifically)

dress in a Nice Outfit for the Aesthetic. Studying in slacks and a button-down or knit sweater or similar with a mug of tea has completely different vibes (and much more productive ones) than studying in pajamas, even if the clothes aren’t as comfortable. Besides, the faster we get work done, the faster we can change into Comfy Clothes and relax. 

in a similar vein, Beverage + Studying Music. Our go-to is corn tea and the LoZ ocarina of time soundtrack. lyrical music is fine for doing calculations, but for essays its instrumental only since the lyrics can fuck with the writing process. 

make that grid of everything you need to do from this post, with Check Boxes next to each thing for Checking Things Off (or you can cross them out if that’s more satisfying). Also gives an order and instruction for Starting The Thing which is usually the hardest part.

Imitate School Environment with “periods”, AKA studying for 40 minutes with a 5-10 minute “passing period” in-between, in which getting up and walking around is required. do not do “fun stuff” (reading/YouTube/etc) during passing period, or getting brain back on task will be Hell. our brain works best with a clear structure. Also, Set Alarms.

SNACKS!! snacks that are crumb free and don’t disturb the working process are best. I like pumpkin seeds, smoked salmon, apple/pear/peach/etc slices, cheese, and similar. washed bowls of fruit (grapes, cherries, strawberries, etc) make my fingers wet every time I eat them which is inconvenient, and I can’t eat most junk foods for allergy/health reasons (+ grease, cheese dust, etc are similarly impractical)

from this post, “make timelapses on your phone of u doing your work” providing the exact amount of Nervous Energy from being “watched” to be productive, without the anxiety of being criticized from having someone actually watch you. For an extra kick, actually post them to YT. 

have Separate Windows open for studying vs for fun stuff. I usually have three windows open on my laptop at all times – one for YT/reading (relaxing stuff), one for studying, and one for writing. 

set a Consistent Time To Work and Time To Stop Working, because brain stop working late at night when get tired, but brain also no work as soon as we get home from class, because we’re exhausted and need to take a break + eat first. 

in a similar vein, have a Work Time Ritual to get brain in the mood. Do the same thing every time its time to work so that you can pavlov yourself. For example, having a glass of water and and doing five jumping jacks, taking a shower, or getting changed into Studying Clothes. ADHD brain hates Transition Between Activities and also Starting Task so make it fun or relaxing. 

finally and most important!!!! sleep well, eat well, and when its time to stop working (NOT when work is done, but when its Time To Stop), take a break and do something relaxing. Work on hobby or lie in bed and read fanfiction. We don’t work past 10:00PM and we aren’t out of bed past 11:00PM. aint nothing going to get done if your body isn’t in a shape to get it done. As a system, sometimes we can see the body as a tool/instrument/machine separate from the mind/identity/personality, and you gotta keep that shit well-maintained or its gonna break down on you and you’ll have to take it to the repair shop. 

[rayomoonshine]

Working on my dissertation proposal

I just finished outlining my dissertation chapters for the first draft of my proposal. I’m using this guide to drafting the proposal: 

So I’ve been writing my proposal in reverse. I spent like a week making my working bibliography, and another week outlining the chapters. I hope to do my methodology section Monday and have a draft of the proposal done by the end of the week. 

So far, this is what I’ve learned: 

1. Use a dissertation journal to document your progress and get all your impostor syndrome angst on paper where it can be managed. 

2. Use a new document for each new section of the proposal so you aren’t “ruining” your nice document with your drafting. Then you can paste it in where it belongs. 

3. Don’t draft in Times New Roman. By now, I’ve associated that font with “serious academic writing” and it makes me nervous. I draft in Arial. 

4. Recycle your writing! Sometimes a chunk of writing from your field statement goes very nicely in your proposal. 

5. Write something every day you can, even if it’s just a complaint in the dissertation journal. 

[phdstudygirl]

Lots of good advice here

[enchanladas]

11.6.18: Raining on my way to class. I also didn’t think it was possible for the park to look more orange. I love autumn!

[violetsnotebook-archive]

08.01.21 / a refreshed workspace for the new year. i got a mini oil diffuser for my desk and i’m so excited to use it! what do you have planned for the weekend? i hope your week went well ♡

[fencingthings]

There’s happiness and then there’s realizing that the last ten pages of a scientific paper are just the bibliography.

[werelivingarts-deactivated20230]

do you have any advice to recover from a study burnout? Also, I love your blog❤

Thank you so much ❤️💜💙 I’ve been wanting to make a post on how to bounce back from burnout and I finally have the chance to make it today! 

My best advice is that you should break down all of your big tasks and use pomodoro technique (e.g. doing chem homework for 45 minutes then 5 minutes break). After few hours alternative between study and break, you can have a longer break for 10-15 minutes to reward yourself your favorite drinks or snacks to keep you motivated. Hope that you find these advices helpful! ❤️🤩

[disc80s]

ejiyang

[alwaysbringabookwithyou]

28.06.2020 Thunderstorms, pouring rain, lights on at 3pm, rereading books I loved as a child, and perhaps later, getting lost in my own writing.

[studyingatsunrise]

Had to change my room up a bit as my boyfriend is moving in!!!!!!!! I am so so so happy and so so so excited 🥰

[jewist]

[sseoulful]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmaOcu7FPkj/?

[room-archive]

[caffeinebooks]

What do you wish you had known before attending grad school?

Oh my God, so many things.

That no matter how much you love medieval history, sometimes you will be bored. Or annoyed. Or stressed. Or frustrated. Or burnt out. And all the joy you normally feel will evaporate, and that’s okay.

That no matter how big of a cohort you have, you may end up being alone. Very alone. And find friends elsewhere.

That academia is not composed solely of introverts, and that can be a blessing and a curse. That the internet is actually a great way of connecting to people with similar research interests, but that it can also feel overwhelming, and it’s up to you to establish boundaries.

That non-academic hobbies and past times are not “guilty pleasures” and are indeed necessary (I still remember the confused look a first-year gave me when I told them I liked playing videogames for fun).

That sometimes it will feel like life is moving forward for everyone else but you. And that no one will understand what life in gradschool is, except for those who have been there (or are there). And that’s okay.

That you need to be more careful with your posture and your wrists than you’ve ever been, because you will actually spend a lot more time sitting in front of your computer, and you’re not getting any younger.

That you will come across petty people, and stuck-up people, and mean people. But you will also meet generous people, and kind people, and people who will welcome you into their lives because you happen to share common interests (or because you met at that one event and it just clicked).

That you will learn a lot about methods, and theories, and authors, but you will learn so fucking more about yourself, about your limits, about your skills. And about how you like your coffee (or tea).

[1creme]

/xx/

[dynamicsymmetry]

Good stuff.

[tarysande]

Guys, I edit professionally. This list is legit. Incorporating these suggestions before you hire an editor will save you A LOT of money. Even if you did these and nothing else, you’d see significant overall improvement in your work.

That said, you don’t have to overthink these things when you’re writing a first draft. If you write, “she said angrily” in a first draft, you can always revisit the phrasing in a second draft. I mention this because overthinking style can lead to a loss of momentum, and losing momentum is why so many people never finish a draft. Give yourself permission to write fast, write messy or ugly, and edit your draft into beauty later.

[occupation-study-deactivated202]

Sunday studies