Eliza Studies

[mazzytwi]

Tumblr Resources to Get You Through the School Year!

Hi guys!! Thank you all so much for your support!!! Happy 250 (EDIT: I SPENT A DAY ON THIS AND NOW IM PAST 300) and hope you all have a great start to the month! The community is more welcoming with all of you - I haven’t faced negativity from anyone at all. None of these are my posts - but they’ve helped me out a lot. With that said - let’s get started:

For bujos/planners:

This is one of my side blogs, and has tons of inspiration for weekly and monthly spreads, as well as a few aesthetic ideas and how to start one. I update this constantly.

How to start a studyblr - Studyblrs with creative fields

Lighting (for photos)

Study spreads

Planning your month

Printables (the same as some used down there but in a different category):

Weekly printable

To - do printable

Cornell Notes printable

Back to school printables

Daily Planner  @theorganisedstudent

Weekly Planner II @theorganisedstudent

Essay Planner @theorganisedstudent

Assignment Planner @theorganisedstudent

Assignment Tracker

Novel Notes

Plot Diagrams

Correction Sheets

Grid & lined paper

Weekly schedule for studying

Printables masterpost

Exam printable & how to use it

2018 Calender set (by my QUEEN @emmastudies)

For students:

Exams & Studying:

Exam revision guide

How to beat different types of procrastination

How to deal with a crappy teacher (this has to do with studying ig)

Study tips!! (its a masterpost)

Exam Printable & How to Use it

Exam & Homework tips

Coping with hell i mean exams i mean hell

A cool studying outline to try

This is my favorite thing and it’s when to use certain remembering techniques

Correction Sheets

Memorization tips for different learners

Weekly study schedule

More sites to use in normal studying routines

How to study smarter and not harder

Study smarter II

Exam printable & how to use it

Self discipline 

Study methods

Hoe tips for school and studying

Studying masterpoint

Tips and tricks to studying

Study tip - so easy

How to stay organized to study

Note - Taking:

Lecture notes

How i set up flash cards (these are nice to study from but be determined to finish setting them up)

Nifty highlighting idea (this post is so old)

Highlighting idea that i actually use

How to take Cornell Notes

Cornell style notes printable (gridded)

Notebook paper (grid & lined)

Tips for pretty notes!!

How to take notes

Notes for different classes

Life, man & general school stuff:

Back - to -school guide

Things I learned as a college freshman

Get ORGANIZED

Textbooks are expensive so here’s some free ones…

Tips for working students that sound extra but may work for u ily don’t overwork urselves

Masterpost for motivation and stuff

Get ur life together again bc haha i stay organized for like a day anyway

School supplies that u should have just to stay minimal

Grad school tips

Organization masterpost

Productive afterschool routine

30 websites to kill boredom

Back to school masterpost

Get confident in presentations

Overcome procrastination

Succeeding in school masterpost

For bad days 

For bad days II

A GOOD MASTERPOST for getting ur life together 

General school tips 

Free online courses

GOOD POWERPOINT TIPS

Sites to learns stuff

More learning stuff sites

Dealing with a trashy class

Study resources masterpost

Summer Productivity

Summer life tips

PLEASE READ THIS THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT MASTERPOST 

Honest guide to college 

University tips

SCHOOL MINDSET

What to do on Sundays

Back to school masterpost

Useful things for going back to school

How to clean your house

Cute self care tips!

More self care tips

Plant care tips!

English:

A handy list of words to fit into ur essays

How to write an article like a journalist

Words to replace over-used words

ESSAY STRUCTURE IDEA this is in bold so u losers don’t miss this bc it’s not just for English u nerds

Get gucci while reading and be an active reader

Get gud reading them academic articles amigo

Words to replace “the author or whatever shows…” bc that is baby writing and i accidentally used that on an essay and i failed so

Novel notes

Plot Diagrams

Reading Lists

Literary techniques (what themes, personifications, metaphors are etc)

Discussing in English

How to top a literature class

Literature class masterpost

Strong/weak verbs

More essay tips!!

MLA format - a how to

ESSAY GRADER.

How to avoid essay cliches

Chemistry (I’m taking chem so i have a few resources aha)

Da terms on exam papers

Chemistry resources masterpost

Cute periodic tables

Study chapters

History/Social Studies

How to write a history paper

AP world history powerpoints masterpost

Math 

General tips

Resources

Understanding math masterpost

Test Prep

PSAT I

PSAT II

ACT tips!

100 words for the SATs (start studying early!!)

Thank you so much for the support! I couldn’t have done it without all of you. A simple reblog or like will help others see these tips, and will be very appreciated. I hope these links work - feel free to message me with questions and other links!! A possible part 2 might come out at the end of august, and one for languages!!!

[ohleaf]

🌼🌻study smarter🌻🌼

(here are some study tips straight from my psych notes)

1. interest: the brain prioritizes by meaning, value, and relevance so u remember things better if ur interested

find a study partner

do extra practice or research

teach it to someone else (this works so well!)

2. intent: be actively paying attention. very little learning actually takes place without attention

use a concentration check sheet (every time u get distracted, put a check on ur sheet. this is supposed to program ur mind to pay attention)

while u read, talk back to the author

ask questions during lectures (this is scary ik!! but do it!)

3. basic background: make connections to what u already know

preview and skim the material before u read it. or google it!

write out a list of vocab words before a lecture and leave some spaces between them to fill in during the lecture

read ahead of lectures

watch crashcourse tbh

4. selectivity: start by studying whats important

look for bolded words, graphics, pictures, chapter review questions in ur readings

listen for verbal clues like emphasis and repetition during lectures

make urself a study guide as u read and write down questions for urself to answer later as review (kinda like cornell notes)

5. meaningful organization: u can learn/rmr better if u group ideas into diff categories

apply vocab words to ur life

make flashcards and sort them (try not to have more than seven items in one category!)

use mnemonics

6. recitation: saying ideas aloud in ur own words strengthens synaptic connections! when u say something aloud u r forcing urself to pay attention

after u read, ask urself questions

talk abt what u learned w/ classmates outside of class

again, teach someone else

7. visualization: ur brain’s quickest and longest-lasting response is to images

convert info into a chart or graph

draw it out

make a mental video of a process

look at picture/video examples

8. association: memory is increased when facts are consciously associated w something u already know. memory = making neural connections

ask urself: is this something i already know?

9. consolidation: give ur brain some time to establish a neural pathway

make a list of what u remember from class

review notes at the end of the day, every day

stop after reading each prg to write a question in ur notes

make ur own practice quiz

10. distributed practice: we all know cramming doesnt work but we do it anyway! but yeah short and frequent study sections work better

make a daily/weekly study schedule

create a time budget/time tracker (track everything ur doing for a week and see how u can be more efficient w/ the time u waste)

divide the reading/vocab by the number of days before an exam and do a little bit each day (u can use sticky notes to divide ur reading)

other tips:

stop stressing! this sounds stupid and it isnt going to be easy, but anxiety causes u to lose focus. try ur best to think positively. sleep a lot. minimize ur caffeine intake. take a walk maybe

when u need to remember something, look upward or close ur eyes (when ur eyes are open ur using visual parts of ur brain that u might not need to be using)

find a rival! (like the person right above u in class rank) secretly compete w/ them (envy can improve mental persistence bc it makes u focus more intensely) but dont overdo it! 

walking and sleeping build memory storage in ur brain

eat flavonoids! (grapes, berries, tea leaves, cocoa beans make neurons in the brain more capable of forming new memories + increase blood flow to the brain)

obstacles force ur brain to try harder, so space learning lessons apart or create a puzzle to solve or change ur physical setting

[bugkeeping]

I havent seen anyone talk about this yet so im making a post. 

So lets say you’re researching something for a paper (or just for fun) and the research paper you want to read is behind a paywall, or the site makes you create a account first, or makes you pay to download, or limits you to only 5 free articles, or otherwise makes it difficult for you to read what you want.

do not fear! copy the link to the article

go to sci-hub.se         (the url is always changing so its best to check out whereisscihub.now.sh to find what the current url is)

slap the article link in there

bam! free access! 

[peloriq]

DROOLS

[soleildiana]

3 ways to read actively

so, this is my first real how-to-study post, so bear with me.

(1) summarize as you go

basically, textbook notes. while reading, i prefer not to highlight directly on the book regardless if i can or cannot write on it. (i rent some of my textbooks.) when writing your notes, make sure not to copy directly, since you’re not going to remember much afterwards. instead, read a paragraph and commit to memory, then write it in your own words in your notes.

another way to do this would be to use the margins if you can. for every paragraph, write a quick summary, or the key points, that can fit in the margins of your book.

(2)  mind maps

i didn’t really like this method at first, but i tried to modify it to include more active reading, and i realized its helpfulness lately and have been doing it a lot for the past month or so.

first of all, read your book/text/whatever. highlight or write in the margins. it doesn’t matter, as long as it retains in your brain, or at least the most vital concepts.

next, close your book and keep it across the room, so you’re not tempted to cheat. we’re lazy people. admit it.

write the topic in the middle of your paper. make sure your paper is either gridded or blank, because lined isn’t going to help with the flow of your thoughts. then, add your headers and subheaders and write down as many concepts and facts as you remember.

when you’re done with that, grab your book and a different-colored pen and write down the other key things you missed. basically, that’s it, and now you have a reference in the future so you know what you don’t know / don’t master! you can keep on redoing this until you no longer have two colors on your paper.

(3) draw

YES, I’M NOT KIDDING. when making your study notes, draw and visualize the concepts that you learn, or the mnemonics that you memorize. i do this for memorization-heavy tests and subjects that require us to enumerate a lot of facts. for example, i was studying gateway drugs the other day, and our teacher gave us a list of reasons behind smoking, such as peer pressure, parental influence, ads, stress relief, and the like. it was 8 words, and as an acronym it was PPASSWTR, which i couldn’t really twist around to form a word, so i created a mnemonic.

(tip: if you’re stuck on making a mnemonic, use mnemonicgenerator.com. you’re welcome.)

here’s the mnemonic. the funnier, the more visual, the better! Popeye Polished Armored Spatulas So Wieners Tossed Raisins. so, i drew it, and it turned out as such a funny drawing :”) but it doesn’t matter since afterwards i was able to remember the mnemonic and therefore the complete list!

 (don’t study hard; study well)

so basically, that’s it for my first post, hope you like it! all the love, rei :”)

[tiny-personal-university-thing]

The Night Before Your Exam

Hello, hi there. Recently I made a post about what to do the day of your exam and it’s still getting notes which is amazing. Thank you all. So now, please enjoy these realistic tips for the night before your exam that do not involve perfum, gum, or cramming. Please don’t cram.

Get a good night’s sleep. I know that for many of us this is a major challenge because we deal with insomnia or anxiety disorders that keep us awake. Try taking a warm bath in Epsom salts. Stay in the tub until you break a sweat. Pick your salts wisely because some of them are more energizing (i.e lavender salts are more energizing I have found).

If you are having trouble sleeping because of tension in your neck/back, try to relieve the tension by rolling out your muscles on the floor, or conciously tensing them up for about 10-20 seconds before slowing releasing. The Epsom salt bath really helps with any sort of tension. I have chronic nerve pain from a car accident and it’s one of the few things that help me that is more holistic.

Don’t shy away from melatonin. It works wonders and you won’t feel “hung over” in the morning like you may with Z-Quil. They have melatonin gummies too!

Try lowering your body temperature. Sleep naked. It’s life changing. If you can’t sleep naked (because you live in a dorm) still do your best to keep it cool. Our bodies get tired when their temps are lower.

Additionally, do not cram for any exam. The night before your exam is not the time to be learning any new material. We are way past that. Gently refresh the material that you already know; however, do focus on items you may struggle with. Remember, althetes don’t go crazy hard the day before a game - treat your brain the same way; no heavy lifting.

You may take this time to rewrite your notes. It’s a simple act that can definitely help you to remember.

Try teaching the material to someone else, or if no one else is available - stand in the mirror and give your own personal TedTalk on the subject. Hey, if it works for Sims, right? Remember that if you can teach the material, you know it. Reiterating in your own words is so helpful.

This should go without saying, but eat a good dinner.

Use the “Match,” “Test,” and “Spell” functions on Quizlet. Very helpful.

Have I said do not cram yet?

Lay out your clothes for the morning. The fewer decisions the better.

You’re going to want to wake up with enough time to review your study materials a couple more times, get ready for the day, and leave for the exam early (so that you have time to review when you get there and to ensure you are on time!) So set your alarm in advance.

Make sure that you set out your blue book, calculator, etc. so that you are prepared for the exam tomorrow and you aren’t sprinting across campus to find somewhere that sells blue books.

Triple check that alarm.

Try to limit your use of electronics 30 minutes before you need to fall asleep. I know that isn’t always reasonable though. Just make sure your phone is plugged in so that it is well charged and ON when you need that alarm to go off.

Drink some water.

Don’t drink any coffee or other caffeinated beverage/over induldge in nicotine/or take your *prescription!!!* adderall after 8 PM. Really for the Adderall don’t take it after like 5:30. You will be up all night long, my friend.

Okay last time: do not cram for any exam. That’s like over extertion for your brain and it will take you time to recover. If you continuously pull all nighters to cram you will crash and burn eventually. So just start early on your study plan. You can make time for it, I promise.

Happy studying, realistic students!

[ibastudyblr]

Researching for a project? Looking for open-access, high quality databases, encyclopedias and resources to help you write your next paper? Here’s a list of some great ones to help you find exactly what you were looking for.

Research Managers

Zotero

Mendeley

Qiqqa

General

List of academic databases and search engines 

Search Engines

100 Time-Saving Search Engines for Serious Scholars

Top 11 Trusted (And Free) Search Engines For Scientific and Academic Research

Ten search engines for researchers that go beyond Google

12 Fabulous Academic Search Engines

The 6 BEST Search Engines for Academic Research

20 of the Best Search Engines for Students

Best Educational Search Engines For Academic Researchers

Databases 

Directory of Open Access Journals

New York Public Library Articles and Databases

UCSB Article Indexes & Research Databases

DATABASES: Library of Congress E-Resources Online Catalog

FINDING CURRENT RESEARCH USING FREE ONLINE RESOURCES

Free Databases for Magazine/Journal Articles, etc.

Free Full-Text Resources for Grad School Papers

Online Reference: Open Access Databases

Free Online Full-text Articles 

Free scholarly resources

International Education Research Database

PubMed

Database checklist: Key academic research resources — both free and restricted

Research Databases and Other Online Tools

Encyclopedias

Top Encyclopedia Sites for Student Research Papers 

RefSeek’s Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia.com 

Infoplease

Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy 

Medline Plus

Dictionaries

RefSeek’s dictionaries and thesauri

The 10 Best Online Dictionaries

Essay and Paper Writing

Essay and Paper Writing Masterpost

[studyandstorms-deactivated20250]

Positive Weekly Aesthetics

Monday: New week, new motivation, a pile of finished homework and a nicely organised pencil case. A clean, fresh bullet journal spread and empty to-do lists. Your outfit is ready for you when you wake up, prepared the night before. 

Tuesday: Getting into the rhythm, your favourite tunes and morning runs. Your journal starts to fill up, cute drawings decorating the pages. The world seems slow, the week long as it has just started; yet it is chaotic at the same time.

Wednesday: Hump day. Early morning coffee and messy lecture notes, sticky notes with reminders and to-do lists, scribbling on white boards and collapsing in bed with blankets and a good book after a long day, the distant sound of rain hitting your windows.

Thursday: Grabbing brunch with friends and laughing at old memories, green smoothies and almond croissants. Friendly curious talks with your teachers and professors. Working on an assignment due weeks away and watching a movie by the fireplace.

Friday: Looking forward to the weekend, early morning study and typed notes. Going through colourful flashcards at a local cafe, friendly smiles and latte art. Going out at night and loud music blasting through your ears, walking home with friends under the cool air and peaceful stars.

Saturday: Green tea and cold water, warm showers and sleeping in. Readings and PowerPoints, looking out into the busy streets from your beautiful desk. Getting dressed up, sharp eyeliner wings and meeting with friends, engaging conversations during dinner and later crawling into the warmth and comfort of your bed.

Sunday: Lazy mornings and making pancakes in your pyjamas, finishing homework and getting a head start on next week’s readings. Dancing freely as you clean and organise and being comfortable in your own skin. Watching your favourite TV show at night and going to bed early and ready for next week.

[creatingsomeshit]

26 Reminders for Going to School Like a Badass

1. Your attitude dictates your experience, so start finding things to get psyched about.

2. Stock up on healthy snacks in your house!!! You’ll be glad you did when the study-munchies roll around (and they always do).

3. Invest in a good planner. Especially if you take part in multiple extra-curriculars, I can’t stress how helpful it is having a place to check back on deadlines and big events.

4. Write down all your teachers’ names and emails as soon as you get them, so you’re not searching for them when you’re absent.

5. No one is having as much fun as their snapchat story makes it seem.

6. Don’t believe what your peers tell you about tests they take before you, study how much YOU need to.

7. Be nice to your math teacher. Partial credit on math problems might save your grade.

8. Don’t throw out syllabuses/first day handouts!!!! Theres a good chance they have information on the late policy and a gazillion other helpful things.

9. In fact, try to hold on to as many papers as you can for when finals inevitably attack.

10. No one knows you wore those jeans yesterday.

11. Be conscious of how you smell. Don’t be B.O. kid, but also try not to suffocate your lab partner with the scent of artificial fruit/flowers.

12. That cookie in the cafeteria is probably not worth 95 cents. Pack snacks from home to resist overpriced school treats.

13. If you’re carrying around a travel mug of coffee, people will usually leave you alone. 

14. Don’t spend more time planning your study schedule than actually studying. Just get your books out and do it.

15. Never underestimate the amount of motivation you can get from watching Legally Blonde (movie or musical). 

16. Try to attend at least one school sporting event per season, even if thats not really your scene. Some teachers even offer extra credit for going to big games!

17. Don’t be that kid that asks the teacher when you’re getting your tests back. They have like a gazillion to grade. You’ll get them when they’re done.

18. Have a pump-up playlist for the ride to school and the walk to your first class. Nothing feels more badass than walking through crowded hallways while listening to Halsey’s “New Americana”.

19. Set up a back-up study zone for when you need a change of pace.

20. Don’t put off creative projects because you think they’ll be less time consuming. There’s nothing worse than glitter gluing a scale model of the U.S. Senate at 3 AM because you thought it would be quick and easy.

21. That extra 10 minutes of sleep is not worth the risk of oversleeping completely. Get up, splash your face with some cold water, and get this show on the road.

22. Find a school inspiration, whether it be a really hardworking friend or a studyblr you follow. Check their progress whenever you need motivation.

23. If someone only ever talks to you when they need to copy the homework, they’re using. Don’t indulge them.

24. Doing your own work is so SO important. Plagiarism can destroy careers.

25. Creative outlets can be so refreshing, like a diary, a private tumblr, a sketchbook, whatever floats your boat.

26. When all else fails, remember how lucky you are to be getting an education. School isn’t a punishment, its an opportunity for you to create a kick-ass foundation for the rest of your life. 

[emmastudies]

[10 - 20/100 days of productivity] although i was super productive finishing four assessments in the last few weeks, i didn’t have a chance to take pictures everyday :-( but, i’m on break for a few weeks now and then back in for summer school! lots of organising, internship finding, and random stuff to do!

[studydiaryofamedstudent]

Made a set of simple printables, because I was missing some things before the start of the school year. 

HABIT TRACKER: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0G5JxeNcPPZemdlRUNGTHFCNk0/view?usp=sharing

THIS WEEK: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0G5JxeNcPPZS08xZlZhRmp1WWc/view?usp=sharing

MEAL PLANNER: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0G5JxeNcPPZYTRvNFFiTW8xLVk/view?usp=sharing

THIS MONTH: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0G5JxeNcPPZc3RnQ2ZLS05GMmM/view?usp=sharing

[learnwisely-deactivated20151020]

I used to have this problem where I would read a book and less than a month later I wouldn’t remember a thing about it. Since I started to take notes while reading, I have been able to discuss books I have read long ago with ease. This post is also helpful for those of you that have literature classes.

First, a few general tips:

 Do not highlight or write on the book

The majority of “how to read” posts I have seen on tumblr advise people to write notes on the book and/or highlight important stuff. Here’s why you shouldn’t do this:

You might want to sell the book later and this will devalue it’s price.

You have less space for writting important things, which makes it easier to just write a few words and skip noteworthy stuff.

Highlighting is uneffective and it is a step to passive reading.

Instead, try to have a notebook where you can write out key points. Or, better yet, use Google Docs.

Have a computer near you

It is highly unlikely that you understand all the concepts that a certain book might carry, so make sure to have a google tab open at all times. I would not advise stopping your reading just to find out the meaning of a word. Try to search for references you don’t get and historical backgrounds only.

Now, how to virtually read a book:

Before reading

Create a new Google Docs document and write down the book’s title, year of publication and author’s name.

Search a little bit about the global and the local historical background. For example, if the book was written by an English author on 1950, try to understand what was going on with the world and with England from 1900-1950.

Do not read any analisys of the book right now.

While reading

Take notes on characters names, type of narrators and such.

Take notes after every page (if necessary, obviously) and write the page numbers as you take notes.

Never take your notes until you finish the pharagraph, as you might get lost or loose the “vibe” of the book.

Example of how I organize my reading notes: click here.

After reading

Write final notes about what you got out of the book.

Search for book analysis and reviews.

Discuss the book with people who have read it.

I understand that this makes reading quite harder and more time consuming, but this is the best way to make the most of the books we read. 

If you read on public transportation and such I advise you to mark important pages with postits and write down a few notes when you get home. You could also carry a small notebook.

[studyingbyeliza]

Mini Rant and Regular Stuff

I’m a little frustrated that my school doesn’t offer Biology HL or Spanish HL, because I really enjoy those classes and I think they’d really benefit me come college, and I think I’d be able to handle the challenge. I have a catch up day this Friday, where the entire cohort (and the seniors) is in the library or somewhere else like that ALL day and we literally get to work on homework the whole time. I’ve got a couple of assignments to work on, that aren’t due for a couple weeks, but my plan is to get those done, either on the catch up day or before, so I’ll have a great opportunity to just study. I have vocab words I need to learn for Spanish, and I’ll be able to study for the ACT as well.

[bstudies]

The 5 Best Revisions Methods I Want to Start Using

Hi, guys! Whilst planning my next few months to do well on my final exams, I started researching and found a few great study techniques that are a bit underrated. Thus, I compiled a post with information about each one and all the materials you need to put them to use. These are most useful if you’ve already studied the material and are now starting to revise.

A. Feynman Technique

This method was coined by Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman. This system works by writing down everything you remember about the topic you’re currently revising in a blank piece of paper. When you get stuck, go back to your study materials. The gaps in your knowledge should be blatant after you finish. Review and simplify. Keep repeating until you know for certain that there’s nothing left out and you’ve successfully learned the topic. :-)

For this method you will need:

Blank piece of paper

Pen/Pencil

B. Spaced Repetition

This method has been gaining traction for the past few years but it still doesn’t get the recognition it should. It’s fairly simple. It consists of time intervals between study sessions, which allows you store information better in your long-term memory. While there aren’t set times for when to do your next revision session, I’d recommend the one by Piotr Wozniak:

First repetition: 1 day

Second repetition: 7 days

Third repetition: 16 days

Fourth repetition: 35 days

This method can be used both through an analog system and a digital one. 

One of the simplest techniques to implement spaced repetition while using paper flashcards is the Leitner system. First, you decide how many boxes you need for your system. Each of your boxes represents a different study time interval:

Every flashcard starts out in Box 1. When you get a flashcard right, it passes to the next box. If you get a card wrong, it goes back to Box 1 – even if it was on Box 4. This makes sure you are constantly reviewing the materials. Remember to devise a calendar with the dates and boxes you need to revise each day. 

For this method you will need:

Boxes or simply different colored rubbers to differentiate the piles

Flashcards

Pen/Pencil

If however, you prefer a digital method, Anki is the best option for you. It is available online, on both Windows & Mac and there’s also an incredible practical app. It uses the spaced repetition method while taking the trouble of having to hand write hundreds of flashcards and remembering when to study each one.

Simply create an account, then a deck in which you’ll add your flashcards. The app and website allow you to add images and/or sounds to the flashcards. Customize them all you want. Once you’ve finished, save them and check the app every day to revise the flashcards of the day.

For this method you will need:

Anki app (iOS, Android) and/or website

C. Past Papers

I’ve been guilty in the past for not using this method. I got so caught up in my perfectionism that I didn’t even want to try. I learned, though, that getting things wrong is not a sign of failure and that persisting until you get it right is the real strength (and discipline) you ought to have. Do not let your procrastination and/or perfectionism prevent you from learning your weaknesses on a topic and not reach the grade you were hoping for.

Time yourself while taking the test and then correct your answers with a different colored pencil/pen so you can differentiate between correct and wrong answers.

For this method you will need:

Past papers

Pen/Pencil

D. Teach someone

This method is really helpful if you have oral assessments and/or your professor uses the Socratic method in class. You can practice your speech and knowledge all at the same time. Find someone who’s willing to listen to you talk about the topic you’re studying. Even if no one’s willing, you can still explain the matter to an object in the house. Don’t get embarrassed by this! While speaking, you’re organising your thoughts and only when explaining to someone else can you really assess your knowledge.

For this method you will need:

Your voice

Someone/Something who loves you very much

E. Proper sleep & exercise

Yes, I know, these aren’t revisions methods. But as helpful as the previous systems were, they won’t work if you aren’t sane in body and spirit. It’s incredibly important that you rest. Teenagers (13 to 17 years old) ought to sleep from 8 to 10 hours every day, while young adults (18 to 25) only need 7 to 9. You should also get fresh air and exercise. This helps with mental alertness, concentration, an efficient memory and a positive mood. Stay hydrated throughout the day. & please, don’t skip meals! 

For this method you will need:

Proper sleep (x, x, x, x, x)

Exercise (x, x, x)

Healthy diet (x, x, x, x)

[ohverthinker]

I really like the Feynman technique!

[moody-poet-deactivated20180227]

How I Got Straight A’s in My First Year of University

I was so proud of myself when I received firsts (that’s A’s for those not attending uni in the UK) on all of my assessments in my first year at university. Here are some tips for y’all to try at any point in university. They may be specific at times to my experience—my degree is in the social sciences and humanities, and I’m studying in the UK—but I did try to make them more generally applicable, and hopefully they should be helpful to someone out there.

Part One: Everyday Study Routine

Before the start of the academic year, try to get in a little bit of preparation. See if there are any syllabi or reading lists posted online. You don’t have to pour over them, of course, but do attempt to do something, and have a basic grasp on what will be covered in your classes.

Go to all your lectures and seminars. Unless you absolutely have to miss class because you are ill or have an important obligation to take care of, it’s really important to attend your lectures every day. (Note: if you are struggling with mental or chronic illness or a disability, don’t beat yourself up if you keep missing class. Please take care of yourself.) You may be tempted to just look at the PowerPoint presentation online, but it’s much more effective to be there in person. Often the lecturer may include information or extra explanations which are not included in the presentation. It will also allow you to process the information aurally as well as visually, and you will have the added benefit of taking notes too. You may also be able to ask questions.

Do all the pre-reading for lectures. I know it’s tempting to put it off, but try to work it into your daily routine (because you will have reading to do every day). Inevitably, there will be times where you slip up and don’t have time to finish. If this happens, make sure you catch up on it at some point, because it’s very important to solidifying the concepts you are learning about. Also, the more you read in general, the better you will become at reading (and also writing).

Take diligent notes (for both your lectures and pre-reading), and keep them organized. I prefer to handwrite in a notebook, as it helps me synthesize information rather than just typing it out verbatim—but it is totally up to you. If you do use a notebook, make a table of contents on the first page, where you write the date, topic, class, and page numbers of each set of notes you take. I think it’s a great idea to include your own thoughts and opinions in notes, or linking concepts you are learning to concepts you already know about.

If you have the time, make sure to be reading books/essays/articles and engaging with ideas outside of your regular syllabus. This is one of the most important techniques (in my experience, at least) when it comes to writing essays and answering exam questions. Evidence of wider reading around a topic is a great way to boost the credibility of your argument. It also does wonders to solidify and broaden your conceptualization of certain ideas you may have covered in your classes.

Where possible, try to contribute (as much as you feel comfortable) in seminars. If you are very quiet and reserved, that is totally okay too. I’m with you. But it has helped me tremendously in the past year to push myself to speak up more often in seminars. Talking in seminars allows you to clarify concepts and engage more deeply with the material being discussed (and it might impress your seminar tutor too, though this is secondary to the learning in my opinion).

If you have some nerdy-ass friends, talk with them about your ideas and what you’re both learning in your courses. I can’t tell you the number of essays I’ve written which actually have blossomed out of conversations I’ve had with friends, where they’ve exposed me to topics I’d never heard of before or broadened my view of a concept. Learning from each other in a casual and fun setting is amazing!

Part Two: Assessment Time

When you are given notice about big assignments coming up, such as essays or group projects, try to start working on them ASAP. Trust me, I know how hard it is. This is coming from someone who has dealt for years with chronic procrastination issues and nearly didn’t graduate from high school because of it. But you must start planning as soon as you possibly can, because the due date will come screaming up and before you know it, it’ll be the night before the deadline and you won’t have a clue what you’re writing about. Work it into your daily schedule if you have to. One great tip is to write down the deadline as being earlier (say, a week earlier) than what it actually is. This will prompt you to start earlier than you normally would have.

Do a shitload of reading, widely, from multiple sources. Read everything you can on the topic you are doing your assignment on. For a basic literature review, this means looking through at least 20+ sources. That doesn’t mean carefully perusing each one front to back; it means looking through all the relevant literature to find a few great sources which will really give you a coherent argument and a big picture of the topic at hand.

Keep your sources organized. I use Paperpile, which is a Chrome extension that allows you to save and organize academic sources. I make a folder for each assessment I am working on, and anything I find relevant to my topic, I save it to the folder. This will be a life saver for you when you actually go to plan your paper and also do the referencing.

Content is important, but perhaps even more important is your argument and structure. This mostly applies to essays, but you can apply it to other types of assessments too. Try not to structure your argument in terms of blocks of content—e.g. Paragraph 1 is about Topic A, Paragraph 2 is about Topic B—but rather in terms of how you are laying out your argument. Make sure each part of your essay flows into the next, so that you are, for example, setting up a kind of dialogue or narrative between the different sources you’re using. Also ensure that any point you are making clearly relates back to your main thesis.

If you’re a perfectionist like me: train yourself to remember that there is no such thing as perfect. Try to imagine what the perfect essay would be like. Can you imagine it? It’s probably pretty difficult, right? That’s because there is no such thing as a perfect assignment. Remind yourself of this, constantly. Tell yourself that you will be okay with just doing your very best. If you think about it logically: handing in something that is perhaps not your best ever, but handing it in on time and doing pretty well, is infinitely better than attempting to have a “perfect” essay but handing it in late and failing the assignment.

I hope this helped some of you! Best of luck and happy studying this year—go knock ‘em out! xo

[optomstudies]

What were the main differences between university and high school? Did you find it hard/easy transitioning?

Hi there! Interesting topic, thanks for asking :)

Transition between University and High School

I wasn’t someone who found the academic transition between university and high school particularly difficult as I had already been going to a competitive high school. 

On top of that, I’d been someone who had more of a consistent work ethic, so I was pretty used to studying a little everyday to deal with high workloads. Dealing with university studies is about self-accountability and making sure you turn up to lectures and finish tutorial questions on time!!

Uni was just one step above that because it’s a little easier to find yourself falling behind just because you get really tired on long commutes. One thing I had trouble with at first was finishing maths tutorial sets on time, as I had to sleep an hour or so later everyday to get things done for all 4 subjects. Coupled with waking up 1.5 hours earlier, I was pretty exhausted the first semester and often slept on the train to and from uni. Protip make the best use of your time: get as many tutorial questions done in between classes and on the train home as you can, because you’ll be physically exhausted from commuting, which makes you mentally exhausted doing tutorial questions, which can end up cutting into your sleep and exacerbating the whole cycle. 

The first semester is always the hardest because you also need to balance social commitments - making new friends does take time because you share lunch regularly with other people, occasionally you’ll want to go out and explore the restaurants around your university, particularly if your campus is further away from where you usually live. 

Added bonus is that there’s no trouble with just hanging out with someone else if you don’t click with someone. Degrees where there’s no set subjects are good because things don’t get clique-y, and you don’t have to see people after one semester if you’re lucky. Conversely, keeping in touch with and making strong friendships is tricky because of a lack of contact. 

Furthermore, it’s also the time where everyone encourages you to join clubs. I went to a lot of club meetings but didn’t really end up finding one for me in first year that suited my hobbies. I wrote a post about Extra-Curricular Activities, but main point is: you either join to make a few friends or you join to make a nice notch on your career ladder, but don’t worry about it otherwise. 

You’ll also be trying to keep in touch with high school friends as well, and I would advise that you do, as it can be hard to make as deep a connection with others when you don’t see a particular person as often as you did in high school.

On top of that, a lot of people want to find a part time job to help with university expenses. I was tutoring after high school because I did okay academically, so I worked a little during weekends the first year. I did a post about finding a Part Time Job as part of my University Series below, so have a read of that if you’re interested, though I feel like I need to update it because it covers so little. 

So yeah, add all that up and it can really take time out of your day!

Differences Between High School and University

I ~kind of~ have a whole series on that LOL, but let me know if there was anything that I didn’t cover below! Main differences are basically more flexible timetable, friendship circles, workload and study topics, but more commitments, greater difficulty in study, and added stress of applying for jobs and internships. 

WHAT I’D WISH I’D KNOWN BEFORE UNIVERSITY 2016-2017

Part 0 Choosing a Degree - how do you know what’s right for you? popular!!

> Things to Consider Before Switching Degrees!

> Changing Degrees

Part 1 Administration - choosing majors, available services, choosing class times etc.

Part 2 Getting to Class - pros and cons of attending class, when you should choose not to attend, laptop and notebook recommendations, advice about choosing a backpack and other essential equipment.

> Laptop Considerations and Recommendations

Part 3 Studying - differences between high school and uni, basic tips on how to keep on track, class types like lectures, tutorials, etc.

Part 4 Extra-Curriculars - what clubs to join, what to do outside class, and other great things to discover around campus.

Part 5 Exams - everything to know about pesky examiners, how to prepare, what happens during the whole examination process.

Part 6 Social Life - differences between high school and university, some hard learnt lessons, etc.

Part 7 Part Time Work - how to land a part time gig

Part 8 Four Secrets The Uni Tells You

Part 9 Best Study Spots On Campus

Part 10 Saving Money 1 - Food, Transport, Entertainment

Part 10 Saving Money 2 - Textbooks, Tax, Scholarships

Part 11 Adapting to Uni Study popular!!

Part 12 How to Study From Textbooks in Uni

Dealing with Lazy Group Members - five options for what to do and how to do it! popular!!

Hope that helps! ^__^

[noteology]

Today’s post is exactly what it sounds like– a list of 101 tasty, fun, and (mostly) healthy snacks to keep you fueled while studying. Recipes are linked! :)

apple slices with peanut butter

frozen grapes

nice cream

plain popcorn

no-bake energy bites

raw veggies with hummus

watermelon fruit bowl

yogurt

roasted pumpkin seeds

fried rice in a mug

nuts (ideally unsalted!)

pita bread/pita chips with hummus

nutella energy bites

string cheese

fruit salsa and cinnamon chips

dried figs

yogurt-covered blueberries

oatmeal

chia seed bowl

sweet potatoes

homemade potato chips

cauliflower pizza

fruit salad

dark chocolate (actually healthy in moderation!)

roasted chickpeas

acai bowl

cherry tomatoes

english muffin pizza

edamame

cheese and crackers

broccoli bites

mango lassi

pretzels

cereal (cheerios are great!)

raisins

green smoothies

rice pudding

pigs in a blanket

melon balls (the fruit, not the cocktail!)

banana chips

oatmeal banana cookies

soup

caprese salad

strawberries with fruit dip

chips and guac

fig newtons

apple sandwiches

dried cranberries

unshelled sunflower seeds

kale chips

butternut squash chips

apple chips

zucchini chips

carrot chips

beef jerky

egg-in-a-hole toast

rice cakes

ants on a log

hard-boiled egg with black pepper

cucumber rollups

chocolate-covered almonds

wasabi peas

fruit and lemonade popsicles

nori (seaweed)

dried mango

banana bread

muesli

homemade muffins

roasted fava beans

parmesan cheese crisps

egg baked in avocado

pomegranate seeds

turkey wraps

mini pancakes

fruit leather (look for the kind w/o added sugar!)

snap peas

sweet potato fries

applesauce

veggie pockets

fresh fruit with whipped cream

vanilla almond smoothie

chia seed pudding

apple ladybugs (these are adorable!)

clementines

deli meat with cheese

fruit parfait

golden milk

dates

angel food cake

vietnamese spring rolls

avocado spread on toast

mocha latte smoothie

bananas dipped in peanut butter

strawberry cheesecake trifle

trail mix

omelet in a mug

mango with shredded toasted coconut

baked zucchini

almond butter banana bites

apple slices with cinnamon

water!! (okay, this is kind of cheating, but it’s so so important to stay hydrated!)

(Thank you to @thegrangersapprentice​ for requesting this post! Send me an ask to request a topic of your own!)

Thanks for reading! If you have questions, feedback, or post requests, feel free to drop me an ask.

+Click here for the rest of my original reference posts!

—Sophia :)

[behindonstudying]

6 Things People Don't Always Tell You About Studying

1. you ace tests by overlearning. you should know your notes/flashcards/definitions basically by heart. if someone asks you about a topic when you’re away from class or your notes and you can answer them in a thorough and and accurate answer, then you’re good, you know the material. 

2. if you don’t understand something, it will end up on the test. so just don’t disregard and hope that this specific topic won’t be on the test. give it more attention, help, and practice. find a packet of problems on that one concept and don’t stop until you finish it and know it the best. 

3. sometimes you just need that Parental Push. you know in elementary school, they would tell you “ok now it’s time for you to do your homework! you have a project coming up, start looking for a topic now!” ONE of your teachers might be like this. be thankful for it and follow their advice! these teachers are the best at always keeping you on track with their calendar. if not a teacher, then have one of your friends be that person that can keep you accountable for the things you promised you would do. 

4. you just need to kick your own ass. seriously. i know it sucks and its hard to study for two things at once. BUT. I DONT CARE IF IT’S HARD. you need to do it and at least do it to get it over with because you can’t keep putting things off. If you do, you will eventually run out of time and you will hate yourself. force yourself to do it. i made myself sign up for june ACT even though there’s finals because if i didn’t, i probably never would. like do i think i’m gonna be ready in one month? probably not, SO I BETTER GET ON IT AND START STUDYING! 

5. do homework even if it doesn’t count. if you actually try on it, then you will actually do so much better on the tests, it’s like magic. 

6. literally just get so angry about procrastinating that you make yourself start that assignment. I know how hard it is to kick the procrastination habit. I have to procrastinate. So I make myself start by thinking about my deadlines way early. I think, “oh i have a presentation in three weeks (but it really takes 2 weeks to do), i’ll be good and start today.” when that doesn’t happen, you say you’ll do it tomorrow, and this happens for like the next four days. I get so mad at myself for not starting when i am given a new chance to do so with every passing day. By that time, you actually have exactly how much time you need for it AND you were able to procrastinate the same way you usually do ;)