studyngstars

16 / g11 / canada

[moonshinestudies]

30.04.2017

May we all be happy and successful in our endeavors!

I tried to make this monthly spread as happy as possible by using green and especially yellow…if you were wondering why: I have my math exam in three days and i need all the luck and cheerfulness i can get BECAUSE I’M STRESSED AND SCARED OF FAILING. (sry this got a little emotional)

[studyngstars]

some of my better spreads from april D:

[emmastudies]

one of my favourite quotes by frank ocean!

[emmastudies]

One of the most common questions I am asked is how to start and run a studyblr. Some people consider being a studyblr means having a selection of certain pens or highlighters but that isn’t the case. Having a studyblr is about being part of a community that promotes self-improvement, positive study habits and tips to help yourself and others reach their full potential. Below are a few steps I recommend when starting a studyblr:

1. Decide whether you’re going to start a new blog or a secondary blog. Most studyblrs, myself included, run main blogs and then a studyblr as a side blog. If you’re wanting to have a completely new account, follow only studybrs, message (via asks) with a link to your studyblr then it is best to create a new account. If you’re happy to continue on one account, then creating a side blog is a good option. However, when you use a secondary blog for your studyblr, it will follow as your main account. I prefer having my studyblr as a secondary blog since you can stay logged into one account (so much easier on mobile!). Plus if you wanted to run a collaboration blog, you can add other members. Here is so more detailed information about the differences.

2. Pick a username/URL. You can be super creative like me and just use your name! Otherwise, you can name your studyblr anything you want. Whilst most people have a study related username, that isn’t totally necessary. Find something you like and use it! You do have the option to change it later on it you’re unhappy or think of something better.

3. Choose a theme. My best advice for a theme is pick something that is easy to navigate and nice to look at! Editing HTML can be quite difficult for first time Tumblr users, however many themes make adjusting the appearance of your theme really simple by using the tools on the customise page. Some popular theme makers include:

@pohroro

@modernisethemes

@cyantists

@magnusthemes

@sorrism

@acuite

@themesbyflorels

@roxiestheme

@felinum

@bychloethemes

@wonderfullythemes

Once you’ve picked a theme, follow the instructions the theme maker has left in the caption of the post. When you’re using a theme, remember to leave credit visible to the owner. By removing credit you’re breaking the conditions set by the creator. 

4. Make an icon. This is relatively optional. Most studyblrs just use a random picture for their icon however others create personalised ones just for their blog. You can create your own icon using applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva or Word/Pages. Canva is probably the easiest way to make your own, plus it is free! If you’re looking for something a little fancier, you can commission @annistudio to make one! Depending on the level of complexity, she charges between $3-9. She created my icon and it is so amazing!

5. Write up an introductory post. Once your blog is up and running, you should create a post to introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, what you’re studying, your hobbies, etc. It is always nice to tag some of your favourite studyblrs! If someone has mentioned me or tagged #emmastudies in their post, I might see it and reblog it. Most blogs do the same! Making these posts will hopefully get you some new followers!

6. Post your own content. A great way to promote your blog is to upload your own posts. This can be anything, either pictures of your notes, advice posts, or infographics! Remember to update the content source and click-through links when uploading your posts. A little guide to taking photos can be found here. My editing process can also be found here. If you upload your own tips posts, feel free to submit them to @studyblrmasterposts.

7. Use popular hashtags. Before publishing your post remember to add hashtags. The most popular ones include #studyblr, #studyspo, #study. I track the tag #emmastudies so include that in your tags and I’ll see it! Most blogs also track their usernames so tag some of your favourites.

8. Join studyblr networks. You’ll often see these floating around Tumblr so if you see one, join it! There are ones dedicated to people graduating in a specific year, others for specific majors, or people who share a common trait/hobby! Alternatively, you can be added to my studyblr directory. It is a collection bloggers which can be filtered by categories such as education level, country, and exam system. You can apply here.

9. Use the queue option. By using the queue option, you don’t have to come on Tumblr every day to stay active. Set up a queue, select the number of posts and when you’d like them to be published and you’re ready to go. This option is great if you’re having a bit of an off-week and don’t fancy coming online or aren’t able to access the Internet!

10. Use other social media platforms. Whilst studyblr originated on Tumblr, we have since diversified across numerous different social networks. I’d totally recommend having a studygram! Mine is @emmastudiess if you wanted to check it out! Other accounts have YouTube (emma studies), Snapchat (@emmastudies), Spotify, Twitter, etc. Remember to provide links to your each account!

11. Be nice, friendly and polite. I think this is the golden rule for any blogger. Treat everyone with respect. Be kind when answering questions. Be grateful for your followers. Please, please, please don’t send anonymous hate! If you receive it, remember to delete and block that person. The studyblr community is one of the nicest I’ve come across and we want to keep it that way. 

12. Don’t be afraid to message other blogs and start a friendship! Interact with other accounts by sending them an ask or a direct message. I cannot begin to tell you how many wonderful people I’ve connected with from the studyblr community. I’d say the majority of studyblrs love receiving messages and would be happy to strike up a friendship with you!

I hope this can inspire you to start a studyblr or helps you set one up! Remember you can tag me in your introductory posts or uploaded pictures. Also, my ask and direct messages are always open if you want to chat xx

[studyngstars]

you're such an inspiration ❤️

[buttermybooks]

The world is quiet when I read.

[studyngstars]

ahh haven’t uploaded in a while!! i've also started a bullet journal, if anyone would be interested to see it please let me know!

[emmastudies]

As you probably already know, many studyblrs rely on bullet journaling to organise their day-to-day lives. I have received numerous questions about bulleting journaling ranging from how to start one to whether there is a limit of who can use it. In an attempt to summarise everything to do with bullet journals, I’ve created this post! I’m hoping to outline each possible question you could have and provide some answers.

What is bullet journaling? Bullet journalling is a customisable organisational tool which uses indicators to map out and prioritise your monthly, weekly and/or daily tasks. It can be a planner, a to-do list, a sketchbook, and a notebook. There is no limit to what it can be. You are in total control. Bulletjournal.com is a great place to start if you’re looking to find out more!

How is it better than a planner? This is very dependent on you as a person and what organisational tools you find to be most effective. If you find planners restricting in terms of customisation or layout, then bullet journaling is perhaps a good alternative. Many people enjoy the freedom and creative outlet which it gives. 

Can anyone do it?  Yes, absolutely. I’ve received messages from people saying they aren’t artistically talented and therefore don’t think they can be a bullet journalist but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Using a bullet journal doesn’t require you to be an artist. I certainly am not and still use it! I choose very simple spreads without the fancy calligraphy, doodles or complicated designs. The important thing to remember is that it is usefulness over aesthetics!!

What notebook do I need? Any notebook is perfect - that choice is yours to make. Most bullet journalists use either grid or dotted paged notebooks. However, others choose to use blank or lined ones. I personally use grid notebooks - I find this easiest to write. Whilst the brand of your notebook doesn’t matter, popular ones include Moleskine, Leuchtturm1917 or Rhodia. I use the Arc Customisable Notebook by Staples in A5 for my bullet journal. I find it offers everything other notebooks would but, instead, uses a discbound system which means you can add and remove paper. The refill paper is also thicker than other brands so bleeding or ghosting aren’t a problem. Here are some pictures of my bullet journal in case you don’t know what a discbound notebook looks like!

Everyone differs in the notebook they prefer so do some research and figure out one that might work for you. A couple of tips for choosing would be, find a design that lays flat (I seriously hate when notebooks don’t!) and find one which doesn’t have really thick/dark lines. If they are dark it can sometimes be difficult to see your writing at a quick glance, especially if you use a black pen. 

What supplies do I need? Again, there is no set supplies. You can use anything you fancy. I tend to stick with using a black Pilot G2 in 0.38 and Zebra Mildliners. Other people will use coloured pens to differentiate between subjects or special brush pens for headers. Some people also choose to decorate their spreads with stickers, washi tape and post it notes. Your choice of supplies is totally up to you - again there is no set requirement!! It is also worth noting that you shouldn’t feel pressured into buying anything just because it is popular! 

Once I’ve gathered everything, where do I start? The best way to start is by planning a few pages to go at the front of your notebook. Some people choose to start with a contents page and therefore will number each page throughout their journal. Usually, they will begin with a yearly overview or yearly breakdown. Followed by an index page where you write out the key that you’ll follow. It can be a comprehensive list or just a couple of symbols, your choice. Here are some examples. Other popular pages include yearly goals, a to-read or to-watch list, habit trackers (e.g. for mood, sleep, grades, exercise, etc), expenses lists. Here are some photos of my 2017 bullet journal and a run-down of all the pages I’ve included and plan to include during the year. Once you’ve done the initial set-up, you can get onto making either your monthly, weekly and/or daily spreads!

What other pages can I include? This is a really limitless question. You can make absolutely anything you desire. Here are a few more ideas:

pages for habit tracking:

sleeping on time; chores; exercise; spending (e.g. under $10); mood; skin care routine; water intake; updated your social media; eat fruit/something healthy; complimenting someone; did an act of kindness; using a new word; did over the recommended 10,000 steps; read at least one chapter; practiced your hobby; ‘don’t break the chain’; 100 days of productivity; 

pages to log:

movie review; music reviews; book reviews; travel; dreams; future goals; expenses; gratitude log; sentence-a-day log; tv series episode tracker; weight gain/loss/maintain; follower count; savings; accomplishments; upcoming releases; self-care practice;

pages for fun:

pen swatches; washi tape samples; doodles/sketchbook; movie tickets; flower press; photographs/polaroids; stickers; quotes; recipes; playlists; bucket list; favourite lyrics; ‘fuck it’ page (rant about things that annoy you); jokes/puns; diary; concert ticket pages; outfit inspiration/ideas; handwriting samples; six word stories; writing prompts;

pages of use:

contact information for family/friends; birthdays; gift ideas; wishlist; important events; emails/passwords (don’t write your full passwords! just easy hints); discount codes/coupons; random reflections; self-care tips; mental health tracker;

pages for planning:

monthly overviews; monthly goals; monthly reflections; weekly spread; weekly goals; weekly reflections; daily spread; daily goals; daily reflections; (just to clarify I wouldn’t suggest doing all of them but maybe a monthly overview + review and then weekly or daily spreads)

pages for students: 

exam dates; semester dates; semester information (e.g. course info/teacher/rooms/etc); revision checklist; homework tracker; colour code; assessment due dates; grade tracker; definitions; achievements;  

Where can I find inspiration? Here, there and everywhere! Tumblr is full of it, Pinterest has loads of boards dedicated to spreads and Instagram has the entire bullet journal community to look at (and join!!). Below are a few places to look at:

my bullet journal tag

my bullet journal pinterest board

bullet journals on pinterest

bullet journals on instagram

Any final tips for beginners? Just give it a go! Test it out, see how you like it. Play around with different layouts and spreads. Find out what works for you and what doesn’t. It is all about improving your own organisation and productivity. If it turns out you don’t like it, try another method of organisation!

Hopefully, this post has answered a few questions if you’ve been thinking about starting a bullet journal. It’s a great way to organise yourself whilst customising it exactly to your needs! If you want to, you can share your own spreads! Remember to use the #bulletjournal or #bujo tags!

Thank you so much for reading! If you’ve started a bullet journal that you’d like me to reblog, tag #emmastudies in the post!

Other masterposts by me:

how to create a study schedule

how to improve your handwriting

how to deal with moving schools or university

how to create a colour code

how to take notes from a textbook

how to take effective in class/lecture notes

popular apps for students

step-by-step guide to writing a five-paragraph essay

10 small tips to improve your productivity

60 stationery brands to check out

school and university related tv shows and movies

microsoft oneone tutorial

my note taking system

[emmastudies]

2017 yearly overview printable

With the new year finally here, I’ve decided to make a super simple and minimal yearly overview printable. This is perfect to hanging above your desk and marking the most important dates you have this year - maybe your best friends birthday, your dreaded exam week, or summer vacation! You can download the files as a PDF from the link below!

2017 yearly overview printable (week starts Monday) in PDF form on Google Drive 2017 yearly overview printable (week starts Sunday) in PDF form on Google Drive

I hope you enjoy using these and if so, I’d love to see them in action! Feel free to tag me on Tumblr with (#emmastudies) or on Instagram with my username @emmastudiess in any photos you upload. If there are any problems or errors, please let me know via my inbox.

Disclaimer: This printable is for personal use only. You may edit it yourself if you like, but please do not redistribute without my permission. Thank you!  

[studyngstars]

oml i love this minimalistic design so much

[studenting]

steps: 1. exaggerated cursive 2. thicken the downstrokes 3. color it in ☺️

[todaywithjudy]

My bullet journal spread last week! I will post a full spread photo soon ^-^ This weekend is super busy for me because next week is packed with summatives. It’s going to be super stressful for me. 

･ﾟ*  *｡･ studygram

[studyngstars]

my favourite page so far in my med chem notes because i realised i love drawing structural diagrams even though they're a pain in the ass to memorize! side note - also dreading school tomorrow

[studyngstars]

hi everyone! after gaining so much inspiration from other blogs, i decided to start my own studyblr. i love the motivating and friendly vibe i get from this community and must admit i’ve developed quite a soft spot for stationary and amazing handwriting as well! i’ll be updating this blog with posts of my own notes, as well as notes/tips/inspo i see from other blogs! i know my writing and note layout is nowhere up to par, but i’m trying my best to improve everyday. im always open to suggestions on how to improve my writing, note taking format, or even the way my photos are taken!

if anyones still here at the end of the long spiel, thanks for reading! i hope my blog can grow to become a source of encouragement and inspiration, much like many others have become to me.

[bluelahe]