#study saturdays

[ladyhannahjane]

Study Tricks from Pyschology

Inadvertently I’ve been picking up quite a few study hacks from my psychology class.

There’s a difference between recognizing something as familiar and actually understanding it. Whenever we study, we sometimes see a topic and remember talking about it or reading about, but we don’t actually remember it. However, because it triggers some memory, we just tend to skip over it and not review it. Be extra careful.

Typing is an ineffective way to take notes because we can often type faster than we can write. When we write, because it takes longer, we are often struggling to find the shortest way to transcribe information. This forces our brain to spend more time on the content.

Repeating something is NOT a good way to get it in your long-term memory. It’s actually something called maintenance rehearsal, and it will keep whatever you’re repeating in your head for a little bit, but not permanently. So when you’re studying, reading the same page over and over again or repeating a definition dozens of time won’t actually do anything. The way to get something into your long term memory is called elaborate rehearsal. It’s when you actually understand the meaning of something and make connections between it and prior knowledge.

One theory of why we need sleep is that it consolidates our memory. Basically, during our sleep our brain (theoretically) takes the information from the day and shifts it into long-term memory. This means that if you study right before you sleep, you have a better chance of retaining that information.

It turns out that we cannot actually multitask. Sometimes I am so pressed for time that I try to study while doing other things, but this just means I will do both tasks poorly.

Previous #Study Saturdays post: (My) School Supply Essentials

[ladyhannahjane]

Get Ahead Early: Back to School

My tendency in the past school semesters was to laze around and goof around during syllabus week. It is easily one of the most relaxed weeks of the school year. However, this year I am taking 18 hours and also searching for a job, so I couldn’t afford to now. If you’re like me and have a crap ton to do, then take advantage of this time to get ahead. You won’t regret it later.

Here’s how I, at the end of my first week of school, and a week and a half ahead:

Write out all of the due dates on your planner. You can do this multiple ways: through a traditional planner, through an online calendar, a bullet journal, a printed month calendar, even in a list format... just get them ALL down. Refer to your syllabus, the due dates listed online, and everything resource you have to make sure you have them all. I don’t color code my classes here, but I do highlight all of these due dates in pink or write them in red.

Decide what you will get done each day. This is when a monthly overview of what’s due comes to your advantage. Have a syllabus quiz in a few days that’s available online and that you can do now? Do it. Know that you will be going over Chapters 1 and 2 next week? Read them now and take extensive notes. Be prepared, and save yourself trouble later.

Create an hour-by-hour timeline. I used my bullet journal to create this (below). Each night before bed I map out what I want to do hour by hour for tomorrow: what I want to study, where I will be, and what I should accomplish. One of the first things I do each morning is look at it and remember: Okay, I have five big tasks I want to get done today. It helps to keep me on track and so far, this method has been working WONDERS for me. (Keep in mind, you need a lot of discipline, though.

Be motivated. Why do you want to work so hard? You have to have personal goals that you are extremely passionate about to force yourself up at 6 every morning and to bed at 10. They need to keep you going when you want to go waste several hours on YouTube and when you still have four more hard items on your to do list. For myself, I am trying to move out within the year. To move out, you need money, and to keep my job, I cannot compromise my grades. So I am working hard to earn myself the future I want at the time I want it.

Be disciplined. Motivation will only get you so far. When your alarm goes off, who is going to win the battle? Ever since I have been following such a rigorous schedule, I have been winning, but every day it’s a struggle. Being disciplined will take you places where most people can’t go.

Find productive ways to relax. Recently I have trying out yoga. It’s pretty simple; I’ve just been watching some youtube videos that I follow along with in the morning and the evening, and it’s been AMAZING. It wakes my body up and loosens my muscles. (I have been loving Boho Beautiful’s videos especially.) However, there’s a bunch of little things like this that gives you a way to relax and also isn’t overly time-consuming like social media. (For me, social media is the killer of productivity. You start me looking at Marvel memes, and I won’t stop anytime soon.) Make these habits a priority, and do not discard them even when you’re busy. They’ll keep you sane.

Prioritize. Work on the most urgent task or the most difficult. This is a trap we fall into too often. Math may be easier for you to understand, but if you spend all of your time on it, you will never understand History as well. Balance is the key, and knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.

I really hope you all have good first weeks back! Because I am so busy right now, it takes me awhile to answer messages, but I do love talking with you guys, so shoot me a message, and I will answer. :)

Previous #Studying Saturdays post: Study Tricks from Psychology

[ladyhannahjane]

(My) School Supply Essentials

An overarching theme in my blog posts is paring down possessions. I’m convinced that (at least for me, personally) the less mess = the less stress. One area that I’ve been really good about minimizing is my school supplies.

Here’s a list of the school supplies I find necessary:

My master binder

as anyone knows, I am a huge advocate of my big binder

it contains all of my notes + syllabi + any printed material

I’m taking 5 classes and I take a lot of notes, but it still fits everything

My backpack

although I do not bring it everyday, on those days when I have to take my textbook to school (i.e. whenever I have American Literature), it’s useful to have

My pencil case

I use a clear pencil case that’s easy to throw into either my backpack or my purse, depending on which I’m using that day

these days it mainly carries different pens, highlighters, and a USB

Wallet

has student ID

plus cash when you need those emergency scantrons

Glasses case

helps to have a cleaning cloth for them handy

also rarely do I wear my glasses while in class lol

have to store the things somewhere

Bullet journal

lately this has been my primary system of planning

it’s been amazing

highly recommend if you can get into it

but also, incredibly useful to have with you because all of your plans and lists are here

Laptop (optional)

only for those days I know I will be at school for many hours

for notes

also for Tumblr, but don’t tell

Feminine hygienic products

Previous #Study Saturdays post: Time Management Techniques

[ladyhannahjane]

Concentration Tips

I actually learned in psychology that it was better for your memory if you learned in short bursts constantly throughout the day, but honestly, that doesn’t always work out. Sometimes we are short on time or large on information we have to go through. Sooo for those long hours of studying, here’s some concentration tips!

Clothing and location matter! Choose places that are free of distractions or that motivate you to work. My bedroom is fairly quiet, but it’s easy to be distracted by it. Sometimes it’s better for me to work around other people so that they keep me from just sitting back and texting my friends haha whoops. Also choose comfortable clothing, since likely you’ll have to sit in the same place/position for long stretches of time.

Take breaks at appointed times. When you’re studying for long periods, it is so so so so important to take a break! You brain needs to rest, my friends! Pomodoro your way to success.

Change your study location around. Sometimes staying in the same place can be boring as well. Give your mind some variety.

Have a specific plan. Before you start studying, make a list of all the topics you want to cover and the tasks you want to complete. This gives you a clear game plan.

Get enough sleep. This is so important! The less sleep you have, the easier it is for your mind to wander. Although I’m more of a night owl, because I am well rested in the mornings, I concentrate much better.

[ladyhannahjane]

How I Study

So my brother is having trouble studying, and he asked me what I did to study. I make excellent grades, so this method has been working for me, but of course, some people learn in different ways. However, I thought I’d share. :)

Before class

I always try to read ahead in the textbook so that when I arrive to class, everything isn’t completely new. (Emphasis on try)

I also try to look at the Powerpoints, if available.

Depending on the type of subject, sometimes I combine the relevant information from the textbook and the powerpoints into one master sheet of notes, and if the professor adds anything extra, then I’ll just add that in with a sticky note. This is only for those classes where the professor follows the powerpoints very closely, though.

During class

I don’t care how messy the notes I take are, as long as I get everything down that I want to. If I’ve read something in the textbook or seen something on the powerpoints that the professor is talking about, then I usually just write down what it is and now what s/he says about it, unless they’ve said something in a way that I think is super easy to understand.

I usually write notes in one color. Sometimes, I might use another color to add in what I consider “extra info.” This is stuff that’s not necessarily relevant but it helps explain the material better, such as examples and illustrations.

After class

Then, usually within two days of that lecture, I take all of the resources accessible to me and combine them. I use anything online, my lecture notes, and the textbook, and extract from each the most important. I try to only write down what’s relevant and oftentimes abbreviate words. (This is also when I write the “aesthetic notes.” Because this requires quite a bit of thought and planning and thinking, in the process of combining all of these together in attractive, cohesive, and intelligent notes, I end up studying the material. I’ve rarely had to do anything more to study.

[ladyhannahjane]

New Semester Goals

This post was supposed to come out yesterday... shhh let’s just not remember that. ;) #Study Saturdays are back, fam!

My new semester starts in 2 days (cue the inarticulate, panicked, internal screaming) and I have a few goals for the next few months to help me learn more efficiently. :)

Stick to one method when taking notes. That’s why it’s so important to have a set method going in! Having just one method to take notes isn’t as difficult and also also also, it’s easier to find something from a past lesson if they’re all organized the same way.

Actively listen. Pay attention, basically. Don’t get so caught up in writing everything down that you don’t attempt to understand what the professor is saying. That leads to the next goal...

Only write down the important things. My note taking method in the past has always been write down every single word they say even if they say “um” it must be written down write write write. However, as my carpal tunnel tells me, this is not the best method. I’m determined to have less notes this semester, but they will (hopefully) be of material that actually matters.

Study only the important things. In the same manner, I’m intending to make more of an effort to study only what’s relevant to the class. This involves asking the teacher more about what I need to study and also spending my time more wisely.

Never copy verbatim. Whenever possible, use your own words to write your own words. Having to think about how best to phrase a concept or information helps your brain remember it. 

Get ahead and stay ahead. This is not a top goal, but I just like being ahead of the studies — of already having next week’s material studied so I can go into the class not completely clueless.

Work when you’re productive. Some people are morning people, and some people are night people. I am definitely a night person, so while making my study schedules and planning what I will be revising/reviewing/reading each day, I will plan the bulk of the work later in the day. Mornings? Mornings are more for relaxing and being healthy than thinking for me.

Be confident. Lately I have been struggling with inner insecurity, but I’m still faking confidence like a boss. This semester will be the one of remembering that I am loved, and enough, and that it’s not about what people think of me as much as it’s about what I can do for others.

Don’t stress. I know, I know. Stress and school tend to go hand in hand. However, this semester, I will make time to hang out with my friends and invest in their lives. I will make time to go on dates with my boyfriend. I will make time for family nights. I will make time to sit at home quietly with a candle, some tea, and a couple of Victorian classics. I will make time for God. School is important, and I’m going to work hard as h*ck at it, but please remember that your grades are not worth your peace.

Previous #Study Saturdays post: Lab Reports 101

[ladyhannahjane]

After School Studying

Is it just me, or is it... is it really hard to hit the textbooks after you get home from school? I know I’m not the only one, but since this semester has started, I’ve been doing MUCH better at getting into the work. Here’s how:

My biggest tip is to have a reason to get the work done. Sure, being on top of things is nice, but a lot of times it’s not enough to actually get me off Instagram and onto Canvas. For me, my reason is that I want to spend time with my boyfriend. A stipulation of my parents is that I can’t let my relationship negatively affect my grades. So if I can get all of my work done, I can spend time with the bf. 

Have a set schedule! It helps so much to have certain times where you are scheduled to complete a task. I usually allow myself to grace time after I come home from school to check social media, answer messages, and maybe even read a little — but once the clock hits 2:30, it’s time to go to work. A great app I have been using for this is The Fabulous.

Prepare beforehand. It always helps me to get motivated when I do certain things like clean my bedroom, clear off my desk, and even make my bed — I think it has something to do with the “illusion of productivity.” These things aren’t really helping me to do schoolwork, but once I have started on these simple tasks, the illusion of being productive drives my momentum until I’m actually studying.

Another way to prepare is to know what you will study in advance. I do this as part of both my night routine and my morning routine. At night, I lay out the big assignments I want to work on (like “complete pysch homework”) and in the morning I break down those assignments into manageable chunks (like “read chapter 2,” “type up review,” “proofread review”)

A huge motivation for me is to surround my distractions with reminders of productivity. My top three distractions are probably Instagram, WeHeartIt, and YouTube. In the first two I follow so many people that make studying aesthetics pop up in my timeline that even while wasting time scrolling, I’m still being prodded to get to work. I also follow a lot of Studytubes.

Have a reward. Like right now, this is my reward. I have done my work for the day, and I’m browsing Tumblr and writing my masterposts before I start my night routine. :) 

Previous #Study Saturdays post: How I Study

[ladyhannahjane]

Lab Reports 101

Lab Reports are modeled after scientific reports. The format of a lab report can be summed up in the acronym IMRAD: Intro, Methods + Materials, Results, and Discussion.

Introduction

The into is typically a couple of paragraphs.

states the purpose of the experiment (for students, the purpose is usually a broader knowledge of some principle)

includes background knowledge (explain it like you would to an outsider who knows nothing about your topic) (source relevant research)

and it also has your hypothesis, which is your prediction based on background knowledge. The hypothesis can be wrong! Remember: this is an experiment. Your hypothesis must be specific and it should be in an if/then format. (If the solution turns this color, then the presence of enzymes are confirmed.)

There should also be justification for why your hypothesis makes sense.

Method and Materials

Materials will usually come first; it’s the list of necessary supplies and equipment.

Methods describes the process of the experience (either as an numbered list or in paragraph form). It includes rationale for steps when appropriate. Make sure to identify the experiment's control (baseline data) if possible. Also, avoid imperative voice. Use passive past tense voice.

Results

Often the shortest section, the results presents data without interpretation. 

Unless explicitly stated otherwise, this is the section where you would include a table or a figure (or a combination). Only use a table if it is the most concise way to express the results.

Discussions

moves from specific (data from your experiment) to general (how the date fits your hypothesis)

explains whether the data fits your hypothesis

acknowledges unexpected data

derives conclusions, based on your findings, about the process you’res studying

(optional) explains theoretical and/or practical implications

In-text Citations

In-text citations in lab reports take APA format.

The final page will be labeled references and will take its own page.

Use quotations sparingly.