The Regular Student

I'm trying to do my best with what I've been given: cheap pens, sloppy notes, and a burning desire to succeed.

[the-regular-student]

Your blog looks really nice :)

Thank you so much! <3 I’ve stepped away from this blog for quite a while, but coming back to such kind words really warms my heart

[the-regular-student]

Hi, I saw your 'what's in my bag' thing a little bit ago and I was just wondering if you remember where you got your bag?? It's really cute and I was considering buying a new backpack. thanks

I made it myself! I bought a grey Jansport backpack (https://www.jansport.com/shop/en/jansport-us/superbreak--t501?variationId=6XD#hero=0), snipped the little threads to remove the logo, and then painted the front pocket with regular ole acrylic paints. It was a bit of work, but it has still lasted me all these years!

[the-regular-student]

Day 11: Favorite class //  This semester, astronomy. All time, probably calc 1 during my first semester. In astronomy, the professor is focused more on getting us to understand and be interested in the topics rather than just making us do lots of busy work (which is what every other physics class I’ve taken so far has been.) As for calc, that class was a serious wake up call from high school math but the challenge was really exciting. Plus it was my first taste of some of the really cool things that math can do!

[the-regular-student]

Day 10: Good night!

[the-regular-student]

Week 3 // It’s going to bee a very buzzy week!

[the-regular-student]

Day 9: Good morning!

[the-regular-student]

Day 8: Before and after

A quick little study session this morning before astronomy lecture!

[the-regular-student]

Day 7: Daily routine

On days when I have classes, I keep things pretty routine. I’m an early bird so I like to get up around 6 or 7, and have breakfast shortly after that. By 9 or 10 I’m on the train, where I catch up on any readings for class (or for fun!) Afterwards comes a barrage of classes... not pictured is me trying to scarf down lunch while running around between lectures. It wasn’t a very pretty sight! But my schedule kind of stinks this semester and leaves me with only 5 minutes between lectures so this is the price I pay. After classes I head over to the lab to work for a few hours, and then rush back to the train to get home.

By 10, I’m back in bed, resting up and getting ready to do it all over again tomorrow!

[the-regular-student]

[the-regular-student]

Day 5: Favorite study snack

Bubble tea! My favorite combination is coconut mango, but regular milk tea is absolutely delicious too. I also love munching on fresh fruit (mangoes and raspberries, please!) and granola bars.

[the-regular-student]

Day 4: Study essentials

I’m a pretty simple girl when it comes to studying. As long as a have something to munch on, some colorful writing utensils, and a quiet corner to myself, I’m ready to go! I always have some fruit or nuts close by, and if there’s bubble tea involved then it’s going to be a very intense study session.

[the-regular-student]

I’m going into my second week of classes already! I’ve been doing well with getting ahead on my work, so hopefully this week won’t be too hectic (despite that long to-do list!)

[the-regular-student]

Day 3: What’s in your bag?

I’m a commuter so I practically live out of my bag during the semester. Here’s my everyday essentials:

Calculator

Subway timetable

Binder

Train pass and school ID

Pencil case, with: pencils, pens, sticky notes, USB

Lots of water and snacks

A few of my favorite Odyssey of the Mind pins

Planner

Work journal, for on-the-job note-taking

Laptop

Phone and laptop chargers

First aid kit

Headphones

[the-regular-student]

Day 2: What are you excited about?

So many things! I’ve been completely blessed in this life, and there are so many really cool things coming up, too:

Having real people back on campus, as strange as that sounds. The whole summer I was on campus working and it was completely dead. The energy on campus is so different during the semester and I had come to really miss it.

After so many years of contemplation I finally dyed my hair! With this hair color, I feel like I’m living in a spy movie; I’m extra cool, calm, and collected.

Moving! Right now everyone in my family is working on fixing up our first proper home in America, and we have to be moved in by the end of the month. This alone has made the start of the semester total craziness, but I can’t wait to be settled in.

A large part of my schedule this semester is CS classes, and I can’t wait to get down and dirty with the tougher concepts. This semester I also happen to be taking one of the most notorious CS classes and I’m ready to take on the challenge.

I’m actually just really excited to get back into the scholar grind in general. It’s so easy to find comfort and peace in sitting down for a few hours and focusing on nothing but your assignments.

[the-regular-student]

Semester Goals!

To kick off the new semester, I’m going to be doing the universi-tea back to school challenge! First up, my goals for this upcoming semester:

To not just stay on top of my coursework, but to stay ahead of it. I always have so much energy at the beginning of the semester, and it helps to knock as much out as early as I can. Then when the energy starts fading, especially around finals, I have more room to relax.

To take more time for myself and my friends. With this job, it has been so hard to take time away to just have fun. If it comes to it, I might honestly schedule relaxation like I schedule other things I have to do...

To not skip or leave lectures early. I’ll admit, I was super naughty last semester and by the end I couldn’t sit through some very boring lectures. This semester I need to put more energy into staying engaged and focused (though all of my professors seem great so far, so hopefully it won’t even be a problem.)

These goals are more broad, personal things that I would like to achieve (as opposed to any kind of targeted goals) but I think they’re a good representation of what I’d like to get out of this semester. Things like “to pass all my classes” probably go without saying.

[the-regular-student]

The first few days of the semester have been an absolute whirlwhind! Here’s a little peek into my Astronomy and Stats notes for the day (featuring a big fat salad, because I’m a busy, multi-tasking girl.)

So far all of my professors either use totally open source books or do everything in their power to minimize the supplies we need to buy for their classes, and I am so grateful. I really hope that this is the direction that colleges are going to move in. College is expensive enough without needing to drop hundreds of dollars per semester on books.

[the-regular-student]

University starts this Tuesday, and I’ve been channeling all of my excitement into journaling and other preparations! This semester is going to be a challenging one, but I can’t wait to get started.