Time's a Crooked Bow

I'm Sarah, and I'm a sixth-year biology major seeking way too many degrees and better (aka extant) study habits. I'm also graduating this year. Also known as thiseternaloptimist. I'm doing research with microbes in soil and I'm currently taking: epidemiology and the environment, deep sea biology, animal physiology, organic chemistry, physics, and my senior capstone. Also learning Spanish and Swedish with Duolingo. Currently reading: The Martian Chronicles

[theproperchemicals]

MyHomework

This one is definitely an old-school favorite for me. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now, mostly through my iPad and laptop, and it was one of the first apps I downloaded onto my phone.

It’s a pretty simple tool, and if you just want to list out assignments, exams, projects, then it’s perfect. You can also include your schedule, which is useful, though I don’t like it quite as much as one of those visuals with blocks of time.

I really like when apps like this have calendars rather than having to scroll forever for a date. There’s a huge variety of types of assignments, which is useful if you’re really into sorting things out (like me).

It’s free on both Google Play and iTunes, and there’s a browser version so you can have it all over all of your devices. There’s a paid upgrade, but I think that the free version has been fantastic.

Plus, if you’ve got an Android, it has a widget, which I really, really love.

I’d put it at a 4.9/5. It’s really, really, useful, but my only hangup is the format of the schedule. Which is a tiny hangup, honestly. I just love this thing.

(Also, has anyone used that live tutor feature? I might have to give it a go and give a report!)

[theproperchemicals]

When I get bored, I go into the Play Store and download apps. I did all this before the semester started and I’ve been filling up seven—yes, seven—different apps with homework assignments, exam dates, and whatever else my professors have decided to throw my way. A couple are old favorites, there’s definitely a new favorite in this mix, and because I have so many, I figured I’d do some reviews of study apps! There are definitely a lot out there, and why not help someone out in the meantime?

[aetudiant]

Hello! I was recently told my by older sister about the 3-2-1 hour system, and I thought it was worth sharing. Btw sorry for the crappy image quality :( 

The system is split into 3 hour study or work sessions, one 3 hour session, one 2 hour session, and a 1 hour session. You start your day with the 3 hour session, and then later the  2 hour session, and near the end of the day, the 1 hour session. 

Seems kind of complicated, but it’s actually very simple! 

THREE HOURS: Lets say you wake up at 8 AM, you have breakfast and you work for 3 hours. 

It’s now 11 AM and you take a break for an hour (or two). 

TWO HOURS: You work for another 2 hours, it’s 1 PM. 

Another hour or two of breaking.

ONE HOUR: You work for 1 hour, it’s 3 PM. 

You can use this system however you want, it’s can be split into a more hourly system (like the one above) or for more general use of after breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This system is suitable for people who prefers to work their way through for longer periods of time and take a longer break. It’s a very efficient way to ‘beast’ through your work load with time to spare later!

If you have any questions, ask (or message) me

[cwote]

i know im not a traditional studyblr blog, but i am in univeristy and this is such an important info graph. hope this helps at least one person out :)

[study-project]

12.3.15 // Made a check list of things to study on within this chapter of Organic Chemistry. Then proceeded to make post-it’s of the most important notes on that subject. ^^ Quite happy with how they turned out. Going to keep making some more later!

[study-well]

Quick flashcard tips:

Use different colours of flashcards to divide your topics. WHSmith sells packs of flashcards in different colours, but if you can’t buy a coloured pack, you can also mark the top of the cards with a pen (or even use washi tape) to colour code them.

Get a box. Keep your cards neat and clean by storing them in a flashcard box. These can usually be purchased for a few pounds, and they come in a range of styles from clear to patterned (see paperchase website).

Know the best technique for you. The traditional way to use the cards is to write a question on one side and the answer on the other. However, I know that if the answer is on the card, I’ll cheat, look at the answer, and then tell myself that I knew it. By not including an answer on my cards, I make sure that I’m testing myself.

Get the right size. Cards come in all kinds of sizes. If you want to carry your cards around with you a lot then I suggest getting a smaller size so that they’re easier to carry. You could also consider creating your cards online on sites like quizlet.

If you want to carry them around, buy some rings or elastic bands to keep your cards in order. If you’re using a smaller size, you might be able to buy a business card holder that will do the trick too.

Test yourself. I try to go through at least some of my flashcards every day. It’s also useful to divide your cards into piles when you go through them (e.g. know the answer, kind of know the answer, don’t know the answer) so that you can focus your revision on the cards that need the most work.

[sherlocks-study]

YES FLASHCARDS

[lynchesque-bitch]

A Sister’s Guide on How To College

[theproperchemicals]

I have one application due on the first, another on the fifteenth, and I’ve done absolutely nothing but narrow my choices down to two schools. Honestly, that was by necessity: they’re the only ones on my list with due dates that late.

I just spend half of my money on three textbooks. Tomorrow, I’m going to spend more for more books. I won’t be able to afford my transcripts, applications, and test scores all in one go. And I guess it’s forcing my hand. I haven’t done anything at all to apply because I know I’m not ready. I keep putting it off because I’m scared and deep down, I know I won’t get accepted. Not this time, at least. I only just got my GPA to a 3.0. That’s the bare minimum, and I’ve only just gotten there. My GRE scores are still really bad and so many programs want at least a C in calculus.

I’ve asked three different professors for letters of rec, but I’m going to talk to them about taking a year, see if they have ideas for what I should do in between.

I’m going to take a year off. I’m going to pick a city and work and live somewhere new. Maybe alone, maybe with my girlfriend, who knows. It’s a year I’m nervous about. I’m scared of getting caught up in a job I hate in a city I hate and letting that year go again. I’m scared of getting complacent and not fighting for what I want to do. I’m scared of still failing after taking the time to get better.

It’s nerve-wracking and dizzying. It’s like standing on a cliff, toes hanging over the edge. I’m scared to look down. What if the bottom is a hundred feet down? What if it’s only three feet? What if I’m making a mistake and I end up regretting this?

I’m terrified, but I’ve never taken a risk like this. I’ll never be ready. I just have to jump.

[spontaneousprodigy-deactivated2]

{1/100 days of productivity} Happy New Year! Today is the start of becoming a better me. I went to the gym, I remembered to moisturize, and I put up my vision board (thanks to @theorganisedstudent for the printables!) for the year. Started the 100 days of productivity too, so let’s see how far I get. Hope everyone has a great year of success and achievement too!

[sushidynasty]

For those of you with anxiety

here’s a website that translates the time into hexidecimal colours,

here is a website where you can create your own galaxies

here is a website where you can play flow

here you can interact with organisms in different environments to see how to music changes

here you can play silk which is an interactive generative art designing website.

Here is a website where you can travel along a 3D line into the infinite unkown

here is a website where you can listen to rain with or without music

[transgenderasfuck-blog]

I don’t have anxiety but some of my followers might

[queerenwalkerr]

Non-cutesy self-care tips

Have you been eating well? If not, eat a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts. You need vitamins; you need protein.

You’re probably not drinking enough water.

When is the last time you showered? Take a cold shower to wake you up or a hot shower if you need to relax.

Do the laundry that’s been piling up. You’ve been wearing that sweatshirt for too long.

Take care of the dishes in the sink that have been there for three days and have started to stress you out.

Did you brush your teeth this morning? How about your hair?

Listen to the messages on your phone that have been there for days.

Go outside for at least a couple minutes. You don’t even have to do anything; just sit down. Breathe in the fresh air and get some vitamin D.

Open your blinds. Your room is too dark and it’s probably making you tired.

Spend some time with your pet. Pet them, feed them, take them for a walk or clean out their litterbox. Caring for them will make you feel useful and responsible and give you something to do.

The self-care posts that tell you to take a bath and eat chocolate and read a book are good, but do what needs to be done first. Eating chocolate when you haven’t showered in four days and you can’t remember when the last time you changed your underwear was won’t make you feel better. It will probably make you feel worse. Clean yourself up; clean your surroundings up. Then take care of the little things. Tackle life one thing at a time.

[ayearofthoughts]

[-hope-for-the-hopeless-]

[littleoldhummy]

[bujoniina-blog]

[rewritign-blog]

8:48 | 9/11/15 Two more exams completed today, now I’m studying for my last physics exam tomorrow! I procrastinated after I came home from this morning’s exams by writing out flashcards of every definition needed for Sl and HL chemistry. Not sure if that was time well spent, or whether I’m totally screwed for tomorrow at this point. It was ungodly hot for spring today. Slightly dreading the coming summer months.

[bitchbyteme-deactivated20160818]