The Reviewzz Studyblr

I used to love studying. Now, not so much...Psyc Student. HP fan. Always        

[juliennestudies]

{aug 15, 2018}

today was the first day of school. and the senior high department has 700 students 😱 now, i feel so keen on doing my best and working really hard this school year. The amount of people in class (we’re 50 students in one classroom) seems so daunting, & i barely know anyone.

i tried talking to some old friends from my old school but why did it seem so awkward? ugh.

somehow, this motivates me.

ig: solennestudies

[tink-in-neverland]

Hey studyblrs. I’ce designed a pastel to do list printable for you to use for your planners. This printable is size A4 and you can download both .pdf and .png versions. Download them without a watermark here. If you want an A5 size or something else, let me know by commenting or DM’ing me. If you want other printables, please also tell me and I’ll make it for you.

[shymagnolia]

so I got into grad school today with my shitty 2.8 gpa and the moral of the story is reblog those good luck posts for the love of god

[shymagnolia]

okay so i just got my dream job??? a week after applying to it?? and now i’m thinking….maybe this is the good luck post

[i-was-today-years-old-when]

i learned that Marie Curie’s belongings will be radioactive for another 1,500 years

Still, after more than 100 years, much of Curie’s personal effects including her clothes, furniture, cookbooks, and laboratory notes are still radioactive, author Bill Bryson writes in his book, A Short History of Nearly Everything. 

While the library grants access to visitors to view Curie’s manuscripts, all guests are expected to sign a liability waiver and wear protective gear as the items are contaminated with radium 226, which has a half life of about 1,600 years, according to Christian Science Monitor. (x)

[blu-oom]

January 1, 2019 Happy New Year! I’ll be getting started on readings for next week. I also want to review some trigonometry and watch a few lectures on calculus before classes begin. Let’s do our best to strive towards our goals! ٩(◦`꒳´◦)۶

[tink-in-neverland]

Studyblr Printables - Exam Subjects Tracker

Hey Guys!! I made my first printables for us studyblrs.

To download, please go to the link. I put it on the website so that my broke student ass maybe generate some coins from Ad revenue, not that it’s likely but… The printable however, is completely free.

https://www.thereviewzz.com/blog/college-binder-printables-subjects-checklist

Here’s how you can use it:

I know how hectic a midterm/final/exam week can be. There is so much to study with very little time. Also, we students tend to go overboard/underestimate about the things we should study. A very common mistake I see all throughout my academic life was people studying what they shouldn’t. We sometimes study on what we already know and ignore the things we have a hard time to understand. And sometimes, people overestimate how well they know the subject they studied. Another very common mistake is skipping classes and thus having no idea on what to study: Maybe the teacher basically left out some of the subjects that were initially in the syllabus, or said that the subject won’t be included in the exam.

What we need in the exam week/weeks are not to spend time on researching what to study. What we need is a roadmap that will lead us to success with minimal steps. Now comes the checklist that we will be using throughout the semester to achieve our goals. Stop worrying, because I prepared a printable for you to follow. The checklist’s aim is to clarify what you should be working on.

This checklist I made is for using before the exams. How it should be used is as followed:

When to fill the form: Preferably in the first week of classes. Teachers, professors will give you a syllabus for the course that you’ll take. According to your syllabus, you list all the subjects in the subject column, the dates of the subjects and their importance. After this, you will revise the form –preferably- every week to make sure you are on the right track with the subjects. Don’t worry if you didn’t fill in the form first week, just do it as soon as possible.

Course: Name the course you are taking and its teacher. Write down its credits. Write down the class hours.

Material: List all the materials you will use in the course, including the additional material that is already in the syllabus.

Subjects: List the subjects that you will study on the course. Don’t just list as you go through the class. List everything beforehand. Look at the textbook and write down the subjects chapters. Write down the date/the week that you will learn the subject.

The importance: you will decide the importance of the subjects. If your professor says there will be a question on the exam about the subject, also check Q mark on the form. If you have no idea of the importance of the subjects, due to missed classes or another reason, ask your friends, professors, Ta’s or people who took this course before.

Additional subjects: List every reading, powerpoint, hand-outs etc. İn this part of the form.

Subtracted subjects: List every subject that your teacher stated you’re not responsible for.

Exam Content: Write every subject you are responsible for every test/exam/midterm/final. If you have the dates, write down the dates for these exams.

Notes: Feel free to use this space for additional details you deem important. You can do this when you revise the checklist.

How to revise: As said above, you should revise the checklist every week. This step will give you accuracy as some teachers tend to not follow the syllabus and add other course materials. But I know that most of us don’t do what we should do in time, and instead wait for the last minute. Don’t do that. At the very least, you should update this checklist every other week.

Revise Checklist: Mark the check for every time you revise the checklist and update it. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder. You deserved this.

Don’t worry. All of this looks like it takes too much time, but after the initial listing, this will only take 10 minutes. Every week, just ten minutes. I am sure we have some 10 minutes in our pockets that we can use for this. Just sit back, relax and do what you need to do.

Don’t forget. It takes time. The stuff that seems so big is actually made up of small things. Take one step at a time. Congratulate yourself for doing it. Make this fun. Buy a nice binder, color it, use stickers etc. I don’t care. Just don’t make it a chore. Try to like it.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing for failing.”

Benjamin Franklin

You are preparing for success. You got this.

Also, if you use the printable and post it, please tag me! I wanna see it being used by people haha.

[tink-in-neverland]

Studyblr Printables - Exam Subjects Tracker

Hey Guys!! I made my first printables for us studyblrs.

To download, please go to the link. I put it on the website so that my broke student ass maybe generate some coins from Ad revenue, not that it’s likely but… The printable however, is completely free.

https://www.thereviewzz.com/blog/college-binder-printables-subjects-checklist

Here’s how you can use it:

I know how hectic a midterm/final/exam week can be. There is so much to study with very little time. Also, we students tend to go overboard/underestimate about the things we should study. A very common mistake I see all throughout my academic life was people studying what they shouldn’t. We sometimes study on what we already know and ignore the things we have a hard time to understand. And sometimes, people overestimate how well they know the subject they studied. Another very common mistake is skipping classes and thus having no idea on what to study: Maybe the teacher basically left out some of the subjects that were initially in the syllabus, or said that the subject won’t be included in the exam.

What we need in the exam week/weeks are not to spend time on researching what to study. What we need is a roadmap that will lead us to success with minimal steps. Now comes the checklist that we will be using throughout the semester to achieve our goals. Stop worrying, because I prepared a printable for you to follow. The checklist’s aim is to clarify what you should be working on.

This checklist I made is for using before the exams. How it should be used is as followed:

When to fill the form: Preferably in the first week of classes. Teachers, professors will give you a syllabus for the course that you’ll take. According to your syllabus, you list all the subjects in the subject column, the dates of the subjects and their importance. After this, you will revise the form –preferably- every week to make sure you are on the right track with the subjects. Don’t worry if you didn’t fill in the form first week, just do it as soon as possible.

Course: Name the course you are taking and its teacher. Write down its credits. Write down the class hours.

Material: List all the materials you will use in the course, including the additional material that is already in the syllabus.

Subjects: List the subjects that you will study on the course. Don’t just list as you go through the class. List everything beforehand. Look at the textbook and write down the subjects chapters. Write down the date/the week that you will learn the subject.

The importance: you will decide the importance of the subjects. If your professor says there will be a question on the exam about the subject, also check Q mark on the form. If you have no idea of the importance of the subjects, due to missed classes or another reason, ask your friends, professors, Ta’s or people who took this course before.

Additional subjects: List every reading, powerpoint, hand-outs etc. İn this part of the form.

Subtracted subjects: List every subject that your teacher stated you’re not responsible for.

Exam Content: Write every subject you are responsible for every test/exam/midterm/final. If you have the dates, write down the dates for these exams.

Notes: Feel free to use this space for additional details you deem important. You can do this when you revise the checklist.

How to revise: As said above, you should revise the checklist every week. This step will give you accuracy as some teachers tend to not follow the syllabus and add other course materials. But I know that most of us don’t do what we should do in time, and instead wait for the last minute. Don’t do that. At the very least, you should update this checklist every other week.

Revise Checklist: Mark the check for every time you revise the checklist and update it. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder. You deserved this.

Don’t worry. All of this looks like it takes too much time, but after the initial listing, this will only take 10 minutes. Every week, just ten minutes. I am sure we have some 10 minutes in our pockets that we can use for this. Just sit back, relax and do what you need to do.

Don’t forget. It takes time. The stuff that seems so big is actually made up of small things. Take one step at a time. Congratulate yourself for doing it. Make this fun. Buy a nice binder, color it, use stickers etc. I don’t care. Just don’t make it a chore. Try to like it.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing for failing.”

Benjamin Franklin

You are preparing for success. You got this.

Also, if you use the printable and post it, please tag me! I wanna see it being used by people haha.

[tink-in-neverland]

Printable Requests

Hey guys!

I just started learning how to make printables, and I need your input.

Do you have any requests for printables? If you have, please tell me here 

https://www.thereviewzz.com/printable-requests

so I can make some for you. I prefer studyblr&productivity printables but I’m open to any kind. Please don’t hesitate to tell me.

PS: I check the website more than here, hence the link.

[tink-in-neverland]

Studyblr Printables - Exam Subjects Tracker

Hey Guys!! I made my first printables for us studyblrs.

To download, please go to the link. I put it on the website so that my broke student ass maybe generate some coins from Ad revenue, not that it’s likely but… The printable however, is completely free.

https://www.thereviewzz.com/blog/college-binder-printables-subjects-checklist

Here’s how you can use it:

I know how hectic a midterm/final/exam week can be. There is so much to study with very little time. Also, we students tend to go overboard/underestimate about the things we should study. A very common mistake I see all throughout my academic life was people studying what they shouldn’t. We sometimes study on what we already know and ignore the things we have a hard time to understand. And sometimes, people overestimate how well they know the subject they studied. Another very common mistake is skipping classes and thus having no idea on what to study: Maybe the teacher basically left out some of the subjects that were initially in the syllabus, or said that the subject won’t be included in the exam.

What we need in the exam week/weeks are not to spend time on researching what to study. What we need is a roadmap that will lead us to success with minimal steps. Now comes the checklist that we will be using throughout the semester to achieve our goals. Stop worrying, because I prepared a printable for you to follow. The checklist’s aim is to clarify what you should be working on.

This checklist I made is for using before the exams. How it should be used is as followed:

When to fill the form: Preferably in the first week of classes. Teachers, professors will give you a syllabus for the course that you’ll take. According to your syllabus, you list all the subjects in the subject column, the dates of the subjects and their importance. After this, you will revise the form –preferably- every week to make sure you are on the right track with the subjects. Don’t worry if you didn’t fill in the form first week, just do it as soon as possible.

Course: Name the course you are taking and its teacher. Write down its credits. Write down the class hours.

Material: List all the materials you will use in the course, including the additional material that is already in the syllabus.

Subjects: List the subjects that you will study on the course. Don’t just list as you go through the class. List everything beforehand. Look at the textbook and write down the subjects chapters. Write down the date/the week that you will learn the subject.

The importance: you will decide the importance of the subjects. If your professor says there will be a question on the exam about the subject, also check Q mark on the form. If you have no idea of the importance of the subjects, due to missed classes or another reason, ask your friends, professors, Ta’s or people who took this course before.

Additional subjects: List every reading, powerpoint, hand-outs etc. İn this part of the form.

Subtracted subjects: List every subject that your teacher stated you’re not responsible for.

Exam Content: Write every subject you are responsible for every test/exam/midterm/final. If you have the dates, write down the dates for these exams.

Notes: Feel free to use this space for additional details you deem important. You can do this when you revise the checklist.

How to revise: As said above, you should revise the checklist every week. This step will give you accuracy as some teachers tend to not follow the syllabus and add other course materials. But I know that most of us don’t do what we should do in time, and instead wait for the last minute. Don’t do that. At the very least, you should update this checklist every other week.

Revise Checklist: Mark the check for every time you revise the checklist and update it. Give yourself a pat on the shoulder. You deserved this.

Don’t worry. All of this looks like it takes too much time, but after the initial listing, this will only take 10 minutes. Every week, just ten minutes. I am sure we have some 10 minutes in our pockets that we can use for this. Just sit back, relax and do what you need to do.

Don’t forget. It takes time. The stuff that seems so big is actually made up of small things. Take one step at a time. Congratulate yourself for doing it. Make this fun. Buy a nice binder, color it, use stickers etc. I don’t care. Just don’t make it a chore. Try to like it.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing for failing.”

Benjamin Franklin

You are preparing for success. You got this.

Also, if you use the printable and post it, please tag me! I wanna see it being used by people haha.

[bettystudiesstuff]

Now Im new to bullet journaling but I’m really into it already! This is my bujo so far this year!

[seumseumstudy]

01/06/19 - sunday evening of ap gov & Huxley

hello everyone! i am back and better than ever. 1st semester was very overwhelming for many reasons, but i am finally back on track! this is my semester as a high school student and i have been accepted to my dream school! im so excited, so i will give it my all but not stress over getting amazing grades.

i begin school on tuesday, so i am getting a headstart on my ap gov course & finish reading for my english class. lets have a great year!

[star-studyings]

College things that people won’t tell you about (Warning: brutal honesty included)

The food

You will most likely get sick if you are not used to the food that the university cafeteria serves. Not in a “oh god I’m dying and throwing up everywhere” sick, but more in a subtle way: slight stomachache, maybe some constipation, gas, or diarrhea, it all depends of how your body reacts to it, how the food is being prepared, and what you are eating.

Talking about what you are eating. You will have the option to get a burger and fries for every meal, or pizza, or cake. Don’t do it. For your health’s sake, don’t. I know it sounds tempting, and I know fries for every meal is delicious (fry lover here!), but I am telling you from experience, you will regret eating the same greasy food so often and your body will show it for you. 

For about a week in college I started to not care about myself (e.g. neglected skin care, ate crappy food, did not exercise, was barely doing my school work), and it was starting to show. I gained about five pounds in just those days (more about it later), my skin was greasy and I was getting pimples like crazy, I was having stomachaches everyday, and I felt as if I was getting lazier as days went by. I decided to change my eating habits. I chose fruit and salads instead of a burger and fries/pizza. And it helped me get my life together a little bit. I felt healthier and my skin cleared up.

Freshman 15 

Yes. You will gain weight. It is normal, and you should not freak out.

There will be lots of food available to you and no one to stop your from eating what ever you want. You will have more than too many snacks sometimes, or a second dinner because you decided to go eat again with your friends. It’s okay. Try to stay active so the weight changes are not extreme; go for a walk, or go out running, hit the gym often, practice your sport, etc. Just keep moving.

If you think you might be dealing with an eating disorder, contact your clinic and they will put you in touch with psychological help available on campus. Remember, nothing wrong in admitting that you are having problems, help is always there.

Condoms and Sexuality

When it comes to sexuality, I am open to discuss the subject as if we were simply talking about groceries, you can just ask my friends. I consider that I’m a very sex positive person, because it should not be a taboo subject (unless it is making someone uncomfortable). We need more sex education available (luckily, Planned Parenthood had some workshops at my school, and being who I am, I dragged my friends with me to one), many people do not know how to even put on a condom, or what sex might lead to (pregnancies and STIs/STDs).

Anyway, I’ll keep it simple: carry your own condoms even if you yourself are not sexually active (check that they are not expired, ripped, and keep them in a safe place); if you decide to be sexually active, in any way (one night stands or something more stable), get tested (there are many resources on campus, if you do not want to use them, look for the nearest clinic and get it done there); if you think that sex is just not your thing (i.e. asexuality, saving yourself for marriage, etc.) that is perfectly fine and you should not let anyone shame you for your decision or pressure you into having sex.

Snacks and Water

Carry snacks with you at all times, especially if you are planning on being out most of the day. You will get hungry, and therefore grumpy or weak. Also, carry a reusable water bottle so you can keep yourself hydrated.

It can be fruit, bars, trail mix, anything that can be considered a snack. Now if you want to carry a lunch with you, I am not stopping you.

Peer Pressure

This is not something that happens only in HS. It happens everywhere, and if you feel like you are being pressured into doing something (alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex, anything) stand your ground and be firm with your decision. I don’t care if you think you might lose friends or look like a weakling, if you do not want to do something, NO ONE should force you to do it. In the case that you are feeling uncomfortable in any given situation where peer pressure is taking place, get out of there; forget about “looking good for your friends” or “being cool with them”.

Extra Chargers

Carry your chargers with you at all times. Your laptop charger and also your phone’s, you might not know what might come up that will force you to be out working for long periods of time ahem, group projects that require you to meet until late at night or that take almost six hours.

Laundry

For goodness’ sake, DO YOUR LAUNDRY once a week. (I usually do it on Thursdays because i have noticed is the day with the least people. Try not to do it on Sundays, everyone does it on Sundays)

Story time because, why not?

I once went about three weeks without doing laundry. It started with me just being lazy and saying that I would do it in a few days, then next thing I know it’s midterm season and those days turned into weeks. By the time I decided to do my laundry, I already had both of my laundry bags completely full (I had to take my spare laundry bag from my storage thing lol). The trips to the laundromat were easy, except for having to carry those heavy laundry bags. Once I got there I had to wait for washing machines to be empty…. 

What I am trying to say is: don’t put yourself in the position that I was in. Be responsible and do your laundry often. I’m also saying this because dirty laundry might get smelly such as gym clothes, and you don’t want to stink up your dorm.

Exercise

Try to stay active. I know we all think that walking from class to class is enough physical activity, but no. Go for a walk, try to go for a run, ride your bike around, go to the gym, and try to do these things at least 3 times a week. If you do not stay active, you will store extra fat, your joints will hurt, you’re prone to suffer stress more. If you struggle with doing physical activity, get together with a friend or a groups of friends and simply go for a walk; it takes away the stress and you are moving at the same time. 

Just stay active.

Majors

No shame in changing your major. So you thought you were going to college to study something but along the way you realize that you prefer something else, good, change it. Don’t stay doing something that makes you unhappy only because you started with it. Changing your mind is part of any process, and in college it will happen a lot of times.

Time management

Get your shit together. I’m saying it like that because that is how I realized that I needed to manage my time better. 

Get a planner, some apps to help you manage your time, study in time lapses and take good breaks, have a plan for the day, prioritize your school work over social events or parties or whatever it is that has been taking your time and distracting you from doing your work, get some to-do lists and cross items out as you complete them, have a goal for each day (”today I want to finish this essay and proofread it”). 

Finish what needs to get done first so you can go and do any other things that you want. Create a balance.

Money Management

We’re broke college students I’m just stating the facts here.

Try to have a spending plan, or a budget, and  stick to it. Save some money from the money you get (when I get $10, I save $3). And I know I am always advocating to the whole Treat-Yo-Self thing, but don’t abuse it. Treat yourself but think, ‘do I really need this? how many times will I actually use it? can I get it for cheaper?’ Think before you buy, so you won’t end up just wasting money that you WILL need later.

You can get a piggy bank if that is what works for you, but just try to not waste money on useless things. Remember that money does not grow on trees, and it is something that is earned with hard work, so value it.

Also, don’t go out every day or try to spend money the way your friends spend money. Allow yourself to say “I cannot afford that right now”, no shame on that. Don’t feel bad for having to turn down plans because you have more important spending to do. It’s okay, really, your friends will understand. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of my points, message me and I will gladly talk to you. And let’s remember that as Studyblrs, we are here to help each other and build each other up.

If you still have questions about something and I did not include it in a post, let me know and I can write about it.

[legallybeagle]

When you finally send your professor the final draft

[awed-frog]

Hey, do you know that feeling of hitching up a long skirt so you don’t fall on your face when walking upstairs, and then you immediately become a wretched yet resolute Jane Austen character? It’s a universal thing, right?

[thestraggletag]

It’s like resting a laundry basket against your hip and suddenly you’re a long-suffering peasant woman, wondering if you’ll survive the winter.

[rugessnome]

a shawl wrapped around the shoulders and you’re wandering the moors in a Brönte novel, feeling melancholic

[xombiebrains]

Looking out the window at the rain and you’re a love-stricken newlywed wondering when your husband will return from the war.

[piraterogue]

Long skirt billowing behind you while to go down the stairs, you’re a proper Lady in a flowing ball gown being introduced at a fancy social function.

[jellyfishslime]

Hair blowing in the wind and suddenly you’re hovering on a cliff by the sea, staring out into the waves and praying your merchant husband will return from his voyage across the ocean

[talaline]

Hood up against the rain and wind and you’re a medieval abbess defying the weather and travelling on foot with your people to find a place to establish a new community.

[garrulus]

Wiping your hands on your apron and you’re an 18th century kitchen girl rushing to let in the delivery boy you secretly love.

[emmastudies]

I thought it might be helpful to link every printable I’ve made in one spot so you can easily find something you’re looking for! All planners can be used printed or digitally using a PDF editing application.

I have bolded what I think are the best and most useful printables from my free and paid options :-)

I have chosen to include paid ones from my Etsy shop - these ones tend to be much larger packs, with several size options! Should you choose to purchase a pack, please add “student10″ at the checkout for 10% off! 

Free printables

Monthly Planner

2018 monthly planner printables

2018 student printables (includes 2018 overview + calendar, daily + weekly + monthly planner, 30 habit tracker, class overview and timed worklog)

Weekly + Daily Planner

weekly study schedule

weekly planner (monday and sunday start)

weekend planner

daily planner

Study planners

study planner pack (daily + weekly + monthly study planner, 10 minute planner, study plan, study tracker, subject and chapter summary, and priority breakdown)

assessment planner (4 and 10 day options)

subject to do list planner

study session planner

studying printable pack

language study printable (two options - 16 pages of premade tables or 8 pages of customisable/blank tables)

exam revision printable pack (includes revision checklist, formulas + definitions sheet, essay + project planner, weekly schedule)

Misc (organisation, productivity, notetaking)

to do list printables

100 days of productivity tracker printable 

note-taking printables (includes dotted, grid, lined, cornell method)

organic chemistry notetaking printable

literary techniques and devices sheet

subject binder covers (editable for your own subjects with 16 colour choices)

Paid printables

Monthly/Weekly/Daily planners

2018 student planner

2018 weekly planner

2018 customisable header monthly planner

2018-19 digital vertical weekly planner

GoodNotes (or digital tablet app) 2018 monthly and weekly planner

digital 2018 bullet journal monthly weekly planner

monthly breakdown planner

days of the week planner

weekend task planner

weekly overview planner

Student/Studying

2018-19 digital student planner

ultimate student organiser pack 

13 week digital notebook

digital notebooks (lined / grid / dotted)

study and revision pack

curve of forgetting planner printable

grade and assessment planner pack 

student reading journal printable

essay guide and planner pack 

project planner printable 

group project planner

citation/reference planner

customisable weekly study planner

Organisation

digital declutter organiser printable

weekly study schedule

college packing list printable

weekly meal planner printable

weekly wellness planner printable

student finance planner

2018-19 money (income, expenses, savings) planner

2018-19 savings planner

Productivity

productivity planner

goal and habit planner 

task prioritising matrix planner

productivity time manager

30 + 31 day habit tracker printable

Digital (for tablets and apps like Goodnotes, Notability, etc)

undated DIY digital bullet journal

digital bullet journal date, month and number stickers

20 college/school digital stickers

64 colourful icon stickers

digital post-it notes

Misc

note taking template printable pack 

cornell method note taking template printable or digital pack

I hope you enjoy using these printables! If you upload a photo featuring it, I’d love to see. Please tag me on Tumblr with #emmastudies or on Instagram with @emmastudiess. You can see other people using my printables by visiting the #esprintables tag on my blog! Please remember, these printables are for personal use only and should not be redistributed as your own :-)

Other posts | Printables | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest | Twitter

[deactivated10101001010101010010]

!!!

[emmastudies]

☺️❤️ xxx

[pharmstudies]

small habits to adopt

wake up early

drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up

meditate or concentrate on your breathing for at least 2 mins

visualize your goals for the day and for the future

make your bed 

do calf raises or squats while brushing your teeth

floss

dry brush

take a cold shower (or end a hot shower with cold water right after for about 3 mins)

put on lotion while your skin is still damp

cleanse, tone, and moisturize your face

apply sunscreen

drink a glass of water before and after every meal

listen to a podcast/ted talk instead of music while walking or driving

park far away from where you’re going

stand up straight

look at people in the eye when talking to them

look straight ahead when walking, not at the ground

smile at strangers

stop complaining (it’s bad for your health)

bring cash instead of credit card

track your expenses

turn off notifications on your phone when doing work

resist the urge to go on your phone and observe your surroundings more

set a timer for 5 mins when scrolling through social media and stop when the time is up

learn at least 5 new vocab words from your target language every day

exercise while watching shows/videos

read at least 10 pages every day

do tasks that can be done in 2 mins right away

drink tea

prepare workout gear the night before

jot down tasks for the next day before sleeping

write down quotes/lyrics that strike a chord

spend 30 mins on a hobby

journal and write down things you are grateful for

aim for 7-8 hours of sleep

[fuckstudy]

See full response to anon’s ask here.  

For anon who asked;

hey can i ask your advice on feeling better after an awful exam? last week i had my hsc half yearlies and i had 5 exams all in one week and i have adhd so study is really hard for me and i did a lot of last minute stuff…and i’ll be lucky if i get 12% and i’m so worried about what my teacher’s going to say…and i’ll embarrass myself and i’ll go from top in the class to irredeemably bottom and it’s all over now but i feel so so awful, i can’t sleep at night bc of stress about it and i don’t know what to do 

“Effort will never betray you”

This quote gets circulated around a lot. With good reason. 

But you know what?

Sometimes effort will betray you.

So here’s some tips on what to do when that sonofabitch stabs you in the back.

(Aka learning to get up when you’ve been (metaphorically) kicked in the balls)

Immediately after the exam

Fight or Flight? 

Everyone responds differently to post-exam stress. Some people find it cathartic to discuss their asnwers immediately after the exam. Others don’t. If you fall within the latter group then don’t be afraid to hightail the fuck out of the exam room as soon as possible. There’s no need to exacerbate your stress levels. Take care of yourself.

What can you control? 

Be honest about what you can control after the exam. You can’t sit the exam again, you can’t rewind the clock two weeks and change your study habits. Whilst its natural to feel a sense of regret or dread over the questions you found challenging, realise that these feelings do not change what has happened. The decisive step is how you respond to these negative emotions. For example, try not to let your feelings about your performance in this exam affect your performance in your next exam. Whether it be ‘compartmentalisation’, ‘crying it out’ or ‘ignoring it’ - stick it in the “IOU” box of emotions to unpack later. All you can do now is to wait for your results.

Quick review 

While it’s still fresh in your mind, write down three positives of the exam, followed by three negatives. Did your study methods correlate to the areas examined? Were you nervous? Was time management an issue? How did you feel walking out of that exam? What song best describes the entire experience? This quickfire stream of consciousness review will serve as an honest reflection from which you can target and refine your exam preparation technique, both academically and emotionally. I also find writing things down a great way to ‘let go’ of those residual emotions from the exam.

Take a break

Chances are, you’ve been highly strung for the past few weeks (or heck, the all nighter you’ve pulled to study for the exam). Congratulate yourself - fuck yes you’ve completed an exam! Find an activity to break up the cycle of study-eat-rest-study. You’ll be back to that routine in a few hours. Let yourself breathe. Listen to that album, watch that movie, catch up with that friend you’ve been rescheduling for the past month, read that book. Mindlessly scroll tumblr, binge watch netflix - Reset and recuperate so that you’re ready for the next hurdle.

Comparing yourself to others

Its natural to judge your performance against everyone else in the exam, how much they wrote, what answers they got, how they solved a problem. Don’t give too much weight to what people say they’ve done. You don’t know what they wrote, and just because five people wrote the same response doesn’t mean that your response is incorrect. . In the end you can only control your own performance. Putting it bluntly, after the exam, it doesn’t matter what your peers wrote. Because it doesn’t change the fact that you can’t go back and change your answer. What’s done is done.

Upon receiving your results

Break it down

What were your strengths and weaknesses? What types of questions did you do well in? Is it a substantive or procedural problem?  (e.g. is it because you don’t understand the content, or is it because you can’t manage your study time/ write that quickly/ poor time management during the exam). Use this as a matrix to target your study method and review for your next exam

Ask for help

Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher or professor for advice. Even when you’ve done well - it doesn’t hurt to ask where those extra marks could have gone, or how you could further develop your response for future exams. Its always daunting to ask for advice when you’ve done poorly in an exam. But don’t forget, your teacher is paid to help you. Literally.

Special Consideration

If you feel as if your performance has been affected by a health issue, don’t be afraid to ask for a formal review of your marks or for special consideration (alteration of your marks) for your next exam. Check your high school/ university policies on this matter. Some will require formal documentation, and there may be a strict deadline you’ll need to adhere to. Asking for SC is nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t mean you are any less deserving of your results. Its simply a recognition that “hey, we need to level the playing field here.“ 

Some advice from people who are much more qualified than me:

A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

On being wrong

On getting up again

Getting stuck in the negatives (and how to get unstuck) 

Overcoming hopelessness 

The Power of Vulnerability

What next?  

On the necessity of failure 

Dealing with failure

Some advice from Oprah, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Julie Andrews  

Why you will fail to have a great career

Come here friend,  and let me whisper in your ear: I failed. 

Studying and Exams

Motivation by @areistotle

How to reduce exam stress by @studydesu

How to mentally prepare yourself for a test by @eruditicn

What to do the night before an exam by @beautifullearning

Focusing on a long term goal by @studybuzz

Preparing for a day of study by @gracelearns 

Annotating Texts by @delthenerd

Using onenote by @strive-for-da-best 

Study Apps by @katsdesk

Dealing with anxiety and mental illness

Resources for studying with a mental illness by @studybowie

How to study with a mental illness by @haleystudies

Dealing with Test Anxiety by @studybuzz

ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder by Stephen Tonti 

Depression, the Secret We Share by Andrew Solomon

Living and Studying with anxiety by @hayley-studies

5 tips for an exam if you have test anxiety by @collegerefs

Overcoming Test Anxiety  by @staedtlers-and-stabilos

Study and mental health  by @getstudyblr

This answer by @studyrose 

Self Care, Sleep and General Health.

101 self care ideas when it gets all too much by @hbstudy

Balancing a healthy lifestyle with studying by @joolshallie

Tips for getting better rest by @overstudies

Sleep by @studygene

Calculate your bedtime 

How to succeed? Get more sleep by Arianna Huffington

Pzizz  

Relax Melodies (iPhone) (android) 

This list by @thecaseyfeed

A few things to help you feel better

See this list

A Song A Day 

Find something on the Nostalgia Machine  

Spotify playlists by @studyrelief

Motivational texts from @academla

Looking beyond: University Entry

Success is not a predetermined route.

Whilst it may feel like your future hinges on this one exam, remember your future isn’t some pre-determined linear equation. Your definition of success will change as you change. Your ambitions will change. Your gaols will change. And as long as you keep your mind open and you harbour a willingness to adapt, then there will always be a pathway for you to achieve your success. 

And for those who have no frickin’ clue what their 'passions, dreams, ambitions’ are? Its ok. You don’t need some 'overarching mission to save the world’ every morning. In the wise words of Tim Minchin:

“Americans on talent shows always talk about their dreams. Fine, if you have something that you’ve always dreamed of, like, in your heart, go for it! After all, it’s something to do with your time… chasing a dream. And if it’s a big enough one, it’ll take you most of your life to achieve, so by the time you get to it and are staring into the abyss of the meaninglessness of your achievement, you’ll be almost dead so it won’t matter. I never really had one of these big dreams. And so I advocate passionate dedication to the pursuit of short-term goals. Be micro-ambitious. Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you… you never know where you might end up. Just be aware that the next worthy pursuit will probably appear in your periphery. Which is why you should be careful of long-term dreams. If you focus too far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye. Right? Good. Advice. Metaphor. Look at me go.”

A few pointers:

The following section is sponsored by my opinions

Effort might betray you.

You can work hard at something and still not get the result you want. It’s all about expectation management. You might work hard and fall within the top 1% of your cohort. You can work hard and still fail.  

This is not to say that you shouldn’t try at all.

It’s merely a recognition that things don’t always go your way, you cannot control everything. The best thing you can do in that circumstance is to prepare for any contingencies.

You can control how you respond to that failure.

Sometimes it’s a question of studying effectively. The adage 'study smart, not hard’ etc. Target your study to the syllabus, the material covered in the exam, the specific style of questions in the exam. Sometimes it may simply be exam technique. 

Other times its things beyond your control. Stress, nerves, blanking out - we’re only human.

In the end, what you learn from the process is just as important as the result. Conversely, the result may not always justify the means. 

On confidence and self worth

Its only natural to assume that your self worth is tied to your academic achievements. Up till now, you’ve spent the majority of your waking hours at school, under the pressure of constant assessments and scrutiny.

Keep in mind that one exam is only a reflection of your performance at one precise time, on one specific date, in one specific place. How you perform on 10am on Monday in exam hall A does not reflect your capacity nor ability for the other 364 days of your life. 

Find something which you can do for yourself. Something which you can fail in, without feeling terrible.This other thing doesn’t have to be another 'hobby’ you’re amazing at. It doesn’t have to be something you’re good at. “Being the best” is not a pre requisite to “enjoying something”. 

A final note:

Its ok to be stressed. Its difficult to distinguish our achievements from our self worth. Its not as simple as 'just getting over it’. Because its something you’ve invested time, emotion, sleep - and a whole heck of a lot more- on. Its something you’ve based your foreseeable future on. The pressure of a promised future, a 'better future’, a future 'that justifies all this suffering I’m dragging myself through’ is sometimes the greatest pressure we put ourselves under.

Its easy to underestimate the weight of our own expectations.

Whilst you cannot control every outcome, you can control your reaction to it. Choose to learn from your past mistakes, choose to forgive yourself, choose to accept your flaws. Try not to get lost in the maze of it all. Once again, in the words of good ol’ Tim Minchin,

You will soon be dead. Life will sometimes seem long and tough and, god, it’s tiring. And you will sometimes be happy and sometimes sad. And then you’ll be old. And then you’ll be dead.There is only one sensible thing to do with this empty existence, and that is: fill it. Not fillet. Fill. It.

And in my opinion (until I change it), life is best filled by learning as much as you can about as much as you can, taking pride in whatever you’re doing, having compassion, sharing ideas, running(!), being enthusiastic. And then there’s love, and travel, and wine, and sex, and art, and kids, and giving, and mountain climbing … but you know all that stuff already.

All the best,

fuckstudy

Masterposts can be found here. Feel free to request a topic here.

Please note: I have a penchant for long replies and a reputation for being very late.