wigi study!

18 // studying for university art and aesthetics fan

[tiny-personal-university-thing]

🎒Backpacks 101🌻

Essentials for Class

Your laptop/spirals/tablet/your preferred note-taking medium. For professors that speak quickly and cover a lot of information in a short amount of time before moving on to the next slide, I always like to use my laptop. Some professors prohibit the use of laptops (even for note-taking). So, I like to use a cheap spiral for class in which I will write information/graphics with the knowledge that they don’t have to be perfect. This is just to ensure that I get the information down. When I get home I transfer all of the notes into a nicer spiral to look over later. This also works to help me retain the information! 

My all-time favorite spiral notebooks are the Exceed Five Subject Notebooks. I love these because in the front they have a world map, a punctuation chart, a metric unit conversion chart, spelling rules, a ruler, and a glossary of general reference and research sites.

Loose-leaf paper. This is especially helpful for me because many of my professors will give pop-quizzes/pop-writing assignments. Also great for when a classmate needs to borrow some paper. You can whip it out and make a friend for all semester. 

Personally, I like to use Five Star Reinforced Filler Paper by Mead.

Pencil Bag. Naturally, not having to frantically dig around your backpack for a pen/pencil/highlighter makes your day go so much smoother.

I prefer the Mead Five Star Organizer Pencil Pouch.

My pencil bag comes complete with an assortment of pens, pencils, highlighters, two flash drives, a pencil sharpener, and an entire 50 pack of Crayola Super Tips. Yes, my pencil bag fits that much. 

Laptop charger & phone charger. I recommend purchasing a powerblock as well to ensure that you don’t have to compete over the use of limited outlets. Thousands of college students across the nation fail to charge their electronics nightly, don’t get caught in the crossfires of that feeding frenzy.

Headphones. Something about not having my music while I’m on the bus or walking across campus really kills my mood for the day. 

My planner! Stop writing stuff on your hand or on random pieces of paper. Get yourself a cheap planner. Even if you are not a planner user right now, just forcing yourself to use one for 30 days will forge an unbreakable and life-changing habit! Take it from me. 

To Make Your Day Easier

A small umbrella for those days when the weather goes from 75′ and sunny to raining cats and dogs in 3 seconds. 

A wallet with your IDs and change. I always kick myself when I didn’t have enough change for the vending machines on campus. I kick myself even harder when I have to ask random strangers for 50 cents to buy a scantron/blue book. Also just a good idea to always have some form of ID on you. 

Water bottle. Invest in a super cool, trendy, refillable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Or just keep refilling the same plastic one. 

Deodorant. This is so silly but I am always forgetting to put on deodorant before I walk out the door and I’m 22. When I get to class I realize I’ve forgotten and panic as the Texas heat encompasses me. Travel-sized deodorants are so beneficial. 

An emergency tampon/pad. Or two!!! Goes without saying. Surprises are always fun until it’s your period. I keep emergency tampons in my truck, in my apron for work, in my backpack, in my horse trailer. I do not play around. 

Ibuprofen/Aspirin 

Light snacks. We’re talking a granola bar or seven to keep your stomach from gurgling when you’re taking that exam and of course everyone showed up to class. 

A flashdrive.

Chapstick, sunscreen, or lotion can also make you more comfortable sitting in class. 

Quick Tips About Backpacks

While, yes, those little fashionable ones are cute, they don’t hold the essentials and can be damaging to your back, causing soreness and discomfort. Buying a Jansport absolutely saved my back and stopped my chronic pain from progressing! 

Obviously there are hundreds of amazing brands of backpacks out there, but I strongly urge you to purchase a bag with:

a sleeve inside for your laptop

at least three pockets - so everything has a place

those little mesh side pockets

adjustable (preferably PADDED) shoulder straps! 

Another thing! I always place my heavier items (laptop & textbooks) CLOSEST to my back. That way the weight doesn’t drag you down backwards and cause back pain (my doctor literally told me this). This is where having multiple pockets is so helpful. 

Adjust your shoulder straps so that you can also maintain good posture while walking. The weight of your backpack + where it sits on your back should not cause you to lean forward or sway backwards in order to compensate. Also fun fact - when I was in middle school I thought it was cool to have a backpack that hung really low (?) and it created a pinched nerve in my neck! Awesome! Don’t be like me! 

Remember that backpacks -while they can absolutely be super cute and trendy- are meant to possess functionality. Your backpack should carry the essentials you need to have a successful and comfortable day at class.

Lastly, 10/10 would recommend cleaning out your backpack frequently! Make sure it stays organized and free of clutter. I also like to make sure I take all of my spirals and planner out of my backpack each day after class so that after I rest for a bit - I know I have things I need to get to. 

Organizing Your Backpack - By Pockets

-Largest pocket (closest to your back): 

Heavier items such as your laptop, binders, textbooks, loose leaf paper and planner. Laptop should go inside the sleeve (if applicable). 

-Second largest pocket

Items such as your pencil bag, chargers, and umbrella.

-Smallest pocket

Items that you won’t be pulling in and out too frequently, such as headphones, deodorant, chapstick, a flashdrive, snacks, wallet, keys, painkillers, and your emergency tampons (if applicable). 

-Side pockets

Here I obviously like to keep my water bottle or coffee thermos. If you have more than one pocket this is also a great place to keep your little umbrella.

Happy studying, realistic students!

[studyquill]

Notetaking

Sound Note - take notes while you record audio

Evernote - notetaking that syncs across platforms

Paper 53 - minimal notetaking that syncs

Microsoft OneNote - collaboration and syncing, best for Office users

Google Keep - jot things down, best for Google suite users

Notability - take notes and annotate PDFs

Mindly - create mind maps

Day One - a digital journal

Flash Cards

Quizlet - the quintessential flash card app

StudyBlue - another commonly used app

Cram - best for its “cram mode”

Eidetic - uses spaced repetition for effective memorization

Planner 

My Study Life - schedules, tasks, reminders, and more

StudyCal - keeps track of tasks, exams, and grades

24me - automated reminders and event planning

iStudiez - schedule and prioritized task list

Google Calendar - a calendar, best for Google users

Glass Planner - a calendar and to do list with incredible functionality

To Do List

Clear - organized to-do and reminders

MinimaList - simple to-do and focus timer

Trello - collaborative project organizer

Todoist - clean and functional task manager

Default notes app on your phone

Time Management

Forest - plant trees by staying focused

Pomotodo - pomodoro timer with to-do list

Timeglass - custom timers

Tide - pomodoro with white noise

Alarmy - forces you out of bed 

Pillow - smart alarm that tracks sleep cycles

Productivity

Workflow - automate tasks

Habitica - turn your habits into an RPG

Continuo - simple, colorful activity tracking

Freedom - block distracting apps

Free Learning

Coursera - free MOOCs

TED - listen to Ted Talks

Duolingo - language learning

Memrise - spaced repetition language vocabulary

Khan Academy - free video lessons

Ambient Noise

8tracks - curated playlists

Spotify - online music streaming

Coffitivity - cafe ambience

Noisli - background sound generator

Rain Rain - rain sounds

Binaural - binaural beats

Health

Rockin Ramen - recipes based on ramen

MealBoard - meal planning

Lifesum - healthy eating

Stop Breath And Think - mindfulness meditation

Pacifica - mental health management

Sworkit - personalized video workouts

Waterlogged - hydration tracker

Reference

WolframAlpha - Google on steroids

Oxford Dictionary - all of English at your fingertips

RefMe - citation generator

PhotoMath - solve math problems by taking a photo

Mathway - step by step math help

Desmos - free graphing calculator

Wikipedia - not the best source, but it’s handy

Miscellaneous 

Companion - stay safe when walking alone

Mint - money management

Toshl - finance manager

Tiny Scanner - scan documents

[emmastudies]

How to deal with procrastination

One of the biggest problems for students is procrastination! It takes different forms for everyone but ultimately it stops us all at some point. Since there are several reasons for procrastinating, I’ve put together the five main types and a few ideas on how to deal with it. 

You’ve got poor work/productivity habits. You leave things until the last minute since you “work better under pressure”. You probably think you’ll do something after you’ve finished something else, and then never do. You get distracted whenever you’re trying to study and will sit waiting to feel motivated but it never comes. For this I’d suggest:

create a productivity inspiring workspace - find somewhere that you can set up a study space, whether it is an actual office or just a desk. Organise everything that you will need. I have a selection of pens and my few notebooks on the top so I can easily access them. Remove anything that might cause you to be distracted and doesn’t need to be in your immediate reach. If you’re got space, put up some motivational pictures. This could be my motivational printables, some quotes or your own pictures. Plants are also proven to boost productivity, so might be worth putting a small one nearby!

create an action list rather than to-dos - write down a few manageable tasks that you need to do and be specific on the steps you should take. Writing the actions they require will help you see what you should be doing to complete something, instead of just the overall task. If you’re able to break it down, you can take actionable steps rather than mentally having to think of each point.

focus on 20-30 minute periods - generally, we lose focus after a while so taking regular breaks can help give you chance to relax and refocus. Apps like Forest allow you to set a timer and will give you off your phone at the same time. Obviously, if you’re being productive, don’t suddenly cut that off because it is “time for a break”. Here are some other free alternatives.

remove distractions as best you can - I’m always distracted by social media so I will use Forest on my phone or time-lapse myself so I can’t use my phone. With my MacBook, I have two accounts. One for university and one for everything else. I am not logged into any social media on my uni account so I can’t just check it for a minute then end up wasting 20 minutes :’-)

find an accountability partner - pick someone who you can rely on to check on you regularly and see how your tasks are coming along. You can send them your to-do list and then every few hours you can update them with your progress. You won’t want to let them down. Alternatively, you can study with a friend! Tumblr/Instagram is basically my partner!

use the two-minute rule - if something takes less than two minutes, do it. Don’t make an excuse, just do it. Tasks that are longer you can either delegate or defer. Here is a simple visualisation of what I mean.

record your progress - doing a simple “don’t break the chain” in your planner is a great way to see how productive you’re being and therefore get you more motivated to keep it up! The ‘100 days of productivity’ challenge might be worth doing!

You’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Everything seems to be mounting up and nothing seems doable. You don’t know where or how to start. For this I’d suggest:

ask for help - if you’re feeling like this, it is likely you need some help in some form or another. See if a family member, friend, classmate or teacher (or Google) can help or give you a starting point. Emailing your teacher is a great option if you’re a little nervous about speaking to them in person. Plus you won’t forget what they told you because you’ll have a response.

remind yourself that getting started is the first step - you don’t need to finish a task in a matter of minutes. Start doing something small. Maybe organise what you need, highlight the important bits of your assessment, or draft an essay plan. The secret to getting ahead is getting started!

divide and conquer - figure out what is the overall task that you need to do and split it into manageable parts. For instance, with an essay, the aim is to write it! Divide it into planning out what you want to write, any references you need, summarising a final draft and then writing each paragraph. By dividing bigger tasks into actionable parts you can reduce the obstacles and get through each part in a more timely manner.

reward yourself - create a system to celebrate completing a selection of tasks. By rewarding your progress you’ll build an incentive to work and reinforce productivity (great for your self-discipline!).

learn to forgive yourself - if you have an off day, that is okay! When the stress of your education is getting too much, it is necessary to have time out.  Remember to come back to it later and try again.

don’t over schedule - if you’re feeling pressure from the amount of work and then the added pressure of trying to stick to a time limit, you’re just going to go crazy. Set yourself flexible times to get something done instead of being heavily structured. Give yourself time for a break and the ability to change tasks.

stick with one task - it can be so tempting to multitask but try not to. Try to keep the focus on the what you’re doing until it is done. If you struggle with that, you could write down anything useful that you randomly think about for another task, use a break-time to think about that other task or alternate between subjects/tasks every few hours.

You’re a perfectionist. You either don’t want to start something out of fear you won’t get it right or you can get stuck on the small details. There is a pressure to achieve the unachievable. For this I’d suggest:

focus on getting started, instead of finishing - it is easy to get overwhelmed thinking about what something is supposed to be like finished if you’re a perfectionist. Take things one step at a time. It’s also useful to remember the sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to perfect it at the end!

make drafts - if you’re overwhelmed, take half an hour to map out your plan of attack. Drafts can take many forms: summaries, scaffolds/outlines, essay plans, post-it notes, etc. I find it much easier to get on with work if I have a bit of a plan.

remember that your perfectionist tendencies aren’t actually improving your work or productivity but hindering you - you’re continually setting yourself unrealistic objects and (like me) probably feel let down by yourself if you don’t reach them. Be realistic and focus on getting it done!

accept mistakes - you’ve written something wrong, don’t panic! Cross it out with a single line and move on. Things happen and you have to accept it. You can’t rip up the page every time you do something wrong, even if it is so tempting.

put things in perspective - is what you’re beating yourself up about right now going to mean anything in a week, a month, a year? Be honest if it isn’t, is it really worth putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.

praise yourself through the process - try not to criticise yourself but recognise your progress.

don’t compare yourself - this is very hard not to do but remember we are all different. Just because “you’re not as good” or don’t understand something as easily as others, it doesn’t mean you’re any less! Everyone was a beginner once and we all learn at different paces. Work to your strengths!

You want to do something else. You find whatever you’re doing boring. You want it to be over with but don’t want to get started. The ultimate catch 22, right? For this I’d suggest:

remember that putting it off isn’t going to make it go away - if you leave it too long you’ll end up getting more stressed about it. Best to get it over with.

make a plan from the get-go - once you know something is coming up (e.g. a test, an assessment, etc) make notes on it! That could be questions, annotations, potential topics, citations, etc. By making the effort to spend time reading through, you’ll save your future self some stress. Especially if it’s a topic you have forgotten. That way your notes act as a reminder so you can get started.

set a finish time with a reward - tell yourself that if you finish something by a certain time and then you can do something else. Use your self-discipline to not go back on this. Set a realistic time and try to get it complete before. If you can think that you’re doing something fun once it is completed, you’ll be more motivated to get it done.

make a structure - for note-taking, it can be overwhelming looking at a textbook and thinking what you’re going to write out. Make a note-taking layout/colour code that works for you and that subject. Mine is here - it just gives me an idea of how I’d lay everything instead of going in with no action plan.

try to make it fun - this could be using YouTube to learn or starting a study group. Use different methods for memorising information such as flashcards, mindmaps or study guides (like question/answer).

make the effort to refocus - if you’re finding something boring and you’re unfocused, walk away for 5 minutes, get a drink and come back. If you’re really struggling, change topics for a while. Find a point where you can finish and start doing something else that is productive.

listen to some music - generally, music without lyrics are best for focusing. Spotify has a great playlist for studying called ‘focus’. However, I find my regular music good for getting me a little more motivated and awake. I also like writing essays to music because I weirdly sort of type in the same rhythm. Funny study hack I’ve found that works for me haha!

write your thoughts down - Another thing I’ve been trying is externalising my thoughts. If I get distracted by something or have a “gosh, I need to remember that” moment, I will write it down. By getting it out my brain and onto a bit of paper, I no longer have to think about it and can continue. 

You have no motivation. Often we feel that motivation is the only thing you need to get on with something, but this isn’t totally true. You need a mix of motivation and discipline. As the saying goes: “motivation may get you started, but discipline keeps you going”. To build your motivation, I’d suggest:

have a mass organise - usually when I’m feeling unmotivated, I’ll clear out my desk and sort out my computer. This involves throwing out stationery that doesn’t work or scrap paper. I usually make piles of spare stationery and will re-organise my desk drawers. For my computer, I will pull out all my files to my desktop then start working through them. I’ll delete duplicates, rename files properly, and put them in the right place.

find some new stationery - weirdly buying stationery is one of those things that instantly makes you want to be productive. Head to the shops and spend a little something on a new pen, highlighter or notebook!

film yourself - studying generally doesn’t give us any instant gratification which can make it feel like a drag. By filming yourself working you can get a little video at the end which shows your progress. I love watching time-lapses of myself because you see all the work you did super quickly. It also means I’m not touching my phone!

set yourself some goals - write down a few things you want to achieve, in the short or long term. Put it somewhere that you’ll be reminded about it! By externalising your goals, you’re more likely to make the effort to achieve it.

check/make a studygram and studyblr - this is one of most motivating this I’ve done. Having social media dedicated to studying has helped not only improve my work ethic but my whole attitude towards education. Getting involved in the community is a great motivator. Here is a post on how to set up a studyblr.

I hope this post gives you just a few ideas on how to tackle procrastination! If you’ve got any tips you’d like to share, please message me! x

Other posts | Printables | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest 

[chaoticum]

I believe in free education, one that’s available to everyone; no matter their race, gender, age, wealth, etc… This masterpost was created for every knowledge hungry individual out there. I hope it will serve you well. Enjoy!

FREE ONLINE COURSES (here are listed websites that provide huge variety of courses)

Alison 

Coursera

FutureLearn

open2study

Khan Academy

edX

P2P U

Academic Earth

iversity

Stanford Online

MIT Open Courseware

Open Yale Courses

BBC Learning

OpenLearn

Carnegie Mellon University OLI

University of Reddit

Saylor

IDEAS, INSPIRATION & NEWS (websites which deliver educational content meant to entertain you and stimulate your brain)

TED

FORA

Big Think 

99u

BBC Future

Seriously Amazing

How Stuff Works

Discovery News

National Geographic

Science News

Popular Science

IFLScience

YouTube Edu

NewScientist

DIY & HOW-TO’S (Don’t know how to do that? Want to learn how to do it yourself? Here are some great websites.)

wikiHow

Wonder How To

instructables

eHow

Howcast

MAKE

Do it yourself

FREE TEXTBOOKS & E-BOOKS

OpenStax CNX

Open Textbooks

Bookboon

Textbook Revolution

E-books Directory

FullBooks

Books Should Be Free

Classic Reader

Read Print

Project Gutenberg

AudioBooks For Free

LibriVox

Poem Hunter

Bartleby

MIT Classics

Many Books

Open Textbooks BCcampus

Open Textbook Library

WikiBooks

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES & JOURNALS

Directory of Open Access Journals

Scitable

PLOS

Wiley Open Access

Springer Open

Oxford Open

Elsevier Open Access

ArXiv

Open Access Library

LEARN:

1. LANGUAGES

Duolingo

BBC Languages

Learn A Language

101languages

Memrise

Livemocha

Foreign Services Institute

My Languages

Surface Languages

Lingualia

OmniGlot

OpenCulture’s Language links

2. COMPUTER SCIENCE & PROGRAMMING

Codecademy

Programmr

GA Dash

CodeHS

w3schools

Code Avengers

Codelearn

The Code Player

Code School

Code.org

Programming Motherf*?$%#

Bento

Bucky’s room

WiBit

Learn Code the Hard Way

Mozilla Developer Network

Microsoft Virtual Academy

3. YOGA & MEDITATION

Learning Yoga

Learn Meditation

Yome

Free Meditation

Online Meditation

Do Yoga With Me

Yoga Learning Center

4. PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMMAKING

Exposure Guide

The Bastards Book of Photography

Cambridge in Color

Best Photo Lessons

Photography Course

Production Now

nyvs

Learn About Film

Film School Online

5. DRAWING & PAINTING

Enliighten

Ctrl+Paint

ArtGraphica

Google Cultural Institute

Drawspace

DragoArt

WetCanvas

6. INSTRUMENTS & MUSIC THEORY

Music Theory

Teoria

Music Theory Videos

Furmanczyk Academy of Music

Dave Conservatoire

Petrucci Music Library

Justin Guitar

Guitar Lessons

Piano Lessons

Zebra Keys

Play Bass Now

7. OTHER UNCATEGORIZED SKILLS

Investopedia

The Chess Website

Chesscademy

Chess.com

Spreeder

ReadSpeeder

First Aid for Free

First Aid Web

NHS Choices

Wolfram Demonstrations Project

Please feel free to add more learning focused websites. 

*There are a lot more learning websites out there, but I picked the ones that are, as far as I’m aware, completely free and in my opinion the best/ most useful.

[simplestudentstudies]

this is so cool, love it

[bonduelle]

Apartment hacks masterpost

Kitchen

How to clean up kitchen (particularly the sink, burnt pots and small aplliances)

How to take care of kitchen stuff so that it lives longer

10 commandments of a clutter-free kitchen

Organizing kitchen mini masterpost

5 things to do in the kitchen before you go to bed

What is soapy bowl and why it’s awesome

How to organize your fridge (also here, here and here)

Thins you should know about your fridge

Adding more storage space in a tiny kitchen

Cleaning

Lots of cleaning tutorials and tips. And some more

How to clean up pantry

How to make your house look cleaner than it really is

How to wash pillows

Cleaning the bathroom

How to clean the nastiest places (and get rid of bad smells, etc.)

Floor-to-celling guide to spring cleaning

Recaulking your bathtub

Cleaning grout

How to dispose of toxic waste

Cleaning the medicine cabinet

How to make chores more fun

You mustn’t skip these chores, but you can delay these if you’re busy

Easily forgotten things that you should clean/replace

Why you need a catch-up day

Small cleaning tasks to do in under 15 minutes (also here)

Looking for a flat/moving

First apartment checklist

Where too look during an apartment hunt (and some more tips)

Negotiate these things with your landlord

What to do first in a new place

What do clean before moving out

How not to get crazy during moving flats

How to downgrade to a smaller place

Organisation, storage

10 habits for better home organisation

How to store off-season items

10 storage ideas for small spaces (more here)

Storage secret weapons

How to organise your closet

Things to do before twice-yearly closet switchout

How to store and maintain your sweaters

Decluttering

Why it feels great

How to get rid of clutter

How to declutter (not only a flat)

What needs to be thrown away from your flat

How to let go of the things you no longer need

Things you own too many of; you can throw away these too

Decuttering the bathroom

Decluterring masterpost

Decorating

Projects for every room in your home/flat

Add style to your home

DIY decorating ideas

How to use negative space

4 common decorating mistakes and how to avoid them

Questions to ask yourself before buying something new

How to choose furniture that’ll be easier to clean

Season-specific tips

Things to do before the cold season

Household hacks for winter

Preparing for Christmas

Green thumb 101

How to take care of succulents

Never kill a plant again

Living alone / Sharing a flat

How not to be lonely when living alone

12 things you can only do when home alone

What you learn by living alone

Things you learn while sharing a flat

What to pack when leaving for a dorm

How to seamlessly share a kitchen (or a flat in general)

Safety issues to discuss with flatmates

Benefits of living with strangers

And also how to turn a house into a home

[rage-against-the-dying-of-light]

Is this a call out post?

[oopsabird]

no, you dingus, it’s a reference post. also, stop putting your trash on the counter instead of in the bin.

[dead-blog-go-to-artgoddex-deact]

ULTIMATE "OH FUCK I JUST GOT MY FIRST APARTMENT AND ALL I HAVE IS ONE CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND A THIRD SOCK" CHECKLIST

CLEANING

Dish soap

Laundry detergent

All-purpose cleaner

Hand soap

Broom

Mop

Wash cloths / rags

Vacuum

Dustpan

Lint roller

Sponges

KITCHENWARE

Plates

Bowls

Spoons

Forks

Knives

Glasses

Mugs

Tongs

Spatula

Plastic wrap

Ziplock baggies

Garbage bags

Paper towel

Tupperware

Ice tray

Oven mitts

Potato peeler

Mixing bowls

Frying pan

Pot

Baking sheet

Whisk

Stirring spoons / ladels

Tea infuser ball

Measuring cups

Strainer

Cutting board

Coffee maker

Kettle

Toaster

Magnets

Dry erase markers

Sticky notes

Microwave

Wire sponge

Trash bin

Recycling bin

Rubber gloves

Silverware organizer

Measuring spoons

Aluminum foil

Wax paper

Can opener

Bottle opener

Containers for salt, sugar, flour, etc.

LIVINGROOM

Sofa

Rocking chair (you know you want one)

Loveseat

Coasters

Blankets

Throw pillows

Coffee table

Book shelves

TV

TV stand

Floor lamp

End table

Stereo system / radio

BEDROOM

Mattress

Box spring

Bedframe

Linens

Sheets

Comforter

Hangers

Laundry hamper

Trash bin

Curtains

Pillows

Pillow cases

Night table

Alarm clock

Lamp

Dresser

Coat rack

Desk / vanity

Comfy chairs

DININGROOM

Dining table

Minimum of 2 chairs

Coasters

Placemat

Tablecloth

Tea lights /candles and candle holders

BATHROOM

Face clothes

Towel

Soap bar

Body wash

Shampoo

Conditioner

Tissues

Toilet paper

Trash bin

Plunger

Toilet cleaner

Cold, flu, pain, and allergy meds

Hydrogen peroxide

Antibacterial ointment

First-Aid kit

Tweezers

Nail clippers

Band-aids

Shower rod

Shower curtain

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Floss

Period products

Bathmat

Air freshener

Trash bin

Towel rod

Towels

MISCELLANEOUS

Elastic bands

Stapler

Stables

Paper clips

Needles and thread

AA / AAA batteries

Light bulbs

Extension cords

Scotch tape

Duct tape

Shovel

Rake (if you have a yard)

Stain remover

Jar of courters for laundry mat

Screw drivers

Hammer

Nails

Sticky tack

Screws

Box cutter / X-acto

Pliers

Wrench

Pens

Paper

Pencils

Pencil sharpener

Eraser

Welcome matt

Shoe rack

Coat rack

Flashlight

Flashlight batteries

Watch batteries

Rechargeable batteries and charger

Safe place to discard dead batteries

Candles

Matches

Lighter

Mini travel fans

Real fans

Emergency Survival kit

Fire extinguisher

Landline phone

Window air conditioner

Carbon monoxide alarm

Fire alarm

FOOD STUFF

Mustard

Ketchup

Mayo

Salt

Pepper

Baking soda

Flour

Eggs

Milk

Bread

Olive oil

Tea

Jam

Peanut-butter

Coffee grounds

Cereal

Rice

Pasta

Vegetable soup

Tomato sauce

Frozen vegetables

Crackers

Chickpeas / lentils

Apples

Oranges

Granola bars

Juice

Hot chocolate mix

Frozen meats

[bestofrae]

lavendersucculents

im keeping this for future reference

[d0rkw3b]

need this now thanks MUCHHHH

[adulttalk]

Remember to customize for your needs and that you don’t have to have everything on this list!

[a-young-doctors-journey]

Med School Advice: ANATOMY Ed.

I’d like to share some of the advice I wish I’d known when I was in my first year of medical school, things that, looking back, would have helped me tremendously. 

For this post, I’ll focus just on the array of anatomy textbooks available to us. 

1. My first piece of advice: don’t buy anything ahead of time. 

Try out a few textbooks, see which one you like. They’re all different, they each have their advantages and disadvantages, and since everyone is different, everyone will tell you something different. So don’t invest in anything until you’ve had a chance to use them yourself. For advice on where to get cheap textbooks either hardcover or digital, send me a message and I’ll get back to you :) 

2. Understanding the difference between a textbook and an atlas: 

Simply put, an atlas is a compilation of all the drawings of each region of the human body, with labels on each drawing. A textbook is a wordy, lengthy description of the body, which of course also has drawings included, but they’re usually not nearly as numerous or detailed as an atlas. There are some hybrid publications, such as Thieme, that I’ll discuss later. Generally, students pick one of each, although depending on your school, you might just end up using atlases or just textbooks…or just the Internet.  

3.Your #1 resource should be ~~~~LECTURES~~~~ If you can’t bring yourself to attend lecture, at least look at the lecture slides. Skim through them because they will help you focus the material. Anatomy is MASSIVE. No one will ever be able to learn it all. Use the lecture slides to guide you to the scope of knowledge you have to gain. 

So, to begin: ATLASES: what are your options? 

Keep reading

[medstudentblues]

Woke up earlier today so that’s a good thing! Just keep going, we got this. 💪🏼

IG | @crammingdoktora

🎧🎶 | 7 Rings by A. Grande

[legallychic]

DORM ROOM MASTERPOST PART 2

My last one was really successful so here is part two! If you guys want my you can request anything :) 

DIY

10 Easy & Inexpensive DIY Dorm Decor Ideas!

Cozy Room Makeover + DIY Fall Decor!

DIY Tumblr Inspired Room Decor! Cute+ Cheap!

DIY SUMMER ROOM DECOR! Easy & Affordable! 

3 DIY Tumblr Inspired Room Decor Ideas!

DIY | Cute Room Decor & Organization

DIY Spring Room Decorations+Organization!

DIY Room Decor + Organization! Cute & Cheap! ♡

Organization

Back to School: College Dorm Room Organization Ideas + DIY & Essentials

College Dorm Room Tour & Organizing Tips

COLLEGE DORM ROOM TOUR!

college dorm tour *junior year*

DIY School Supplies/ Organization EASY! Back to School!

Move in day

COLLEGE MOVE-IN DAY | My USC Dorm Room

College: Packing / Moving In / First Couple Days

My College Move in Day!

MOVE-IN DAY / FIRST NIGHT AT COLLEGE

College Move in Day!

what to bring to college

10 Things We Regret Bringing to College

COLLEGE 101: Things You NEED to Survive College

10 Things You NEED & 10 Things You DON’T NEED for COLLEGE! |

[yournewapartment]

Hi there. So I'm moving into the first house my family and I have actually owned in years. The only problem is, my room is so small that they're letting me have the spare room as well, which is equally as small. Dorms are usually pretty small, but I'm thinking that these rooms are much smaller. Do you have any advice for decorating or living in a small (set of) rooms? Maybe any useful furniture pieces? (I don't have any. .-.) Any advice or help would be appreciated.

I am sorry it took so long to respond! This past month a friend of mine moved into a tiny studio apartment, and I wanted her advice before responding to you.

Living in A Small Space

Storage Containers

The right storage containers can make all the difference when living in a small space! Head to your local Dollar Store and get yourself some supplies. 

Storage Bins. Go to your local Dollar Store and buy yourself some plastic storage bins. Amazon also sells them, but they’re much more expensive. I’d recommend choosing whatever is the cheapest, you don’t need high quality plastic that was crafted by the indigenous people of wherever. These bins are stackable, durable, and clear plastic makes it easy to locate lost items.

Shoe organizers. Specifically, the ones that hang over doors like this one. These are great for storing makeup, jewelry, writing utensils, cheesy snacks, etc. Drape one over one of your doors, but be sure to consult with any roommates you may have before hand.

Wall Bookshelves. Bookshelves in general make great storage spaces. My old apartment had zero closet space, so my boyfriend and I used a bookshelf to store all our clothes. Since you probably won’t have much floor space, opt for a wall bookshelf instead. I absolutely love the look of a nice wall bookshelf, I have one in my bedroom with some tasteful cacti and my fancy shoes stacked on top of it.

Coat hangers. Might seem like a simple idea, but coat hangers are magical. You can fit multiple coats on one hanger and use the others to hang purses, jewelry, hats, etc. You can also use command hooks if you’re uncomfortable drilling into the walls.

Where to Store

Underneath your bed. As I’m sitting on my bed writing to you, several feet bellow me are two guitars, an emergency kit and several pairs of shoes. Beds are something that everyone has (unless you’re my high school friend Adrienne) so why not utilize them fully? Measure how much space is available underneath your bed frame, and buy storage bins that you can easily slip underneath

Hang it on the wall. Have something weirdly shaped that doesn’t fit anywhere? Hang it on your wall! The only example I can think of right now is something like a bike. Always make sure things are secure!

From the ceiling. Lightweight items can be suspended from the ceiling of your living space. Position jewelry, scarves, and small plants in a visually pleasing arrangement over your bed to save space.

Closets. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get a closet in your dorm room, but most apartment buildings will have one. In fact, I would advise you to not move into an apartment with zero closet space. Stack your storage bins high, place bookshelves in your closet, and if possible use plastic or wooden hangers to organize your clothes. I always think of my bedroom closet as my “disaster zone”. The rest of my apartment can look nice because I have a place to store random things like my porcelain garden gnome and my vacuum cleaner that don’t fit anywhere else.

Decor in a Small Space

These are the ideas I came up with in my cheap dorm decor post, but I think they are all very applicable to your situation. 

Plants: Plants are my personal favorite decor (apart from Xmas lights). They’re inexpensive and look great in any location. If watering a plant every day doesn’t work for your schedule, get a cactus! I water my cacti twice a week.

Xmas Lights: I try to distance myself from people who say that Xmas lights are just “seasonal”. I have three different strands of lights up all year long, one in each room and one on my outdoor balcony. These lights are perfect for parties, romantic evenings, etc.

Posters: Posters aren’t as expensive as you think they are, but poster frames are ridiculously expensive. And you can’t buy the cheap ones, they fall apart instantly- you have to buy the $40 ones. My advice to you, buy posters and hang them up carefully with pushpins or tape.

Night lights: I am the sort of person who always needs to pee at 3am. I have always used night lights in my bathroom and kitchen because they’re so much better than blundering around in the dark. Similar to the Xmas lights, they help create that “mood”. I have these cute little lava lamp night lights.

Glow in the dark stars: Just trust me on this.

Chalkboard paint: Dorm room or apartment landlord permitting, chalkboard paint can help turn your room into a perpetual canvas. A friend of mine from college did this to his incredibly small room, and it looked so good.

My friend mentioned that it might be a good idea to make one of your rooms a “bedroom” and make the other your “dressing room/closet/beauty space”.

I hope this helps!

[yournewapartment]

(also not sure if this is the right place to ask) so my parents just got a new house, they're giving me a medium/large room and I have absolutely no idea how to decorate it!! they said I would be able to buy whatever to decorate it but im honestly not good at decorating so I just think i''ll mess it up lol, any suggestions on room decoration essentials. for ex. like candles, paintings, plants??? thank you so much!!!!! :) (Also you seem like a v cool person, you're awesome!!)

Love you too! Here are some posts to check out:

Plant Suggestions

Decorating On A Budget

Second Hand Furniture

Living In A Small Space

Some specific decor advice posts I’ve written:

Lilac Walls / Wooden Floors

White walls / Blue Carpet

Black / White / Grey

Studio Inspiration

Dark Brown / Yellow / Orange

[yournewapartment]

Hi! I’m starting college in two weeks and I started to realize how nervous/overwhelmed I am by the idea, so do you have any advice for a freshman about the social and academic parts? Thanks!

Aw, good luck, friend, you’re gonna do great!!

College Related

College - Campus Living Advice

College - Choosing A College

College - Freshman Advice

College - Gap Years

College - Organization Tips

College - Preparing for College

College - Study Tips

College - Scholarships

College - Tips for Studying Mothers

Should I Dorm or Rent?

[yournewapartment]

Hi! I was wondering if you have any creative storage/decluttering tips. The dorms at the college I plan on attending aren't exactly the roomiest, and I'm a habitual over-packer.

I feel you so hard with that habitual over-packer piece. Literally me. 

So I started writing this as a strictly dorm post, but I realized that it can also apply to small apartments! Also, if ya’ll have storage hacks please message me and I will add them to the post. Hope this helps!

Storage Contaners

1. Storage Bins. Go to your local Dollar Store and buy yourself some plastic storage bins. Amazon also sells them, but they’re much more expensive. I’d recommend choosing whatever is the cheapest, you don’t need high quality plastic that was crafted by the indigenous people of wherever. These bins are stackable, durable, and clear plastic makes it easy to locate lost items.

2. Shoe organizers. Specifically, the ones that hang over doors like this one. These are great for storing makeup, jewelry, writing utensils, cheesy snacks, etc. Drape one over one of your doors, but be sure to consult with any roommates you may have before hand.

3. Wall Bookshelves. Bookshelves in general make great storage spaces. My old apartment had zero closet space, so my boyfriend and I used a bookshelf to store all our clothes. Since you probably won’t have much floor space, opt for a wall bookshelf instead. I absolutely love the look of a nice wall bookshelf, I have one in my bedroom with some tasteful cacti and my fancy shoes stacked on top of it. 

4. Lockers. Some schools offer free lockers or gym lockers. If it’s free, take advantage of it.

5. Coat hangers. Might seem like a simple idea, but coat hangers are magical. You can fit multiple coats on one hanger and use the others to hang purses, jewelry, hats, etc. Check your Residence Hall or Apartment Complexes’ policy on hanging things on dorm room walls. If they don’t permit you to use nails, buy command hooks instead.

Storage in Small Spaces

1. Underneath your bed. As I’m sitting on my bed writing to you, several feet bellow me are two guitars, an emergency kit and several pairs of shoes. Beds are something that everyone has (unless you’re my high school friend Adrienne) so why not utilize them fully? Measure how much space is available underneath your bed frame, and buy storage bins that you can easily slip underneath

2. Hang it on the wall. Have something weirdly shaped that doesn’t fit anywhere? Hang it on your wall! The only example I can think of right now is something like a bike. Always make sure things are secure!

3. From the ceiling. Lightweight items can be suspended from the ceiling of your living space. Position jewelry, scarves, and small plants in a visually pleasing arrangement over your bed to save space.

4. Closets. There’s no guarantee that you’ll get a closet in your dorm room, but most apartment buildings will have one. In fact, I would advise you to not move into an apartment with zero closet space. Stack your storage bins high, place bookshelves in your closet, and if possible use plastic or wooden hangers to organize your clothes. I always think of my bedroom closet as my “disaster zone”. The rest of my apartment can look nice because I have a place to store random things like my porcelain garden gnome and my vacuum cleaner that don’t fit anywhere else.

[yournewapartment]

How do you redecorate without breaking your fragile bank account??

I love this question! Everything on this list is under $30, and most of it can be purchased from the safety of your dorm room couch.

Decorating on a Budget

1. Plants: Plants are my personal favorite decor (apart from Xmas lights). They’re inexpensive and look great in any location. If watering a plant every day doesn’t work for your schedule, get a cactus! I water my cacti twice a week.

2. Xmas Lights: I try to distance myself from people who say that Xmas lights are just “seasonal”. I have three different strands of lights up all year long, one in each room and one on my outdoor balcony. These lights are perfect for parties, romantic evenings, etc. 

3. Candles/Incense: Dorm room or apartment landlord permitting, candles and incense really help an apartment feel more homey. They also help stave off the smell of your cat’s litter box, which is always a plus.

4. Posters: Posters aren’t as expensive as you think they are, but poster frames are ridiculously expensive. And you can’t buy the cheap ones, they fall apart instantly- you have to buy the $40 ones. My advice to you, buy posters and hang them up carefully with pushpins or tape.

5. Clocks: Buy a cool clock off Society6 or RedBubble for $25. It’s my belief that the right clock can help brighten up an otherwise dull-looking room. I bought my boyfriend this Bob’s Burgers clock for his birthday last year.

6. Shower: You don’t need to use the low-grade weak shower head that came with your bathroom. You can buy color changing shower heads and spa quality shower heads on Amazon for $25. Go forth! Always keep your old shower head somewhere safe, and put it back on when you’re ready to move out. There are lots of great and truly unique shower curtains out there on the internet, but they’re expensive. You’re better off buying one from Target or Walmart.

7. Night lights: I am the sort of person who always needs to pee at 3am. I have always used night lights in my bathroom and kitchen because they’re so much better than blundering around in the dark. Similar to the Xmas lights, they help create that “mood”. I have these cute little lava lamp night lights.

8. Glow in the dark stars: Just trust me on this.

9. Chalkboard paint: Dorm room or apartment landlord permitting, chalkboard paint can help turn your room into a perpetual canvas. A friend of mine from college did this to his incredibly small room, and it looked so good.

10. Beaded curtain: Beaded curtains help make small spaces appear larger. We have a beaded curtain hanging in our hallway currently, and it’s great. You don’t need a super expensive one that was handmade by the indigenous people of wherever. Just a simple one to put in a doorway or hang on the wall to change your space.

[wigistudies]

[yournewapartment]

I'm planning on moving in with a good friend. I've never had to deal with everything myself before. I'd like some advice. Preferably about the things others might not think to bring up. Thank you for your time.

Some General Roommate Tips

1. Responsibility. It’s super important for both you and your friend to share responsibility in terms of your apartment-related bills. Both of your names should go on the lease, this way you are equally responsible for the apartment’s rental payments and general well being. You may not be able to put two names on your electric or internet/cable company accounts, so one of you should make an account for electric and the other for cable. Split everything equally and do not allow your friendship to interfere with this.

2. Fighting. It doesn’t matter if you’re sleeping together or complete strangers- you will fight. The most important part of any fight is both parties coming to a compromise and admitting wrong doing. Under no circumstance should you allow fights to last longer than a day, a few hours if possible. Allow yourself and your friend to cool off, and then come together to reconcile. Also try not to fight after ten o’clock at night, a tired fight is the worst type of fight you can possibly have- you will say things that you don’t mean and they will hurt. If you’re starting to fight late at night, go to bed ASAP.

3. Personal space. Personal space is key to having a successful roommate living situation! Make sure that both of you have a door that you can close and a room that is strictly your own, a space that you alone can customize and work with. In turn, respect your roommate’s space and do not under any circumstance go into their room and touch their things.

4. Friendship. In my experience, friends who become roommates tend to get along better than strangers who become roommates. While not every situation can be like Ted and Marshall from HIMYM, you are choosing to move in with somebody that you jive with. This doesn’t mean that the pair of you need to hang out 24/7 or always have something planned. This just means that hopefully the fights and issues that arise will be easier to solve. 

These Are Not Your Responsibility

1. Walking your roommate’s dog.

2. Driving your roommate to their job.

3. Cleaning up after your roommate’s friends.

4. Telling your roommate’s girlfriend that he’s cheating on her.

5. Lying for your roommate.

6. Spotting your roommate for rent or grocery money.

7. Waiting around for your roommate’s package (unless you’re home already).

8. Housing your roommate’s friend or SO on your couch for three weeks (if they’re not paying rent they shouldn’t be living in your home).

9. Your roommate’s academic record.

10. Your roommate’s mental state.

Things That Are Your Responsibility

1. Communicating with your roommate.

2. Paying your half of the expenses.

3. Washing your dishes instead of cluttering up the sink.

4. Cleaning your hair out of the sink drain.

5. Taking care of your mental state.

6. Respecting your roommate’s privacy unless there’s an absolute emergency.

7. Giving your roommate any mail or phone messages in a timely manner.

8. Treating any pets your roommate may have with kindness and respect (no matter how deplorable the animal may be).

9. Consulting with your roommate about any major renovation or financial changes in the apartment.

10. Asking your roommate if it’s okay for your drunk friend to crash on the couch.

[yournewapartment]

YNA’s Apartment Posts

20 Things to Do Before Moving Out Of Your Parent’s House

How Much Should I Save Before Moving Out?

YNA’s Comprehensive Guide to Finding, Renting, and Setting Up An Apartment

Apartment Hunting 101

Apartments - Moving to A New State

Avoiding Rental Scams

Change of Address

Decor Masterpost

Finding An Apartment Across State Lines

Finding A Roommate

General Moving Far Away Tips

Homeless Resources

Homesickness Suggestions

Hosting Guests

How to Tell Your Financially Unstable Friend That You Can’t Be Their Roommate Anymore

How to Furnish Your Apartment

Living In A Small Space

Living On Your Own For the First Time

Loneliness Suggestions

Moving to a New Country (Reader Tips)

Moving to A Different State

Moving to a Different State Tips

Moving In With Your SO

Moving Out of Your Dorm

My Landlord is Breaking the Law

Packing Tips

Roommates

Roommates - Expenses and More

What Household Products to Skip/Splurge

[sizvideos]

[shutupblanka]

every woman on tumblr should have this on their dash

[multi-coloredmountains]

And every man

[setbabiesonfire]

Look how nobody’s yelling or arguing or making things into a competition. Look how this is to straight up educate people through a different perspective. Look how effective that makes the message.

[b-ak3d]

The last one really hit me. I never really thought about something like that could actually impact a woman’s life. Damn…

[buzzfeed]

Every person.

[willyoufckinglookatthat]

The last one made me cry a bit

[byebyebreezywrites]

The lat one hits hard