“No you don’t. Not really. You don’t wish that you had done all the shit I had done to be able to do this. You’d like to be able to do it without the practice.” Anyway he explained how he had done gymnastics even from when he was a tiny kid; always missing out on stuff and doing it after school; being away all the time, being a bit of an outcast; been injured several times; won a few competitions but also had many crushing losses - and just generally all the things he had to do before he could do that. And it made me a lot happier about where I chose to put my time, and I appreciated more the things I could do that he wished he could. And whenever I see someone and I’m like, “FUCK I wish I could sing like her, or look like that, or have those talents!” I remember my buff gay gymnastics Gandalf

Hello there!

You can call me Shu.

she/her

21 year old, from India.

third year Medical Student (gonna finish it in a week or so, after I'm done with practical exams).

new to studyblr (not to tumblr so I know my way around)

I would like to join the studyblr community with a mindset to have better consistency in keeping up with my studies. The pictures I add to my posts might not be quite that aesthetic, I am from a suburban area but hey, I do take them myself so that counts ig. That's all. I can be your friend you can talk to about anything and everything and let's keep up the studying.

Trying to find more blogs I can follow here on studyblr, so if you could reblog this post I hope I'll be able to reach out.

oh yeah also, stay away if your a tref, racist, homophobic, islamophobic.

UPDATE : I'm back after some time and i think I'll make some change for this blog ! i might change the url and will be reblogging/posting a little of aesthetics, quotes... but well I'll keep up my studying too!!

url change

Spotify Playlists! Here is a master list of playlists I compiled together! They help me focus when reviewing for certain moods so I decided to share these lists on here! I update with new songs/ adding new tracks on a weekly basis and I will add other playlists on in the future to this list!!

(◕▿◕✿)  I hope you enjoy using these playlists as much as I do when studying for your exams or just doing your homework!!

Relaxing As You Study  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

These are soft soothing songs, no lyrics or anything like that, that bring calm tones to your ears as you listen. Compiled with hundreds of tracks, this is a great long playlist to play in the background while you work on your tasks!

Soothing Tunes  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Soothing Tunes is a playlist compiled of songs that are not harsh, but rather nice and soft. If anyone has requests for certain songs to be added to this list, feel free to send a message! These are primarily based off what I consider to be soothing sounds!

Anime Theme Songs  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Sometimes one does not need soothing sounds, but rather themes of animes to get you going! This playlist is compiled with multiple anime theme songs you can listen to as you study and complete your tasks!

Chill Beats  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Chill Beats is a playlist compiled with different chill beat, lofi tunes. This is a massive playlist updated daily as new chill beats are found. Another wonderful long study playlist you can listen to as you study!

Kpop Instrumentals  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Like listening to Kpop while you study, but are afraid you’ll get side tracked and sing along to the lyrics? Well here is another massive playlist, this is a playlist that consists of as many KPOP themed instrumentals one can find all put into this playlist for you to use!

Pop Instrumentals  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Here is another massive instrumental playlist filled with different typed of instruments playing American Pop Music! There are hundreds of tracks in this list to ensure a long endless play! I hope you will also enjoy yhis playlist to your liking!

Anime Themes Instrumentals  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Here is another large playlist of anime themes in the instrumental form! Listen to this as you bask away in your studies. Enjoy the elegance or the hard strike of anime themes in the instrumental form!

ASMR Noises  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

ASMR Noises is a playlist of numerous ASMR sounds from pop crackling to gift wrap sounds! This is a great playlist to listen to while you work if you enjoy ASMR sounds!

Nature Sounds  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Like ASMR Noises, but filled with Nature themed sounds such as rain, wind, thunderstorms

Energy Management

A human-based organization method

click on images for better resolution; images also available here (link to google drive)

Other posts that may be of interest:

Getting stuff done: How to deal with a lack of motivation

Flexible time-blocking: A more breathable way to get things done

The most important step, PLAN PLAN AND PLAN!

This includes both a bigger plan for how you’re gonna cover the syllabus and a smaller day to day plan, for example if I have one month’s worth of classes in a final, I’ll usually do 5-7 day’s worth in one day. And I start out by the things I know very least. What I find most useful is downloading a calendar and filling it in this is an example of my brutal internal medicine schedule

As you can see, I don’t go by the order of the class schedule, instead I divide topics depending on what I already know most about and plan accordingly, taking both order and workload into consideration (obviously the things in lilac above would take a fraction of time compared to the things in yellow for example) and when it comes to reviewing, I go through the yellow stuff first. A crucial thing I do is that I leave at least 2-3 days empty because we all know schedules don’t always go as planned. And obviously this isn’t my entire IM syllabus, I already finished cardiopulmonology and other branches so I didn’t include them.

As for the actual day plan, I find that studying for the entire day can be extremely tough for me and wears me out like crazy, I only do one study session in the morning, spend 3-5 hours hanging out with people or playing sims, whatever I want basically, do practice questions for 2 more hours (relevant to that study session of course) and chill out for the rest of the night.

Moral of the story, pulling an all day study session/cramming=early burn out. You don’t want that so literally plan every part of your day, this is a crucial time.

I always say this but it’s so important, passive reading is NOT ENOUGH DO SOME PRACTICE TESTS/MCQs or whatever you can. Like I said, I do practice questions for things I’ve went over every single night during finals and that honestly imo is waaaay more important than just reading the stuff over and over. An important thing to mention here is to NOT GET DISCOURAGED when you get stuff wrong, that’s actually something you learned and you won’t make that same mistake again so .. it’s all good, you’re making progress.

That’s the main part of how I actually study, below are some of my tips that I stick to by heart.

Use the same source you learned from during the year this is crucial for your memory, do not *spontaneously* decide to use a different textbook or source just before your finals, whatever you studied from HAS TO BE what you revise from.

All nighters won’t do you any good Obviously your brain needs to sleep in order to consolidate information so just make sure you get enough sleep, some people study better at night and they get plenty of sleep during the day, not the ideal situation for your circadian rhythm or hormones but if it works for you, do it (it’s finals, we’re all practically dead anyways) .. yeah just make sure you get some sleep in. And trust me when I say no matter how much you think you can cram and get in during those hours you’ll be sleeping, sleep is so much more important than that, I know it’s tempting but GO TO BED.

Now is not the ideal time to eat absolute garbage food because you’ll feel like shit and (if you’re anything like me) won’t get anything done …so just eat the best way you can and I’m not gonna be one of those people who tell you to work out because I can’t bring myself to do it during finals, it’s just too much for my lazy ass .. but I do stretch every now and then and my “breaks” usually consist of me going on a walk or something. So just do little things that can make you feel good but don’t freak out if you can’t exercise or get 2 hours in at the gym, just keep a healthy balance. I have no idea if there’s any scientific background to this but I (think) honestly believe that almonds help with my memory?

Organisation

2018 student planner

how to set up a bullet journal

setting up a digital bullet journal

mossery co planner review

planner brand recommendations

bullet journal spread ideas

bullet journal decoration hacks

whats in my bag

my favourite stationery

back to school basic supplies

how to improve your handwriting

balancing study and work

2017 monthly planner printables

2018 monthly planner printables

my september downloads (phone + desktop wallpapers)

Productivity

productivity and time management applications

how to remove distractions

types of procrastination and how to deal with them

google chrome new tab options for improved productivity

10 small ways to improve your productivity

applications to block websites

no distraction writing applications

100 days of productivity challenge 

how to focus in class

how to stick to a schedule

how to stay alert

how to build self-discipline

how to organise for exams

Motivation

what to do when you’ve tried everything

how to gain back motivation

motivational monday printables

how to stop avoiding studying

what to do when you feel exhausted before studying

how I stay motivated

tips on maintaining motivation

how to start a studyblr

how to set up a studygram

dealing with competitive people

how to bounce back from ‘failure’

Studying

applications for students

how to take effective class or lecture notes

how to take notes from a textbook

studying printable pack 

my note-taking method

my notebook system

how to write faster

how I organise my binders

good habits to implement

how to study (my method)

how to organise a colour code

how to memorise information effectively

how to memorise quotes

how to use flashcards

how I reduce waffle and narration in essays

tips for essay writing

how to find out where you’re going wrong

how I prepare to study

different ways to study

how to annotate a book/novel/etc

how to get ahead in school

studying as a visual learner

how to practice and present a speech

mindmapping apps and extensions

how to deal with online classes

how to study a language

apps to write without distraction

Self Care

how to improve your sleep schedule

how to study when sick

over-coming self doubt

dealing with stress

how to balance studying and anxiety

how to balance studying and depression

apps that help with depression

ways to reward your productivity

my favourite tv shows

ways to use empty notebooks

how to be more sociable

Printables

weekly study schedule

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

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

week at a glance

organic chemistry printable

100 days of productivity tracker

literary techniques 

STAYING MOTIVATED

Create realistic goals: get ___ grade on next ____

Manageable let down; get back on track

Keep track of grades: focused, know where stand, no surprises

Start small

Low risk confidence builders

Take time to relax/give self rewards

Days off, breaks, rewards

All work & no play =/= living

Little organization goes a long way

Reward achievements!

Keep balance with exercise, clubs, friends

2h/d: friends and exercise

Remember that hard work pays off

Isn’t a breeze to try to get a 4.0 GPA; but it’s possible

You’re smart enough and can achieve it

90% there with these tips, 10% is just pure hard work

Only chill on weekends

Monday-Friday: school mode

Have time for some fun

If work as hard as should during week, will need weekends to blow off steam

Be self-motivated

Grades can matter, not everything, but follow through on what needs to be done

Not most important part of college but underperform? You will regret it

GPA cutoffs exist and matter to employers

College is full of distractions and opportunities

Nobody will hold hand and the work will suck but all the prouder of yourself to be

Suck it up, buckle down, get it done

If think need break, probably don’t

Turn off the little voice

Realize not alone in questioning ability

Avoid people who tend to burst bubbles no matter what 

Physical triggers to stop

Incentive to get something done when know have something else during the day

Don’t have a gaping abyss of study time

Work has to get done, in the end

Books, examiners, and especially your future self isn’t going to care about your excuses for not doing the work

Take the first step

It will almost be fictional how hard you thought the task was going to be

Just keep going because you simply can’t afford NOT to do anything today, nonzero days

Leeway, don’t give your perfectionism control over your life

MUNDANE HABITS

Sleep! Think and function, mind & body

CAN sleep if keep up with coursework instead of procrastinating

Will miss out on some fun stuff

Need to stay awake in class

Figure out what need for full speed

Stay relaxed

Stay physically healthy

Diet and exercise

1 hour exercise during week

Weekends off

Traditional breakfast not necessary if value extra sleep

Systematic habits: neat, prepared

Master material

Look for real world applications

Learning is a process: be patient, don’t expect to master off the bat

Designate study area and study times

Do trial runs

Practice tests

Ask a TA to listen to your oral performance

Study groups

Don’t copy other people’s psets and solutions

BEFORE SEMESTER

Spiral bound notebook, can color code with folders/etc if need be

Lecture notes: front to back

Reading notes: back to front (if fall behind on)

Seminar notes: mixed in with lecture notes, different pen color/labeled

Outline format

Bullet points for everything

Same NB for one set of class notes, separate notebooks for all classes

5-subject notebook

Midterm and exam material in it

Mesh sources, study guide

All study material from week/month in one place

Pick the right major

Indulge in favorite hobby feeling

Pick professors & classes wisely

Take a small class

Pick classes that interest you so studying doesn’t feel torturous

Want to learn

GRADES SPECIFIC

Prioritize class by how can affect GPA

More credits: more weight

Work enough to get an A in your easy classes: take something good at

Don’t settle, don’t slack off, don’t put in minimal effort to get that B/C. Just put in a tiny bit more effort to ensure A

Will have harder classes and need to counteract

Take electives can ace

Anything but an A in an elective is kinda mean and an unnecessary hit for your GPA

FIRST DAY/WEEK/HALF OF CLASSES

Get to know teaching style: focus most on, lecture/notes

Pick and follow a specific note taking format

Outline

Date each entry

Capture everything on board

Decide productivity system

Google Cal

Todoist

Agenda: remind meetings, class schedule, important dates/midterms/quizzes/tests, no homework 

Always wanted to be prepared

Rarely last minute

Have plan, stay focused

Homework notebook

Good redundancy

Study syllabus

Know it thoroughly

Plot all due dates after class

Penalize if fail to abide by

Study the hardest for the first exam

Seems counterintuitive

Hardest/most important test

Pay attention to content and formatLess pressure: just need ___ on final to keep my A 

Easy to start high and keep high

Go into crunch mode at the beginning

End softly

Get plenty of sleep, exercise, and good food in the finals days before the exam

DURING SEMESTER: PEOPLE

Get to know professors: go to office hours, care about grades/course/them

Easier ask for help, rec letter

Get to know interests and what they think is important

Figure out their research interests, 60% of their job is research

Learning is dynamic

Discussion helps

Get feedback early when not sure what doing

Take comments constructively

Consistent class participation: ask questions, give answers, comment when appropriate

Understand material

Find a study buddy in each class: don’t have to study with

Somebody can compare notes with, safety net

Pick somebody who attends, participates, and take notes regularly

Make some friends

Participate as fully as can in group activities

Be involved

Learn – not be taught

Be punctual

Good impression, on human professors

DON’T BE LATE

Skipping class =/= option: It’s “cool” to get attendance award

Make all the classes: it’s hard to feel confident when missing key pieces

Get full scope of class, everything will make a lot more sense and save a lot of time in long run

Mandatory class: higher graduating cumulative GPA

Go to class when no one else does/want to show up, reward

Get to know professor, what’s on test, notice, r/s build, material not in reading

Unless optional and super confusing professor

Sit in one of the first rows

Don’t fall asleep

Fake interest if you have to

Tutors

DURING SEMESTER: THINGS TO DO

Take notes! Provided is bare minimum, accessed by students who aren’t attending lecture

Based on lecture and what read –> test; it’ll be worth it

Write it down

By hand

Bored? Doodle instead of going online

Read all assigned–even if need to skim

Seems cumbersome and maybe impossible

Figure out what’s important

Look at the logical progression of the argument/what’s important/what trying to prove

Understand everything that you do read–even if don’t read everything

PIck 2 examples from text per topic

Complete course material on time

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL DAY BEFORE IT IS DUE

Begin as soon as possible

Sometimes it’s just straight up impossible

Have it look attractive

Library doesn’t just mean = study

Social media in the library is still social media

Confusion is terrible

Read other textbooks, review course material @ another uni/by another professor, google the shit out of it

Review

Do not wait, do throughout semester

Exam prep

Ask for model papers, look at style & structure, thesis, how cite

Get old tests

Look at type of questions (detail level and structure)

Can solve old exams cold

If give out paper exams in class: probs won’t repeat questions, focus more on concepts but still learn the questions

Have class notes and psets down cold

Do all the practice problems

Read through notes a few times; rewrite into a revision notebook

Highlight major topics and subtopics

Different highlighter for vocab terms

Overall picture, go from concept to detail

Look at overall context and how specific idea fit into whole course

Ideas, don’t memorize all your notes

Better understand = more able to use and manipulate info and remember it. Understand = manipulation.

Charts, diagrams, graphs

Lists

Practice drawing labeled structures

Flash cards for memorization

Every school requires some degree of grunt memorization

Say it aloud, write it down

Get friends to quiz you

Self-test: severely challenge self, have a running collection of exam questions

Explain difficult concepts to your friends; force yourself to articulate the concept

Never pull an all-nighter

Do not spend every hour studying up to the exam

Eat, shower, sleep

Don’t wait until night before exam to study

Prep takes time even if reviewed throughout semester

Ask about format–don’t ask the professor to change it for you

Law of College: it will be on the exam if you don’t understand it

Ask professor, internet, textbooks

Night before exam

Jot what want to remember/have fresh

Read through in morning/before exam

Physical prep

Sleep, have test materials

Day of exam

Don’t cram every single spare minute

Go to bathroom before exam

Never miss an exam/lie to get more time

You won’t be any more ready 2-3 days after when supposed to have taken it

Slay exam. Get A. 

WEEKLY 

Friday morning: go through each syllabus, write down in HW notebook

All hw during weekend; study/reading assignments during week

Save everything

Divide big tasks into small pieces to help propel self

Standard study schedule: block off lectures, labs, regular commitments

Note the weeks that have assignments and tests that will require extra studying

Don’t oscillate too heavily every day with study times (i.e. don’t study 2-3 hours for weeks and then 10-12 hour days right before an exam)

Eat and sleep to make more extended work periods liveable and enjoyable

DAILY

Set an amount of time would like to study every day

Try to study most days

Avoid vague/zoned out studying –> waste of time

Do a little bit daily but don’t let studying be your whole day

Review notes: 30mins/day, each class from that day

Look at important ideas/vocab

Prioritize new vocab because language is most fundamental and important tool in any subject

Circle abbreviations and make yourself a key somewhere so you don’t forget what the hell that abbreviations meant

Check spelling

Rewrite/reorganize notes if necessary

Format of ideas is just as important as the concepts themselves, esp. when it comes time for exam review

This helps you retain the material so you’ll be ahead next time you walk into class

Chance to ID any knowledge gaps that you can ask about for next class

Keep up with reading

Skim text before lecture or at least main topic sentences

Jot down anything don’t understand; if lecture doesn’t clarify, ask the professor

After lecture: skim again, outline chapter, make vocab flashcards

Highlight similar class and lecture notes

will definitely be tested on

Review and make study questions

Study

Disconnect from anything irrelevant to study material: help focus and your GPA

Don’t limit studying to the night

Study whenever, wherever between classes

Variety helps focus and motivation

Especially if tired at night and can’t transition between subjects