Yes, I AM Fergalicious, and so delicious.

BUT

I 👏 ain’t 👏 promiscuous 👏

firstly, thank you so much for 100 followers! you are all sweethearts <3

so, 2018 is pretty much over. this was my first year as a university student and i learned a lot of things, not only academically but about how to deal with being a full-time college student. so, these are my tips you, precious souls that are about to start college too (or any college student, actually). these are drawn from my experience, but i really think they could help!

find a coffee shop that you like. find out if they have students discounts. if they have it, hold them close to your heart and never let go. my favorite coffee shop is in the mall next to my campus and they have 10% off for students of the universities nearby. i think at this point all the baristas know my name, because i go there almost every day. trust me, you will need the ally.

actually, students discounts in general are your best friend. in my country, every student has 50% off in cultural activities such as cinemas, concerts, museums, theaters, basically everything that requires a ticket. there are places where you can get discounts from all sorts of stores. in my university, we have access to language classes for a really cheap price. look them up, research, and that will save you a lot of money in the long term.

on the same note, find out what you have access to. dedicate some time to walk around your campus and the other campi your university may have in the city. talk to other students about programs, events, everything from big things, like internships and scholarships, to small ones. my university, for example, provides free transportation from one campi to another, since it has multiple campi all around the city, and that has saved me a lot of bus tickets. those hacks are usually things you can only learn from experience, so get yourself out there asap.

get to know the surroundings of your campus, especially if you’re new to the city. knowing what is nearby, what kind of stores and restaurantes you have within walking distance, which public transportation stops or stations are close, if there are any cute coffee shops, museums and such. you’re going to spend a lot of time in that area, so get to know it.

use! google drive! for! everything! google products like google drive, google photos, google docs/sheets/slides are a MUST-HAVE. they’re completely free and they will for sure make your life 100x easier, seriously. i used google docs for LITERALLY every single group project i had this year.

LEARN HOW TO USE MENDELEY!!!!!!!!!!!! it is a sources and references manager that will make dealing with research papers and papers in general actually your whole life SO. MUCH. EASIER. i used it to write a huge semester-long scientific article last semester and it saved my life. here is a video on how to use it, and i might do a post later on how i use it, but download it and get acquainted to it because it’s MAGICAL and people don’t talk enough about it.

go to every possible class in the beginning of the semester so you can skip classes in the end of it without having to worry about attendance. in the end of the semester, you will be so burnt out and stressed that you will BEG yourself a day off, but if you have skipped classes back in the beginning of the semester you won’t be able to skip them now because of attendance, and you’ll want to punch yourself in the face. so please. resist the temptations and don’t skip classes in the beginning of the semester unless you really have to.

that’s a cliché one but try and be one of those people that join things. clubs, projects, events, meetings, there’s something out there for everyone. find something that you like and join. not only you’ll probably get credits for it, it’ll be an opportunity to get to know other people and to understand the dynamics of the academic world. and, in the end, it usually ends up being a lot of fun! and, if fun for itself is not enough motivation, remember i got two (2) paid internships in my first year because of the extra activities i had on my resume. just remember to make to be doing something that you like and that makes you feel comfortable and enjoy the ride!

and lastly, but most importantly:

don’t! feel! pressured! to! do! anything!

you don’t need to prove yourself. no one is keeping scores, even though it sometimes feels a lot like it. take your time. if something is making you uncomfortable, leave. you don’t have to do something just because everyone else is doing it. you can always try again in the next semester. repeat with me here:

college is NOT a race.

college is NOT a race.

Me: sees an opportunity to be petty

Me: 

http://gen.lib.rus.ec

http://textbooknova.com

http://en.bookfi.org/

http://www.gutenberg.org

http://ebookee.org

http://www.manybooks.net

http://www.giuciao.com

http://www.feedurbrain.com

http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=380

http://www.alleng.ru/ 

http://www.eknigu.com/ 

http://ishare.iask.sina.com.cn/

http://2020ok.com/

http://www.freebookspot.es/Default.aspx

http://www.freeetextbooks.com/

http://onebigtorrent.org/

http://www.downeu.me/ebook/

http://forums.mvgroup.org

http://theaudiobookbay.com/

heya! i’m amal and this is my studyblr !! i’m new to this community and i can’t wait to share my stuff with all of u !

these r some facts about me:

i’m 16 and i’m from tunisia

my ultimate dream is to go to epfl

maths and physics are my favorite subjects even tho they FRUSTRATE me most of the time

i’m an introvert but i lov making friends

i love art, the moon, honey, and anything that smells like vanilla

cows, lambs and cats are my favorite animals they’re so precious (just like the rest of animals tbh)

i also enjoy reading books and writing things from time to time

For some reason a bird speaking Japanese is mildly off putting.

> Literal translation

Bird:“ ‘Uhm Hello, this is the Ono family.”

Bird: “What’s wrong?”

Owner: “Abe-chan, you’re a little too early. Once the phone’s picked up, then properly say hello.”

Bird: “Okay, understood.”

Owner: “Do you really understand? I’m counting on you. Hello, this is the Ono family residence in Gifu.”]

Bird: “Okay, I understand!”

Owner: “Got it.”

> That’s clearly some sort of Pokemon.

> Off-putting? It’s like birds were meant to speak Japanese!

How to unclog a toilet without a plunger

How to fix a blown fuse

How to fix a leaky faucet 

How to clean soap scum from your tub and shower

How to escape from a house fire

How to make a budget and stick to it

How to sharpen a knife

How to clean a self-cleaning oven

How to clean red wine stains from carpet

How to clean blood stains from fabric

How to clean grease stains from fabric

How to do a load of laundry

How to iron your clothes

How to test your smoke detectors

Cooking Skills:

How to tell if produce is ripe

How to know if food is expired 

How to properly sanitize a kitchen

How to cook an egg

How to make rice

How to make pasta

How to put out a kitchen grease fire safely

How to use a gas stove

How to use a convection oven

How to cook meat safely

How to use a stand mixer

How to use kitchen knives properly

How to make mashed potatoes

How to make grilled cheese sandwiches 

Health Skills:

How to stop bleeding

How to treat a burn 

How to do CPR (on an adult)

How to do CPR (on a child)

How to do CPR (on a baby)

How to help someone who is choking

How to save yourself if you are choking alone

How to read a nutrition label

How to treat frostbite

How to recognize when someone is having a stroke

How to maintain a healthy sleep schedule

Mental Health Skills:

How to calm down during a panic attack

How to help someone who is suicidal 

How to meditate 

How to stop self-harming

How to recognize problem drinking

How to choose a therapist

How to deal with disappointment

How to cope with grief

How to raise your self-esteem

Relationship and Social Skills:

How to apologize

How to cope with a breakup 

How to accept criticism 

How to deal with bullying 

How to argue in a healthy way

How to ask someone out

How to break up with someone

How to recognize an abusive relationship

How to rekindle a damaged friendship

How to speak in public

Job Hunting Skills:

How to tie a tie

How to write a resume

How to write a cover letter

How to dress for a job interview (for women/femmes)

How to dress for a job interview (for men/masculines)

How to properly shake hands

How to nail a job interview

Other Skills:

How to sew on a button 

How to hammer a nail

How to change your oil

How to put gas in your car

How to jump-start a car

How to pick a good password

How to back up your files

Do you see that? Looks like a joke image, right? Well, it isn’t.

This happens in Venezuela. It looks like nobody knows how is our crisis, because I’ve talked with a lot of people (Americans, French, Canadian and even Mexican people) who really don’t know what is happening.

I’ll explain the imagen.

In Venezuela, we haven’t medicines, even in the hospitals. This is because a patient with hypoglycemia is being attended in this way, because the hospital don’t have dextrose for the people. This is happening in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. But not only in Caracas, is confirmed that in Maracaibo too, and who know where too.

Another cases:

“I take prednisone for animals because I can’t found it anywhere and it helps me, isn’t logic, but our health can’t wait”

“Confirmed, I’m medic performing in so many decadency. We even’t have privates places for dextrose for decompensated diabetics and believe me I could write for hours about so many that I’ve lived in the middle of this catastrophic crisis, where personally I’ve take with me a hurted pacient behind of a 350 because we haven’t ambulances, where we haven’t gloves for protect ourselves and a lot of  things like that, this is the reality…. It must be give “ORALLY” because the drink is rich in glucose (Sugar) for these pacients this imagen showes [She means the soda imagen] how is conected to a micromanager where it doesn’t looks very good… But it’s valid by an OROGASTRIC probe. As a heroic way, becase like we know “It’s incorrect”.

I even can give my own testomony. My mom is sick, and she must work everyday, I can’t help her because my leg is broken, and my brother must help his own family. She’s in pain everyday, and the money is too hard to found. If there’s money, but there’s no medicine. And, if there’s medicine, there’s no money, because all the treatments are very expensive, like everything, for our inflation on the 1600%.

Since 2014, our crisis is worse with the health zone. There’s no too many medicines, and a lot of operations and treatments are delayed for this same reason.

The hospitals don’t have spaces, litters or beds for the patients.

If you go to a farmacy, there’s no medicine.

A lot of hospitals are in a terrible state.

Supplies that were lacking in public hospitals included sterile gloves and gauze, antiseptics, alcohol for medical use, scalpels, needles, catheters, intravenous solutions, nebulizers and surgical sutures. It was even common to lack basic cleaning supplies (such as bleach), which are essential to ensure a sterile environment in hospitals. Unhealthy conditions have led to in-hospital infections that could have been prevented.

And this is only talking about the health zone.

If we talk about the food shortage and the hyper inflation…

We must do LOOOOOONG lines for hours for buy the basic food. Like flour, sugar, rice, pasta, meat, chicken…. 

We only can buy one time at the week, for the last number of our ID. 

Please - someone IN Venezuela. Give me a name. A valid website. Something. I will do my damnedest to make something happen, even if it’s just a few families getting fed a few days.

The only way we have to fight this crisis is through social media, we use twitter to find meds and food and we came up with a few apps like Donamed or Akiztá to help us find what we need. 

There are a bunch of twitter accounts dedicated to locate meds, such as: @spvzla, @MedicinasEquiv, @Flapastillita, @compartex1vida, @sanandove, @Donatumed, @AyudaMedicinasV y @DonandoMedicin1

For the people out there that want to help, like I said… it’s hard to tell you how you could do that because there’s no warranty that we’ll get the help. Still, I won’t let them win so I did my research and I found a few websites that I think you guys can trust and can donate to.

http://comparteporunavida.com/ —> With your donation, this people get formula and nutritional suppliments for children in hospitals and homes in need.

http://www.ayudahumanitariavenezuela.org/english.html —> You can go to their online shop to buy medical supplies from a wish list, which are then delivered to those in need.

https://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/donate/sponsor-a-child/ —> I think you can choose and sponsor a Venezuelan child.

http://www.chamos.org.uk/about-us/ —> They provide financial support for children to acquire medical, educational or other essential equipment.

http://www.corazonymanosenaccion.com/dona_ahora.htm —> The thing with this site is that the bank accounts they work with are from here, so I don’t know the process when it’s an international donation.

The other sites I could find two gofundme created by people like you and me, I hope they mean well and that the money they receive reaches the people who really need it.

https://www.gofundme.com/FoodtoVenezuela

https://www.gofundme.com/help-venezuela

If anyone knows more valid websites where people can go and make their donation, please feel free to add it.

You see, our country has been in a crises for years, but since 2016 it became WAY WORSE and honestly we don’t eve know what to do. Every day there’s ton of people that leave the country in hope to find a better place to live, but because of this, many other countries like Mexico, Colombia, Panamá and United State have BANNED the venezuelans from getting in, the xenophobia against us getting worse every day. And for those who stay, it’s almost impossible to live if you don’t have access to Dollars.

Let me put it in this way; If you have a job here, the minimum salary you get is 5.000.000 BsF. Sounds like a lot, right? Well, it isn’t, because with that, you can’t even an egg carton, valued in 5.800.000 BsF. Jobs are poorly paid and everything is waaaaaaay too expensive for us to buy it. Plus like you read above, food is hard to find, we don’t have medicines here and, a top of that, services like electricity and water fail EVERY TIME, leaving places with over 20 days without water or an entire week without power.

Public transport practically doesn’t exist, in the capital we mostly rely in our subway system, which is failing every day, it gets no maintenance so it presents delays and problems all the time. There are only around 1-2 buses in every area of the city, taxis are too expensive and if you think you can just walk to your destination think it twice, because the insecurity won’t let you walk on the street without being an easy victim of a robbery or even worse; a murder.

All the help is blocked, other countries have tried to send us food and medicines but the government just rejects it and doesn’t let it in. You could say “but why did you guys vote for him?” And that’s the thing, we didn’t. They always post fake numbers, cheat in elections and even threat people to vote for them or they’ll stop giving them money and food.

We have been trying to overthrow this government since 2014, in fact, we practically had two civil wars since that date, but there’s no avail… the whole army is with the government, so if someone tries to protest, the army kills them. There have been occasions when we need to hide in our houses, block the windows and turn the lights off because the government is around destroying private property (buildings), shooting, throwing tear gas or the Chavistas got in their motorbikes and start shooting to the apartments and houses with no reason. If you don’t believe me, just look for it on Youtube, put “Protestas en Venezuela” and you’ll see the chaos. We practically live in a post-apocalyptic society.

I could spend here the whole day writing about how terrible is our situation, but I already wrote too much.

If you know someone from Venezuela in your country, ask them how you can help us, they probably still have family here and are trying their best to earn money to be able to take their family out of here.

If you see a Venezuelan artist doing commissions, try to commission them or donating them at least 1 usd, there are high chances that it is the only “proper” income their family have. (Or they’re trying to save money to leave the country).

Fight for us in your country, if you see xenophobic acts against us, try to help us and change the mind of the xenophobic person/group.

Part 11, no pressure :)

Summer is time to relax but we should take the time to think. Here are my favorites ted talk videos that I think everyone should watch:

The virginity fraud - Nina Dølvik Brochmann and Ellen Støkken Dahl

This is what it’s like to go undercover in North Korea - Suki Kim

My escape from North Korea -  Hyeonseo Lee

The Muslim on the airplane - Amal Kassir

The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong - Amy Morin

The skill of self confidence - Dr. Ivan Joseph

How to stop screwing yourself over - Mel Robbins

The Magic of Not Giving a F*** - Sarah Knight

Why the universe seems so strange - Richard Dawkins

The pattern behind self-deception - Michael Shermer

Militant atheism - Richard Dawkins

Why domestic violence victims don’t leave - Leslie Morgan Steiner

Lessons from death row inmates - David R. Dow

Lessons from the Mental Hospital - Glennon Doyle Melton

Why we choose suicide - Mark Henick

What’s Wrong with Dying? - Lesley Hazleton

I’m Taking My Body Back - Rupi Kaur

My philosophy for a happy life - Sam Berns

The surprising habits of original thinkers - Adam Grant

The surprising secret to speaking with confidence - Caroline Goyder

Want to sound like a leader? Start by saying your name right - Laura Sicola

Programming your mind for success - Carrie Green