Dark Academia

For those of you who have never taken a dip into the NaNoWriMo forums, here’s a little taste of what you’re missing! Today, we’re bringing you a Harry Potter-themed word crawl, slightly modified from the original created by NaNoWriMo participant “my little bird”. Can you navigate your first year at Hogwarts and boost your Camp NaNoWriMo word count?

You receive your Hogwarts letter by owl and are completely ecstatic to head out for your first year at Hogwarts. Sprint to 100 words to let out your excitement and energy.

Part 1: Diagon Alley

You arrive in Diagon Alley and your first stop is Gringotts, wizard bank. Write for ten minutes. The amount of words you write will determine how many Galleons are in your vault.

Less than 150 words: 1 Galleon 150-300 words: 2 Galleons More than 300 words: 3 Galleons

You step into Ollivander’s wand shop. What kind of wand will choose you? Roll a die and multiply your roll by 100. Sprint to that many words.

some greek pantheon in gold

Hi i think i saw the ask you sent to @nabasynth (thanks for thinking of me ella! <3) and i was going to reply but i’ll just answer here! 

So i’ve based most of this on my experience with GCSE languages and the questions and topics we did. i don’t know what language you are learning so i’ve tried to keep it relatively general and I’ve kept all the questions in English. i’ve also tried to put them in a rough order of difficulty so you can progress in complexity.

Ok, so basically I’ve listed a bunch of questions that you could answer in full sentences that were part of the essays I did. In my experience, they are really good ways to learn vocab and sentence structures. I’ve tried to put different tense in and questions that ask for opinions because it is really important that you learn to do include various tenses and opinions in all essays.

1. Family

How many people are in your family? What are their names? Where do they live? What do they look like?

Do you get on with your parents? What do you argue about?

Do you have brothers or sisters? Do you get on with them?

Who is your best friend? What does he/she look like? What do like to do together? 

What qualities must a good friend have?

What did you do with your friend last weekend? 

What will you do with your friend next weekend? 

What do you think about marriage? Do you want to get married in the future?

2. Where you live

Where do you live? What do you like about where you live? What do you dislike about where you live? 

Describe your house. What are the positives and negatives of your house?

What would your dream house be like?

What are the positives and negatives of living in a city?

What are the positives and negatives of living in the countryside?

What did you do last weekend in your town?

Where would you like to live in the future and why?

What would your ideal city be like?

3. Freetime (Sport, Music, Films, TV, Food)

What is your favourite thing to do in your free time?

When you were younger, what was your favourite thing to do in your free time?

Do you enjoy playing sport? What is your favourite sport? What do you do to keep fit/healthy? What is your least favourite sport? What are the benefits of playing sport?

Do you like listening to music? What is your favourite type of music? What is your least favourite type of music? Who is your favourite singer/band? Why do you like them? Have you ever been to a concert? Who would you like to see at a concert? Do you play any instruments?

Do you enjoy watching films? What is your favourite type of film? What is your least favourite type of film? What is your favourite film? What is it about? Why do you like it? Who is your favourite actor/actress? Why do you like them? Do you enjoy going to the cinema? 

Do you enjoy watching TV? What is your favourite type of TV programme? What is your least favourite type of TV programme? What is your favourite TV programme? What is it about? Why do you like it? When do you watch TV?

What is your favourite food? What is your least favourite food? Do you like cooking? Do you like going to restaurants? Describe the last time you went to a restaurant? 

4. School

Where do you go to school? Describe your school? Do you like your school? What are the positives of your school? What are the negatives of your school?

Do you wear a school uniform? If yes, describe it? Do you like it? What are the positives and negatives of school uniforms? What would your ideal school uniform be?

Describe your normal school day. What time do you wake up? What lessons do you have? What do you do at lunch? Do you like your school routine?

What subjects do you learn? What is your favourite subject and why? What is your least favourite subject and why?

Next year, what will you learn/study? 

What qualities must a good teacher have? 

Do you think that it is important to have school rules? What is the most important rule? What is the least important rule? 

What problems do students face? 

What would you do to improve your school? What would you do to improve the school day?

5. Future Plans and Career

Do you want to go to university? What would you like to study at university?

What job would you like to do when you are older? What is your dream job? Why do you want to do this job? 

Would you like to work abroad? Why or why not?

Would you like to work in an office? Why or why not?

Have you had any work experience or done an internship? What did you have to do? Did you enjoy it? What were the pros and cons? Would you like to do that job in the future? If you haven’t, what would you like to do?

6. Social Media and the Internet

Do you have a mobile phone? How often do you use it? What do you use it for? What is your favourite thing to do on your phone? What are the pros and cons of having a phone?

How often do you use the internet? What do you use it for? What did you use it for last night? 

What are the positives of the internet?

What are the negatives of the internet?

What should you do in order to stay safe?

Do you think that the internet is a good thing? Why or why not? 

Are you on social media? What do you use social media for? What are the positives of social media? What are the negatives of social media? What are the dangers of social media? 

7. Vacations

Are vacations important to you? Why or why not?

Where do you usually go on vacation? Who do you go with? How do you travel there? What do you do there? Do you like it there?

What is your favourite type of vacation?

Is it better to travel by plane or by car?

Where did you go on your last vacation? Who did you go with? How did you travel there? What did you do on vacation? Did you like it there? Did you buy any souvenirs?

Where will you go on your next vacation? Why are you going to go there? Have you been there before? Who will you go with? What will you do there?

Where would you go on your dream vacation? Why would you go there? Have you been there before? Who would you go with? What would you do there? 

8. Social Issues and the Environment

What do you think of vegetarianism? 

What do you think of poverty? What are the reasons for poverty? What are some ways you can help people in poverty? Have you ever donated/helped out at a charity? 

Is the environment important to you? Why or why not? 

What are the problems facing the environment? What is the biggest problem?

What do you do in order to help the environment? What have you recently done? 

What could you do in order to be more environmentally friendly?

Is your town environmentally friendly? What could it do better?

I hope this is helpful to you or anyone else who wants to practice to writing in their target language! To put it into an essay format you could choose a few of these questions that go together. Make sure you put opinions and different tenses in your essays.

*click for better quality* (transcript under the cut)

My other masterposts: • extensions pt.1  • study sounds • dealing with failure • how to gain traction • how to study when you’re struggling

Hi, guys! Lala here. We all know the importance of having a morning and night routine, but I haven’t seen a lot of people talking about having a study routine. So I wanted to share mine with you and hopefully you guys can get some value out of it. 

Hi, guys! Lala here. We all know the importance of having a morning and night routine, but I haven’t seen a lot of people talking about having a study routine. So I wanted to share mine with you and hopefully you guys can get some value out of it. 

—

mors certa, hora incerta — death is certain, its hour is uncertain

mors mihi lucrum — death to me is reward

aeternum vale — farewell forever

mors ultima linea rerum est — death is everything’s final limit

nascentes morimur — from when we are born, we begin to die

mors vincit omnia — death conquers all

omnia mors aequat — everything is equal in death

1. Vocab Sheets - Words in one column, definition in another column. Fold the paper in half to cover one column and try to recall definition or word. 

Advantages: Easy to make, portable.

Disadvantages: You can see the definition of the next word when you flip the vocab sheet around. 

2. Flash Cards - Definition on one side, words in another. 

Advantages: Can shuffle the order of terms, portable, can study in quick bursts between classes.

Disadvantages: Must actively try to recall instead of just flipping the card over when you hit the slightest roadblock.

3. Accordion Sheets - This is a method I made up myself. I have a post on it here. This is best for foreign language vocab. Basically, you write the term in English in the margin of a piece of notebook paper and then write from memory the term in your target language in the column over. Correct yourself with a different colored pen, and then fold over the column with English in it. Finally, write the English in the column to the right of the target language column. And repeat this process until you have memorized everything.

Advantages: Fast, easy, can see differences between terms easily, asks you to recall by writing down and correcting yourself visually, can easily see improvement or terms that are giving you trouble. This is one of my favorite methods to learn vocab quickly. 

Disadvantages: Not good for terms with complicated definitions. No random order.

4. Audio Recording - Create an audio recording where you say a term, wait a few seconds of silence, and then say the definition. You can listen to this audio file when you’re walking or doing chores. The few seconds of silence in between the term and the definition are when you would think/say your answer when you’re listening to the recording.

Advantages: Can study while you’re doing other things.

Disadvantages: Slow, takes time to record.

5. Quizlet - Flashcards but digital.

Advantages: I mostly create quizlets for other people so future students in the class can use my sets, which is motivating.

Disadvantages: I find that I don’t memorize things as well when they’re digital. Plus, I don’t think when I type, which means I’m losing out on the thinking I’d be doing if I were making physical flashcards, but that’s just me.

6. Stickynotes everywhere - If you have to learn household vocabulary, you can put stickynotes with the vocab in your target languages on your own household items.

7. Mnemonics - Memory devices. For example, the word ferule means “an instrument, such as a cane, stick, or flat piece of wood, used in punishing children,” so I would say, “Ferule looks like feral, which is what punishing children is.”

Advantages: Can be useful to learn tricky vocabulary that is giving you trouble.

Disadvantages: I would most recommend using mnemonics for words/terms you have trouble remembering.

8. Spreading it out - If you are learning English vocabulary, you can try to use one or two of the words in daily conversation. 

Advantages: Gives you a situation to attach the word to.

Happy September, everyone!

As we all get our gears in motion to start a new year, I thought I would share my top tips for scoring the highest marks in English Literature essays. 

(P.S. Lots of these tips are applicable to other subjects too)

1. Don’t write about the character as if they are real

Unfortunately, this is a common error in English Lit essays. It is absolutely imperative to remember that a character is not a person, but is a construct of the writer in order to present an idea or theme. No matter the question, you should be linking your answer back to the writer’s ideas and theme of the text, even if it doesn’t seem obvious what the theme is on the first inspection of the question. Using the author’s name frequently in your essay will demonstrate that you recognise the character is not a real person - ‘Shakespeare portrays Macbeth as a tragic hero, as defined by Aristotle as…’

2. Don’t analyse the plot

Avoid analysing the plot or when things happen in the text. Don’t write ‘When X happens it makes us think Y’. Instead:

Analyse the writer’s use of language, structure and form to create meaning

Do a close language analysis of specific words/phrases, including a sound analysis (plosives, assonance, etc.)

Do a structural analysis of what happens when and why that’s important (Freytag’s pyramid)

Do an analysis of form (stage directions, dramatic monologue, etc.)

3. Keep your answer relevant throughout

You need to be explicitly answering the question - not going off on a tangent nor trying to change the question to suit an answer that you want to write. One way of avoiding this is by starting each paragraph with a topic sentence, summarising what that paragraph is going to be about and how it answers the question. Another method is simply by rewording the question into your answer at the start and end of every paragraph. At least. For greater impact, include synonyms of the word, which can also help with the readability of your answer.

4. Avoid PEE/PEEL/etc. where you can

Thousands of students are taught the same, basic Point-Evidence-Explain (or variant) analytical paragraph structure. If you want to stand out, show academic strength, and achieve the highest marks then you must break free from the chains of PEE! (This also applies for your introduction format. ‘In this essay, I will argue…’ gets pretty dull after reading it 100 times)

For my students, I will be teaching them to write What-How-Why paragraphs:

WHAT has the writer done?

HOW have they done it?

WHY have they done it/is it effective?

This way, your focus is always on why the writer has chosen to use that specific language/structure/form, but it allows you to be creative in crafting your response. Being able to discuss the ‘why’ of literature is the key to unlocking the highest grades. Reading through examiners’ reports this summer has made one thing clear - it is not enough to merely spot linguistic devices or structural features. You must explain why the writer has chosen them and why that is an effective choice (or not).

5. Avoid sweeping statements about context

The main advice here is to only include comments about the context of the text if it adds to the analytical point that you are making. They should not be a bolt-on sentence, but they should enhance your answer.

Further, sweeping claims like ‘All Jacobean women were oppressed by society’ is far too vague. On the other hand, a comment like ‘Lady Macbeth is a disturbing example of womanhood because she denies her gender at a time where the role of a woman was clear-cut, even patriarchal, in Jacobean society’ suggests that you have a greater understanding of how context can influence the writer’s choices.

6. A plan is your best friend

Always, always make time to plan your answer. A method I recommend is, first, circling the key words in the question (character/theme, what you are asked to do, where in the text you are asked to look, etc.). Secondly, write all of your ideas down onto the page, highlighting parts from the extract if you have that in front of you. Finally, select a judicious number of points that you are going to talk about (quality not quantity here) and number the order in which you are going to make them.

If you are writing a comparative essay, each paragraph must start and end with a comparative point about whatever it is you are comparing (characters/themes/etc.) I suggest the following format:

‘X is presented in both text A and text B. However, in A the author uses devices 1 and 2 to demonstrate X. On the other hand, in B, the author demonstrates X via use of devices 3 and 4.’ Then write one paragraph for each text. Repeat this again for another similarity. And again for a third - if you think that is appropriate.

This is often a big question for many because either they need somewhere functional or somewhere motivating. Below is a list of possible places that are easily accessible that hopefully will work for you and your study, also with tips to ensure practicality.

Not your Bed!

I don’t know how many times I’ve said to myself that I’m going to study on my bed because it’s comfy and it’s a reward. I also don’t know how many times I’ve fallen asleep on my phone without even opening a book!

Your body registers your bed as a sleepy time spot so will somewhat shut down when you lay there, thus feeling tired and unmotivated.

Because there is no desk you often have to slouch over to write, which just wrecks your back making you want to lay down and therefore fall asleep.

Just don’t do it, trust me.

A Desk

Obviously I have to add this in. Many people have a desk but still find it hard to study at them so here are a few ways to make it easier.

Make sure it’s clean! You aren’t going to be motivated if you first have to do the annoying task of cleaning.

When you sit down make sure you have all the material you need e.g. your pencil case, notebooks, laptop, a drink, any snacks etc. this way you don’t keep getting back up and can work through pesky procrastination.

Make your space inviting by adding decor that makes you want to spend time there e.g. candles, plants, posters, or desk organisers.

In my study I have this cupboard which has one side which I have accumulated a bunch of goodies that I never know I’ll need when studying. These include blankets, jackets, sweaters, socks, hats, heat packs and pillows. These just help me keep going like in the second bullet.

The use of a planner or list to jot down what you want to get done as soon as you sit at your desk can help give direction to your study session.

The Library

Pretty much every school, institute or town has a library that you can go to for a number of hours and get on the grind. Yes I know, some are loud or dark or unidealised but here’s how you can make the best of the facility.

As for your desk you need to arrive at the library having everything you may need. Some days I’ve arrived with a massive tote full of binders, folders, pencil cases, laptop, chargers and pens. While this gives you major nerd vibes it allows you to spend 6+ hours there if you have to.

Bring earphones with a device that you can listen to asmr, white noise but preferably not music. I personally prefer podcasts because I can tune out but are not as bored as white noise leaves me.

Take a drink! Always take at least water because you don’t want to sit for hours in a dry air conditioned building without it.

Take a friend. I don’t really like social study because I get more done alone but if taking someone with you will actually get you to do some work, do it!

A Park

Now we get onto some more creative and less conventional destinations. The park can be a hit or miss, there are bugs, the weather is sometimes not ideal, it can be loud etc. So if you are interested in not only getting that cute pic and actually studying read on.

Try and find a table if you are writing. Slouching over for hours is painful and just don’t do it. If you are just reading for a class or watching lectures, a bench or tree may be perfect.

If you plan to sit on the ground definitely take a blanket or something to lay down on the ground. Also try and take a device to limit slouching as you can sit it on your lap.

Sitting in a park alone can be dangerous in some cities so use this to do group study or catch up with friends.

Take a hat and layers because the weather can change in an instance.

The Beach

Obviously this option won’t be accessible to everyone and has the same limitations that the park does which a few extra must haves such as a beach towel, hair ties, and sunscreen. However some of my study sessions when I’ve felt most girl boss is at the beach, it just feels like you are getting so much more out of your day by also being able to say you went to the beach. It is also incredibly pretty which is a major motivator for me.

A Coffee Shop

One of the most studyblr things is studying at a coffee shop but for good reason. Like many I suffer from procrastination problems, mostly stemming from my love of food. When you are at a coffee shop the food and beverage is at your fingertips which promotes longevity in your study. The vibe is good and you can always get the bonus insta pic. However where I live coffee shop culture is not as prominent so it can be awkward to sit in a small store for more than an hour.

Like the library take all you need and make sure you know what tasks you’ll be completed e.g. if writing an essay on your laptop make sure you go somewhere that allows you to charge your device.

If you feel awkward about maintaining a space in an establishment who needs to serve as many customers as possible, have a chat with the owners and just check whether it is ok. Most of the time they will be fine with this because it promotes repeat service.

While coffee is one of the most loved things in this community be careful of unwanted downs and crashes after that caffeine wears off.

Shared Living Spaces

These include dorm rooms, dorm study rooms, friends apartments and big study groups. While these areas encompass many of the above tips I do have a few that can help with studying with people and friends. It is fairly likely that at some point the study is going to stop and the talking is going to start. To avoid this you can use a few strategies.

One of these would be taking flash cars which you can test yourself and friends on if you are studying the same thing.

Two, if you are working on the same thing e.g. taking notes for a lecture, organise to collaborate. For example you can all do your notes and go through them at the end so you can add things you picked up on so that everyone has extensive notes. Similarly group projects can be broken up, this way everyone stays relatively on task with as little time as possible used.

Take a small whiteboard for math or science classes because if one friends can do a harder problem the whiteboard allows them to explain their working easier to the group.

Take breaks. Being around many people at once for many hours can be overwhelming and stressful which can cause anxiety if you are also stressing about getting tasks done. So organise for everyone to get food or do something after that can help you all chill out.

Your car

I don’t know if this is weird but I love just driving somewhere and sitting in my car. I love getting in my back seat and studying there, it’s like a little couch in a pretty area. No one can interrupt me and it is usually quiet. I live in Australia with black interiors in my car so often the car gets hot so I’ll have to wind down my windows but I also have many things in my car like blankets and jumpers which can help if it’s cold. I don’t really have any tips for this step but I understand that it wouldn’t be an option for really long study sessions

you can do this before social activities, classes, extra curricular or as a separate study time on it’s own

The Gym

I know that some people love getting active and this can actually be a good place to study, however most of this has to be done via earphones. In a recent post I discussed how you can make the most of your time by listening to your study by listening to notes, lectures, educational videos or readings. By also studying while working out you can get very motivated which often extends to when you get home. Again I don’t really have many tips to make this work because it usually wouldn’t last longer than an hour but just remember that this is always an option!