aina .｡*ﾟ+.*.｡

Welcome to My NOTION template! This isn’t 100% finished yet but I really wanted to release this today because truthfully I want to start using it. These images don’t include all of the features, either. I left some of them out.

If you want to tip me, check the discord <3

Let’s get the first thing out of the way. I made a discord here for this. It will be primarily used to hold one another accountable and promote good things in eachothers lives. However, it will double as a way to receive DIRECT feedback and suggestions.

HERE’S THE LINK ! Please let me know if it doesn’t work

My next step in plans is:

A complete workout / gym tracker

Meal Planner

“Kitchen” hub

Fridge & Pantry tracker (to avoid food waste)

Savings tracker

business expense tracker

taxes calculator hub

moving hub 

investment hub

mood tracker

For now, this notion includes:

HOME//

Flip clock widget

Moon phase widget

New years day countdown

Calendar

Multiple photo insert areas

Reminders list

Weekly goals overview

Time/task section for when you have a schedule or routine to maintain

Quote section

Pre-planned spotify playlist section (using the embed tool)

Complete navigation section

PLANNER//

No zero days tracker

Weekly task list

Monthly goal list

Yearly goal list

Month by month toggle list

Important dates list

Second Planner toggle list

Two photo insert sections

Navigation section

WORK//

Regulars Tracker

Small schedule table

Business expenses tracker (COMING SOON/INCOMPLETE)

Income tracker

To do list

Upcoming meetings/dates list

Multiple image areas

STUDIES//

Classroom

Library

Calendar

Quick Links

To do list

Exam dates list

Grades

Notes (COMING SOON)

SHOPPING//

Wishlist central

Table database

PERSONAL//

Inner work Journal

___ Of the day Journal

I feel Icky Checklist

Mental Health goals

Mental health reminders

The bullet journal is probably something you’re no stranger to. It’s been circulating around the internet for a while, and it’s one of the main subjects of studyblr posts. However, when I started college last semester, I found that I no longer relied on my bullet journal to organize my tasks and structure my responsibilities anymore. Instead, I tried out a bunch of productivity/task-organization apps: Taskade, Actions by Moleskine, Any.do, Todoist, Wunderlist. None of them seemed to have what I needed, so I decided to give the bullet journal method another try.

The first thing I reflected on was why I stopped in the first place. At first I thought it was because the method itself allowed for a lot of freedom and I’d get confused as to what things to include and how to structure everything. But then I realized that it was in fact because I had previously been bullet journaling for other people instead of myself. Since I had what one could call an ‘artsy bullet journal’, I tended to focus more on the artistic aspect so that it would get more likes and reblogs after I posted it, when I should have been focusing on how it can organize my life. I realized that the bullet journal is a tool; the focus should be on life itself, not the bullet journal, but you can use the bullet journal to add value to your life.

At the beginning of the year, I deconstructed my organizational needs and attempted to apply that to my bullet journal method. I stopped looking at other people’s bullet journals and started thinking about my own needs and preferences. I thought about how I would best organize my time so that I could accomplish all of the things I want to accomplish in the different aspects of my life.

Supplies

The fact that I only have 2 main supplies allows me to bullet journal anywhere, anytime.

The Structure

The Practice

Simply having the tool to organize your life isn’t enough - you should also have a practice, a habit, for using it.

Going Forward

One thing I’d like to work on is future logging. As of now, I think in terms of months, since the my main commitment at the moment is my education, and monthly planning has worked out for me. But I think if I’d like to tackle on larger projects - e.g. my YouTube channel that I just started - I’d need to do a lot more future logging.

Another useful thing I want to try out is to summarize my journal entries in the form of notes. Recently I’ve been audio journaling (15-20 minutes of me talking to myself), and it’s been pretty effective. However, I have no way of ‘skimming’ the entries like I would a written journal entry. Summarizing them would help me retain main ideas of each entry and remember the things I said that are or could potentially be important and useful.

Final Thoughts

this post is part of the student guide and the technology mini series

One of my goals next year is learn how to use technology more effectively in order to stay productive and organised. Thus I thought it could be helpful for me as well as you guys to make this post - a masterlist of different websites, apps and extensions that will make your life as a student that little bit easier. I’ve sorted these by purpose rather than device, so that whether you’re looking for a note-taking program or cooking ideas you’ll be able to find something useful. 

Plan / Organise

Todoist: Beautiful and powerful project manager and general to-do list 

Any.do: Simple, flexible and well-integrated task manager

Carrot To-Do: Motivational and simple to-do list with personality

Pocket: Save articles, videos and other digital content to read later

Pinterest: Collate and sort inspiration into image-based ‘pinboards’ 

Swipes: Easy task manager that focuses on what’s really important

Trello: Well designed and intuitive project planner / manager

Clear: Minimalistic and beautiful to-do lists

Focus: To-do extension with inbuilt focus timer

Manage Your Schedule

My Study Life: Organise your class schedule and homework tasks

The Homework App: Very pretty and highly functional class schedule and homework tracker

Calendly: Schedule appointments with others using this availability tool

Google Calendar: Simple and smart scheduling app

Glass Planner: Combined, distraction-free calendar and to-do list

Lanes: Simple tasks, calendar and pomodoro timer in new tab

Plan: Gorgeous planner with productivity analytics

Handle: Simple planner and to-dos with email inbox integration

Take Notes

Evernote: Save and sync short multimedia notes ( +Penultimate: Handwritten notes that integrate with the Evernote app )

Notability: Create longer handwritten notes + annotate pdfs

Paper: Lightweight app for beautiful and intuitive notes and sketches

Google Docs: Crisp and collaborative word processor with automatic integration with Google Drive

Outline: Highly organised digital multimedia notebooks

Coggle: Create simple mindmaps

Mindly: More complex and beautiful mindmaps, although more expensive

Day One: Keep a digital journal

Store Files

Google Drive: Store various file types in a cloud-based program

Google Photos: Back up and organise your photos / image files

Focus Better / Manage Time

Forest: Focus for 30 minutes to grow a cute virtual tree

Flat Tomato: Pomodoro timer with additional time management tools

Tide: Simple and attractive pomodoro timer + white noise

Pomodrone: Minimalistic pomodoro with goal setting and analysis tools

Pomello: Desktop pomodoro that integrates with trello for easy task management

Noisli: Simple background noise for focus + relaxation

Be Limitless: Analyses how long you spend on different websites and offers productivity suggestions

StayFocusd: Block access to distracting websites while you work

Timewarp: Gentle reminders to stop using distracting sites

Be More Productive

IFTTT: Automate processes that use multiple apps for higher efficiency

Toby Tab Manager: Manage tabs to avoid overload + up productivity

Tab Snooze: Snooze tabs until later

Infinity: New tab extension with bookmarked pages, to-dos, notes, etc.

Spark: Smart email inbox manager to stay organised and save time

Inbox: Another email organiser designed by Google for Gmail

MyScript: Handwritten, intuitive input makes calculating quicker

GistNote: Highlight web content and sort highlighted material

RefMe: Quickly and automatically create bibliography references

Spaces: Collaborate with groups easily in this shared-space program

XKit: Tumblr extension that makes tasks such as reblogging and tagging faster

Improve Work Quality

Wolfram|Alpha: Data engine / tools makes knowledge easy to access

Grammarly: Powerful editor / grammar checker improves writing quality

DataShine: Conduct research with mapped UK census data

Wikipedia App: Get lost in this treasure-trove of information

Revise Well

Quizlet: Smart flashcard program with collaborative fucntionality

Memrise: Adaptive revision for learning languages and other vocab

FlashTabs: Flashcard in every new tab you open helps you revise consistently 

Duolingo: Learn / revise languages via this interactive and fun program

Khan Academy: Do practice tasks and take prep courses for the SAT and other tests - great way to efficiently revise maths !!

CliffsNotes: Cram easily with summary guides and test prep - also has really great guides to popular and classic literature ( +alternative )

Kahoot: Fun and highly useful group revision games / competitions

Stay Healthy

Waterlogged: Track your water intake and get reminders to drink more

Drink!: Drinking reminders for your web browser / laptop

Sleep Better: Track your sleep and dreams + set smart alarms 

Good Morning Alarm: Very pretty alternative to Sleep Better

Take A Break: Reminds you to take a break while online

Habitica: Track / manage your habits in this fun game

Productive: Powerful and well designed habit tracker with many features

Streaks: Alternative to Productive - prettier and better interface imo

Streaks Workout: A version of Streaks designed specifically for working out

Seven: 7-minute guided workouts to keep fit quickly

Zombies, Run!: Motivates you to run by playing a guided ‘zombie escape’ game as you do

Charity Miles: Raise money for charity by running, walking or cycling

Lumosity: Fun and personalised brain training ( +alternatives: A | B )

Manage Mental Health

Headspace: Quality guided meditations on different topics

Pacifica: Simple and daily stress / anxiety management tools

Smiling Mind: Meditations designed to improve mindfulness

Live Independently

My Fridge Food: Enter ingredients you have, get recipes you can make

SafeTrek: Stay safe while out alone via easy alerts when in danger

Penny: Track your money / spending and see how you could save

Honey: Save money by automatically applying promotions when shopping online

Konmari: Organise your belongings by minimising what you own

Roadtrippers: Plan road trip routes around America easily

Stay Entertained

Flipboard: Automatically collate articles from all over the web into your own personalised digital magazine

Quartz: Get current new in an interactive, easy-to-digest manner

Medium: Read short and engaging essays on a variety of current topics

Netflix: You know the deal

Whichbook: Find a book you’ll love with this detailed search ( +Bookling: Motivate yourself to read more and track your progress )

Letterboxed: Review films and create lists of favourites, to-watch, etc.

Goodreads: Like a book version of Letterboxd

heyy! with school starting again, I decided to combine a lot of helpful post, so you can rock the new school year! I’ve spent quite some time going through different masterposts and the ones i included here are very helpful resources. good luck for the new school year! <3

STUDYING

study effectively

revise method

take a break

study journal

planning the perfect study schedule

all the things that got me studying after one year of living through tv-show characters and wasting time on youtube (be honest, we all need this)

how to memorize

flashcards

preparing for exams

how to pull an all-nighter (but pls only do this in extreme situations)

how i study

SCHOOL

how to wear what you want to school

first day of class

emergency kit

list of tips (this is super helpful)

test taking tips

help! i hate my teacher

how to annotate

NOTE TAKING

how to take notes from a textbook

tips

what to do when you ruined your notes

upgrade your notes

ESSAYS

five paragraph essay

how to  write 20 pages

battling essays

STATIONERY

essentials

backpack buying guide

cute and cheap stationery

LANGUAGES

tips + resources

different ways to learn a language

how to learn a language by doing nothing

SELF CARE / PERSONAL

self care

some advice

back to school glow up

morning routine

night routine

skin care

stress route

mental health tips

school and heartbreak

tests for when you don’t know what to  do with your life

burnout - a guide for students

FOOD

study foods

ideas

easy recipes for students

ORGANIZATION

organize & refresh your phone and laptop https://youtu.be/3b00aqUqoZI

staying organized

guide to bullet journals

bujo for students

PRODUCTIVITY

beat procrastination 

how to increase productivity

sort out tasks

self-discipline

MOTIVATION

study moods

motivation

gentle reminder

how to motivate yourself to start studying

MUSIC

mildliner inspired study playlists

best spotify playlists and albums for your study session

playlists for different moods

study music

PRINTABLES

binder covers

grade tracker

study pack (task tracker, formula list, habit tracker, task tracker)

go to sleep

back to school kit (class data, study group sheet, supplies list)

APPS

google chrome extensions

my favorite study apps

• clean ya room (just do it). also, check those pinterest boards you save for “one day” and actually go through them and draw some inspiration, even if you just end up rearranging the books on your bookshelf or putting some flowers from your garden in a mason jar on your desk. this is your home, make it feel like it is.

• do your laundry (also, don’t forget your bed sheets). if you’re in the mood, look at next week’s weather forecast and think about what you’re going to wear. go through your drawers, check the back of your closet. that hat you bought some time ago and forgot about because you didn’t dare to wear it? well… new week, new you, right? 

• call a friend/family member you haven’t talked to in a while, tell them you miss them. tell them you love them. remember and appreciate that they are a part of your life even if it doesn’t feel like it all the time.

• draw, paint, journal, write or make some music. something you know you love doing but “never find the time”. sunday is “finding-the-time day”. if you’re not feeling creative, read a book or watch your favorite show. or watch a new show. a scary show. a funny show. laugh as loud as you want. listen to music. listen to your favorite songs, or listen to new songs. even a new genre if you dare. turn the volume all the way up. take a second to consciously feel the music. you can always get up and dance. or sing. or both.

• the great, but still really effective classic: take a bath or a really long shower. if you have this special face or hair mask you’re saving up for a special occasion: congrats, you’re the special occasion today. use it. also, body lotion. we all know you’re going to be running late during the week and skip it one too many times. make yourself feel like the goddess you are. 

• sit in silence for a few moments. listen to your breath. listen to your heartbeat. for the love of god PLEASE listen to your thoughts for once in your life. don’t make them feel like they are wrong. or bothersome. they too just want to be heard once in a while. what are they trying to tell you? what could be soothing for them? be compassionate to yourself. it’s okay. you are okay. you are okay.

• think about things you can be grateful for next week. even if you feel like your life sucks atm, think about the small things you take for granted in a different way. for example: “next week, i will have access to clean water. CLEAN. WATER. 844 million people don’t have that.” or “next week, my legs will take me wherever i want to go. not everybody has two fully functioning legs, so i’m lucky in that way.” you’re allowed to feel bad about your life, but you’re also allowed to feel good about things. 

• if you’ve stayed home most of the week, go out. go for a walk. go swimming. go to a party or dinner with friends. even if you feel like you don’t need to see the outside world, chances are you’ll feel great after you do. if you feel like you’ve been running around all week, maybe you’d like to stay home today. put on your ugliest sweater, comfiest leggings, and fluffiest socks and curl up under a thousand blankets. you a sloth today and it’s okay. 

• eat. i mean honestly: eat THE THING. i don’t care if you’re on a diet. if there’s something you’ve been craving all week that has turned you into the veiny-neck-dude meme just trying to resist it: EAT IT. you deserve it. not because you worked out or ate salads or did well in school, but just because you’re a human and you love to eat and life is short and you should be allowed to eat yummy things. it’s okay. you won’t gain 5 pounds or lose your brain cells no matter how unhealthy it is, i promise.

• plan plan plan yo week. it doesn’t matter if you use a planner, bullet journal, the calendar on your phone or the notes app: write everything down you have going on next week. appointments. events. coffee-dates. when are you going to the gym? what are you going to eat? (meal prep if necessary) also, create reminders on your phone for everything. “i won’t forget it!” is a sweet thought, but oh honey you will. schedule reminders for every event. let your phone remind you that you need to buy toilet paper when the store is nearby. schedule daily reminders for your medications. (once you’ve done this it honestly feels like you just cleaned out 38GB of your brain, you simply don’t have to worry about that anymore, space for more important info, like your new favorite pun to annoy everyone with)

>>> set a little bit to do each day!! homework, study, anything! ik you have a lot to do and it seems like a whole heap of impossible at the moment, but once you do that little bit you’ll find it easier to keep on going. if not, then that’s okay, you’ve already done your small bit of productivity and you can go again for the record tomorrow.

>>> put your goal up somewhere you can see it everyday. every time you think of procrastinating, see it and remember it and how much you want to achieve it.

>>> get the app forest for iOS/android. it’s only $3 and its well worth it for all the time you’ll save that you’d be otherwise looking at your phone. also the free chrome extension so you don’t procrastinate on websites you shouldn’t be on.

>>> start your assignments the day you get them!! i can’t stress this enough. you don’t have to do a whole heap, but it’s so much easier once you’ve done the first bit to keep on going from where you left off, especially on off days.

>>> pick the topic of your assignment first up. this overlaps a bit with the last one, but personally, this is the hardest bit for me – i’ve spent so many weeks trying to pick a topic, just to do it a few nights before. once you’ve picked your topic, every time you hear something on it, your brain will subconsciously save and gather the information for you, and you can use that for your assignment.

>>> play ambient noise in the background! tide is really good, and so is relax ms, both available on iOS for free (you’ll have to check for android). there are also heaps of other noise apps, just search them up (i usually search sleep noises). i normally play music to study to, but on days where i just can’t concentrate, i usually just end up singing along. ambient noise really says, you’re here right now, and this is what you’re gonna do.

>>> take! care! of! yourself!! there’s no point in doing assignments if you are literally too tired to focus, or too hungry to think, or even just stressed about your day at school/uni. take some time out. sleep, eat, meds, water, and if it helps, put on a face-mask and do some journalling. get all the bad vibes out.

Hello Study Buddies! I go back to school on Wednesday so I want to share how I plan to get ready the next before! 

Step One: Clear your floors and have an outfit picked out! This will make waking up calmer and cut your time picking out and changing into your school clothes easier! 

Step Two: Do a scalp/hair treatments and face mask! Stress can cause acne so doing a face mask will help your skin and relax. I also do a hair mask because I tend to have a lot of product buildup from soap, sweat and school so doing the hair mask is really nice before school starts and I usually do it a couple times a month! 

Step Three: Pack your backpack and sports bag. I personally have sports practice after school and need to pack my stuff so I will pick that out and set them to the side along with all of my school supplies! 

Step Four: Destress as much as possible. Put on some calming music or read a book. School is stressful enough so being as relaxed as you can before hand is really great! 

Step Five: Make sure all your summer work is done!!! This could throw the whole relaxation out the window but better doing it last minute than never! 

Step Six: Go to bed early and try to keep your phone off! The light from your phone will make it harder for you to fall asleep. Also you will most likely have a lot on your mind because of school and nerves so the sooner you try to go to sleep the more sleep you’re going to get. (tip maybe consider having a natural sleep remedy like a nighttime tea or melatonin)