☀️HOTEL🌺 PARAISO

I think all Gilmore Girls fans can agree that Rory Gilmore is the original studyblr! If I’m having a chill study session, I’ll play an old episode where she is extra motivated or there is a big focus on academics. The following are my go-tos!

SPOILER ALERT

I wrote short descriptions with each episode so SPOILER ALERT for everyone who hasn’t seen or is still watching Gilmore Girls! 

S01E02- “The Lorelai’s First Day at Chilton”

Rory starts at a new prestigious school. She has to deal with proving herself academically.

S01E04- “The Deer Hunters”

This episode deals with academic failure and studying hard to move past it. 

S02E02- “Hammers and Veils”

Rory has anxiety over not having enough extra-curricular activities for college applications. 

S02E04- “The Road Trip to Harvard”

Rory visits her dream school and gets a good look into college life. 

S02E18- “Back in the Saddle Again”

Rory has a challenging group project. 

S03E03- “Application Anxiety”

Rory receives her Harvard application and gets stressed over the competition. 

S03E08- “Let the Games Begin”

Rory visits Yale.

S03E16- “The Big One”

Rory has to give a speech and has to comfort a friend who doesn’t get into her dream school. Rory also receives her college letters. 

S03E17- “A Tale of Poes and Fire”

Rory picks her college. 

S03E22- “Those Are Strings, Pinocchio”

Rory graduates high school and deals with paying for college. 

S04E01- “Ballrooms & Biscotti”

Lorelai and Rory have to deal with the stress of preparing for college. 

S04E02- “The Lorelais’ First Day at Yale”

Rory starts college. 

S04E03- “The Hobbit, the Sofa, and Digger Stiles”

Rory begins her college shopping period. 

S04E06- “An Affair to Remember”

Rory has trouble finding a good place to study while she is behind on her class syllabus.

S04E08- “Die, Jerk”

Rory is told to toughen up her journalistic writing, so she writes a harsh review and faces the consequences. 

S04E10- “The Nanny and the Professor”

Rory participates in the orientation for her school newspaper. 

S04E14- “The Incredible Sinking Lorelais”

This episode once again deals with academic failure.

S05E10- “But Not As Cute As Pushkin”

Rory gives a tour of Yale to a high school student. 

S05E20- “How Many Kropogs to Cape Cod?”

Rory starts an internship.

S06E13- “Friday Night’s Alright for Fighting”

The student news has to pull a hectic all-nighter to publish the paper.

S06E14- “You’ve Been Gilmored”

Rory becomes the editor of her paper.

S06E16- “Bridesmaids Revisited”

Rory speaks at a journalism panel. 

S07E21- “Unto the Breach”

Wear jeans/pants that “breathe” and bring a sweater, even if it’s scorching hot out, until you know which building blasts the AC to 60 degrees F and which feels like a sauna

Backpacks with thick straps are your friend!  Messenger bags are cool and all but if you’re commuting with a lot of stuff, symmetrically styled backpacks are better for your back

You are your own person and you can walk out whenever you need to or want to, so long as you’re not disrupting the class.  Meaning you can go to the bathroom without permission, take a breather if you’re anxious, answer an important phone call, etc.

If you don’t like the class on the first day, if you can- DROP THAT CLASS AND TAKE ANOTHER ONE!  It’ll only get worse from there!

If you can, take a class outside your major; it’s a good break from your expected studies.

You are in charge of your schedule.  Your adviser and guidance counselor is there to ‘advise and guide’ but if you don’t like certain classes and you can substitute for others, that’s your choice.

Consequently, if you are changing anything drastic in your plan, talk with your adviser and instructors.

Pay attention to your credit hours and grades.  Never leave this to the last week of school, you will be sorry and stressed beyond belief!

Unless it’s a lab book or otherwise specified, go to the class for a week or so before buying an expensive textbook.  Some classes, while having it on their required list, do not actually use the textbook a whole lot and you might find some of it scanned online.  Rent if you can or buy used online (schools actually don’t give discounts).  Use your best judgement on what you think you need.

Tell the people who go up to you selling or advertising things you are not interested in that you are in a rush to class and don’t have time to listen to them.  It’s less rude and they’ll leave you alone.

The smaller the class, the better it is to have some sort of acquaintanceship with a couple classmates.  They might save your ass if you are absent one day or need to study.  And talking with them makes the time go by faster without it being so insufferable.

You don’t need to join a club or sport, but internships are cool and useful!

If you can afford it, take a day off once or twice each semester if you’re too exhausted.  Just be aware of what you missed and if it was worth missing!

Your health is the most important, this goes for mental health too!!  Note: College-age/upper teens is when mental disorders like depression and anxiety are most commonly diagnosed.  Most schools have therapy services, especially during exam time.  Look into it if you need to!

Communicate with your professor if you are having trouble with something.  Anything.

Eat and stay hydrated.  Bring a water bottle and snack to class.

All-nighters will happen but never go over 36 hours without sleep.

It’s going to be hard and there will be times you might think about giving up.  This WILL happen.  You just have to make sure what you’re doing isn’t making you absolutely miserable and/or there is something rewarding and positive to look forward to at the end!

-Rodarte portrait Series: Women that inspire us