Library Whore

2018 Digital Bullet Journal Planner

I decided to make a digital planner that combines traditional methods of planning with bullet journaling! This planner gives you the opportunity to use pre-made templates or completely design your own :-) This paper is sized A4 which means it could be printed if you didn’t want to use it digitally! It also includes 4 packs of digital stickers: icons, weekdays, months and 1-31/years. Pages are hyperlinked for easy navigation! It can be used on any PDF application/editor such as GoodNotes, Notability, etc.

Download link here! :-)

ig: @the.space.cadets  ｡:+.

23 january 2018

not the prettiest but here are some of the econ notes & examples i’m rewriting; getting on that resolution to make my notes easier to study off of and more legible

+ one of my favorite candles which happened to match the colors i was going for this unit ✨

1. If you approach writing as a mystical event where you sit down at a blank page and expect to be visited by divine inspiration, you’re fucked. Writing is not a talent, it is a skill. It is a muscle. If you don’t use it, it dies.

2. Be comfortable with writing absolute garbage. Get all your thoughts down: write shit. Then edit; devote 50% of your time or more to editing. This is when you write your thesis. This is when you decide where paragraphs are.

3. Know how to use a comma. If you use more than two in a sentence, it’s too many. You’re doing something wrong. In American writing, beauty is not in the length and complexity of a sentence. Beauty is in short sentences, with a variety of structures.

4. If you can cut a word, cut it. Ask yourself, do I really need all these words? Keep only what is necessary, leave room for the important stuff.

5. Avoid canned expressions. The phrase ‘a needle in a haystack’ was effective the first time it was used in an essay – it no longer is. It would be better to write the most boring sentence than to write a cliche metaphor that serves no purpose.

6. When you use the word “which” you should probably be using the word “that.” If you don’t know, assume it should be “that.”

7. Avoid obscure vocabulary or jargon. Obscure vocabulary displays nothing about your intelligence or academic success.

Finally, you have the time and motivation to sit down and crank out some work, but then distractions set in and threaten to derail your progress. Here are some ideas and tips to help you not give in. 

Don’t be a slave to your phone!

Turn off all notifications, and put your phone in “do not disturb” mode.

Resist the urge to check your phone by leaving it in another room or by turning it off entirely.

Install an app that incentivizes staying away from your phone, like Forest.

Make a point to finish up all your correspondence (reply to texts, emails, etc) before sitting down to work.

Don’t get lost in social media!

Before starting work, take a moment (really just a moment) to check your notifications.

Remember that it will be waiting for you when you’re done with work.

Your friends aren’t going anywhere.

Block troublesome websites! I use an app called SelfControl that is pretty fantastic and indestructible. 

Make yourself a dedicated student account on your computer just for work with blocked websites, no distracting apps, etc.

TAKE SHORT, FREQUENT BREAKS!

I cannot emphasize this enough. You need the strength to recharge yourself and maintain that self control.

Get a snack, have a stretch, check your phone if you feel you can keep it to a limited amount of time, watch a study vlog (I like @delthenerd ‘s)

Live a balanced lifestyle!

Don’t overwork yourself. Hear me out: perhaps you are so eager to stay connected via social media because you aren’t seeing your friends enough irl. Make a point to set aside time for socialization.

Giving into distractions is easier when you are deprived. So, let yourself enjoy social media, streaming TV shows, and just hanging out in moderation in your down time.

hey everyone! optomstudies here with a unique post about studying myths that I’ve discovered! 

Myth: people are intrinsically visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic learners!

Fact: There is no scientific evidence to show that you are stuck learning only one way! It’s true that visual information comprises 90% of all the information we take in but it doesn’t mean that you are trapped studying only in one style. 

My special tip: Engage in multi-modal learning, read your notes aloud when revising, but only the most important bits. One study showed that those who read half a list aloud remembered 15% more words, but reading the whole list aloud didn’t make much of a difference. I find that reading formulas aloud both in their symbolic forms and also in terms of their meanings e.g. F=ma and force = mass times acceleration. 

Myth: It is better to have one set study space to study in.

Fact: Studies have actually shown that it is more productive to vary your study space and improve retention (reviewing vocabulary in two locations improved retention by 20% compared to one), however keep in mind that studies have also shown that productivity does improve when your desks are able to be personalised! 

My special tip: Have 2-3 go-to study spaces and cycle through them. They don’t all have to have your favourite desk calendar, but there should be one aspect that is personalised! I’ve found that personalising your Google account and syncing your Chrome theme at your faculty computer lab + having one preferential computer which is optimally located between air conditioners helps me to feel comfortable studying in a particular place. 

Myth: Rewriting notes is useless and doesn’t help you remember.

Fact: Although copying your notes is ineffective and inefficient, changing notes into a different format, in a way that condenses and interlinks information blocks is effective. Writing notes in your own words has been shown to be an effective study method and is way better than just regurgitating the textbook or a lecturer’s words. 

My special tip: Try using mind maps see my study tips for effective mind maps here  as a way to summarise and to understand the relationships between different topics and components of the topic you are studying. They have been shown to be 10-15% more effective at learning and memory than conventional note-taking and studying techniques. The combination of words and pictures is 6x more effective for memory than words alone (source). It helps you to understand information at a deeper more intuitive level and reflects your mind’s natural thinking patterns. 

Myth: “I’m just not a natural at STEM subjects, I’m just naturally better at liberal arts/languages”

Fact: Just because you try something and it feels “hard” and someone else just seems to “get it” or do “better” doesn’t mean anything. No one is a “natural”, no one is “born” being good at calculus or any other high school and university level subject. And honestly that sort of thinking is really disrespectful to people who get good grades in every subject by sheer determination and diligence. 

You are not limited to one set of subjects to be bad at in much the same way that people are not limited to having one type of subject that they are good at. Think about something that you’re good at - maybe you’re a piano player? An artist? A sport? Were you blessed from birth to create masterpieces and win competitions? No, you practiced and tried different techniques and worked at it. Studies are the same way, and don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re not good at a subject and are doomed to be bad at it!

3/30 – Quote of the Week

back to school is upon us! here is a masterpost to help put your best foot forward this year!

+ Y O U T U B E +

@studyign‘s channel 

@nehrdist‘s channel 

@studywithjessofficial‘s channel 

thomas frank’s channel (!!!)

reese regan’s school survival guide playlist

brooke miccio’s channel

@darlingrachel‘s channel

siena mirabella’s bts vids

jill cimorelli’s bts vids (the bts video queen tbh)

nicoletta’s bts videos (x) (x) 

my fav school-related videos

alisha marie’s back to school playlist

10 of the best youtube education channels by studying-enem

+ H E A L T H / S L E E P / F O O D +

sleepyti.me

put in when you’re going to sleep or when you have to wake up 

it’ll tell you when to fall asleep / wake up so your sleep cycles aren’t interrupted (therefore you don’t feel groggy and tired)

why you should set aside a day every week NOT to study

feed your brain : 15 foods to ease your study life + tips, recipes, & more

waking up early + feeling refreshed

11 little self care tips for students by @theorganisedstudent

tips of a good night’s sleep by @northseastudies

getting better sleep by @noteology

taking breaks by @noteology

energy by @noteology

study snacks by @studyblrjess

3 quick and easy healthy school breakfast ideas by studywithjess

hydration by @studytildawn

getting a good night’s sleep by highschoolering

how to eat healthy on a student budget by @studymyth

healthy eating masterpost by @c-athyna

+ S T A T I O N E R Y / S U P P L Y  E S S E N T I A L S  +

emergency kit for school by @the-triple-sss

ultimate school locker kit by @girl-studying

school supply masterpost by @hermionegoals

top 10 non-stationery school supplies by @pencyls

school supplies!!! by @areistotle

+ P R O D U C T I V I T Y  /  M O T I V A T I O N / P R O C R A S T I N A T I O N / O R G A N I Z A T I O N +

how to make a study schedule

example of a study plan by @studying-hbu

tips for a more productive study session by @llenyataire

setting s.m.a.r.t goals by @noteology

defeating procrastination by noteology

how to stay motivated by @nehrdist

how to have a productive day by nehridst

10 life hacks for getting motivated by studywithjess

guide to motivation by @prettylittlestudies

how to be more organized by @studywithclover 

how to develop self-discipline by @tbhstudying

guide to morning routines by @gaystudies

make the most of your day by @hermionegoals

manage your time wisely by @enginehrd​

how to stop procrastinating by @educatier

how to keep your backpack tidy by @tbhstudying

tips for managing your study time by @hannah-the-sassy

+ S H Y N E S S / M A K I N G  F R I E N D S +

how to group work by @studiyng

how to make friends by educatier

how to speak up and stand out in class

how to make new friends ​

how to have confidence for back to school

+ N O T E - TA K I N G  /  S T U D Y  M E T H O D S + 

handwritten note-taking methods by @the-prudent-student

upgrade your notes by @studylou

easy ways to make pretty notes by studying

how to study in places you’re not supposed to by @mildstudies

top 10 study tips by @simple-study

random study strategies by @grestudies

how I study by @sweetlystudy

the note method (tips and how I take notes) by @ultrastudies

symbols and abbreviations for note taking

uh oh! i ruined my notes (a quick fix guide) by @gaystudies

a complete guide to studying well by @scholarlysquad

+ D I Y / I N E X P E N S I V E +

stationery under $6 by @studyign

back to school diys by @noarasseo

wallet friendly notebooks by @jinstudies

diy notebook tutorial by @thecollegekid

diy school supplies part 1 ; part 2 by @gracelearns

diy notebook covers by @muchelleb

diy notebooks by @study-nsp

diy journals by @kimberlystudies

diy masterpost by @studiyng

diy school book covers by @pinestudy

muji

jetpens.com

coolpencilcase.com

+ P R I N T A B L E S +

theorganisedstudent (queen of printables tbh)

class information by @studyquill

printables by @cmpsbls

daily printables by @cofene

weekly printable by @lazyhermione

my printables tag

printables masterpost by @studying

printables by @thearialligraphyproject

@celestudial

to do list printables

daily planners

weekly planners

to do list printables by @studeying

free printables from day designer shop by studyquill

study printables pack by @marialearns

the back to school emergency kit by @educatier​

+ L A N G U A G E S +

tips to learn a new language by @darasteine

how to learn foreign languages by russchoolgirl

how i learn languages by @mickybyrd

language learning tips by @busymarina

how to learn a new language by @studiyng

language learning masterpost by @z-co

+ O T H E R  B A C K  T O  S C H O O L  P O S T S +

how to get prepared for the new school year by @sofxstudies

preparing for back to school by @howtomusicmajor

preparing for the “big change:” getting ready for college by @studiousgab

how to: prepare for the first day of school 

50 things to know for back to school by @schoolhouserockk

my other posts

how to (effectively) use highlighters

(ap) biology note-taking

what is revising? revision explained + methods and tips

tips for bouncing back after a long break

ap euro (or any history) note taking tips

how to slay the new semester

how to focus : tips on improving your focus

ap euro masterpost (again)

ap euro crunch time

my study routine

what i learned from ap euro

eliminating procrastination and distraction during a study session

my original posts tag

connect with me!!!

instagram : @simply.study

Hey, blossoms! There are times when we get ill, which is perfectly natural. To be honest, I am currently sick, so this is kind of a refined version of my thoughts from a few days ago. I was worried about missing school, and I thought that some ideas I have could help you!

self-care 

 The most important thing to do when you’re sick is to take care of yourself and get better. This may mean putting your studies aside, but health always comes first. Here’s some tips:

- Certain types of tea, like chamomile and ones with lemon, can soothe sore throats.

- (Side note: I’ve heard that marshmallows are also able to help sore throats because of the gelatin they contain, but that may not be true and I don’t have a credible source for it.) 

- Make sure you drink lots of fluids, like juice, milk, and most importantly, water! One of my personal faves is Tang, which is this orange powder that you dissolve in water. It used to be really big in America a while ago but I don’t know widespread it is elsewhere. 

- Try to shower regularly if you’re congested because the steam will clear out your sinuses. 

 - If you can’t shower regularly, nasal rinses will work just fine too! You can get a  system for that at your local pharmacy. (There’s also this thing you can do where you fill a sink with hot water, put a towel over it, and stick your head underneath the towel. This allows the steam to build up, which means you can decongest a little.)

- Medicate regularly!! Check the directions on whatever type of medication you’re taking to see when it wears off and set a timer so you can stay on top of it. This will help your recovery process along a bit faster. However, DO NOT ABUSE MEDICATION. Take only as much as is prescribed because taking too much can actually be worse for your health. 

- If you’re on antibiotics, make sure to eat well because antibiotics are designed to take out all types of bacteria within the body, even the good ones in your digestive system. (I’d personally recommend eating foods with fiber and protein and staying away from dairy if you can. That’s just my personal experience! It may be different for other people.)

- Get some rest!! You may want to catch up on your studies but you’ll be able to catch up quicker and understand material better if you’re well rested. 

catching up 

So, you’re feeling alright and ready to begin making up work. Where do you begin? 

- Here’s some posts on catching up after being away for a while (note some of these are travel based, but there’s still some good information in there) 

- Email your teachers! Text your classmates! Ask for notes, for homework, and for additional help if you’re unclear about what’s going on. 

- If you’re feeling well enough, you could run in to your classes in order to get the homework and briefly conference with your teachers, but it’s always best to make sure you’re not contagious or feeling poorly before doing so. Email is pretty much just as effective. 

- Start small. Trying to catch up on all your work in one day is never good. Try to do the work for maybe one class, and if you’re feeling well enough, do another.

- Do what’s most important first. If you’re in a group project and they’re waiting for your input on a presentation or something else, get that in ASAP. Don’t affect the grades of others with your illness.

returning to class 

As you return to your usual schedule, here are some things to note:

 - Before going back to class, ensure you’re in a good place mentally and physically. For example, if you’re still running a fever or you still feel very ill, take some more time and wait. 

- Make sure your study space is functional so that you can begin to return back to your normal schedule. The desk reflects the mind. 

- Keep up on your fluids! If you’re still a little under the weather or you haven’t finished that course of antibiotics, keep taking those meds! 

- Don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t understand something. Being gone is hard. Ask for help and self-advocate.

- If you’re on a sports team or doing some other strenuous activity, it’s okay to take a couple more days away from that to let your body recover completely. 

- The most important thing is to take it easy, even after you’re well enough to come back to class. If you overwork yourself while still recovering, that can lead to backslide, so please be careful!!

I hope this will be useful, darlings!! Take care of yourselves and remember that so many people are rooting for you to do well, including me :]

All the love,

elle (@etudesthetics)