Please Me

Doesn’t mean I’m happy.

Doesn’t mean I’m “better”.

Doesn’t mean I’m actually smiling.

Doesn’t mean I’m comfortable around my family.

Doesn’t mean my mental health is back to 100.

Doesn’t mean I’m back to who I was used.

Doesn’t mean I’ve dropped all my bad habits.

Doesn’t mean my nights are peaceful.

Doesn’t mean my days are brighter.

Doesn’t mean my life is “back to the way it was”.

Doesn’t mean I’m okay.

Doesn’t mean I love myself now.

study like a hufflepuff: organize study groups, do your readings in your comfiest sweaters, write your own notes and study guides from the textbook, be unafraid of the hard work that studying takes

study like a ravenclaw: think critically when re-reading notes, quiz yourself while brushing your teeth, tackle the hardest practice problems, know that you have the skills to get it done

chemistry: neat, monochromatic notes, late night cups of tea, staying after class to ask the professor questions

mathematics: the sound of pencils scratching on paper, perfectionism at its peak, empty library halls with filtered light

physics: the buzz of excitement before the first lecture of the semester, messy handwriting on chalkboards, the relieved exhaustion after an exam is finished

psychology: flashcards and textbooks strewn across a desk, group study sessions with great music, reading scientific journals to learn more about what’s discussed in lecture

engineering: early morning study sessions with really good coffee, whispered jokes during lecture, putting homework off until the last minute but still managing to do okay

biology: notes full of color and highlights, spending hours watching videos on  KhanAcademy but not really getting any work done, great study snacks

neuroscience: whiteboards full of terms and labelled diagrams, messy hair and tired smiles, a to-do list five miles long

astronomy: late nights with windows thrown open, daydreaming in class, doodles in the margins of textbooks