alex's studyblr

I want to help

CHEMISTRY

- THIS - website will balance your chemistry equations and tell you what reaction type occurred - GREAT for homework!

ALGEBRA

Use this comprehensive list to reference common compounds and ions conveniently.  I made this especially to give a lump sum of practice problems for drawing Lewis Structures.  Suggestions and comments appreciated, thanks!

Textbook websites

List of websites where you can find free ebooks, specified by subject.

Slugbooks.com (to compare textbook prices)

Thriftbooks.com  

Bigwords.com (price comparison)

Chegg.com

Abebooks.com (offers textbook editions, like unbound ones, that are cheaper than retailers)

directtextbooks.com

studentbooktrades.com

Bookrenter.com (shipping is free, as well as the shipping back to the warehouse)

gutenberg.org (free e-books)

campusbooks.com

textbooks.com

Allbookstores.com (searching shows the lowest price for a book)

textbookrecycling.com

bookscouter.com (find the highest buy back site for a book)

ecampus.com

bookbyte.com

bookdepository.com (Good for English majors, discounted books shipped around the world)

gen.lib.rus.ec (free digital copies of books)

HERE is a huge list of textbook PDFs.

Textbook tips

ALWAYS check to see if textbook websites have online coupons. Check outside websites like RetailMeNot.com but also sign up for their email listing. They often send you a coupon for just signing up and will continually send you other coupon deals.

Amazon has good deals on books sometimes and they offer college students temporary free membership. Here’s a link explaining some of the details.

Amazon and other retailers, like Barnes and Noble also offer textbook rental. You get the book for a certain amount of time (30 days, 60 days, 90 days, etc., then mail it back to them.) Much cheaper than buying.

Some professors put textbooks on reserve in the library so you can check them out for an hour or two instead of actually buying them.

If your class textbooks are at the library and you need them for longer than allowed, you can always photocopy them.

Look for Facebook pages/groups with your school name and year, people are always posting online to get rid of their textbooks.

If your books are older/literature type books they are often available as e-books for free or easy to find at used bookstore or thrift stores.

Ask your professor after hours if you can borrow and make copies of the class textbook.

Many colleges use the Link+ library sharing program or something similar. If the textbook you need isn’t offered in the library, another school within the program can deliver the book for free. Ask you school’s librarians about it.

If you have a class that requires a “reader,” which is just a bunch of articles, you can usually find them at the school library or online.

Keep your textbooks in the best condition possible, so they sell for higher when you no longer need them.

If you can access your class list and the emails of your classmates early, ask if anyone would like to share a textbook. Split the price and share it or just ask to copy the chapters needed.

General tips

If you get financial aid, set it up to deposit into your own checking account because FAFSA ATMs are frustrating.

Check out the dollar stores for some college supplies. They have pens, notebooks, planners, etc.

Find upperclassmen who are moving out of their dorms/apartments, they often sell/give away items they are no longer going to be using.

Find out if your department offers free printing to undergrads. If yours doesn’t, find a friend whose department does.

Pretty much every school offers a MS Office license to students for free. It may not be well advertised but make sure to find out before paying for the programs on your own.

Bulk supply stores are usually cheaper.

Use your phone’s planner and alerts for assignments.

If you need energy boosts, it’s definitely cheaper to brew your own coffee and tea, then use a travel mug. But if you need to go to places like Starbucks, sign up for the Starbucks card so you can get free refills on certain items and get discounts for members only.

Find out what free courses your school offers and go to them instead of paying for a tutor.

At many universities there are conferences and talks almost daily, which often offer free lunches and dinners.

Some colleges offer free cab services so make sure to look into that.

Most school health care places give out free condoms and they are often given out at events too.

Besides math, older editions of textbooks are usually just fine and much cheaper.

Thrift stores are great if you need items for your dorm or apartment, they have appliances and offer testing areas in a section of the store.

Specific to Seattle: There’s a place called Seattle ReCreative and you can get school supplies for extremely cheap.

Check when stores offer back to school sales and get supplies then for cheaper than usual.

Get your syllabus as soon as possible so you can photocopy all the needed pages in textbooks.

Look for websites that offer similar information in the textbook, sometimes it’s explained better online, gives examples, or just generally better worded.

Buy school supplies during tax-free weekend.

Apply for as many local scholarships as possible and do it every year in college, not just freshman year.

Ask absolutely every place you go if they offer student discounts. Many places don’t advertise this, but will offer some kind of discount if you show your student ID.

Find out if your school has assistance options for lower income students.

HERE is a list of food budget tips, recipes, and websites to help.

Some classes have extra fees for whatever reason, for example they will charge more if certain equipment will be used. If it’s not a course you need, sometimes it’s better to find cheaper elective classes.

Consider community college to save money, and then transfer to a 4 year school. Or attend community college classes during the summer but make sure to always check if the credits transfer.

If you need to use a credit card, try to get on with cash back rewards. Also check which banks offer perks for students, like free checking or a no-free policy for low minimum balances.

Check out your college newspaper and signs around campus. You will often find information about free events or find coupons with discounts on near by businesses.

School supplies that don’t sell at stores like Walmart and Target are extremely discounted during the last week of August.

I knooow some of you will think: “but autumns hasn’t even started yet!” well meteorologically it has so here are my autumn study vibes (idea stolen from @post–grad x) hehe)

﹣ MUSIC / SOUNDS﹣

artists

the neighbourhood 

harry styles

birdy

spotify playlists

virginia is for lovers (you’ll love this if you like the raven cycle)

autumn sounds 

the perks of being a wallflower

my autumn playlist

youtube

autumn lo-fi

for rainy days

fireplace

ambient mixer

harry potter sounds (common rooms, library, etc.)

autumn walk

the perfect storm

﹣ MOOD / AESTHETIC﹣

candles!!

fairy lights

go and collect some leaves

decorate your notes with autumn things

coffee / tea

wear a biiig sweater when you study

let harry potter play in the background

buzzfeed unsolved will get you in the ∼spooky∼ mood

﹣ STUDY SNACKS﹣

apples

porridge / french toast with cinnamon

apple pie

cinnamon bun

pumpkin spice latte

﹣SOME TIPS﹣

if you rlly don’t want to study curl up in your bed and read at least some notes / in your textbook

go for a walk while listening to recorded notes & enjoy autumn

keep yourself warm!! If i’m cold I espacially don’t want to get up and start studying

dedicate an page for autumn in your bujo

→ "what are your favourite fonts?” is a question i get very often, so here is a selection of script, decorative, sans serif & serif fonts i like to use! —t.k.

how i study: mathematics [click for higher res.] —t.k

Some back to school printable packs I’ve uploaded to my Etsy Shop!

Student Academic Planner Printable Pack

27 pages, in A4, instant download

2017-2018 academic year planner

perfect for college and high school students; keeps you motivated and organised throughout the year

pages include: year at a glance, key dates, semester overview, daily/weekly/monthly planners, finance trackers, etc.

Back to School Organiser Printable Pack

15 pages, in A4, instant download

2017-2018 academic year planner

helps to organise you before and during the school/college semester

pages include: individual course syllabus summary, subject guide, timetable, supplies organiser, back to school/college task list, study and assessment tracker, etc.

Ultimate Study and Revision Printable Pack

10 pages, in A4, instant download

usable for a massive variety of subjects; helps to improve study session effectiveness and project organising

pages include: revision checklist, project + essay planner, definitions/formulas/equations sheets, weekly/monthly planner, exam checklist, etc.

Hi there! My name’s Morgan and this intro post is long overdue! I’ve been lurking around the studyblr community and admiring from afar for almost a year now, but I’ve never truly been active on this blog. Since I’m starting college in a week, I thought now would be as good a time as any to restart and formally introduce myself!

About Me

I’m 18

I’ll be studying in NYC!

I’m Chinese American (and trying really hard to learn Mandarin…would love to try and chat in the language with anyone who’s willing!)

I’m undecided for now, but I like English/writing/media

Sagittarius, Hufflepuff, INTP

Interests

Music! (and making playlists hmu if you want one!)

Brooklyn 99, Parks and Rec, Rick and Morty, BoJack Horseman, Adventure Time, etc.

All things green

Rock climbing and sometimes soccer

Dogs! Cats! Elephants!

A Few Inspirational Studyblrs!

@espressosandexams @jessstudies @letciastudies @spacenstudies @lemonyellowstudies @maddistudies @studi-bee @wallflcwer-studies @meitianzhongwen @designstudy @study-ren @academicsapphic @universi-tea @studyingwithalba @brostudies @muzikgurl3 @starcrossedstudying @procrastudiin @getshitdonetbh @studypunked @writtenrain @optomstudies @educatier @gaystudies @emmastudies @studyinpeach @celandinestudies @studypetals @apollo-studies @studyplants

there’s many more that i haven’t tagged but i love them just as much i promise  !!

i am jumping in happiness when my last bullet journal prompts got idk 60+ notes??? aha im making a study masterpost because youre all a cutie !! <3 sorry it’s a bit short bc im in a rush rn. good day babies (ू•ᴗ•ू❁)

college note taking 101 by briellestudies

make your notes pretty af !!  by elkstudies

best notebooks  by second-year-studying

ashley’s tips by studyconfident

hermione’s “taking notes from a textbook” video by studyign aka the lifesaver

note taking masterpost  by elkstudies

note taking tips for lectures  by becoming-a-lawyer

strategies and skills by kimberlystudies

hints.. wink wink by lifeatmsmu

taking effective notes by hiccop

the cornell note taking method by brainyandbored

how to take great notes video 

take the best creative notes video

reese regan style video

Applying & Freshman Year

Picking the right school infographic

Getting letters of recommendation 

Tips on choosing a major

Choosing the right college

A guide to move-in day

Surviving your first day of classes

Choosing a major

Things you need to know before starting college

Senior checklist

What you need to know about admissions

Things to consider when choosing a major

What to expect at orientation

Tips for transfer students

What I learned my freshman year

Tips on choosing classes

Finding the best laptop

The truth about being undeclared

What NOT to do freshman year

Things to do the summer before you start

Writing a great application essay

Different types of colleges

Why your major matters

Pros and cons of taking summer courses

Pros and cons of attending a small college

How to be successful in community college

Freshman tips for the self-conscious

College prep timeline

Visiting colleges

Scheduling your classes

Why you should apply early

First week checklist

Things to do before you graduate high school

How to efficiently choose your classes

What colleges look at most on applications

Self-Care 

How to be a morning person

Dealing with anxiety

Organizing your assignments

How to deal with burnout

Dealing with depression

Losing weight in college

Avoiding the freshman 15

More on dealing with anxiety

Practicing self-care

Overcoming shyness

ADHD & college

How to have “me time” 

Taking care of your mental health

Remedies for homesickness

A healthy grocery list

Helpful exercise tips

Eating healthy in restaurants and the dining hall

Dealing with mental illness in college

Curing test anxiety

Managing mental health

Staying healthy

Getting through college when you don’t party

How to nap effectively

In Your Classes 

How to master your toughest classes

How to raise your GPA

Handling a heavy course load

Preparing for new classes

Can I afford to skip class today? 

Things to do in between classes

Things to do when starting new classes

Planning for a busy week

Passing an online class

Acing group projects

Why you’re not making the grades you want

Good note-taking tips

How to prepare for next semester

What to do if you’re failing 

How to bounce back from failing a class

Ways to raise your grades

GPA calculator

Things to do during syllabus week

Making the most out of your syllabus

Mistakes to avoid in your classes

Note-taking in class

Cornell method of note-taking

How to remember what you wrote in class

How to correctly use a syllabus

MLA format

Weekly assignment printables

Studying & Essays

Why studying in advance helps improve grades

Gigantic study playlist

Anti-procrastination strategies

How to properly use Google for essays

Really cool motivation strategy for reading textbooks

Shortening/lengthening essays cheat sheet

Make an essay appear longer than it is

Ultimate guide to passing finals

Useful tips for all types of learners

How to write a great essay about anything

Make a study guide with Microsoft Word

Tools for writing an essay

How to write papers that will dazzle your professors

How to tackle a long-term school project

Writing thesis statements

What to do if you’re a few words short on an essay

How to make a paper look longer

Procrastination 101

The formula for writing long papers

How to write with clarity cheat sheet

Preparing for exams

Writing a research question

How to be study savvy

How to take notes from a textbook

Make a study schedule with Microsoft Excel

Helpful highlighting system

How to annotate text

Research terms defined

How to study effectively infographic

Forming good study habits

What to do if you don’t have enough time to finish a paper

How to prepare for a test

Really helpful website to work with on essays

How to memorize flashcards

Organizing classwork and notes

What I wish I knew before taking online classes

Study tips for different types of learners

Making a study guide with Microsoft Word

Make a finals study plan

Ways to start and end an essay

Pandora study stations

Automatic bibliography generator

Finances

Questions about buying textbooks

Guide to cheaply buying textbooks

A girl’s guide to saving money

Free college textbooks

Tips for managing your finances

Basic guide to couponing

Paying for college beyond the basics

Student discounts, pt. 1

Student discounts, pt. 2

Student discounts, pt. 3

Student discounts, pt. 4

Student discounts, pt. 5

Student discounts, pt. 6

Student discounts, pt. 7

Compare/buy/sell college textbooks

Websites for financial aid you should use

Ways to save money on expenses

The financial aid roadmap

Questions to ask about student loans

Financial advice from a grad student

Apps for budget-setting

Clothing stores with student discounts

How to make money in college

Student loan mistakes

How to attend college for free

Side jobs for students

Free school supplies

Easy ways to save money

Dorm room discounts

Free college textbooks

How to live on a budget

Finance tips

Printable financial planner

Expense tracker printable

Monthly budget printable

Tips to lower your grocery bill

Planning out your college finances

Things to know when completing the FAFSA

Miscellaneous 

Backpack essentials

Tons of printables

Free binder spine labels

Staying safe

Life hacks for college students

Living with a roommate

Great time management system

Surviving your first party

College dating: expectations vs. reality

Packing list for a library study binge

Why you should try new things in college

Sample roommate contract

Surviving your first cold winter

Tips to navigate dating

Hard lessons you learn

Healthy dorm room snacks

How to own your hookups

The do’s and don’ts of talking to your professors

Time management tips

Juggling work and college

How to e-mail your professors

College care package items and must-haves

Apps for organization

What to do when life challenges threaten your academic success

Lily Pulitzer binder covers

Popular planners to use

College clubs that look great on a resume

Truths about sex in college

Class assignments template

Things to know before applying to grad school

How to stay organized throughout the year

Habits of highly successful students

Weekly meal prep

My favorite Dollar Tree organizing products

Ultimate organization guide

i’ve hit 600+ followers omg!!!! i started this blog in july 2017 and my experiences with the studyblr community since then have been nothing short of amazing!! you guys are super sweet too and it makes me v happy 💕

so in celebration of this achievement of mine, i’m doing blog rates!! it’s my first time doing something like this so pls bear with me if i mess up ;-; 

i’ll be tagging all the blog rates with #wug600 so feel free to blacklist that tag if you don’t wanna see all these!

rules:

you have to be following me~

you have to be running a studyblr or langblr

you have to reblog this post! likes will only count as bookmarks~

to enter, reblog this post and send me an ask with the following:

one song recommendation (any genre is ok!)

anything else that you want!! - how your day went, terrible teachers, your hobby, your crush, etc

include a 🐦 in your ask too so i know it’s for the blog rate!!

if your studyblr/langblr is a side blog, do include the url of your studyblr/langblr somewhere in your ask so i know where to look!!

example of an ask you can send:

“🐦 // hello and congrats on 600!! i’d like to recommend ‘(song title)’ by ‘(singer/group)’!! i had a v nice day today at school and everything was fine ^^”

i’ll rate your blog according to the following format:

icon: default // nice!! // v cute!! // wowowow amazinggg!!!! // can i steal your icon pls omgomgomgomg

desktop theme: default // nice!! // v cute!! // wowowow it’s amazinggg!!!!! // THEME GOALS YOoOoO

original content: couldn’t find any :c // nice!! // v cute!! // wowowow amazinggg!!!!! // TEACH ME YOUR WAYS OMG

song recommendation: i’ll give you some nice feedback about your recommendation!!

and that’s it!! do note that this is only open till 1 Sep 2017!! i’ll rate all the blogs that enter before then~