dedicated to self improvement

For first generation and low income students who don’t have the funds to book a flight and ‘just go home’

For those to rely on work study to maintain themselves and even help their families

For LGBTQ+ students and those with unstable homes with no safe place to go home to

For the custodial workers and employees of schools who are working overtime

the same sentiment goes for you and the last ask i answered publicly and a few other asks i answered privately. college app and admission season is a rough and ugly thing, saturated with a lot of pressure, expectations, and judgement. it’s disheartening and uplifting and joyful and terrible and so many other things wrapped up into one.

however, acceptions and rejections from different institutions do not define who you are nor does it change or alter the very core of your being. you are still someone who is capable of many things, and college admissions ultimately come down to a lot of luck and chance, whether that be the person reading your application or the mood of the committee or the vast pool of other applicants throwing in their essays at multiple groups of people who will be fallible no matter how many times they tack on the word “holistic” on their college’s webpages.

hello friends!!! i made masterposts for almost all the stem subjects now, why not physics too? here you go [especially for @k-imeme]:

studying

how to study physics

tips to solving physics problems

tips to ace your physics exam!!

physics notes

using a calculator!!!!

science glossary

topics

motion

sound + waves

work, energy + power

heat + thermo

quantum phenomena

light + radiation

electricity, magnets + circuits

electricity + magnetism

mechanics

modern physics

optics

oscillations + waves

special subjects [space is here too]

thermodynamics

fun stuff yaaas

john travoltage [i love this idk why]

10 cool science websites

links + website resources

space + the universe masterpost B-)

minutephysics

physics on khanacademy

sparknotes physics

great physics website!!

institute of physics resources

stuff you may want to know

careers in physics

why study physics?

top 10 reasons why you should take physics

my masterposts

notes, studying, and self-study resources

self-study resources

supplies

igcse resources

improving your handwriting

how to studyblr

literature masterpost

organisation

aesthetically pleasing notes

annotating

studying a foreign language

really great apps

math

college + uni

motivation

biology

space!!!!

chemistry

+ more

Remember a few months ago when I was freaking out about my MUN conference? Well now. I. COME. PREPARED. GIRL IVE GOT MY FANCY VOCABULARY AND THOROUGH POSITION PAPER AND PRE-WRITTEN SPEECHES NOTHING CAN STOP ME NOW FROM WINNING THAT STUPID AWARD

*all thanks to @studys-more for answering all of my ridiculous questions. Props to her for being so awesome and kind, you should go check her out* *also that’s not mold or mildew on my mildliners COUGH COUGH I THINK COUGH, it’s just the sweat and grime of my hard work and pencil lead*

College application season is nearly upon us and I’m freaking out so here’s a masterpost with some of the most useful resources I’ve found! Hope it helps and good luck!!

BEFORE APPLYING

Narrowing Down Your College List

College Comparison and Application Checklist Templates

Tips for Narrowing Down Your College List by @gotocollegebutnevergrowup​

How Many Schools Should You Apply To? by @smallmitgirl

An Imperfect Guide on Organizing Your College Choices by @sxudy

Ten Tips on Making Applying to Schools a Little Easier by @pencyls

7 Tips for Narrowing Your College List

College/Uni Criteria by @studeam

Creating the Perfect College List by @collegeconsultancy

College Tours: What to Expect & What to Ask by @howtogrowthefuckup

Standardized Testing

No-Study SAT Tips by @study-just-becos

The New SAT by @isabel-studies

Free SAT Practice with KhanAcademy

Quick and Easy Tips for the ACT by @smallmitgirl

How to Get a 30+ on the ACT by @collegerefs

SAT & ACT Resources by @intellectys

Free Standardized Test Prep by @studeam

Free SAT & AP Prep Material by @raincoffeebooks

Surviving Senior Year and Some Other Things You Should Know

College Wordbank by @bashfullynerdy

Senior Year Timeline by @applicantmusings

Advice for Surviving Senior Year by @sleepbreathestudy

College Applications by @universi-tea

Applying to US Schools by @cognitia

College Admissions by @futurechristinayang

Advice on the Application Process by @academicsapphic

The College Process by @foughtforme

APPLYING

The Application 

The Anatomy of the College Application

A Step-by-Step Guide to Filling Out the Common App

What to Know about the Common App (Part 1) (Part 2) (Part 3)

Extracurricular Activities

What College Admission Officers Look for in Extracurricular Activities 

How to Write Your Common App Activities List

How to Master the Activities Section

How To: Extracurricular Activity List

Essays

Would You Admit You? by @genericappblrurl

How to Write a Bomb A@# Personal Statement by @joolshallie

College Essays by @sootudying

Writing the Common App Essay by @ccllege

Cliches to Avoid for Essays by @appblrgirl

How to Write a Strong College Essay by @dartmvthensis

9 Essay Writing Tips to ‘Wow’ College Admissions Officers

The College Entry Essay: Tips from Admissions Officers at Leading Schools

An Admissions Dean Offers Advice on Writing a College Essay

Free Resources from the College Essay Guy

Personal Statements: A How To by @kiastudys

How to Make Your Personal Statement Suck Less by @hstudies

College Essay Masterpost by @studyfandom

The Evolution of a Common App Essay by @basic-appblr

Letters of Recommendation

The Art of Obtaining a Stellar Letter of Recommendation

How to Ask for a Recommendation Letter by @howtogrowthefuckup

Letters of Recommendation by @cyberstudies

How to Ask For a Letter of Recommendation: Complete Guide

Teacher Recs by @etudiance

Asking for Letters of Recommendation by @post–grad

Interviews

How to Ace that College Interview by @dartmvthensis

College Interviews by @cyberstudies

15 Questions To Know For College Interviews by @solustudies

The 14 College Interview Questions You Must Prepare For

How To Navigate College Alumni Interviews: Introvert Edition (Part 1) and (Part 2) by @basic-appblr

How to Nail Your College Admissions Interview

How to Ace Your College Interview

Other Elements

How To Make a College Portfolio by @studioblrcollective

How to Make an Art Portfolio for College or University

15 Quick Tips for Preparing to Audition

Secrets to Nailing Your College Audition

AFTER APPLYING

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Scholarships by @intellectys

It’s Ya Girl’s College Scholarship Masterpost by @jesussbabymomma

Scholarships! by @the-regular-student

How to Search For Scholarships by @adamparresh

How to Find Some F@#%ing Money for College by @howtogrowthefuckup

How to Fill Out the FASFA by @collegerefs 

Scholarships: A Beginners Guide by @collegerefs 

How to Increase Your Chances of Securing a Scholarship by @acebeforebaes

OTHER COLLEGE APPLICATION MASTERPOSTS 

Common Application Masterpost by @lattesandtextbooks

College Application Websites Masterlist by @cyberstudies

A College Student’s Masterpost by @eruditekid

Journalling :-)

What I have: An ancient 18-inch immovable laptop covered in anime stickers and connected to gaming peripherals, a desk covered in pizza boxes and lipstick, Sharpies so I can write study notes on my arm with one hand while smoking with the other because I don’t seem to be able to keep paper in the house, and piles of empty Stacker 3 containers instead of coffee. Instead of an organizer, I have about 14 crumpled 7-11 receipts in my jacket pocket that have notes in various languages saying things like, “Do homework someday,” and “Get TP,” and “April 30 is Vicodin Pickup Day! Yay!” I just spent 4 months terrified that I’d get multi-page homework assignments because I didn’t have a fucking stapler.

(This is kinda for a pretty serious study session, so if you’re opting for a 45 minute study plan then this isn’t for you, sorry)

First things first, find a place to sit.

You may have already created a perfect study space for you, but sometimes it isn’t enough to get “into” the studying part.

Find a spot where you think you can spend some quality time for the day, and collect every possible thing that you might need to study.

Textbook first, followed by your class and handmade /digital notes + paper and pens and highlighters and midliners and whatever floats your goat tbh. Make sure you have all the content that you need to study with you.

Clear up your study space.

Get rid of everything that’s not going to be required. This includes all those other books on your desk, your planner (if you haven’t included anything about your study session in it) and anything that is taking up unnecessary space. Your study area needs to look as neat and motivating to you as possible.

Keep a tiny water bottle nearby, along with some nuts or maybe junk food. You know you won’t transform into the perfect student overnight, it’s okay to enjoy a bit.

Getting “into your element”

First of, determine your test’s portion. Sometimes the entire chapter isn’t included in the exam, only a part of it is. Know what part you’re supposed to study.

The textbook is your bible. My teachers always say that no matter how many reference books and notes I refer to, the best information I can get is using the textbooks. So open them (for real) and see for yourself.

Tick the topics you are going to cover in the textbook.

Start reading the textbook, and by reading I absolutely do not mean skimming through it and considering it done. You know it doesn’t work that way.

Underline stuff you find important with a pencil. You obviously can you highlighters as well, but what happens then is that whenever you refer back to your textbook it’s this big mess of neon and it will make reading difficult for you. Use a pencil, make boxes around subtopics, underline phrases, make doodles to explain stuff, go crazy. Studying can be fun if you want to have fun doing it.

This is what my textbook looked like after “actively reading” through my textbook.

Try watching this video for a better understanding on active reading : https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=578s&v=K4Tn4tv836A

Retain what you just learned

You may have heard of this method before, and trust me when I say it’s helpful af.

You just went through the textbook, now write down the main points on a blank sheet of paper. Only the main topic, subtopics and examples. Whatever you feel outlines the topic.

This is how my outline looks :

Try to condense the info down as much as possible, kinda like you’re making a cheat sheet.

Also, if possible do not loose this paper, because it will help rewiewing the chapter later on when you sit to revise.

Find out what you need to understand now

Chances are you have retained maximum information already, but hunt down the text for anything you do not understand clearly. Mark it for future references.

Use all studyblrs’ favourite Khanacademy and CrashCourse videos to clarify the topic. You can use a friend’s help, and in the end teachers are always ready to help out!

Mark this chapter as done in your study planner, if you do not have one I’d highly recommend making one as it is tremendously helpful. Mine looks like this :

There you go, you’ve accomplished something, so go ahead and reward yourself!

*pats you on the back* you did well my child… This potato is proud of you….

1. you ace tests by overlearning. you should know your notes/flashcards/definitions basically by heart. if someone asks you about a topic when you’re away from class or your notes and you can answer them in a thorough and and accurate answer, then you’re good, you know the material. 

2. if you don’t understand something, it will end up on the test. so just don’t disregard and hope that this specific topic won’t be on the test. give it more attention, help, and practice. find a packet of problems on that one concept and don’t stop until you finish it and know it the best. 

3. sometimes you just need that Parental Push. you know in elementary school, they would tell you “ok now it’s time for you to do your homework! you have a project coming up, start looking for a topic now!” ONE of your teachers might be like this. be thankful for it and follow their advice! these teachers are the best at always keeping you on track with their calendar. if not a teacher, then have one of your friends be that person that can keep you accountable for the things you promised you would do. 

4. you just need to kick your own ass. seriously. i know it sucks and its hard to study for two things at once. BUT. I DONT CARE IF IT’S HARD. you need to do it and at least do it to get it over with because you can’t keep putting things off. If you do, you will eventually run out of time and you will hate yourself. force yourself to do it. i made myself sign up for june ACT even though there’s finals because if i didn’t, i probably never would. like do i think i’m gonna be ready in one month? probably not, SO I BETTER GET ON IT AND START STUDYING! 

5. do homework even if it doesn’t count. if you actually try on it, then you will actually do so much better on the tests, it’s like magic.