study study study

spending my summer planning + journalling ✨  ps how cute are those little exo pins??? ig: studylustre

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All little kids are actors. All little kids are story tellers. All little kids are musicians. All little kids are creative, are artists.

being told exactly what to do every single day for 12 years genuinely results in different brain chemistry because it creates the same kind of fear that occurs in people like me with ptsd. over time, having others control every aspect of your life results in ptsd. we see it in prisoners and we’re seeing it in students now. our school system requires a lot of rigidity, so the only relief a child may have is music or art class and those two seemingly useless classes can make a world of difference.

I know at least one person who has lost all motivation now that summer has begun. There’s something about not being in a regular, structured environment full of like-minded peers that just kinda brings people down, you know? However, you don’t have to succumb to feeling gross now that summer is here. Here are five tips that can be completed in five minutes to make life feel a little better.

Wash your face.

It doesn’t have to even be a full wash. In summer, sometimes a facial wipe-down with a damp cloth can do wonders. It’s cool, it’s refreshing, and it can help energize you to do whatever you wanna get done.

Put away three items.

Right now, look to your right and put away the first three items you see that are out of place. You can keep going if you want. It’s not required, though! Just three seems to be enough for me to feel useful but not put-upon. Plus, now your living space is three items tidier, which is good for morale.

Light a candle and watch it flicker.

Meditation is boring. That’s fair. However, watching a candle burn is similar, in that it allows your mind to empty out and focus on nothing. I could watch a fire burn for ages, lost in my thoughts. Plus, most candles smell nice. Bonus!

Change clothes.

If you’re in a summer funk, I’d bet money you’re wearing at least one article of clothing that you’ve been living in for about a day too long. Go change, now. I feel the most human on days where I dress nice and wear my fancy linen cardigan. You probably have a similar outfit. Go wear it.

Drink a glass of water.

I have once again lost my good water bottle, so I have a new one coming in the mail. Until then, and for the past few weeks, I will be and have been dehydrated. Dehydration can mess with your head in a bunch of ways, none of them good. My willpower decreases, I get lazier, and I don’t sleep as well. So drink a glass of water for me and maybe we’ll both feel better.

Hey babes! As requested, here’s a roundup of my favorite study tips that I’ve picked up over the years. Happy studying!

studying for exams

Create a study group and meet regularly (not just before exams!)

“Teach” the material to someone – your pet works well!

Keep a list in the front of your notebook/binder of topics or points that seem important enough to be on the exam, that confuse you, or that you’re interested in so you can go back and study them.

Study a little over a long period when you can, instead of cramming for an entire exam in one night.

Create a “cheat sheet” of important information for studying on the go.

Try the Pomodoro method to keep from getting burnt out.

Try creating a timetable for studying so you don’t spend too long on a certain subject and run out of time for the others.

Knock out your least favorite subject first, so you can have the rest of the day to work on more enjoyable subjects and relax. 

Create a study guide for the class using Google Docs that you can all contribute to.

If you’re unclear about something, Google it. There’s more than likely a video that can explain it more clearly than your textbook.

Keep a running list of questions to ask during office hours, & actually go!

Study in a public place (the library, a coffee shop) so that you’re less likely to get distracted watching cat videos knowing people can see what you’re doing. 

Get plenty of rest the night before an exam! Cramming is not worth it.

homework tips

Write everything down, even if you think you’ll remember it.

Keep a planner and check it first thing in the morning.

Do the work for your least favorite class first so that it’s out of the way.

Start early. Way earlier than you have to. That way you have time for delays, to start over if you have to, or to take a night off to go to a party. 

If it’s something quick, like a worksheet, do it as soon as it’s assigned.

If you have a long break between classes, use it to work on small assignments that you can get out of the way.

For big projects, like papers and presentations, break it up into smaller pieces. “Write thesis” is a lot less daunting than “write 8 page paper”.

Do homework before you study, so you’ll know what you’re confused about and need to pay more attention to. 

If there’s an option to buy an ebook rather than a physical copy of the textbook, do it. Not only is it usually cheaper, but it frees up space in your bag and you can search for specific terms easily.

If you have a lot of work to catch up on, set aside a block of time to knock it all out at once (with breaks, of course).

If all the homework for a class is due at the end of the semester, give yourself due dates for the individual assignments so you don’t put it off and have to do it all at once. 

Install a site blocker so you don’t get distracted from your work.

If you have an online class, schedule a regular time to work on it as if it were a traditional class.  

Don’t just Google your way through the homework! It may save time now, but it’ll only make things harder when it’s time for exams.

even more tips!!

More Study Tips

Time Management

Intensive Revision (Cramming)

Public Speaking

Writing Papers Quickly

Study Habits