STUDYBLR

december the 3rd:

a REALLY HARD linguistics test:

november 11, 2018 - stay comfy

this past week was less stressful than last week, and i’m very grateful! despite the poor air quality from the recent fire that happened over here, i’m trying my best to stay positive. also, i finally got new noise-cancelling headphones to replace the ones that i lost last week, and everything sounds so clear and beautiful again! the weather is getting a bit cooler too, which means more soft blankets and cozy vibes~

featuring my most recent spread with ena and chikuwa from “yuru camp” to keep me company! 10/10 would recommend and watch again. it’s so calming and wholesome! :’)

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181008 | another pic of week 2, it’s now week 4!

wednesday, 28 march — late study session with a hot chocolate

Hi there! I’ll list a bit of a step-by-guide for what I tend to do:

Firstly, it is important to make the distinction between what you’re studying for. As in are you studying for your finals, an in-class assessment or just a topic quiz in your next class? Obviously, bigger exams require a lot more studying and generally over a longer period of time whereas a topic quiz might just be some quick revision over a couple of days. Understanding the format of your upcoming exam or test can be important for knowing how to study!

Figure out what you have to study. Write down what you need to go through to revise. You could do it on a computer, as a to-do list or as a mindmap - whatever works best for you. When you’re studying for several things at once, separate your subjects and use subheadings for each topic. I always use my syllabus or curriculum to see what I’ve got to cover. It’s always a good idea to make a point of anything tough topics. For example if there is something you’ve struggled with during class, make that a priority rather than studying something that you already know.

Make a study plan! Having a schedule is a great way to organise and methodically study prior to your upcoming test. I would recommend using one my study schedule printables which you can download here (under weekly schedule) for free. Plan out your weekly routine - including activities you already have. Then you map out when you can study. You can check out an example of planning it out here.

Get out everything you will need. Tidy your desk, pick out a few pens, a notebook, your laptop. Whatever you think will help!

Have a read through your textbook (if you use one). Highlight or flag anything important. If you want to, summarise each chapter in 5-10 bullet points once you’ve read it.

Figure out how you’re going to take study notes. I will generally do new study notes if I have big exams coming up. For me, I find writing study notes easiest on OneNote. You can see my formatting here. I will read through my in-class notes and textbook to take really brief notes. I will also add any additional information I find useful from the internet. You don’t need to re-do notes if you’ve already got some that are good for studying. I generally won’t re-do my notes properly if I have a smaller test coming up - perhaps just use flashcards or make some rough notes.

Sometimes simple notes aren’t as effective than other revision methods. You could try writing flashcards (for things like vocabulary, definitions, summarises, equations), mindmaps for linked ideas (for things such as facts about a person or subheadings under one topic) or timelines/cause-and-effect maps (for history subjects or seeing connections between events). Figuring out what style works for you will make your study more effective. If you’re unsure what your learning style is, take this quiz! Once you know you can find more precise ways to study.

Once you’ve finished notes, you need to review them! Read over them when you can. Highlight them. Teach your friends or family members!

Read through past papers or sample answers. Depending on what examination system you’re doing, you might be able to access previous years tests and the recommended style of answers. This is a great way to see how you compare and what you can do to improve your answers! It’s always a good way to test yourself if you do timed practices papers. That way you can see if you’re within the time frame and can finish.

Check out YouTube for any educational videos on what you’re learning! Sometimes they’ll be short, descriptive videos about the topics you’re studying. It can be good to watch someone else teach you about it - especially if you’ve had trouble understanding from your teacher.

Whilst studying is important, remember to take regular breaks and not overwhelm yourself. Taking time to destress is very important for your health. Burning out from over-studying isn’t fun.

Here are a few other links that might be useful to you:

solutions to common procrastination problems

tips for memorising information

applications to use (includes organisation, notetaking, self care)

my note formating method + colour code

ways to stay motivated

how to take notes from a textbook

10 tips for improving your productivity

“i, too, dislike it. reading it, however, with a perfect contempt for it, one discovers in it, after all, a place for the genuine.”

15.10.2018 // it’s been over a year since i posted anything original on this account, so here’s what i’ve been up to today. listening to some john mayer to capture the chill vibes of a day spent catching up on uni readings (i get mondays off, praise the lord). i think i’m beginning to settle into uni life, even if the workload is way more than i expected for the first week!! 

what i’ve got to read today:

the turn of the screw - henry james [novel]

the art of fiction - henry james [essay]

bartleby, the scrivener - herman melville [short story]

the uncanny - sigmund freud [essay]

i was terrified of doing this in undergrad, and now that i’m asked to write them fairly often, i am fondly exasperated when my students don’t know how to ask for them. obviously there’s no single way, but here’s the way i usually do it.

THE FIRST EMAIL

should be short & should mainly be asking whether they’re willing to write you the letter

should provide only the basics - what the professor absolutely needs to know.

the position you’re applying for

when the letter would be due

optional: if you’re afraid they won’t remember you, a quick line identifying yourself & your relation to them

i like to provide an “out,” in case they don’t want to or are unable to write the letter

SAMPLE Dear Professor X, I’m applying for a job as an English tutor at the University Student Resource Center, and was wondering if you’d be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for the position. [optional identification: I really enjoyed taking English 300 with you in Winter 2016, and I’m hoping to develop and pass on those skills to other students through this job.] The letter would be due by September 1st - I know you’re very busy, so I completely understand if you’re not able to write one.  All best, Your Name

THE SECOND EMAIL

they said yes!! amazing.

this one can provide a little more information – a link to the job posting, if there is one, or you can write a quick summary of the position, plus a sentence or two about why you’re excited/interested in the job.

also tell them where to send the letter!! 

directly to the recruiter for the job

to you, to add to your application packet

upload to an online LoR service or to an application website

99% of the time folks are fine with receiving electronic copies, but if they need to mail a hard copy, let them know up front.

SAMPLE: Dear Professor X, Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Here’s the link to the job listing; the letter should be sent as a .pdf file to the email address at the bottom of the page, anytime before 9/1. Thanks again – I’m hoping that this job will provide me with some teaching experience and the opportunity to work on my own writing. Please let me know if you need any more information! Best,  Your Name

WHEN TO SEND A FOLLOW-UP

these stress me out real bad but here’s the deal: most professors have a very shaky relationship to deadlines (especially when they have half a dozen more important ones than your piddly LoR). 

the upshot: do not be afraid to nudge them. 

often they need the nudge and are appreciative of it.

when that nudge happens is up to you and how much room you’ve given them before the deadline, and it’ll look different depending on your relationship with that professor.

GRAD SCHOOL LETTERS

i offered to send my professors essays that i had written for their classes, especially if i had taken those classes more than a year before asking them to write the letter, just so they could refamiliarize themselves with my work. you can also offer to send them your writing sample, if you haven’t already asked them to look it over for you.

honestly i’d recommend asking for these in person bc it’ll give you a chance to talk to them about their grad school experience and your own hopes & aspirations, which will help them write a more personal, fleshed-out letter.

one important note: if this letter is intended for use in grad school applications, do not stress out if it’s a little late. most programs do not care, and pretty much all of them accept late letters without a problem. your professor’s ability to meet deadlines does not reflect on you, and professors are intimately familiar with running late on LoRs. they really honestly don’t care. as long as it gets there before too long, you’ll be fine.