#fandom fridays

Maintaining organization in school notes can seem daunting and monotonous. Here are some tips to keep your class notes in order and not spend a lot of time on it!

The benefit of organized notes, is that when it comes time to studying for exams, you’re not struggling to remember what information is important. Write your notes in a format you would already use for studying. Also, use a colour legend to highlight certain points for why they matter. For example, highlight all literary devices in blue and historical points in green. That way, you won’t have to be up all night trying to decipher the context of how a note relates to the rest of the class material.

Making categories for class notes is another way to maintain organization. Whether you take notes by hand or on a computer, separating information each day will save you time before a test. Especially, if your teacher is testing you on a specific topic and not everything discussed in class. You’ll probably then have a section of notes on what you need to study ready to go. Then, you won’t have to waste time on deciding what information you need to review.

Taking notes from a textbook can be some of the most painfully boring tasks there is in school. One option could be scan the chapters you have to read, and highlight your copy of the pages. Another option, is read the chapter and see where the important information would fit in with your class notes. In your own words, explain the points from the textbook you think is significant, and how it connects to what’s been discussed in class.  

If you know you’re a messy person or easily forget things. Digital notes is probably your best option, because you can access it online from any device. However, if you feel like you learn better from a hard copy, at the end of each day print off your notes to keep at home. If you’re more of a visual learner, write/draw the most important points from your notes when you get home. 

You can also organize notes by comparing what you wrote with friends. They might have explained a concept better that you were struggling to understand; grab a sticky note and add their useful points to your notes. You could also be helping out a friend that likes how you explained some class information! This can help you not feel so overwhelmed when you have to review concepts you found to be difficult!

Organization doesn’t mean your notes have to be beautiful. Simple and easy for you to understand is what matters the most! Choose a format you can commit to and dividers/categories that don’t take a lot of work to create. Of course, if you like giving your notes gorgeous themes, go for it! Just make sure you manage your time to put that kind of effort in! Hopefully some of these tips helped and you’ll be a little more organized this semester!

Oh-hoho!! I’m so ready for this. Two of my favorite things rolled into one. Hold on to your booty-hole this is going to get good.

First things first, 

Vibrainum would take the place of the philosophers stone it would become just as rare as one too. What bit of Vibranium Wakanda does have its used for the betterment of health in their country.

T’Chaka would obviously be the Elric brothers’ mom. Sending the kids down the path of alchemy in the first place.

Romanda would be Grandma Rockbell. 

Shuri I see as Winry, obviously for the correlations between tech and automail. On top of that being badasses from the start who are not afraid of their smarts and show them in a classy way. 

- Though in this rendition Shuri would surely travel with her brother to make sure that he constantly has the best tech/automail.

- She would have the best quips for when T’Challa slips up in front of Nakia.

- “Aye, genius do you talk to all of the girls like that?”

T’Challa is Ed but far more level-headed. The only time he gets the over-reaction that comes with Full Metal is when Shuri is playing pranks on him. He knows she does it for the reaction, but damn it he can’t help it.

- He goes into alchemy to better help his country thrive. 

- He ends up having to travel because Vibranium was stolen from Wakanda and he has to get it back. 

- Traveling with Shuri drives him nuts but he loves he little sister and wouldn’t trade her for the world. 

Okoye is Olivier Motherfucking Armstrong. No one can tell me different.

- All of her Briggs soldiers are obviously replaced by the rest of the Dora Milaje

- “Without question.” Still fucking stands.

- She totally would have killed W’Kabi for being a dumbass. JUST SAYING.

- She would want to recruit Shuri to make all of her tech/automail for Briggs and train her in combat to take over as Queen should her brother fail.

- LOYAL TO A FAULT.

W’Kabi is Yoki’s flip-flopping ass.

- Dead to Okoye and everyone else.’

- Fuck him.

Nakia is Riza Hawkeye. 

- The Best ™

- Would do anything for her love and to save her country.

- Don’t let her soft side fool you. She’ll kick your ass.

Thicc Daddy M’Baku is a mixture of Roy Mustang and Buccaneer.

- Will throw you off the side of a mountain if you disrespect him.

- He don’t give a fuck about you or anything that you do.

- Has more honor in his pinky toe than W’Kabi has in his whole body.

- Comes in clutch when you think you’re in deep shit.

- Has a sign outside of his office at the capital that reads “Colonizers will be fed to my children.”

Erick Killmonger/N’Jadaka is a cross between Greed/Ling Yao and Scar.

- Has noble intentions just not the proper execution.

Winter break is over and it’s back to the school grind and it can feel like spring is too far away. Here are some ideas to help you get back into studying with a fresh and fun perspective!

Changing up your studying techniques can help things not feel so repetitive. For example, for the first twenty minutes use flash cards, then make mind maps or visual diagrams. It’s important to still have a regular study routine, but mix in different techniques once in a while to help get a fresh understanding on the class material.  

It can feel difficult to get creative with assignments after years of being in school. To keep the imagination alive try finding a to way make the assignment personal to you. How personal, is dependent on the class, with math and science you might be more limited. But if you can, connect your assignment to a hobby or topic your interested in outside of school. For a good laugh use your favourite fictional characters as examples while you do your assignment! Just don’t hand in your final copy of your assignment talking about Aqua Man and Wonder Woman. ;P

You can be excited about school again like a freshman, or if you’re still a freshman, like you were first semester. One way to motivate yourself is find a new study space, whether it’s a part of campus you’ve never explored, or a small coffee shop you’ve been wanting to go to. Or, every time after you study, treat yourself to checking out a new place in town you’ve never gone to before! Small things to look forward to after studying can help a lot!

Paying attention in class during winter semester, can be a lot harder, especially if you live somewhere there is snow and you got to get up at 8:00 am for class. To focus better, bring snacks, a hot beverage, and write your notes by hand, or write in a word doc and turn off your laptop’s wifi, so you don’t get distracted and open ten tabs. You can also try bringing an activity like a crossword or Sudoku to do when you feel like you need a break from your professor’s lecture. 

When the weather is miserable combined with feeling tired all the time it makes it harder to be productive. Take five or ten minutes each day to practice mindfulness by putting on a calming soundscape you like (ocean waves, rain falling, forest sounds etc.) and a pleasant looping background to look at. Youtube or apps like Calm have great nature playlists to help you unwind and get focused. 

Food can also be a good motivator to make it through the winter study months. However, I don’t mean reward yourself with McDonald’s for each study session. Instead, plan a favourite meal the day before, so you have leftovers ready to eat after studying. You could also do a studying and cooking night with friends! I hope some of these tips help you or spark some ideas for how you can enjoy the winter semester a little more!

This week’s Fandom Friday is on the aesthetics of Isle of Dogs!

What first struck me about the movie was how they made the  island’s pale mood feel so heavy and overwhelming. The dogs are the most saturated and solid things on the island but the island has more power in its emptiness and lack of tone. 

Also, the the wind effects in the movie is stunning and provides this sense of desolation but also resistance. I liked how serious dialogue would take place in muted backgrounds giving a quiet tone, letting the audience feel like they were listening to secrets being told. 

The aesthetic of the city was so compact and high contrast, it was an absolute feast for the eyes. The city scenes were so pleasing to look at I wished I could have touched the set and played with it haha. 

The aesthetic of the food, both garbage and the sea food was mesmerizing. The realistic detail of the rotting food was so satisfying. The sushi scene was one of my favourites because of how gorgeous they sequence was put together. 

The black, grey and white tones was contrasted well with the emotional mood of the movie, whether it was a loving scene or a hopeless scene. Also, the dogs soft shapes contrast intensely with the harsh shapes of the buildings on the island and in the city. 

Finally, I appreciated the metallic and artificial look of the high technology scenes. I liked how the dogs were often the only ones with warm tones making them be the one source of what was personal and genuine. 

Season Eight of Adventure Time has felt like it’s flown by and with the finale bomb episodes that just came out, it’s a good time to reflect on the season as a whole. We got two amazing miniseries this season, although at times it felt like there wasn’t a moment of rest for our characters, there were a few calm episodes too. 

I feel like the six episodes before Islands  got forgotten by a lot of people, including myself, and after re-watching them I appreciate them a lot more.I felt these episodes and The Orb got overshadowed by the two miniseries because they weren’t as grand. So, for people complaining that there were no classic “adventuring” episodes, the real issue was the ordering of the miniseries and stand alone stories.  

To me, I felt overwhelmed by having two miniseries essentially in a row, (The Orb being the only episode in between them). I felt this order didn’t allow the pacing of the season to ever slow down like we’re used to from past seasons. Admittedly, within the miniseries Whipple the Happy Dragon and Cloudy were more playful low key episodes.  

This season also reflects the growth of Finn as he’s on the cusp of adulthood. So I suppose it makes sense that there isn’t as many episodes that are relaxed because Finn has more responsibility now. Adventure Time has evolved with our protagonist, in his early adolescence Finn had more time for “silly events”. Then, in the fifth season, his relationship with Flame Princess marks his transition to maturing and bigger and longer story arcs started to emerge.  

I know some people were annoyed how quickly Jake changed back to his usual yellow self, but I was glad it wasn’t prolonged. Jake got to discover his alien form, but in Abstract he realizes his identity and personality reflects how he should appear, which is the yellow dog we’ve come to know and love. He still acknowledges his alien DNA and how that’s changed him, but the core of his identity is still the same.   

Ketchup was adorable and just a beautifully animated episode. I’m excited to learn more about Marceline’s family in the Season 9 premiere, (or season 9 episode 15 if you go by Cartoon Network’s sudden decision to say The Orb was the premiere lol), Marcy and Hunson.   

Also, this season we get to find out that Fionna and Cake are real, they’re actors on a TV show?! What?! But Ice King didn’t have access to the tapes the Other Fionna watched, so how did he come up with his fan fiction? We know at the end of the episode images of Fionna and cake are being beamed into his mind. But even if his crown is like a TV getting a signal of episodes of Fionna and Cake, where are the reruns of the show being aired? Also, will the people of Ooo ever get to meet the real Fionna and Cake, and is that their real names, or do the actors have different names? Maybe the show was a reality TV show so their stories are true and not fiction. I’m excited to see where they go with their characters!   

I was so excited to see the return of the Lich, he is the only major antagonist/super villain Finn has had. The episode had a classic early season vibe and I died at Jake listening to Finn’s voicemail. I can’t wait to find out what happens next with the Lich!   

The Season 8 finale, three buckets, was satisfying and left enough intrigue at the end. To be honest, I was never big on Fern’s character, but his internal struggle and blunt end was still heartbreaking. I’m not a monster, but I didn’t care to see his character remain on the show long term.Now we are left wondering who this mysterious man is that’s collected the remains of Fern. My guess is he’s Uncle Gumbald, considering there’s a big G on his cloak and he asked Fern if he wanted an uncle. His character has only been mentioned twice I think, so I’m interested to know what he’s been doing in Ooo. Overall season eight was solid and has created a good setup for the final season. I give it an A-!