#romanticizelearning

✧˖° let’s talk.

hey angels, it's mindy!

most people treat studying like a punishment. something to be endured, not enjoyed. it’s that thing you force yourself to do, like taking bitter medicine or running a mile in gym class. but what if that’s the reason you struggle with it?

the secret? you were never meant to hate learning.

somewhere along the way, school made it boring. maybe you had teachers who sucked the fun out of it. maybe you associate studying with stress, deadlines, and exhaustion. but learning is supposed to be exciting. when you actually enjoy it, everything changes. you focus longer, retain more, and (ironically) spend less time studying because your brain actually absorbs the information.

so, let’s fix it. let’s make studying something you want to do instead of something you suffer through.

✧˖° ➼ step 1: detach learning from school

(school & learning are not the same thing. stop letting school ruin your curiosity.)

the first mindset shift? realize that school does not own learning.

➼ school is about structure, deadlines, and tests. it’s designed to measure performance. ➼ learning is about curiosity, deep thinking, and exploration. it’s designed to expand your mind. and help you grow as a person.

if you’ve only ever studied because you had to, your brain associates it with pressure. break that pattern. find something outside of school that you actually like learning about. philosophy, psychology, art history, neuroscience, fashion design, whatever makes you curious.

even if it’s unrelated to your classes, it rewires your brain to see learning as an intrinsic activity, not just an obligation. once you enjoy learning in general, you can transfer that energy back into your studies.

✧˖° ➼ step 2: romanticize the process (but actually make it feel good)

("romanticizing studying" doesn’t mean just buying cute stationery. let’s go deeper.)

sensory association is everything. your brain links experiences to the way they feel physically. so if studying feels uncomfortable, you’ll avoid it. the solution? make it a luxurious experience for your senses.

✧ visuals → clean, minimalist desk, soft lighting, aesthetic study materials ✧ sound → rain sounds, classical piano, lo-fi beats (music that enhances focus) ✧ touch → cozy blankets, warm tea, smooth pens gliding over paper ✧ scent → vanilla candles, fresh coffee, the pages of an old book

this isn’t just about aesthetics. it’s neuroscience. when studying feels pleasurable, your brain stops resisting it.

✧˖° ➼ step 3: use high-dopamine study techniques

(forcing yourself to study the “normal” way is why you hate it.)

some study methods are literally designed to be boring. ditch them.

instead, try:

➼ blurting method: instead of passively reading, close your book and write down everything you remember. then check what you missed. (way more engaging than just re-reading notes.) ➼ dual-coding: mix visuals with text. draw tiny sketches next to your notes. turn concepts into mind maps. watch a video explaining a topic right after reading about it. ➼ pomodoro stacking: instead of the typical 25-minute study sprints, customize it. (ex: 50 min deep focus + 10 min break with an actual reward.) ➼ interleaving technique: mix subjects instead of block studying. it forces your brain to stay engaged.

stop making studying harder than it needs to be. find what works for you, and your brain will stop fighting it.

✧˖° ➼ step 4: make studying social (but in a smart way)

(because you’re not supposed to do this alone.)

studying alone for hours? miserable. but studying with others who are just as serious as you? instant motivation boost.

but instead of chaotic group study sessions where no one gets anything done, try:

✧ parallel studying: hop on facetime or join a study livestream. silent, focused, but together. ✧ teaching method: explain concepts to a friend. if you can teach it, you truly understand it. ✧ study accountability: check in with someone daily. send each other your study goals, no excuses.

even just knowing someone else is studying at the same time can trick your brain into feeling more engaged.

✧˖° ➼ step 5: shift your identity

("i hate studying" isn’t a personality trait. it’s a mindset problem.)

if you keep saying “i hate studying,” your brain will never enjoy it. change the narrative.

➼ instead of “i suck at studying,” try → “i’m learning how to study in a way that works for me.” ➼ instead of “i can’t focus,” try → “i’m training my brain to focus longer every day.” ➼ instead of “i don’t feel like it,” try → “i’m someone who gets things done, whether i feel like it or not.”

become the type of person who enjoys learning. once that becomes your identity, everything else follows.

✧˖° ➼ step 6: create emotional attachment to your goals

motivation dies when your goals feel distant and impersonal. if you’re studying just because you “have to,” it’s easy to procrastinate. but if you link it to something deeply personal, it becomes non-negotiable.

try this: visualize your future self. imagine the version of you who already achieved everything you want. who is she? what does she do? how does she study?

then, make it emotional. ✧ if you dream of getting into your dream school, print pictures of it. make a vision board. ✧ if you want financial freedom, imagine the luxury of never stressing over money. ✧ if you want to be respected in your field, remind yourself that your knowledge is your power.

when you make studying personal, it stops being a chore. it becomes a commitment.

✧˖° ➼ step 7: stop making everything harder than it needs to be

(struggling doesn’t mean you’re working harder. it just means you’re struggling.)

too many people study inefficiently because they think suffering = productivity. but studying smarter is always better than studying longer.

some ways to make it easier on yourself: ➼ use study apps → quizlet, pomdoro apps for focus, notion for organization ➼ summarize like you’re texting a friend → rewrite notes in your own words, no unnecessary fluff ➼ study in “levels” → don’t jump straight into deep studying. warm up with light review, then increase intensity ➼ take advantage of spaced repetition → stop cramming, your brain retains more when you review over time

efficiency = less stress, better results. don’t work harder than necessary.

✧˖° ➼ step 8: replace toxic productivity with high-performance habits

studying 10 hours in one night ≠ academic excellence. true high-achievers prioritize sustainability.

➼ quit glorifying exhaustion. taking breaks improves focus. it’s not laziness. ➼ learn when to walk away. if you’re zoning out, step away. 10 minutes of real focus > 2 hours of fake studying. ➼ protect your sleep. all-nighters don’t make you hardcore, they make you ineffective. your brain processes info while you sleep.

the goal isn’t to study the longest. it’s to study in a way that keeps your mind sharp and focused.

✧˖° ➼ step 9: master the “dopamine pull” method

instead of forcing motivation, use dopamine to your advantage.

➼ habit stacking → pair studying with something enjoyable (ex: study while drinking your favorite matcha) ➼ mini rewards → after finishing a chapter, reward yourself with something small but satisfying ➼ gamification → track progress like a video game. every completed task = a “level up”

your brain loves dopamine. give it reasons to associate studying with good feelings.

✧˖° ➼ step 10: let go of perfectionism (but keep high standards)

perfectionism leads to procrastination and burnout. instead of striving for flawless, aim for consistent excellence.

✧ done is better than perfect. stop rewriting notes 5 times. ✧ progress is the goal. each study session should move you forward, even if it’s small. ✧ your worth is not your grades. strive for success, but don’t let school define you.

when you release perfectionism, you actually start achieving more. keep your standards high, but don’t let them paralyze you.

✧˖° mindy’s personal tips

(things that helped me romanticize studying & actually make it enjoyable:)

➼ set a 5-minute timer. just start. most of the time, your brain stops resisting once you begin. ➼ don’t let study guilt ruin your breaks. rest is productive. ➼ have a “study fit.” i swear, dressing up just a little makes a difference. ➼ invest in one high-quality pen. something that glides effortlessly. small detail, huge difference. ➼ study in cafés, libraries, parks. switch locations to keep it interesting. ➼ make it ✧ cozy ✧. fuzzy socks, oversized sweaters, soft blankets. your comfort matters.

✧˖° homework: rewire your study experience

➼ for one of your study sessions this week, try at least two of the techniques above. ➼ write a short journal entry: how do you want to feel while studying? how can you make that happen? ➼ change just one thing about your study setup that makes it more enjoyable.

then come back & tell me. did studying feel better? (you can always message me or send me an ask in my inbox)

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heyyyy angels, mindy here!

okay, listen. we need to talk about something that people love to roll their eyes at. making studying aesthetic. every time someone posts a pretty study setup, there’s always someone in the comments like, “you don’t need pastel highlighters to get good grades 🙄” or “discipline is about hard work, not vibes.” and okay, sure. but also?

if your study routine feels like punishment, you’re gonna run from it.

the way something feels matters. if you walk into a cozy, candle-lit café with soft music playing, you’ll want to stay there for hours. if you sit down at a messy desk with harsh lighting and a chair that makes your back hurt, you’ll last 15 minutes max. same work, different environment, completely different experience.

so why wouldn’t you make your study sessions feel good?

the truth is, romanticizing discipline makes you want to be consistent. and when you crave the work instead of dreading it, that’s when everything shifts.

so let’s make studying feel like an experience instead of a chore.

✧˖° why aesthetics actually matter

people like to pretend that discipline should be cold, harsh, and mechanical, but your brain doesn’t work like that.

➼ your brain loves sensory rewards. if your study space looks, smells, and feels good, your brain will start associating it with pleasure instead of stress. ➼ habit-building depends on emotion. if studying is something you enjoy (even a little), you’ll do it more often. if it always feels miserable, you’ll avoid it. ➼ your environment shapes your identity. if your space and routine reflect the kind of person you want to be, you start stepping into that version of yourself.

this isn’t about making everything look cute just for the sake of it. it’s about creating a feeling that makes you want to show up.

✧˖° how to romanticize discipline (without making it a distraction)

because let’s be real... if you spend two hours making an aesthetic notion template and zero minutes actually studying, you played yourself. the key is to set up your space and then get to work.

✧˖° 1. make studying a full sensory experience

romanticizing discipline isn’t just about visuals. it’s about creating an atmosphere that makes you want to sit down and focus.

➼ sound: play a study playlist that makes you feel productive (lo-fi, classical, rain sounds. whatever works). keep it consistent so your brain recognizes it as a “focus” trigger. ➼ scent: light a candle, spray a room mist, or use an essential oil diffuser. scent is one of the strongest memory triggers, so pick one that makes you feel calm and focused. ➼ touch: make sure your chair is comfortable, your desk is clean, and your study tools feel good to use.

it’s about tricking your brain into thinking, this is a space where we focus.

✧˖° 2. design a study space that makes you want to sit down

your environment dictates your focus. a cluttered, uninspiring desk will make you feel restless. a cozy, minimal, well-lit space will make you want to stay.

➼ keep only the essentials. a clean, distraction-free setup makes it easier to focus. ➼ add a little inspiration. a vision board, a cute calendar, a motivational quote. just something that makes you feel like that girl when you sit down. ➼ lighting matters. natural light is best, but a warm desk lamp can make nighttime study sessions feel cozy instead of exhausting.

again, the goal is to create a space that makes your brain want to work.

✧˖° 3. make discipline feel like a lifestyle aesthetic

some people make discipline look miserable. but the people who actually stay consistent? they make it look effortless.

➼ romanticize the act of opening your books. make it feel cinematic. the soft scratch of your pen, the glow of your laptop, the warmth of your tea. make it feel like a movie (mean girls, gossip girls... etcc) ➼ dress like the best version of yourself. even if you’re studying at home, wear something that makes you feel put together. ➼ upgrade your study tools. if you like the way your planner, pens, and laptop setup look, you’ll actually want to use them.

this is about shifting your identity. when you see yourself as the kind of person who enjoys discipline, you become her.

✧˖° keeping the balance: romanticizing vs. actually doing the work

okay, but let’s not pretend like aesthetics alone are gonna get you an A. you still have to put in the work. the key is to use aesthetics to enhance your discipline, not replace it.

➼ set a “setup time” limit. you get 5-10 minutes to set up your space. after that? no more tweaking. just start. ➼ use a study timer. 50 minutes of deep work, 10-minute break. repeat. this keeps you from getting stuck in the “pretty but unproductive” trap. ➼ reward yourself after real progress. light a candle before studying, but don’t let yourself scroll Pinterest for an hour instead of doing the work.

discipline first, aesthetic second. not the other way around.

✧˖° final thoughts

romanticizing discipline isn’t about making things look good for the sake of it. it’s about shifting your entire mindset so studying feels good.

when you make your study space feel warm, inviting, and yours, you stop dreading it. and when you stop dreading it, you show up more often. and when you show up more often? you actually get sh*t done.

so go romanticize the process. set up your space. light the candle. play the playlist. and then? open your books and do the work. because that girl you’re envisioning? she’s already you. you just have to step into her.

do not fall into the trap of "aesthetics over work" because there will be NO reason for you to romanticize studying, if you don't actually study.

with love,

mindy

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💭 before you even touch your notes, before you highlight a single word, before you drown in exam stress. change how you think about yourself.

most people study with the mindset of “i hope i do well” instead of “i am the kind of person who excels.” and that’s the difference. if you want to start acing your exams, your first step isn’t flashcards or practice tests. it’s shifting your identity. because an A+ student doesn’t just work hard, they think, act, and exist differently.

this is the second post to the final exam survival series. the last post, was focused on how to actually enjoy learning and using that to motivate yourself for school. this post will focus on shifting your identify, which can also work great for manifesting and law of attraction/assumption. i will try to give you the best possible tips to help you shift your mindset to already have the A+ mentality. love you guys <3 - mindy

disclaimer: please don't think i expect you to be perfect, i use 'A+ student' as a way to help you when using loa or manifesting. YOU ARE A HUMAN; DO NOT THINK YOU NEED TO MEET STANDARDS TO BE PERFECT! i love you all and wanted to make sure you know i am NOT setting an unrealistic standard. this post is to help you with manifesting good grades and to inspire you. not for toxic motivation or unrealistic standard setting. - mindy

✧˖° ➼ 01. stop identifying as “bad at studying”

you will never outperform the identity you attach to yourself. if you keep telling yourself: ➝ “i suck at this subject.”➝ “i’ve never been good at exams.”➝ “i’m just not a naturally smart person.”

then you’ll stay stuck. why? because your brain is wired to prove yourself right. but when you shift to: ➝ “i am fully capable of mastering this material.”➝ “i am becoming an A+ student.”➝ “i study in a way that works for me.”

your actions start aligning with that belief. the way you approach studying changes. and suddenly? you’re not “bad at it” anymore.

✧ homework: rewrite every negative academic belief you’ve held about yourself into a new, empowering one. read them before every study session.

✧˖° ➼ 02. start acting like an A+ student right now

not when you feel “ready.” not when you’re already good at the subject. right now.

✨ an A+ student doesn’t: • cram the night before and hope for the best • avoid studying because it feels overwhelming • rely on last-minute motivation to get things done

✨ an A+ student does: • plan their study sessions like an actual strategy • break down material into small, digestible pieces • work consistently, even when they don’t “feel like it”

✧ homework: take one small action today that your A+ student self would take. even if it’s just organizing your study space or making a realistic revision schedule.

✧˖° ➼ 03. use strategic learning, not just memorization

most students study to remember. A+ students study to understand. if you keep forcing yourself to memorize facts with no deeper connection, you’re setting yourself up for forgetting everything under pressure.

🖇 better study strategies:• teach the material → pretend you're tutoring someone who knows nothing about it. if you can explain it simply, you truly understand it. • apply what you learn → don’t just read about a formula, actually use it in practice questions. don’t just memorize historical dates, understand their impact. • switch up your methods → your brain loves novelty. use diagrams, study cards, summarization, and active recall instead of just rereading notes.

✧ homework: find one concept you’ve been struggling with and try teaching it to yourself out loud as if you were giving a TED talk.

✧˖° ➼ 04. start believing you deserve high grades

subconsciously, a lot of people don’t actually believe they’re the kind of person who gets top marks. they might think: ❝ i’ve never been a straight-A student, so why start now? ❞ ❝ my past grades weren’t amazing, i probably won’t do much better. ❞

but what if you let yourself believe otherwise? what if you fully accepted that you deserve to succeed just as much as anyone else? because you do. and the moment you believe that, you start acting in ways that make it true.

✧ homework: visualize yourself receiving your dream grade. feel the confidence of knowing you earned it. then ask yourself: what would my future self tell me to start doing right now?

✧˖° ➼ 05. control your environment like a top student

your surroundings play a huge role in your academic identity. A+ students set themselves up for success by designing an environment that makes focus effortless.

🖇 small shifts that make a huge difference: • keep your study space clean & minimal (no distractions) • use a dedicated study playlist to trigger focus mode • have a go-to beverage (tea, coffee, water) to make studying feel like a ritual • wear comfortable but put-together clothes to signal to your brain that it’s time to work • remove your phone from your workspace entirely (or use app blockers)

✧ homework: make one intentional change to your study environment today. observe how it affects your focus.

✧˖° ➼ 06. stop waiting for motivation

A+ students know that motivation is fleeting. they don’t rely on feeling “in the mood” to study. instead, they: ➝ create systems (set study times, routines) ➝ make studying automatic (habit, not a debate) ➝ use momentum (just start. five minutes can turn into an hour)

✧ homework: set a 10-minute timer and study right now. no overthinking, no debating. just start.

✧˖° mindy’s personal tips

💌 your identity is everything. if you don’t believe you’re an A+ student yet, start acting like it anyway. your mindset will catch up. 💌 make studying feel aesthetic. wear cute study outfits, light a candle, make it a whole vibe. enjoyable studying = effective studying. 💌 romanticize the glow-up. your academic transformation is a story. imagine looking back and realizing this was the moment everything changed. 💌 you are not behind. you can reinvent yourself as a top student at any time. even now. even today.

xoxo mindy

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okay, can we get one thing straight?: waiting for motivation to magically appear is like waiting for a text back from someone who’s obviously not that into you. sometimes it shows up when you least expect it, and sometimes it just... doesn’t. but here’s the thing: motivation is overrated. you don’t actually need it to get things done, especially when finals are creeping up and you just can’t afford to procrastinate. i'm going to break down why motivation isn’t the key and how to actually start working without it.

𝚠𝚑𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚞𝚙 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚊𝚒𝚕 ✧˖°

motivation is unpredictable. it comes in waves, like when you suddenly feel inspired to plan your entire week at 2 a.m. or when you’re pumped to study after watching one (1) academic vlog. but motivation is an emotion, and emotions change. one minute you’re ready to conquer the world, and the next, you just want to lie on the floor and scroll through tiktok.

instead of relying on something as inconsistent as motivation, focus on building habits. habits don’t care if you’re feeling inspired... they just happen because you’ve trained your brain to do them automatically. the secret is to make productivity a routine, not something that requires hype.

𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢, 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 ✧˖°

➼ make your to-do list tiny and non-threatening honestly, sometimes just looking at a long list of tasks is enough to make you want to give up before you even start. break it down into the tiniest steps possible. instead of “study biology chapter 5,” write “open biology textbook,” “read the first paragraph,” “highlight one sentence.” sounds silly, but your brain loves crossing things off, no matter how small.

➼ the 5-minute rule tell yourself you only have to work for five minutes. that’s it. no pressure to finish an entire chapter or write a full essay, just five minutes. most of the time, you’ll end up continuing because getting started is the hardest part. but even if you only do those five minutes, that’s progress.

➼ set up your workspace like a ritual this might sound weird, but romanticizing the setup makes it easier to get into the zone. light a candle, put on some lo-fi or classical music, make a cup of tea. your brain will start to associate that vibe with “okay, it’s time to work.” the more you repeat this little ritual, the easier it becomes to just start without overthinking it.

𝚖𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚌 ✧˖°

➼ pair tasks with habits you already have habit stacking is genius. pair a new productive habit with something you already do every day. for example, if you always have a cup of coffee in the morning, make that the time you do a quick 5-minute review of your notes. your brain will connect the two activities, making it feel more natural.

➼ use environmental cues change your environment just a little bit when you need to focus. even just moving to a different corner of your room, putting on your glasses, or wearing a specific hoodie can signal to your brain that it’s time to study. it’s kind of like tricking your mind into productivity mode.

showing up, even when it’s messy ✧˖°

you don’t need to have your life perfectly together to be productive. i promise you. everyone has days when they just feel off. but the difference between people who get stuff done and those who don’t isn’t motivation, it’s showing up regardless.

➼ stop waiting for the “perfect” moment there’s never going to be a moment where you feel 100% ready. you’re always going to have some stress, some doubt, or some distraction. just start messy. give yourself permission to do a half-hearted job at first. it’s better than not starting at all.

➼ focus on progress, not perfection your brain will always convince you that if you’re not doing something perfectly, it’s not worth doing at all. challenge that mindset. doing a messy 20-minute study session is still better than not studying at all. make it a rule to aim for progress, not perfection.

𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 > 𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ✧˖°

people make discipline sound like this harsh, almost militaristic concept, but it’s actually just about consistency. it’s not punishing yourself; it’s respecting your own goals enough to follow through, even when you don’t feel like it.

➼ create a non-negotiable routine instead of asking yourself, “do i feel like studying right now?”, because the answer will probably be no. create a routine that you stick to no matter what. for example, set a rule that every day after lunch, you study for 30 minutes. don’t think about it, just do it.

➼ don’t make productivity an event treating productivity as something monumental only makes it scarier. it doesn’t have to be a whole thing. just showing up to your desk and doing something, even a little, keeps the momentum going.

𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 ✧˖°

you know that feeling when you don’t want to go to the gym, but once you’re there, you’re like, “okay, i’m here, might as well work out”? same thing with studying. prove to yourself that motivation isn’t required by just showing up and starting. once you’re in it, it’s way less daunting and scary.

➼ celebrate tiny wins even if you just read one page or write a single paragraph, acknowledge that. the more you reward your brain for even the smallest efforts, the easier it becomes to do it again tomorrow.

➼ journal about your progress keep a small log of what you did each day. it could just be one sentence like, “studied chem for 15 minutes.” looking back on that list will make you realize you’re actually doing more than you think, which is super motivating on days when you feel stuck.

𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚢’𝚜 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚒𝚙𝚜 ✧˖°

➼ find your “why” remind yourself why you’re doing this. not just the surface-level stuff, but the deeper reason. is it to feel proud of yourself? to secure your future? to make your family proud? put that reason somewhere you can see it when you’re working.

➼ treat yourself like you would a friend if your friend was struggling to study, you wouldn’t call them lazy. you’d encourage them. be kind to yourself. sometimes just showing up is enough. give yourself credit for trying, even if it’s not perfect.

𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜 ✧˖°

motivation might be what gets you started, but discipline is what keeps you going. stop romanticizing motivation as the key to success, it’s way too inconsistent. instead, focus on building small, consistent habits that don’t rely on feeling inspired. remember, you just need to start.

there’s something undeniably magnetic about that student. the one who always has her life together; notes perfectly highlighted, grades effortlessly high, coffee in one hand, an annotated novel in the other. she’s the girl who glides through hallways with a quiet confidence, always prepared, always composed, always one step ahead. but the truth is… she doesn’t just wake up like this. she became her.

if you’ve ever looked at an aesthetic studyblr post and thought, i wish that were me, it already can be. being that student isn’t about obsessing over perfection, it’s about creating systems that make success effortless. and when you master that? discipline doesn’t feel like a struggle. it feels natural.

being that student sometimes is subjective, so take this post with a grain of salt, don't change yourself, but become the better version of yourself. this post is to give you some tips that i personally use to become "that student". academics is so important to me, and it always has been. i've always shoot for the highest, and honestly? even though i sometimes feel like "i hate studying" or "i don't want to go to school". i never succumb to it, i have a gravitation towards studying, and good grades. academics is not just about grades, but learning skills to improve your life, your career, relationships and don't forget, your brain! so please try to see school and academics as improving yourself, not just about using grades to define who you are. - mindy

☁️ how to become that student effortlessly:

✧ romanticize your study sessions – make your desk a space you want to be in. light a candle. play soft classical music. use a pen that glides smoothly. let studying feel like self-care, not a chore. pretend your rory gilmore, or even paris geller.

✧ develop signature study rituals – always start with a cup of tea/coffee/matcha/ANY DRINK, a five-minute review, or a fresh page in your notebook. habits make it easier to start, and starting is half the battle.

✧ master ‘bare minimum’ studying – not every study session has to be two hours long. learn how to get the most out of 10-15 minutes. review flashcards while waiting for your coffee, summarize a chapter in the notes app before bed, listen to an audiobook while getting ready.

✧ have a ‘default’ study outfit – cozy but polished. a chunky sweater, soft leggings, blue-light glasses, a sleek ponytail. when you dress like the kind of student you admire, you become her.

✧ use strategic aesthetic motivation – pinterest boards, beautifully organized notion pages, a soft academia playlist, these are not distractions, they’re tools. use them. let the aesthetic inspire action, not replace it.

✧ learn in layers – don’t cram. absorb knowledge naturally throughout the day. read your notes over breakfast. explain concepts in the shower. let studying weave into your routine like second nature.

✧ stop glorifying stress – good students don’t burn out. they rest, recharge, and protect their mental clarity. discipline is not exhaustion, it's balance.

☁️ mindy’s personal tips for being effortlessly studious:

✧ “the 2-minute review” – every night, spend two minutes looking over what you learned that day. your brain loves repetition. what feels hard today will feel effortless in a week.

✧ “the open book trick” – leave your study materials open on your desk, bed, or counter. you’re 10x more likely to glance at them if they’re already in front of you.

✧ “library aura” – if you struggle with focus, go to a place that forces you to be productive. a coffee shop, a library, even just a quiet corner of your room with your phone in another area. change your environment to change your mindset. i personally love studying during eating brunch and drinking frappes with my friends at starbucks <3

✧ “study like a writer” – instead of just passively reading notes, rewrite them in your own words. like you're explaining them in a diary or a letter. it makes the information stick. tip: one study method i loved using when i took ap art history, was writing an essay on each individual artwork, even if it was just 200 words long, i was able to write it in my words, it's another method based on active recall. it helped me so much, and i ended up getting a 5 on the ap exam thanks to this amazing method <3

✧ “live like a student you admire” – every day, ask yourself: what would the best version of me do? would she scroll mindlessly for an hour, or would she review her flashcards? would she procrastinate, or would she get started now? act accordingly.

☁️ the truth? being that student isn’t about talent. it’s about mindset. show up for yourself. build effortless habits. make learning part of who you are. and soon enough? you won’t just look like that student. you’ll be her.

xoxo mindy

syllabus for sirens

hey lovelies 🤍, i've been sitting on my bedroom floor surrounded by all my journals trying to figure out exactly how to start this series. i kept writing and deleting and rewriting because i want this to feel like us having coffee together, you know? i finally released gloss pages, my magazine. just posted a glowettee hotline submission and currently working on this month's glowletter (my newsletter). now, i can release this brand-new series!!!

so here we are. syllabus for sirens. a little corner of the internet where we can talk about learning and thinking and studying in a way that actually feels good. because i don't know about you, but i'm tired of pretending that being smart means being boring.

i started thinking about this whole concept last semester when i was cramming for finals in this tiny coffee shop downtown. it was raining, i had my notes spread everywhere, and i realized i was actually enjoying myself? like genuinely having a good time while studying aristotle at 11pm with my third latte. and it hit me that nobody ever talks about how learning can feel almost… seductive?

that's what coquette academia is to me. it's not that stiff, dusty thing they try to sell us in school. it's taking notes in different colored pens because it makes the information stick better. it's creating the perfect study playlist that makes you feel like the main character. it's wearing your favorite cardigan with the pearl buttons when you write essays because it makes your thoughts flow better.

i literally have this ritual now where i put on these vintage-inspired glasses that i don't even need (embarrassing, i know) when i'm doing research because something about them makes me feel like i'm in a movie about a girl who's about to discover something important. and guess what? i retain more information this way.

thought itself is an aesthetic. the way you connect ideas, the questions that keep you up at night, the books you can't stop thinking about. they're as much a part of who you are as your favorite perfume or the way you do your hair. and there's something so powerful about embracing that, about making intellect part of your whole vibe instead of this separate thing you do.

so for this first week, i want us to start thinking about our "scholar selves" who are you when you're alone with your books? what makes you feel powerful when you're learning something new? what are the little rituals that help your brain work better?

soft assignment for this week: write down a description of your academic alter ego. what's her name? what does she drink while studying? what's her secret talent or habit that nobody knows about? what makes her feel confident when she's diving into difficult material?

i'm so excited to start this series with you all. learning doesn't have to be something we endure! it can be something we fall in love with.

xoxo, mindy 🤍

✧˖° the transfer glow-up guide (by mindy)

@glowettee (mindy)

oh babe, first of all. this is your moment. i know changing schools is terrifying (new people, new environment, new social dynamics), but let’s shift that nervous energy into main character energy. this is your chance to reintroduce yourself.... clean slate, no past labels, no outdated impressions. we’re stepping into this next chapter fully leveled up.

so, let’s i'm going to help you get on an ASAP glow-up routine that’s not just about looking good but feeling good. because confidence is what makes people remember you. the goal? to walk into that school like you’ve always belonged there. effortlessly coollllll, collected, and in control.

✧˖° 9-step glow-up plan before changing schools

➼ 01. mindset glow-up (real glow-ups start inside)

okay, listen. this is a fresh start. and that means we’re mentally rewiring everything that held you back before. if you were shy at your old school? irrelevant now. if people overlooked you? not happening anymore. you get to decide who you are here.

💌 your mindset reset steps: • rewrite your identity. how do you want to be perceived? Cool? Mysterious? Charismatic? Make a list of 3-5 traits & try to embody them. • detach from past insecurities. nobody at your new school knows them. Leave them in the past. • affirmations, but make them real instead of “i am confident,” say “i walk into rooms like i belong there.” • start observing instead of overthinking. confidence is built by being present, not stuck in your head.

➼ 02. the face glow-up

please remember this isn’t about changing your face. it’s about enhancing what’s already there.

✨ the essentials: • consistent skincare – cleanse, hydrate, SPF (seriously, do not skip SPF). • brows & lashes are everything – keep brows groomed but natural, curl your lashes daily, and if you can, try a lash serum or mascara that lifts. • lip care = instant glow-up – a tinted lip balm or gloss makes you look polished with zero effort. • find your signature look – subtle eyeliner? flushed cheeks? glowy skin? Find what suits you and stick with it. (i always put a mole on my nose and by my eyes using eyeliner, makes my eyes look bigger and mid-face shorter <3)

➼ 03. hair glow-up (because hair changes everything)

hair frames your face. it’s literally the first thing people notice.

💌 glow-up your hair with: • a deep conditioning routine – shiny, healthy hair looks expensive. • a haircut that fits your face – curtain bangs, layers, or even just a trim can make a difference. • learning easy but stylish hairstyles – even a sleek ponytail or effortless waves can make you look instantly more put together. • switching up your part – sometimes all you need is a deeper side part or a clean middle part to elevate your whole look.

➼ 04. body glow-up (not for aesthetics, but for energy & confidence)

this is about feeling strong, energized, and capable.

💌 glow-up steps: • morning movement – even 10 min of stretching or pilates wakes up your body and improves posture. • hydration + gut health – drink more water, try adding lemon or herbal teas. • fix your posture – standing taller automatically makes you look more confident. • walk like you own the room – slower, deliberate steps, shoulders relaxed, head high. • signature scent – find a perfume or body mist that makes you feel expensive.

➼ 05. wardrobe glow-up

you don’t need a whole new wardrobe. just a few key upgrades to look effortlessly put together.

💌 wardrobe tips: • know your color palette – neutrals + colors that complement your skin tone = instant elevation. • invest in good basics – a fitted top, the perfect pair of jeans, a nice jacket = staples that always work. • keep it clean & fitted – even a simple outfit looks expensive when it fits well and is ironed. • accessorize smartly – dainty jewelry, a sleek bag, and minimalistic shoes pull everything together.

➼ 06. social glow-up (aka, the effortless magnetism)

you don’t need to be the loudest person in the room to be noticed, you just need to be intriguing.

💌 how to glow up socially: • observe first, speak second – people who take their time before talking seem more intentional and confident. • do a slight smirk – always looking friendly can seem try-hard. Instead, a neutral/slight smirk makes you seem intriguing. • ask people about themselves – genuinely being curious makes you instantly likable. • make eye contact + slow your speech – it gives off effortless confidence.

➼ 07. academic glow-up (because being smart is attractive)

you’re entering a new school. this is the perfect chance to build a new academic reputation. i have severallll posts on excelling academically, howeverrrr here's a few tips you can take from this post..

💌 glow-up your school game: • become “the prepared girl” – always have an extra pen, be the one who remembers deadlines. • sit strategically – not in the very back, but also not awkwardly in the front. Middle-front is where the engaged students sit. • have a clean, organized aesthetic – neat handwriting, color-coded notes, a simple but cute planner. • ask one good question per class – it makes you seem engaged without looking like a try-hard.

➼ 08. social media glow-up (first impressions happen online too)

chances are, people will look up your socials or ask for it. make sure they give off the energy you actually want.

💌 how to glow up your socials: • clean up your posts – archive anything that doesn’t reflect your new energy. • keep it slightly mysterious – don’t overshare; post curated moments. • have a signature aesthetic – neutral, coquette, minimal, whatever feels most you. • quality > quantity – better to have 5 great posts than 50 random ones.

➼ 09. confidence glow-up (this is what makes people remember you)

at the end of the day, glow-ups aren’t about looks, it’s about energy.

💌 confidence tips: • act like you’ve always belonged. Walk into school like it’s just another normal day for you. • stop overexplaining. You don’t owe people explanations for your choices or personality. • compliment others. Being effortlessly kind makes you even more magnetic. • romanticize your presence. Imagine you’re the main character in a coming-of-age movie.

✧˖° two extra tips from me, mindy---because you deserve the real secrets

listen, babe, there are two things that nobody tells you when you’re changing schools, and i need you to know them because they will make your life ten times easier. these are the kind of tips that would’ve saved me so much overthinking and stress, so take notes.

➼ 01. don’t make best friends too fast - be mysterious first

i know, i know, when you’re the new girl, it’s tempting to cling to the first people who are nice to you. but slow down. observe. people will show you who they really are within the first few weeks. if you commit too quickly, you might end up in the wrong circle, and trust me, getting out of a friend group is harder than choosing the right one from the start.

💌 here’s how to do it right: • be friendly but slightly reserved – let people come to you. it makes you intriguing. • don’t overshare too soon – mystery is power. • study the social dynamics – who’s genuinely kind? who’s fake nice? who actually aligns with your vibe? • make small connections first – talk to different groups before settling into one.

when you enter with quiet confidence, you naturally attract better people. trust me, this will save you so much unnecessary drama.

➼ 02. build a “new girl” reputation on purpose

when you’re new, you have leverage. people are curious about you. use that to your advantage.

💌 how to subtly control your first impression: • pick a signature thing. maybe it’s your perfume, the way you style your hair, or your effortlessly cool energy. give people something to associate you with. • don’t try too hard to fit in. the moment you stop seeking approval, you get it naturally. • be unpredictable. say something funny when people least expect it, or have a surprising skill. unexpectedness makes people remember you. • own your space. walk into every room like it’s yours. not in a cocky way, just in a “i belong here” way.

when you enter a new school with intention, you don’t just fit in. you stand out. 🤍

✧˖° final thoughts

pleaseee know this isn’t about “becoming” someone else. it’s about stepping into the most polished, self-assured version of yourself. you don’t need to be the loudest, the prettiest, or the most popular, you just need to be comfortable in your own energy. that’s what people are drawn to.

walk into that new school like you’ve already been there for years. you got this. 🤍 love youuu <3333

xoxo mindy