#romanticizing school

"How to Life" Masterlist

Cleaning and Tidying

Make your bed in the morning. It takes seconds, and it's worth it.

Reset to zero each morning.

Use the UFYH 20/10 system for clearing your shit.

Have a 'drop-zone' box where you dump anything and everything. At the beginning/end of the day, clear it out and put that shit away.

Automate your chores. Have a cleaning schedule and assign 15mins daily to do whatever cleaning tasks are set for that day. Set a timer and do it once the timer is up, finish the task you're on and leave it for the day.

Fold your clothes straight out of the tumble dryer (if you use one), whilst they're still warm. This minimises creases and eliminates the need for ironing.

Clean your footwear regularly and you'll feel like a champ.

Organisation and Productivity

Learn from Eisenhower's Importance/Urgency matrix.

Try out the two-minute rule and the Pomodoro technique.

Use. A. Planner. (Or Google Calendar, if that's more your thing.)

Try bullet journalling.

Keep a notebook/journal/commonplace book to dump your brain contents in on the regular.

Set morning alarms at two-minute intervals rather than five, and stick your alarm on the other side of the room. It's brutal, but it works.

Set three main goals each day, with one of them being your #1 priority. Don't overload your to-do list or you'll hit overload paralysis and procrastinate.

If you're in a slump, however, don't be afraid to put things like "shower" on your to do list - that may be a big enough goal in itself, and that's okay.

Have a physical inbox - a tray, a folder, whatever. If you get a piece of paper, stick it in there and sort through it at the end of the week.

Consider utilising the GTD System, or a variation of it.

Try timeboxing.

Have a morning routine, and guard that quiet time ferociously.

Have a folder for all your important documents and letters, organised by topic (e.g. medical, bank, university, work, identification). At the front of this folder, have a sheet of paper with all the key information written on it, such as your GP's details, your passport details, driving licence details, bank account number, insurance number(s), and so on.

Schedule working time and down time alike, in the balance that works for you.

Money

Have. A. God. Damn. Budget.

Use a money tracker like toshl, mint, or splitwise. Enter all expenses asap! (You will forget, otherwise.)

Have a 'money date' each week, where you sort through your finances from the past seven days and then add it to a spreadsheet. This will help you identify your spending patterns and whether your budget is actually working or not.

Pack your own frickin' lunch like a grown-up and stop buying so many takeaway coffees. Keep snacks in your bag.

Food and Cooking

Know how to cook the basics: a starch, a protein, a vegetable, and a sauce.

Simple, one-pot meals ("a grain, a green, and a bean") are a godsend.

Batch cook and freeze. Make your own 'microwave meals'.

Buy dried goods to save money - rice and beans are a pittance.

Consider Meatless Mondays; it's healthier, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

Learn which fruits and vegetables are cheapest at your store, and build a standard weekly menu around those. (Also remember that frozen vegetables are cheap and healthy.)

Learn seasoning combinations. Different seasoning, even with the exact same ingredients, can make a dish seem completely new.

Misc

Have a stock email-writing format.

Want to start running, but find it boring? Try Zombies, Run!.

Keep a goddamn first aid kit and learn how to use it.

Update your CV regularly.

romanticize your mornings with angel 🧸ྀི

start your day early ~

sleep is so important; you need 8-10 hours to truly feel rested. 'angel, it's not even that big of a deal, you're so dramatic.' and yes- i am! but not about this! lack of sleep (or even too much of it) has long-term effects. this is why i wake up at around 6 a.m. and aim for a 9 p.m. bedtime, giving me the 9 hours my body needs and setting me up for a productive, fresh morning.

stretch and make your bed ^^

don't even think about touching that phone unless it's to turn that alarm off. we don't want to ruin the momentum or the mood.

drink one full glass of water ~

after hours of sleep, rehydration is important. water is the best thing to put in your body before anything else because it promotes healthier skin, aids digestion, and improves mental performance and cognitive function- and obviously, you need it to live.

open your blinds and/or windows and let the sun shine through ^^

this is an instant refresher. my favourite thing to do is stare outside for a bit, and i always find myself admiring nature, and this actually lightens my mood and makes me feel more hopeful about life because if there's one thing you can trust to heal itself and return it's true state, it's nature.

plus, simply noting what you're grateful for or taking a moment to close your eyes and breathe in the fresh (maybe with a few affirmations) allows extra moments of mindfulness.

movement ~

whether it's at home workouts, the gym, yoga, a stroll, or full-body stretches, suddenly, i'm more alert and ready to start the day after i move my body.

being realistic and pushing your physical boundaries is crucial to avoid injuries and sluggishness afterwards.

i have a set list of yoga moves to do in the morning. i'm not into fully working out right now, but if i were, i'd do it at night, when i can push myself to my limits to tire myself out.

brushed teeth ^^

a clean tongue, teeth, and gums, fresh breath, soft lips, and a bright smile to match are soooo important to me. i'm not getting too into this because it's a given, and obviously would've and should be done before you go to the gym if you do. but i don't, and i prefer to do it before i eat to get a clean palette, and i do floss and use mouthwash after eating.

balanced breakfast ~

if i eat junk excessively, i don't feel good. eating junk in the morning is excessive in my opinion, so then i wouldn't feel good for the entire day. your breakfast should include at least three of the food groups: protein, carbohydrates, and fruits and vegetables. these can come in any form.

protein: scrambled eggs, protein pancakes, porridge.

carbs: whole grain toast, oatmeal, stewed apples, sweet potato waffles.

fruits and vegetables: kefir-based smoothie bowls with berries, regular smoothies and smoothie bowls and fruit salads.

these food groups are even included in whole meals - i'm talking leftovers from dinner, fried rice and chicken, soups, etc.

vitamins, supplements and meds ^^

remember to take your meds if you are on any! vitamins and supplements are also important and a great aid, but that's all they are, an aid. they can't work on their own to treat sickness or replace your nutrients in your diet. but also do your research, and get your doctor's advice before you take anything specific, so you don't take something you don't need and have health issues due to it.

i take multivitamins but i'm trying to switch because i have gummies and i do have syrups, and they're loaded with sugar, which i don't want, so i will be switching to pills. recommendations are welcome.

hair ~

a bad hair day with a good outfit feels like a wasted outfit. my hair has to be pristine, or i feel like shit. styled to complement and enhance my face shape and features, and outfit. whether it's a ponytail, a bun, just free-flowing down, or braided, my hair just has to make me feel comfortable. it plays a part in representing who i am as a person.

i also hate to have to deal with my hair after i've done my skincare because there's a chance after using hair products, i'll feel greasy or my skin will feel unclean, so i do it before showering and then put it in a bonnet, trying my hardest not to get it wet. luckily, this also saves me time.

shower time ! ^^

music, while calming or energy-boosting, is optional, and sometimes you just want a quiet shower with your thoughts or maybe with just the sound of the water. shower epiphanies are no joke. and i absolutely love the feel of being clean and a canvas for the new day. it's summer, it's hot, and i love cold water, sue me.

scentless, colorless, completely plain bars of soap are the base, and any scented body wash on top is my favourite thing. bonus points if it's exfoliation day (p.s., no, you do not need to exfoliate every day. furthermore, you absolutely shouldn't unless instructed to by a professional). applying my body oil on damp skin locks everything in, so my perfume can layer nicely to finish.

skincare ~

my favourite thing to do. with my cute, fluffy headband, and my humdifier if i'm in an extra good mood, it goes: cleanser + moisturizer + sunscreen. during the moisturizing phase, i love to give myself facial massages and also (not-so-gently - which i should and will fix) tap my face to increase blood flow and circulation. i use innisfree sunscreen because, as a black girl with oily skin, there is no way a sunscreen needs to leave a whitecast or have my skin looking dry or oily.

makeup ^^

i, personally, have yet to learn how to do makeup, and being on here, posting tuts of looks i absolutely will try once i do learn, is really helping, but i did want to include this section for the girlies who do.

i could imagine myself doing soft glams, or toasty looks and even strawberry looks. try different looks and techniques to find what you like best and utilize them to complete your overall appearance, enhancing that final look.

i think makeup is part of the outfit the same way your hair is. if my hair doesn't look good, i don't like my overall look because i love to be put together. i believe that your look really plays a part in your mood and your productivity for the day.

outfit of the day ~

you get extra points if you have your outfits planned from the day(s) before.

your outfits should feel like an expression of yourself. what you like, what you represent, what you're going for. and you may think, "angel, is it really that serious?" and my answer is sure. if you want it to be.

if you're someone who values their appearance, then yes, it is. you must dress how you feel like, even if you're wearing a uniform, put a cute spin on it that screams YOU, like an accessory - a hair clip, a headband, a custom bag, etc. and this is where jewelry comes in. something as simple as a gold necklace or even just earrings do so much to enhance a look. personally, i love stacking. jewelry really completes the look for me. and don't worry, it's not necessary if you're not a jewelry or accessory girl.

how i love being a woman ^^

- be at your best to give it your best -

hello angels! so it’s been almost 2 months since i’ve been active on here & it’s simply just been due to me focusing a lot of my time and energy into my academics, career, & personal life! i’m nearing the end of my program with my externship just being one month away! as with a lot of us, the spring semester is slowly but surely coming to an end! and that means finals are just around the corner! i wanted my “comeback” to be some of my helpful tips, tricks, & tidbits of advice for getting through finals and making sure you pass with flying colors!

also, thank you so so much for 1.2k!! i didn’t expect to gain such an influx of followers while i was gone! it means so much to me that so many of you have supported my blog even during my inactivity/unexpected hiatus! i can’t promise i’ll be coming back completely as i have my externship coming up, so i’ll be very busy the next few months! but i hope to continue to post every now and again for you angels!

let’s begin …

୨ৎ — pre-finals prep

it’s important to start prepping for finals in advance! finals may be 4-5 weeks away, but it never hurts to get a head start in your preparations!

create a checklist! — you can always start by making yourself a list or two for everything you need to get yourself prepared for that intimidating finals week! these lists could be a list of different study materials you’ll need, a list in order of priority of the different classes you need to study for, a list of supplies you’ll need to get yourself through the week (& yes, this can include snacks or any self-care stuff!), or even a list of different topics from your classes that you feel need a bit more of your attention! checklists are an amazing tool to use to keep yourself organized and can help you visual what needs to get done or what needs to be obtained!

plan out the weeks! — designate a day in your week where you take some time to plan out your weeks prior to finals week and the week of! include time blocks where you set aside time to study and time to take breaks and rest your mind & body! add small, achievable to-do lists for each day or a bigger, more broad one for each week! weekly planning can give you a tangible idea of what your weeks leading up to finals and the week of will look like, so don’t hesitate to give it a try or incorporate that into your weekly routine!

tina’s tip: utilize your phone’s calendar app! i do almost everything digitally and i’ve been making great use of the Apple calendar to plan out my weeks! it’s a great way to color code different events, classes, appointments, assignments, etc. & if you’re also someone who wants to get into digital planning it’s a great first step into getting into it!

prioritize & maintain good health! — i’m saying this with love, but pulling all-nighter’s every single day leading up to finals is not going to guarantee the best scores for you. you need to make sure your health is where it needs to be! sleep is absolutely vital to making sure your mind and body is working at its very best. as someone who used to be an insomniac and who used to religiously pull all-nighter’s for school, i’m telling you it is not worth it. i didn’t see any improvement in my grades when i was doing that. if anything, my scores and my motivation for school got worse. you can’t just go all night racking your brain over your studies. prioritize your health! this also means making sure you fuel your brain and body with good nutrients! when i’m only running on caffeine, not only do i feel physically weak, but my mind is using so much more energy on becoming anxious than staying focused.

tina’s tip: make sure you set aside time at least once or twice a week to something that makes you happy, helps you relax, and is not related to your academics! i have a rule for myself that after 7:30pm-8pm every single night that i immediately stop working on anything related to my studies so that i can truly unwind for the night. i’ll use my time before bed to have a self-pamper night, play video games, watch a show/movie/youtube video, draw, read, or chat with a friend on facetime! it’s important to include things that bring you joy into your routine! don’t burn yourself out by only focusing on your studies!

୨ৎ — the study wave

try to give yourself at least two weeks in advance to study for finals. consider these two weeks as the study wave! this is the perfect time to really lock into those time-blocks you’ve set aside for your study sessions. each day should be filled with review & ensuring you fully understand the material! the time-blocks could be as long as 5 hours or as short as 30 minutes. i recommend the start of the study wave to include longer study time-blocks and as you get closer to the week of finals to shorten those time-blocks!

week 1 of study wave — reteaching yourself the material: rewatch lectures, review powerpoints/videos/notes/previous homework assignments, and incorporate study methods like the feynman technique, practice tests, & active recall! use this time to form study groups, don’t hesitate to have longer study sessions (remember to take breaks!), and refresh your mind of everything you need to know for upcoming exams! let week 1 help you decide what material/topics/chapters/classes need more of your time and attention and which ones don’t!

tina’s tip: dedicate certain days out of the week to 1-2 classes! this will help to prevent any overwhelming feelings of stress, anxiety, and/or burn-out as you prepare for finals! prioritize which class(es) need the most review, maybe a couple classes need more than one designated study/review day and maybe other classes just need one day throughout the week!

week 2 of study wave — refresh & review: utilize study methods like the blurting method, flashcards, practice tests, & other forms of active recall! this is prime time to focus on active recall methods. doing so will help make sure the information stays fresh in your mind and will help you refine that mental list of which classes/topics still need a little more attention! week 2 of the study wave should included shorter study sessions whether it’s 1 or 2 hours shorter than week 1 or even as short as setting aside 20 minutes every day reviewing material. take this time to try and focus more on those more challenging topics rather than reviewing every single bit of information!

tina’s tip: if you use the blurting method, i recommend using it towards the end of your study sessions! this allows you to recall information as well as put it into your own words that will show whether or not you comprehend the material. review what you’ve written down based off of memory and identify any missing points or errors in your work! this will also help you refine what bits of information still need more focus! repeat this method 3 times!

i highly encourage you guys to also use this time to meet with professors/instructors to ask any additional questions! you’d be surprised at how much of a difference it makes to ask those pressing questions on different parts of the material!

୨ৎ — finals week

it’s extremely important that you are getting enough rest the week of finals! it all sounds cliché, but making sure you’re well-rested and you’ve filled your body with the right nutrients can make such a crucial difference in your exam performance!

if you have time in-between different exams, use that time to do quick review sessions to prepare for your next exam!

avoid cramming! — these in-between study sessions should be used wisely and in an effective manner. take some time to focus on material that has been challenging for you and don’t worry too much about reviewing parts that you’re already confident with!

keep the review short! — if you have 30 minutes or even a couple hours before your next final, do not use the entire time of your “break” to study/review! give your mind a break to rest! listen to some music, play a cozy game, or even take a quick nap if you’re able to! a lot of your mental energy should be put into your time taking the exam, so don’t expend all that energy into studying/reviewing!

final notes —

finals can be exhausting, anxiety-inducing, and just an overall challenge. since it’s that time of the semester where, i’m sure, most of us are starting to experience a drop in the level of our academic motivation, it’s really important to maintain a good and reliable study/school routine to keep yourself on the track you ideally want to be on!

i stress this a lot in my other posts, but self-care is extremely important in being able to maintain good routines in your day to day life! so be sure you’re still incorporating time to focus on your self care to keep yourself afloat!