#studybl

if i count it right, i made my last post like 2 and a half year ago. many has changed since then, i moved from my parents and changed flats 4 times, found a job that fills me with joy, got my ginger cat which i named winrar (son boy allowed), joined an anarchist movement, finished my bachelors degree in art history and started my masters in the same field. i was also forced to extend my bachelors for one year, my supervisor wasnt the best one and she didnt have time to read my final thesis, so i had to wait for a year to take my state exams.

the last year of my bachelors was exhausting and the gap made me feel even worse. but whatever, we are here now, arent we? i really missed posting, but i was really uninspired and unmotivated to do it. and me starting my masters sparked it again.

Last 2023 bullet journal.

This is the cake i made for new year.

2022.08.01 // 18:55  thank you for 2000 followers!! hard to believe that it took five years and 300 posts to get to 1k, and then it took 5 months and 50 posts to get to 2k…

...and tips for giving presentations

Today I want to share the things I learnt to make public speaking easier. Before I start, I want to say I’m naturally okay at talking to larger amounts of people. If you have severe social anxiety, these tips might not be for you and you might not find them that helpful. That’s okay! Work on your health and don’t feel bad if public speaking isn’t your thing.

Mistakes are okay and expected -You will fumble your words or forget some things. You will stutter or stay silent for a bit too long. You will notice a typo in your presentation. It’s okay and your audience won’t care. They won’t even notice most of the time. Don’t get consumed by your mistake. If it’s big, apologise and correct yourself. If it’s small, let go and continue with you speech/presentation.

Loosen up -Even the most serious talks and presentations are not THAT serious. Loosen up, joke a little bit (keep it in appropriate amounts of course), make fun of yourself a bit. This isn’t life or death situation and your audience will appreciate human approach 

They’re all just people -This follows up the previous point. Your audience is consisted of people who will understand when you make a mistake. People who want to see a pleasant human being on the other side. Large groups of people may look intimidating but they have the same thoughts and worries like you do. They will understand your feelings and mistakes

Move -Use your hands, be expressive! It creates a better connection with your audience. Also make sure to change the tone of your voice accordingly. Monotone speech won’t hold anyone’s attention

Look at your audience -Choose people to look at. Preferably people who are listening to you and are responsive, so you can feel the communication. Also, looking at individuals makes them listen and pay more attention

Loud and clear -Speak loudly and clearly. Make sure your voice carries well in the room and everyone can hear you well enough

Don’t read or recite -This one is especially important for presentations. Keep your notes or presentation simple. Reading or reciting things becomes boring very quickly and you will lose the attention of your audience

Don’t be afraid of pauses -People often make funny noises when they get stuck, simply to avoid being silent. Don’t be afraid of silence! It’s okay, take a pause to catch a breath or to remember a fact. Sometimes pauses can even work as a great dramatic tool

Know your topic -People have questions and that can be scary. Make sure you feel ready for those questions. Know what the fancy words in your presentation mean. Know a little more than you talk about. And if you don’t know the answer? Don’t panic, apologise, admit that you don’t know and offer a follow up on the subject later

Admit emotion -You can say that you’re nervous! You can admit your uncertainty. It’s okay! Once again: your audience is full of people who will relate to you

Get to know the room if you can -Familiar environment will make you feel better and a little more confident. Visit the room if you don’t know it already, if you can

Time will go by quickly -Before you start it seems really daunting and scary but it will go by and you’ll be done before you even notice! You’ll be okay, I promise. Even if it goes poorly, you’ll forget it eventually. It does not matter forever

Saturday 16 October // the weather this month has had these surprising bursts of sunlight around midday (pic on the right is from a couple weeks ago, but you get the point).

-currents-

🎧: Chattanooga Choo Choo - Glenn Miller and Easy on Me - Adele

📖: As I lay dying - William Faulkner

How do you plan to make the most out of your day? I don’t mean to get the most DONE but get the best day yet. 

Asking yourself questions like “what are you grateful for?” “What am I looking forward to today” and “how can I make tomorrow better?” will make you more aware of what makes you happy and what you should do more/less of.