#studytreble

2.19.19

a guide on how to study when the thought of it makes you even more stressed

(disclaimer: i’m not a professional therapist or doctor, simply a student who has been dealing with severe anxiety since i was eleven years old. that being said, i don’t have much anxiety around schoolwork or testing, so my advice may not be the most helpful- take what i say with a grain of salt.)

while it has been a long time since i’ve felt anxious about studying, and therefore can’t provide much help with that, i do regularly have to study in situations where i am already anxious or in the middle of anxiety attack. these are some of the things i do to help myself calm down and focus.

calm down. if i’m near panic or feel too restless to sit still, i need to let my body and mind chill before i can even think about schoolwork. if i’m feeling really jittery, a quick walk outside or dancing it out to some high-energy pop music helps me settle down a bit. then i like to meditate, in order to get my focus and thoughts under control.

next, make the space you’ll be studying in comfortable and safe. what this means will depend on what you need during an anxiety attack. some people are comforted by familiar items and coziness, such as blankets, candles, and stuffed animals. when i’m stressed, i usually need a more clean and organized space, with everything put away in its place (or just out of sight) and only the things i need with me. things like tea, fidget toys, and familiar smells can help to ground you as well. if you’re not at home, libraries tend to be a good option, since they are quiet, relaxing, and often familiar spaces. if you’re stuck in school and the library isn’t an option, try an empty classroom or stairwell.

break everything down. when i’m stressed, my executive functioning goes haywire. in order to get anything done, i have to plan out my moves in very explicit detail. this is easiest for me to do on a computer document. first, i write down all of the assignments that i have to get done. then, i break each of them down into smaller and smaller tasks, until they are simple enough that each takes less than a minute and could be easily explained to a child. 

get to work! i usually start with the easiest task, so that i don’t get overwhelmed or start to doubt my abilities, since that would make me more stressed. for me, this is usually math, since puzzles with definite rules tend to calm me down when i’m anxious, and i’m more likely to get stuck on less structured work like english readings or art projects.

don’t forget to take breaks. especially if your brain is dealing with an excess of nerves, and stress, you will need to let it rest and recharge frequently. i like to set a timer where i work for twelve minutes, take a three minute break, and then repeat. if this feels too long or too short for you, feel free to adjust it to fit your needs.

condensed into a handy masterpost for convenience and fun

study moods

study moods (environments and ideas for studying)

study moods 2.0 (more moods and ideas)

study moods: witch edition (study moods with a witchy aesthetic)

study moods: episode four (part four of the study moods saga)

study moods: drink edition (study moods, based on some drinks i like)

days of the week study moods (a study mood for each day of the week)

herbal tea study moods (study moods, based off of my favorite teas)

mental health

studying and anxiety (tips on dealing with an anxiety disorder while also getting your revision and schoolwork done)

studying with adhd (my advice for dealing with adhd at school)

adhd and exams (how i get through exams with adhd)

life tips and tricks (things that i’ve found immensely helpful)

advice from a friend in recovery (more things i’ve learned about life)

recovery, studyblr, and summer (some tips on how to manage all three)

school

what to keep in your backpack (my backpack essentials)

what to keep in your pencil case (and one i forgot) (same as above)

tips for cramming (how to study a lot in a short period of time)

study snacks for cramming (fuel for the above situation)

freshman study tips (some things that helped me my freshman year)

freshman study tips 2.0 (more advice for freshman)

biology resources (replace “studysapphic” in the links with “studybutch)

exams masterpost (same as above, just edit the urls to get to the posts)

writing tips (advice on how to write, from somebody who isn’t great at it)

essay writing outline (how i start my essays)

some tips (how i keep motivated at the end of the year)

i know a lot of people are back in school already, so this is a post for y’all who haven’t started classes yet or are still getting into the swing of things! 

school supplies:

bullet journal / personal binder

schoolwork / notes binder

a folder (for anything that needs to be hole-punched)

extra paper (reinforced, gridded looseleaf is the love of my life)

a calculator (my school loans us a massive, fancy one)

workbooks (only the ones you absolutely need for class)

english books (to reference in class and read in your free time)

laptop (if you need one, in a sleeve to keep it safe)

electronics and utilities:

your laptop charger (if you have one)

a phone charger and adapter

a power bank (in case your phone dies with no outlets nearby)

keys!! to your locker, your house, and anything else)

your pencil case (and everything inside it)

everything else:

spare menstual products (pads, tampons, liners, etc.)

a protein bar (in case you get hungry)

glasses and glass cleaning wipes (if you have them)

a little bit of money (in case of an emergency)

a pack of tissues (you never know when you’ll need them)

gum or mints (in case your breath starts to smell)

a bottle of water (if you have space for one and it won’t leak)

[ 9/28/18 || 2:23 pm || after laughter by paramore || starbucks refreshers ]

11.24.18

i’ve been working on these notes for ages. there’s so much content in apush that it’s hard to condense it into something that can still give the full picture.