The Many Tales of a Reader

I learned about most things from my Aunt Lucy. She taught me how to spell my name: W-I-L-L-O-W-D-E-A-N. Willowdean. She also taught me how to like a name like that. My mom being a bit of a celebrity around here just meant she was too busy for me. So my Aunt Lucy was the one who taught me how to say, “yes, ma’am” and “no, sir,” how to look people in the eye, and how to find a keeper in a heap of junk. But most of all, my Aunt Lucy taught me about Dolly Parton. 

body positivity—of all shapes and sizes

a “be yourself” message that isn’t cheesy but if it is it’s in all the right ways that resonates so beautifully

DOLLY PARTON

DOLLY PARTON DRAG QUEENS

self esteem!!!

teen angst

family drama and angst

COMEDY but never fat jokes ever (except for the jokes that are made by the antagonists but the dude literally gets kneed in the balls for it)

DOLLY PARTON!!!!!!

that feeling of romance and, as a fat person, ‘oh god why does this hot dude like me?’

JENNIFER ANNISTON

HEY HEY HO HO PATRIARCHY HAS GOT TO GO

“No, I mean, uh— the one where technology basically fucks up with everyone”

“Actually, I mean the one in which a kid almost destroys the school”

“No wait, the kid let’s themselves be influenced by something that no one else can see”

PROFESSIONALLY FILMED BROADWAY SHOWS

When do we want them?

Yes, even if you’re taking the maximum credit load. Because if I can do it, you can do it too. Note: My credit load also included a handful of honors courses. 

Side-note: I’m going to be a junior (how??) and an RA (!!!) in the fall. Life moves fast. College moves faster. Anyways, 

Here are my top tips: 

1. LOOK AT THE SYLLABUS AND WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN. This is step number one, and it’s not up for debate. If you do this, there’ll be no surprises, and if there are: point it out to the professor (a simple, ??? this wasn’t on the syllabus ??, usually works). Also, you have to check and see what constitutes as an A in that class. Sometimes it’s a 90, sometimes it’s not. (a 96 was an A- in one of my classes last semester. I’m so serious.)

2. Get a calendar. Not a planner. One of those giant calendars with puppies or something on it and write down everything you have to do for the month. Put it above your desk. This helps A LOT because you can see everything you have coming up for the next few weeks, instead of jus playing it day-by-day. 

3. It is OK to use ratemyprofessor. Sometimes it can be really helpful, but pay attention to the more in depth reviews that talk about what the homework, tests, quizzes and projects are like (instead of “her lectures are boring :///) 

4. Sit in the front of your class. You’ll be more likely to pay attention and less likely to scroll through instagram. (by the way, mine is @parissdb :) It also grabs your professors attention, so even if you’re shy, they’ll at least know your face.

5. Do that extra credit. A lot of professors offer it in the beginning of the semester, and hardly anyone does it because no one’s thinking past tomorrow. It may be what saves you in the long run. 

6. Figure out your best method of note-taking. For me, it’s good ol pen and paper. It helps me remember everything. Some people prefer typing it out. This is beneficial bc it makes it easier for you to find exactly what you’re looking for. (Thank you, command + F)

7. Put your effort into the percentages. If an assignment is worth 1% of your grade, do it well, but don’t exhaust yourself. It’s 1%!!!! If it comes down to it, spend more time studying for that exam that’s worth 30% than the group project worth 20. 

8. Please. Stop studying what you already know. We’re all guilty of it. It makes you feel better knowing you have chapters 1-3 down, even if you don’t know 4-7. The key to studying is to learn what you don’t know. 

9. Learn how to study. (Yes, it’s actually a skill that has to be learned.) I’m the biggest procrastinator I know, especially when it comes to studying. But I’ve found that studying 2 days before an exam usually does the trick for me. I create a master study guide during day 1 and study it all on day 2. Depending on what time the exam is, I may review on the morning of day 3. 

10. SAVE SOME TIME FOR FUN ffs. Seriously. You don’t have to study 24/7, and I don’t know about y’all but my attention span was not built for that.

I might add more to this later, or make another post because I could give these tips for ever and ever. But hopefully this helps someone out there.