Interiors and Others

Hi! We have multiple posts that we’ve written that will be helpful to you: 

A guide to starting college on the right foot

How to make this your most successful semester yet

How to study like a straight A student

Creating the perfect study environment

Things to expect during college

Organization

How to Take Notes from a Textbook

How to Write Long Papers

Organization Tips

How to Choose the Perfect Planner

Bullet Journaling How-To

Keeping Your Cool

Focus and Energy Management for Students

Sending Emails to Teachers

Waking Up Early

Achieving your full academic potential: Things to Avoid Doing

Study Playlists

College

tips for college freshmen

How to study like a straight A student

College Tips

42 College Tips I Learned Freshman Year

College tips: Advice from a professor

10 Commandments of Dorm Shopping

AN EASY GUIDE TO BE HEALTHY IN COLLEGE

How to Write the Perfect College Essay

COLLEGE SHOPPING LIST

10 Tips for Getting Along With Your College Roommate

High School

33 Things High School Seniors Wish They Knew As Freshmen

Expert nutrition tips for high school athletes

16 Studying Hacks For Finals Week

School Tips

High School Advice

Survive high school with our how-to guide

Back to School: Tips For Surviving High School (Video)

JUNIOR YEAR ADVICE

13 Incredible Back-To-School Hacks You Won’t Believe You Survived Without

Tutorial: how to make a study schedule.

Make a reference sheet with separate lists for each subject. This reference sheet is used to orient your daily studying.

List the material you need to study for each subject. Be more specific than you would be on a study schedule and make sure you put down everything you need to go over.

On your schedule, highlight the exam dates and deadlines and put down any relevant information. (Get the template here)

Using your reference sheet, assign certain material to go through each day.

Scheduling tips

If you haven’t been working on study material throughout the semester; schedule days before your study leave to work on study sheets for revision, flash cards, summaries, whatever you use to study. 

Take a day to gather your study material before your study leave begins. Like the weekend classes end or so. This will save you a lot of time when you sit down to study every day.

Schedule your studying so that you start studying for the last final first, and the first final last. Make sure you start this early enough to give yourself time to revise for the subjects you need to.

If you have a day between each of your finals, take the night of the final off and revise for the next exam the day after. If not, take the couple of hours after your exam off then revise for the next one.

Schedule the harder/heavier material in a subject first, so that you work on that material when you have more energy.

If you’re taking subjects that you have difficulty with, or subjects with a heavy workload; schedule catch up days. However, don’t let that encourage you to slack off. Try to stick to your schedule and only rely on the catch up days if you really need to, and if you don’t; then it’s a day off!

Also, schedule days off… a day or if you can’t afford it, half a day. I can’t stress how important it is to take time for yourself, it’ll help you avoid burnout. 

Disclaimer: this is the way I’ve been making study schedules since I started college. By no means am I claiming it’s perfect or that everybody should follow it.

1. Find all tutoring centers and their locations. Use them.

2. Laundry takes a long time. Don’t sit for an hour on your phone while you wait for your clothes to dry. Take this time to do some homework, do your readings for next class, or catch up on some work. 

3. Your schedule needs to suit your needs and your lifestyle. If you can’t bring yourself to open your eyes, get dressed, eat breakfast, and walk to your 8:30 AM class, don’t take an 8:30 AM class. If you have club meetings in the evenings, try to take classes earlier in the day. If you like taking 3 classes back-to-back, do it. 

4. Do not spend time rewriting your notes if they’re not going to help you get the information in your head. You don’t need two copies of the same exact words. If your notes are messy or incomprehensible, use this time to make condensed summary sheets instead. 

5. Find the gym. Go to the gym. Stay healthy. If you don’t like the gym, you can go running, go biking, play a sport, jump rope, play frisbee, anything. Make sure you are doing something active at least twice a week. It is so easy to get caught up in studying and being busy that you forget to take care of your health.

6. You don’t need to be super good at something to love it. If you’re worried that you’re not in the right major because other people seem to understand everything so quickly on their own while you need to work harder at it, you need to stop worrying. Work hard and do your best. Just because your classmate doesn’t need to study as much as you do, does not mean that you are not intelligent. Stop comparing yourself. There is no shame in getting tutored, there is no shame in failing an exam if you gave it your all. Pick yourself back up, learn from your mistakes, write out your Plan B, and move on. You can do it.

7. Use lysol wipes for your dorm/apartment and hand sanitizer for on-the-go. Wash your hands when you get back from class, before you eat food, after you use the bathroom, etc. You don’t want a runny or stuffy nose during exams, trust me.

8. You look fine. Stop stressing over yourself. No one cares what you look like taking the trash out.

9. You’re going to feel alone sometimes. You’re going to feel like you haven’t talked to people in three weeks. You’re going to miss your friends and your family and you might cry because of how overwhelming everything might get. Drink some cold water, get out of your room, call a friend, doodle, read, watch a movie. Don’t forget about your hobbies.

10. If you have a hold on your university account and cannot register for classes until it has cleared, do what you need to do to clear it before your registration time comes around. Do not wait until the last minute only to find that you can’t register for classes because you didn’t schedule a meeting with your advisor. 

11. Go to career fair, even if it’s your freshman year. You’ll get a feeling for what it’s like to dress and talk professionally. There will be a lot of people, and it will be crowded. Take your updated resume with you. Talk to some recruiters. This will prepare you for when you actually need to find an internship or job.

12. Make at least one friend in every class. Not only will this help you talk to new people, but it will also save you when you’re stuck wondering at 11 PM whether or not your professor wants that essay double spaced. 

13. Set some goals for yourself and plan how you’re going to accomplish them. Write out what clubs you want to join, if you want to get an internship, find an on-campus job, etc. Know what you want and go get it.

14. You’re going to need to learn how to deal with bugs on your own. 

15. Back up your files.

16. Always carry water with you. Always.

Coming from a college student and not the university’s websites and brochures. Ten things I wish I had known.

 Check your college email every morning. Here’s why: not only do you get a lot of emails pertaining to cool events on campus (that sometimes feature free food and better, free STUFF) but professors will usually email students the morning of if class is canceled. You don’t want to drag yourself out of bed and across campus at 8:00 in the morning only to find that it’s canceled.

Actually use your meal plan. I know that it’s repetitive and the food may not be wonderful, but the dining hall is actually very useful for when it comes to basic snack foods like muffins, cookies and cereal. At my school people even bring in plastic containers to take out food. While it may not be the best and most exciting food, it’s “free.” Meaning when you want something to eat late at night, you won’t have to spend money buying a bag of chips. All those late night snacks DO add up!

Bring cleaning supplies. At the very least, bring paper towels and wipes. Your room will get dirty and dusty, you will want to clean the surfaces to prevent the spread of germs, or at the very least, you’ll want to be able to clean and redraw on the whiteboard/chalkboard on your door.

DO NOT BUY TEXTBOOKS FROM THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE UNLESS THAT IS THE ONLY OPTION. This makes its way onto every list, but that’s because it’s important! University book stores overcharge for textbooks like there’s no tomorrow. Chegg.com and Slugbooks.com almost always have the same exact books you need, for half the price.

Know your rights. At the risk of sounding like a “bad influence” I thought it was important to share this story so that some of you don’t make the same mistake I did when I was a freshman. To summarize, my roommate and I were being loud and the RA knocked on the door to come in. We had been drinking casually and quickly stashed the handle of alcohol in the fridge. Upon entry the RA opened the fridge…and wrote us up. I’m sharing this because I found out AFTER I paid the $50 fine that she actually did not have the right to open my fridge because the fridge was not owned by the university. According to law (this sounds so dramatic, but it is the truth) she needed a warrant to open someone’s property. So, know your rights and what you can and cannot do. However, this story brings me to my next point.

Noise control. Rooms in dorms are small and close together. RAs do have the right to tell you to quiet down and even write you up if you don’t. It IS possible to have a bunch of people in one room without being loud…however, it’s a lot easier to go outside where you can be as loud as you want, as late as you want. (But be courteous to the students that have to get up early, please…)

Everyone is as scared as you are. Just go up to someone and say hi. This is how I met my current roommate and my best friend. Most freshmen are in the same situation as you! Everyone is looking for friends. Just go up to someone, ask where they’re from, their major, anything. It’s a lot easier to make friends in college than it was in high school.

Hooking up happens. You have the right to, honestly, do whatever you want. Just know that you have the right to say no as well.

Don’t worry about “looking” like a freshman. Everyone at your school was a freshman once. They’re not all staring at you and laughing at you behind their backs. If anything, they can relate to you and help you out. Don’t be afraid to ask for directions and if possible, make friends with upperclassmen! 

All these stores are trying to convince you that you need this and that, but how do you know what you’re actually going to use and what’s going to end up in the trash bin by the end of the semester? I’m going to cut through the BS that everyone’s trying to sell you so you can determine for yourself what you should buy for your first semester of college. (Note: I won’t comment on items on a store’s list that I’m ambivalent towards, or assume people know are necessary.)

1. Target

Find their checklist here.

Sleep:

Pillow protectors/bedbug protection: I bought similar things for people with allergies (me), but I have no clue if these kinds of products actually work. I’d say it depends on how particular you are about your bedding.

Mattress pad and foam topper: 10/10, would recommend

Note: If you’re willing to stretch it out, a twin sheet set would fit over your twin XL mattress.

Deck it out:

Futon: Uh… Good luck getting it to fit is all I’m going to say.

Wall clock: What are this?

Wall art/picture frames: I’d highly suggest decorating, unless you already hate your roommate and know you won’t spend any time in your room.

Door mirror: Just make sure it doesn’t end up being a fun house mirror (my roommate and I are still stuck with ours).

Decorative pillows: They just gather dust and get in your way all the time. But be my guest if you don’t actually plan on sleeping in your bed.

Pig out (well played, Target):

Microwave: if you’re allowed, then absolutely (if not, hide it for inspections). It really broadens your dinner options from chips to top-of-the-line microwave pasta.

Mini-fridge: YES. Easily accessible food is what college is all about.

Pizza cutter: Do they expect you to bake your own pizza?

Toaster/toaster oven/blender: Put these on hold for an apartment.

Cleaning (please do):

Broom, dustpan: Who are you, Cinderella?

Dish towels, cleaning caddy: Skip it.

Study up:

Power strip: Multiple. Just don’t set your room on fire by having too many.

Laptop desk: Burn your thighs while lying on your bed with your laptop like a normal person.

Freshen up:

I pretty much agree with everything on the list except the body wrap, but that’s just me.

Kick back

TV: My roommate and I entertained a lot of people in our room with movie nights. Otherwise, we’d watch Say Yes to the Dress together while eating breakfast when we both had a 9 am class (awww). We’ve used our TV quite a bit collectively, but again, it depends on if you and your roommate are able to share it like adults and if you spend time in your room.

Don’t forget:

Duct tape: I’ve…never…needed…duct…tape…

First aid kit: Surprisingly enough, it’s come in handy. 

2. Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Here’s their list of college essentials.

Sleep:

Mattress topper: I’d highly suggest a mattress topper — unless you (understandably) don’t want to find other people lying and sitting on your bed all the time because it’s so comfortable. Or you don’t want to get a good night’s sleep (if you plan on sleeping). Extra note: From what I hear the egg crate foam topper isn’t very comfortable.

Body pillow: If you want a body pillow, find a significant other and koala them instead. It’s much cheaper.

2 sheet sets: Personally, I’ve gotten by with one sheet set for two years. But then again, I’m good with doing my laundry weekly. If you anticipate months between washes, I’d spring for a second set.

Quilt: A quilt? Do you want to bake cookies for the floor and host weekly bingo nights, too?

Alarm clock: You probably have a smart phone. That has a clock. Problem solved, no alarm clock necessary.

Black out panels: You can block out the light, but you can’t ignore the sounds of the people you live with.

Bedside caddy: You’ll probably have a bedside table.

Organize:

Underbed storage: I mean, if you want to. I’m pretty organized, and I got by with the provided drawers (behind which lay miscellaneous, forgotten things).

Double closet rod and garment storage: How many clothes are you bringing, dude?

Hand vacuum: Please, for the love of all things good in this world, CLEAN YOUR FLOOR. You can probably rent a vacuum from campus housing to do this.

Other unnecessary things: closet organizer, cap/purse organizer, drawer organizer, sewing kit, tool kit (meh, it comes in handy maybe twice a year)

Hooks: YES TO THE COMMAND STRIPS. Just read the instructions for removal.

Study:

Desk lamp: if the desk provided doesn’t have a light.

Wastebasket: The room has one most likely.

USB drives: If you didn’t already learn this in high school, then carry them around EVERYWHERE.

Relax:

Fan: I have a personal vendetta against fans — my roommate kept hers on all night for the first month-plus of freshman year (with the windows open), and despite my protests, kept it up sophomore year. But if you foresee hot summer nights with no air conditioning, go for it. Just be considerate in your usage.

The only other thing worth mentioning is the beanbag chair. That cracks me up. You can’t get more “college” than that, I suppose.

Eat

Um, I actually had most of these things.

Plates, bowls, cups, mugs, utensils: Unless you’re going to be too lazy to wash them and end up leaving them to grow mold for a couple weeks (insert side-eyeing my suitemates), I’d recommend getting them.

Water bottle: reusable, BPA free please!

Water pitcher: Unless your school has water stations or you’re just badass and don’t mind tap water.

Can/bottle opener: Bed, Bath & Beyond knows where it’s at

Bag clips: Suck it up and roll that sucker up (then forget about it and find your stale chips a month later, and have a serious moment of considering if it’s worth eating).

Coffeemaker: I mean, if you’re serious about it, then sure.

Electric kettle: if you don’t eat oatmeal or ramen or drink tea, I’d skip it.

Food storage: Yeah… *insert guilty face here*

Shower:

No to the slippers and electric toothbrush.

Scale: Unless you want to be severely disappointed all the time, then just say no.

Laundry:

Laundry hamper and basket: They expect you to need both?

Drying rack: Just get creative — everything in your room has the potential to be an ace drying rack.

Iron/steamer/ironing board: I don’t get it.

Since it’s around back-to-school season for most people, I decided to make a supplies and stationery masterpost! Included are many options for the basic/essential school supplies, as well as some extras filed under “miscellaneous” at the end. All items have links to Amazon, and I tried to find as many high-rated things as I could. Any item I own and recommend personally are marked with *.

hello friends! august signals the beginning of back to school, which of course means the beginning of school supply shopping! which, of course, is my favorite part of the back to school season! For those like me, who may not have much stationary, you may feel lost on where to even start! but don’t worry bud, I gotchu!

backpacks

kanken - the famous ‘studyblr’ one!

herschel classic - minimalistic nd simple

pink / silver - very cute and minimal!

sanrense - tons of cute korean bags

newchic - plain and simple but loads of colours!

pens

muji - set of 12 super smooth pens

staedtler fineliners - super smooth and easy with loads of color

zebra midliners - highlighters!

stabilo fineliners

more muji! - black ballpoint

notebooks

five star - the BEST for school

moleskine ruled - great for bullet journals

Leuchtturm dotted - also great for bujo

mead - cute composition book

lilly planner - i love these so much tbh

kate spade planner - again, super cute!

pencil/pen cases

cool pencil case - cute and cheap

ali express

kipling 100 pen case

more kipling

pb teen

random things to have

post it page markers - always help me with annotating

the best scissors - great quality and v sharp

staedtler erasers - love these

staedtler highlighters - staedtler is amazing

cute animal erasers - they make me so happy

best mechanical pencils - lovely

ticonderoga pencils - best wood pencils ever

that’s all everyone, feel free to add any supplies you love :)

happy studying, and shopping!

30.06/16// Day 44/50 of productivity

Here’s a pic of my bullet journal at the moment. I only had one lesson today which meant I had a lot of time to do stuff. I have:

worked on my epq for at least 75 minutes and I found some new resources and read through others

got a hair cut

bought some new books <3

found some new music for studying

gone to my dance class