Studenting Around

What content will you find here?

Some doodles, some text posts, some shit posts, some things about work, some things about my academic journey, some things about train rides, some things about escaping reality, some happy accomplishments, some frustrated sighs—honestly, I'm gonna be as surprised by everything as you are.

Why working in weird ways, you ask?

First of all: alliteration. Obviously. Second—and actually the point—it reminds me there is no single “correct” way to do things. There are, in fact, a ridiculous number of ways. I spent a long time believing that if I didn’t do something the socially approved way, then I’d done it Wrong™. Turns out that mindset is exhausting (surprise). So now I focus on finding my ways—the ones that work best for me. I call them “weird” with joy, because yeah, they’re a little unusual. And I’m proud I found them.

What tags will I use?

#anka's adventures for everything and #anka's milestones for big things. #anka's at work and #anka's doing a diss for those two things, #daily life and daily struggles, and probably a lot more. There's a 42% chance I will remember to keep this section updated.

Can you send me asks and asks or comment on my things?

Very excited cause not only do I get to work on a topic that I am very passionate about, I also have my favorite prof as my advisor who I worked for enough to trust them to not only guide me within my topic, but also help me to stay realistic about my expectations without dampening my enthusiasm.

a practical example from my first day of work

There's so many things I love about my job and my coworkers are definitely one of them. Such a cool bunch of curious, welcoming, and just overall wonderful people.

Who put a rainbow flag right at the entry of our office despite the office only being a temporary solution during constructions. Who will not pressure you into revealing any kind of private information but will happily engage in a 20 min conversation about different ways to order a book shelf (and have so many opinions about it). Who will not make you feel weird about anything, except if you try to opt out of coffee break because Collective Coffee Break Time is the most important time of the day and you're part of the team so you are an integral part of Collective Coffee Break Time.

Almost two years ago, I began working on my Master’s thesis with this little comic. I had a very clear idea of how the journey would unfold: one year of focused thesis work, weekly comics, a few revisions along the way (all while balancing my jobs and everything else), and tadaaa, a finished degree by the end of 2024.

Instead, I took a detour through the dark caves of anxiety and panic attacks. I let go of some responsibilities, took a few months off from university to learn how to take care of myself, changed my hair back to my natural color, took up rock climbing, went back to uni—and ultimately finished my thesis and my degree at the end of 2025.

I’d be lying if I said I loved every second of it. I didn’t. Some moments over the past two years left me more frustrated and helpless than I had ever felt before. But they also brought me to a better place than I’ve ever been, and for that reason, I’d do it all again.

Rambling of the day

The weather confuses me. But yesterday I managed to play the first page of a piece I am working on rather well and I am pretty proud of my progress. No, those two statements are in no relation to each other, why would they?

Tasks of the day

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Violin

Clarinet

Thing to look forward to

Rambling of the day

It’s 06:15 in the morning. My words are still asleep.

Tasks of the day

Teach class 1

Teach class 2

Hurry home / shower / change

Event uni

Make food

Violin

Clarinet

Thing to look forward to

Rambling of the day

Surprisingly enough, I don’t have that much to ramble about today… maybe tomorrow again.

Tasks of the day

Work through everything again and fill up all the content

Lunch

Walk

Chapter 1.1

Violin

Clarinet

Draw card

Write card

Thing I look forward to

Rambling of the day

There is so much good music out there and it excites and saddens me at the same time that I will never be able to discover all of it.

Tasks of the day

Just write your damn shit, come on. It’s words. You’re good at words. You like words. So use them, ugh.

I am not even gonna write down more details, that’s it.

Just fucking write the thing.

Oh and play some violin afterwards.

And clarinet.

It’s funny how I literally only have to produce words and notes today and historically I am good with both but momentarily it feels like I got neither.

Is this tasks of the day or rambling of the day? Who knows.

Thing to look forward to

Rambling of the day

The above picture is from one of my favorite places in the city. There are even a lot of benches to sit and eat lunch, it’s perfect.

Tasks of the day

Breakfast with my mom

Figure out how to play the clarinet aka how to make a sound

Check mails

Sort out ticket stuff

Lunch

SL: Meeting

Violin practice

Dinner with my parents

Thing to look forward to

Rambling of the day

Clouds should be as fluffy as they look. Like if something looks that fluffy, it should be possible to take naps on it. But I can’t. Which is rude. Clouds are a textbook case of false advertisement.

Tasks of the day

Check my mails

Write mails

MuL overview + notes

One hour walk in the city

Lunch with my aunt

Violin practice: Back to Elgar it is!

Thing to look forward to

Rambling of the day

I did not accomplish much this week, that’s for sure, but I got a lot of sleep so hopefully that’s enough resting to have a more productive week starting tomorrow. There are a few things that need to get done.

Tasks of the day

Short morning practice session to wake up

Ironing blouses (I love blouses but I hate ironing which is not a great combination)

Lunch

Shower / get dressed up

Short warm-up practice session

Rehearsal with pianist

Recital

Plan the upcoming day

Thing I look forward to

Rambling of the day

It’s been… quite a while since I have been active here but the past weeks/months have been a bit not good and I guess coming back now is better than not coming back at all, right?

I’ve been struggling with [insert way too many things that I don’t necessarily want to disclose online] but it’s getting a bit better. AND I am playing my violin in a church tomorrow which has been a huge dream for me (the acoustics are pretty dope in churches) so I am very much looking forward to that.

Tasks of the day

Anyway, here are the things I want to do today. (Yes, I am starting slow because I am trying that whole ‘taking care of myself’ thing.)

Water my plants

Start laundry / finish laundry

Wash my hair

Practice violin

MuL overview

MuL notes

Go for a walk outside

A thing I am looking forward to today

Rambling of the day

I'm really into nail polish at the moment. Not really sure why but I like being able to take care of something that is easy to manage and do regularly. Also: colors are pretty.

Some numbers

Started working:

Ended working:

Overall mood: ? / 10

Three most important tasks that need to be done today

MuL: figure out what the heck I was trying to write / put more details into my outline

MuL: decide what chapter to write / write it

Other: check-up / laundry / nails

(SL: send that mail from yesterday)

Other tasks that I can work on if time permits

Honestly, I'd be impressed if I even manage to finish all those MuL tasks. But I guess if - by some miracle - I actually do, then:

Write another MuL chapter

A thing I am looking forward to today

We're going to a cute bakery to eat breakfast! How cool is that!

Melodies of Music Month

Senneville, Ballade pour Adeline (piano)