Don't give up

https://www.gofundme.com/f/64az8-help-with-masters-degree?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Just completed and submitted the final version of my Extended Essay !!! °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖° 

So I compiled lists of words that I found super super useful in making it easier for me to finish any essay !! Here is a masterpost of some sort with transition words + key vocabs grouped together for easy access as well as an IB IOC ‘cheat sheet’ I used for my english LAL orals last year (though most commentaries follow a similar structure so its generalisable) ~

Good luck with your essays !!!

Free Graphic Novels (DC, Marvel, Image, etc), Music, TV shows, and music on HOOPLA.

Free music that you can KEEP on FREEGAL

Overdrive: https://www.overdrive.com/

Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/

Freegal: https://www.freegalmusic.com/home

–

More places to find FREE EBOOKS:

Standard eBooks (basically stuff off of Project Gutenberg, but prettified)

Baen Free Library

Book Bub - Free eBooks and Free Kindle books

Bubblin Books

-

RB Digital is another one a lot of libraries have, for magazines.

Also for Overdrive, there’s a new, improved app that’s much easier to use called Libby. You can download it plus the apps for hoopla, rb digital, and freegal in the Apple and google play stores then just plug in your library card info and get going.

Oh and if you’re running into paywalls with your online newspaper reading, libraries got your back there too - most of us provide access to the big ones and whatever the local papers are.

Some general resources:

Chemistry Glossary

Chemistry Exam Survival Guide

Toolbox – interactive graphing, tables, and calculators

Make virtual chemistry models

Interactive periodic table

Another site for making virtual chemistry models

Virtual labs – covers stoichiometry, thermochemistry, eq1uilibrium, acid base chemistry, solubility, oxidation/reduction and electrochemistry, analytical chemistry/lab techniques

Concept tests

Chemistry Science Fair Project Ideas

OChem Reaction Bank

Interactive chem simulations

Chemical calculations

The Chem Blog

Molecule of the day

Free chemistry drawing software

Laboratory Safety - Laboratory safety for the chemistry classroom

Periodic Table of Videos - Brady Haran

On this day in chemistry… - a history of chemistry

The faces of chemistry

Experimentation hub -  explore and enjoy our experiments to increase engagement in scientific investigation, develop new skills and enhance your knowledge.

Understanding journals - including reading articles, referencing, and example articles.

Resources for specific topics:

Stochiometry – the mole, molarity and density, reaction stoichiometry and limiting reagents, empirical formula and mixtures, gravimetric analysis

Themochemistry – energy and enthalpy, entropy

Kinetics – phenomenological and mechanistic kinetics

Equilibrium – LeChatlier’s principle, progress of reaction, equilibrium calculations, common ion effect

Acid base chemistry – strong acid and bases, weak acids and bases, buffer solutions, acid/base titrations

Solubility – solubility product, solubility and PH, common ion effect

Oxidation/Reduction and Electrochemistry – standard reduction potentials, galvanic cells

Analytical chemistry/ Lab techniques – reaction stoichiometry and limiting reagents, acid/base titrations, redox titrations, gravimetric analysis, UC/Vis spectroscopy

Physical chemistry – quantum mechanics, spectroscopy

Properties of solutions – intermolecular forces, colligative properties

Textbooks:

Chemistry Virtual Textbooks, Stephen Lower

Organic Chemistry, Tim Soderberg

Organic Chemistry I, George Mhehe

Environmental Chemistry, Dejene Tessema

Virtual Organic Chemistry

Industrial Chemistry, Helen Njenga

Inorganic Chemistry, Chrispin Kowenje

Physical Chemistry I, Onesmus Munyaki

General Chemistry, Principles, Patterns and Applications

Chemistry Books - a variety of chemistry textbooks

Chemistry Tutorials/Guides:

Atoms, Molecules, and Ions

Chemical reactions and stoichiometry

Electronic structure of atoms

Periodic table

Chemical bonds

Gases and kinetic molecular theory

State of matter and intermolecular forces

Chemical equilibrium

Acids and bases

Acid base equilibria and solubility equilibria

Thermodynamics

Redox reactions and electrochemistry

Kinetics

Nuclear chemistry

Organic Chemistry Tutorials/Guidelines:

Structure and bonding

Dot structures

Hybridization

Bond-line structures

Electronegativity

Resonance and acid base chemistry

Counting electrons

Resonance structures

Organic acid-base chemistry

Alkanes, cycloalkanes and functional groups

Naming alkanes

Naming alkanes, cycloalkanes, and bicyclic compounds

Conformations of alkanes

Conformations of cycloalkanes

Functional groups

Stereochemistry

Chirality

Enantiomers

Stereoisomeric relationships

Subsituation and elimination reactions

Free radical reaction

Sn1 vs Sn2

Nucleophilicity and basicity

Elimination reactions

Sn1/Sn2/E1/E2

Sn1 and Sn2

Alkenes and alkynes

Naming alkenes

Alkene reactions

Alkene nomenclature

Alkene reactions

Naming and preparing alkynes

Alkyne reactions

Alcohols, ethers, epoxides, sulphides

Alcohol nomenclature and properties

Synthesis of alcohols

Reactions of alcohols

Nomenclature and properties of ethers

Synthesis and cleavage of ethers

Nomenclature and preparation of epoxides

Conjugation, Diels-Alder, and MO theory

Addition reactions of conjugated dienes

Diels-Alder reaction

Molecular orbital theory

Aromatic compounds

Naming benzene derivatives

Reactions of benzene

Aromatic stability

Electrophilic aromatic substitution

Directing effects

Other reactions and synthesis

Aldehydes and ketones

Introduction to aldehydes and ketones

Reactions of aldehydes and ketones

Carboxylic acids and derivatives

Naming carboxylic acids

Formation of carboxylic acid derivatives

Nomenclature and reactions of carboxylic acids

Nomenclature and reactions of carboxylic acid derivatives

Alpha carbon chemistry

Formation of enolate anions

Aldol condensations

Amines

Naming amines

Spectroscopy

Infrared Spectroscopy

UV/Vis Spectroscopy

proton NMR

Careers:

A future in Chemistry

What can I do with my chemistry degree?

Chemistry Careers - American Chemical Society

TAGS:

studyblr (=smartblr) - study blog

studyspo  (=smartspo) - study inspiration (e.g., quotes, pictures of studying or stationery…)

appblr - university (college) applications blog

archblr - architecture studyblr

artblr - art studyblr

astroblr - astronomy studyblr

bioblr - biology studyblr

businessblr - business studyblr

chemblr - chemistry studyblr

engblr - engineering studyblr

historyblr - history studyblr

langblr - languages studyblr

lawblr - law studyblr

litblr - literature studyblr

mathblr - mathematics studyblr

medblr - medicine studyblr

musicblr - music studyblr

philoblr - philosophy studyblr

physicsblr - physics studyblr

psychblr - psychology studyblr

stemblr - science, technology, engineering, maths studyblr

APPLICATIONS/ EXTENTIONS/ WEBSITES:

(If there’s no price written next to something, that thing is for free)

- Forest  android | iOS ($0.99) | Windows Phone (€0.99) | Chrome | Firefox (FocusNow - a similar free version for iOS)

- Momentum Chrome

- Fliqlo Mac/Windows | iOS ($0.99)

- Habitica website | android

- Duolingo website | android | iOS

- Khan Academy website | youtube | android | iOS

- Cold Turkey (program that blocks websites) website

- Todoist website | android | iOS | Chrome

- Quizlet website | android | iOS

- My Study Life website | android | iOS | Windows Phone | Chrome

- Lanes website | chrome

STATIONERY:

TESTS/ PROGRAMMES/ CERTIFICATES, ETC:

GSCE -  General Certificate of Secondary Education is a two-year programme in a specific subject taken by school students in UK. Students start GCSEs at age 14 in year 10 and then they take the public examinations at age 16 in year 11. A level -  a qualification in a specific subject typically taken by school students aged 16–18 in UK (after GCSEs). A Levels are worked towards over two years and split into two parts, with one part studied in each year:

A1 Level or AS Level - the first part of the A level.

A2 Level - the second part of the A level.

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the USA and Canada, which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations.

International Baccalaureate (IB) can refer to the international educational foundation, any of the 4 programmes it offers, or the diploma or certificates awarded at the end of the programme.

IELTS -  International English Language Testing System is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.

TOEFL - Test Of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in American universities. Though, it is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions.

ACT - American College Testing is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions in USA. 

SAT -  Scholastic Assessment Test  is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in USA.

EDUCATION STAGES/ DEGREES:

Major - is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits in USA and Canada. A student who successfully completes the courses prescribed in an academic major qualifies for an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree.

Double major -  a student who declares two academic majors is said to have a double major.

Undergrad student - a student taking up undergraduate education.  

Undergraduate education - is a level of education between secondary education and a master’s degree. When a student completes an undergraduate education they get a Bachelor’s degree.

Grad student - a student taking up graduate or postgraduate education.

Graduate education - is a level of education taken up after getting a Bachelor’s degree. When a student complete a graduate education they either get a Master’s or Doctorate degrees.

It goes something like this:

Beware, things vary from country to country and from subject to subject.

If these help anyone, great!

Wear sports bras/bralettes to lectures instead of the ones with a buckle at the back. They tend to poke and prod your back after a while if you’re leaning back. Sports bras don’t.

Set your timetable as your phone background for the first few weeks. Use this method for no. 6 too if you can be bothered. 

Lay a towel on your bed a few days before your period is due. If you leak on a towel you can just wash it or throw it away. Easier than washing and changing the sheets.

When you’re in a lecture taking notes on a laptop remember to turn down the brightness on your screen, especially if the lecturer has dimmed the lights. Otherwise you’ll annoy others and drain your battery. 

Save your recordings at every given break instead of making one continuous one through pausing. Sometimes files are too large to save and you don’t want to risk losing the entire lecture recording. Save as you go along.

If you need to remember something (e.g. a library book, USB, locker key..) write it on a post-it note and stick it on your shoes before you sleep. Make sure they’re the shoes you intend to wear the next day!

Don’t shoot me: if you have left an assignment really late, stay up as long as you can completing it (yes, that means an all-nighter may be needed). Sleep as soon as you’ve handed it in. 

If you use tech in a lecture e.g. phone for recording or electronic notetaking on your laptop, then mess around with it before uni begins. Know what buttons to press and when, otherwise you’ll mess up your notes and annoy others, with your excessive clicking. 

Always, always, ALWAYS carry a plastic bag/carrier bag. You might need to make a trip to the library, drink may spill in your bag so you’ll need an alternative or you may not be able to dispose of a pad/tampon until you get back home. Seriously, just carry one.  

Find out where coursework/assignment are submitted within your first week on campus. Ask admin how the procedure works and make sure you know it inside out. 

as an english lit student i understand how difficult it can be to learn quotes and to effectively take notes whilst annotating a book, so here’s a little guide on how i structure my a level english literature notes. 

1. before you start make sure you have the right stationary, you definitely need a light coloured highlighter ( i personally use yellow ) and a sharp pencil or a biro pen ( inkier pens will probably smudge ) and you can also use some small post it notes ( find ones which fit within the pages of your book so they don’t all stick out ).

2. as you go through the book - either at home or in class - highlight any interesting or relevant quotes. if you are reading a large book ( e.g. Wuthering Heights ) try to highlight at least 2-3 quotes per page, ( obviously some pages won’t hold any relevance ) however if you’re reading a short story or a play ( e.g othello ) try and highlight as much as you can on the page so that it is filled with highlighter.

3. next to each quote you highlight use your pen or sharp pencil to write a short explanation as to why you highlighted the quote, you only need to write a couple of words such as ‘status’ or ‘patriarchal control’ but make sure you write enough so that you can understand it when you look back. 

4. this is a tip i don’t personally use but can be very useful. for any points regarding context use your small post it notes to write a short note on the relevance of context to the quote you highlighted. by using post it notes this will really stand out in the book as well as separating itself from your other notes. 

5. now this is the part where people often get stuck with english revision and tend to just read through their notes in the book however merely re-reading isn’t the best method of revision. instead, when it comes to revision i make a word document and add heading of each of the major characters, relationships and themes throughout the novel. then as a re read through the text i add each of my highlighted quotes under the relevant headings with a little note afterwards explaining it perhaps in more detail than my original note. this method allows for all your quotes to be categorised and split into topics and themes at the same time as making you re read the text with precision. 

6. i then also add to this document any context, critical material or other relevant information to the text and to your exam criteria. 

So you may have seen from my first post that I’ve been working on improving my handwriting. This is something that I do pretty much every year, whether I’m making small changes or large ones. Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’t’s!

DO:

+ Practice everyday!

+ Write out your alphabet, and determine which letters you’d like to look better. Focusing on a specific few letters will make a much bigger difference in your handwriting than trying to change the whole alphabet at once.

+ Stay conscious of whatever you’re writing! Don’t slip up and start writing unimpressive letters because you weren’t paying attention.

+ Stay motivated and patient! You didn’t learn how to write in one day, and you’re definitely not going to change all of your handwriting in one day.

+ Find an inspiration! What’s making you want to do this? For me, I want a successful studyblr account, and that’s hard to achieve with messy handwriting.

+ Remember: Practice makes better! Just keep practicing

DON’T:

+ Give up! Like I said, this is a process. It doesn’t just happen overnight.

+ Put too much on your plate. You can’t change all 26 letters at once. Start with the tail of your A, and once you get that to the way you like it, move on to the curve of your B. It’ll take longer this way, but there are guaranteed results.

+ Underestimate the value of casual practice! If you think, “Oh it’s okay if I don’t write like this because it’s just a memo.” That’s the wrong way. The point of daily practice is so that your new way of writing can become a habit. Eventually, you won’t have to think about writing a certain way, but now is not the time.

TIPS:

+ Find the right pen! No one’s handwriting looks great in crayon, but that about a gel or ballpoint pen? Believe it or not, these things affect your writing.

+ Look at other studyblr/bujo blogs to find the ideal handwriting for you. Nobody’s handwriting is the same, but mimicking the style of someone else’s handwriting can help you develop a sense of how you would like yours to look.

+ This may sound embarrassing, but try using the lined pieces of paper that elementary schoolers used to learn how to write. Because they have a dashed line going down the center of the dotted lines, they can teach you to properly size your letters.

+ Lastly, find your own way of writing. Everybody likes to write differently, and guess what? All forms of writing are valid! So whether you write all caps, no caps, or random caps, your handwriting is good! Whether you write large, small, narrow, or wide, your handwriting is beautiful! 

If you’re a stationery lover there is no doubt that you’re always looking for new places to shop because you can never have enough notebooks or pens! Buying stationery gives us all an illusion of productivity and who isn’t willing to pay for that? I’ve complied a list of stores I’ve come across and think deserve sharing! Just to note some of these do have physical stores or only ship to certain places. I’ve tried to find out their shipping policy but be sure to double check. Anyways, here is a list of all the stores (I’ve * my faves). 

Stationery stores 

Appointed (worldwide shipping)

Amazon (international websites)

Bando (worldwide shipping)

Bloom Daily Planners (US only)

Blue Sky Planner (US only)

Bricksxcastle (worldwide shipping)

Cobbery (worldwide shipping)

Daiso (US only)

Day Designer* (US and Canada only)

Ella Iconic (worldwide shipping)

Emily Ley (worldwide shipping)

Erin Condren (worldwide shipping)

Fox and Star (worldwide shipping)

Frank Stationery (worldwide shipping)

Glam and Paper (worldwide shipping)

The Happiness Planner (worldwide shipping)

Inky Co (Australian and New Zealand only)

Jet Pens (worldwide shipping)

Jo & Jody (ships to most countries)

Jot It Down* (worldwide shipping)

Kate Spade (ships to some countries)

Kawaii Pen Shop (worldwide shipping)

Kikki K* (worldwide shipping)

Knock Knock (worldwide shipping)

Leuchtturm 1917 (ships to most countries)

Little Paper Lane (Australia only)

Makadai (worldwide shipping)

Meggies (UK only)

Mi Goals (worldwide shipping)

Mochi Things (worldwide shipping)

Moleskine (international websites)

Mossery* (worldwide shipping)

Muji* (international websites)

Notemaker (ships to most countries)

Officeworks* (Australia only)

Orenda (Australia only)

Paperchase (ships to some countries + US website)

Papier D’amour (Australia + New Zealand only)

Paperdorable (worldwide shipping)

Passion Planner (worldwide shipping)

Pepperpot (worldwide shipping)

Personal Planner (worldwide shipping)

Poketo (worldwide shipping)

Public Supply (worldwide shipping)

Quill London (worldwide shipping)

Raven Press Co (worldwide shipping ex. Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, or Carribbean states)

Rifle Paper Co (worldwide shipping)

Ryman (UK only)

Scratch & Jotter (Australia only)

Sessa Vee (worldwide shipping)

Staples (international websites)

Studio Stationery (worldwide shipping)

Smiggle (worldwide shipping)

Sugar Paper (worldwide shipping)

Tabiyo Shop (international shipping)

Target (international websites)

The Paper Stone (worldwide shipping)

Tokyo Pen Shop (ships to some countries)

Typo (worldwide shipping)

Up & Atem (worldwide shipping)

Urban Outfitters (ships to most countries)

WHSmith (UK only)

Etsy stores

Fox and Fallow (worldwide shipping)

Karma Paper Co (ships to US and Canada - international on request)

Letter Love Designs (worldwide shipping)

Little Papeterie (worldwide shipping)

Made to Plan (worldwide shipping)

Moon Lume (worldwide shipping)

Plan Bright Planners (worldwide shipping)

SHP Planners (worldwide shipping)

She Plans (worldwide shipping)

Simply Notebooks (worldwide shipping)

Sugar and Type (worldwide shipping)

Posy Paper (worldwide shipping)

Purple Trail (ships to some countries)

Find the right place to write your novel… 

Nature

Arctic ocean

Blizzard in village

Blizzard in pine forest

Blizzard from cave

Blizzard in road

Beach

Cave

Ocean storm

Ocean rocks with rain

River campfire

Forest in the morning

Forest at night

Forest creek

Rainforest creek

Rain on roof window

Rain on tarp tent

Rain on metal roof

Rain on window

Rain on pool

Rain on car at night

Seaside storm

Swamp at night

Sandstorm

Thunderstorm

Underwater

Wasteland

Winter creek

Winter wind

Winter wind in forest

Howling wind

Places

Barn with rain

Coffee shop

Restaurant with costumers

Restaurant with few costumers

Factory

Highway

Garden

Garden with pond and waterfall

Fireplace in log living room

Office 

Call center

Street market

Study room from victorian house with rain

Trailer with rain

Tent with rain

Jacuzzi with rain

Temple

Temple in afternoon

Server room

Fishing dock

Windmill

War

Fictional places

Chloe’s room (Life is Strange)

Blackwell dorm (Life is Strange)

Two Whales Diner (Life is Strange)

Star Wars apartment (Star Wars)

Star Wars penthouse (Star Wars)

Tatooine (Star Wars)

Coruscant with rain (Star Wars)

Yoda’s hut with rain ( Star Wars)

Luke’s home (Star Wars)

Death Star hangar (Star wars)

Blade Runner city (Blade Runner)

Askaban prison (Harry Potter)

Hogwarts library with rain (Harry Potter)

Ravenclaw tower (Harry Potter)

Hufflepuff common room (Harry Potter)

Slytherin common room (Harry Potter)

Gryffindor common room (Harry Potter)

Hagrid’s hut (Harry Potter)

Hobbit-hole house (The Hobbit)

Diamond City (Fallout 4)

Cloud City beach (Bioshock)

Founding Fathers Garden (Bioshock)

Things

Dishwasher

Washing machine

Fireplace

Transportation

Boat engine room

Cruising boat

Train ride

Train ride in the rain

Train station

Plane trip

Private jet cabin

Airplane cabin

Airport lobby

First class jet

Sailboat

Submarine

Historical

Fireplace in medieval tavern

Medieval town

Medieval docks

Medieval city

Pirate ship in tropical port

Ship on rough sea

Ship cabin

Ship sleeping quarter

Titanic first class dining room

Old west saloon

Sci-fi

Spaceship bedroom

Space station

Cyberpunk tearoom

Cyberpunk street with rain

Futuristic server room

Futuristic apartment with typing

Futuristic rooftop garden 

Steampunk balcony rain

Post-apocalyptic

Harbor with rain

City with rain

City ruins turned swamp

Rusty sewers

Train station

Lighthouse

Horror

Haunted mansion

Haunted road to tavern

Halloween

Stormy night

Asylum

Creepy forest

Cornfield

World

New York

Paris

Paris bistro

Tokyo street

Chinese hotel lobby

Asian street at nightfall

Asian night market

Cantonese restaurant

Coffee shop in Japan

Coffee shop in Paris

Coffee shop in Korea

British library

Trips, rides and walkings

Trondheim - Bodø

Amsterdam - Brussels

Glasgow - Edinburgh

Oxford - Marylebone

Seoul - Busan

Gangneung - Yeongju

Hiroshima

Tokyo metro

Osaka - Kyoto

Osaka - Kobe

London

São Paulo

Seoul

Tokyo

Bangkok

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Alps

New York

Hong Kong

Literary Techniques

[click for higher resolution!] Whilst organising my hard drive, I found a document from English which covered lots of literary techniques. I always struggled remembering them so made this table and put it in my subject folder. I thought it might be nice to share this for those who also struggle with the specific meanings :-)

I also made a version which you can print, you can download it here.

Hope this helps!