Hey guys, since my previous post on Morning Routines was very well received, I decided to make a night version. This small infographic thingy outlines the things I do at night to prep myself for rest, as well as some other things you could try to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Hope this helps, and don’t hesitate to drop me an ask if you have any questions!
P.S. the typefaces used are Bromello and Montserrat
When I was 17 my appendix ruptured because I thought I was just having period cramps and didn’t go to the hospital so don’t tell me PMS symptoms are no big deal
Lately i always feeling frustrated. Idk but i think it’s because school. My school is like hell, there’s non stop homework + the homework each day is a mess and very very full. Who’s not stressed about that?
Also, I don’t have time to study at home!!!! (Minimum)
What kind of school is that?! They rarely to explain about the subjects/materials.
But, i try to stand and fight for this!! CHEER UP!!!
With the start of 2018 well underway, I wanted to make a masterpost full of links on how to adjust your perspective with studying. Perhaps you want to become a better student overall, improve your focus or get into your dream college, there is always something we want to do better! Hopefully these tips will make 2018 your best academic year yet!
Organisation
2018 student planner
planner brand recommendations
planner vs bullet journal: pros and cons
how to set up a bullet journal
setting up a digital bullet journal
bullet journal spread ideas
bullet journal decoration hacks
bullet journal brand recommendations
whats in my bag
my favourite stationery
back to school basic supplies
how to improve your handwriting
handwriting font suggestions
balancing study and work
desk/workspace essentials
student finance tips
2018 monthly planner printables
Productivity
productivity and time management applications
how to remove distractions
types of procrastination and how to deal with them
google chrome new tab options for improved productivity
10 small ways to improve your productivity
applications to block websites
no distraction writing applications
100 days of productivity challenge
how to focus in class
how to stick to a schedule
how to stay alert
how to build self-discipline
how to organise for exams
my after school routine
how to reduce perfectionist ideas
Motivation
what to do when you’ve tried everything
how to gain back motivation
motivational monday printables
how to stop avoiding studying
what to do when you feel exhausted before studying
how I stay motivated
tips on maintaining motivation
how to start a studyblr
how to utilise your studyblr for motivation
how to set up a studygram
dealing with competitive people
how to bounce back from ‘failure’
how to learn from a lower than expected grade
how to structure a weekly review
how to deal with a difficult class
things to do during holidays/study vacations
Studying
applications for students
how to take effective class or lecture notes
how to take notes from a textbook
how to prepare for exams
my note-taking method
my notebook system
how to write faster
how to study more effectively
how to summarise information
how I organise my binders
good habits to implement
how to study (my method)
how to revise from notes
how to organise a colour code
how to memorise information effectively
how to memorise quotes
how to use flashcards
how I reduce waffle and narration in essays
tips for essay writing
how to find out where you’re going wrong
how I prepare to study
different ways to study
how to study during the semester
how to annotate a book/novel/etc
how to get ahead in school
how to break up a large textbook
studying as a visual learner
how to practice and present a speech
mindmapping apps and extensions
how to deal with online classes
how to study a language
how to study maths
how to improve group assessments/projects
Self Care
how to improve your sleep schedule
how to wake up earlier
how to study when sick
over-coming self doubt
dealing with stress
how to balance studying and anxiety
how to balance studying and depression
apps that help with depression
ways to reward your productivity
my favourite tv shows
my favourite podcasts
ways to use empty notebooks
how to be more sociable
tips for getting a job
advice for the first day
things (personal, academic, etc) to do every week
Printables
2018 monthly planner printables
2018 student printables (includes 2018 overview + calendar, daily + weekly + monthly planner, 30 habit tracker, class overview and timed worklog)
four big studying myths and how to really succeed at studying
hey everyone! optomstudies here with a unique post about studying myths that I’ve discovered!
Myth: people are intrinsically visual, auditory, or kinaesthetic learners!
Fact: There is no scientific evidence to show that you are stuck learning only one way! It’s true that visual information comprises 90% of all the information we take in but it doesn’t mean that you are trapped studying only in one style.
My special tip: Engage in multi-modal learning, read your notes aloud when revising, but only the most important bits. One study showed that those who read half a list aloud remembered 15% more words, but reading the whole list aloud didn’t make much of a difference. I find that reading formulas aloud both in their symbolic forms and also in terms of their meanings e.g. F=ma and force = mass times acceleration.
Myth: It is better to have one set study space to study in.
Fact: Studies have actually shown that it is more productive to vary your study space and improve retention (reviewing vocabulary in two locations improved retention by 20% compared to one), however keep in mind that studies have also shown that productivity does improve when your desks are able to be personalised!
My special tip: Have 2-3 go-to study spaces and cycle through them. They don’t all have to have your favourite desk calendar, but there should be one aspect that is personalised! I’ve found that personalising your Google account and syncing your Chrome theme at your faculty computer lab + having one preferential computer which is optimally located between air conditioners helps me to feel comfortable studying in a particular place.
Myth: Rewriting notes is useless and doesn’t help you remember.
Fact: Although copying your notes is ineffective and inefficient, changing notes into a different format, in a way that condenses and interlinks information blocks is effective. Writing notes in your own words has been shown to be an effective study method and is way better than just regurgitating the textbook or a lecturer’s words.
My special tip: Try using mind maps see my study tips for effective mind maps here as a way to summarise and to understand the relationships between different topics and components of the topic you are studying. They have been shown to be 10-15% more effective at learning and memory than conventional note-taking and studying techniques. The combination of words and pictures is 6x more effective for memory than words alone (source). It helps you to understand information at a deeper more intuitive level and reflects your mind’s natural thinking patterns.
Myth: “I’m just not a natural at STEM subjects, I’m just naturally better at liberal arts/languages”
Fact: Just because you try something and it feels “hard” and someone else just seems to “get it” or do “better” doesn’t mean anything. No one is a “natural”, no one is “born” being good at calculus or any other high school and university level subject. And honestly that sort of thinking is really disrespectful to people who get good grades in every subject by sheer determination and diligence.
You are not limited to one set of subjects to be bad at in much the same way that people are not limited to having one type of subject that they are good at. Think about something that you’re good at - maybe you’re a piano player? An artist? A sport? Were you blessed from birth to create masterpieces and win competitions? No, you practiced and tried different techniques and worked at it. Studies are the same way, and don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re not good at a subject and are doomed to be bad at it!