#pink academia masterpost project
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Studying Language
Sorry I've been rather inactive, I'm slowly trying to get back into the swing of things!
This is something I’m actually qualified to talk about! I speak three languages fluently, albeit in need of a little practise, and I’m learning one more currently, with one on pause due to time constraints. Nevertheless, I feel pretty confident in my information lol. I’m also a qualified TEFL teacher and have worked abroad teaching English!
Full immersion is the best option. The best thing you can do is spend your time in a country that speaks your target language and force yourself to learn, once you have the “Hello,” “Goodbye,” “Where is the bathroom?” all mastered. In Ireland, there are places called Gaeltachtanna where you go for different lengths of time depending on the course and live in a town speaking exclusively Irish, usually staying with an Irish-speaking family, and going to classes for the language and for games and dances. Of course, that’s not an accesible option for everyone, so you could try going to places like your nearest Asian market, Eastern European market etc, and any areas in your city with a lot of immigrants that might speak your target language. If you have friends who speak that language, natively or just to a better level than you, ask to meet them for coffee and chat as much as you can in your language.
Immersion Part Two: Culture. The people who speak your target language natively do so not just becaus that’s the place in which they exist, but because that’s the place that they live- they get their groceries there, they go to school there, and their language developed because of the day-to-day, as well as unique aspects of their culture such as dances, music, and especially food. Learn about the culture of the country or countries that speak your target language. Eg, fold a paper crane or eat sushi if your language of choice is Japanese, watch an telenovela or go to a salsa class if your goal is to learn Spanish.
Watch TV shows in your Target Language. If you can’t access the locations, and even if you can, watching TV or movies is great because it’ll help you understand the cadences of natural speech that you can’t get from a textbook or formal class situation. Start with movies you might be familiar with like Disney movies (I will die on the hill of “Mother knows Best” from Tangled is better in Spanish). You can also combine your subtitles and audio, using subtitles in your own language at first, and challenge yourself to changing the subtitle.
Similar to the above points, use YouTube or Twitch to your advantage too. That’s probably a lot easier if your target language is English, but there are creators that speak in their non-English native language too. My friend watches a Mexican Minecraft YouTuber called Quackity who has a Minecraft server modded to feature a live translator between Spanish and English, which is very cool.
Read books in your Target Language. We don’t love The Chronicles of the Boy Wizard in this house, but the books are available in 85 languages. The Hobbit also has a tonne including Cornish, Thai, and Ukranian, and Twilight has about 37 translations, just to list a few well-known examples. Learn especially about books written originally in your target language.
Consume Media Originally from the Country or Countries that Speak that Language. Read the Witcher, watch Física o Química, join the dubbed vs subbed anime bloodbath. It can be so beneficial to your understanding of a language to see how those who speak it write it themselves, not just for localisation purposes. It can especially be useful for slang and dialects.
Duolingo and other apps. I’m swiftly approaching my 365 day duolingo streak,* and I fully intend to celebrate with pierogis and a green cake. But there are other options out there, and all of them are great for beginners. I can only speak about Duolingo as its the one I use, but I’m having a lot of fun with the layout of it. However, I do need real practice if I’m going to become actually fluent.
That’s it! I hope this has been helpful!
*I've surpassed it since writing this!! I'm at 400+!!
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// Home improvements masterpost! //
Hiya, it’s nice to be back!
So I’ve been gone for a little while.. and that may or may not be because your gal was having a bit of a depressive slump... that lasted about a month. I was only just managing to get my work done, and documenting the things I felt like I’d only just done the bare minimum for was just not something I felt like doing.. but I’m feeling a bit better and I’m back- now there’s just the sleeping pattern to fix...
Because I’m immunosuppressed and there’s a good chance of having a second wave of COVID, I’ve been trying to focus on making my home environment as pleasant a place to spend time in as possible- and believe me, I’ve been spending a lot of time indoors. I also work as my country’s equivalent of an RA in student residences, so it’s taken a lot of effort to make this flat look liveable and not like a 1960s prison- but I think we’re getting there.
So without further ado, here’s some home improvements updates that have made me a little bit happier :)
photo 1: I found this vine literally last night dumped outside my residence :( he’s a big boy, but he seemed in pretty healthy condition so I rescued him. After using a plant ID app and consulting reddit, I think he’s an ornamental sweet potato vine! I’m not sure how much he’ll grow indoors, but I love the idea of him growing up around my photo frames. Whether he’s filled with pests and wreaks havoc on my other plants we’re yet to find out...
photo 2: because my loan’s about to drop and I’ve been paid for my research project, I treated myself to some lovely oak hangers for my posters. I’ve been meaning to get some for years, and it was definitely a good decision- I think they look so pretty. This celestial star chart surrounded by the lil jar fairy lights is so cosy to me.
photo 3: Another poster hanger, and also a new pink caladium! I’ve become a little more obsessed with pink plants recently, and I love that the pot matches. I think all the colours sit together really well around my desk.
photo 4: This is probably the most minimal corner of my flat! Not much to say other than I put a lil hook in the wall by my door to keep my clean face masks. I hate that I just wrote that like it’s totally normal for us to do that now, but I guess this is how we live for the time being. Just thought it looked quite cute.
photo 5: I’m a big moomin fan, and another thing I splashed some of my wages on was this shadow box- it’s from one of my favourite illustrations in the moomin books, and I just think it’s so beautiful and soothing. I love watching it across my bedroom whilst I’m tucked up in bed :)
So there you have it, a little home improvements tour. I feel like I’m cliving my cottagecore x dark/light/whatever gradient academia dreams, and I’m absolutely here for it. Living and working in student halls is not always ideal, but I think I’ve managed to make it a little nicer :)
#studyblr#student#masters student#MA#home improvement#cottagecore#dark academia#light academia#grey academia#mental health#cosy#home#botanical#plants#plant mom#moomin#celestial#coronavirus#COVID-19#houseplants#RA
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Fanfiction Masterpost
My Hero Academia Fanfiction
Plus Ultra: My Hero Academia Drabbles
Miraculous Fanfiction
Miraculous Drabbles sets: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
A Fresh Start: Nathaniel comes back to Paris and reconnects with Marinette, pairing: Nathanette, status: completed (for now)
At the End of the World: Hawkmoth has brought back every akuma, pairings: Ladynoir, Adrinette, status: on hiatus
Between Tomorrow and Never: Apartment Building AU, pairings: Love Square, DJWifi, Chlonath, status: in progress
Blues, Greens, and Endless Seas: Mermaid AU, pairings: Adrinette, status: 1 chapter, completed for now, but I’m tempted to pick it back up
Bread Makes You Fat: Food Truck AU, pairings: Ninette, Alyadrien, Adrinino, Alyanette, OT4 (Alyadrininette), status: complete
Bright Lights: Ladrien June 2018, actor!Adrien AU, pairing: Ladrien, status: in progress
Catch Me if You Can: This story jumped off the rails but it started as a simple College AU, pairings: Marichat, Adrinette, DJWifi, status: complete
Cold Pizza and Croissants: Marinette and Chat Noir spend a weekend together, pairing: Marichat, status: complete
Colors on Your Skin: Chloe helps Nathaniel with a project, pairing: Chlonath, status: complete
Comic Con Kiss: Alyadrian Week 2018: Adrien and Alya meet at comic conventions and fall for each other, pairing: Alyadrien, status: complete
Comic Shop Heroes: Honestly probably my favorite story I’ve written, pairings: Adrinette, DJWifi, status: complete, has sequel
Return of the Comic Shop Heroes: Sequel to Comic Shop Heroes, pairings: Adrinette, DJWifi, Chlonath, status: complete
Expendable: Marinette patches Chat Noir up, pairing: Marichat, status: complete
Family Matters: Miraculous history is all wrapped up in the Agreste family, pairings: Ladynoir, Adrinette, status: on hiatus
Fever Fox: Nino has a fever, pairing: DJWifi, status: on hiatus
Found: Future AU, pairings: Adrininette, Adrinino, status: in progress
From Another Time: Time Travel AU, pairings: Marichat, Adrinette, side DJWifi, side Chlonath, status: in progress
Home: Adrino Week 2018: Adrien and Nino move in together, pairing: Adrino, status: complete
I Do What I Want: Chat Blanc story, pairings: N/A, status: on hiatus
It Was a Tuesday: One-shot prequel to It Was a Wednesday, pairings: Ninette, Alyadrien, status: complete
It Was a Wednesday: Sequel to It Was A Tuesday, Friends to lovers, pairing: Ninette, side Alyadrien, status: complete
It Was a Thursday: Sequel to It Was A Wednesday, takes place a year after the events of It Was a Wednesday, pairings: Ninette, side Alyadrien, status: in progress
Just For Tonight: Vampire AU (explicit, adult themes), pairings: just a whole lot, okay?, status: in progress
Before Just for Tonight: Background Drabbles: Short stories about the characters of Just for Tonight before the current storyline happens, status: in progress
Jynxed Luck: My first fanfiction and it is AWFUL but I’m including everything on this list, pairing: Adrinette, status: on hiatus probably forever
Magic and Might: Nelix Week 2018, Felix comes from a portal and meets Nino, pairing: Nelix, status: complete
Never Have I Ever: Adrien, Marinette, Alya, and Nino play a game, pairings: Adrinette, DJWifi, status: complete
Not Only You: Nino and Marinette fall through a portal to another dimension, pairings: Ninette, former Adrinette, former DJWifi, status: in progress
One Last Dance: Older and reunited, pairings: DJWifi, side Adrinette, status: on hiatus
Powerless: Chat Noir has dreams of hurting Ladybug, pairing: Ladynoir, status: complete
Run and Return: Gabenath Week 2018, Gabriel gives up his Miraculous and Nathalie helps him through, pairing: Gabenath, status: complete
Tied with a Bow: Enemies AU, pairings: Ninette, Adrinette, DJWifi, status: on hiatus
The Next Exit: Adrinette April 2018: On the Run AU, pairing: Adrinette, status: complete
The Pink Lady: Marichat May 2018: Ghost AU, pairing: Marichat, status: in progress
The Trouble with Kittens: So much happens in this fic that I don’t even know what to put here. Starts with a Marichat scene about pregnancy. pairings: story arcs for Adrinette, DJWifi, Chlonath, and Gabenath, status: completed
Tip and Trade: Stripper AU (explicit), pairings: Adrinette, side DJWifi. status: in progress
Tomatoes and Lemons: Roommates AU, pairing: Chlonath, status: complete
When I See You Again: Ladynoir 2018, pairings: Ladynoir, side DJWifi, status: in progress
When We Meet Again: Reincarnation Soulmate AU, pairings: Ladynoir, Adrinette, status: complete
#fanfiction masterpost#we'll see if I keep up with this one#most of the early ones are so bad#but I just included everything on AO3#you can definitely tell the first ones I wrote though#yeeeesh#I kind of want to rewrite the majority of my older stuff#maybe I will#I have so much stuff on hiatus#that sucks
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Crunch Time Exam Prep
My girl @seliniteheart requested: “How to prepare for exams 3-4 weeks ahead while not going insane because they're the hardest exams in the entire major” and this seems time-sensitive, so I gotchu girly! I hope I got this to you in time!!
Scheduling
Break your time up effectively so that you can get as much information crammed into your brain as possible
Break it down also so thay you repeat the information on a good interval. Maybe, if there’s three weeks to go, repeat question x every monday and info y every tuesday, and do a practise paper every friday?
If applicable, figure out what’s most likely to be on the exam and focus on that
Focus also on your weak points. Don’t waste energy on the things you know and are good at, give them a go over but focus on the stuff you don’t like
Schedule productive breaks- if you’ve been elbows down on your desk for a bit and want to keep the study energy up but need a break, take a break for some kinaesthetic learning, for example.
Take 0% breaks- in other words, take some breaks to do absolutely nothing, where even thinking about the exam is BANNED. Life-Hack- inform other people of this strategy so that you don’t get your mum coming into your room like “how’s the studying going?” when you’re mid-meditation, or to be watching your comfort YouTuber when your bestie is like “girl, I’m so stressed for this exam on Monday!” This time is for 0 brain power, no stress.
Sorry to the girlies who also have to consider jobs and other priorities, but see if you can work with your employers, the aunt you babysit for etc to reduce your time, or if you can blend your studies. Eg maybe you’re studying for a maths exam, which means helping your little cousin with maths homework keeps you in the right mindset to study for an hour when you get home. Or maybe your retail job is cool and lets you study in the breakroom, or even take your textbook to the till when its quiet.
If your bosses aren’t cool, unfortunately, you just have to make the most of spare time, but as long as you’re maximising your study time to work for you, you can do this!
Breaks
As mentioned above, schedule in breaks that keep the vibes up, and breaks that turn your brain OFF completely. Set yourself school hours eg 9-3 or even 9-5. Doesn’t matter, just pick a time in the evening when that’s it OVER and no more studying.
Make sure to go for water regularly, and eat at regular times- and DO NOT take your notes with you!
Taking Care of Yourself
Make your study experience as painless as possible by giving yourself a good environment. If you like the library, sequester yourself into a cozy corner; if you like a café, same deal. If you’re at home, make sure to keep your space tidy and organised.
I’m gonna mention going to get water again. Go get some right now, actually. Where I live, the hottest days of the year are exam season and back-to-school season. Christmas exams are a whole separate nightmare but you’ll still sweat through your fifteen million layers! Go hydrate!
If you’re hunched over your desk, you need to stretch. Find YouTube video you like, especcially if you’re not that familir with stretching. And go for a walk at least once a day, weather permitting.
If you’re a kinaesthetic learner especially, do a proper cooldown after exercising! That’s true anyway, but especially if you’re adding your brain as a muscle to train.
Actually, maybe we should all be doing warm-ups and cool downs… go over your favourite aspects of your subject in a quick five minutes at the start and end of your sessions!
The Actual Studying
Aka, the hard bit. Its so much mor fun to just organise your space, gather all your pens, and set up your instagramable study session, avoiding the actual “study” bit- God knows that’s me. How you actually study is so different person to person and subject to subject, so I’m going to give tips that are hopefully applicable to a lot of people, but may not all work for everyone!
Cater to your own preferences: I sometimes listen to classical music when I study, I sometimes listen to numetal, so what makes sense to you.
If you need to, block out all distractions: do not disturb on your phone, even turn off your wifi if you can.
If you’re like me and need distractions eg adhd: try pacing to shed any excess energy, listen to loud music (lol like my numetal ha), if possible, listen to your notes aloud while doing something else (I used to play solitaire in class). I find that if you have something else that you can focus on such as a pretty menial/repetitive game like solitaire, or a song with lyrics, your brain gives more energy to that so that instead of a hundred million thoughts distracting you, its only one extra thing.
Read your notes aloud to yourself and walk around your room- hit all three learning styles at once
Write and re-write things, condense it down, do past papers, and just keep repeating the same information until you’re sleep-talk in just the quadratic formula and/or you’re even dreaming in French.
Ok, that’s it for now. I hope that helped selineiteheart, and I hope it was useful to anyone else who needs this! There are a tonne of resources out there, and I’m sure you’ll find what works for you- lmk what you want to see next! Also, I hope you do well in your exams! Good luck, I’m sure you’ve got this!!
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Study Dates
Girlies, you should know that a study date is my favourite group activity, even now that I’m no longer in full-time education. I love learning new things with/from my besties, and doing work in company. I don’t even have any particularly groundbreaking ideas, I’mhonestly just gushing about my favourite activity. How to make the most of it!
Location, Location, Location. I love a library, especially the one in the town I went to school in which had a hot chocolate machine, as, frankly, a cute little beverage is a study essential. For that, I tend to like coffee shops- I told you this wouldn’t be groundbreaking! I know, it’s basically florals for spring, but I just love sitting over my hot chocolate, or my smoothie, maybe with a little cookie to hand, and getting down to business. I want it to be known that I theme the experience and I ordered a green smoothie while I wrote my Wicked essay.
Make it a Game. If you know me, you know that I love a quiz- I’m working on one for a family game night right now. If you’re studying for something, ask your friends to test you, or teach them and quiz them too. Then you can learn something together. I also love just doing them for fun too. Set up a couple of rounds on your favourite topics, maybe a picture round or a music round for fun.
Make it a Party! Have I mentioned my love of PowerPoint Parties yet? Next post in line is my ideal PowerPoint Party in detail, but the basics are teaching your freinds about your favourite things- and you get to make the slides thematically appropriate and pretty. They also don’t have to be educational, and you can assign Disney Princesses to all your friends, or a popular one at the summer camp I worked at was how all the tutors would do in The Hunger Games (I did not win in either of the weeks in which it was held.)
The point of all of this is that you are learning, studying, and working in company, though, so make your space cozy at home, bring snacks, whatever. If you sit in silence, or you make a group study playlist, it is all about like-minded friends hanging out. It’s about girls on a mission! Together!
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Studying for Fun
Ok, Girlies, Part of me was like “duh, Queenie, they know how to have fun;” but then I realise that what I actually needed to do was provide advice for structured fun- not to mention resources!! So, those are my two points for today.
Part 1: Structure
You know what your actual timetable looks like, but here’s a sample one that I’ve made that might help you add structure to your day
Now here’s how to actually do that
List out every single thing you HAVE to do in a week- work, studying etc, but also tidying, cleaning, what day is laundry day.
Make up a grid like this, or do a list of times, however you’d prefer. Fill in all the immovable things- work*,lectures- and then fill the moveable things- study time, exercise, travel time to your lectures- around them.
if you work shifts, you may need to do this weekly
3. Be realistic. Are you actually going to wake up at 5:00? Girl, are you not going to socials on Wednesday nights? Are you not going to need a little bit more time in bed on a Thursday morning? You know what makes sense for you. But also, can you realistically get all the things you need to do done if you wake up at 10 and go to bed by 6?
I’m using silly examples, but I think you get the point that you need to make sure you are working healthily for your lifestyle.
Let me know if you want a more in-depth tutorial on this!
Another idea that can really help for structure and discipline is parallel play
… that’s a phrase usually thrown about in child development, but whatever…
Parallel play or body doubling is essentially two or more people working on two separate tasks, but in the same space.
study with your friends
Set goals with your friends
Call them and exercise together
Accountability buddies are how you keep up structure.
Part Two: resources
These are some of my favourite places to learn things
youtube
youtube
youtube
(Yes, I do like history, how did you guess?)
*i don't use duolingo anymore bc of the whole ai, staff layoff thing... but I thought I ought include it...
Here's some others!!
Ok I'm DONE!!
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Girly Teen Sleepover
This is the promised Teen Edition to the previous post.
I don’t actually know how many of my followers fall into different age brackets, but I hope this is interesting to some of you! The Ultimate Girly Sleepover is a noble pursuit at any age, after all, so I hope you get some ideas!
Activities
Truth or Dare
Makeovers
Photo Shoot
Never Have I Ever
Quiz
PowerPoint Party
Would You Rather
M.A.S.H
Board Games
Hide and Seek/Sardines (provided your parents are very tolerant!)
Karaoke
Food
The same rules apply that getting a pizza delivery is the best option, but if you don’t have your own money, it’s time to get resourceful.
My friend, here’s a tip that you should take into adulthood, honestly: Group fund. With your besties, choose a reliable treasurer, and everyone puts any pocket money etc they might get over the course of a month, say, into the fund- aka the mason jar- and put that towards a delivery of food, maybe some sweets, a discoball if you want, or a group cinema trip.
This works only if you’re all honest,but we’re not here to breed cynicism.
Aside from that
Frozen pizza is usually cheaper, and you can get a margharita and spruce it up yourself
You can get creative with what you have in the kitchen… and what your parents’ allow. Pool your skills as a team
Box brownies are always improved with crunchy m&m’s
10 Sleepover Movies that are Actually About Teenagers
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Absolutely binge all three, by all means)
Clueless (As IF! this wasn’t going on here)
Mean Girls- 2/3 of my holy trinity made it on here!
Wild Child
Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging
Do Revenge- my modern classic
Grease (even if the cast had the worst age gaps between themselves and their characters)
Heathers
Dirty Dancing
The Breakfast Club
Clearly there are some differences in tone between some of these movies, but you know your friend group better than I do! I could also add to this list forever, so this is in no way comprehensive.
Anyway, I hope some of you took some ideas away from this post, and a bit of inspiration!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#think pink#pink academia activities#sleepover#pink academia masterpost project
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Studying Literature
I'm starting things off with what I actually know about!
Ok, Lit girlies, let’s get it started! How in the name of Jane Austen do you actually study literature? The answer isn’t just “lol read?” but actually find your passion for it, and find connections between you and the person one, two, five hundred years ago who is feeling and struggling and trying their best alongside this same text.
This is going to be a series of three parts- Finding the Connections, Themes and Context, and Actusl Studying- starting today with connecting to literature written 100+ years before you were born because personally, that’s where I think the passion for classics is found.
How it applies to Real Life in Modern Day
If you’re struggling to connect to characters from classic literature, you need to reframe how you think about them. Consider- Clueless is just Emma, right? Therefore Emma Woodhouse (handsome, clever, and rich) is just a pretty rich girl who likes playing matchmaker and is perhaps a little bit spoiled. Similarly, 10 Things I Hate About You is the Taming of the Shrew and even features plenty of references to Shakespeare in the naming of people and places.
Let’s look at a couple of other examples of how we can find connections.
Dracula: Of course, Dracula Daily has been bringing Dracula to the forefront again, and has been bringing about modernisations in the form of calling Jonathan Harker a poor little meow meow. But why? Because he’s just so meow, that’s why Because people are finding aspects of his character relatable and amusing. He’s essentially a recent graduate being given an insane opportunity for travel, and a great degree of responisbility- how exciting! And he’s learning about other cultures and trying new food! And experiencing the horrors! How novel!
Wuthering Heights: Catherine Earnshaw- a hopeless romantic in many senses of the word: she wants the romance of true love, and she wants the romance of the wilderness surrounding the Heights. She feels trapped in the world of what everyone else wants her to be after realising that what she thought she wanted wasn’t what she wanted. Heathcliff- a man wronged in his childhood who lets his emotions become all-consuming. Would you be the same in his circumstances? Can you be sure you wouldn’t be?
The Picture of Dorian Gray: I’ll admit that I didn’t enjoy this one. I loved the premise, but I just struggled. But still, I understand Dorian being swayed and tempted as if by the devil, I understand unrequited love, I understand obsession. And, weirdly enough, I have been part of two forbidden romances… like two nickels isn’t a lot, but it is weird that it happened twice.
Let’s have a look at some Shakespeare, then, while we’re at it
The Merchant of Venice: (Did I choose this because its my fave and I’m biased? Yes!) Forbidden love! Romance! A sympathetic villain! What’s not to love? The courtroom scene is right out of Legally Blonde- featuring girlboss lawyers in disguise to boot! And Shylock’s badass monologue calls morality into question. Here’s my fave line “If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
Hamlet: Yes, by god, it is LONG! Listen, 15-minute Hamlet by Tom Stoppard will help you for this one. And so will the Lion King. Make it easier for yourselves, loves! BUT Hamlet is one for the Buzzfeed Unsolved/Watcher’s Ghost Files and Mystery Files girlies! There’s a ghost right from the start! There’s a whole slew of murders, and there’s a man losing grip of reality. Hamlet himself is a student who has lost his father and is questioning the morality of revenge. He’s such an old character that he’s been interpreted and reinterpreted a hundred thousand times, and if you go through the Royal Shakespeare Company among others, you can surely find one you can relate to.
My point here is that, though some of the characters in classics might seem distant, you can find timeless themes in these stories, and if you just push the boundaries of how you think about the characters, there is going to be something you find relatable.
Go forth and have fun with classics, while I work on the installment on Themes… no, we are not shying away from problematic literature here! Also, feel free to pop me an ask, a comment, or a dm, if you have anything you want to see!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#pink academia masterpost project#studyblr#studying#studying literature#classic literature#shakespeare
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Themes, Context and Problems of Studying Literature
We’re dealing with old books written by old people who had old views, so pretty frequently, we’re going to come across attitudes and language that… well, I hope none of you agree with it… but that’s not a bad thing. We should challenge our worldview, we should learn how to debate it eloquently, learn the context of why people thought the way they did, and learn how to discern between good intentions with bad choices of language, and bad intentions even with good choices of language.
I’m going to be coming back to Dracula a lot as my go-to example text because we all have ease-of-access to it through Dracula Daily, even if we aren’t participating, and I think its fair to focus on one we could all be reading for free.
Common Themes
Themes that come up a lot in any analysis of literature are always the major political issues of the world at the time the text was written, and that still widely apply eg racism and xenophobia, feminism/sex and gender, religion, environmentalism, class… Then, on top of that, there will be motifs that are specific to the book in question. For example, Wuthering Heights, as the name suggests, has a constant refrain that takes it back to pathetic fallacy- which means weather-based metaphor. And actually, the storms which can often in literature be forboding, to Cathy and Heathcliff represent thw call of the wild drawing them home to the moors.
It begs the question that many of you have probably encountered in that cringe Facebook meme about the curtains being blue.
Sometimes the character likes blue and has blue curtains and that’s it- and it is worth knowing that that can be true- but sometimes the curtains are blue because everything is blue and has been since the character’s mother designed the house, and blue is the oppressive colour of an old attitude but the main character wants to live in a modern world of yellow. Maybe, as soon as the mother dies, the main character is going to redesign the house that felt like a trap for so many years and the curtains will be yellow.
More on symbolism, metaphors, and other methods next week!
Interpretation
So, what are you supposed to do with this information? Well, pick an angle and defend it with your entire being. Here comes the Dracula because firstly, do you feel like Jonathan is a sexist because he expects Mina to be in the kitchen cooking paprika hendl for him? Or is he a true romantic who is thinking of her always on his trip to Transylvania?
This is the importance of opinion. Answering essay questions has, in my experience, always meant picking a side and gunning for it to the death. You have the evidence for your case. Look at this asshole Van Helsing being so condesceding to Mina, he’s so sexist! Alternatively, look at this feminist icon Van Helsing treating Mina as the only one with the brain cell.
It’s up to you, and that to me is the value of studying literature because it forces you to think for yourself. And the thing is, you can’t be wrong if you back it up.
Context
I think it’s important to understand where the author was in their lifewhen they wrote their book when we’re analysing its contents. I think the content should be the dominant force in your interpretations, but understanding some of the context matters.
Taking our faithful companion Dracula, it is important to know that this story where the beautiful Lucy is viciously attacked by a creature of the night was written in 1897, and that the murders of prostitutes committed by Jack the Ripper were less than a decade prior. It is also worth noting that the predominantly English cast of characters were written from the point-of-view of Irishman Bram Stoker who supported Home Rule for Ireland.
It can be useful to familiarise yourself with the language of the time, particularly when referring to issues such as sexuality, class, and race, when looking at broad questions such as, for example “is Dracula racist?” Not really, it mostly just uses period-typical language, but Jonathan himself can be pretty xenophobic because he represents the typical Englishman of the day.
That is also one hypothetical interpretation- it’s not even necessarily what I think- so, always keep these things in mind too.
My point is, understanding the time period can help you understand the work in question.
Why it is Important?
Ok, girls, I’m about to start PREACHING! As I mentioned, I think the value of a literature degree is how much it forces you to engage with challenging material, understand the nuances of creativity, and messages versus enjoying art for art’s sake. I think the reason creative subjects and humanities are underfunded because (tinfoil hat voice) THEY WANT US STUPID!! But in all seriousness, take every opportunity to expand your media literacy, your worldview, and your understanding of what counts as art, a classic, literature, and something worth thinking about.
Ok, girlies, I’m leaving it here for this week. This is my absolute PASSION, so I could talk about it FOREVER, but I’ll stop now to focus energy on the actual study section for next week!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#pink academia masterpost project#studying literature#studyblr#study tips#dracula#dracula daily
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Advice for University/College
Hi Girlies, if you go to tertiary education, then hopefully this helps you. I’m guessing by now, you know how best to study for you, so I’ll instead focus on: Time Management, extra-curriculars, and Making Friends
Part One: Time Management
Fear not, if you’re finding time-management difficult, so do plenty. So, I leave you with:
youtube
Part Two: Extra-Curricular Activities
Ok, so a huge factor is of course Time Management, BUT my main advice is: do them. Sometimes you should join clubs to further your career, but sometimes you should join clubs that you are genuinely interested in! Try new things!!
The way *my* university timetable worked in first year, was that I was busy for maybe 4 hours any weekday. And yes, I had coursework; but I also had a LOT of time, so I joined a club where I ended up meeting my future partner, and I joined cheerleading! I never thought that’s where I’d find my happy place, but I loved it!
Part Three: Dating and Drinking
a) Dating.
Ok! I’ll declare my lack of expertise here. I’m asexual, and I’ve been in a committed relationship since my first year of university. So I’ll leave these for you.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KxIl2A4Q9B0&pp=ygUTYmVzdCBkcmVzc2VkIGRhdGluZw%3D%3D
youtube
youtube
youtube
b) Drinking
Ok, first of all, don’t drink until you’re of legal drinking age, blah, I’m not liable for your bad decisions.
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s the real advice.
- drink. No really, you should try it. If you don’t want to, then don’t (there are so many reasons, you’re so valid!!) but my advice for most things in life is to try things. Drink some 4% alcopop to try, and as long as you’re safe, have fun!
- THAT SAID BE RESPONSIBLE. But what does that actually mean? Make sure you never drink alone, always have a friend you trust with you, and try to learn your limit early.
- Learning your limit early means that as you start drinking, start really small and see how you feel. Then drink a bit more and stay aware of your feelings etc. if you feel woozy or sickly, it’s time to sit and have some water. You also don’t need to hit your limit every single time.
- Prepare for consequences the next morning. I’ve never had a true hangover and I’m 25. I don’t mean to start now. BUT! I have had to deal with a lack of sleep in lectures the next morning. I’m not saying it hadn’t been worth it, I’m just saying you ought make your peace with your choices lol
- But seriously, bestie, have fun and enjoy it.
b) part ii Not Drinking
If you choose not to drink from the get go, or if you try it and decide it’s not for you, that’s absolutely fine!
There are plenty of ways to have fun without drinking. There are alcohol-free activities, but also you can totally play drinking games with Coke or Fanta; you’ll just get hyper instead lol.
What’s not ok is shaming. Whether others shame you for not drinking, or if you shame others for drinking, either way we have a situation in which someone is the a-hole.
Honestly, though, in my experience, the shaming was really not a thing. Like for example, when I went out with cheerleaders, the first few times I drank a little lighter because I was getting used to the vibes, and then when I knew I was safe, I drank heavier. Two of the girls checked in to make sure I could handle it, and I wasn’t feeling under pressure or anything. One of those girls was a heavier drinker than me, and the other didn’t drink for religious reasons. Both of them were just looking after me!
Ok, and I think that’s it! But I’ve survived undergrad, and I’m going into postgrad, so my asks and dms are open!!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#think pink#pink academia masterpost project#studyblr#Youtube
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Girlies, I have your Summer Planned
No joke, I'm really excited about this. It's pretty close to the end of the academic year, so I'm pushing this fine, I know... BUT we can make it work! You also do this at any stage in the year, and you can break it up over time because it is a big one!
Acadeca: Academic Decathalon
Girlies, I know you're all as pro-learning as me, and I KNOW you're as competative, do not lie to me. Like, this is for fun... but I also suggest a points system. But just imagine competative learning with your besties! Here're all my thoughts- and here's the long post warning because I remembered the keep reading!
I’m not gonna lie, queens, I learned that the United States Academic Decathalon was even a thing because of My Little Pony. I watched The Friendship Games and I was like “on one hand, fun, on the other hand, what high school is letting kids do motocross?” Anyway, for my fellow non-Americans, the AcaDeca has ten events: art, economics, essay, interview, language and literature, math, music, science, social science, and speech.
Get a group together, and each of you can set a couple of challenges to earn points over a set period.
As adults, we probably all have jobs, but you could make it a monthly thing or something like that, and have a Christmas night out where you announce the winner.
If you’re setting the challenges yourself, they do not have to be the ones listed above.
The My Little Pony list was as follows
Science (experimnt unclear, but Explosion=Bad)
Baking
Birdhouse building
Spelling Bee
Maths (solve this ungodly equation)
Relay Leg One a): Obstacle Course
Relay Leg One b): Archery
Relay Leg Two: Roller Derby
Relay Leg Three: Motocross
Scavenger Hunt/Capture the Flag
Can I reiterate: what high school is letting kids do motocross? I think taking the lists here as Inspiration Only might be wise.
Suggestions I have, some from the offical list and the My Little Pony list, some my own
Karaoke/Lip Sync
Art
Normal Relay Race and/or obstacle course
Spelling Bee
Bake-Off
Languages
Dance
Quiz
Capture the Flag
Essay
Anyways, have fun, contribute your own ideas too!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#think pink#pink academia activities#pink academia masterpost project#acadeca#academic decathalon
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Actually Studying Literature
The bit we’d all rather avoid… or maybe that’s a me thing. But here’re the methods I suggest for actually learning about literature! As you guys know, you need to break things down in the way that works best for you, study in whatever way makes the information stay in your own brain. Here’s just a few ways that you can improve your understanding of literature specifically.
Using Other Forms of Media to Learn the Story. Audiobooks are your friend, podcasts are your friend, and any film or TV adaptation can be useful if you’re struggling with the book, but make sure to check reviews and make sure the majority agree that it is faitful, and/or learn any flaws that there are or changes.
Discuss. Oh, my GOD, discuss. A freind of mine could not figure out a particular detail of Dracula, not from reading it, not from the lecturer, not until I explained “mate, you know it’s Mina’s notes, right?” And then they loved it. I’m not going to explain in detail, but the point is, ask more than just your teacher/tutor/whatever if you have any questions.
Practise Tests. But not in the way you think. Yes, you should do normal practise essays and practise exams, but I also reccomend doing a chaotic version that helps you just get your main points into your brain, then it’ll be easier to do the practise tests.
Here’s an example of what I mean:
Is Jonathan Harker a Sexist by pinkacademic
Intro: fuckin. this bitch does not drink respect women juice. man fuckin… my wife in the kitchen, my wife is weak, all day, every day, then he sexualises dracula’s girlfriends in the middle too?? bitch?
point one: fuckin… idk, this man thinks women can only do care stuff eg women in the kitchen, the nuns who look after him, mina caring for him
context interlude: the victorians hated women!
point two: women are for sexy- the brides- but also sexy is bad and for whores and my wife is good bc she’s not a whore
counter point: jonny does in fact love mina a whole lot and trusts her!
point three: look at mina being so susceptable to dracula, jonny thinks she’s so weak, ugh women are so weak.
context interlude: gothic novels think women can’t walk without fainting!
conclusion: therefore jonathan harker hates women, actually
This is stupid, but I know what all my basic points are! And I can learn this along with my actual facts and figures, instead of trying to store an entire essay in my brain! Now, of course, you will need to learn the facts and figures, such as key dates and what have you, BUT, the combination of the basic structure plus a handful of facts will give you a basis to work from without trying to store everything.
Ok, let me know if you want anything else! It occurs to me that I don’t have literary methods anywhere- so bonus post on literature on its way!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#studyblr#pink academia masterpost project#studying literature#essay writing#dracula
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Study Posts!
Ok, with summer's end swiftly approaching, I'm going to be making a start on study-related posts! So let me know what you want to see!!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#pink academia masterpost project#aesthetic studying#atudy#studyblr
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Sports that I think have a Pink Vibe
What I mean is sports largely dominated by women, associated with being “feminine” or “girly,” but of course, anyone can play any sport and I will die on a gender equality in sports hill. But this is just for fun, and you know I love stereotypically girly things!
Girly Sports
Dance (of any kind)
Cheerleading
Figure Skating
Volleyball
Netball
Roller Derby
Equestrianism
Sports with a Pink Precedent from Film
Football (She’s the Man, Bend it Like Beckham)
Paintball (Ten Things I Hate About You)
Baseball (A League of Their Own)
Boxing (Million Dollar Baby)
Tennis (Battle of the Sexes)
Again, anyone can play any sport that they take an interest to, but it can be easier to see yourself in that position if you have something to reference and take inspiration from. Teen movies made me the cheerleader I was from when I started at university until the pandemic hit. There was also something about a mostly-female atmosphere that made me feel like I would be in a space I could trust.
Hope this was fun, loves!
#pink academia#pink#academia#pink academic#pink academia masterpost project#pink academia activities#pink academia sports#girly movies#girly sports movies#sports#sports movies
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A Pink Take on the Capsule Wardrobe
Or: Pieces to consider when building a pink academia-inspired wardrobe
Ok, the capsule wardrobe has been defined to death, and I think we all know what it is. I’m not here to reinvent the wheel, I’m just here to paint it pink!
T-shirts: having plain black/white t-shirts and vest tops as well as long-sleeved tops as either a nice basic or an underlayer are all staples, of course. But I want to make room for a few fun t-shirts that have disgustingly obnoxious Bratz-style graphics on them and say things like “Angel.” Mwah, marvellous, gorgeous, perfection.
Shirts and Blouses: you need a few plain button-up shirts- personally my most-worn are from the men’s section. But also, something fun like a pussycat bow or a puffed sleeve adds your own personality to the basic. Obviously, I’m on the hunt for a good pink shirt or too. Skirts and
Trousers/Pants: first of all, jeans are super personal, so you should just choose the cuts and colours that suit you and make you feel the most. But also, something office-appropriate, be it trousers or a pencil skirt, and be it a matching suit/set, is worth having. And you guys know I live for a plaid skirt moment- and plaid trousers are so fun, though I have yet to find my dream pair. We also tend to undervalue the formal short!
Formal Events: having something simple an elegant and a few “nice” pieces for a range of functions is nice and handy, but I think having one or two statment pieces that make you feel like Elle the night she thinks Warner is going to propose (you know, ideally without the heartbreak that came after).
Seasonal Dressing: You absolutely need clothing that suits your environment, and I’m making a point about it because I don’t see it emphasised enough. Pinkify your jumpers by picking a pink argyle sweater vest, or pinkify your sundresses with a hot-pink floral. Own both if that’s the norm for your country.
Shoes: basics usually include a good solid pair of trainers/sneakers/runners/gutties/whatever, doc martens, something office-ready and a sensible heel. I think Pink basics include something with a pearl detail, and/or a disgustingly ankle-breaking Bratz heel.
Coats: I am in full support of making a pink trenchcoat the go-to Pink Academia outerwear.
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Girls Day's Out/In <3
We’ve done Girls’ Night, but what about Girls’ DAYs? Girly Days Out (or In) are as much of an important ritual as the nocturnal equivalent. This, by the way, is very inspired by Totally Spies activities, as well as the girly montage of any good teen movie.
Shopping: Self-explanatory- make a day of it with your besties, even if you don’t have any money, by exploring different shops and sections, planning your to-be-read list, swatching makeup on the back of your hand (make sure you locate the wipes BEFORE you start swatching!)
Having a Spa Day at Home: this is PEAK Totally Spies to me, except those girls were out to the spa on the reg. But you don’t have to break bank! My local pharmacy/drug store sells 90p face masks AND has them at 3 for 2. Do each others’ nails, makeup, hair, and feel fabulous about it. Try homemade facial scrubs such as honey and sugar, or one of those hair masks that people make with yoghurt. Oh, and don’t forget your fave scented candles!
Picnic: OOOH IT’S SUNDRESS TIME, LADIES!! Get the espadrilles, get the obnoxious sunhats, and bring the bubbly. It’s brunch hours but on grass! Remember to co-ordinate your efforts so someone brings sandwiches and someone else brings the tiny cupcakes… but I also won’t stop you from consuming 63 tiny cupcakes and champagne and nothing else, that’s your business.
Go See the Barbie Movie: THE Activity for this summer- I already have THREE trips planned, two with different friend groups and one with my notebook because you KNOW I’ll be contributing to the analysis that I guarantee will swarm to all corners of the internet. My bestie and I are wearing pink outfits and we plan on making a day out of it!
Friend Dates: What’s your ideal date? And I don’t mean when you only need a light a jacket. Is it dinner and a movie? Take your friend! Is it hiking? Take a friend! Are you a roller disco kind of person? Take a friend!
I feel like we have a tendency to reserve all our best romantic ideas for partners. Sure, your partner should be your best friend, but you should still be doing these things with your besties. You don’t need a partner for these things. *You can also go alone, trash the stigma.
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