coffee-filled-studies

[coffee-filled-studies]

D.I.Y. Highlighting Key

This printable is inspired by my what to highlight post which you can find here. I like to use a highlighter key as a bookmark or keep with me when I read texts so I can be reminded as to which colour corresponds to what. I hope it also helps some of you guys. Message me if you need the PDF version.

Use tag #heyletsbeorganised to show me how you're using it!

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Love her idea for the highlighters!

Hey guys, so just as a heads up, I don’t think that highlighting your already made notes is that effective unless it’s for aesthetic. However for many subjects like English classes or humanities, you are often given a bulk amount of readings and I believe that highlighting not only helps you digest the content but it also makes note taking easier afterwards. Though some people find it hard to figure out what they need to be highlighting so I’ve come up with a few ideas.

Terms often come into play when digesting a lot of textbook readings where ideas are being explained to you and often you will want this definition to be readily available when revising too so its good to highlight these when you come across them.

Key concepts can be really good to highlight when trying to understand scientific concepts within research articles or when reading persuasive texts as you can relate the material back to your core unit of work. Alternatively you can use concept to highlight the main idea of paragraphs or chapters to give you a quick reference of summary when studying.

I find examples to come particularly handy in studies which are applied to everyday situations, for example a law textbook may discuss a concept and give an applicable example which I would then highlight. Or in math you may highlight an example problem to help you if you get stuck later.

This highlighter was a godsend in my last exams, especially for history because I’d be reading so many historians and articles and when it came to writing essays it would only take me seconds to find a good reinforcing quote as I’d been highlighting them all along. Or even in English you can highlight quotes from reviews or scholars to be used to back up your argument.

This one is mainly for English and literature studies because when analysing devices and giving examples of these it helps when they are already highlighted. It’s all about studying smarter not harder and getting things done efficiently so this step really has helped me out.

Again another more humanities point as you often have to create a mental catalogue of people involved and the context of situations to understand the severity of moments in history. Though in science and other subjects it’s always good to know what pages are talking about what professors or scholars or historical figures.

Finally, in many subjects you are expected to produce a mental timeline of events especially in history and it becomes confusing to pinpoint events and dates together so this step helps to take the labour out of that situation.

I hope this helps you guys out. I also like to just make a key for my highlighting that I use for a bookmark, that way I can constantly refer to it. Message me if you have any ideas or things you want me to post about.

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Image source unknown.

[coffee-filled-studies]

Planning ahead

End of classes around the corner so I took a break to print 2020, 2021, 2022 year overviews, then make some new dividers courtesy of Nifty Fairy Etsy shop.

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Spotify Playlists! Here is a master list of playlists I compiled together! They help me focus when reviewing for certain moods so I decided to share these lists on here! I update with new songs/ adding new tracks on a weekly basis and I will add other playlists on in the future to this list!!

(◕▿◕✿)  I hope you enjoy using these playlists as much as I do when studying for your exams or just doing your homework!!

Relaxing As You Study  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

These are soft soothing songs, no lyrics or anything like that, that bring calm tones to your ears as you listen. Compiled with hundreds of tracks, this is a great long playlist to play in the background while you work on your tasks!

Soothing Tunes  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Soothing Tunes is a playlist compiled of songs that are not harsh, but rather nice and soft. If anyone has requests for certain songs to be added to this list, feel free to send a message! These are primarily based off what I consider to be soothing sounds!

Anime Theme Songs  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Sometimes one does not need soothing sounds, but rather themes of animes to get you going! This playlist is compiled with multiple anime theme songs you can listen to as you study and complete your tasks!

Chill Beats  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Chill Beats is a playlist compiled with different chill beat, lofi tunes. This is a massive playlist updated daily as new chill beats are found. Another wonderful long study playlist you can listen to as you study!

Kpop Instrumentals  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Like listening to Kpop while you study, but are afraid you’ll get side tracked and sing along to the lyrics? Well here is another massive playlist, this is a playlist that consists of as many KPOP themed instrumentals one can find all put into this playlist for you to use!

Pop Instrumentals  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Here is another massive instrumental playlist filled with different typed of instruments playing American Pop Music! There are hundreds of tracks in this list to ensure a long endless play! I hope you will also enjoy yhis playlist to your liking!

Anime Themes Instrumentals  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Here is another large playlist of anime themes in the instrumental form! Listen to this as you bask away in your studies. Enjoy the elegance or the hard strike of anime themes in the instrumental form!

ASMR Noises  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

ASMR Noises is a playlist of numerous ASMR sounds from pop crackling to gift wrap sounds! This is a great playlist to listen to while you work if you enjoy ASMR sounds!

Nature Sounds  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Like ASMR Noises, but filled with Nature themed sounds such as rain, wind, thunderstorms

More to be made and added soon!

[coffee-filled-studies]

This is great advice from @studyblrmasterposts

Hello everyone! So before we start I’d just like to remind y'all that the same thing doesn’t work for everyone. So if these tips aren’t for you, feel free to send me an ask and I’ll be willing to help you out!

1) Clean your studyspace daily: Folks I’m not lying when I say that cleaning my desk a little bit every morning did wonders for me. First of all it helps you feel productive and personally, a neat desk makes me more inclined to study.

2) Keep a place to organise your thoughts: now by this I don’t mean but a super expensive planner or start a bullet journal but (especially when you’re super busy), write down things you have to do and just plan out your day a little. You can dedicate a small notebook for this purpose.

3) Have a good sleeping schedule: Don’t vary your sleep schedule too much! Your body will hate you if sometimes you sleep at 8 and wake up at 6, whereas some days you sleep at 1 and wake up at 10. A good and fixed sleeping routine is great because your body will get used to it, and so will you!

4) Make sure you know what’s going on with school/ your notes: Your notes or homework shouldn’t be all over the place! Personally I like to keep one notebook per subject, and a rough notebook to take notes in class. Of course you could just use a good old binder.

5) Plan things out: Whether it’s a party or exam season, planning never hurts! In my opinion planning gives you a good rough overview of things you need to get done.

6) STOP BEING LAZY!!! Self discipline can be key in getting shit done and staying organised and happy. Indulge in self care, but make sure your future self ain’t drowning in so much work they can’t take a day off.

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Perfect Study Weather

Rain is pouring down as I type; Lightning and thunder. Skies quickly became dark, and the wind picked up. I love this weather. Perfect for studying and writing papers. I had to change my wallpaper to match the mood.

[coffee-filled-studies]

Spring Cleaning

Sorted out what supplies I had on hand versus buying and was delighted to not only find a fountain pen (and in my favorite color purple), but also my brother P-2030 labeler (I think it's been discontinued too).

Used the labeler to label the power cords before I wrapped them up in electrical tape to keep them out of the way under the desk and for future stuff.

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Me: "Time to study"

Also me: "Let's make a new planner cover."

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As of right now, trying to get tickets to see the movie.

Image Source: Unknown

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So true! 😂

Image source: Unknown

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Thanks for the follow. If there's anything I can pray for you, let me know. Thank You. God Bless. May The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.

Thank you so much for asking and will keep it in mind down the road. Same to you. God bless you and prayers you have a wonderful day!

[coffee-filled-studies]

Great reminder and tips of how to deal with burn out.

How to Deal with Study Burnout

As students in this day and age, it’s quite common for us to juggle rigorous academic responsibilities and overwhelming extracurricular activities. As a result, we might feel burnt out. But what exactly is burnout? 

Burnout is when you feel physically and mentally exhausted as a result of constantly lacking the energy required to fulfill the demands of your studying.

Burnout can be broken down into three parts:

Exhaustion is what causes you to feel tired all the time and unable to concentrate. You could also get sick or have trouble sleeping.

Cynicism or depersonalization is when you feel disconnected from those around you, e.g. your friends and family.

Inefficacy is a decrease in productivity, efficiency, or quality of your work.

How do you know if you have burnout?

Symptoms may vary, but they include:

Being unable to absorb new information

Intellectual exhaustion

Decreasing academic performance and productivity

Feeling like you need to prove yourself

Making yourself work even more, even though you’re exhausted or being unwilling to study further

Neglecting your needs

Long term fatigue

Showing disinterest in things you normally enjoy, e.g. hobbies or friends

Denying that something’s wrong with you (may manifest in the form of aggression)

Avoiding social interaction

Feeling empty and depressed

What can I do to fix it?

Here are some short term solutions for dealing with burnout.

1. Take a power nap Power naps are life changing. They help you recharge your energy and get you ready to start working again. They also improve learning, memory, creativity, alertness, and mood. I would recommend napping for 30 minutes at most, because anything more will lead to a longer sleep session.

Optional: drink coffee before your nap - something that takes a short while to consume like a shot of espresso - so that you’ll feel alert and revitalized afterwards!

2. Take a shower A cold one will wake you up, but a warm one will calm you down. I suggest starting with warm water, then ending with cold water.

3. Exercise Whether it’s playing soccer or doing yoga, the important thing is to get moving! Exercise releases endorphins or happy hormones that help you combat stress.

4. Run a quick errand This will help take your mind off things while also getting something done! You’ll also end up walking, which is technically a form of exercise.

5. Call or visit a friend Sometimes what we’re lacking is social interaction, and hanging out with a friend definitely helps. Whether it’s providing you with a distraction or giving emotional support, your friends are always there to help you. Plus, science has shown that being with friends reduces your cortisol (stress hormone) levels.

6. Eat a snack Preferably a healthy one. Eat something with proteins, vitamins, and fibers to boost your mood. Here’s a list of mood boosting foods.

7. Surf the web This requires A TON of discipline, but it’s definitely a game changer. Surfing the web is one of the most relaxing things you could do. I personally look for a good laugh during my study breaks, so I’d watch a comedy or scroll through memes to get those happy hormones up and running.

8. Do an activity you find interesting, e.g. a hobby We all need happiness in our lives, and our hobbies are perhaps the best way to find that joy. You could sit down with a page turning adventure, or go outside and shoot hoops, or listen to a podcast, or even bullet journal, as long as you’re having a good time.

9. Listen to music Music is one of the ways we gain energy, so I always make time for it during the day. However, you should choose the right music, because not all the music you love is going to make you feel energized. For me, it’s pop punk with hard hitting beats, thundering guitars, and really upbeat, enthusiastic vocals. Some of you might be energized by mellow music with dreamy vocals that make you feel like you’re floating in the clouds. If you choose the wrong music, you might just end up feeling sluggish and drained.

10. Get some fresh air Your brain needs 20% of the oxygen in your body. Fresh air brings more oxygen to your brain so that you can think more clearly, feel less tired, and concentrate more easily.

How do I make sure I don’t get it in the future?

Avoiding study burnout in the long term has a lot to do with our study habits - as well as our daily habits. We need to make sure that our bodies and minds receive the things they need, and that we aren’t overworking them.

1. Study a little at a time Break up your notes into smaller, more easily digestible pieces and learn a little at a time. This way, you’re not overwhelming your brain, and you have time to let that new knowledge settle in.

2. Time management Having a good study schedule is crucial in preventing burnout. You don’t want to force yourself to work at your slow hours. Aside from that, you definitely shouldn’t leave things until the last minute, and sticking to a schdule will help you pace yourself. Here’s a post I wrote on How to Make an Efficient Revision Schedule and How to Beat Procrastination.

3. Get enough rest I cannot stress enough that sleep is so important for you. It improves your cognitive functioning and also enhances your mood, making it less likely that you’ll get burnt out. Make sure to take power naps, too, if you feel like you need them. 

You also really shouldn’t pull all-nighters. Sleep is also involved in cementing memories in your brain, so if you study a little before you sleep, you’re bound to remember more than if you studied a chapter during an all nighter.

Having trouble sleeping? Here’s a post I made about my night routine and how to get better sleep.

4. Cycle your study environments Your body and mind are bound to get tired from being in the same location for prolonged periods of time. The best way to fix that is to study in different places: at your desk, your backyard, the dining table, a cafe, a friend’s house, the library, etc.You should find a frequency that works for you. I like to switch it up every 2-3 days; some people change locations every week.

5. Eat well As I’ve mentioned before, healthy foods with protein, vitamins, and fiber greatly improve your mood and your physical health. Proper nutrition will give your brain the power it needs to push through. Also make sure not to skip meals; honestly you’ll just end up feeling terrible afterwards.

6. Take frequent breaks Let’s face it, we’re human, we’re bound to get tired from studying for a long time. Taking breaks enables our brains to digest the information we just learned in a pace that works for it. Breaks also help us focus on something other than studying, so that when we do get back to it, we’ll be ready to digest even more information.

7. Set realistic study goals You’re gonna memorize all 500 pages of your biology textbook in one day? Good luck with that. Some of you might be compulsive studiers, but this kind of habit isn’t very good for your brain or your physical health. Studies have shown that excess studying can lead to lower productivity, fatigue, and - you guessed it - burnout. In the end, this will result in lower academic performance, perhaps even in the long run. So instead of trying to study so much in one sitting or one day, break up your material into chunks.

8. Maintain your social life Wherever you lie on the introvert-extrovert spectrum, everyone needs social interaction once in a while. It keeps you sane and healthy. Go out with your friends, have a sleepover, or maybe even a study date.

9. Start the day right What we do in the morning can significantly affect our mood for the rest of the day. Sometimes we don’t even feel like getting up in the morning, or doing anything that day. One thing you should do is create a morning routine you enjoy to jumpstart your day. Here are 8 Morning Habits for Productivity.

10. Think positive When we’re feeling burnt out, it’s hard to not think negatively about everything. In reality, that just makes our condition worse. So think positively! Start small, like congratulating yourself for getting out of bed today, and then work your way up to bigger accomplishments, like finishing 2 chapters of your textbook.

11. Keep a stress diary This is kind of a new concept for me, but it’s really great. How it works is that each day, you would write down all the things that made you stressed and how they made you stressed. This will help you identify the things you’re doing that’s causing your burnout, e.g.

Too long study hours? take regular breaks

Too much time in the same place? cycle your study environment

Not eating properly? set aside time to eat healthy meals at least 2 times a day

Not doing the things you love? schedule in time for that, e.g. during your long breaks

Not getting enough human interaction? make a study group

Too much negative thinking? adopt a positive mindset (you can always start small)

Not getting enough sleep? fix your sleep schedule

And that’s all I have for you guys this time. Hope these tips will help you manage your stress and study burnout whenever you have them. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop an ask!

P.S. if any of you want to see the images in this post in better quality, click here (link to google drive)

[coffee-filled-studies]

[coffee-filled-studies]

Love how @crazylittlescientist labeled the highlighters. Simple, but to the point. 

|| 18/5/15 || 6:00pm ||

[coffee-filled-studies]

Signs of Spring

Decided to dress up the desk with flowers from outside.