divinotes

[divinotes]

[divinotes]

thursday | february 22

i try to avoid studying late at night (and especially the night before an exam) but sometimes you do what you have to do.

i'm going to finish all my review tonight, then get as much rest as possible tomorrow to keep my brain fresh. wishing everyone luck on any upcoming exams!!

[divinotes]

Rough Week All-Around

I received 3 rejections from fellowships and internships and bro, that sucked.

I know it is tough to get summer-ships for law school but I always underestimate how disheartening dejection feels when you work so hard.

It was not meant for me, and a better opportunity is coming my way (I hope lol).

[divinotes]

Week 2 of the Spring Semester

I started and ended the week with coffee shop studying. If anyone is looking for a sign to submit that application/resume/scholarship.

This is it!

I bamboozled myself and waited a little longer than I should have.

[divinotes]

Jan 16

Yesterday was a coffee shop study day. Today, the first day of the Semester, and classes got snowed out. Kind of crazy how fast the holiday went by but I am so ready to get back into things.

❈ Library photo by Oscar Ovalle -> pexels

[divinotes]

Starting 2024…

I am starting to document and blog my journey of law school & life in general just for accountability purposes. Hopefully this turns into a habit :)

[divinotes]

I'm over people saying they'd be good lawyers because they like to argue.

First of all, lawyer arguing isn't "normal" arguing. It's not being stubborn, loud, or aggressive. Lawyer arguing is finding the rule and applying the facts to the rule and using precedent.

Second, arguing isn't always what it's about. Compromise, when possible, is so much better! I had a trial yesterday and I won, but after, my client worked with the other side to potentially resolve the issue.

Third, attention to detail is a much better lawyer trait than liking to argue. Other better traits are good public speaking skills, organization, ability to track progression of multiple tasks at once, cooperation, clear speaking, wit and quick thinking, hard working, team work, good leadership, and humility.

Being a lawyer is more than arguing.

[divinotes]

Best language learning tips & masterlists from other bloggers I’ve come across

(these posts are not my own!)

THE HOLY GRAIL of language learning (-> seriously tho, this is the BEST thing I’ve ever come across)

Tips:

Some language learning exercises and tips

20 Favorite Language Learning Tips

what should you be reading to maximize your language learning?

tips for learning a language (things i wish i knew before i started)

language learning and langblr tips

Tips on how to read in your target language for longer periods of time

Tips and inspiration from Fluent in 3 months by Benny Lewis

Tips for learning a sign language

Tips for relearning your second first language

How to:

how to self teach a new language

learning a language: how to

learning languages and how to make it fun

how to study languages

how to practice speaking in a foreign language

how to learn a language when you don’t know where to start

how to make a schedule for language learning

How to keep track of learning more than one language at the same time

Masterposts:

Language Study Master Post

Swedish Resources Masterpost

French Resouces Masterpost

Italian Resources Masterpost

Resource List for Learning German

Challenges:

Language-Sanctuary Langblr Challenge

language learning checkerboard challenge

Word lists:

2+ months of language learning prompts

list of words you need to know in your target language, in 3 levels

Other stuff:

bullet journal dedicated to language learning

over 400 language related youtube channels in 50+ languages

TED talks about language (learning)

Learning the Alien Languages of Star Trek

.

Feel free to reblog and add your own lists / masterlists!

[divinotes]

shoutout to slow learners. shoutout to people who take a very long time to parse and grasp new concepts. shoutout to people who struggle to follow directions. shoutout to people who can't perform a task just after watching someone else do it. shoutout to everyone who needs learning aids, needs to take notes, needs to try multiple times, and needs to be told the explanation repeatedly.

you're not dumb. you're not lesser. you're not doing it on purpose. everyone learns at their own pace, and people forcing you to learn faster than you can are the ones causing a disruption in your ability to learn. it's not your fault.

[divinotes]

Random writing tips that my history professor just told during class that are actually helpful

Download all your sources or print them so you can turn off your wifi

Give your phone to someone

Just. WRITE. Writing is analysing, you’ll get more ideas as you write. It doesn’t need to be perfect, for now you can just blurt out words and ideas randomly. You can fix it later.

Create a skeleton/structure before writing.

Stop before you get exhausted. It’s best to stop writing when you still have some energy and inspiration left, this will also motivate you to get started again next time.

Make a to do list

Work in bite sizes. Even if it’s not much, as long as you put some ideas on paper or do some editing.

Simple language =/= boring language, simple language = clear language.

Own your words. If they are not your words, state this clearly in the text, not just in the footnotes.

STOP BEFORE YOU GET EXHAUSTED. Listing it again because it’s easily one of the best tips a teacher has ever given me.

[divinotes]

you know, life doesn’t have to be competitive. you don’t have to get in the very best university; you don’t have to get the highest paying career there is. you don’t need to compare and compete with everyone else in the world. you need to do what’s right for you. you need to relax, take a breath, and say ‘what do i want, for myself, to live as i want to’. and, if that involves high ambitions, then that’s fine. because you chose those ambitions on what you desire as an individual, and not on what is expected in order to succeed. let’s be ourselves this year.

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hey guys psa regarding hospital bills

don’t just pay it. do not automatically pay the hospital bill when you receive it. call your health insurance provider and POLITELY say, “excuse me, i just received a bill for $1200 for my hospital visit/ER visit/etc., is that the correct amount i’m supposed to pay?” because hospitals bill you before your health insurance and they will take your money no matter how the amount due may change based on your health insurance looking at it. 90% of the time, if your health insurance is in any way involved in the payment of that bill, you do not have to pay as much as the hospital is billing you for. call your health insurance provider first, and POLITELY request clarification, always remember that the person you are talking to is human and this is just their job, and then you will very likely find out you actually only owe $500.

don’t shout at anyone about it, don’t get mad, just understand that this is The Way Things Are right now and call your health insurance provider before paying the bill your hospital just sent you. there’s a chance the hospital bill might be correct, true, but call your health insurance provider.

[divinotes]

ALRIGHT FOLKS!! no more staying in the past, shouldn’t have done this, should have studied more. Turn those should have’s into will do’s. No more living life in regret, if you regret it turn those negative feelings into actualised movements. eg. “instead of feeling down about this, I know this a learning opportunity so now I’m excited to practice this new technique the next time.” Turn those negative feelings of guilt into positive feelings of motivation. Failure is a good thing. Without failure where is the chance to learn and improve?

[divinotes]

Real talk tips for studying

1. Get up early.

I know, it’s easier said than done. But it is going to be hard for the first 15-20 minutes, maybe even the first hour, but make yourself some coffee, and get the fuck out of that bed.

2. Do 3 useful things right after you get up.

This doesn’t have to be ‘cram one lesson’ or ‘take 500 pages of notes’. No. Brush your teeth, make yourself something nice to drink, comb your hair. Wash your face. Literally whatever you find useful, do it. It may take 10 minutes, but you will feel instantly better when you see you’ve done something.

3. Organize your study space.

I don’t mean organize all your highlighters by color. I mean arrange everything so it is within your reach. That means when you sit down to finally study, there won’t be any need for you to get up and get something.

4. Take breaks.

It’s easy to start scrolling through instagram, or facebook when you sit by a 200 page book. Trust me on this. But set an alarm when you plan on taking a break. Make the break your instagram time, or facebook time, or just chill time. Whatever you do, organize your time so you don’t leave anything out.

5. Divide your shit.

So you have a 300 page chapter to read. Or a 30 page paper to write. Divide it into smaller parts. For example, I will read through the first 30 pages and then take a break. Repeat. Or, I will write 3 pages and then relax. Repeat. Literally whatever shit you have, divide it into smaller chunks and then just tackle the chunks.

6. Don’t listen to music with lyrics.

There are a ton of ‘study music’ or ‘motivational music’ playlists on Youtube. Blast that. That way, you won’t find yourself mouthing the perfect lyrics to Shape of you, and not knowing shit about what you’ve been reading. I’ve been there one too many times and it’s just wasting time.

7. Don’t feel bad about not responding to texts, or not hanging out with friends.

There is time to study and time to play. No between. By all means you should go out and have fun. But your work time can only be your work time. That text can wait, that coffee date can wait. During the break you will have more than enough time to catch up. And your friends should understand that, after all, this is important to you so it should be for them too.

8. Drink water! ! !

This is the most used tip, but trust me, you get tired much quicker if you’re not hydrated. Get a nice ass bottle of water and fill that shit up. Everytime you finish a paragraph take a sip. (At least!)

9. Don’t worry too much.

I’ve lost countless hours by panicking and trying to reason with myself why I should just quit. And let me tell you, it’s very easy to get stuck in that vicious circle. But when you begin to worry, take a deep breath, drink some water and just do. Read that sentence. Write the opening line to your paper. Underline that unknown word. Just do. It will not go in vain. No effort is ever useless.

10. Relax.

You are not the first one to have trouble with this. You are not the only one struggling with this material. But you can do it. It is possible. In 10 years you won’t remember that godawful task or chapter. But you will remember taking shit into your hands. And that feeling when you accomplish your goal is going to be worth all the while.

That’s about it, worked for me. Just be real with yourself. Good luck and may the odds be ever in you favor!

[divinotes]

15 things students should appreciate

1. the first time you use your new markers and stationary  2. sitting outside in the sun during a break between classes 3. a good coffee-to-go in your hand during a long lecture at uni 4. unlimited free books in your university library 5. student discount while shopping in many big shops (like forever21) 6. a neatly organized and healthy filled lunchbox, prepared the night before 7. classical music in the background while studying 8. walking through the university hallways surrounded by busy crowds of motivated young people with big dreams 9. being fortunate to be able to study 10. professor’s with quirky personalities and jokes 11. endless possibilities, still waiting in the future 12. cosy study sessions with friends 13. creativity in fashion, food and home decor because of little money 14. sleeping in and spending time at home/in your dorm because you don’t work a full job yet 15. dinner nights that involve cooking with fellow student friends and drinking cheap wine on weekdays 

[divinotes]

- Clean your backpack and organize your books, notebooks, laptop and study materials you will be needing for the week

- Clean your pencil pouch in case you have random things that have ended up there

- Meal prep- if this is something you don’t do at all, maybe see how it works for you for a week. If you are not a meal prepper, try setting aside the food you’ll have for breakfast the next day

- Clean your bedroom and study space- this will help clear your mind. Having a clutter-free space will relax you aswell

- Update your bujo/agenda with the upcoming events of the week- also, remember to re-write any tasks that you haven’t done from the previous week

- Make a to-do-list for Monday- categorize according to priorities. Also, try starting your list with a task you know you will easily accomplish, such as “eat breakfast”, so that you are motivated to keep on crossing tasks

- Work out- maybe go for a walk to breath some fresh air and fuel your brain with oxygen, or do whatever helps you move a little bit more than what you usually do during the weekdays

- Have a set beauty routine- paint your nails if that’s what you like, apply a hair or face mask, exfoliate your skin, have a bubble bath, or do whatever you know that will relax you and set you in a good mood

- Review your goals, short, medium, and long term- if you have not written any, this is a good time. It’s always a good thing to check your accomplishments and remind yourself of your future plans. This will help motivate you and will give you an extra boost of energy for the start of the week to keep yourself focused on working on your dreams

- Check the weather for the next day and prepare the clothes, makeup, perfume, etc, that you’ll be wearing for the week- having some extra time in the morning is always nice, as you don’t end up wasting 30 minutes of your time deciding what to wear (as it has happened to me plenty of times)

- Have a tray dedicated to store all the necessary things you can’t forget before leaving your house- gather all of them, such as your keys, your wallet, a water bottle or anything you know you will be needing and place them on the tray

- Water your plants- if you don’t have a set schedule for watering your plats, Sundays are the perfect days for that

- Empty your binders, notebooks or bag from lose pieces of paper and place them where they should be- this way you’ll make sure you’re not misplacing any important information that you might need in the future

- Check your fridge and pantry, make a grocery list and go shopping- by doing this, you’ll be certain that you won’t be running out of the foods you mostly eat in the middle of the week. If your grocery shop is located at a walking distance, you can take advantage of this and use that opportunity to breath fresh air

- Finally, have some time for yourself!- watch a movie, catch up on your favourite show, watch some youtube videos, read a book, write on your journal, play your favourite instrument, have some tea, or do whatever makes you happy. Taking care of yourself will never not be a productive thing to do.

Hope you have a wonderful week!

                                                                                             -TheLawStudy

[divinotes]

Words to use instead of “very” 🌿

(Disclaimer: I didn’t come up with this list, so if you know who originally created it, please let me know so that I can give credit? Thank you!)