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[hermione-helpme]

Wall chart to remind ADHD student of Shit That Is Due

As previously mentioned, I have several things to keep me on track: a bullet planner, a Google Calendar, and a wall chart. 

In grad school, I have numerous things due every week. In my journal and calendar, I often forget things are due because I’m so focussed on “what is due in the next day”. This helps me visualise what I have due over the coming weeks. I’ve usually got weekly papers + bigger assignments. I note the bigger things with a star, or sometimes a different colour. Each subject is a different coloured sticky note too. 

When you’ve completed something + have submitted it, you can remove the sticky note. You get to see the list slowly disappear, which is super motivating. Sometimes it makes me a bit AHHHHH to see so much stuff due, but if I just focus on “What is due THIS WEEK” it helps. 

Sorry for the lack of ~aesthetic~ but tbh, I’m not real good at ~aesthetic~ and am more focussed on functionality and helping my crazy brain get shit done!

[hermione-helpme]

9th Oct 2017 | 1/100 days of productivity 🌿

Just a casual 100 days of productivity seems a little daunting, doesn’t it? Nevertheless, we shall plough forward and see this thing through to the end. 

Thank you @emmastudies for providing the inspiration for this challenge. 

Use the #emma100dop + join the crew! 🙌 

Instagram

[hermione-helpme]

How to deal with procrastination

One of the biggest problems for students is procrastination! It takes different forms for everyone but ultimately it stops us all at some point. Since there are several reasons for procrastinating, I’ve put together the five main types and a few ideas on how to deal with it. 

You’ve got poor work/productivity habits. You leave things until the last minute since you “work better under pressure”. You probably think you’ll do something after you’ve finished something else, and then never do. You get distracted whenever you’re trying to study and will sit waiting to feel motivated but it never comes. For this I’d suggest:

create a productivity inspiring workspace - find somewhere that you can set up a study space, whether it is an actual office or just a desk. Organise everything that you will need. I have a selection of pens and my few notebooks on the top so I can easily access them. Remove anything that might cause you to be distracted and doesn’t need to be in your immediate reach. If you’re got space, put up some motivational pictures. This could be my motivational printables, some quotes or your own pictures. Plants are also proven to boost productivity, so might be worth putting a small one nearby!

create an action list rather than to-dos - write down a few manageable tasks that you need to do and be specific on the steps you should take. Writing the actions they require will help you see what you should be doing to complete something, instead of just the overall task. If you’re able to break it down, you can take actionable steps rather than mentally having to think of each point.

focus on 20-30 minute periods - generally, we lose focus after a while so taking regular breaks can help give you chance to relax and refocus. Apps like Forest allow you to set a timer and will give you off your phone at the same time. Obviously, if you’re being productive, don’t suddenly cut that off because it is “time for a break”. Here are some other free alternatives.

remove distractions as best you can - I’m always distracted by social media so I will use Forest on my phone or time-lapse myself so I can’t use my phone. With my MacBook, I have two accounts. One for university and one for everything else. I am not logged into any social media on my uni account so I can’t just check it for a minute then end up wasting 20 minutes :’-)

find an accountability partner - pick someone who you can rely on to check on you regularly and see how your tasks are coming along. You can send them your to-do list and then every few hours you can update them with your progress. You won’t want to let them down. Alternatively, you can study with a friend! Tumblr/Instagram is basically my partner!

use the two-minute rule - if something takes less than two minutes, do it. Don’t make an excuse, just do it. Tasks that are longer you can either delegate or defer. Here is a simple visualisation of what I mean.

record your progress - doing a simple “don’t break the chain” in your planner is a great way to see how productive you’re being and therefore get you more motivated to keep it up! The ‘100 days of productivity’ challenge might be worth doing!

use a printable - I have multiple printables that can help develop more proactive and healthy study habits. Free ones are available here and paid ones are available here! There are so many options to pick from that can suit you. Try them out, see what works and develop a system that works for you!

You’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Everything seems to be mounting up and nothing seems doable. You don’t know where or how to start. For this I’d suggest:

ask for help - if you’re feeling like this, it is likely you need some help in some form or another. See if a family member, friend, classmate or teacher (or Google) can help or give you a starting point. Emailing your teacher is a great option if you’re a little nervous about speaking to them in person. Plus you won’t forget what they told you because you’ll have a response.

remind yourself that getting started is the first step - you don’t need to finish a task in a matter of minutes. Start doing something small. Maybe organise what you need, highlight the important bits of your assessment, or draft an essay plan. The secret to getting ahead is getting started!

divide and conquer - figure out what is the overall task that you need to do and split it into manageable parts. For instance, with an essay, the aim is to write it! Divide it into planning out what you want to write, any references you need, summarising a final draft and then writing each paragraph. By dividing bigger tasks into actionable parts you can reduce the obstacles and get through each part in a more timely manner.

reward yourself - create a system to celebrate completing a selection of tasks. By rewarding your progress you’ll build an incentive to work and reinforce productivity (great for your self-discipline!).

learn to forgive yourself - if you have an off day, that is okay! When the stress of your education is getting too much, it is necessary to have time out.  Remember to come back to it later and try again.

don’t over schedule - if you’re feeling pressure from the amount of work and then the added pressure of trying to stick to a time limit, you’re just going to go crazy. Set yourself flexible times to get something done instead of being heavily structured. Give yourself time for a break and the ability to change tasks.

stick with one task - it can be so tempting to multitask but try not to. Try to keep the focus on the what you’re doing until it is done. If you struggle with that, you could write down anything useful that you randomly think about for another task, use a break-time to think about that other task or alternate between subjects/tasks every few hours.

do smaller study sessions - there is no rule that several hour study sessions are the only way you can study. It frankly isn’t true and potentially doesn’t suit the majority of students. Try to study for 20 or 30 minute periods when you have the free time. Don’t feel discouraged or if you’re not doing it properly if you’re taking advantage of those smaller periods. 

You’re a perfectionist. You either don’t want to start something out of fear you won’t get it right or you can get stuck on the small details. There is a pressure to achieve the unachievable. For this I’d suggest:

focus on getting started, instead of finishing - it is easy to get overwhelmed thinking about what something is supposed to be like finished if you’re a perfectionist. Take things one step at a time. It’s also useful to remember the sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to perfect it at the end!

make drafts - if you’re overwhelmed, take half an hour to map out your plan of attack. Drafts can take many forms: summaries, scaffolds/outlines, essay plans, post-it notes, etc. I find it much easier to get on with work if I have a bit of a plan.

remember that your perfectionist tendencies aren’t actually improving your work or productivity but hindering you - you’re continually setting yourself unrealistic objects and (like me) probably feel let down by yourself if you don’t reach them. Be realistic and focus on getting it done!

accept mistakes - you’ve written something wrong, don’t panic! Cross it out with a single line and move on. Things happen and you have to accept it. You can’t rip up the page every time you do something wrong, even if it is so tempting.

implement a new strategy - this isn’t always an option for everyone or every studying situation but perhaps try digital handwriting or typed notes. Digital handwriting allows for a similar system to be used for your notes but gives you more flexibility and an easier way to correct mistakes. You won’t be throwing out paper each time you make an error or use the wrong coloured pen. With typing, it is much easier to formulate and keep neat. These can be a great alternative if, like me, you find you’re spending time worrying about how neat it is.

put things in perspective - is what you’re beating yourself up about right now going to mean anything in a week, a month, a year? Be honest if it isn’t, is it really worth putting unnecessary pressure on yourself.

praise yourself through the process - try not to criticise yourself but recognise your progress.

don’t compare yourself - this is very hard not to do but remember we are all different. Just because “you’re not as good” or don’t understand something as easily as others, it doesn’t mean you’re any less! Everyone was a beginner once and we all learn at different paces. Work to your strengths!

You want to do something else. You find whatever you’re doing boring. You want it to be over with but don’t want to get started. The ultimate catch 22, right? For this I’d suggest:

remember that putting it off isn’t going to make it go away - if you leave it too long you’ll end up getting more stressed about it. Best to get it over with.

make a plan from the get-go - once you know something is coming up (e.g. a test, an assessment, etc) make notes on it! That could be questions, annotations, potential topics, citations, etc. By making the effort to spend time reading through, you’ll save your future self some stress. Especially if it’s a topic you have forgotten. That way your notes act as a reminder so you can get started.

set a finish time with a reward - tell yourself that if you finish something by a certain time and then you can do something else. Use your self-discipline to not go back on this. Set a realistic time and try to get it complete before. If you can think that you’re doing something fun once it is completed, you’ll be more motivated to get it done.

make a structure - for note-taking, it can be overwhelming looking at a textbook and thinking what you’re going to write out. Make a note-taking layout/colour code that works for you and that subject. Mine is here - it just gives me an idea of how I’d lay everything instead of going in with no action plan.

try to make it fun - this could be using YouTube to learn or starting a study group. Use different methods for memorising information such as flashcards, mindmaps or study guides (like question/answer).

make the effort to refocus - if you’re finding something boring and you’re unfocused, walk away for 5 minutes, get a drink and come back. If you’re really struggling, change topics for a while. Find a point where you can finish and start doing something else that is productive.

listen to some music - generally, music without lyrics are best for focusing. Spotify has a great playlist for studying called ‘focus’. However, I find my regular music good for getting me a little more motivated and awake. I also like writing essays to music because I weirdly sort of type in the same rhythm. Funny study hack I’ve found that works for me haha!

write your thoughts down - Another thing I’ve been trying is externalising my thoughts. If I get distracted by something or have a “gosh, I need to remember that” moment, I will write it down. By getting it out my brain and onto a bit of paper, I no longer have to think about it and can continue. 

You have no motivation. Often we feel that motivation is the only thing you need to get on with something, but this isn’t totally true. You need a mix of motivation and discipline. As the saying goes: “motivation may get you started, but discipline keeps you going”. To build your motivation, I’d suggest:

have a mass organise - usually when I’m feeling unmotivated, I’ll clear out my desk and sort out my computer. This involves throwing out stationery that doesn’t work or scrap paper. I usually make piles of spare stationery and will re-organise my desk drawers. For my computer, I will pull out all my files to my desktop then start working through them. I’ll delete duplicates, rename files properly, and put them in the right place.

remember that action inspires motivation - the wonderful book that is ‘A Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck’ has the greatest chapter on motivation. A summary of it is action isn’t just the effect of motivation; it’s also the cause of it. We see motivation as ‘Emotional inspiration → Motivation → Desirable action’ when in reality this can perpetuate your attempts to find motivation. You need to change your mindset into ‘Action → Inspiration → Motivation’. This helps to develop an endless loop where you’re not relying on motivation to get you started.

find some new stationery - weirdly buying stationery is one of those things that instantly makes you want to be productive. Head to the shops and spend a little something on a new pen, highlighter or notebook! 

film yourself - studying generally doesn’t give us any instant gratification which can make it feel like a drag. By filming yourself working you can get a little video at the end which shows your progress. I love watching time-lapses of myself because you see all the work you did super quickly. It also means I’m not touching my phone!

set yourself some goals - write down a few things you want to achieve, in the short or long term. Put it somewhere that you’ll be reminded about it! By externalising your goals, you’re more likely to make the effort to achieve it.

check/make a studygram and studyblr - this is one of most motivating this I’ve done. Having social media dedicated to studying has helped not only improve my work ethic but my whole attitude towards education. Getting involved in the community is a great motivator. Here is a post on how to set up a studyblr.

I hope this post gives you just a few ideas on how to tackle procrastination! If you’ve got any tips you’d like to share, please message me! x

Other posts | Student Printables Etsy Shop | Free Printables | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest | Twitter 

[hermione-helpme]

111117 | i was studying for my bio exam at a cafe in a library after school. i ended up getting a 74 on the test, which kind of sucks, but i am sure that i can do better next time! :-) dont let a bad grade demotivate you! ♡

[hermione-helpme]

i’m so bad at consistently posting my spreads on here! this is from the beginning of september. even with a part of the spread dedicated to jungkook’s birthday. 

ig: booksnjournals 

[hermione-helpme]

hi all!! my exams are coming soon in a few months time and many of you have also just started school so I thought it would be helpful to source for some printables for yall too! these are just some of my fav printables and hopefully you all might like them too :D

1. TO DO LISTS

@studeying‘s amazing printable that is super functional and colourful!

@studyblrbunny’s simple but cute printable (comes with 12h, 24h clock and without times)

@arystudies‘s printable with lots of colours and variety

Emily Ley’s minimalistic printable with times

Day Designer’s black and white printable!!

2. WEEKLY PLANNERS

cute printable in a horiziontal layout by tchnologic!

@theorganisedstudent‘s simple 24/7 planner

@studyblrbunny‘s pretty pastel printable

@arystudies‘s grid layout printable

Emily Ley’s amazing weekly/monthly printable

3. NOTE TAKING

grid paper: Emily Ley’s over here, @studygene’s here, @studywell’s too

blank paper: @studygene’s one and another version, @hexaneandheels‘s here

(many of these are cornell style and also includes more than one version!)

4. EXAM PACK

@colllegeruled‘s final week printables (including planner and subjects to study printables)

@ennui-for-me‘s comprehensive exam pack (with planners and grade tracker. bonus: self evaluation chart!)

@theorganisedstudent‘s revision planners!! it’s a set of 5 from study plans to a motivation page

5. MISC

back to school printables by @educatier and another set here!

@cmpsbls bullet journal stickers

more stickers by @burymewithmyplanner

hope that these printables can be useful for you! (*≧▽≦)

[hermione-helpme]

hey guys!!! someone asked me if i could tell them some tips for studying a new language so i thought i’d make a masterpost so everyone could see it and use it!!! happy learning ❤️📚 (x)

i wanted to add more things but it was going to be too long, so if you want me to add anything else tell me and i’ll make another masterpost with it!!

general tips

make the most of duolingo! by @leahrning

learning foreign languages by @a-pprendre

how to self-study languages by @e-tudiante

how to learn a new language at home by @laurynstudy​

ace your foreign language class by @cambridgemagic

language learning by @study-well

studying a foreign language by @areistotle

online bilingual dictionaries by @languageramblings

15 tips for language self-study

the complete guide of self-studying a foreign language

5 tips for self-studying a foreign language

tips for learning a new language by @ofminervas 

tips for writing by @moonstruckstudies

another language masterpost by @wonderful-language-sounds​

ten reasons to learn a new language by @thescholarlysquad​

language learning tips and resources by @study-ings

how to study a foreign language by @a-student-life

a faster way to start learning a language by @funwithlanguages 

a new language? tricky but easy! by @underpressurecharlie

how i learn languages by @mickybyrd

american sign language

free asl learning programs

start asl

learn asl

asl resources

arabic

online resources

more resources

learn arabic

arabic online

chinese

coffee related words by @the-brightest-witch-studies

mandarin chinese resource masterpost by @floernce

chinese resources by @brbimstudying

english

the ultimate english masterpost by @areistotle

english masterpost by @studyvet

free online courses by @wonderful-language-sounds 

get litterature notes x x x x

french

french masterpost by @organisaticns

french resources masterlist by @nathalliastudies

50 advanced french phrases by @la-linguistique 

12 tips for learning french efficiently

how to improve your french

french music by @studyplants

french resources

german

german capitalisation by @yourfuckingmuse

german emotions by @deutsch-doodles

learning tools by @wonderful-language-sounds

learn german online

guide to learning german by @baernat

free german resources by @languageoclock

greek

how to learn greek by @katlearnslanguages

hindi

learn hindi

italian

italian masterpost by @studybowie 

japanese

learn japanese!! by @solarstudy

fun ways to study japanese by @japanesewithyuandclare

japanese masterlist by @thespecsappeal​

learn japanese

korean

korean language learning masterpost! by @study-mochi​

how to study korean

korean alphabet

learn korean

korean language education center

learn korean

korean for beginners by @mujistudies

latin

learn latin by @studyplants​

learn latin!!

free online resources

free latin videos

latin course

maltese

maltese resources by @maltese-boy

animals in maltese by @maltese-boy

speak maltese in 300 words by @maltese-boy

portuguese

learn portugese

portuguese ressources by @lass-uns-studieren

polish

polish media by @maltese-boy

drinks in polish by @untaintedtea

​polish learning masterpost by @areistotle

russian

learning russian by @wonderful-language-sounds

online russian learning

russian alphabet by @pycckuu

tips to read and listen in russian by @wonderful-language-sounds

spanish

great apps!! by @katlearnslanguages

spanish resources masterpost by @alcyonien​

spanish oxford dictionary by @productivebuddy​

spanish resources by @somestudy

spanish media resources by @wonderful-language-sounds

swedish

swedish resources masterpost by @studyvet

swedish media by @maltese-boy

web/apps

fluentin3months

babbel

memrise

linguti

livemocha

BBC Languages

l-lingo

lang-8

mosalingua 

busuu

hellotalk 

bliubliu

mango languages

language

vocabulary tool

reading tool

helpful language apps masterpost by @studysthetics

other

foreign language cartoons by @lingdom​

best songs for learning a language by @highschoolering 

learn about fillers in different languages by @vinurminn

learn an ancient language

another language masterpost by @z-co

masterpost of language massive open courses by @wonderful-sounds

language resources by @travellingual

a folder with all of the grammar you’ll ever need

notebook set up by @curiousmin-d 

motivation

benefits of being bilingual by @polyglotgirl 

motivation to keep on studying by @rahaflearns 

why you’re a better learner than a child by @languageoclock​

my masterposts

app masterpost

DIY masterpost

food masterpost

how to: group work

printable masterpost

[hermione-helpme]

grad school is basically this in a nutshell. && if y’all don’t have a book stand - do yourself a favor and get one

[hermione-helpme]

i can’t even call this a ‘’romantic morning’’ after reading this article by A. O. Lovejoy

[hermione-helpme]

7.1.2017 || i hope everyone’s having a great summer so far, june flew by so fast for me to be honest. also, thank you so much for 4,000+ followers <3

🎧 : First Summer - Bobby Earth

[hermione-helpme]

{ 30-7-17 } 84/100 days of productivity

For all the fellow studybloggers who have asked whether I have a study playlist- now I do!! ♡´･ᴗ･`♡

CLICK HERE to be redirected to my spotify ‘study & chill’ playlist which features upbeat chill songs to prevent you from falling asleep ~ 

It’s going to be constantly updated with every good song-find so please do give it a follow if you like it ~~! ꒰˘̩̩̩⌣˘̩̩̩๑꒱♡ (I tried to pick less mainstream ones so you won’t get distracted by singing along to all of it!)

+ send me an ask if you want me to make a mellow café/rainy playlist? ??

studygram: @aestudier

[hermione-helpme]

college/university studyblrs reblog!

high schoolers are great! I should know, since I was one just a few months ago. But college is a totally different game and I’d like to have people going through the same or higher levels of academics than I am on my dash.

[hermione-helpme]

02.06.2017

Natural light 🌱🌿

[hermione-helpme]

19.01.18 My coursework deadline is looming too close for comfort, so I don’t know why I am not more stressed than this. I have a new mug! It has sleeping cats on it and it holds so much coffee its amazing. xxx emily

[hermione-helpme]

15/4/17

a photo of (part of) my study space! just doing some last minute bio revision before the exam tomorrow

[hermione-helpme]

This morning I got up, opened a new document and started writing my dissertation. It felt good looking at my rough, working title and my epigraph, and I realised that I have so much stuff in my head that needs to be out on the page. Just before eight I headed out and I met a friend at Columbia Road. We walked through the flower market, we bought some more plants for the flat – she is moving in with me next month. We had coffee and read aloud to each other. Everything is so exciting

[hermione-helpme]

in hindsight I probably should’ve studied French more this summer :/ oh well live and learn