jaemstudies

[jaemstudies]

Korean Word of the Day

벽지

Wallpaper

[jaemstudies]

[jaemstudies]

me watching cdramas while crocheting so i’m only catching half the words: ah yes, immersive learning

[jaemstudies]

[A white fortune cookie paper with blue text. Front: Happier days are definitely ahead for you. Lucky Numbers 2, 36, 21, 3, 49, 37 Back: January, Chinese text 一 (yī) 月 (yuè)]

[jaemstudies]

The thing with the Mari Lwyd, though, is that it's being... I don't know, 'appropriated' is the wrong word, but certainly turned into something it isn't.

Thing is, this is a folk tradition in the Welsh language, and that's the most important aspect of it. I feel partly responsible for this, because I accidentally became a bit of an expert on the topic of the Mari Lwyd in a post that escaped Tumblr containment, and I clearly didn't stress it strongly enough there (in my defence, I wrote that post for ten likes and some attention); but this is a Welsh language tradition, conducted in Welsh, using Welsh language poetic forms that are older than the entire English language, and also a very specific sung melody (with a very specific first verse; that's Cân y Fari). It is not actually a 'rap battle'. It's not a recited poem. It is not any old rhyme scheme however you want.

It is not in English.

Given the extensive and frankly ongoing attempts by England to wipe out Welsh, and its attendant cultural traditions, the Mari is being revived across Wales as an act of linguistic-cultural defiance. She's a symbol of Welsh language culture, specifically; an icon to remind that we are a distinct people, with our own culture and traditions, and in spite of everyone and everything, we're still here. Separating her from that by removing the Welsh is, to put it mildly, wildly disrespectful.

...but it IS what I'm increasingly seeing, both online and in real world Mari Lwyd festivals. She's gained enormous pop-culture popularity in recent years, which is fantastic; but she's also been reduced from the tradition to just an aesthetic now.

So many people are talking/drawing about her as though she's a cryptid or a mythological figure, rather than the folk practice of shoving a skull on a stick and pretending to be a naughty horse for cheese and drunken larks. And I get it! It's an intriguing visual! Some of the artwork is great! But this is not what she is. She's not a Krampus equivalent for your Dark Christmas aesthetic.

I see people writing their own version of the pwnco (though never called the pwnco; almost always called some variant on 'Mari Lwyd rap battle'), and as fun as these are, they are never even written in the meter and poetic rules of Cân y Fari, much less in Welsh, and they never conclude with the promise to behave before letting the Mari into the house. The pwnco is the central part to the tradition; this is the Welsh language part, the bit that's important and matters.

Mari Lwyd festivals are increasingly just English wassail festivals with a Mari or two present. The Swansea one last weekend didn't even include a Mari trying to break into a building (insert Shrek meme); there was no pwnco at all. Even in the Chepstow ones, they didn't do actual Cân y Fari; just a couple of recited verses. Instead, the Maris are just an aesthetic, a way to make it look a bit more Welsh, without having to commit to the unfashionable inconvenience of actually including Welsh.

And I don't really know what the answers are to these. I can tell you what I'd like - I'd like art to include the Welsh somewhere, maybe incorporating the first line of Cân y Fari like this one did, to keep it connected to the actual Welsh tradition (or other Welsh, if other phrases are preferred). I'd like people who want to write their version of the pwnco to respect the actual tradition of it by using Cân y Fari's meter and rhyme scheme, finishing with the promise to behave, and actually calling it the pwnco rather than a rap battle (and preferably in Welsh, though I do understand that's not always possible lol). I'd like to see the festivals actually observe the tradition, and include a link on the booking website to an audio clip of Cân y Fari and the words to the first verse, so attendees who want to can learn it ahead of time. I don't know how feasible any of that is, of course! But that's what I'd like to see.

I don't know. This is rambly. But it's something I've been thinking about - and increasingly nettled by - for a while. There's was something so affirming and wonderful at first about seeing the Mari's climb into international recognition, but it's very much turned to dismay by now, because she's important to my endangered culture and yet that's the part that everyone apparently wants to drop for being too awkward and ruining the aesthetic. It's very frustrating.

[jaemstudies]

one thing i hate about english is your open compound words. what do you mean it's a light switch and not a lightswitch or a water bottle instead of a waterbottle. get real

[jaemstudies]

This is specifically about me talking to this university to enrol as a transfer there because I dropped out of OSU and I just want to know if there's anything else I need asides from my transcript ealdkfj;asd

i feel like we don't appreciate the ability to leave voicemails enough like. god i would rather leave a voicemail than talk to someone specific yk? i just have to leave my name, number, and a quick message *chef's kiss* mwah mwah i lvoe it

[jaemstudies]

ooh this website doesnt know what it means... its ok website 🙂 no worries. surely i can find this information elsewhere

[jaemstudies]

Learning a new language really does make you aware of how many fucking words there are. Waaaaaay too many things in this world that need their own special little word. Grow up.

[jaemstudies]

[jaemstudies]

PLEASE look at this its going to make me cry

[jaemstudies]

.𖥔 ݁ ˖ How to study: A note-taking and analytical reading guide ✦ ‧₊˚ ⋅

To preface,

One of the most important things to understand when it comes to learning, is the two styles of memory rehearsal.

Style 1: Elaborative Rehearsal

The act of understanding a concept so deeply it connects to your worldview, past experiences, and this piece of knowledge becomes yours.

Style 2: Maintained Rehearsal

Reviewing a piece of information to memorize a fact, but not the concept and the roots of the context.

+ It is important to think for yourself; form your own connections and learn because you want to learn, not just in hopes of getting good marks. Knowledge is beautiful and powerful, and should be utilized in the appropriate way.

Part 1: Reading non-fiction/informative based texts

Technique 1: "The Walden Method"

Step 1: Inspectional reading

Quickly (!!) read the entire chapter

Know exactly what happened

Know exactly what stood out to you

Know what to look for

+ Highlight things that stand out to you (in any way) and/or take small notes in the margins ("interesting!" "what" "love!")

(This forms the backbone of your understanding for this topic)

Step 2: Analytical reading

Gather a general understanding of the material

Create a concise map of your thoughts, and small details of the text

+ Intricate connections begin to take place because pieces of information now make sense with the general backbone you formed in the inspectional reading.

Step 3: Take notes in a flow-like fashion

Write down the backbone ideas/concepts

(What year did the French Revolution take place? What were its important influences? Who were important figures during this time?)

Elaborate on these backbone ideas/concepts to give you a visual representation of the connections you made with your backbone, and to see what still needs to be understood.

Part 2: Taking notes of non-fiction/informative based texts

Technique 2: "The Cal Newport Method" - (for non-technical subjects)

Base your notes around these three points in this order to make your notes as clear and concise as possible:

Q-question

E-evidence

A-answer

+ When/if you are in a lecture, scribble down everything your instructor says of importance, and then revise your notes immediately after.

+ You must group your evidence and conclusion pieces carefully, being sure to link the proper piece of evidence to the correct conclusion.

(EX:

Question: What are Emily's favorite colors?

Evidence #1: Her mother says she likes pink.

Evidence #2: Her father says she likes pink, and yellow.

Evidence #3: Her brother says she likes blue, but only when its December.

Conclusion: Emily's general favorite colors are pink and yellow, as well as blue only when it is December.

^^ It is important to include the bit about it being her favorite color only in December because it would be incorrect to say it is one of her general favorite colors.)

Technique 3: "The Cal Newport Method" - (for technical subjects)

Base your notes around these three points in this order to make your notes as clear and concise as possible:

P-problem

Q-question

A-answer

Step 1: Understand the large, basic concepts first

+ Do not drive head first into math problems or questions concerning the nervous system if you do not understand the large, basic concepts first.

Step 2: Note-taking

Write down practice problems/diagrams/equations, etc.

Write each step to solving/understanding this problem/diagram/equation, etc.

Annotate each step, explaining why this is so

For equations, write down a practice problem for each possible alternative outcome that can happen

(EX:

1. How to solve an algebraic equation.

2. How to solve an algebraic equation with a square root.

3. How to solve an algebraic equation with square roots, etc.

Technique 4: The Feynman Method

You do not fully understand a subject until you can explain it to a child, and reword it yourself without notes

Part 3: Studying non-fiction/informative based texts

Testing yourself with flashcards and quizzes

Forces you to actively retrieve knowledge, which updates, and reinforces memory

Allows you to actively gage what you already know

Making mistakes actually improves knowledge and memory

2. Use flashcards

When using flashcards, it is best to mix the deck with multiple subjects, interweaving the concepts you focus on in a single session, is more effective than practicing a single skill one at a time.

This further strengthens memory because it forces the brain to temporarily forget, then retrieve information.

You may also find connections across the topics, making it more significant to your brain.

3. Rest, review, rest, review

Spacing reviews across multiple days allows for rest, and retention between sessions.

+ Cramming is not effective because while you could remember information from the night previously, it will not stay ingrained in your long term memory, or even just as likely in your memory the next morning...

Part 3: On essay writing

The more complicated your essay is, the dumber it sounds.

When writing a research paper, refine the scope of your research and don't be afraid to narrow it.

When writing a research paper, create a pile of at least 20 academic papers on the same subject.

+ Sift through these papers with your scope in mind

+ This is the breeding ground for new ideas

Give yourself time to process information right after reading.

View the writing process as an exploration

This is a collection of information collected from these sources:

R. C. Walden - Youtube

Cal Newport - How to become a straight-A student: The unconventional strategies real college students use to score high while studying less

TED-Ed

[jaemstudies]

[jaemstudies]

[jaemstudies]

something i have always found really weird is when english texts italicize words from other languages.

i remember reading a book as a kid and the author continually italicizing the word tamales

[jaemstudies]

It might be a little abstract, but could you draw a telephone pole dragon? With the wires and lights I think it may be cool

#141 - 電線 (diàn xiàn / electric line) - Better not touch this telephone pole! ⚡⚡⚡

[jaemstudies]

25 Study Tips to Stay Motivated 📚

Studying doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Try these tips to make it enjoyable and productive:

Set a timer for focused study blocks (25 minutes works best!).

Create a to-do list before starting your session.

Use pastel highlighters to color-code notes.

Write out your goals at the top of your study notebook.

Study in a clean, well-lit space.

Drink water or tea to stay hydrated.

Use apps like Notion to organize your tasks.

Take 5-minute breaks after every study block.

Light a candle or use a diffuser for a calming scent.

Rewrite messy notes to make them visually appealing.

Create a playlist of soft, instrumental music.

Watch YouTube study vlogs for inspiration.

Decorate your desk with motivational quotes.

Snack on brain foods like nuts or dark chocolate.

Try studying in a library or café for a change of scenery.

Start with the easiest task to build momentum.

Use sticky notes for quick reminders.

Avoid multitasking; focus on one subject at a time.

Reward yourself with small treats after completing a task.

Join an online study group for accountability.

Use apps like Quizlet to revise concepts.

Take handwritten notes for better retention.

Visualize yourself acing the test or mastering the skill.

End your session by reviewing key points.

Stay consistent—progress, not perfection!

@glowettee