magicalstudyspace

[magicalstudyspace]

I’ve never seen a paycheck over $1100. No matter how many hours I work and hell I put myself in. It’s never enough. Can’t afford to move to a new state to better myself and do something I want. Since my current job doesn’t give me the luxury of savings. Even living at home doesn’t make saving easier. It’s just a vicious cycle. My location literally makes me angry and depressed. I constantly feel like a failure. Especially watching all my peers move in with their spouses or get better paying job. It’s like looking out a window and watching life pass you by. I’m just frustrated and losing hope. I also have no idea what my passion is in life. What I want to do for a living which makes it worse.

[magicalstudyspace]

I have zero motivation to do my homework this week. I’ve been putting it off since Monday. Send help 😭

[magicalstudyspace]

I love having all health and mental health classes during this pandemic. 💖 All of my professors have postponed all assignments for at least two weeks, have checked in on us, and sent us tips to help keep us calm. Feeling extremely blessed right now 💖

[magicalstudyspace]

[magicalstudyspace]

Why am I so excited to write a research paper on opioids? Not sure! Researching this topic is just fascinating. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣

Really loving all my classes so far! Classes on drugs, psychology, psychopaths, and the US Healthcare System. What an interesting combo! 👌🏻

Oh yah an update! I changed my major and got signed up for classes in time! I will graduate next spring with my bachelors! I’m fucking ecstatic! 

[magicalstudyspace]

I got my letter of academic probation for my program today.

2020 is lit 🖕🏻

It’s sucks when you put in all this fucking effort and you fail by two points. I asked for help multiple times this semester and the response I always got was “well try studying more” or “should have studied more”. It’s hard to study something when you don’t understand it! The reason I was asking for help in the first place. Also don’t try to tell me I should have studied more. I didn’t have a life this entire semester because I was studying. I skipped family functions and outings with friends. You have no idea how much effort I put into this fucking program. Also everyone thought this program was fucked anyway. It was a year long program. Taking what should have been 2 and a half years worth of info and cramming it down our throats.

THANK YOU.

It’s okay though. I’m still continuing my education at a different intuition. For the same degree. So no you didn’t stop me from pursuing my dream. 💁🏼‍♀️ If anything you just made me even more determined.

[magicalstudyspace]

GOOD STUDYING VS BAD STUDYING

GOOD STUDYING

Use recall. When you look at a passage and try to study it,  look away and recall the main ideas. Try recalling concepts when you are walking to class or in a different room from where you originally learned it. An ability to recall—to generate the ideas from inside yourself—is one of the key indicators of good learning.

Test yourself. On everything. All the time. Flashcards are your best friend. Use quizlet if you don’t want to hand-make flashcards. Get somebody to test you on your notes.

Space your repetition. Spread out your learning in any subject a little every day, just like an athlete. Don’t sit and study one subject for 2 hours, do half an hour every day.

Take breaks. It is common to be unable to solve problems or figure out concepts in math or science the first time you encounter them. This is why a little study every day is much better than a lot of studying all at once. When you get frustrated, take a break so that another part of your mind can take over and work in the background. You need breaks in order for your brain to retain the information. Try the Pomodoro method if you have trouble timing breaks!

Use simple analogies. Whenever you are struggling with a concept, think to yourself, How can I explain this so that a ten-year-old could understand it? Using an analogy really helps. Say it out loud, like you’re teaching it, whether it’s to an imaginary class or your sister who couldn’t care less.  The additional effort of teaching out loud allows you to more deeply encode.

Focus. Turn off your phone / iPad / any distractions and clear your desk of everything you do not need. Use apps like Forest if you can’t stay off them!

Do the hardest thing earliest in the day, when you’re wide awake and less likely to push it aside.

BAD STUDYING

Avoid these techniques—they can waste your time even while they fool you into thinking you’re learning!

Passive rereading—sitting passively and running your eyes back over a page. This is a waste of time, frankly, and doesn’t do anything to help information pass into your brain without recall.

Over-highlighting. Colouring a passage of text in highlighter isn’t helpful at all. It’s good for flagging up key points to trigger concepts and information, but make sure what you highlight goes in.

Waiting until the last minute to study. DON’T CRAM!!!

Doing what you know. This isn’t studying! This is like learning how to juggle but only throwing one ball. 

Neglecting the textbook. Would you dive into a pool before you knew how to swim? The textbook is your swimming instructor—it guides you toward the answers. 

Not asking your teachers for help. They are used to lost students coming in for guidance—it’s their job to help you. 

Not getting enough sleep. Your brain practices and repeats whatever you put in mind before you go to sleep, as well as retaining information and repairing itself. Prolonged fatigue allows toxins to build up in the brain that disrupts the neural connections you need to think quickly and well. 

[magicalstudyspace]

I have to go to the hospital this week to get my shoes. I just want to leave them so I don’t experience disappointment. This program was my life and I failed it. That hurts so much 😭😭😭😭

[magicalstudyspace]

Emailed my professor if she knew any places offering my classes online. This will show I’m determined to get back in and I will get back in! Mark my words! 2020 I’m ready for you!

[magicalstudyspace]

Update I screenshot it so I didn’t have to type it again. Haven’t posted on here like all semester, but here is an update on me! I really know how to end the year don’t I!

[magicalstudyspace]

Someone tell me to get off the internet and go study! I have a test Monday and a final in less than 2 weeks. On all the stuff I’ve learned this semester and I’ve learned a ton! Motivate me please!!

[magicalstudyspace]

so I got into grad school today with my shitty 2.8 gpa and the moral of the story is reblog those good luck posts for the love of god

[magicalstudyspace]

Alright peeps!! Give me study technique ideas!! I keep bombing every test this semester! No matter how hard I study!! So I’m looking for new ways to study! I am on a 6 point grading scales this semester and it’s kicking my ass hard!! All I want is an 80. PLEASE HELP AND GIVE ME YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM!

[magicalstudyspace]

little reminders

do you have homework due tomorrow? do it

did you get any homework today? do it

did you get an assignment notification? break it into small chunks, schedule these chunks and make a start on it. 

do you have an exam tomorrow? do some light revision. or if you’ve left it until the last, turn off your phone, put it in your desk drawer and revise until you’re done. make sure you get at least 4 hours of sleep if you’re cramming, 8 if you’re not. 

do you have a quiz tomorrow? do some v light revision, and redo some homework problems or handouts on the topic.

how much tea/coffee/general caffeine have you had today? how much water have you had? switch your next coffee refill to water.

have you brushed your hair? tame that mane.

have you showered? have a warm shower right before you go to bed so you feel sleepy when you come out.

are your feet cold? put on socks.

are you working your hardest? push a little harder. 

when was the last time you allocated relaxing time? pick a cutoff point for your work, whether it’s 9pm or 1am, and spend 15-30 minutes (depending on the time) to wind down by reading a book, talking to family or friends, taking a shower and generally doing whatever you want. 

[magicalstudyspace]

If you’re anything like me, you go to the library with the best intentions then inevitably get distracted and wind up finishing none of the tasks you set out to do. Here’s a handy guide to how to get more done when you go to the library!

Planning your study session

Know what you’re doing ahead of time. Not only does this mean you can plan out your time to keep you on task, but you can also pare down which books and notes you need to bring.

Try and choose subjects that you need to be in the library for. For instance, if you need books to write an essay, read them in the library so you don’t have to drag them home. It’s better for your back, and more motivating when your time is limited!

Make a plan! Whether it’s just a to-do list or chunking your work into ten minute blocks, have goals to accomplish and keep yourself on task.

Don’t expect to be fully focused the whole time you’re there. No one can concentrate for 4 hours straight, so work some breaks into your plan and cut yourself some slack.

What to bring

A water bottle. You’re better off staying hydrated with water than sugary drinks from the vending machine, and bringing your own bottle is the best way to do that because you can keep it right at your desk.

Your chargers! Nothing cuts a study session short like your computer dying, so be prepared and make sure you’ve got your laptop/phone/tablet charger on hand.

A jacket. At least at my university, the library is almost always freezing. Even if yours isn’t, bring a jacket to keep you warm because sitting still for ages is a surefire way to cool you down!

Healthy snacks. Bringing your own food means you won’t be spending money, and you have a reason to stay at your desk and away from the vending machine. It also means no noisy crisp packets! Here’s a guide to library-friendly quiet snacks.

Headphones. Sometimes, even the library can be a bit noisy. Whether you’d prefer silence or some light music, having headphones can help you out.

Study essentials. Don’t depend on the library having copies of your required textbook, so bring your own from home, alongside essentials like pens & paper!

Making the most of the library

Don’t sit on the ground floor. It’s the loudest and busiest, and the place where you’re most likely to run into friends or get distracted, so avoid it off the bat. Similarly, stay away from high traffic areas like the loos, printers, and cafe.

Use the resources available! The library offers so much more than books: research databases, primary sources, librarians, and even audio resources if you’re a languages student like me. Make the most of all that’s on offer!

Get there early. Especially in exam season, the library fills up pretty fast and that can prevent you from sitting where you would usually. If you want a prime spot, your best bet is to get there when the library opens.

Try booking a study room. They can be great for working on group projects or if you want to snag a one person room and work with even fewer distractions.

Remember that the library doesn’t guarantee productivity. You still need to be prepared and focused, regardless of the location! Try and ditch the rest of the day’s worries at the door and just concentrate on work.

Other tips & tricks

How To Effectively Study In A Library from The Happy Arkansan

Library Study Session Tips & Essentials from Bookish & Bright

How to have a Productive Library Study Session from Macarons & Mascara

Packing List for Studying in the Library from Life As A Dare

How to Study Efficiently and Effectively

Home vs. Library: Finding a Study Spot from Survive Law

[magicalstudyspace]

student self-care: but not necessarily the feel-good kind edition

1. what have you been procrastinating on? afraid to do? make a list. put it on your google calendar. be very honest with yourself. put every single task you have to do, schedule it, block out your calendar if you have to. it’ll help you in the long run even if it’s scary at first.  2. sort the loose papers settled at the bottom of your backpack. don’t risk losing precious class notes or syllabi or readings. use folders to classify them by subject. label them clearly. sort them by chronological order and label what class and what part of the syllabus they’re from. you’ll thank me during exam season. 3. evaluate your finances. have a way of keeping track of them. personally, i tend to spend a lot on food and coffee when i’m stressed. make a budget and stick to it.  4. if you’re struggling in a certain subject, make some time for it. i know it’s painful and easier to procrastinate, but make time. set a certain quota of pages to read. email your professor for help and consult if you have to. 

5. eating healthy isn’t necessarily eating delicious. i know everyone posts their croissants and lattes and cakes (guilty) but eat that salad, eat your vegetables, eat a balanced diet. it’s brain food and it’ll sustain you and help you focus better. 6. take the time to really care for yourself. make it a routine. take daily walks, count the glasses of water you have, make sure to shower regularly. do your laundry and clean your room. take your medication regularly, schedule doctor’s appointments if you need to. your health is much more important than school, and your wellbeing will help your performance. 7. sleep is good. regular sleep is good and necessary. but know when you have to sacrifice a little sleep to get things some very hard things done. then sleep after.  self-care isn’t always pretty. sometimes it’s about being disciplined and confronting what you’re afraid of. but it will make things easier and lighter for you in the long run. just one day at a time. 

[magicalstudyspace]

When the professor says “ask questions” my brain goes into overdrive! My mind goes blank. I can’t think of a single question that won’t sound stupid. Sorry I didn’t ask questions I was trying to prevent a mental breakdown in class. I can’t think of fancy in-depth questions like my classmates. My whole class intimidates the hell out of me. 🙈👍🏻🙃