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onflyk-blog · 6 years ago

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Taking Notes Efficiently

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.”

He’s right, but how will you manage to keep up, remember, and review every single lesson in at least eight different academic subjects and three more non-academic subjects from elementary, high school, and college? Taking notes!

With technology developing rapidly over the last decade, most notes are more often recorded digitally or shared online. This was a heaven-sent invention for many students, like myself. However, many schools will still require you to take down notes the old-fashioned way. At least in my experience. In this case, it would be helpful for you to know how to do through tried-and-tested techniques that I will bestow on you today.

So from my brain cells to yours, here are some effective tips and strategies on how to take down hand-written notes for school efficiently.

#1: Use the right writing materials.

Take into consideration the quality of the paper you’re using, the characteristics of your writing materials, and your habits. These are some examples: writing with the use of a marker may cause the ink to seep through and mark the succeeding pages, writing with a gel pen may cause the notes to be wet and create smudges, and writing with one color might cause you to lose focus because everything looks the same.

Some tips to consider are the following:

- Be responsible and bring your own materials. Your friends might have an extra pen or pencil for you to use, but don’t abuse it.

- If you are prone to misspelling words or making errors when copying notes, you might want to use a pencil or a Frixion pen instead of a typical pen. Erasers save more time than correction tape or liquid does.

- If you use both sides of your paper (which is a commendable habit, nice one!), inky gel pens will be against you. These pens have the tendency to show through the page they are written on, and if you do persevere to write back to back using a gel pen, chances are that your notes will be difficult to read. For this case, I recommend using a ball point pen or your good ol’ pencil.

- If you are someone who has enough time to take notes without a heavy amount of time pressure, try making use of different pen colors (such as black, blue, and red) when taking down notes. It may take some mastery to do on a regular basis, but the purpose of this technique is to easily differentiate between varying levels of importance within your notes. It’s almost like highlighting, but what you’re trying to show here are which words are fillers (black), supporting points or explanations (blue), and key points (red). You could have your own legend for this technique.

#2: Have a notebook per subject.

I’ve seen some people use a single notebook for six different subjects. I was so bewildered by the concept, and tried it for myself. It was a disaster. Using one notebook makes it difficult to locate which notes are for what class. It wastes your time when you’re reviewing for a particular class because you have to flip through pages of other subjects with other lessons just to connect your notes for that one class.

You don’t have to take this to the extreme and buy one big notebook for each class. I recommend getting a notebook with fillers that you can replace.

In the Philippines filler notebooks from Cattleya for example, are affordable and useful. Plus, refills come in a set of five notebooks for at least Php 60.00 in National Bookstore, if I’m not mistaken.

You could also opt to take notes on a sheet of pad paper and have a filer or clearbook to segregate your notes per subject.

#3: Maintain spacing between notes.

When taking down notes, especially when you’re in a rush, it’s easy to lose your sense of organization. At the end of the class, you’re probably left with a jumbled paragraph that you have to decode to the best of your Sherlock skills when you read through it.

The tip here is that you have to be conscious of taking down notes that you can understand yourself. Don’t hesitate to give yourself a one-liner space when starting a new topic header.

For this case, taking down notes through bullet points may be used to your advantage.

#4: Legible handwriting.

Your handwriting doesn’t have to be Instagram-worthy and you are not required to write your notes in calligraphy. Studies show that your handwriting reflect specifics about your personality, so embrace how you write. Your notes don’t have to be perfect and erasure-free either.

The important point here is to ensure that your handwriting is legible for you to understand.

#5: Props and shortcuts.

By props, I mean index cards and sticky notes. These separate papers are useful for adding additional information you may have missed or forgotten to add. Index cards are helpful when making flash cards for review.

On the other hand, shortcuts refer to illustrations and abbreviations that will help speed up your note-taking. You can use simple illustrations and abbreviations to replace words. Examples of these abbreviations are abt. for about, ex. for example(s), & for and, ff. for following, / for or, and “ when you are repeating something.

#6: Make use of your highlighter.

I’ve seen people underline text or encircle it instead of using highlighter, which is completely up to your preference. However, I would recommend highlighters because the bright colors make the text stand out.

An important reminder is not to highlight everything, at least not using the same color.

#7: When copying notes from a textbook, highlight the important sections and write them down.

When I was younger, I had the misconception that taking notes from my books meant copying exactly what was on the book into a separate notebook.

A more effective and time-saving strategy when taking down notes from a unit or chapter of your book is to highlight the section and then copy it down onto a separate paper.

#8: When copying notes from a lecturer who teaches you verbally or through the use of a visual aid (i.e, power point), DO NOT take note of everything word per word.

In a class setup, you are under time pressure. Copying everything presented word per word will not be to your advantage. Even if you try to do this as fast as you can, you will more likely have incomplete notes or complete notes that you can’t understand. Remember, your teachers will not always wait for you and it is not their responsibility to ensure that your notes are complete.

The trick here is either to copy only the necessary points or paraphrase what is presented.

For example you are given “The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.”

You may rewrite this as: Mitochondria = powerhouse or powerhouse of cell

#9: The Rewriting Method

The rewriting method is efficient for those of you have enough time to rewrite your notes a second time. The first time is when you are copying in class and your handwriting is a mess. The second time is when you make use of your initial notes and write them neatly and more legibly.

#10: Organization ≠ Perfection

Your notes are not required to look Instagram-worthy. Don’t prioritize the aesthetic of your notes. What is important is that you have accurate notes that you can understand. The key to legible notes is organization.

All photos taken from weheartit account: @/lysa s

https://weheartit.com/lysa_s/collections/102535969-study-hard?page=6&before=325652852

#Y #Ysabel

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onflyk-blog · 6 years ago

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Skin Care Tips

Skin care routines are a hot topic on the internet right now. A common mistake people make when choosing a skin care routine, is that they do not take their own skin type into consideration. It is extremely counterproductive if a person follows a skin care routine blindly without personalizing it for their skin.

The are mainly 5 skin types: normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive. If you have normal skin, then congratulations! Most skin care routines would work on you. Sensitive skin however, is the most picky. When buying skin care products, be sure to check if it is made suitable for sensitive skin types. It would also be wise to stay away from food facial masks. Even if the food involved is all natural and organic, you have no idea if your skin would react negatively to it. Take me for an example, even though honey facial masks are liked by many, my skin breaks out when I tried a honey mask.

If you have dry skin, avoid skin care products that contain a lot of chemicals and may actually dry up your skin. An example of which can be AC solutions. Although AC solutions are helpful to those with acne, they are horrible for most people with dry skin. Another thing to note is that you should never be stingy on the moisturizer. Make sure that there is a thin layer of moisturizer covering your entire face.

If you have oily skin, then you have perhaps one of the most troublesome skin type. Oily skin is more prone to pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. The redeeming trait about oily skin however, is that it is less likely to get wrinkles. With oily skin, the key to good skin is constant washing. Make sure that you wash your face whenever it feels oily. By frequently washing your skin, you can prevent oil or dirt from clogging your pores and stop acne breakouts. Sometimes water and soap just is not enough, and you need that extra something to remove the layer of oil. This is where cleansers come into place. Find yourself a really good cleanser that is for oily skin types, and wash your face with it at least twice a day.

For combination skin type, simply determine which parts of your face is what skin type, and apply a specific skin care for each different type. Never use a single skin care routine for the entire face. For example, if you have a oil T-zone and dry skin on the rest of your face, then you should use toners for your T-zone and moisturizer for the other parts of your face. A special note is that although many people recommend using moisturizers for oily skin, I find that the results differs depending on the person. For some, the moisturizer makes the situation worse by clogging the pores but for some, it helped the face secrete less oil. If you have oily skin, buy a small tube of moisturizer and find out if it improves your situation or not.

Photo Credit: Style Craze, Pop Sugar, Self, and Reports Healthcare

#Lan #L

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onflyk-blog · 6 years ago

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Top 5 Holy Grail Drugstore/Local Make Up Products

Not only are these products affordable, they are also very accessible. In no particular order, here are some of the best make up products you must buy if you want to look great without the hassle.

1. Ever Bilena’s Glow Out Highlighter (P299)

http://everbilena.com.ph/ebadvance/ever-bilena-advance-glow-out-highlighter/

What is a list of the best drugstore make up products without Ever Bilena? Ever Bilena is a local cosmetics brand under Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. which was established in 1983. Its ever-evolving products do not disappoint in providing affordable, yet quality make up products.

The Ever Bilena Advance Glow Out Highlighter gives you that blinding shine without the chunkiness. It comes in two shades: Strobe and Candlelight. Strobe is best used when you’re trying to achieve that subtle-but-not-so-subtle everyday glow, while Candlelight is a more intense highlight with a gold tint and is best used for special occasions. (Fenty Beauty’s Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in the shade Trophy Wife is quaking.)

2. Vice Cosmetics’ Water Gel Lip & Cheek Tint (P145)

https://www.vicecosmetics.com.ph/collections/water-gel-lip-cheek-tint-colection

If you’re opting for that adorable gradient lip look that you see your Korean idols sport, then Vice Cosmetics’ Water Gel Lip & Cheek Tint has got you covered! This tint is lightweight, long-lasting, and blendable, so you don’t risk walking out of the house with awkward blotches on your cheeks or lips. The collection comes in 8 vibrant shades (with very interesting names) for every mood: Sisterette, Seswang, Beshie, Kyondi, Chozzz, Paberjin, F na F, and G na G. You can find this product in various Watsons branches.

3. Maybelline’s Fit Me! Matte & Poreless Foundation (P399)

Next on our list is the drugstore foundation praised by beauty gurus everywhere! Maybelline’s Fit Me! Foundation is suitable for all skin types, and manages to be matte without looking too cakey. The coverage of this foundation does not disappoint, and has a formula great for “blurring” pores. This foundation boasts a total of 14 shades, so you’re sure that there is a perfect shade for every Filipina out there.

4. Nichido’s Final Powder (P150)

https://www.watsons.com.ph/final-powder-creamy-glow/p/BP_50030014

What local beauty gurus claim to be the contender for the Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder comes in at #4 on our list. Perfect for oily skin, and makes your foundation stay longer than your ex did. There is no wonder why it is heavily praised. If you think that’s great, wait ‘til you hear how much it is. Thanks to our friendly local brand, Nichido, you can get that perfect bake for only P150!

5. Careline’s Color Pencil (P65)

Last but not the least on the list is the product that’s got you covered to make that kilay on fleek! Careline’s Color Pencil can be used as an eyeliner or an eyebrow pencil. It is extremely pigmented, making the product itself last long. It gives you perfect eyebrows without dragging any strands of hair out or having to swipe the product on too hard. Careline, which is under Ever Bilena, is definitely a local brand to be reckoned with.

Photo Credits: Ever Bilena, Vice Cosmetics, Maybelline, Watsons, Careline.

#Franz #F

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onflyk-blog · 6 years ago

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Fashion Trends of 2019

With the rise of social media fashionistas, fashion seems to play a bigger role in our lives than ever. This also means that fashion trends can spread easily like wildfire. Here are some trends that will definitely dominate 2019.

1. Chunky shoes

The world has forgotten all about the sock shoes, and have dived fully into the trend of chunky or bulky shoes. If the Balenciaga triple-S was not enough to prove designers’ love for this item, the Nike Air and the Vetements sneakers released this year puts chunky shoes on everybody’s radar. Of course, if your budget hurts at the sound of designer brands, FILA and other more affordable brands also offer their own version of the chic chunky shoes.

2. Oversized everything

Oversized hoodies, oversized T-shirts, oversized pants… The list goes on and on. Oversized clothing became popular thanks to Hip Hop, and was made into a trend thanks to street wear brands like Supreme, Bape, or Stussy. Although oversized clothing are a trend even way before 2019 has started, it seems that this trend is not fading away any time soon, as people are more obsessed with the concept of over sizing now more than ever.

3. Bold color schemes

Although pastel colors were extremely popular last year, bold color schemes are bound to dominate 2019. Neon green and pink are featured in the collections of Nike, Off White, and Vetements. After all, what is a better way to attract attention than wearing a neon green hoodie with neon pink pants? Jokes aside, neon is making a big comeback into our closets, and it is a much welcomed one. With a nice design, neon does not seem old or tacky, but instead simplistic and full of attitude.

Photo Credits: Sneaker News, Vogue, Footwear News

#Lan #L

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onflyk-blog · 6 years ago

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13 High School Survival Tips

When I was in elementary, I could not wait to get into high school. I looked up to those students who seemed so cool and put together. I always believed that they were having the time of their lives. Now that I’m in their position, I believe my thoughts about them were wrong. Being in high school is all about balance. Here are some tips on how I survived high school.

1. Always remember your priorities.

2. Do not forget to eat. Never skip meals.

3. Go to sleep. No matter the workload, do not pull off an allnighter.

4. Do not cut classes or skip them for no good reason.

5. Remember deadlines. I suggest writing them down on a notebook or planner.

6. Take down notes. Telling yourself, “I won’t forget that” is a lie.

7. Spend time with your friends and family. You’ll have breaks, holidays, and weekends.

8. Be patient with your group mates in projects.

9. Do not be afraid to ask from help from teachers or peers.

10. Speak up. Communicate with other people. You have a voice that matters.

11. Manage your time. Balance between extracurricular, academics, family, friends, and other activities.

12. Make friends. Be yourself.

13. Make time for yourself. Relax when you need to.

You got this. Some of these tips may not work for you, and that’s all right. You can make your own High School Survival Tips. You’ll make it through high school. Always remember what’s important.

Photo Credits: Sweety High, Studysthetics

#K #Krisann

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