#Comprehensive Study Material

[vedantaias-d]

Join Vedanta IAS Academy for GS & CSAT Coaching!

GS & CSAT Coaching!Admissions are now open at Vedanta IAS Academy for our comprehensive GS+Foundation Course! With our 1-year classroom programme, you'll receive top-notch coaching in General Studies, covering both English and Hindi mediums. Our expert faculties provide one-on-one doubt-solving sessions, ensuring personalized coaching for every student. Don't miss our New Foundation Batch starting on 02nd January 2024. Enroll now and embark on your journey towards success! Facilities at Vedanta IAS Academy: Video Classes GS & CSAT Coaching Daily Current Affairs Access to All Previous Papers Individual Doubt Solving Comprehensive Study Material Regular Assessments Expert Faculty Support Location: Rohini and Mukherjee Nagar Contact us at 9141043333 to secure your spot today!

[velocityinstitute]

[wuzhere75]

I know this is a weird as shit (especially for this blog) and very specific question that probably doesn't make since to anyone who isn't me but I ask out of genuine curiosity for informal research. I tried wording this as clearly as possible but it probably doesn't make sense either way. E.G, in my case I'm pretty sure my state and individual high school didn't require a class, but I was part of an IB-related curriculum within my wider school district that did, so I would select the second option.

[rigelmejo]

I will say if you're learning chinese to read novels, it's a win win in some ways. To improve? You gotta read. What do you want to do? Read. Is there adequate interesting reading material just a literal glance in any direction? Oh wow you bet. You can't even fathom how many good novels await you in whatever genres you're looking for, many of which will be free and accessible online, with audio books too!

[upadhyaylawblogger]

The Best Judiciary Coaching in Patna, Bihar – Upadhyay Law Gurukul Leading the Way

Introduction

For law aspirants in Bihar, preparing for the judiciary exam is a journey that demands commitment, in-depth legal knowledge, and structured guidance. Patna, the capital of Bihar, has become a hub for judiciary coaching with several institutes offering specialized preparation. Among them, Upadhyay Law Gurukul stands out as a flag bearer for judiciary coaching in Patna, known for its excellent faculty, comprehensive study materials, and proven track record of success. In this article, we’ll explore why Upadhyay Law Gurukul is the best choice for judiciary coaching in Bihar and how it supports aspiring judges in achieving their dreams.

Why Judiciary Coaching in Patna? Patna has emerged as a prominent center for judiciary preparation, attracting students from across Bihar. With a high demand for quality judiciary coaching, Patna offers a range of reputed institutes providing expert guidance, structured learning, and access to resources. Judiciary coaching in Patna is especially beneficial for students who aspire to clear exams like Bihar Judicial Services Examination and other state judiciary exams.

Upadhyay Law Gurukul – The Leading Judiciary Coaching Institute in Patna Upadhyay Law Gurukul has earned a reputation as one of the best judiciary coaching centers in Patna. Established by experienced legal professionals, this institute focuses exclusively on judiciary preparation, making it a specialized center for law aspirants. Here’s why Upadhyay Law Gurukul is considered the top choice for judiciary coaching in Patna:

Expert Faculty and Personalized Guidance The faculty at Upadhyay Law Gurukul consists of experienced lawyers, retired judges, and legal scholars who bring a wealth of knowledge to the classroom. They provide insights not only into legal principles but also the practical application of laws. Each student receives personalized guidance, ensuring they understand complex legal concepts and build the analytical skills needed for judiciary exams.

The faculty members are highly approachable and make learning interactive, answering students’ queries and helping them navigate challenging topics. This personal attention makes a significant difference, especially for students who need a solid foundation in legal studies.

Comprehensive and Updated Study Material Judiciary exams demand a vast knowledge base, covering constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, and more. Upadhyay Law Gurukul provides meticulously designed study materials that are updated regularly to include recent amendments, case laws, and landmark judgments. These materials help students stay aligned with the judiciary exam syllabus and current legal developments.

Additionally, the study resources at Upadhyay Law Gurukul are organized in a student-friendly manner, making it easier for aspirants to cover vast topics systematically.

Regular Mock Tests and Performance Analysis One of the most significant aspects of judiciary preparation is practice. Upadhyay Law Gurukul conducts regular mock tests that mimic the actual exam pattern, enabling students to develop time management skills and boost their confidence. These mock exams cover all the sections of judiciary exams, including the preliminary, mains, and interview stages.

After each test, students receive detailed performance analysis and feedback, helping them identify their strengths and areas for improvement. This constant assessment ensures that students are exam-ready and can confidently tackle different types of questions in the judiciary exams.

Focus on Answer Writing Skills for Mains Exam The mains exam in judiciary exams demands strong answer-writing skills, as candidates must articulate their understanding in clear and structured responses. Upadhyay Law Gurukul emphasizes answer-writing practice, helping students develop effective writing techniques that align with judiciary exam requirements.

Students receive guidance on presenting legal arguments, organizing their answers, and including relevant case laws and sections. This focused training in answer writing gives students a competitive edge in the mains exam, which plays a crucial role in the final selection process.

Intensive Interview Preparation The final interview round is crucial for judiciary aspirants, as it tests not only their legal knowledge but also their integrity, judgment, and personality. Upadhyay Law Gurukul offers dedicated interview preparation, with mock interviews conducted by experienced faculty members. These sessions help students build confidence, improve their communication skills, and develop the right demeanor for the interview.

Faculty members guide students on potential interview questions, ethical dilemmas, and real-life scenarios they may face as judges, equipping them for success in the final stage of the selection process.

Supportive Learning Environment and Peer Collaboration Upadhyay Law Gurukul creates a supportive learning environment that encourages students to collaborate and grow together. The institute organizes group discussions, peer learning sessions, and workshops where students can exchange knowledge and perspectives. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community and helps students stay motivated and engaged throughout their preparation journey.

The environment at Upadhyay Law Gurukul is conducive to focused learning, with all necessary facilities provided for students to prepare without distractions.

Success Stories and Proven Track Record One of the biggest indicators of an institute’s quality is its success rate. Upadhyay Law Gurukul has a proven track record, with a large number of students successfully clearing judiciary exams and achieving top ranks. Many of its alumni are now serving as judges across Bihar and other states, making the institute a trusted name in judiciary coaching in Patna.

Key Features That Make Upadhyay Law Gurukul the Best Judiciary Coaching in Patna Expert Faculty with Extensive Legal Experience Comprehensive, Updated Study Materials Regular Mock Tests with Feedback Dedicated Answer-Writing Practice for Mains Intensive Interview Preparation Program Supportive and Motivating Learning Environment Conclusion For students aspiring to crack the judiciary exams in Bihar, Upadhyay Law Gurukul stands out as the best judiciary coaching institute in Patna. With its experienced faculty, tailored guidance, comprehensive resources, and success-focused approach, Upadhyay Law Gurukul has become a beacon of hope for judiciary aspirants. The institute’s commitment to excellence and its supportive environment make it an ideal choice for students determined to achieve their dreams of serving as judges. Choosing Upadhyay Law Gurukul can provide judiciary aspirants with the guidance, discipline, and preparation needed to excel in this challenging journey.

Meta Description: Looking for the best judiciary coaching in Patna, Bihar? Discover why Upadhyay Law Gurukul is the top choice for judiciary aspirants, offering expert faculty, comprehensive study materials, mock tests, and interview preparation.

[vajiraoiasacademy]

Master Your IAS Preparation with Vajirao IAS Academy

Are you an IAS aspirant looking for the best coaching in Delhi that fits your busy schedule? Look no further than Vajirao IAS Academy, the top IAS coaching in Delhi with flexible timings. Our academy is dedicated to providing high-quality education and personalized support to help you achieve your IAS dreams.

At Vajirao IAS Academy, we understand that balancing IAS preparation with other commitments can be challenging. That's why we offer flexible class timings to accommodate your unique needs. Whether you're a working professional, a student, or someone with other responsibilities, our flexible schedule ensures that you can attend classes at your convenience without compromising on the quality of your preparation.

Our experienced faculty, comprising former civil servants and subject matter experts, provide comprehensive coaching that covers all aspects of the UPSC syllabus. Our interactive classes are designed to engage and motivate you, making learning a dynamic and enjoyable experience. We also offer regular mock tests and personalized feedback to help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.

One of the key features of this top IAS coaching in Delhi with flexible timings is our state-of-the-art facilities and extensive study materials. Our resources are meticulously curated to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information. From detailed notes to practice papers, we ensure that you have everything you need to excel in your IAS preparation.

In addition to our flexible timings, we also offer online classes for those who prefer to study from the comfort of their homes. Our online platform is designed to provide the same level of interaction and support as our physical classrooms. With live sessions, recorded lectures, and interactive discussions, you can stay connected with your peers and instructors, no matter where you are.

At Vajirao IAS Academy, we believe in a holistic approach to IAS preparation. Our coaching program not only focuses on academic excellence but also on developing your analytical and problem-solving skills. We encourage critical thinking and provide ample opportunities for you to engage in discussions and debates, helping you build a strong foundation for your IAS journey.

Our success stories speak for themselves. Over the years, we have helped numerous aspirants achieve their IAS dreams and secure top ranks in the UPSC examination. Our alumni are a testament to our commitment to excellence and our dedication to student success.

Join Vajirao IAS Academy today and take the first step towards a successful career in the civil services. With our flexible timings, comprehensive study materials, and expert guidance, you can be assured of a well-rounded preparation that sets you on the path to success.

Join Our WhatsApp channel

Join Our Telegram Group

[race4job]

SSC CGL Coaching in Hyderabad

Excel in SSC CGL with Race4Job's Coaching in Hyderabad

Introduction to SSC CGL Coaching at Race4Job Are you aspiring to crack the SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam and secure a prestigious government job? Race4Job offers comprehensive coaching programs tailored to help you succeed in the SSC CGL exam. With our expert guidance and strategic approach, you can enhance your preparation and maximize your chances of success.

Why Choose Race4Job for SSC CGL Coaching?

Experienced Faculty

Race4Job boasts a team of highly experienced faculty members who specialize in SSC exam preparation. Our instructors are adept at simplifying complex concepts and providing effective learning strategies.

Comprehensive Coverage

Our SSC CGL coaching program covers all sections of the exam, including Quantitative Aptitude, General Intelligence & Reasoning, English Language, and General Awareness. We provide in-depth coverage of each topic to ensure holistic preparation.

Targeted Study Material

We offer meticulously curated study material that aligns with the latest SSC CGL syllabus. Our study material includes practice questions, mock tests, and revision notes to facilitate focused learning.

Interactive Learning Sessions

At Race4Job, we believe in interactive learning to foster engagement and facilitate better understanding. Our classroom sessions encourage student participation, doubts clarification, and discussions.

Mock Tests and Performance Analysis

To gauge your readiness for the SSC CGL exam, we conduct regular mock tests that simulate the actual exam environment. Detailed performance analysis helps identify strengths and areas needing improvement.

Personalized Attention

We maintain small batch sizes to ensure personalized attention to each student. Our faculty members provide individualized guidance, monitor progress, and offer constructive feedback.

Our SSC CGL Coaching Approach

Concept Clarity

We focus on building strong fundamentals and conceptual clarity in each subject area. Our faculty employs simplified teaching methods to enhance understanding and retention.

Exam-Specific Strategies

Race4Job emphasizes exam-specific strategies such as time management techniques, shortcut methods, and problem-solving approaches tailored to the SSC CGL exam.

Interview Preparation

Beyond written exams, we offer comprehensive interview preparation to equip you with the skills needed for the final selection stages.

Why Race4Job Stands Out

Race4Job is recognized as a leading SSC CGL coaching institute in Hyderabad due to our:

---->Proven track record of success ---->Student-centric approach ---->Dedicated faculty ---->Comprehensive curriculum

Enroll with Race4Job Today

Don't leave your SSC CGL preparation to chance. Join Race4Job, the trusted coaching partner for SSC CGL aspirants in Hyderabad, and embark on your journey towards a rewarding career in the government sector.

For More Details:

Race Coaching center,

Call Us: +91-9985999900

Gmail: racejob2020@gmail.com

Website:https://www.race4job.com/ssc-cgl-coaching-in-hyderabad.php

Address: Pillar No.1544, Megha Theatre Lane, Metro Station Dilsukhnagar, 1st Floor, Mumbai Complex, Sai Baba Temple Rd, near Metro Station, Hyderabad, Telangana 500060.

[diginerve]

Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Online Course in India

Enhance your expertise in cosmetic procedures with the Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Simplified online course in India. This Botulinum Toxin online course is your gateway to mastering the art of Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin procedures. Featuring one of the best e-learning for BOTOX, our program includes Botox video lectures, comprehensive study materials, and practice MCQs. It's among the best online Botox courses you can find, designed to simplify and demystify this popular cosmetic technique. Whether you're a healthcare professional or a novice, our course is tailored to all skill levels. Don't miss this opportunity to excel in the field of Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin. Enroll today and start your journey towards becoming a certified expert in India.

Visit: https://www.diginerve.com/course/cosmetic-botulinum-toxin-simplified/

[kidsinnowadays]

How to Navigate Remote Learning Successfully: A Parent's Comprehensive Toolkit

Discover a range of essential resources and strategies to effectively support your child's remote learning journey, ensuring a productive and enriching educational experience. #RemoteLearning #ParentingToolkit #OnlineEducation #SupportingStudentSuccess

The landscape of education has undergone a significant transformation with the rise of remote learning. As parents, navigating this new educational paradigm can present unique challenges. However, armed with the right tools and strategies, you can ensure that your child’s remote learning experience is not only successful but also enriching and enjoyable. This comprehensive toolkit provides a…

[arihant-publication]

Get ready for CBSE Class 12 exams with 'CBSE CHAPTERWISE SOLVED PAPERS CLASS 12,' a comprehensive self-study material designed as per the latest syllabus & rationalized NCERT. This book follows a chapterwise approach, covering all Previous Years’ Question Papers from 2023-2011, arranged by marks in descending order. Each chapter includes Trend Analysis, Value Points, Other Similar Questions, and Hints to enhance your understanding of key concepts. Additionally, you'll find 3 sample papers & the Latest CBSE Sample Paper at the end of the book, making it an essential resource for effective exam preparation. Score higher with Arihant's CBSE Chapterwise Solved Papers!

[sarah-madoka-currie]

Comprehensive exam resources: building a B-list (secondary exam: History of Literary Theory & Criticism) (Spring 2020)

You can view, play with and modify the full version of the tracking sheets I built to name, acquire and read the secondary examination B-list texts on this Google doc (open-access):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13Mbry7jYuz4utI91bdfCClOULPdBigVJ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100790709743492932008&rtpof=true&sd=true 

[macgyvermedical]

Study Strategies

For everyone asking "What does 'playing' with the material even mean when it comes to studying??"

Well, basically when you think about the material in a way that applies to your real life or interests, or that entertains you.

Writing a tumblr post about it (my blog started out as a study tool when I was in nursing school, because I re-wrote what I was learning in fandom/fic terms)

Talking about it or explaining it to a friend that is NOT in your field of study

Trapping your blorbos in a weird situation they can only get out of by learning the material (I once went through a whole scenario in my head about my blorbo getting injected with insulin and his friend having to figure out how long they had to give him sugar before they died to learn insulin onset-peak-duration)

Flash card "war" where 2 or more of your friends bring their flashcards and every time you or a friend puts down a card, the one that gets the answer the closest first wins the cards (google allowed)

Make a comedy routine about the material using only jokes that would be funny if someone understood it

Order a list of facts from least to most interesting- bonus points if you do it with a friend and you both have to agree, bringing your own arguments to the table as to why a particular fact deserves a certain rank

Finding an old textbook on the material at your school's library and figuring out what still holds up to today's knowledge

Find a group of people on the internet that are really interested in what you're studying and get the latest in DiscourseTM

Make the most misleading fact sheet you can make on the subject, with everything you say being technically true

Make a fact sheet that holds up to the reading comprehension of tumblr dot com

Basically anything that reframes studying from "I hate this and it takes up so much time" to "something I was probably going to do anyway for fun, but this time with more [subject]".

[kinichval]

seatmate!kinich isn't someone you would call a top achiever, sure, he will put in effort when necessary—but he's not the type of student to chug down five cups of coffee for an all-nighter. despite his self-perception that he's just being the bare minimum of a student, his grades prove that he's a well-performing student in their class. hence, he frequently finds himself being the target of everyone's thirst to pass a course.

"hey, kinich. can you help me with this task?"

"kinich, are you busy? i was wondering if you could teach me this lesson."

"kinich, can i copy your homework?"

it's bothersome to deal with a flood of desperate students half of the week, but kinich puts up with their needs as he gets paid in return. no discounts, no installments. that's malipo kinich for ya. (except he doesn't allow copying his homework, better luck next life.)

some students do it for free, why do they flock to kinich?

right, because the top performing student in class, also known as you, straight up refuses to be of help. not entirely being selfish, you would share files and resources to the class when the professor fails to provide sufficient materials and you would point out corrections when the majority makes the same mistake.

or maybe they just have a huge fat crush on kinich.

well, the sheer fact that your seatmate, kinich, is their first choice when an academic predicament bestows on them allows you to slip away from the scene and find yourself getting comfortable somewhere in the library.

(now you are the type to pull all-nighters and, make an effort to create comprehensible and visual-learner friendly lecture notes.)

there are also times when kinich is also clueless, rendering his help useless because he genuinely can't provide an answer nor explanation. he's just human, too, just like them.

just like you.

it doesn't escape his peripheral sight how you quickly stand up the moment a few classmates gather around kinich after class dismisses. he can't conclude the thoughts that run in your mind, but he's curious where you go—

"can i sit here with you?"

someone taps your earbuds to pause the music blaring in your ears, you look up to find who the culprit is with your eyes already burning holes through their forehead.

but oh—it's just... kinich?

"why?"

"just because."

you answer with a tch, lowering your head to continue studying.

"you don't understand that, right?"

oh, you hear him, you forgot to resume the music.

"i do." denial is a river.

"can you teach me?"

kinich doesn't ask for help. he believes he's capable of many things if he works hard (and smart) for it. but right now, he'll let you have a peak at his vulnerability just so he could have a glimpse of what it's like to be under your care.

[wombywoo]

Ok! I've finally decided to put together a (somewhat) comprehensive tutorial on my latest art~

Please enjoy this little step-by-step 💁‍♀️

First things first--references!

Now I'm not saying you have to go overboard, but I always find that this is a crucial starting point in any art piece I intend on making. Especially if you're a detail freak like me and want to make it as realistic as possible 🙃

As such, your web browser should look like this at any given point:

Since this is a historical piece, it means hours upon hours of meaningless research just to see what color the socks are, but...again. that isn't, strictly, necessary 😅

Once I've compiled all my lovely ref pics, I usually dump them into a big-ass collage ⬇️

(I will end up not using half of these, alas :'D)

Another reference search for background material, and getting to showcase our models of choice for this occasion~

When picking a reference for an actor or model, the main thing I keep in mind (besides prettiness 🤭) is lighting and orientation. Because I already kinda know what pose I'm gonna go with for this piece, I can look for specific angles that might fit the criteria. I should mention that I am a reference hound, and my current COD actor ref folder looks like this:

Also keep in mind, if you're using a ref that you need to flip, make sure you adjust accordingly. This especially applies to clothing, as certain things like pants zippers and belt buckles can be quite specific ☝️

Now that we've spent countless hours googling, it's time to start with a rough sketch:

It doesn't have to be pretty, folks, just a basic guideline of where you want the figures to be.

The next step is to define it more, and I know this looks like that 'how to draw an owl' meme, but I promise--getting from the loose sketch above to below is not that difficult.

Things to keep in mind are--don't go too in-depth with the details, because things are still subject to change at this point. In terms of making a suitable anatomically-correct sketch, I would suggest lots of studying. This doesn't even have to be things like figure drawing, I genuinely look at people around me for inspiration all the time. Familiarize yourself with the human form, and things like weight, proportions, posing will seem a little more feasible.

It's also important at this stage to consider your composition. Remember to flip the canvas frequently to make sure you're not leaning to one side too often. I'm sure something can be said for the spiral fibonacci stuff, which I don't really try to do on purpose, but I think keeping things like symmetry and balance in mind is a good start ✌️

Next step is just blocking in the figures. Standard. No fuss 👍

Now onto the background!

It's frankly hilarious how many people thought I was *hand-drawing* these maps and stuff 😂😂 I cannot even begin to comprehend how insanely difficult that would be. So yeah, we're just taking the lazy copy and paste way out 🤙

I almost always prepare my backgrounds first, and this is mostly to get a general color scheme off the bat. For collage work, it's really just a matter of trial and error, sticking this here, slapping this there, etc. I like to futz around with different overlay options until I've found a nice arrangement. Advice for this is just--go nuts 🤷‍♀️

Next, I add a few color adjustments. I tend to make at least 2 colors pop in an art piece, and low and behold, they usually tend to be red and blue ❤️💙There's something about warm/cool vibes, idk man..

Now we move on to coloring the figures. This is just a basic block and fill, not really defining any of the details yet.

Next, we add some cursory values. Sloppy airbrush works fine, it'll look better soon I promise 🙏

And now--rendering!

I know a lot of beginner artists are intimidated by rendering, and I can totally understand why. It's just one of those things you have to commit to 💪

I've decided to show a brief process of rendering our dear Johnny's face here:

Starting off, I usually rely on the trusty airbrush just to get some color values going. Note--I've kept my sketch layer on top, but feel free to turn it on and off as you work, so as to not be too bound to the sketch. For now, it's just a guideline.

This next stage may look like a huge jump, but it's really just adding more to the foundation. I try to think of it like putting on make-up in a way~ Adding contours, accentuating highlights. This is also where I start adding in more saturation, especially around areas such as ears, nose and lips. Still a bit fuzzy at this point, but that's why we keep adding to it 💪

A boy has appeared! See--now I've removed most of the line layer, and it holds up on its own. I'll admit that in order to achieve this realistic style, you'll need lots and lots of practice and skill, which shouldn't be discouraging! Just motivate yourself with the prospect of getting to look at pretty men for countless hours 🙆‍♀️

I'll probably do a more in-depth explanation about rendering at some point, but let's keep this rolling~

Moving forward is just a process of adding to the figures bit by bit. I do lean towards filling in each section from top to bottom, but you can feel free to pop around to certain parts that appeal to you more. I almost always do the faces first though, because if they end up sucking, I feel less guilty about scrapping it 😂 But no--I think he's pretty enough to proceed 😚

They're coming together now 🙆‍♀️ Another helpful tip--make sure you reuse color. By that, I mean--try to incorporate various colors throughout your piece, using the eyedropper tool to keep a consistent palette. I try to put in bits of red and blue where I can

Here they are fully rendered! Notice I've made a few subtle changes from the sketch, like adjusting the belt buckles because I made a mistake 😬 Hence why you shouldn't put too much stock in your initial sketch~

The next step is more of a stylistic choice, but I usually go over everything with an outline, typically in a bright color like green. Occasionally, I can just use my initial line layer, but for this, I've made a brand new, cleaner line 👍

And the final step is adjusting the color and adding some text:

Tada!! It's done!

All in all, this took me the better part of a week, but I have a lot of free time, so yeah ✌️

I hope you appreciated that little walkthrough~ I know people have been asking me how I do my art, but the truth is--I usually have no clue how to explain myself 😅 So have this half-assed tutorial~

As a bonus, here is a cute (cursed) image of Johnny without his mustache:

A baby, a literal infant child !!! who put this wee bairn on the front lines ??! 😭

Anyway! peace out ✌️

[doloneia]

honestly? personally, i defer to neither and instead look more at the primary material itself. contemporary scholars are generally good and reliable but their interpretations can also reflect their own biases or refer to outdated interpretations [*cough dorian invasion cough*]. and past scholarship is uh. er. [shakes fist at arthur evans and schliemann]. not great!

that being said, i will say that the primary material does not provide a very clear picture of mycenaean society - being very limited both textually and geographically - and mostly conveys administrative and religious information [ie, who gets how many beds! how much pylos sacrifices to poseidon! this guy has a son!] which can be interpreted to some degree by scholars but heavy caveats should always be put in place due to how fragmentary the material is. at some point, we do have to admit we don’t know for certain. and that is a difficult thing to do! especially when we have later representations like homeric epics that seem to present a situation that is sometimes echoing the context and other times actively contradicts it.

the unfortunate reality is that homeric epic is not coming from that context, it is coming from - at absolute best - snippets of that context but mostly later ones. homeric epic can be misleading, and in the context of aegean bronze age archaeology it has been actively damaging to sites like mycenae, knossos, and troy. maybe it’s just the amount of times i’ve had to hear about schliemann’s absolute massacre of troy’s LBA levels in his search for “priam’s treasure,” but i am incredibly cautious towards reliance on homeric narratives in scholarship and letting them guide understanding of mycenaean culture and society.

there’s a strange dichotomy with the late bronze age aegean, particularly mycenaean palatial complexes, where you have so much of this fragmented and scattered material that provides tantalizing glimpses into their society and culture but also contains so little detail at the same time. what the fuck is a lawagetes? who knows! academics are still divided on that one. at some point you do just have to cobble together scholarship, tablets, and material remains to come up with what you interpret that society to look like.

Wondering which one y’all like better: 1. Homer with his bunch of anachronisms plus fact-checked errors (hoplites, some cultural differences between Mycenaean and Archaic Greece, everyone speaking in Ionic Greek, inaccurate depiction of western Mediterranean geography, some gods worshipped in later times, etc); or 2. Well-researched scholars with our vague understanding of the Mycenaean Greek culture

I’d like to hear some thoughts

[the---hermit]

how I take notes on non fiction books

I recently made a post on my study method, and decided to make a whole separate post on my note taking method. The structure of the notes I write doesn't vary too much from my lecture notes to things I might have to read. A couple of useful informations you might want to know before I start actually talking about note writing is that I am mainly focused on studying history (tho I have had other humanities exams in my degrees), and that I study for oral exams in which the material is mainly composed of non fiction books, but sometimes include articles as well as lecture notes. Somehow I have also failed to mention that I am speaking about HANDWRITTEN NOTES. I only do handwritten notes, I don't work well digitally, so keep that in mind. And with this being said brace yourselves for a very long post. The bullet points I will be making are not really in a specific order and I will be including a few pictures too.

The first step when I am working on the materials for an exam is to figure out in which order I will be reading (and writing notes) the books. This hasn't really much to do with the notes themselves, but it's important to know which of your materials is more general and what other things go more in depth, so that you don't struggle too much while studying. Another plan related thing I always do is to write down each chapter of the book I have to study on my bullet journal and how many pages it is so I can plan my studying more comfortably. If the chapters are very long, and divided in subchapters I sometimes also write those down.

The goal of the notes I write is to fully take the place of the book, so they tend to be very detailed and long. I do this because the very act of writing is part of my study method, and working on things I have written down in my own words is just much better for the type of learner I am. So basically I read the book only once, then it goes back on the shelf and I work exclusively on the notes. This means my notes need to be detailed and well organized.

My method is to read a chapter, underlining important stuff as I am reading, and then right after I am done reading I work on the notes for that chapter before moving onto the next. I do this because it makes the note writing more effortless, I am fresh with informations I just read and I basically just need to skim over what I have underlined.

On underlining, since it is so important. I underline everything I will be including in my notes, it might seem much as sometimes it consists of full paragraphs, instead of key words. But this is okay because my notes I don't just copy and paste.

To create useful notes you need to be re-elaborating the informations. You need to read, understand what you read, and be able to write it down using your own words. That way the notes will be easier to review, they will often be composed of shorter sentences, and by doing so you are also actively making writing part of your studying and not just a mindless activity.

Personally I don't work well with full pages summaries, I need the text to be visually broken into sentences/small paragraphs, and I use a lot of symbols as well as abbreviations.

Symbols and abbreviations are in a way part of your very own language when you are writing notes, you tend to develop these with time, but they are so useful. I personally use different types of arrows, all caps words, position of the text in the page, different methods of highlighting and abbreviations (usually for words that come up often like country names, for example Italy becomes ita, France becomes fr, etc.).

Your notes need to be useful for you, they don't have to necessarily be comprehensible for another person (which means you can and will fuck up sentence structure because sometimes skipping a couple of words makes the notes shorter and still understandable), and they do not have to be pretty. They should be as tidy as possible, but again that might change from person to person, I have some very messy looking notes that make total sense to me. With time you'll learn what works best for you.

I have a visual memory so as I mentioned titles, highlighters, all caps, the placement on the page and other similar things are very important in my notes. I cannot fully exapain some of these things because some definitely only make sense to me in the moment (like the words I choose to write in all caps, or the way I highlight things).

I like to have a clear chapter and subchapter break (so that in case I need to refer back to the book it's super effortless). I like to write those with a red pen, usually the chapter title is in all caps and the subchapter in coursive, but it really depends.

I use only two highlighters in each set of notes yellow for dates, and the colour I associate with the book/the subject of the book (I have synesthesia I don't make the rules when it comes to colours). This of course might change depending your preferences and on the element of your notes you want to focus on. I like to have spacific colour for dates and time periods, because of course while studying history that is a fundamental element. If you are focusing on other subjects you might want to have a specific colour for names, or other elements.

I like to leave a big side margin to add either key words (especially in lecture notes since they might be messier and jump around informations more often), or additional information in a second time (sometimes it happens, after you read another book, or attended a particular lecture you have to add a couple of sentences and I rather have a blank space that never gets used rather than no space at all for emergencies).

I honestly mentioned everything that came to mind right away, but since note writing is now basically a mindless skill I have been practicing for years I surely forgot about something. I might end up adding to this post in the future or write another one. My note-writing method has also changed a lot thought the years from high school to university, it's a skill I have been perfecting for the past decade. This to say that depending on what you are working on things might change, and by experimenting with different things you might find out things that work very well for you. If you have any questions on specific things I didn't mention or that wen't clear my inbox is always open and I am more than happy to help.

Since this post is already very very long I am adding the pictures below the cut

Example of a page of notes before and after highlighting

Example of symbols and structure of the notes and the way I highlight things (in which you'll hopefully be able to understand my handwriting, and in which there might be some spelling errors but alas that often happens in my real notes as well so if there are any it's for the sake of accuracy lmao). If I end up adding informations on the margins I always use a pen of a different color so I can tell which informations I got from what source (ex. main notes from lecture, colorful notes from additional article).

Example of messier notes in which the main text in black are the notes I took during lectures and the additional colorful text was added while writing the materials (I rarely do this, it usually happens when the lectures follow a book precisely, which happens when we have to study books or summaries written by the professor). As you can see I often use post it notes to add more writing space, and sometime I even use them to create visually separated sections. If I end up adding some drawings I also usually like to have them on post it notes so they stand out more (and if you are wondering why the hell would an history student need drawings it's usually either because I need a map or a region/state to mark things out, or when studying for archaeology exams I often needed visual references, for example to identify different types of vases or decorations).