#jesuisprest-tolive

[thestudyfeels]

I’m taking a leave from college bc of health reasons. I feel bad and now it’ll take me longer to finish my B.S. & I’m already almost 26. I do plan to go back bc I love college & learning, its just dragging down my health rn. I feel lost & like I’ve let myself down. I know it’ll be good for my health to take a break, but I didn’t (don’t?) want to still. Just saw your “if you’re tired” post & wanted to briefly vent to you, since it sounded like you’d understand the most.

ok listen! patience & optimisation are the keywords here.

on patience; too often, and im prey to this, we believe that we have no time to make a dream career happen. society tells you to graduate at 22, find a job, buy a house, get married soon after. it’s ridiculous how much anxiety 20 year olds carry around, about nothing, because they don’t understand that they’ve got their entire lives ahead of them. listen to me, you’ve got enough time. i know how the break feels like waste of time (my entire school career has felt like that to me) but realise that it’s gonna do you good & that you’ll be able to work better once you’re at optimal health.

on optimization; NEXT, use ur disadvantage. what can you do in this break to help you in your career later on? can you learn a skill? a language? maybe some life-skill? can you start a side-hustle? use this break! most ppl who hate school groan about how it sucks and the system is pathetic when they could’ve used their time to gain everything they could from school. i learned to be confident in school (i took and will take every speaking opportunity), i learnt to make friends, who to trust, how to organise my time so that i wasn’t failing but was still working on my blog (which makes me happy and not depressed). in short, use this time. 

i strongly advise you to stop feeling guilty about your break, because you’ve only got one body & soul to last you a lifetime and it’s insanely impt to take care of it.

remember, you’ve got enough time. i’m sending good energy, go make this life count!

(for everyone else, here’s the post I wrote)

[cancerbiophd]

Hi! I recently discovered I have ADHD & tbh that explains my ENTIRE education troubles to this point. I always knew I could achieve SO much more but I always fell very short. Now I’m able to use my ambition properly & I’m gonna kickass. My Q is: do you have suggestions/method to raise GPA? It’s at 2.42 rn & I’m in college for B.S. Data Science w/ Emphasis in Bioinformatics. HEAVY on math & heavy on science. Goal is 3.50 GPA (fantasy goal is 4.00 GPA). I’d love it if you were able to help!!

hi there! i’m so proud of you!! and heck yes you’re gonna kick some ass!

In general, raising one’s GPA, or probably more importantly, successfully getting a productive and awesome education, entails some of these things:

Self-discipline - To go to class, to take good notes, to study, etc. It helps to have a routine, and you can start one by scheduling your day using a planner or online calendar. 

Grit - Kind of related to self-discipline, but this is what keeps everyone working towards their goals even when we just don’t wanna. 

Work smart, not hard - Manage time well, find a study method that works (ex. for math, probably lots and lots of practice problems), and just be as efficient as possible! 

Be proactive in getting help - Ask questions, go to office hours, take advantage of any free tutoring/study groups/learning centers the university has to offer, form our own study groups, etc. No successful person has ever reached their goals all on their own; they have all gotten some help and advice on the way!

Take responsibility for our learning - We earn the A, not the professor. Even if the professor is the crappiest teacher on earth, there are still other methods of getting knowledge, such as the tutors I mentioned above, the internet, textbooks, etc. As with anything in life, what we put in is what we get out. 

Be invested in learning the material - Be involved in gaining that knowledge and applying it. Be fascinated, be curious. Isn’t it always easier to remember and comprehend something we really like? I know that isn’t always the case with classes, but in the wise words of my friend’s mom when the friend and I were working on a 10 page essay once: “Even just pretending to be excited by your work will make it more doable!” 

I have more advice in my study advice tag, including different ways to study and take notes, printables, and masterposts on resources and even tips on studying particular subjects (like math). I highly recommend spending some time going through the posts to see if anything will work for you!

Best of luck! You can do it, I believe in you!!

[riding-under-the-stars]

Okay like you’re a horse blog obvs and that’s why I started following you a while back but you can still post other stuff you want on your blog ?? It’s still YOUR BLOG ?? Post your weight, post other non-horse things, if you even change your theme to non-horse things that’s okay too!!! It’s YOUR BLOG. & the other rude anons can fck off; just scroll past if you don’t want to see it why take the take to send a rude message ON ANON you just wanted your 5 mins of fame. Tldr: post what u want luv

Yes!! 🙌🏼 thank you!! This is still my horse blog and it will always be, the only non-horse stuff that gets posted here is me answering asks and this is where I put my thoughts/personal posts, which isn’t super often.

But who knows why those people wouldn’t just scroll past it but also messaged me 🤷‍♀️ thank you for the reassurance of what I post ❤️

[vero-cartin]

How to go vegan? Ik such a broad topic but I'm already vegetarian. I'm a texture person tho so stuff that doesn't have a texture I like, I won't eat it. I also love love mint ice cream but there's diary free ice cream at the store so I bought some (it was mint) and I took one bite of it and couldn't eat it it was gross. I want to go vegan for the health benefits but it seems really hard. Is there like a book on how to go vegan or something?

Hey jesuisprest-tolive ! I believe that you’re looking to start a plant-based diet, as veganism is more than just eat to be healthy. Even though, it doesn’t matter it is great that you want to make the first step and is not always easy. 

It is important to know that as many vegan options are, those are very difficult to get in the same taste as the animal version. If you really want to succeed, you have to take things slowly, and by that I mean to add new foods to your diet, if you don’t like the taste of green, for example, make smoothies, eventually your taste preferences will start to change. I used to hate greens and now I crave them. It is a matter of commitment, patience and be open. Here are some resources that can help you to start:

Vegan Grocery List. Top Staples

List of Ingredients of Animal Origin

Identifying Animal Ingredients

How to Read a Nutrition Label

Vegan Kit

Alternatives to Dairy

Alternatives to Meat

Food Recipes

[cancerbiophd]

Hey! So I’m going into my 2nd semester at college for my bachelors degree in biology w/ emphasis in cellular and molecular biology. Interested in the cancer research or pharmaceutical drug research routes. I was SO overwhelmed with how much info was thrown at me for my science classes my 1st semester. Any advice/helpful hints to achieve better results this semester (and future semesters)? I want to keep between B’s and A’s for my classes. Im really interested in my classes - there’s just so much

hi there!

In general, biology relies heavily on diagrams and flow-charts (ie signaling pathways, cause and effect’s). My most successful studying technique for bio is just to grab a white board or scrap piece of paper and draw it all out. And keep drawing it all out until I understand it. Another technique I do is to rewrite class notes in my own words. Sometimes I can simplify a paragraph into a neat flowchart, which is wayyy easier to remember. And the last technique that works for me is to look for other resources to supplement what is taught in class, such as Youtube videos (my personal favorite), free online tutoring courses (like Khan Academy), and real life tutors (most colleges have free learning centers staffed with TAs! or visit your professor during office hours). 

Also, you will find that every class’s exams will follow its own set format for the entire semester. I usually give myself a bit of leeway with exam 1 (I won’t fail it of course, but don’t beat myself up if I get a lower grade than expected), and then after exam 1, I know exactly what the remaining exams in that class will be like, and thus will know the best method to study. For example, does the professor like to ask open-ended questions, or prefers to stick with pure regurgitation multiple choice? Did they hint at exam questions during the lecture by going over a slide multiple times? Did they only ask stuff from lectures, or did they include things from the textbook as well? It’s almost like taking the SAT all over again--you gotta learn how to take the test just as much as remembering the content. And hey, if you can find a previous student from the class and get your hands on an old exam, use that opportunity! Remember: study smart, not hard :)

here are some other links to posts (mine and others) on studying methods and other tips. I know it’ll take some time to go through them all, but hopefully something in there will work for you!

5 revision methods

An awesome way to organize your deadlines for each class

How to stop procrastinating

Quick tips for time management

15 things ultra-productive people do

How to overcome failure

How to study smart

Different ways to study

8 things successful students do

Study less study smart

26 reminders for going to school like a badass

Some more study tips (with a science class focus)

Overcoming the “curve of forgetting” printable

Best of luck! Let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with (like any specifics). Now go and kick some butt this semester!

[cancerbiophd]

Okay so I went thru the link & “liked” all the ones that sounded up my alley (aka a lot lol). I have another Q for you since you were so helpful (& warm, kind, & welcoming) to my first Q. I’m taking Calculus I this Spring. I took Stats for Natural Science last year & loved it. I took AP Trig in high school & got credit for that which is how I was able to sign up for Calc I right away. AP Trig was 7 yrs ago tho & I remember nothing. I’m afraid the prof will think I’m stupid - help?

I’m glad you found some of the posts helpful! they’re pretty awesome resources. 

I would recommend brushing up on your Trig before classes start:

The internet is fantastic for this kind of quick review, such as the Trigonometry section of Khan Academy. You may find that you actually remember more than you think after seeing some of the topics!

You can also see if your university offers any free tutoring (I know my alma mater had a tutoring/learning community specifically for math). If you’re unsure of where to find these kinds of resources, an email to your professor (or the class’s TA, if applicable) asking for their advice would be a good place to start! I think the professor/TA would appreciate how proactive you are. 

And then during the Calc class:

It’s ok to ask questions during lectures or to go to the professor’s office hours for help. You’re there to learn, and most professors are there to help you learn! And the professor will not think you are stupid. A student who genuinely wants to learn by asking lots of questions is 10000x better than the silent ones who refuse to be proactive in their education. Honestly. I know some professors/TAs who legitimately feel sad because no one visits their office hours, so you really won’t be bothering them!!

You can also pair up with a study buddy in the class and your interaction with them can range from doing all your practice problems and studying together, to just checking your answers--whatever you two are comfortable with. It also helps to have someone take notes for you should you miss class (and vice versa). 

I hope that helps, or gives you an idea how best to go about reviewing Trig! Good luck this semester! You’re going to do great

[cancerbiophd]

Hi it’s me again! I just had surgery yesterday and am missing the first week of classes *insert sobbing emoji* I’m doing a lot of sleeping and resting now but any tips not to fall behind in my courses?? I’m taking Calc I, Intro to JavaScript, Intro to Python, and Chem 2 if any of that helps. I know it’s only the first week of the semester but I don’t want to fall behind, I want to stay like a week ahead of things (if that makes sense) or at least on top of everything. Help/tips/etc.??

hi!! wishing you a fast and healthy recovery from surgery!

i would advise contacting the professors and letting them know your situation (along with a doctor’s note to confirm) and asking them what readings and assignments you should do to keep up (if it isn’t in the syllabus already). and then be sure to visit them (or the TA) during office hours once you’re back to go over any trickier concepts in person. 

you can also email members of the class (or a study buddy) for in-class notes (with the promise to return the favor when needed). 

and then, most importantly, make sure you do take the time to rest and follow your doctor’s suggestions so you’re back to your healthy self as soon as possible :)

get well soon! 

[cancerbiophd]

jesuisprest-tolive replied to your post “currently running on 4 hrs of sleep and almost put my flask of cells...”

This reminds me of my 13th birthday where I sarcastically put “a puppy” at the top of my birthday list bc we already had 4 dogs and I was 100% it was going to be ignored but I was 13 and anyway I got a puppy for my bday so I hope your husband gets you a dog

listen. there is no such thing as too many doggos

also, ima need to take a leaf from your book and put “puppy” at the top of every wishlist i have from now on