The Love Of Learning, The Sequestered Nooks,And All The Sweet Serenity Of Books - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“The love of learning, the sequestered nooks, And all the sweet serenity of books” -  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Learning is one of the greatest accomplishments of our mind. And even if many associate it with school and studying, there are so many skills and knowledge you can acquire in your free time! Here is just a little “masterpost” of some of the options on the internet.

Languages (you have always wanted to learn a new language?)

How to choose a language

Duolingo

Memrise

French Masterpost by @studenting

German Masterpost by @languageoclock

Mandarin Chinese Masterpost by @floernce

Danish Masterpost by @baernat

Dutch Masterpost by @languagesordie

Finnish Masterpost by @hardluckbones

Greek Masterpost by @katlearnslanguages

Hindi Masterpost by @wonderful-language-sounds

Hebrew Masterpost by @wonderful-language-sounds

Italian Masterpost by @languagegirl

Japanese Masterpost by @somestudy

Korean Masterpost by @somestudy

Latin Masterpost by @learnal

Portuguese Masterpost by @educaution

Spanish Masterpost by @funwithlanguages

Swahili Masterpost by @spraakhexe

Free Courses!!! (you want to educate yourself on subjects you are passionate about? or find something that you love?)

edX

coursera

OpenLearn

FutureLearn

open2study

openculture

Stanford Online

Harvard Online Learning

MIT Open Courseware

Udemy

Khan Academy

Coding (you have always wanted to learn how to code?)

Codeacademy

Khan Academy Computer Programming

HTML5ROCKS

Codeschool

code.org

FreeCodeCamp

codewars

Dash (+ learning how to create a tumblr theme!)

TheCodePlayer

Coder’sGuide

DevsTips

LearnCodeAcademy

TheNewBoston

Creative (you always wanted to paint pretty pictures, take beautiful photographs, start a fashion blog or practice your calligraphy skills?)

Learn How To Draw

Color Theory

Graphic Design Basics

Fashion Blogging

Beginners Acrylic Paint Course

Acrylic Paint Strategies

Calligraphy Beginner

A Beginner’s Guide To Modern Calligraphy

Learn Calligraphy

The Ultimate Graffiti Guide

Photography Basics

How To Keep A Diary And Stick To It

Scrapbooking For Beginners

Writing Apps Extensions And Websites by @uglystudies

Writing Resources by @wordsnstuff

Miscellaneous (the suns, solar systems, stars and moons? playing the guitar, the piano?)

Space And Astronomy Masterpost by @thescholarlysquad

Microsoft Excel Tutorial

Absolute First Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lesson

Piano 101

CrashCourse

How To Create Music In Minutes (Fruity Loops Free)

Stuff Nobody Tells you About Getting An Apartment.

This’ll cover the basics, such as financial expectation, rental history, what to bring for the application process, etc.

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 tips for high heel beginners 👠💋

-don’t start out with super high heels. it’s better to start out a little smaller. they don’t have to be full on kitten heels but try to keep the heel 3 inches or shorter.

-the chunkier/thicker the heel= the easier to walk in

-don’t be scared of platform heels. while they might look intimidating, they’re actually more stable and easier to wear as opposed to your standard heel because a) there’s less incline and your toes are closer to your heel and b) even if they’re high, the heels tend to be chunkier, so you have more support.

-heels aren’t the most comfortable shoes in the world but if your foot hurts as soon as your put them on, don’t buy them.

- when it comes to heels,it’s always better to size up then to size down. when in doubt, opt for a larger size.

- when walking on a flat surface, always remember to walk heel to toe, one foot in front of the other. 

-s l o w d o w n. you might think you can run in heels, but you probably can’t even power walk. take smaller steps and walk a little slower than usual.

-practice. walk around your house in heels for a while to get the hang of it.

-whenever you have the opportunity to sit down, do so.

-avoid walking on grass. if in some case you absolutely have to walk on it, try to focus your weight on your toes; almost like you’re trying to tip toe. your heel should still touch the ground, but lightly.

-avoid walking on cobblestone or any other sidewalk that is uneven or has cracks in it at all costs.

- when going up stairs, tilt sideways a bit. this way you’ll be able to put your entire foot on each stair and you have a less of a chance of tumbling down and busting your ass. also, hold the handrail at all times.

-if you have to stand for a while, switch putting your body weight from one foot to the other. this way you’ll be able to give each foot a break and it’s less painful.

-use cushion and gel insoles, they’ll make your heels a little more comfortable and you’ll be able to wear them for longer periods of time. doesn’t matter what brand, you could even get them at the dollar store; they don’t have to be fancy. 

- never take your heels off and walk barefoot. not only could you step on glass or something sharp but that’s just nasty and very tacky looking. always have a cute pair of sandals or flats on hand in case shit gets real.

-angel

best advice you’d give a girl?

-Hone in on what you love doing right now and don’t stop doing it. Anything like painting, theater, reading, etc. will become grounding activities as you grow older, and you’ll find it imperative to stick to your roots.

-The best thing you can do is live for you. Not for anyone else. Let people guide you but don’t ever let them overrule you. You make yourself, so ensure that the you you’re creating is authentic.

-Don’t wait until you do so and so to feel ready for something else. Keep active plans to get to your goals.

-Don’t talk to anybody romantically until you know who you are first. People won’t be able to connect with you on that level if you can’t first connect with yourself. Also, don’t bother “holding” anyone down but yourself. People are fickle, you exist until you don’t.

-When we transition from girlhood to womanhood, most of the time we still hide behind “older” people because we see them as more knowledgeable. You have to let that idea go. Adults are just as stupid as kids, except they can legally drink. Don’t be afraid to put your voice out there, even if it opposes seniority.

-Learn how to create and cultivate friends that genuinely care for you. Those people that barely text you or forget about you when events come up are not your friends. Don’t take bullshit from them because you don’t want to be lonely.

-Learn moderation. Partying, drugs, sex, etc. all become more prevalent as you grow older and there’s nobody to tell you to stop but yourself. Don’t become an alcoholic because you didn’t wanna seem like a drag to some drunkhappy friends.

-Don’t wait until later to start building a financial foundation for yourself. Get a good savings account now, adopt a budgeting method, look into investing. Go to seminars and conferences about money even if you’re the youngest person in the room. You will be lightyears ahead of your peers.

-Find value in slightly older friends. They’ll show you what you shouldn’t do and help prepare you for your future. It’s how I know the majority of the things I do.

-Avoid quick gratification. It’ll satiate you for a while but you will still be hungry for something better afterwards.

-Being alone is important. I highly recommend living alone before you get roommates (if that’s financially affordable) because you learn not to base your identity off of other people’s belongings. Our homes become an extension of us. You need to learn how to be independent and how to cultivate your space free of others’ opinion. You need to cook naked in the morning and dance in your living room at night. It is a feeling of freedom that is irreplaceable, and it’ll be one you always remember if someone tries to make you dependent on them. Outside of your living space, go to museums and festivals and operas alone. Have fun. Make new friends. Realize that you shine just fine all on your own. You are not meant to be hidden behind other personalities in your friend group all the time.

-Everything you do, learn how to do it well. And then learn how to turn that well into damn near perfect. Always strive for the best when your work is representing you.

-Deletion ain’t nothing but an action boo. Somebody unimportant is annoying you? Delete! Instagram feed making you too mad? Delete! Friend refuses to do right by you? Delete! Of course you need to develop communication tactics but some people don’t deserve that time and don’t you waste it on them either. Anything you don’t want in your life, you can get rid of. Remember that. You don’t have to stay suffering.

Your network is your networth!

Who you know greatly affects your net worth. You’ve probably heard the saying “you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with”. This is real! Who we spend our time with is a reflection of who we are and where our life is going. Hang around 4 broke people, you’ll be the 5th one. Or you can hang around 4 wealthy people, and become the 5th one.

You may be thinking “ok girl I know, but how do I meet high networth individuals?” That’s what I’ll be sharing with you today. I was in your shoes years ago. I went from only hanging around my high school friends to having corporate CEOs, financiers, and 6 figure entrepreneurs on speed dial. This was a very slow process and I was intentional with my behavior. I was in the corporate and finance space, and wanted to be around people that helped my career and business grow. If you’re someone like me that had the desire to level up their circle, but wasn’t sure on where to start then take notes of the below:

Determine the type of friend(s) you want to have. Are you like me, in the finance industry? Then you’ll want to associate yourself with financiers, accountants, investors and business owners. Maybe you’re an inspiring real estate agent and want to associate yourself with realtors, brokers, investors and contractors. Maybe you’re in law school, and want to be associated with top notch lawyers, other law students, and potential clients that’ll need a lawyer in the future. Before you start the journey of leveling up your circle, determine who it is you want around you. If not, you could attract all types of people that may not benefit your life. For example, if you focus only on having wealthy friends, you could attract the “New Money” tech guys or spoiled rich heirs that just want to party and drink. Be intentional with who you want around you.

Start small. I know we all want friends that make millions & billions of dollars, own a private jet, and spend $5k just on sleepwear. But if you’re only making $50-60k/year, that just won’t happen (yet). And that’s okay! I don’t know about y’all, but I’d feel uncomfortable having a friend THAT MUCH richer than me lol. You’ll feel left out or worse they may (unconsciously) look down on you and not treat you as their equal. It’s important to start small, and work your way up as you level up. For example, if you make $50-60k/year, look for friends that make $100k-$150k/year. If you’re already making $100k, look for friends that make $300k-$450k/year and so on. Sidenote: This has nothing to do with the men you date or mentors, always go for the wealthiest one😂 but when it comes to friends it’s important that you can relate to your friend group and be treated as an equal, even if you’re not as wealthy as them yet. Imagine going shopping with them, and you can only afford Forever21 while they’re at Gucci and LV. You never want to be in a postion where you’re uncomfortable or looked down upon. Start where you are and work your way up.

Be where they are. Now that you know who you want around you, ask yourself “where would my ideal friend(s) be? Stop going to Walmart and Dollar Tree, and start shopping at Whole Foods, Mariano’s, and the farmers market. If you want to increase the chances of running into a potential high value friend, go where high value people go. This doesn’t only mean 5 star restaurants and hotels, but think about what your ideal wealthy friend would do on a daily basis. Coffee shops, farmers market, high end gyms, luxury nail salons! All these are all places wealthy individuals may spend time during their day. Show up there consistently and be friendly! High end clubs, hotels, and restaurants are good to find men, but when it comes to friends it may be hard because most ladies go to these places WITH their friend group so they aren’t looking to make friends. But when you show up to their yoga class daily, always run into them at the gym, or bump into each other in the aisle at Whole Foods, you’re more likely to spark a conversation that can lead to a friendship.

Join clubs or sport groups. You may not be able to afford the six figure membership at the golf course right now or get invited to join elite social groups, but don’t let that discourage you. You can join paid book clubs and mastermind groups. If you’re good at tennis or badminton, join an adult league in a wealthy part of town. I started by going to business and finance networking groups in my city. Sometimes I met indivuals who were wealthy, sometimes I didn’t. But either way, I increased my chances by being there. Wealthy people tend to do sports like golf, tennis, skiing, horse racing, etc. If you’re good at those or willing to take lessons, then join an adult league. This is the easiest way to be around high value individuals and actually get the chance to build relationships with them. Remember: always stay in your budget, and don’t overspend just to fit into a group. If you can only afford to spend $100/month then find clubs within that budget. I promise you’ll find at least ONE friend that’ll be worth it.

Always look presentable. Unlike a lot of people on here, I won’t tell you that you need to leave the house in a designer purse and silk dress just to attract wealthy friends because that’s not true. Most of my wealthy friends only wear designer when we go out, and if they do I can’t tell because they’re not big on logos. Looking presentable simply means looking clean and polished. You can make a Fabletics outfit look like Lulu Lemon if you know what you’re doing. If you can’t afford an birkin, just buy a nice purse and take good care of it. Keep the colors you wear to a minimum, keep your outfits clean and clear of lint, and keep your hair and nails maintained. Never go out the house wearing PJs, yesterday’s sweat pants, and clothes that are too big/little for your body!

Be friendly! Stop walking around with a resting BITCH face all the time. This doesn’t mean you have to walk around smiling🤣 but just relax your face. If you need help with this, practice your resting “nice” face in the mirror. When you’re standing or walking around, get off your phone. You can’t expect to be open and friendly, if you’re always strolling on your phone. This gives off a vibe that you’re not in the mood to talk to those around you. When you’re in public places like the airport, grocery store or gym, spark a conversation! Compliment a girl’s outfit (only if you’re genuine) or chat about the weather with the guy behind you line. You’ll notice that some people are friendly, some are not. But the important thing is that you practice being friendly and you’ll open yourself up to new opportunities for friendships. I used to be shy, and NEVER did this. However, my brother was always the outgoing type and always spoke to people and made friends when we’d go out. I asked him how he was so good at sparking conversation he said “don’t over think it. Just talk!” I started to look up conversation starters on the internet and practiced his technique with everyone I came across. And eventually my shyness went away. This will take time and consistency. You can’t just be friendly one time and say “well I didn’t make friends today so this is pointless” because that’s not how it works. You’ll see results when you make it a HABIT of being friendly and of course being genuine. Trust me, people can tell when you’re fake.

Be a good friend. This is a no brainer, but most posts that talk about gaining high value friends sometimes miss this. It’s nice to want friends who are wealthy, but you also have to be an asset to them. They don’t need another person who just wants to use them because rich people get used all the time. They know when someone is only in their life for superficial reasons so add value. Be a good friend that’s always there when they need you, be a good listener, be compassionate, remember their birthday. It’s not enough to just want to be friends with someone because of what they have. Luckily, I’m a funny person and love hosting gatherings/parties. I know how to make my friends laugh so they always want to be around me because of the positive energy I bring. Ask yourself, why would someone want to be friends with me? How am I an asset to someone’s life? Weather it’s your loyalty, trustworthiness, or you just know how to make a friend laugh when they’re down, understand your assets. You can be honest with yourself and say “I don’t have any of those traits”. That’s okay! Some of us weren’t raised to be a good friend. Maybe your mom didnt have many friends or you grew up a loner so you’re not sure what it means to be a good friend. If that’s the case, do something about it. Read books on what it means to be a good person, a great friend, and how to care about people. Once you have these traits, you’ll attract people with similar qualities into your life. ❤️

found this gem in the 1996 Cornell Women’s Handbook. it’s what to say when a guy tries to get out of using a condom