' As An Exchange Student Who's Not A Party Animal

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗶'𝗺 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 as an exchange student who's not a party animal

𝟭. study day by day ( 🪴 )

i am a big procrastinator and when it comes to exams, too often i have left it to the last minute and pulled all-nighters to get high grades, but due to the spanish school system, which includes many more partial exams and midterms than italy (actually there aren't any in italy at all) i will be "forced" to change this tendency of mine, the goal is to study the lessons on the very same day so as to have a greater margin for revision that will allow me to secure my knowledge.

𝟮. allow time to rest/recharge ( 🔌 )

i once read a sentence: "if you have two minutes to do something, it will take you two minutes, but if you have two hours, it will take you the whole two hours". concentrating for a few hours a day, but in an effective and meaningful way is perhaps my biggest dream, this year i will do my best to limit the hours of study and dedicate time to rest and tourist activities that my year in spain will reserve for me (parties and hangouts included).

𝟯. learning a new language ( ⭐ )

i don't speak spanish at all, but i understand it very well. studying and living here for a whole year will definitely help me develop my linguistic/grammatical knowledge to start a deeper study of the language. the more languages ​​you know, the better.

𝟰. get out of my comfort zone ( 🦋 )

as an introvert, i often find myself, especially during stressful times, retreating to my room, wrapped in the comfort of my favorite books and series. the real challenge will be to abandon the safe place for the unknown and finally embrace the idea that the unknown is beautiful, that it has breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and that any scars that might come from it are as precious as diamonds.

𝟱. being proud of myself ( 🍋 )

realizing that i'm doing well, that the me from a year ago who was afraid of failing the university entrance exam has not only now completed her first year of architecture with excellent results, but now lives alone in a foreign country. a year ago i would never have believed it, so i should be proud of it, and not fear that i'm not enough. there is a lot to improve, but celebrating victories is equally important as aiming for the top.

careful! we quickly get used to most things and easily forget how amazing they are

a girl who’s going to do big things cannot let small things get to her

things to explore on your self-development journey:

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ emotional intelligence

emotional intelligence (often abbreviated as ei or eq) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as recognize and influence the emotions of others.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ time management

time management is the process of planning and controlling how much time you spend on specific activities to increase efficiency and productivity.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ new skills

learning new skills is a great way to keep your mind sharp and open up new opportunities. some skills you might consider include coding, data analysis, digital literacy, foreign languages, project management, public speaking, or creative skills.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ mindfulness

mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, without judgment or distraction. it involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in a non-reactive way.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ self-care

self-care is the practice of taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being to promote overall health and happiness. it includes physical activities like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, as well as staying hydrated and maintaining good hygiene.

overall, it is about making time for yourself and prioritizing your needs to maintain balance and prevent burnout.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ entrepreneurial thinking

entrepreneurial thinking is a mindset that involves seeing opportunities where others see challenges, being innovative, and taking calculated risks to achieve goals. it’s not just for business owners; anyone can benefit from this way of thinking.

improving sleep quality

improving your sleep quality can have a significant impact on your overall well-being. here are some tips to help you get better sleep:

set a consistent bedtime: try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. this helps regulate your body’s internal clock.

limit screen time: avoid electronic devices at least an hour before bed. the blue light emitted by screens can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.

create a relaxing environment: make your bedroom a sleep-friendly space. keep it cool, dark, and quiet. consider using blackout curtains, earplugs, or a white noise machine.

establish a pre-sleep routine: engage in calming activities before bed, such as reading, listening to soft music, or practicing meditation. these activities can signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

avoid heavy meals and caffeine: try not to eat large meals or consume caffeine close to bedtime. these can disrupt your sleep.

exercise regularly: regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. just make sure to finish exercising at least a few hours before bed.

practice mindfulness: strategies like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness meditation can help reduce stress and prepare your mind for sleep.

building a routine

creating a routine can help you stay organized and make the most of your time. to help you design a routine that works for you, take a look at these steps:

identify your goals: think about what you want to achieve with your routine. this could be related to work, study, personal projects, or self-care.

prioritize tasks: list out the tasks you need to accomplish and prioritize them based on importance and deadlines.

set specific times: allocate specific times for each task. try to be realistic about how long each task will take.

include breaks: make sure to schedule regular breaks to rest and recharge. this can help you stay focused and avoid burnout.

be flexible: while it’s important to stick to your routine, allow some flexibility for unexpected events or changes in your schedule.

review and adjust: periodically review your routine to see what’s working and what isn’t. make adjustments as needed to improve your productivity and well-being.

start small: if you’re new to routines, start with a few key tasks and gradually build up as you get more comfortable.

stay consistent: consistency is key to forming habits. try to follow your routine every day, even on weekends.

❤️ nene