Becoming A Better Student

becoming a better student ₊˚⊹♡

Prepare for your classes ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Wake up on time. We don't want to be stressed first thing in the morning, right?

Eat breakfast. So you will be able to better focus in class.

Assigned reading and homework. Make sure you are prepared for your classes!! :)

Review your notes. Going through some of your flashcards before class is really helpful.

Check your bag and charge your devices. Ensure you have everything you need: Books, homework, chargers, pens, water...

In Class ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Listen and pay attention. You can save yourself a lot of trouble by simply paying attention, trust me.

Take notes. My favourite note-taking method is the Cornell method; I can make a separate post on that!! <3

"Quick notes." If you struggle with note-taking, try taking quick and messy notes. You can clean them up once you get home!!

Engage. If you have any questions or don't understand something, make sure to ask!! Most teachers really appreciate students who speak up. :)

No distractions. Turn off your phone, no chatting, you'll be glad...

After class ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Finish your assignments as soon as you can. Go home, put on a cosy outfit, have a snack, and get working!! <3

Prepare flash cards. A great way of reviewing your notes, too... :)

Update your Study schedule. Write down any assignment and due dates, reading you must do, upcoming tests, etc...

Clean up your notes. Review them, highlight the important parts, and maybe even make them look cute!! :)

Don't avoid topics/Subjects you dislike. I know it is tempting, but you can't avoid them forever, so you might as well get them done

Structure and routine ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Goals and Priorities. Keep them realistic and manageable.

Time management. Having a set schedule makes studying less overwhelming; it takes some discipline but is so worth it!! <3

Develop a routine. Figure out what works best for you; I prefer studying in the morning or at night.

No "zero days". Even if you can only do a bit, do it!! NO. ZERO. DAYS.

Remember your goals. Dreams will keep you motivated; remind yourself of what you're working for!! <3

Self-care and balance ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Don't forget about your hobbies. You need to do things that make you happy, so make time for those things!!

Maintain a balanced diet. I know chocolates and junk are tempting, especially when you are busy studying all day, but you're not doing yourself any favours.

Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. 8 Hours. Non-negotiable.

Exercise regularly. Even if it's just a walk, put on some headphones, listen to music, and give yourself a break. <3

Care for your social life. Reach out to your friends, make plans, and keep in touch; a good work-life balance is critical!!

Romanticising ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Study dates. Meet up with your friends at a cosy cafe, discuss your work, and have some fun!! Studying doesn't have to be all serious all the time ;)

Silly Pinterest boards. Visualising your goals will help you find motivation!!

Music to set the mood. I have a bunch of playlists on my Spotify that might help!! <3

Cosy sweater and candles. The cosy Rory Gilmore vibes haha...

Getting a coffee before class. A little treat before things get serious... Simple pleasures, you know? :)

Babes, The hiatus is OVER, and I'm finally back!! I got a lot of asks on studying, burnout, and school in general, so I thought, why not start off with a little student guide?? I Hope October has been kind to you, and school hasn't been too overwhelming (though I know it, unfortunately, has been for many of you), and I'm glad to finally be back!! <33

As always, Please feel free to add your own suggestions and tips in the comments!!

✩‧₊*:・love ya ･:*₊‧✩

Get to know yourself 🩰

the key to confidence is knowing yourself and what you want. so here are some tips for you to start embracing and knowing yourself ♡

find your "aesthetics" or start presenting yourself the way you would like to.

there are a lot of styles you could get inspo from, and feel the best in. I want you to not put yourself in one box of an aesthetic like "I like coquette, so I will forever wear things like it". sure! you can do it if you feel like this is the style that suits you most, but if you feel like expressing yourself more than in one go for it! there is no way you have to pressure yourself to fit in one category just because people or you won’t be "confused". you are you by wearing pink dolly dresses with grey hoodies and cargo pants.

find hobbies and stand strong by them

try many different things which you will enjoy. books, movies, knitting, writing, journaling, self care and the list goes on. do not listen to anyone saying that it’s "weird" or "doesn’t suit you". this is what will make you , you! never let go of beautiful things that make you happy. even if you like collecting dolls at the age of 16 (like me) and society tells you it’s child’s hobby, so be it. hobbies do not have an age range bc with the same logic they could say "knitting if for grandmas".

journal

find some promts on pinterest and write , write , write

start being comfortable with yourself or when you’re alone

realize that you are that person who’s funny , charming, smart, INTERESTING. a lot of us are uncomfortable with being alone and have the need to always meet someone. now don’t get me wrong, you have to meet people! do not by any means isolate yourself but forcing yourself to meet just because you don’t like being all alone is wrong. Imagine going on dates where you go to YOUR favorite restaurant, order YOUR favorite food, buy YOURSELF the prettiest flowers. why don’t you like being with yourself if you and your body knows all your favorite things , and offer a lot than anybody could ? my advice for you to is go out on single dates , sit in your home and read a book, or even in silence just with yourself. and you will realize a lot more about yourself. trust me you’re going to love it <3

set goals and make promises to yourself , work on them

these are essential things that will help you trust yourself more. I want you to remember that everything in your life is success. even if it’s not "perfect" it’s yours! and that’s what should matter the most. keep growing and teaching yourself.

- ♡

Becoming more productive

Be a bit delulu... Believe in yourself; every goal you set yourself is archivable!! ;)

Challenging/tedious tasks first!! Get them out of the way!! ew!!

Visualise your goals!! What do you want to archive? How will you feel when you reach your goal? Write everything down, and make a cute vision card on Pinterest. Always helps me stay motivated <33

Make the most of your time. Got some free extra minutes? Start working on something from your to-do list!! :)

Organise your space. Being in a comfortable and inviting environment is so so important to be able to focus properly. Some scented candles, a cute bookshelf, some pictures…

Plan ahead, make a simple to-do list (no more than 7 points)

Fix your sleep schedule… I'm still working on this myself… once I figure out how I'll definitely make a little guide lol…

Take breaks, especially when studying. Exercise is perfect for relaxing your mind; if you don't love working out - like me... lol - going on a walk is a great option too!! <33

Be aware of procrastination… are you procrastinating right now..?

Reward yourself!! Spend some time taking care of yourself, invest time in your hobbies, eat your favourite meal, or get yourself a nice coffee… small things that make you feel good :)

As always, Please feel free to add your own suggestions and tips in the comments!! <3

✩‧₊*:・love ya ･:*₊‧✩

training at home or at the gym? my experience

this post could be the second part of this one i published a year ago.

after training at home for a long time i am now in a gym, but i got results training at home? the truth is that yes, because i was very consistent and trained every day and over time i was improving and learning new things but it is true that for me it was a slow process.

what benefits did i get?

my belly is flat and my abs became more visible.

i went from having a flat buttock to a little bigger and with a rounded shape.

my health improved a lot, i stopped getting sick.

i became more disciplined.

i started to love exercise and not only to change my body.

my lifestyle improved.

no more menstrual cramps for days and the pain if there is any is now very light and fades quickly.

- do i recommend training at home?

my experience was quite positive and i enjoyed it a lot but after going to the gym I prefer it more than training at home, because it is much more complete and I can receive help from professionals. so i'm sure that i am doing the exercises well.

but however if you want to train at home you can get quite a lot of results if you are consistent, so yes.

and it also depends a lot on what you want to achieve with your body.

what to keep in mind

many of the routines you can find on youtube are free and also effective, but if you want to see results i recommend that you choose less routines and focus on doing sets and reps, not just follow what the girl does in the video, because in most videos there are no reps and they are different exercises and about 30-40 seconds.

my belly started to mark when i started to do several repetitions of the same video.

so instead of doing 3 different videos choose one and focus on the reps.

it is also essential to stretch before and after the workout.

material you need

yoga mat

set of weights (up to 10 kg is fine)

elastic bands

- my experience at the gym

although i have been here for a short time and still can't see results (it's not the only thing you have to focus on) the experience is much more positive and i enjoy it more. i feel like i am working my whole body much better with the help of the machines.

it also motivates me a lot to go in the mornings and makes me feel better.

i am focusing on other parts of my body which is also positive.

i have the opportunity to join yoga and pilates classes if i feel like it.

i can also get help and advice from the trainers.

i feel that with the gym i can get closer to achieving my goals and the most important thing is that i like going.

- conclusions

it all depends on what your goals are. i understand that there are people like me in the past who couldn't go to the gym so training at home is also a good option.

it's important that we look good and get the results we want but physical exercise also offers many benefits to our body and mind, which is why we should not only focus on exercising to change something we don't like but for the good we are doing to our body.

if you have the opportunity to go to a gym i recommend you to sign up.

in general, exercise of any kind is something positive and something that at least for me is fundamental to include in my daily routine.

and it has nothing to do with this topic, i have several unanswered questions, I need time to answer them, hope you don't mind. i can't answer all the questions quickly because some of them need time.

NEW YEAR, NEW ME

this is a collab w the it girl @prettieinpink !!

HABITS TO IMPLEMENT 

Movement (yoga, running, Pilates, walking, gym, etc. Anything that allows you to move your body 

Reflection- make a note of things you would like to improve on. This could be self-love, relationships, 

STAY CONSISTENT

Consistency is key. Make sure to stick to your plan and keep working towards your goals every day. Even small steps are progress. Try to make your goal part of your daily routine. 

HOW TO STAY CONSISTENT 

SCHEDULE- Setting schedules helps really well with consistency. Make a schedule for the tasks you need to do daily or weekly to achieve your goals. This can help you make your goals a part of your routine, making it easier to stay consistent.

STAY ORGANIZED- Keep track of your tasks and goals. Use tools like calendars, to-do lists, or apps to help you stay organized and remember what you need to do.

DISCIPLINE YOURSELF- Sometimes, you won't feel like working towards your goals, and that's okay. The key is to maintain discipline and do the task anyway. Remember, consistency is about doing the task regularly, not just when you feel like it.

START SMALL- Don't overwhelm yourself with huge tasks. Start small and gradually increase your workload as you build consistency.

DON’T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF- If you miss a day, don't beat yourself up. Instead, acknowledge that it happened, understand why, and move on. Consistency is about long-term progress, not perfection.

CREATE A PLAN

Once you know what your goals are, create a step-by-step plan on how to achieve them. Break down each goal into smaller, manageable tasks. This might involve creating a timeline, setting deadlines, or identifying resources or tools you might need.

LEAVE THINGS IN THE PAST 

In 2023, I’m sure everyone has had ups and downs, but not letting them define you as a person is something that has to be done in order for you to become a new person.

HOW TO LEAVE THINGS IN THE PAST

ACCEPTANCE-  Acknowledge the past and accept it as part of your life story. Understand that it's something that has shaped you but doesn't define you.

FORGIVENESS- Forgive yourself and others. Holding onto resentment only harms you. Letting go of grudges can bring a sense of peace and open up space for healthier relationships.

LEARN FROM IT- Every experience, good or bad, is an opportunity to learn. Reflect on these experiences and use them as stepping stones to better decisions in the future.

FOCUS ON THE PRESENT- The past is unchangeable, but the present is in your control. Concentrate on what you can do now to create a positive future.

SET NEW GOALS- Create new objectives for yourself. This gives you something to work towards and helps shift your focus from the past to the future.

PRACTISE MINDFULNESS- Mindfulness is about staying focused on the present moment. Practices like meditation can help you stay grounded and prevent you from dwelling on the past.

ADJUST YOUR PLAN AS NEEDED

It's okay if your initial plan doesn't work out exactly as you thought. Life happens, and it's important to be flexible and adapt your plan as needed. If you find that a certain approach isn't working, don't be afraid to try something different.

PRACTICE SELF CARE

Remember to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. This can include things like getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking time to relax and do things you enjoy. Don't forget that self-care is an important part of reaching your goals.

WAYS TO PRACTICE SELF CARE-

BALANCED DIET-  There is no need to restrict yourself from foods but eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for maintaining physical health. Try to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains in your diet.

EXERCISE REGULARLY- Regular physical activity can help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall health. This doesn't necessarily mean going to the gym - it could be anything from a brisk walk to a yoga class

GET ENOUGH SLEEP-  Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to improve sleep quality.

STAY HYDRATED-  Drinking enough water each day is important for overall health. Try to aim for at least 8 glasses per day.

TAKE BREAKS- Make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day, especially if you're working or studying. This can help prevent burnout and improve productivity.

DO THINGS YOU ENJOY- Make time for hobbies or activities you enjoy. This could be anything from reading a book to playing a sport to painting. 

  CELEBRATE SMALL THINGS

Don't wait until you've reached your big goal to celebrate. Celebrate small wins along the way to keep your motivation high. This could be treating yourself to something you enjoy, or simply taking a moment to acknowledge your achievement.

REFLECTING ON THE PAST YEAR

Think about how the past year went. Did you learn anything? Did you reach new goals? If you don't the answers to these questions, I recommend further examining your year!!

ੈ✩‧₊˚The Perfect Mindmap; GRINDE

by Justin Sung

I personally don't have the patience to read through pages of notes that I have scribbled ferociously in the past few uni weeks, so I present the best tool for efficient active recall; mindmaps!

ੈ✩‧₊˚ The 6 step checklist:

✩Grouped - Organising concepts and ideas into groups that allow a more categorical setup which is the same method your brain uses to store information.

✩Reflective - It should reflect how your mind processed the information, how you see and recognise the data and what you understand from it.

✩Interconnected - Categorising and creating more connections within the groups, linking ideas together to retain a greater understanding and remember more concepts :)

✩Non-verbal - More doodling and symbols, less words, make it more personal for your own understanding and information retention.

✩Directional - You can see the Cause & Effect or the levels of priority. It should flow and relationships between ideas should be easily identifiable.

✩Emphasize - emphasizing the main concepts, and grasping the main ideas and their relevance for each group

good luck with your studies !!!

~winter

ଘ(੭ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ✩‧₊˚