my quick tips for working / studying from home
- get dressed and style your hair as if youâre going to school/work - even use the same perfume/ cologne as you normally doÂ
(trick your mind into being motivated)
- plan things out - everything
(plan out your week, day, meal, etc. you can make these as specific as youâd like. this will help you stay on top of your work as well as stay healthy, especially if you live alone.)
- make studying/ working the first thing you do each day - best if you can start in the morning
(minimize the tendency to procrastinate)
- just start - donât worry too much about perfecting or finishing anything yet
(if you donât start then thereâs nothing for you to perfect or get done. and it will never get done)
- listen to old and simple (aka non-distracting) podcasts, Youtube videos, or café/ chattering white-noise, etc. simply leave them as background noise to create an illusion of being outside your room
(bring the presence of people to you. my favorites lately have been slam poems from 2016, Mae Martinâs stages, and Awsten Knightâs crackhead podcasts)
- set timers, for both study sessions and breaks
(so that you donât overwork, burn out, or procrastinate. the Pomodoro technique works great here)
- take advantage of the comfort of your own home
(light a candle, have crunchy snacks, play loud music, review notes out loud while pacing around, wrap yourself in a blanket burrito, study on your bed if you can focus there like me, etc. basically anything you canât do in a classroom, office, or the library)
- if you miss your friends, call/ text/ facetime them, make a study group chat with them, etc.
(that is what technology is for)
- choose recreational activities/ self-care for your breaks instead of going on social media
(go on walks, make small art, play an instrument, stretch, take a nap, etc. I usually reach for my guitar, brainstorm writing ideas, or sketch very simple line art.)
- if you want to go on social media, do it during meal times - or the 15 minutes after your meals that you canât work just yet
(it also doesnât make you feel like youâre wasting time)
- study in different rooms for a change of scenery
(dining room, living room, the patio, etc. I have an armchair next to the window that I study in whenever I need some sunlight and donât have to write anything down. however, if you need a designated place to focus on your work, you can also use these alternative spaces as designated ârelaxâ or âcreativeâ place for your breaks)
- use this as an opportunity to take care of yourself
(get enough sleep, drink water, exercise, talk to your family, take your meds, be mindful of your mental health, etc.)
Feel free to add your tips. The current situation sure is unpleasant but it is unavoidable. All we can really do now is take care of ourselves, others, and try to make the best out of this.
Good luck to everyone and stay safe! My heart is with you all đ
13K notes
·
View notes
hello!! as an online college student, iâve been lucky enough to already have some experience with online schooling, so iâm here to offer all my advice for the students of quarantined schools! due to the covid-19 outbreak, itâs been very difficult for many whoâve had to switch to online school. however, there are many way to make it simpler and faster, and iâm here to give my best tips!!
firstly, make a list. whether youâre more comfortable with a physical to-do list or a virtual calendar to schedule things out (iâve used google calendar almost my whole life but i just got the app elisi and itâs beautiful, minimalist, and easy to use! available on pretty much every device). planning out your work is the most efficient way to get it done.
donât try to do everything at once. while itâs best to get things done soon, space out your work efficiently so you donât feel overwhelmed!
create a simple, comfortable study space. it doesnât have to be a perfectly organized desk or gorgeous setup at the kitchen table; i do all of my college work from my bed with a comfy throw blanket and fairy lights up. the most important thing is that you are in the right position to do work, you are comfortable, and that you are able to keep everything you need close to you.
work in chunks. to best knock out your work, take it an hour at a time with 10 to 15 minute breaks in between. make some tea, get a snack, stay energized.
drink lots of water. you are not immune to the coronavirus. itâs also easier to stay energized and focused when youâre hydrated.
MOST IMPORTANTLY: COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR INSTRUCTORS. at first i was very timid to communicate back and forth with my professors when something was wrong but i have learned that it is the most important thing to have good communication. if you donât understand a concept, have trouble with the online system, or just need general help in your academics, sending them an email is the best way to solve the problem.
reward yourself!! once youâve finished an assignment, give yourself a little treat (maybe a half hour of minecraft or your favorite snack to munch on!!)âitâs the best way to encourage your mind to work harder.
donât work too late. youâre off from school. unless itâs the night of the due date, donât push yourself until itâs done. the morning is just a sleep away.
these are some good playlists for background music.
another important tip! communicate with your classmates in case you donât understand something. everybody learns differently and some pick up info different than others.Â
make fancy notes!! get fancy with your stationery!! you have plenty of time now and can go bonkers with your beautiful notes.
continue to check your temperature and monitor symptoms. your school has closed for a reason. your safety and health are important.
retain a relatively normal sleep schedule, similar to the one you have when you normally go to school. slipping out of your regular sleep cycle can and will kick your ass when itâs time to go back.
lastly, eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. take a nap when youâre tired. remember to go to the bathroom and keep your water filled. take care of yourself.
if i think of anything else to add, i will!! just wanted to bring forth my advice in hopes that it benefits anybody who is at home b/c of quarantine or school cancellation :)
6K notes
·
View notes
A Stash of Tiny Study Tips
STAYING MOTIVATED
Create realistic goals: get ___ grade on next ____
Manageable let down; get back on track
Keep track of grades: focused, know where stand, no surprises
Start small
Low risk confidence builders
Take time to relax/give self rewards
Days off, breaks, rewards
All work & no play =/= living
Little organization goes a long way
Reward achievements!
Keep balance with exercise, clubs, friends
2h/d: friends and exercise
Remember that hard work pays off
Isnât a breeze to try to get a 4.0 GPA; but itâs possible
Youâre smart enough and can achieve it
90% there with these tips, 10% is just pure hard work
Only chill on weekends
Monday-Friday: school mode
Have time for some fun
If work as hard as should during week, will need weekends to blow off steam
Be self-motivated
Grades can matter, not everything, but follow through on what needs to be done
Not most important part of college but underperform? You will regret it
GPA cutoffs exist and matter to employers
College is full of distractions and opportunities
Nobody will hold hand and the work will suck but all the prouder of yourself to be
Suck it up, buckle down, get it done
If think need break, probably donât
Turn off the little voice
Realize not alone in questioning ability
Avoid people who tend to burst bubbles no matter whatÂ
Physical triggers to stop
Incentive to get something done when know have something else during the day
Donât have a gaping abyss of study time
Work has to get done, in the end
Books, examiners, and especially your future self isnât going to care about your excuses for not doing the work
Take the first step
It will almost be fictional how hard you thought the task was going to be
Just keep going because you simply canât afford NOT to do anything today, nonzero days
Leeway, donât give your perfectionism control over your life
MUNDANE HABITS
Sleep! Think and function, mind & body
CAN sleep if keep up with coursework instead of procrastinating
Will miss out on some fun stuff
Need to stay awake in class
Figure out what need for full speed
Stay relaxed
Stay physically healthy
Diet and exercise
1 hour exercise during week
Weekends off
Traditional breakfast not necessary if value extra sleep
Systematic habits: neat, prepared
Master material
Look for real world applications
Learning is a process: be patient, donât expect to master off the bat
Designate study area and study times
Do trial runs
Practice tests
Ask a TA to listen to your oral performance
Study groups
Donât copy other peopleâs psets and solutions
BEFORE SEMESTER
Spiral bound notebook, can color code with folders/etc if need be
Lecture notes: front to back
Reading notes: back to front (if fall behind on)
Seminar notes: mixed in with lecture notes, different pen color/labeled
Outline format
Bullet points for everything
Same NB for one set of class notes, separate notebooks for all classes
5-subject notebook
Midterm and exam material in it
Mesh sources, study guide
All study material from week/month in one place
Pick the right major
Indulge in favorite hobby feeling
Pick professors & classes wisely
Take a small class
Pick classes that interest you so studying doesnât feel torturous
Want to learn
GRADES SPECIFIC
Prioritize class by how can affect GPA
More credits: more weight
Work enough to get an A in your easy classes: take something good at
Donât settle, donât slack off, donât put in minimal effort to get that B/C. Just put in a tiny bit more effort to ensure A
Will have harder classes and need to counteract
Take electives can ace
Anything but an A in an elective is kinda mean and an unnecessary hit for your GPA
FIRST DAY/WEEK/HALF OF CLASSES
Get to know teaching style: focus most on, lecture/notes
Pick and follow a specific note taking format
Outline
Date each entry
Capture everything on board
Decide productivity system
Google Cal
Todoist
Agenda: remind meetings, class schedule, important dates/midterms/quizzes/tests, no homeworkÂ
Always wanted to be prepared
Rarely last minute
Have plan, stay focused
Homework notebook
Good redundancy
Study syllabus
Know it thoroughly
Plot all due dates after class
Penalize if fail to abide by
Study the hardest for the first exam
Seems counterintuitive
Hardest/most important test
Pay attention to content and formatLess pressure: just need ___ on final to keep my AÂ
Easy to start high and keep high
Go into crunch mode at the beginning
End softly
Get plenty of sleep, exercise, and good food in the finals days before the exam
DURING SEMESTER: PEOPLE
Get to know professors: go to office hours, care about grades/course/them
Easier ask for help, rec letter
Get to know interests and what they think is important
Figure out their research interests, 60% of their job is research
Learning is dynamic
Discussion helps
Get feedback early when not sure what doing
Take comments constructively
Consistent class participation: ask questions, give answers, comment when appropriate
Understand material
Find a study buddy in each class: donât have to study with
Somebody can compare notes with, safety net
Pick somebody who attends, participates, and take notes regularly
Make some friends
Participate as fully as can in group activities
Be involved
Learn â not be taught
Be punctual
Good impression, on human professors
DONâT BE LATE
Skipping class =/= option: Itâs âcoolâ to get attendance award
Make all the classes: itâs hard to feel confident when missing key pieces
Get full scope of class, everything will make a lot more sense and save a lot of time in long run
Mandatory class: higher graduating cumulative GPA
Go to class when no one else does/want to show up, reward
Get to know professor, whatâs on test, notice, r/s build, material not in reading
Unless optional and super confusing professor
Sit in one of the first rows
Donât fall asleep
Fake interest if you have to
Tutors
DURING SEMESTER: THINGS TO DO
Take notes! Provided is bare minimum, accessed by students who arenât attending lecture
Based on lecture and what read â> test; itâll be worth it
Write it down
By hand
Bored? Doodle instead of going online
Read all assignedâeven if need to skim
Seems cumbersome and maybe impossible
Figure out whatâs important
Look at the logical progression of the argument/whatâs important/what trying to prove
Understand everything that you do readâeven if donât read everything
PIck 2 examples from text per topic
Complete course material on time
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL DAY BEFORE IT IS DUE
Begin as soon as possible
Sometimes itâs just straight up impossible
Have it look attractive
Library doesnât just mean = study
Social media in the library is still social media
Confusion is terrible
Read other textbooks, review course material @ another uni/by another professor, google the shit out of it
Review
Do not wait, do throughout semester
Exam prep
Ask for model papers, look at style & structure, thesis, how cite
Get old tests
Look at type of questions (detail level and structure)
Can solve old exams cold
If give out paper exams in class: probs wonât repeat questions, focus more on concepts but still learn the questions
Have class notes and psets down cold
Do all the practice problems
Read through notes a few times; rewrite into a revision notebook
Highlight major topics and subtopics
Different highlighter for vocab terms
Overall picture, go from concept to detail
Look at overall context and how specific idea fit into whole course
Ideas, donât memorize all your notes
Better understand = more able to use and manipulate info and remember it. Understand = manipulation.
Charts, diagrams, graphs
Lists
Practice drawing labeled structures
Flash cards for memorization
Every school requires some degree of grunt memorization
Say it aloud, write it down
Get friends to quiz you
Self-test: severely challenge self, have a running collection of exam questions
Explain difficult concepts to your friends; force yourself to articulate the concept
Never pull an all-nighter
Do not spend every hour studying up to the exam
Eat, shower, sleep
Donât wait until night before exam to study
Prep takes time even if reviewed throughout semester
Ask about formatâdonât ask the professor to change it for you
Law of College: it will be on the exam if you donât understand it
Ask professor, internet, textbooks
Night before exam
Jot what want to remember/have fresh
Read through in morning/before exam
Physical prep
Sleep, have test materials
Day of exam
Donât cram every single spare minute
Go to bathroom before exam
Never miss an exam/lie to get more time
You wonât be any more ready 2-3 days after when supposed to have taken it
Slay exam. Get A.Â
WEEKLYÂ
Friday morning: go through each syllabus, write down in HW notebook
All hw during weekend; study/reading assignments during week
Save everything
Divide big tasks into small pieces to help propel self
Standard study schedule: block off lectures, labs, regular commitments
Note the weeks that have assignments and tests that will require extra studying
Donât oscillate too heavily every day with study times (i.e. donât study 2-3 hours for weeks and then 10-12 hour days right before an exam)
Eat and sleep to make more extended work periods liveable and enjoyable
DAILY
Set an amount of time would like to study every day
Try to study most days
Avoid vague/zoned out studying â> waste of time
Do a little bit daily but donât let studying be your whole day
Review notes: 30mins/day, each class from that day
Look at important ideas/vocab
Prioritize new vocab because language is most fundamental and important tool in any subject
Circle abbreviations and make yourself a key somewhere so you donât forget what the hell that abbreviations meant
Check spelling
Rewrite/reorganize notes if necessary
Format of ideas is just as important as the concepts themselves, esp. when it comes time for exam review
This helps you retain the material so youâll be ahead next time you walk into class
Chance to ID any knowledge gaps that you can ask about for next class
Keep up with reading
Skim text before lecture or at least main topic sentences
Jot down anything donât understand; if lecture doesnât clarify, ask the professor
After lecture: skim again, outline chapter, make vocab flashcards
Highlight similar class and lecture notes
will definitely be tested on
Review and make study questions
Study
Disconnect from anything irrelevant to study material: help focus and your GPA
Donât limit studying to the night
Study whenever, wherever between classes
Variety helps focus and motivation
Especially if tired at night and canât transition between subjects
Try to study for a specific subject right before/after the class
28K notes
·
View notes