mindfulstudyquest

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹

disclaimer i don’t study neuroscience and everything you’ll read in this post is based on articles i’ve read. if any of you are knowledgeable in the field and notice mistakes, please feel free to correct me in the comments or in private messages.

lately I’ve been reminding myself that rest is part of the work. we glorify late-night study sessions, but research keeps showing us that sleep isn’t wasted time �� it’s where the real magic of learning happens.

wehen we sleep, especially during deep and rem stages, our brain actively consolidates the information we studied that day. it’s like hitting save on everything you’ve been working so hard to learn.

if you want to learn more, here’s b. rasch and j. born’s article about sleep’s role in memory.

here's what science says

1. better sleep = better grades.

a study from carnegie mellon found that students who consistently slept 7–9 hours scored significantly higher than those who slept less than 6 (okano et al., 2019). in fact, sleep duration, quality, and consistency accounted for 25% of GPA differences.

2. irregular sleep hurts performance.

shifting your sleep schedule on weekends, also known as "social jetlag", has been linked to worse focus and memory (wittmann et al., 2006). even a 2-hour difference between weekdays and weekends can affect how alert you feel in class.

3. sleep deprivation is brutal on focus.

one night of short sleep can reduce working memory and reaction time dramatically (lo et al., 2016). think about that foggy, “why can’t i retain anything?” feeling after an all-nighter. your brain is literally slowed down.

what helps improving memory and focus?

1. stick to a steady sleep schedule

even on weekends. i know it's hard, especially with the widespread problem of fomo among young people, but at the end of the day you choose what to sacrifice in order to get the future you dream for yourself.

2. aim for 7–9 hours of sleep.

your hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming long-term memory, needs it.

3. use short naps.

around 20–30 mins, to recharge when needed (mednick et al., 2003).

if you needed a sign to close the laptop earlier tonight, this is it.

sleep isn’t the enemy of productivity, it’s what makes it possible. the hours you spend resting are just as important as the hours you spend studying and are fundamental to your learning as much as reading a textbook.

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿

books and digital devices with all the material i need to study

high-quality notebooks (if you write by hand) – investing in good paper actually makes me excited to use my notebook and more willing to sit down and study

gel pens, highlighters, and all the writing tools – making my notes look nice helps me remember concepts better during exams as i am more of a visual learner

headphones to listen to lofi music or instrumental tracks that help me focus

water (stay hydrated, always) and something sweet to drink that keeps my mood high throughout the session

a snack if i’m planning long study hours

a good lamp to keep my workspace well lit so my eyes don't hurt too much after

having these things ready makes it so much easier to get into the right headspace for studying.

[mindfulstudyquest]

how i look at the genie after my last wish:

[mindfulstudyquest]

some of my posts are being flagged as “adult content” 😭😭 and i don’t know why. i’m sorry, i had just made a post about the effects of sleep on memory and focus, but even though i requested a second review, the issue still hasn’t been resolved 💔

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹

disclaimer i don’t study neuroscience and everything you’ll read in this post is based on articles i’ve read. if any of you are knowledgeable in the field and notice mistakes, please feel free to correct me in the comments or in private messages.

lately I’ve been reminding myself that rest is part of the work. we glorify late-night study sessions, but research keeps showing us that sleep isn’t wasted time — it’s where the real magic of learning happens.

wehen we sleep, especially during deep and rem stages, our brain actively consolidates the information we studied that day. it’s like hitting save on everything you’ve been working so hard to learn.

if you want to learn more, here’s b. rasch and j. born’s article about sleep’s role in memory.

here's what science says

1. better sleep = better grades.

a study from carnegie mellon found that students who consistently slept 7–9 hours scored significantly higher than those who slept less than 6 (okano et al., 2019). in fact, sleep duration, quality, and consistency accounted for 25% of GPA differences.

2. irregular sleep hurts performance.

shifting your sleep schedule on weekends, also known as "social jetlag", has been linked to worse focus and memory (wittmann et al., 2006). even a 2-hour difference between weekdays and weekends can affect how alert you feel in class.

3. sleep deprivation is brutal on focus.

one night of short sleep can reduce working memory and reaction time dramatically (lo et al., 2016). think about that foggy, “why can’t i retain anything?” feeling after an all-nighter. your brain is literally slowed down.

what helps improving memory and focus?

1. stick to a steady sleep schedule

even on weekends. i know it's hard, especially with the widespread problem of fomo among young people, but at the end of the day you choose what to sacrifice in order to get the future you dream for yourself.

2. aim for 7–9 hours of sleep.

your hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming long-term memory, needs it.

3. use short naps.

around 20–30 mins, to recharge when needed (mednick et al., 2003).

if you needed a sign to close the laptop earlier tonight, this is it.

sleep isn’t the enemy of productivity, it’s what makes it possible. the hours you spend resting are just as important as the hours you spend studying and are fundamental to your learning as much as reading a textbook.

[mindfulstudyquest]

what an incredible journey this has been. it feels like just yesterday i left for spain, and today i’m heading back home. this has been the most important year of my life — i’ve learned so much about adulthood and about myself. i’ll never be able to thank lola enough for helping me make my dream of visiting japan come true, nor emilia for being the best friend i could ask for, even during tough times. it will be nice to go back to italy, but spain will always remain a significant part of me and my heart.

thank you all for following me on this journey — new studyblr content coming very soon!

muchas gracias, madrid 🇪🇸 ❤️

[mindfulstudyquest]

( 🇪🇸 ) latest erasmus update

i've finished my year abroad! i took my final exams at the beginning of june and i'm happy to announce that i passed all of them with very satisfying grades — some even better than i expected. i passed a physics exam i was absolutely sure i’d fail, and i'm over the moon because now i have the whole summer free and i’ll start my third year in september without any backlog.

now i just need to get the exams officially validated in italy, but unfortunately bureaucracy is slow and it’ll take some time.

i’m extremely grateful for the opportunity i had to spend a whole year in spain — it has given me so much, both on a personal and academic level. i’m happy to return to my country with so many new experiences under my belt. thanks to my wonderful design professor, i had the chance to grow as a designer and to take the trip of a lifetime to japan — a journey that changed my perspective in many ways, and that i’ll talk about more in another post.

despite the ups and downs, the struggles of adapting, and the initial language barrier, i’m incredibly happy to have finished this year with such great results. if you have the chance, i highly recommend applying for study abroad programs — if you approach them with awareness, they’ll give you so much more than grades and academic knowledge.

if you have any questions, feel free to ask here or in the question box. i hope to become more active again and post more now that i’m back in italy.

sending a big hug to you all <3

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆

( 🍝 ) homemade food, made with time, effort and love. grandma's recipes, culinary experiments, family cuisine.

( 🍨 ) flavours from your childhood, your homecountry's meals, smells and spices that bring you back all the memories from the happiest time.

( 🍣 ) foreign dishes, tasted abroad, during trips and vacations. nutriment for a body seeking knowledge and new experiences.

( 🥘 ) food shared with your friends, on hangouts, on a friday night, enjoying breakfast together, spending just a little more time sitting at the table.

just a little reminder. summer has arrived, and switching out winter clothes for light, breezy summer ones isn’t always easy.

[mindfulstudyquest]

you don’t need perfect conditions to start. you just need to start. five minutes of focus is better than waiting for motivation to come.

[mindfulstudyquest]

I’m in the final year of my Veterinary degree at UFPR (Brazil), with a background in Trilingual Executive Secretariat as well. I’m planning an international exchange or postgraduate journey focused on animal behavior, ideally something that blends research, welfare, and practical application (even in the entertainment industry).

I've been exploring programs like the UC Davis M.S. in Animal Behavior and the Animal Behavior College (which offers externships with industry exposure), but I’d love insights from those who’ve been through similar paths or know other programs that value cross-disciplinary profiles, especially those that involve behavior, ethics, and possibly cultural/media spaces.

My goal is to work in environments where animal behavior knowledge intersects with storytelling and creativity, and yes, even potentially collaborate with people I admire from that world, like Aubrey Plaza. I know it sounds unusual, but I'm serious about building a meaningful, ethical, and strategic career that allows room for both scientific work and authentic artistic connection.

Have you done or heard of any US-based exchange, externship, or grad program related to animal behavior that might welcome someone with this kind of hybrid background?

How viable is it to aim for eventual work near creative productions or film sets involving animals?

Any suggestions on how to approach this journey without relying solely on luck, but through planning and initiative?

sorry for the late response – my academic background is different from yours, so i can’t offer direct technical help, but i can share the perspective of someone studying abroad in a field that blends STEM and the arts.

i find your desire to bridge science with art and creativity really interesting — it’s a vision with a lot of potential that definitely deserves space.

i recommend regularly checking the websites of the universities you’re interested in, as well as the website of the embassy of the country you wanna go study in in your country (i'm not sure if i'm explaining myself clearly — for example, if you're from brazil and want to study in the u.s., you should monitor the website of the u.s. embassy in brazil). they often publish calls for applications, scholarships, and exchange opportunities that aren’t always widely shared on social media. staying informed gives you a big advantage in preparing everything ahead of time.

if anyone has more specific information or has been through a similar path, feel free to share it in the comments! we'd love to open a dialogue.

good luck on your journey 🩷🌸

[mindfulstudyquest]

( 🇪🇸 ) just wanted to keep you guys updated about my year abroad. my first semester was fireee, i studied hard and it was very traumatic at the beginning because i couldn't speak a word of spanish, but in the end my exams in january went really well and i'm so proud of myself. at some point i really thought i couldn't make it, but in the end i did it and i did it well. i won't lie, tho. it took a lot of effort and consistency regardless of results. i even had the opportunity to visit nyc with some coursemate and it was awesome. 10/10 experience. february was a rollercoaster, and i can't hide i'm completely drained. i hope i can endure until the end of the semester, even tho i'm literally living on survival mode this days. it's just a moment, and this too shall pass. i hope you guys are all ready for new opportunities and are working hard. keep going.

[mindfulstudyquest]

needed this 💗

just in case you need a reminder...

yes you will have a good future, yes you will find someone who loves you fully, yes you will achieve your dreams, yes you are worthy of love, yes you will find close friends, yes you will get your dream house, yes you will live the the life you deserve.

[mindfulstudyquest]

[mindfulstudyquest]

What pasta is secretly your favorite?

spaghetti 🍝 they're actually not that difficult to eat!

[mindfulstudyquest]

❥﹒♡﹒☕﹒ 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁

you have a choice. you can stay in the room where you are the best, where people rely on you, turn to you to learn, to improve. you can satisfy your ego and bask in the awareness that no one is above you.

or you can step into the room where you are not the best — where, in fact, you might be the worst at what you do. you can finally realize that there will always be someone better than you, humble yourself, cry, and wallow in self-pity.

you can remain in the room where you are praised and admired, or you can surround yourself with people who are better and more experienced than you. you can accept that there’s still a long way to go, that your talent and effort are nowhere near enough, and struggle to keep up with those who are truly better than you. then — and only then — you can unlock your true potential.

it is only by believing you’re far behind others that you’ll improve more than you ever thought possible.

why discomfort breeds growth

studies show that we grow most when we step outside of our comfort zones. according to a study published in the « journal of experimental psychology », being exposed to challenging and unfamiliar tasks increases brain plasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and develop new neural pathways. when you’re the “worst” in the room, your brain is forced to engage, learn, and adapt — activating areas responsible for problem-solving and critical thinking.

the “zone of proximal development”

lev vygotsky, a developmental psychologist, introduced the concept of the "zone of proximal development" (zpd) — the sweet spot where tasks are just beyond your current abilities. learning happens most effectively within this zone, but only if you're willing to confront challenges head-on. surrounding yourself with people who are more skilled or experienced than you puts you directly into this zone.

embracing failure as a learning tool

a 2011 study by ayelet fishbach and lauren eskreis-winkler, published in the journal of experimental social psychology, highlighted that experiencing failure can actually improve motivation and learning. the researchers found that when individuals interpret failure as an opportunity to learn rather than a threat to their ego, they develop greater resilience and determination in achieving their goals. this approach transforms the initial discomfort of not being the best into a powerful driver for personal growth.

how to start stepping into the “hard” rooms

adopt a growth mindset: psychologist carol dweck's research highlights the power of a growth mindset — believing that skills and intelligence can improve with effort. view every setback as an opportunity to learn.

reframe comparisons: instead of feeling inadequate when others outperform you, see them as resources. ask questions, learn from their methods, and let their expertise challenge you.

set stretch goals: aim for targets that feel slightly out of reach. they should scare you just enough to make you uncomfortable — but also excited to try.

stepping into the room where you’re not the best is scary. it might hurt your pride. but science is clear: true growth comes from struggle, humility, and persistence. the next time you feel like you're the worst in the room, remember — you're in the perfect place to unlock your potential.

guys i really hope this makes sense because my english is broken this days. also it's exam season, so i'm taking my exams in spanish. my brain seems settled on my third language and i can't easily switch back to english. this days i can't even speak italian properly ush.

[mindfulstudyquest]

study tips: staying motivated

i get asks about my approach to productivity, grades, and study routines every so often so i'm planning to start organizing some of my thoughts and tips into their own posts. please send in anything you're curious about <3

at the root of productivity is motivation. getting stuff done is hardest when you're sitting there wondering "wait, why am i even doing this?".

my big, macro-level motivation is my career. i know exactly what i want to do after i finish my PhD, and everything i do is a step in that direction. at the same time, i try to nurture more achievable goals to get me through the day-to-day, especially for weeks when everything feels overwhelming. some things i've used as motivation in the past:

this class is difficult, and i might get a bad grade, but i want to be able to say i did my best

i'm annoyed by this silly mistake i made on an assignment, i want to make sure i don't do the exact same thing a second time

i have plans with friends this evening, i want to get some homework out of the way so i won't be stressed later

i want to show this professor that i'm working really hard in this course because maybe they'll write me a letter of recommendation one day

this topic is related to something i'm interested in, i want to understand it better so i can see that connection

you'll notice that these are all fairly achievable goals. they take effort, but they don't require me to get straight A's or understand something perfectly. relying on unrealistic goals as motivation is a recipe for anxiety and will only make you less motivated in the long run.

[mindfulstudyquest]

2025, my ultimate year of self-care <3