diamondintherug-blog

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Deinfluencing: Study Trends That Might Be Hurting More Than Helping

There’s a version of studying online that looks perfect. The desk is spotless. The iPad is paired with a $150 stylus. The notes are color-coded with 12 markers. The lighting is soft. There's a candle burning. Maybe even a matcha latte.

And somehow, all of it makes you feel like what you’re doing… isn’t enough.

Let’s get one thing straight: none of that stuff is required to learn.

1. You don’t need an iPad to study.

Yes, digital notes can be convenient. But paper works. Google Docs works. A $5 notebook and a pen work. Don’t let your brain trick you into thinking you need to buy a whole setup before you’re “allowed” to be productive.

2. You don’t need a rainbow of markers or highlighters.

Highlighting isn’t learning. Sometimes, the urge to decorate your notes is just procrastination in disguise. If it helps you process info, great. But don’t feel bad for using one pen and underlining stuff once.

3. You don’t need to romanticize the grind.

Studying doesn’t have to look cute. It’s okay if your space is messy, if your notes are chaotic, if your focus looks like silence and staring. You’re not building content — you’re building understanding.

4. You don’t need to spend money to be “serious” about school.

Expensive gear doesn’t equal discipline. Flashy setups won’t magically give you consistency. Focus comes from habits, not hauls.

5. You don’t need to look productive to be productive.

No one needs to see your routine for it to count. You’re allowed to keep it quiet, small, and completely your own.

If you enjoy making things aesthetic — go for it. But don’t let the internet convince you that you’re doing it wrong if your notes are messy, your tools are basic, or your desk isn’t Pinterest-worthy.

Studying is not a photoshoot. It’s not a lifestyle brand.

It’s you, choosing to show up for your future — whether that’s in a Moleskine, a Google Doc, or the back of a receipt.

The best study tool you have? Your brain.

Use it — not just to memorize, but to question, too. Even the trends.

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These are not opinions. These are undeniable facts.

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THE FUCKING ICE REPORT AAAAAAAAAAA

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I've never been one to complain about rainbow capitalism anyway and in 2025 I am firmly "I will take whatever I can get" but I wish that conversation ever focused on whether companies putting pride themed logos on their social media accounts have homophobic or transphobic policies behind the scenes. Subaru was notable in the 90s because when their market research showed their cars were popular with lesbians and they decided to start actively advertising to them, they backed that up with policies for their LGBTQ employees, notably extending benefits to same-sex partners when gay couples couldn't legally get married, which was a big deal at the time. If a company is doing rainbow capitalism in public but have a history of employees complaining about discrimination we should talk about that but that's never what the generic complaints about rainbow capitalism are.

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Find some local place you like that either has gift cards or cashiers that will entertain favors. I've never left a cent on a visa gift card and my local coffee shop seems pretty pleased with the situation.

Me optimizing my online shopping cart to use up the most of my visa gift card possible

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As , the United States, potentially heads into another forever war I can only think of this quote.

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The funny thing about humans is given enough time they will reinvent the fey from first principles.

This may be the worst use of LLMs anyone has attempted, ever. Up there with recognizing mushrooms.

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Absolutely

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Math isn’t important nor understood by http://dlvr.it/TLRFkt

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Pride month vest project, a patch a day #14: All Pride is Kink to Bigots

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I wish I made a bibliography.

I am a mosaic of everyone I have ever known and loved and touched and I find fragments of them in my playlists and how I make my tea. we may not know each other any more but we will stay connected like this. I hope a fragment of me is with you too.

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We need to deliver real progress.

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I don't know how much USAmericans are hearing about it, but this is becoming a very common experience for people overe here (aussie + aotearoa). people being detained and deported for every little thing, threatened, questioned, then sent home for posting in support of palestine or against trump. notably, this is the experience white people are having, and its gonna be worse for POC going into the US. the general advice here at the moment is just don't try to go to the US

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From a state hearing in Texas