moonbleu

[moonbleu]

Throwback to when I took painkillers and woke up with Photoshop open on my computer to this image I had made

[moonbleu]

Art by Franco Matticchio

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Mount Fuji, Japan by maruone

[moonbleu]

Lifestyle and health masterpost

Hi, this is another masterpost of the-diary-of-a-failure. This time you’ll find links to posts about lifestyle, mental health and physical health!  The posts people loved the most are highlighted, but I recommend you check out the ones, which didn’t get much love, too. Enjoy:

🍁 Physical health

Simple snack ideas

Tips for better sleep

Physical activity for lazy students

Eating healthier

Getting back on track after being sick

Survive the flu season

🍁 Mental health

Make your mental health a priority

Destress/fight anxiety

Fighting depression

Dealing with stress in school

Get more confident

Trust yourself

Find yourself, be yourself

Glow up tips/ideas

Body positivity -how I learnt to love myself

What i think about pro-ana blogs

How anxiety really feels

Studying with ADD

5 reasons to go to therapy

🍁 Self care

Self care ideas

Post-breakdown self care

Period self care

Sadness self care

Comfort shows

🍁 Relationships

Toxic relationships

What to look for in a potential partner/ red flags

🍁 Getting through the day

Make your mornings easier

Wake up early and happy

Stay productive through the day

Notice the small things

Aesthetics to appreciate in every day life

🍁 Staying organised

Bullet journal ideas

Keep your space organised

How to be more organised

Declutter

🍁 Routines and habits

Weekly reset routine

Creating a routine

Monthly routine

After-school routine

Healthy habits

Getting rid of bad habits

Creating new habits

🍁 Getting some rest

Break ideas

Don’t overwork yourself

Breaks in the middle of chaos

🍁 Positive changes to make in life

Save more money

Useful things to learn

Spend less time on your phone

Small ways to be more eco-friendly

🍁 Other masterposts

Studies related masterpost

Productivity masterpost

[moonbleu]

touching grass is not enough i need to see the night sky as it looked to an ancient greek

[moonbleu]

Intento llegar a ti y todo se siente distante, por que estas tan lejos?

[moonbleu]

A guide to effectively using flashcards

Flashcards were an important part of my preparation for my IGCSE examinations. I found them extremely useful for retaining a wide range of concepts (especially for subjects like biology and psychology) in a simple yet effective way!

I hope y’all find these tips useful!! :)

PART 1

Do not rely solely on them

It’s important to note that flashcards are not a one-way ticket to that A*. It is a combination of several things that essentially leads you to a successful result (eg: past papers, homework, readings, research, etc).

Furthermore, it also depends on what type of material you’re studying and how far you are into the learning process.

Recognise which subject requires them

Flashcards are generally used for knowledge-intensive subjects that require a lot of factual memorisation over a long period of time. These can include the sciences, history, literature, etc. 

Subjects like these contain a multitude of relationships, terms, processes and facts that need to be individually internalised in order to achieve a meaningful level of mastery of the overall subject matter.

I didn’t bother using flashcards for subjects like mathematics or business studies.

PART 2

Avoid information overload

it can feel tempting to make flashcards for every little fact and shred of information so that you don’t miss it on the exam. However, this usually results in an overwhelming number of decks.

During the initial exposure to the information, make sure that you have thoroughly read through it to isolate the pertinent facts and turn these into question-and-answer flashcards. To do this, I referred to end of unit tests and homework to get a good idea on which aspects of the topic/chapter are typically assessed.

It’s really important to condense the information since flashcards are typically used for REVIEW and to help consolidate your knowledge. Trying to add in an entire chapter of 12 pages really defeats the purpose of using them.

I was constantly worried that I might cut out information that may end up being vital. I was able to remove this fear of mine by ensuring that I only put down one concept/question per flashcard and then list down the components that made up that particular concept.

For example, these were my notes on medicinal drugs, with a focus on antibiotics. One of the key requirements listed in my specification was:

“To describe the functions of antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial infection”

I used this to understand what pieces of information to isolate.

As you can see above, I only listed down the functions of antibiotics and nothing else. I didn’t mention the fact that they were ineffective against viruses because there is a reason to that and the concept can be better explored in another card. I instead, chose to focus on how antibiotics combat bacterial infections.

This saves a lot of time during the revision process and also ensures that the amount of information you have to know isn’t too overwhelming.

Create Mental Connections

This can be easily achieved by mixing pictures and words or using mnemonic devices. These help increase your brain’s ability to recall what you’re studying. Just be careful to only use these when absolutely necessary.

Organisation of Your Flashcards

It’s highly likely that you may never use your flashcards when they are stacked one over the other until they form a skyscraper. This is where organisation comes into play.

For biology in particular, I organised my decks by chapter and then divided it into decks for the sub-topics within the chapter:

As you can see, I basically divided the chapter of “Biological Molecules” into those sub-topics which made the whole revision process less overwhelming and it also helped me plan what I wanted to study because I would have already had a basic overview of what I’m familiar with and what I needed to review further.

PART 3

The Process of Retrieving the Answer

When going through your decks, it’s important to note down the answer or say it out loud instead of adopting the “oh I know this already, so it’s fine” attitude. You should be able to hold yourself accountable and avoid falling for the false illusion of confidence. Even if you are already familiar with that particular piece of information, there’s no harm in reinforcing it again. Better to be safe than sorry.

Shuffle Your Decks

This is an incredibly effective way of challenging yourself with spacing and interleaving, instead of going through your flashcard deck in the same order again and again. You won’t be able to properly retain those concepts by trying to retrieve information based on the deck and card number!

Spaced Repetition 

Spaced Repetition is an evidence-based learning technique boosts learning by spreading revision out over time so learning is not crammed all at once. 

You can find a detailed explanation about the effectiveness of this technique here 

PART 4

Anki

This app allows you to create online flashcards which you can use to test yourself in practice sessions. It uses an algorithm built around active recall and spaced repetition and hence learns as you progress through your studies and revision.

Anki is available for free on desktop and on all mobile devices except iOS, but I highly recommend it as it’s in-built algorithm and other features (more information about the app including the download link can be found here) were incredibly useful for me!

Quizlet

This is another online learning tool that allows users to create study tools such as interactive flashcards, tests, and study games. 

The app makes it simple to start creating cards on the topic of your choice. In addition to text, you can also add images from your computer or Quizlet’s library. It also provides you with a variety of options when studying your cards. For more information on the features that Quizlet employs, visit this link

Quizlet is free but provides the option of a paid premium plan which includes additional features. 

Brainscape

This app also implements spaced repetition, which has been shown to increase rate of learning. 

Brainscape allows you to rate your confidence in each flashcard, on a scale of 1-5, which subsequently determines how frequently to repeat the flashcard. Lower-confidence items are repeated more frequently until you upgrade your confidence rating.

Like Quizlet, it is a free app but provides a paid pro plan with additional features.

Once again I want to emphasize that to truly succeed with flashcards, you need to learn how to create them correctly. The best app isn’t very useful if you’re not writing effective questions and answers.

That’s all I have for now, I really hope this post was helpful and if you have any additional tips or apps you’d like to suggest, feel free to reblog and add them!! 

sending love and wishing you all a wonderful day!

— cyrene :)

[moonbleu]

hey guys, this is a masterpost requested by loveathenaa about notes and studying basically!!!

notes

taking notes from a textbook

an alternative to flashcards

pretty notes!!!!

AMAZING mind maps!!

how 2 make banners

creating better flashcards

my fav online flashcard website [there’s also an app for ur phone]

note taking methods

illustrated study methods!!!!

some more

more note taking stuff bc i just can’t get enough B-)

printables!!!!

how 2 take lecture notes

annotating!!!

studying

get motivated!!!

relax whilst studying

study playlists by me!!!!

reasons to study

my fav focusing app

how 2 study

memorisation and things

101 study tips!!!

studying biology

when ur having a bad day

productive study breaks

self-study resources

khan academy + on youtube

physics

japanese

other languages

more and more languages yaaas

crash course videos!!!

math help

masterpost!!!

mythology!!!!

check out 3 minute philosophy

the school of life which is my fav ever!!!!

sparknotes which is another fave

gradesaver

bbc bitesize

hope this helps u guys out a bit also if u need anything or want to request a masterpost, please message me!!! -helena xx

[moonbleu]

so, across these few months i’ve been around here i came across some really great apps and decided to share some with you. these range from everything between hobbies + health, i do hope you enjoy them!!

for your screen

fliqlo

momentum

lanes

tabstract

currently

photography

vscocam [fav!!! i use it on my instagram here B-)]

darkroom

circles w/ colours on ur photos!!!

add doodles to ur photos!!!!

focusing apps + sounds

forest

focusnow

coffitivity

infinitestorm

stayfocusd

timewarp

self control

music

8 tracks [mine // classical music // chill // studying]

spotify

pandora

identify music w/ shazam

health

sleep better [fav!!]

bedtime calculator

plant nanny ~ water tracker [fav!!!]

waterlogged

a period calendar

safetrek

productivity apps

mystudylife [fav!!!!]

evernote

timeful

30/30

habitica

glass planner

storage + back ups

dropbox

google drive

staying calm

donothingfor2minutes

pacifica

headspace [fav!!!]

14 apps for anxiety

hobbies + learning

duolingo

photoshop

loads of fonts!!

instagram

snapchat

nasa app

skyview [fav!!! this is rly calming + nice]

itunesu

google scholar

ibooks

kindle

hope all of these help you guys to have a less stressful life!! if you need any more help or wish to request a masterpost, just send me a message!! take care of yourselves, ily <3

[moonbleu]

ayyyyyyy, i think this is more me as regards to choosing the layout of my masterposts but i’ll be experimenting :D ok ok so as the picture says, this masterpost is about organisation requested by you guys!!!

how i organise my stuff

i bought an expandable folder a few years ago

i put different papers for different subjects in different pockets found in the folder

after a week [or so], you’ll probably have a good amount of papers so i take a binder for each subject and put the papers in each one depending on the subject

this helps u keep ur things at home organised

also no [or slightly less] back pain at school yaaas

taking notes in class

if u take notes by hand u can follow my method

or maybe have a binder or notebook for each class

what ever works for u is fine!!!

if ur taking notes on a laptop i suggest having multiple folders

and also a backup!!! [dropbox works rly well]

at home

have a bullet journal [it surprisingly works wonders!!]

or maybe a planner

or an agenda

or make to-do lists??? that works too

these will help u stay on top of ur work!!!

do ur work as soon as u get it [if u can] + make sure u remember where u placed it

set a timeframe + plan beforehand

something may come up so make sure u have a flexible calendar

use the pomodoro technique for studying etc!!!

clean ur study space

and also ur room [it helps, i did it this summer for space, it’s miraculous]

buy a plant??

put books away when not in use

use sticky notes around ur room as reminders of things

your school bag + pencil case

they may get dirty so wash them pls

take papers out of your school bag every week to avoid clutter

i used to end up with squashed papers at the bottom of my bad [not nice, 10/10 would avoid]

if keeping things other than ur usual supplies in ur bag i suggest u use lil pockets

keep one for pads/tampons etc if you get periods

also maybe some makeup/a hairbrush/anything else that is relevant

some hand sanitiser so ur hands are almost germ free

keep ur headphones somewhere safe and tidy

also ur purse, u don’t want to lose it or misplace it or smth

keep some gums and mints in ur bag

some hair ties too [u never know!!]

spare pens and notebooks are gr8 if u wanna be an organised student

organisation methods

by colour [my fav method for clothes + books etc]

by season [esp clothes]

by folders [computer stuff + schoolwork etc]

by what u use most [makeup and stuff]

by name [books + folders]

other important things

use a calendar to plan!!! [or u can use ur bullet journal as a calendar, which i do too]

if ur sick make sure to get the notes from a friend [so always have a friend in class]

make sure u have every book u need for homework/revision out of ur locker if u use one, lord knows how many times i forgot my maths books in my locker back in secondary school

if ur giving someone ur notes/homework etc, make sure u trust the person bc then u might end up with messy/dirty notes back or maybe even nothing at all so always be cautious

hope these tips help your life become less chaotic and more stress-free!! if you need any help or want to request a masterpost just message me <3 good luck staying organised!!!

[moonbleu]

hello guys 🌻 so, i just finished my A-levels *cheers* and basically i have not the slightest idea what to do with my free time but i’m determined to stay productive, hence this is the reason for this masterpost. hope you all enjoy it too!! 

(updated: June 2017)

stuff to do after exams

GET THAT SLEEP YOU MISSED OUT ON FOR AGES, your body and mind will thank you

treat yourself!!!

get into a bath and chill

play your fave songs

get back to watching that series you stopped watching before exams or start a new one asap

meet up with your friends and do something fun [and try to avoid talking about exams as much as you can]

get back to doing that hobby you loved doing

plan a trip [even if it’s just in your own country, have fun and act like a tourist!]

organise a sleepover with your friends + play some board games

check out local events, there is bound to be something you like

GO TO THE BEACH AYYY

download some new apps yay!!!

do new things! [read new books (+ some more), watch new tv shows, find a new hobby, do anything really, the time is all yours!]

spend time with your family and friends

exercise maybe idk??? find a new workout you like + try to stick to it

meditate

try finding a job [check my job tag for tips + resources]

try out new restaurants, coffeeshops and whatever tickles your fancy

volunteer at some place you find interesting!

help out around the house

visit relatives you didn’t have the chance to visit during exams/the scholastic year

cute june quote!!

academics + learning

start a bullet journal?

buy some books and read them!

plan, plan, plan!!

learn a new language

learn how to cook + make fun snacks [experiment with food, it’s so much fun to discover new, delicious things]

learn photography [or a new hobby in general tbh]

find an online course on something you don’t have to study for school

watch some documentaries

check your school syllabuses for books you should read before starting the next school year

prepare for uni

take some summer classes

review some of your notes from time to time if they’re useful for the next school year

where to get motivation

motivation masterpost

motivation tag

my study instagram

study inspiration

how to study in summer

staying on track during the summer

+ my masterposts

notes, studying, and self-study resources

self-study resources

supplies

igcse resources

literature masterpost

organisation

aesthetically pleasing notes

annotating

studying a foreign language

really great apps

math

college + uni

motivation

biology

space!!!!

chemistry

physics

summary writing

the discursive/argumentative essay

the narrative essay + the descriptive essay

the ultimate english masterpost!!

stress relief

what i’ve learnt throughout my years of being a student

how to stay productive during holidays

bullet journals

melodic studying

philosophy

stay sated whilst you’re motivated

shakespeare

+ more

hope this helped you guys, enjoy your summer!!

- helena xx

image credit (x)

[moonbleu]

yooo it’s me again with part two of my reference masterpost, now focusing on life in general a little bit more (see part one for more school-based things)! enjoy ✨

health + food

food masterpost

stress relief

self-care tag

infused waters

staying healthy in college

some exercise for weight loss

cheap food to make

bad days

feel better

got sick?

studying with a cold

studying sick

periods

study munchies

managing stress during finals

getting up early

self-care reminders

overcoming burnout

getting better rest

getting enough sleep

wake up early

reduce exam stress

avoiding burnout

manage and reduce stress

getting a good night’s sleep

food

study breaks (1)

study breaks (2)

make the most of your day

time to sleep

it’s coffee o’clock

it’s time for tea

how to have a good morning

staying awake w/o caffeine

what to eat while studying

waking up early and refreshed

presentations

ace the individual oral presentation

make a great powerpoint

class presentations + public speaking

public speaking tips

how to rock public speaking

how to do presentations when you suck at them

how to: public speaking

debate tips

music

my 8tracks

my spotify

melodic studying

ambient noise

music according to your mood

filling silence

study sounds (1)

study sounds (2)

harry potter study music

study music

summers + holidays

how to stay productive during holidays

summer productivity (1)

summer productivity (2)

keep your brain working on holidays

make the most of christmas holidays

planning for breaks/holidays

stay productive during winter break

journals + notebooks

travel journals

bullet journals (1)

bullet journals (2)

bullet journals (3)

bullet journaling (1)

bullet journaling (2)

bullet journal tips

bullet journals vs. planners

bullet journals vs. diary planners

bullet journal page/list ideas

what to do w/ notebooks (1)

what to do w/ notebooks (2)

why it’s good to keep a journal

the everything book

diy notebooks

websites + apps

really great apps

best iphone apps

useful school websites

subjects + problems website

learn things for free

15 websites that will make you smarter

a website that grades your essays

wallpaper

wallpaper masterpost

educational youtube channels

online courses + a guide

succeeding in online classes

apps everyone should have

printables tag

printables mp

useful websites to help you study

planning + to-do apps

study apps

apps for studying

study apps + extensions

30 websites to kill boredom

life in general

what do i do with my life?

jobs tag

get your life back on track

things no one tells you about getting an apartment

organisation

get organised

money

jobs + careers

things i wish i knew before i started ‘adulting’

save money on food in college

diy!

discounts for your student id

how to take studyblr photos

how to choose a career

making masterposts

college students

muslim studyblr masterpost

hope you liked both of the masterposts! please check out my study instagram and part one of this masterpost, ily all!!

ps here is a list of all my masterposts just in case 🐝

- helena xx

[moonbleu]

might just mess around and reclaim my human worth as intrinsic instead of defined by my productivity

[moonbleu]

Once you become a certain age, it is your responsibility to unlearn behaviors that hinder your growth as a person.

[moonbleu]

Art masterpost

Hi, this is another masterpost of the-diary-of-a-failure. This time you’ll find links to my art, whether it’s a poem, motivazional rant or a photo. The posts people loved the most are highlighted, but I recommend you check out the ones, which didn’t get much love, too. Enjoy:

🍁 Poems and other writings

Heavy, heavy, heavy -part 1

Heavy, heavy, heavy -part 2

Heavy, heavy, heavy -part 3

She

The clouds gather 

Fear/love

Guilt

Body of a greek goddess

Beauty in people

🍁 Drawing

Giraffe -watercolour

Koi fish

Pastel clouds

Deer and a bird -watercolour

Dragon (digital)

Patronus (digital)

🍁 Photograpy

Near the water

Eagle

Gloomy winter in town

Sleepy lions

Lavender

Fog in forest

National park Šumava

Nature up close

Prague Zoo animals

Wolves and horses

Winter snow

🍁 Bullet journal spreads

January spread

April cover page

April spreads and more

August and September spreads

November and December spreads

January to March 

April spread

🍁 Motivational/emotional posts

I’m not that kind of person who…

Don’t live through a screen

How I learnt to love myself

What I think about pro-ana blogs

Let’s tak about sex, shall we?

🍁 Other masterposts

Studies related masterpost

Productivity masterpost

Lifestyle and health masterpost

Miscellaneous posts masterpost

[moonbleu]

Lol esto me describe tanto

…

[moonbleu]

If we’re mutuals, you should message me and we should become buds. If we’re not mutuals, you should message me and we should become buds. If you just came across this post randomly, you should message me and we should become buds. Reblog because everyone should be buds