navastudies

[navastudies]

Weekly update <3

Nothing's graded yet, but we did have our first quiz yesterday. I'm going to work on making a study plan tonight though and do some homework if I have the energy ^u^

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body dysmorphia

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Back to reality... knees weak, mom's spaghetti, etc. Today marks day one of my summer course! My professor is very sweet and I'm somewhat familiar with the material, so I think I'm going to do okay (fingers crossed). I'm taking calculus 1, and my grade goal for the semester is a C+ at the least :] I'll do my best to keep up with the weekly grade updates and such <3

[navastudies]

Final overall grades <3

Ecology: C+

Gen chem 2: C-

Stats: B

Earth science lab: A

Gonna be honest i completely forgot about posting this lol. But i passed everything!!! Currently on vacation and then I'll be starting my summer course next week :3

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4.22.25 study plan ecology: 1.5 hours. Review study guide and concepts statistics: 1 hour. Finish practice exam and review formulas chemistry: ~3-4 hours. Attend class review session and study with classmates after Upcoming events: 4.24.25: stats exam @ 2 pm 4.28.25: ecology exam @ 10 am, chemistry exam @ 6 pm Enjoying earth day today and appreciating the nice weather we're having ^u^. My girlfriend called me this morning to help make sure I woke up on time (I'm trying to adjust my sleep schedule to something healthier) and I actually was able get my morning routine done before getting started with studying. Who would've thunk lol. I also recently learned that my chemistry course is curved, so my grade is better than I thought. I'm finding it difficult to focus with ecology, so I'm making it my first task each day until the exam so I can make sure I'm actually studying for it. Otherwise, I'm on course to passing all my classes (knock on wood), even if my grades aren't superb. Hoping to get some crafting done this evening after my study session and maybe find a movie to watch before bed <3

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4.21.25 study plan <3 Chemistry: 2 hrs. Take second practice exam (didn't have time yesterday), write down practice problems recommended for missed problems, work through practice problems. Ecology: 1.5 hours. Review with Quizlet. Statistics: 1 hour. Continue working through practice problems.

Upcoming events: 4.24.25: Stats exam at 2 pm 4.28.25: Ecology exam at 10 am, chem exam at 6 pm

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We literally just found life on another planet and everybody is just like "and?" Life on earth so wild rn we don't even care 💀💀

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4.20.25 study plan <3 stats: 1 hour. 30 minutes of practice problems and 30 minutes of reviewing with quizlet. ecology: 1.5 hours. Go over exam rubric and review with quizlet. Chemistry: 2 hours. Take second practice exam, watch review videos for practice exam problems, and do practice problems. So close to finals! Finished my earth science lab with an A and now I'm locking in for exams. Currently envying my humanity major friends lol

[navastudies]

Studying with a tired heart and a hopeful mind

[navastudies]

Today was a slow day. Homemade meal, museum visit and a sweet treat back home ✨ I love rainy spring days

[navastudies]

2025.04.02 | Springtime ~

I have this week to make some progress on my experimental design, but I actually have the time to do it because classes are over! Yay!

My student starts April 22nd and so I’m starting to feel the pressure a bit. I honestly should not have a student yet before I have any experience in the lab, but I do. So. I have some shit to prep before all of this comes down.

In the meantime, I am planning a BBQ for Pasqua, just to have something to look forward to. We’re already 20 in number and a few more people need to get back to me.

Am I overwhelmed? Definitely.

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Thanking weekend me for leaving some pancake batter for today ☀️ great way to start a very busy week

Currently reading Nuestra Parte de Noche (Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez)

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[research life]

A Friday spent writing + reading 🩵📝📚

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4.17.25 study plan

Chemistry: 2 hours. Go to student learning center for tutoring; complete first practice exam

Ecology: 1.5 hours. Quizlet and flashcards

Statistics: 1 hour. Quizlet; review past exams

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✧˖° studying without suffering: how to actually enjoy learning (yes, it’s possible)

✧˖° let’s talk.

hey angels, it's mindy!

most people treat studying like a punishment. something to be endured, not enjoyed. it’s that thing you force yourself to do, like taking bitter medicine or running a mile in gym class. but what if that’s the reason you struggle with it?

the secret? you were never meant to hate learning.

somewhere along the way, school made it boring. maybe you had teachers who sucked the fun out of it. maybe you associate studying with stress, deadlines, and exhaustion. but learning is supposed to be exciting. when you actually enjoy it, everything changes. you focus longer, retain more, and (ironically) spend less time studying because your brain actually absorbs the information.

so, let’s fix it. let’s make studying something you want to do instead of something you suffer through.

✧˖° ➼ step 1: detach learning from school

(school & learning are not the same thing. stop letting school ruin your curiosity.)

the first mindset shift? realize that school does not own learning.

➼ school is about structure, deadlines, and tests. it’s designed to measure performance. ➼ learning is about curiosity, deep thinking, and exploration. it’s designed to expand your mind. and help you grow as a person.

if you’ve only ever studied because you had to, your brain associates it with pressure. break that pattern. find something outside of school that you actually like learning about. philosophy, psychology, art history, neuroscience, fashion design, whatever makes you curious.

even if it’s unrelated to your classes, it rewires your brain to see learning as an intrinsic activity, not just an obligation. once you enjoy learning in general, you can transfer that energy back into your studies.

✧˖° ➼ step 2: romanticize the process (but actually make it feel good)

("romanticizing studying" doesn’t mean just buying cute stationery. let’s go deeper.)

sensory association is everything. your brain links experiences to the way they feel physically. so if studying feels uncomfortable, you’ll avoid it. the solution? make it a luxurious experience for your senses.

✧ visuals → clean, minimalist desk, soft lighting, aesthetic study materials ✧ sound → rain sounds, classical piano, lo-fi beats (music that enhances focus) ✧ touch → cozy blankets, warm tea, smooth pens gliding over paper ✧ scent → vanilla candles, fresh coffee, the pages of an old book

this isn’t just about aesthetics. it’s neuroscience. when studying feels pleasurable, your brain stops resisting it.

✧˖° ➼ step 3: use high-dopamine study techniques

(forcing yourself to study the “normal” way is why you hate it.)

some study methods are literally designed to be boring. ditch them.

instead, try:

➼ blurting method: instead of passively reading, close your book and write down everything you remember. then check what you missed. (way more engaging than just re-reading notes.) ➼ dual-coding: mix visuals with text. draw tiny sketches next to your notes. turn concepts into mind maps. watch a video explaining a topic right after reading about it. ➼ pomodoro stacking: instead of the typical 25-minute study sprints, customize it. (ex: 50 min deep focus + 10 min break with an actual reward.) ➼ interleaving technique: mix subjects instead of block studying. it forces your brain to stay engaged.

stop making studying harder than it needs to be. find what works for you, and your brain will stop fighting it.

✧˖° ➼ step 4: make studying social (but in a smart way)

(because you’re not supposed to do this alone.)

studying alone for hours? miserable. but studying with others who are just as serious as you? instant motivation boost.

but instead of chaotic group study sessions where no one gets anything done, try:

✧ parallel studying: hop on facetime or join a study livestream. silent, focused, but together. ✧ teaching method: explain concepts to a friend. if you can teach it, you truly understand it. ✧ study accountability: check in with someone daily. send each other your study goals, no excuses.

even just knowing someone else is studying at the same time can trick your brain into feeling more engaged.

✧˖° ➼ step 5: shift your identity

("i hate studying" isn’t a personality trait. it’s a mindset problem.)

if you keep saying “i hate studying,” your brain will never enjoy it. change the narrative.

➼ instead of “i suck at studying,” try → “i’m learning how to study in a way that works for me.” ➼ instead of “i can’t focus,” try → “i’m training my brain to focus longer every day.” ➼ instead of “i don’t feel like it,” try → “i’m someone who gets things done, whether i feel like it or not.”

become the type of person who enjoys learning. once that becomes your identity, everything else follows.

✧˖° ➼ step 6: create emotional attachment to your goals

motivation dies when your goals feel distant and impersonal. if you’re studying just because you “have to,” it’s easy to procrastinate. but if you link it to something deeply personal, it becomes non-negotiable.

try this: visualize your future self. imagine the version of you who already achieved everything you want. who is she? what does she do? how does she study?

then, make it emotional. ✧ if you dream of getting into your dream school, print pictures of it. make a vision board. ✧ if you want financial freedom, imagine the luxury of never stressing over money. ✧ if you want to be respected in your field, remind yourself that your knowledge is your power.

when you make studying personal, it stops being a chore. it becomes a commitment.

✧˖° ➼ step 7: stop making everything harder than it needs to be

(struggling doesn’t mean you’re working harder. it just means you’re struggling.)

too many people study inefficiently because they think suffering = productivity. but studying smarter is always better than studying longer.

some ways to make it easier on yourself: ➼ use study apps → quizlet, pomdoro apps for focus, notion for organization ➼ summarize like you’re texting a friend → rewrite notes in your own words, no unnecessary fluff ➼ study in “levels” → don’t jump straight into deep studying. warm up with light review, then increase intensity ➼ take advantage of spaced repetition → stop cramming, your brain retains more when you review over time

efficiency = less stress, better results. don’t work harder than necessary.

✧˖° ➼ step 8: replace toxic productivity with high-performance habits

studying 10 hours in one night ≠ academic excellence. true high-achievers prioritize sustainability.

➼ quit glorifying exhaustion. taking breaks improves focus. it’s not laziness. ➼ learn when to walk away. if you’re zoning out, step away. 10 minutes of real focus > 2 hours of fake studying. ➼ protect your sleep. all-nighters don’t make you hardcore, they make you ineffective. your brain processes info while you sleep.

the goal isn’t to study the longest. it’s to study in a way that keeps your mind sharp and focused.

✧˖° ➼ step 9: master the “dopamine pull” method

instead of forcing motivation, use dopamine to your advantage.

➼ habit stacking → pair studying with something enjoyable (ex: study while drinking your favorite matcha) ➼ mini rewards → after finishing a chapter, reward yourself with something small but satisfying ➼ gamification → track progress like a video game. every completed task = a “level up”

your brain loves dopamine. give it reasons to associate studying with good feelings.

✧˖° ➼ step 10: let go of perfectionism (but keep high standards)

perfectionism leads to procrastination and burnout. instead of striving for flawless, aim for consistent excellence.

✧ done is better than perfect. stop rewriting notes 5 times. ✧ progress is the goal. each study session should move you forward, even if it’s small. ✧ your worth is not your grades. strive for success, but don’t let school define you.

when you release perfectionism, you actually start achieving more. keep your standards high, but don’t let them paralyze you.

✧˖° mindy’s personal tips

(things that helped me romanticize studying & actually make it enjoyable:)

➼ set a 5-minute timer. just start. most of the time, your brain stops resisting once you begin. ➼ don’t let study guilt ruin your breaks. rest is productive. ➼ have a “study fit.” i swear, dressing up just a little makes a difference. ➼ invest in one high-quality pen. something that glides effortlessly. small detail, huge difference. ➼ study in cafés, libraries, parks. switch locations to keep it interesting. ➼ make it ✧ cozy ✧. fuzzy socks, oversized sweaters, soft blankets. your comfort matters.

✧˖° homework: rewire your study experience

➼ for one of your study sessions this week, try at least two of the techniques above. ➼ write a short journal entry: how do you want to feel while studying? how can you make that happen? ➼ change just one thing about your study setup that makes it more enjoyable.

then come back & tell me. did studying feel better? (you can always message me or send me an ask in my inbox)

[navastudies]

82/100

Each morning offers a fresh start and new opportunities. Your efforts matter, even when progress feels slow. Small steps forward still move you in the right direction. The challenges you've overcome have built resilience that serves you well. There is beauty around you waiting to be noticed - perhaps in a sunrise, a kind gesture, or a moment of unexpected peace. You don't have to be perfect to make today worthwhile. Simply showing up with good intentions makes a difference.

log: 28th Feb

Meeting with sv

Corrections Edit

Shopping

Paperbrain 2P

yoga b4 bed

meal prep

[navastudies]

Types of study break (tag yourself!):

The Productive One: refilling a drink, crossing a task off your to do list, the comfort of knowing that you're exactly on track.

The I-can't-fucking-take-this-any-longer: flinging yourself dramatically onto the couch or bed because this subject is turning your brain into mulch. snacking on something unhealthy but so delicious. texting friends who are suffering alongside you just to cry or scream together.

The "Just five more minutes" : Scrolling through tumblr or instagram. trying to pull your thoughts together on a bad day. convincing yourself that viewing motivational posts online is almost the same as actually doing that homework, really!

The Leg Cramp: No idea how long you've been sitting motionless but you gotta MOVE. Dancing badly and singing along to your favourite song. The joy of realising you've accomplished more than you hoped.