raspberryjelly7

[raspberryjelly7]

start organising your life using notion

TLDR: get some inspiration, find a layout, and have fun personalising

I promise this is not an ad because I genuinely love using notion.

I think notion's ability to customise practically everything is the reason why I love it so much. You have so much creative freedom to structure your schedules, plans, and pages in a way that actually works for you. That said, I get that this can be super overwhelming at first, so here’s a simple guide to getting started:

get some inspo

use pinterest to find your aesthetic because the algorithm is great at recommending suitable themes - soft pastels, coquette, dark academia, minimalistic

youtube is great for finding templates - I really like linh truong's video & urmomsushi has a good guide too

if you’re okay with spending a bit, you can buy templates on notion’s marketplace (great way to support small creators)

2. figure out your layout

create a dashboard with general info and shortcuts to all your important pages - synced calendar, weather widget, countdown timers (most widgets can be added from indify.co)

have a page dedicated to each aspect of your life - pages for personal life, school (if you're a student), digital journal, work, hobbies etc.

inside each of your main pages, you can have subpages - habit trackers, goals, reading/watching lists, wish lists, study planner, class notes

3. start customising (the fun part)

go on pinterest to find cute images and banners - fanart of your favourite shows, room inspo pics, movie posters

find and upload some custom stickers or emojis for your page icons

highlight your headings with pastel colours

add little quotes or lyrics using the quote block - I like changing mine based on the mood or the season.

It doesn’t just have to be useful, make it a space you love being in. 💝

[raspberryjelly7]

a gentle reminder

I feel that as an account who's dedicated to posting about lifestyle improvements and providing advice for students, it's important for me to say this: Improvement is not easy. There is no single "hack" or "tip" that can magically transform your life overnight. And sometimes, social media makes it seem that way. It makes it seem like everyone else has got it figured out, like they've always been productive and endlessly motivated.

But the truth is: you're only seeing their best days, not the hard ones. In fact, most of these people (including me) are probably still figuring it out, still growing, still struggling sometimes. The only difference is that they may started a little earlier, and that gave them time to try different things, fail, restart, and keep going.

This does not mean you are behind. That doesn't mean your efforts are wasted. This does not mean you aren't progressing. What it does mean is that you are on your way there too, on your own timeline. The fact that you're trying, reflecting, experimenting is already proof you're progressing. Growth isn't instant. It's quiet, slow, and sometimes small. This is my gentle reminder to you: you're doing just fine.

Every day it gets a little easier. But you gotta do it every day, that’s the hard part 💗

[raspberryjelly7]

my spring reset guide

TLDR: spring clean, refresh morning routine & do some DIYs

Let me preface this: I am actually located in the Southern Hemisphere so it's not actually spring for me right now.

However, I still want to join in on the spirit of soft resets and gentler returns to lighter routines. So here are a few of my favourite things to do to have a fresh start during spring time.

always start with a spring clean

put on some soft music - I recommend laufey, lizzy mcalpine or lauv

wipe down your surfaces and mirrors with disinfectants (bonus points if they have floral or citrusy scents)

wipe the windows down so the sunlight can come into your room and then open it for a fresh breeze

change your heavy bed sheets to light spring-themed coloured linens e.g. pink gingham, light yellow daisies, sage-coloured monochrome bed sheets

check up on all your house plants by misting them with water or cutting dead leaves off to refresh them for the new growing season

2. refresh your morning routine

open the curtains as soon as you wake up so that the sunlight can warm your room

do a 5 minute stretch in bed or in front of the window on your floor for some morning sunshine

drink warm lemon water with honey or green tea with honey in a cute cup as your morning beverage (I like to sometimes add frozen passionfruit into the water for a boost of vitamin C)

do a bit of journaling with spring-related prompts outside of your house e.g. what parts of myself am I ready to grow this season? what does a 'fresh start' mean to me?

3. do some hands-on activities

do some spring-themed baking - lemon shortcake, bunny-shaped sugar cookies, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, strawberry cheesecake cookies

press dried flowers and stick them in your journal, labelling the type of flower and dating when you collected them

create a satchet of dried lavenders or roses to put under your pillow or in your closet for a constant fresh smell

start a small vegetable garden by planting some carrots, tomatoes, peas etc.

try cutting flowers and learning how to arrange a bouquet so that you can always have fresh flowers in your room

Remember that you are not behind, spring doesn't rush to bloom, and neither should you🌷

[raspberryjelly7]

start romanticising your reading

TLDR: choose your read, curate your space, and engage with the text

About three years ago, I was in the biggest reading slump. It was so bad that it had gotten to the point where I couldn't even read one sentence without picking up my phone to doom-scroll. At that point, I genuinely thought I could never ever get into reading again.

However, when I started romanticising my reading, I was able to finish a whole book in just one week. By romanticising my reading, it was no longer a chore, instead, it felt like an enjoyable experience where I could get lost in the emotions of the story.

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"How do you even romanticise reading?"

step #1 - choosing your read

pick something short and easy to read - a short story, a poetry collection, a graphic novel, an old favourite or comfort read

judge a book by its cover and pick something with a cover-art that interests you

pick something that matches your mood/feeling, here are some of my recommendations: want something gothic and eerie, filled with old secrets? We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson want something bittersweet and nostalgic with heartache? Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi want something empowering and thought-provoking? And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou want something whimsical and soft, filled with dreamy illustrations? Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel by Mariah Marsden, illustrated by Brenna Thummler

step #2 - curate your space

replace your main lights for ambient lighting - fairy lights, candles, salt lamps, mushroom lamps, warm coloured LEDs

turn on some background music to build atmosphere for your book - 90s jazz for classic books, orchestral music for fantasy books

have a drink or snack that you love - I recommend an iced mocha or matcha for summers, and hot chocolate or green tea for winters

sit somewhere comfortable or somewhere that builds atmosphere - I have my bed next to my window which means it's comfortable when I read and I can also hear the crickets during summer nights

step #3 - engage with the text

use coloured pens or markers to highlight or underline your favourite quotes, and you can even assign different colours to different emotions

stick custom bookmarks or themed stickers to mark meaningful chapters or sections

start a collection jar with paper notes of your favourite quotes that you can read at the end of the year - you can write down the page, chapter, and book so you can always go back to where these quotes came from

jot down your current thoughts and feelings about certain chapters and sections so you can revisit the book in the future to see how your thoughts and interpretations have evolved over time - I like to date these annotations so I know exactly when I wrote my annotations

Remember that progress is still progress, even if it's small 🧸

[raspberryjelly7]

unconventional studying tips #2

TLDR: use the survival method

There’s no better productivity than a 12 AM study session on a freezing winter night while running on nothing but dehydration and hunger.

However, what if I told you that you could hack this exact feeling every time you study?

A few years back, I discovered something I now call the survival method. Essentially, what I found is that by tricking your brain into thinking it's in "survival" mode, you are forcing it into peak focus as you aren't bothered by small distractions like your phone. There are three key parts to this studying method:

Hunger - sharpening your mind by studying when slightly hungry

Temperature - using the cold to stay alert without feeling sleepiness

Movement - utilising physical movement to activate your brain

But balance is key. You should never be too hungry, too cold, or too exhausted from exercise—this isn’t about suffering, it’s about sharpening your focus.

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Here are some ways you can utilise the survival method in your daily revision routine:

studying when hungry 🍽️

study before meals rather than after to avoid post-meal sleepiness

after eating your meals, use that time to work on your extracurriculars or hobbies instead of going right back to studying

try create a "focus window" of 1-2 hours after waking up to study before you have breakfast

chew any mint-flavoured gum to help boost concentration and trick your brain into thinking that you are eating, keeping it engaged

after a long and tiring study session, reward yourself with your favourite snack or meal, keeping your brain focused every study session because it wants the reward

studying when cold ❄️

open your window before you study for a natural breeze and to lower the temperature of your environment

lower your room temperature slightly so it's not uncomfortable but colder than your normal resting temperature

swap out any cozy blankets for a lighter jacket/hoodie to keep you awake

splash your face with cold water before every single study session - I recommend this if you have just woken up from a nap or come back from school as it is really refreshing

drink an ice cold drink (iced coffee or tea) to keep your internal temperature lower whilst providing some caffeine

studying when moving 👟

pace around whilst reading aloud your notes or memorising flashcards

doing your studying while standing up (using a standing desk or any counter tops) to prevent any sluggish feeling

listen to recorded notes or revision podcasts while walking outside or jogging on a treadmill

do a 10 minute HIIT exercise before your studies to promote adrenaline

stretch or do pilates between every study session to relieve muscle tension and also help with memorisation

Remember that balance is key, and never to overwork yourself if you feel burnt out 🎐

[raspberryjelly7]

step outside of your comfort zone, really.

TLDR: take tiny, enjoyable steps out of your comfort zone

You’ve probably heard the famous quote: "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." but did you know this applies to confidence too? In this case, taking one small step outside of your comfort zone can become a giant leap for your self-confidence. However, I'm sure most of you have probably heard this before, but have never tried it out of anxiety and fear of judgement, and I completely get it. This was and sometimes still is me. I used to never participate in school, and barely tried joining any clubs or extracurriculars. Now? I volunteer at my local library and participate in multiple public speaking extracurriculars at my school, and have even presented in front of my whole school.

What I realised was that what felt like a small step for others felt like a massive leap for me—so I stayed stuck in my comfort zone. Here's my advice:

Start small—like, ridiculously small. And make it about something you actually enjoy

Here's some tiny, low-pressure steps that will help you gain more confidence to take bigger steps:

answer a question in a class you enjoy with a teacher that you feel comfortable with so it feels less intimidating

smile or wave at a classmate you're familiar with when you walk past them

with a friend you are comfortable with, join a club that genuinely interests you but be mindful not to rely on them for everything - for example, when you have activities in the club, try and do something separate from that friend

talk to a new student as they're more open to chatting and since they don't have any preconceived ideas about you, it takes the pressure off

apply for one new opportunity at your school - I suggest a writing competition (whether creative or research-based) since you can work on it privately, at your own pace, and in a space where you feel comfortable

Through taking these steps, you can gradually build up your confidence. However, building confidence takes time and there will always be times that you feel anxious, but the key is to not let these feelings drastically affect your process.

[raspberryjelly7]

“it'll all be worth it in the end,"

[raspberryjelly7]

the importance of reading classic literature

TLDR: read more interesting classic literatures to become more well-rounded

Okay guys, just hear me out on this one.

Lately, most girls find themselves hooked on romantasy books and dystopian thrillers, and honestly, for good reason. Some of the world-building and plots of these books can be incredibly immersive. However, it's important to also expand your reading list !

I found that by reading more classic literature books, I became much more culturally aware and my English and History grades significantly improved.

By engaging in traditional and modern classic literature books, you're developing essential critical thinking skills, as they tackle deep themes of human nature and morality. In fact, classic literature can give great insights into significant cultural shifts and allows you to understand references made in other media. Importantly, they help you develop more eloquent vocabulary and strengthen essay writing skills.

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"But classic literature is so boring though..."

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee - a coming-of-age story about a girl in 1930s Alabama, unraveling courtroom drama and neighbourhood mysteries that expose the ugly side of her small town.

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson - a psychological horror about a shy woman who joins a group to investigate a haunted house—and ends up getting pulled into its dark, twisted grip.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - a tragic romance about a man throwing lavish parties to win back his lost love, but his obsession leads him down a dangerous, destructive path.

Animal Farm by George Orwell - a dark allegory about farm animals who rise up against their owners, only to find that their dream of equality turns into something just as corrupt and oppressive.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë - a gothic romance about a governess who falls for a brooding man with a dark secret—and learns that true love is more than just passion. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - a witty enemies-to-lovers story where a strong, independent woman and an arrogant, wealthy man clash—but slowly find themselves falling for each other

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson - a classic thriller about a doctor who creates a potion that transforms him into a completely different person with no moral restraint—and the line between his two identities begins to blur.

Remember that reading should be fun, so put on your favourite playlist and make yourself a warm cup of tea before you start 🎀

[raspberryjelly7]

[raspberryjelly7]

you are SO lucky if you're in school because wdym when i start spiralling or obsessing over something unhealthy (like a boy) i can just distract myself by studying more and doing hw + that also helps w my future ???

[raspberryjelly7]

unconventional studying tip #1

TLDR: listen to nostalgic music

As someone who has maintained a fairly strict study routine everyday, studying can become a serious pain on the low-energy days. Something that I've found works for me is to listen to music (which I know is pretty basic), BUT I've found there's a specific type of music that gets me really energised - childhood nostalgia music. I love my fair share of Beabadoobee, Laufey, and Clairo, but nothing hits harder than that glorious melody of your childhood. I particularly love 2000-2010s pop music because it reminds me of my primary school discos and summers spent singing with my sister. For you, it could range from the classic Subway Surfers backing track to the entire soundtrack of your favourite childhood movie. The songs you choose do not necessarily have to be from your childhood, but they should evoke that same feeling of nostalgia. These songs will make studying feel less like a chore and help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. In fact, what I've found is that since the music is so familiar, it provides me a sense of routine which helps me concentrate. Here are some of my favourites:

animal - neon trees

middle - DJ snake ft. bipolar sunshine

lean on - major lazar official

lush life - zara larsson

this is how we do - katy perry

let me go - hailee steinfield, alesso

ribs - lorde

never be like you - flume ft. kai

if I can't have you - shawn mendes

tumblr girls - g-eazy

If you find that lyrics bother you when you're trying to focus, opt for the instrumental version or listening during breaks to recharge !