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29.11.20

Did that job application I was trying to finish off last week but didn’t happen till today (the day of the deadline) but I managed to get it all done in time. I’ve been juggling with so much emotionally lately but happy that I managed to get this done in time.

How are you all doing? 🤍✨

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Anybody else remember Ember McLain from Danny Phantom?

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on the first day of class my astronomy professor asked us why the night sky was dark. if our universe is infinite, how can there be spaces between the stars? he didn’t answer the question until the last day– because our universe is relatively young, and is still growing. it is finite. not enough stars or galaxies have been formed to fill up the entire night sky.

but what that means to me is that somewhere, in an older universe, the night sky looks like a tapestry of diamonds. somewhere darkness is pale white and glittering. imagine being so surrounded. i haven’t gotten that image out of my head ever since– you could never navigate under such a sky but god it sounds lovely

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this morning NASA abandoned their mars rover Opportunity (aka Oppy) because it (she) got hit by a storm on Mars and it knocked her camera and wheels out and her last words to the team were “my battery is low and it is getting cold”. I know she’s a machine but I’m devastated. Oppy is the one who discovered water on Mars. RIP oppy ily space baby

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i think one of the biggest problems i have with getting stuff done is i assume it’s easy for other people. like “she gets up at six every morning because she’s a morning person” or “yeah, he can run five miles every day but he likes running” or “she knows five languages, her brains just wired differently than mine” when in reality it’s all about discipline for everyone. like yeah, some people have natural aptitudes for some things but anyone that’s accomplishing anything is putting in the work. achievements don’t come easy, and i think if i start acknowledging that it’s like that for everyone i can stop making excuses

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*puts on a sheet mask* for Aphrodite

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13.11.18 // getting back into the swing of things and reviewing some notes before i head to starbucks to study for a couple hours! it’s snowing outside which is really nice, how’s the weather where you live?

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When I’ve re-worked my research question so much I don’t even know what I’m asking anymore...

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How to survive paper deadlines, Ghibli-style.

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even haters still wanna know my skincare routine.

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All a good presentation needs is some solid research, a little enthusiasm, and a bit of confidence! Hopefully these links and tips will help make sure you can deliver the best presentation possible. 

Research

Tips

Choose a specific and defined topic. Many assignments requiring presentations will have a broad topic, like “gun control,” but you should narrow down your specific field of research, like “the impact of handguns on violence in  the United States.”

Address opposing viewpoints in your research. Regardless of which you side with, make sure to address both sides in order to both give a balanced presentation and refute the perspective you disagree with.

Keep track of & cite your sources. Being able to refer back to reliable sources will make your presentation that much more effective and well-informed.

Resources

How to start research

15 steps to good research

How to select a research topic

Conducting research (from the Purdue OWL)

Step-by-step basic research strategy

Visual Aids

Tips

Only use visual aids if actually necessary. If poorly made or improperly used, visual aids can detract from the quality of your presentation and decrease the attentiveness of your audience. 

Try and use primarily images. If your audience has to read slides, they will be less focused on what you have to say, which should be the true backbone of the presentation. 

Don’t limit yourself to a slideshow! Plenty of alternatives exist– from a model, to a chart, or even a Prezi– which might be far more suited to your presentation than the standard powerpoint.

Make sure your visual aid isn’t a crutch. In most cases, you should be able to deliver your presentation just as well with or without your visual aid, and it should only enhance your work. 

Resources

Slides Carnival (powerpoint & google slides templates)

Piktochart (make infographics online)

Working with visual aids (includes a list of powerpoint alternatives)

Using visual aids effectively 

When not to use powerpoint

Structure

Tips

Try the 10-20-30 rule . This guideline originated with Apple, and says that slideshow presentations should have a max of 10 slides, last at most 20 minutes, and use 30 point font or larger.

Make your introduction the most exciting part of your presentation. Telling a story or joke creates interest, and makes the rest of what you have to say that much more interesting.

Reinforce your message at the end of the presentation. End strong with a persuasive 15-second summary that effectively emphasizes your message and any main points you want to reiterate.

Resources

More details on the 10-20-30 rule

Planning an effective presentation

How to give a killer presentation

Tips on making presentations

5 steps to a killer presentation opener

Confidence

Tips

Rehearse your presentation! Naturally, if you’re well prepared and you’ve practiced before, you’ll do better in the moment, and your words will flow more naturally– either on their own or with your visual aid.

Even if you don’t feel it, act confidently. Stand up straight and smile, because people can’t see that you’re nervous unless you let them. The very act of having good posture can also make you feel much better!

Stay focused on your audience rather than yourself. Nervousness comes from within, so stop asking yourself questions like “how am I doing?” and instead ask “are they understanding this?”.

Resources

How to develop confidence when speaking

6 ways to look more confident during a presentation

How to calm your nerves before a presentation

10 tips for presentation confidence and reducing nervousness

How to deliver confident presentations

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Are you a small/beginner studyblr?

I’m looking for you guys! Are you a small or beginning studyblr posting original content? Reblog this post! And I’ll follow a lot of you guys, don’t forget to follow each other too 😊

Tagging you guys to get the word out there;

@patriotstudies @studyelement @nerdastically @bentostudy @catstudyblr @cyclicstudies @dentalstudies @allbusybees

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Midterms

So my midterms just passed and I’m not doing as well as I wanted. Once I left home I thought I would do better academically because there won’t be any distractions but I am my own distraction. My ADHD has gotten worse, I can’t remember shit and it’s getting even harder to focus and don’t get me started on my OCD! But when thanksgiving comes around I’m going to be put on medication and hopefully I will be more focus for school especially finals but I know it’s gonna take some time. I already have compassion, drive, determination and positivity! I just need the focus to tie it all together

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5 ways to succeed at university:

1. Stay ahead, or at least up to date, on everything to stay motivated and avoid stress. Never carry one week’s work over to the next.

2. Make revision materials and learn content throughout the year, not just in exam season

3. Review the material before the class - if possible try to make your notes before, and annotate them during class

4. Do every bit of homework, especially in maths based subjects. Understanding the concept doesn’t necessarily mean you can solve the problem … you have to practice

5. Work out how you will be assessed at the start of term and study accordingly. If your class is 100% coursework assessed, then don’t waste time taking detailed notes that you’ll never need to revise from … do research and bookmark key information instead

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adhd logic

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a piece of advice my dad gave me and I’ve never forgotten is, “if you won’t worry about it in 4 months, don’t worry about it now.” saved me countless times, it’s a philosophy to adopt and help improve your life. Failed a test? ask yourself if you’ll think about this still in 4 months? Made a fool of yourself in public? I doubt even the people who saw it will remember it past today. Know you could have done better? Ran further? don’t beat yourself up over it, you can do better tomorrow. Don’t overthink things, a lot of negatives matter less than you think they do.

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“I just want to tell you guys: She played well and this is her first Grand Slam.” Serena Williams defended Naomi Osaka, the first Japanese woman to win a Grand Slam singles event, after a controversial game penalty at the U.S. Open.