#college tips and tricks

[theaawalker]

Steps to Write a Genuine Platonic Relationship

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1. Establish the Foundation

Define Their Connection: Decide what brings these characters together—shared history, common interests, or a deep emotional understanding.

Set Boundaries: Clarify from the start that their relationship is non-romantic, avoiding any lingering tension that could be misread as attraction.

Give Them Complementary Strengths: Show how they support and challenge each other without romantic implications, emphasizing mutual respect.

2. Shape Their Role in the Story

Decide Their Impact: Determine how their bond influences the plot—do they solve problems together, serve as each other’s moral compass, or push each other toward growth?

Avoid Romantic Clichés: Refrain from using traditional romantic tropes like longing glances, accidental physical tension, or excessive jealousy.

Show Their Value Beyond Love: Let their relationship be crucial to the story in a way that isn’t reliant on romance or tension.

3. Build Their Dynamic

Use Natural Banter: Let them have inside jokes, tease each other, or share moments of camaraderie without any romantic undertones.

Create Moments of Deep Understanding: Show how they confide in one another in ways they wouldn’t with others, reinforcing their trust and emotional closeness.

Let Them Have Other Romantic Interests: This solidifies that their bond isn’t about unspoken attraction, making it clear that romance isn’t lurking in the background.

4. Define Their Chemistry

Make Their Interactions Unique: Ensure they have a specific energy that distinguishes their bond from romantic connections in the story.

Emphasize Loyalty Over Possessiveness: They can care deeply about each other without feelings of possessiveness or unresolved tension.

Show Physical Comfort Without Romance: Casual, platonic touch like a ruffling of hair, a side hug, or a reassuring pat on the back can reinforce their connection without romantic connotations.

5. Demonstrate Their Impact on Each Other

Let Them Grow Together: Show how they influence each other’s decisions, ambitions, or emotional development without needing romance as a motivator.

Create High-Stakes Moments: Put them in situations where they rely on each other, proving their bond is just as deep as any romantic relationship.

Allow Conflicts Without Romantic Resolution: If they fight, let their reconciliation stem from their friendship and values rather than an underlying romantic interest.

6. Develop a Satisfying Arc

Decide Their Long-Term Dynamic: Whether they remain lifelong friends, drift apart naturally, or take different paths, ensure their bond leaves a lasting impact.

Showcase Their Relationship’s Meaning: Highlight how their connection was vital to their growth, reinforcing the importance of strong, platonic love.

Avoid Unnecessary Romantic Subtext: Let them stand as proof that deep, meaningful relationships don’t need romance to be powerful.

Examples of Strong Platonic Relationships

1. Film/TV Examples

Frodo & Sam (The Lord of the Rings): A loyal, emotional bond built on trust and shared hardship.

Robin & Steve (Stranger Things): A brother-sister-like friendship that develops beyond a possible hetero-romance.

Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes (Captain America): Sibling-like love based on support, teasing, and mutual admiration.

2. Literature Examples

Duke the Guarder & Dawn Demiss (The Guardians of Camoria series): A deep friendship based on emotional intellect, trust, and shared insecurities.

Jo March & Laurie (Little Women, after rejection): A lifelong friendship that remains strong despite romantic expectations.

Harry Potter & Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series): A close friendship built on trust, emotional support, and respect without romantic tension.

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thank you, i am farkle :)

thank you @celestialgarden23 for the request :)

[being-addie]

Stop sleeping on yourself.

Say it with me. STOP👏SLEEPING👏ON👏YOURSELF👏.

What are you doing? Scrolling through TikTok and Instagram first thing in the morning? Staring at your dreams through pixels, when you could be living them? You know what has to be done to achieve it, but you'll never get it if you keep making excuses.

You want a better body? Eat cleaner and go to the gym REGULARLY.

You want clearer skin? Start and MAINTAIN a consistent skincare routine?

You want to be good at playing guitar? Play a little bit EVERY DAY.

You want to get into that college? Put in the hours of study that are NEEDED.

All those people who you see and get jealous of didn't get there in one day. They worked on themselves constantly. They got there through sheer persistence and consistency. You don't become better magically. You TAKE ACTION.

Discipline is a skill you cultivate, it's not a talent. I wake up at 5:30 in the morning EVERY DAY because I made myself get out of bed when my alarm went off. I'm getting good at Spanish, because I do my lessons EVERY DAY, without fail. I'm getting the body of my dreams because I make conscious choices to be healthy EVERY DAY.

I've been seeing self-help advice like "Oh, just be confident!" "Love yourself the way you are!"

Yeah, no shit, but it's hard to be confident when you don't feel good in your own skin. If it's something that can't be changed, acceptance will take time. But if it's something that YOU can change, why aren't you doing that? The gym is right around the corner, you don't need 20 more minutes of Netflix or TikTok. Stop making excuses for a lazy version of yourself.

You deserve better. And only you can get yourself the best things if you stop staying passive and make real changes to your life.

I know this isn't like my usual posts, but I had this revelation about 2 nights ago and while being soft with yourself is good and all, you need to mentally snap yourself out of choosing the easy way out.

Work on yourself, and everything will work out.

🦋Work on yourself, and everything will work out🦋

xoxo

[simplestudentplanning]

Academic/Study YouTubers

I will be updating this post from time-to-time, so please feel free to add more resources/channels in the comments!

ACTIVE CHANNELS

Ali Abdaal

Amy Wang

CrashCourse

Gohar Khan

Study To Success

INACTIVE CHANNELS

studyquill

The Bliss Bean

Thomas Frank

[anthroamazed]

tips for stem majors in math and science courses (spoonie + neurodivergent friendly)

hi y’all! my nameis lila and i’m a 28 year old physics and anthropology major who’s about 2 years through college (in the US)! as we’re coming up on the start of the fall ‘23 college semester, i thought i might share some really solid hacks for fellow STEM students taking science and/or math courses that i’ve basically built my college academic career on. and! these study tips are spoonie and adhd friendly! as a matter of fact, a lot of these are tips/methods that specifically work for me as a neurodivergent spoonie (i have pretty severe adhd, as well as POTS and ME/CFS), but that i think non-disabled/non-spoonie and/or neurotypical students could also benefit from using! so with out any further ado, here are my 7 tried and true study hacks for college math and science classes…

1) discover your learning style and tailor your studying towards leveraging it.

you’ve probably heard of visual, audio, and kinesthetic learning styles, but did you now there’s actually way more learning styles than just those three? i’m personally a “social learner,” meaning i learn best through discussion and socialization with 1+ other people to interact with. this could look like teaching other classmates concepts and methods that we’ve learned or discussing ideas with classmates and/or professors until i fully understand the concepts at play and how they connect and can reflect them in performing analysis and application, etc. honestly, figuring out my learning style was hands down one of the most helpful things i’ve done in college. it has allowed me to choose professors who i will mesh better with in terms of how they teach, as well as to adapt materials and methods to my style of learning in order to master them quicker and more effectively.

2) rewrite your notes after lecture, for the love of god.

this tip actually comes from my high school IB Math HL teacher, who told me to do this when i originally left high school for college. even if you think you’ve mastered the basics of the topic covered during the lecture, rewriting those notes after lecture helps really hammer in the knowledge that you’ve already established and also helps to get the wheels turning on pieces of information you might have less of a grasp on. try tp set aside at least 30 - 40 minutes after class to just rewrite your notes and try to really digest the information.

3) body doubling is one of the most beneficial things ever to be invented even if you’re not adhd, and i WILL die on that hill, thank you very much.

“body doubling” or “having an accountabilibuddy” are interchangeable terms in the adhd community that mean you have one or more consistent study buddy/buddies who you do all the homework and/or studying with in person on a regular basis, even if you’re just working next to each other in total silence. this does a couple of things. first off, it forces homework/assignments/studying to become a concrete social obligation you need to regularly show up for, rather than a nebulous obligation based on an invisible deadline. second off, it gives you 1+ partners to work out your problems concerning course topics with. third off, it allows you to build a network of peers where you feel comfortable helping each other with course material (this is especially great because it’s likely you and your classmates have different strengths regarding course content). tbh, body doubling is the other method that i, personally, have found most useful in college and i highly recommend trying it, even if you don’t have adhd.

4) teach others/your classmates the analysis and application methods you’ve learned, even if those methods aren’t 100% solidified for you (trust me on this).

the goal of stem courses is never memorization, but rather being able to understand a topic well enough to analyze a similar situation and apply the what you’ve learned creatively. this is where teaching others comes in. in order to teach others a concept and its related analysis and application well, you have to have at least a fraction of a decent understanding of these things yourself, and, further, often time in teaching these things you also learn to grasp the concepts/aanalysis/applications even better than you did before with each new teaching session. basically: teaching others is a creative way of also teaching yourself. you get the benefits of repetition, of thinking about a concept/technique/analysis and application in a new way, and of getting to apply the concept/technique/analysis and applicatioin to a new scenario each time. plus, you’ll typically make friends quickly in the process! there’s really no downside to this tip imo ;-)

5) utilize your college’s tutoring center/program(s), even when you don’t think you need to.

usually colleges have either set up a general “tutoring center,” on campus where you can find tutors for all different kinds of topics and courses available during regular hours for walk-in sessions and/or appointments free of charge or departments will hold regular weekly (or twice weekly) free on-campus tutoring sessions for specific courses. regardless of which of these options your college has, i highly recommend attending at least one tutoring session/appointment (ideally with the same tutor if/when you eventually find one you click with) every single week, even when you don’t feel like you’re struggling with the topic(s) covered in that week’s lecture. this will help you review topics and techniques covered in lecture, deepen your understanding of them, and, if nothing else, it’s an excuse to get homework out of the way while having someone else there who can help you if/when you get stuck. attending at least one session weekly also helps you get into a habit and routine of keeping up with your assignments, so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute before they’re due.

6) if you have accommodations, request access to record lectures. if you do not have accommodations, ask your professor if you are allowed to record lectures. IF YOU RECORD LECTURES, DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW THEM!

okay, so first up for my fellow spoonies and neurodivergent peeps: when you apply for/renew your accommodations, make sure that “recordinng lectures” is on your MOA (memorandum of accommodations), because so long as it is, your professors legally cannot deny you permission to record lectures without risk of themself and the college being sued for an ADA violation. also, make friends with a classmate and ask them to record lectures and send them to you if/when you are absent (let the professor know that you’ve asked this classmate to record and send you the lecture if you are absent)

now, if you aren’t disabled, a spoonie, and/or neurodivergent, you aren’t guaranteed permission to record lectures. however. ask the professor if you can have their permission to audio record lectures (be sure to also let them know that such a recording would be for personal use only and that you don’t plan on distributing the recordings). i’ve found that many professors don’t mind you having an audio recording.

even if you aren’t an audible learner it can be really useful to have these recordings to review at a later point. oftentimes reviewing lecture recordings can be useful if you glazed over and missed a section of the lecture and/or if you can’t remember what a professor taught during a section of a lecture.

7) last but not least, on a related note, if you have accommodations, also request access to your professor’s lecture notes. if you don’t have accommodations, check if your professor posts their lecture notes for students to use.

having your professor’s notes can be extremely useful for review purposes, but they can also help you understand where your professor is going with course content and what they want to stress as important.

[study-lizard]

hello studyblr community

i want to ask how yall actually stick to schedules and timers and stuff – because I can never stick to self imposed study schedules [like I will do this from 1-3pm and then this other thing from 3-5]

and even though pomodoro timers do help me a lot, I still find myself getting distracted during the focus time and then also sometimes forgetting to actually start my break timer, or the study timer, and then im like? do i skip a break bc i got distracted in my previous focus time?

[emi-irl]

taking care of yourself 101

here is a (mostly) comprehensive list of things that I have learned within my past 3 (almost 4) years now of being independent.

PART 1 : physical health

1.) get your basics down. drink water, eat good food with nutrients, get quality sleep, and move your body in some way. these are the building blocks of a pleasant existence, the bare minimum required to feel at peace in your flesh suit.

1.a) drink water. this is important because you need it to survive and for your brain to function properly. dehydration has negative effects on vigor, esteem-related affect, short-term memory, and attention. I've noticed within myself that when I'm dehydrated, my drive to get things done tanks, and I feel like I've failed everyone I've ever loved. so, add your MIO if you have to, but drink it.

1.b) eat good food with nutrients. do this in any way that works for you. blend your veggies into a pasta sauce, drink smoothies, eat and entire spinach salad, etc. and also make sure you're getting adequate protein intake. aim for whole food sources as much as possible to ease any tummy trouble, but do what works for you. whole food sources typically make me feel the best, and actually feel fueled for my day, so I tend to aim for 80% whole food, 20% processed.

1.c) quality sleep. this one is difficult for a lot of us, seeing as 1 in three adults suffer with insomnia, but do what you can. magnesium glycinate has done wonders for me, as well as sticking to consistent sleep/wake times when possible, and sleeping in a slightly cool room. getting sunlight in my eyes in the mornings is also great, but this winter I've been doing that less because of the cold, so don't stress too much about it. sleep is so important for brain and body recovery, and for overall health. lacking sleep can make overall existence feel bleh and you won't even know why.

1.d) moving your body. you do not have to be a gym goer who lifts weights, (although it is great for your health,) and you don't have to be an olympic level athlete in whatever sport. moving your body is a necessity, just like breathing. humans are active creatures, its a requirement! so, do whatever movement feels best for you and that you enjoy doing. yoga, walking, swimming, ice skating, pilates, stretching, soccer, volleyball, running, playing just dance, as long as you like it, do it!! the endorphins released in your brain when you participate in physical activity do wonders for your mood and mental health, and having a well functioning cardiovascular system and any sort of muscle mass will help you tons as you age.

PART 2 : mental health

2.) let the things that hurt you, hurt. relax around your pain as much as possible. feel its weight. only then can you let it go. for years, I repressed my trauma. I kept it in its little box, I refused to bat an eye at the horrors laid within it, I made myself guarded and "strong" in the face of it. after doing this for over a decade, it manifested into physical ailments that no doctor could figure out, and an inner turmoil that soiled relationships and made me feel like a horrid no good person. I didn't understand why someone yelling made me want to sob, I didn't get why slammed doors made my chest sink to the bottom of the ocean, and I didn't know why I continued to hurt the people I cared most about. only once I opened there box did it all start to unfold.

2.b) let the things that hurt you, hurt. the more you try and shift away from the pain that is settled deep within you, the more it appears in your day to day life. the more you try and repress tears and keep yourself from thinking about it, the worse it will be when its finally time to face it. if you feel the need to cry, cry. if you feel the need to rant, or yell or scream, to wallow in misery, or sob about how its unfair and life is hard, don't keep yourself from it. let the emotion have its moments. only then may it pass.

2.c) relax around your pain as much as possible. babies can survive tumbles down stairs, and people who are intoxicated are more likely to survive a car crash, and the more you tense in the face of your pain, the more it will hurt you. practice Yoga Nidra, deep breathing exercises, and learn what being relaxed feels like in your body. anything else will work its way out from there.

2.d) some more practical tips. get your thoughts out, talk to people, or put it on paper. learn your triggers and start to understand their root. practice mediation and breathing exercises. if you're a menstruating person, learn and understand the different phases of your cycle. stay off a screen as much as possible, and instead indulge in hobbies. get as much sunlight as you possibly can. get outdoors and interacting with nature as much as humanly possible. sit quietly with yourself frequently.

PART 3 : environmental health

3.) keep your space clean. do your laundry. weed out unhelpful relationships. create a routine for yourself. your environment effects you in more ways than you probably realize, and once you start to fine tune it, the better you will feel.

3.a) keep your space clean. I can admit, this one is still a major work in progress for me. it's probably the aspect I currently struggle with the most. my advice is to start small, and really take note of your habits. always have dirty clothes on the bathroom floor? put a basket in there. have trouble keeping things tidy? figure out your most relocated items and give them homes. trouble doing maintenance cleaning? give yourself small rewards whenever you complete difficult tasks. don't feel the need to completely overhaul-Marie-Kondo your life if that's not your thing. start small. go from there.

3.b) do your laundry. this one is probably my second biggest struggle. but, knowing I have clothes clean gives me a peace of mind like no other. figure out what aspect you hate the most and try and hack it. hate bending down to fold laundry? do it standing up at a table. have trouble getting yourself to switch it? take it to a second location (laundromat, partner or parents home, etc.) so you are forced to do it within a certain time frame. then, sit back and enjoy clean socks and underwear.

3.c) weed out unhelpful relationships. have people in your life who constantly make you doubt the person you are, who have bad habits you don't want to associate yourself with, or who keep you in the box of the person you've always been? its time to reevaluate. the people you spend your time around have an effect on you whether you like it or not, so filling your circle with people who uplift and support you, who help you to push through rough patches, and you can feel overall good around is essential. remember you don't owe anyone anything. block the number. remove the friend. do what you have to do for your best version of self, and better people will start to fill those gaps.

3.d) create a routine. if you're a human, your brain loves predictability. it loves having a pattern. even if its something as simple as you wake up in the morning and drink tea, your mind will thank you for it. plus, being on a consistent routine makes your day to day life easier. you don't have to think about what you're going to do, you just do it. start by making a morning and a night routine for yourself, and make two versions. one is the bare minimum required on any given day, and the other if for when you're feeling great and have the time for some extras. and remember to revisit the drawing board frequently to adjust it to work best for yourself.

PART 4 : general life advice

4.) do things that bring you genuine joy. eat warm bread, sit in a sunny windowsill, compliment a stranger, play video games, draw silly little guys, take a million MacBook selfies, whatever puts a smile on your face. don't keep yourself from life's subtle pleasantries. relish in the fact that you are alive with a heart that beats and a mouth that can smile. take note of the small joys you experience in your day to day. within such lies life's meaning.

5.) keep hygienic. brush your teeth, wash your face, shower frequently, wear deodorant, etc. you don't have to do anything super crazy for this one, but keeping up on hygiene is a good way to build self confidence and overall honor yourself. you are a person worthy of care. remember to treat yourself like it.

6.) listen to your intuition. this one takes a good amount of practice, but learn to differentiate good vs bad feelings in your body, and use that signal to guide you. take a lot of time in silence with yourself, learn to hold your opinions sacred, and get to know yourself. ask yourself questions like its a first date, and take note of your answers.

THATS ALL FOR NOW FOLKS!! I may make a part two depending on how I'm feeling, and feel free to ask any questions! my ask box is open. love y'all, and have a great day <3

[okayto]

Tip: if you find yourself having to continually post introductions and "about me"-type things—for example, being a student in an online-only program that always always starts with a mandatory introduction post— save all your introductions in one document.

This allows you to remember, reuse and reconfigure what you've used before without using the exact same thing every time, and keeps them all together so you don't have to go hunting them down.

Second tip: this goes triple if a "two truths and a lie" game is part of the post requirement.

[craftytimetravelbouquet]

HOW TO DEVIDE YOUR TIME BEFORE AN EXAM

[therealnickfury]

i went on a college tour the other day :D Any tips for college?

Do NOT go for the early classes! You will want to sleep after all the homework! And please carry snacks not just for when you get hungry but in case you meet people that are! Snacks make you make friends.

[niccerria]

5 Simple Daily Habits That Can Truly Transform Your Life

Hello everyone! I hope you're all having a wonderful day.

First and foremost, this blog is dedicated to those who have just embarked on their self-improvement journey. It is intended for those who feel lost and are in search of a starting point.

Daily habits hold the key to leading a productive life every day. Not only do they bring clarity to your mind, but they also provide a sense of pride in your accomplishments at the end of each day.

I will list 5 Daily habits that are easy to do and actually don't provide much energy.

1. Going To Sleep Early - I know you want to scroll that one video on Tiktok so bad, but to be honest, it's not you, it's your brain asking for a dopamine, girlypop you are addicted, put the phone down and go to sleep. I'll do you even better, STOP USING THE PHONE BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP, restrict yourself, As you prepare for sleep, consider implementing a one-hour phone restriction. Instead of using your phone, you can do alternative activities such as reading a book or crochet. These alternatives can help promote relaxation and enhance your bedtime routine.

2. Take On A Challenging Task You're Not Particularly Fond Of - This one is the most important. Part of being productive is doing things you don't like, that's what builds up discipline, and dedication to improve everyday. On first day you might have a motivation to do it, so it will be easy at first and you will actually feel proud. On second day you will still have that little motivation and force yourself. On third you will get bored and do that task half way through. On fourth day, you think ''well it's not that important'' or ''I can still do it later it's not that big of a deal'' it IS a big deal, if you are not going to stay consistent then what's the point of starting it in the first place? you are doing this FOR YOU not for others.

3. Get a hobby - this is as much as important as the second one. Listen, in order to avoid feeling drained, anxious, or bored throughout the day for no reason, you have to keep yourself occupied. Hobbies not only put you in a good mood and uplift you but also keep your brain active. They are actually something you can truly benefit from. Like from learning to play a guitar, you will develop a skill to play on the instrument. With drawing, or learning to draw, you will develop ability to tell a story with your drawing (for example, comics, webtoons) and you can actually make a living out of it. YOU NEED HOBBIES.

4. Have a Morning and night routine - again It's necessary to keep you occupied, human was not made to lay in the bed all day and rot. he/she was made to do things, that is your purpose, you have to do things in order to be happy. you will not get happy by watching 20 episodes on Netflix in a day. You might feel satisfaction by that, but that is only temporary and why? because you are not doing things. you are rotting in bed honey. You can watch 2 episodes as a reward though, like for example you did homework in all the subjects, great! now you need a reward! not only will you be proud of yourself for finishing homework, you will also feel accomplished and relaxed when you start watching something.

5. Give love, EVERYDAY - did you hugged your mother today? Father? Grandma? Grandpa? Did you hugged yourself and told yourself how pretty and enough you are? Did you played with your dog? Cat? Have you smiled to your neighbor or waved? Did you smelt the flowers when you walked past them? Did you look up at the sky and think about how strangely and beautifully blue it is? Have you looked at trees and thought about how some of them ''Talk'' to each other with a soil fungi? And be fascinated by that? Have you looked up at the stars and thought about their history? Have you given them your own name? Story? Have you looked at strangers and thought about their lives? Did they gave love today? Did they hugged their mothers? Looked at trees, sky, stars? Are they grateful to live in a such a pretty, mesmerizing, amazing, and fascinating world? Are you?

[audiocultures]

ideas for 5-minute study breaks at the library

fill your water bottle

make a cup of coffee or tea

stretch !

work on a playlist

walk around for a bit

re-style your hair

check your e-mails

go to the bathroom

tidy up your study space

change location

eat a snack

wash your face

make origami

plan your next meal

clean your computer’s screen and keyboard

meditate

open a window (if possible)

doodle in the margins

[theaawalker]

Steps to Write Compelling Plot Twists

follow for more tips 💋 || request writing tips 💌

1. Plan the Twist Early

Decide the Purpose: Determine how the twist advances the story or challenges the characters.

Foreshadow Strategically: Seed subtle clues throughout the narrative that hint at the twist without giving it away.

2. Build Tension and Expectations

Create a Red Herring: Introduce elements that mislead the audience into expecting a different outcome.

Heighten Stakes: Ensure the events leading up to the twist are emotionally engaging and meaningful.

3. Deliver the Twist Impactfully

Time it Right: Place the twist at a moment of high tension or when it feels least expected but still logical.

Use Reversal or Revelation: Employ one of two main twist types:

Reversal: A situation is the opposite of what the audience believed.

Revelation: New information changes the context of prior events.

4. Maintain Credibility

Anchor in Logic: Ensure the twist is believable within the story’s world and doesn’t feel contrived.

Align with Characters: Make sure the twist fits with established character motivations and actions.

5. Reflect the Impact

Affect the Narrative: Show how the twist changes the story’s direction or character dynamics.

Re-examine Earlier Clues: Allow the audience to realize how the twist was set up through earlier hints.

Examples of Plot Twists in Films and Books

1. Film Examples

The Sixth Sense: The revelation that Dr. Malcolm Crowe is dead reframes the entire story and previous interactions.

Fight Club: The twist that Tyler Durden and the narrator are the same person shocks the audience and redefines the plot.

Parasite: The discovery of the secret bunker adds unexpected layers of tension and tragedy.

2. Book Examples

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: Amy's manipulation and fake disappearance drastically shift the narrative’s direction.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie: The reveal of the murderer’s identity ties all the deaths to a chilling plan.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling: The twist that Sirius Black is not the villain but Harry’s ally surprises and deepens the story.

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thank you, i am farkle :)

[being-addie]

The Glow Up Game

Part One: Pretty on the Outside

A comprehensive guide to getting your shit together. You heard me. We are done standing on the sidelines, looking at people living their dream lives being rich and hot and happy. WE'RE DONE.

This is a long guide, filled with pointers covering EVERYTHING regarding physical glow-ups. I'll be editing it and reblogging it whenever I come across new ideas and information. It covers everything from head to toe. I mean this literally.

Note: This is for people who want to do glow up physically. It is totally your choice to do anything you want to/don't want to on this list. We live in a world full of unfair beauty standards, and instead of being angry about it, I'm going to exploit the hell out of it.

Are you ready to change yourself? Here we go.

The absolute basics: These are lifestyle changes you're going to implement. Non-negotiable.

Go exercise: Don't look at me like that. This isn't optional. Find a way to move your body so you like it and you're actually breaking a sweat. Leisurely walking on the treadmill does not count, half-hearted zumba does not count. Whatever you're doing, it has to make you SWEAT. A good figure is earned. Trust me when I say you'll feel better, and like what you see in the mirror.

Change your diet: Enough sugar. Toss the soda out, and chuck out your candy stash. You really don't need it. Craving something sweet? Make a batch of healthy, homemade dessert. Or have a piece of fruit. I'm not kidding when I say the kitchen is where you make the biggest lifestyle change. It will be HARD, but every McChicken you say no to, is good for your HEALTH. You want to live longer? Cut out the takeout and heavily processed foods.

Fix your sleep cycle: Sleep is so important, and I think people overlook it so much. All your hard work is wasted if you don't sleep well. Your skin will break out, and your body will refuse to change even if you exercise. SLEEP WELL. Create a nighttime routine and stick to it. Make sure you have at least 7 hours of sleep as a minimum.

Create a skincare routine: Take off your makeup every day. And have a good skincare routine. Cleanse, moisturize and apply whatever you usually do. Exfoliate twice a week and stop touching your face. I also drink an ABC smoothie (Apple+Beetroot+Carrot+Water). This does wonders.

Use sunscreen: I cannot stress this enough. Skin cancer is real, and it will get you if you don't wear sunscreen. Use something higher than SPF 50 and use it religiously. Make sure to get your earlobes, chest and back of your neck. Cover every inch of your skin that will be exposed to the sun.

Drink your water: 3 litres of water per day. You will be amazed at the results. Your skin will clear, your breath won't stink and you won't be dehydrated. This shit works, and there's a reason everyone recommends it. Drink your water.

Moving on to each itty-bitty detail.

Eyes: SLEEP. You want your eyes to look fresh? No pesky dark circles? Get your sleep cycle right. No more late nights. Hot girls sleep on time.

Nose: Those blackhead-looking things are natural, they're called sebaceous filaments. And, no you can't get rid of them. But you can minimize them. Cleanse, moisturize and exfoliate. Don't pick at your skin.

Lips: Don't bite them anymore, for God's sake. You're going to make sure they're chapped beyond belief. Use lip balm religiously and don't overuse lipstick. Your lips WILL get discoloured when you're older. Use a light lip tint, and lip balm/gloss.

Eyebrows: If you want to shape them, go to the hairdresser and get it done.

Facial hair: As someone with naturally dark, thick hair I have a lot of noticeable facial hair. I'm planning on getting it lasered soon. Find a way that works for you and is affordable.

Body hair: I have zero self-consciousness about my arm and leg hair, so I have no desire to shave or wax it. I do wax my underarms, because of ridiculously thick growth. Understand that this is a personal choice, and you do not have to do this if you're unwilling.

Nails: Keep them short or long, always filed and CLEAN. Do not let grime or dirt build-up underneath. Don't keep your nails painted 24/7, it will 100% lead to yellowing. Give your nails some time to breathe between every manicure. When they aren't painted, keep them filed and presentable.

Hair: I have Type 3a curly hair, so my hair routine is tailored to suit me. But what I can tell you is wash your hair at least 1x a week, use sun protectant, and oil your hair before wash day(it works). And use heat on your hair SPARINGLY. If you want to colour you can, but remember it does lead to long term damage, brittleness and bad texture. Get your hair cut every 3-4 months with a trusted hairdresser. Keep switching up hairstyles and do not stick to a single part (middle part, side part) constantly because it can lead to thinning of hair there.

Acne: STOP TOUCHING YOUR FACE I am begging you. Touching your face with grimy hands is a recipe for acne. Cleanse everyday, moisturize heavily and go to a dermatologist if it gets worse.

THIS LIST WILL BE UPDATED

Go live your best life. You deserve everything, and you shouldn't let anything stand in your way, not even yourself. Now GO, you've got shit to do.

xoxo

[simplestudentplanning]

22 Reasons To *NOT* Drop Out of Uni

Edit: I noticed that some of these reasons seem superficial, but I created this list with the intention of helping non-intrinsically motivated people feel like uni isn’t this huge obligation they have to do (even when it is). It’s supposed to give them a reason to wake up in the morning feeling excited for school. Some people just aren’t motivated by reasons like, “to learn new things,” or “to change the world,” because those reasons aren’t personal to them. They have to feel like they’re not wasting their time doing this 4-year process. This is especially true for people that were forced to go to school due to their parents, outside expectations, and other similar reasons! For others, that aren’t forced to go and truly want to expand their knowledge, sometimes just have bad days and need a little extra motivation to get them going!

It's finals; I get it. We're all burnt out and/or discouraged, but sometimes we all need a little reminder of why we're doing this.

You can read these as affirmations, write them in your notebook, or say it out loud. Whatever works for you, just do it.

Some of these might work for you, some might not. Just find a reason to keep going when you feel unmotivated.

Note: I will be updating this post occasionally, so feel free to drop some suggestions!

I will finish my degree so I can be the first _____ in the family.

I will finish my degree to get my dream job.

I will finish my degree so I can make MONEHHH.

I will finish my degree so I can provide for my family (current or future).

I will finish my degree so I can live my dream life.

I will finish my degree so I can show everyone who ever doubted me that I did it.

I will finish my degree so I can make my family proud.

I will finish my degree so I can make _____ proud.

I will finish my degree so I can make myself proud.

I will finish my degree so I can be a role model for kids.

I will finish my degree so I can destroy the patriarchy.

I will finish my degree so I can show little girls that you can be a successful [insert job title] as a woman.

I will finish my degree so I can show little boys that you can be a successful [insert job title] as a man.

I will finish my degree so I can show kids that you can be a successful [insert job title], regardless of your gender.

I will finish my degree so I can say "I told you so" to _____.

I will finish my degree so I show my [role model/mentor] I did it.

I will finish my degree so I can prove everyone wrong.

I will finish my degree so I can prove everyone right. (This is for you people who have families with high overachieving standards.)

I will finish my degree so I can make Karens feel stupid when they ask me a question about the field I studied.

I will finish my degree so I will never have to work in fast food/retail again. (This is for you my poorly-treated customer service peeps.)

I will finish my degree so I can be the breadwinner and will go home to my spouse wearing a pink apron saying "I love cooking for my [insert future job title] with a 6-figure income <3.

I will finish my degree so I can provide for my seven [or insert another number] cats.

[nevarasstuff]

You have a test tomorrow and you want to memorize everything perfectly? I got you!

Steps:

1. Sleep at 7 pm and wake up at 2 am (your brain works properly in calm situation so you can study better).

2. Before go to bed, read some topics and highlighter important things (your brain memorize what you see before going to sleep).

3. Study with flash cards will help you a lot.

4. Use pomodoro method (30 minutes studying 5 minutes rest).

5. Watch what you eat, eggs and fishes are good to stimulate your brain. Don't forget to eat breakfast.

Don't study because you have to, study because you love to. It will impact your brain a lot !!

[peter-pett]