#study tip

[helenstudies]

Look, I knew five languages by age 19 and now I am learning like 3 more. I work as a language instructor and a consultant. If I can give language learners only one advice, this is it.

STOP LEARNING WORDS ON THEIR OWN.

You're doing yourself a disservice by learning lists of "30 words you must know!" "100 most common words!" like it literally means nothing if you cannot use those words in an appropriate context with proper grammar. So what you actually need to do is learn those words via example sentences.

Of course, sentences have more words so you may think you're learning less but you're actually learning the way to use it in context. That's what's important.

Language is about communication, which also means if you want to learn languages, you have to observe how people communicate with each other universally. Native speakers never have a list of words they know and they don't count every single new word they've learned. So why are you doing it to yourself? What native speakers do is listen to the new word, remember the context they're spoken in, and keep using that word in that context. And that's why people go "wait, you can use that word LIKE THAT?" all the time. So you, a language learner, are also allowed to do that. I'm not even saying those word lists are useless but they're the most useful AFTER you've known most of them and are trying to go over them for practice etc. Native speakers do click on those word lists to check out how many words they don't know or to remind themselves of those words or to learn some facts about each word. That should be your goal as well.

Learn sentences. Learn them in context. Do not fall into the "I must know xx amount of words or I'm a failure at language learning" trap perpetuated by bloggers or youtubers or whatever. Have fun with it!

[linastudyblrsblog]

Study notes with sunny weather ☀️💛

[cptsdstudyblr]

How to Accommodate Yourself in an Office Environment

If you have mental or physical health issues and work in an office like me, you may not want to disclose your health issues for personal reasons. That doesn't mean there are no accommodations you can use - just that you aren't formally requesting them. Below are some examples:

(1) Take your lunch break. I mean it.

If you work in an office, you almost certainly get a lunch break and you are entitled to take it. If you're not sure, it doesn't hurt to confirm with your manager before you start taking your lunch break.

First of all, taking care of yourself is important and is essentially the point of a lunch break. You should always be eating a real lunch and staying hydrated, and taking an actual lunch break helps immensely with this.

It's also a chance to step away from work, people, etc. It gives you and your brain a break and you can add your choice of (reasonable) activity to help with this. I like to watch TikToks during my lunch break because they're quite brainless, but I know some people prefer to stimulate their brain with something non-work related like reading a book. If you don't want to talk to people, make sure you have headphones on even if you aren't listening to anything.

In most offices, you are allowed to leave for lunch. A lot of people go somewhere to buy lunch and eat there, but you can also pack a lunch and eat it elsewhere. I work a couple of blocks from my city's main park, so I often walk down there and eat outside. This is a wonderful reset for me at lunch.

I find that eating lunch doesn't usually take me my whole hour-long break, so I often will get up and do something else after I eat. I love to take a short walk or run a small errand like going to the post office. My building also has a gym, and I know that some of my coworkers opt to go their at lunchtime.

If your office is like me and a lot of people choose not to take their lunch break, it's still okay to take it. I've had great success telling people something like "I find that around lunchtime my brain gets a little fuzzy, and I really need the break to replenish so I can be at my most productive all afternoon" or even just "I find eating lunch a bit distracting and I'd rather be fully focused while I'm working."

(2) Use headphones as a tool.

At nearly every office, earbud-style headphones are allowed and are widely used. Again, if you're not sure, ask your manager.

You don't have to listen to music. You could listen to anything - white noise, podcasts, audiobooks, meditations, etc. You could even listen to nothing if you just want to dull the sound and keep people from talking to you.

If you struggle with the office noise, invest in good-quality, comfortable, noise-cancelling earbuds. If you use them every day, it's worth the cost.

If you want to wear over-ear headphones, I would recommend asking your manager first. Let them know that you find them more conducive to your working environment and wanted to see if they were okay with you using them. These aren't standardly used in office environments, but you may be able to use them if your manager allows you to.

Good quality over-ear headphones can work a lot like ear defenders, but without looking like ear defenders. But again, ask your manager first!

Note: You don't have to tell your manager details when you ask them stuff - you can be vague and just let them know it would make it easier for you to get your work done. For example, if you want to wear over-ear headphones, you could let them know that you like working in silence and haven't found any earbuds that block enough noise for you. Reasonable managers should not take issue with reasonable requests, even if they ultimately deny them.

(3) Your systems are for you. They are meant to accommodate you.

You do not have to use the same systems as your coworkers. You can set up your organisational systems and processes to work for and accommodate you and how you work.

Don't feel pressured to use a system that other people use if it doesn't work for you. You can always say "I've actually tried that and it just didn't work for me. I'm glad it works for you, though!"

A few notes here: (1) Anything you use should be understandable by someone else if necessary, even if they find it a bit odd. (2) Anything you share with other people should be set up as a team or in a standard way. (3) Don't break procedures to do this - work within the bounds of your company's existing setup.

(4) Bathroom breaks are your friend.

In an office setting, people are unlikely to be paying attention to your bathroom breaks. If you feel overwhelmed or ill or just need a minute, go to the bathroom. It's a place to be alone and take a moment to gather yourself.

Try not to be overly excessive with bathroom breaks (so you don't get in trouble), but you can always use an upset stomach as an excuse once in a while if needed.

(5) Minor headaches can be an excuse.

Most people get minor headaches every now and then for simple reasons such as dehydration or a too-tight hairstyle. As long as you don't have a "headache" so often that you will get yourself in trouble, they're a reasonable excuse for when you're really struggling and can't hide it. For example:

Brain fog or dissociating - sorry, my head hurts and it's making it really hard to focus.

Some other pain - it's still pain, just elsewhere.

And other similar excuses.

Depending on your office environment, you may also be able to use a headache as an excuse to go get some fresh air if you're desperate.

(6) If you get sick days, you are allowed to use them.

(7) Most people have some sort of quirks or issues - and so do you.

"Sorry, I'm a little weird about [thing]. Do you mind if [other thing]?" goes a long way towards getting what you need. An easy example is "Sorry, I'm a little weird with hugs. Do you mind if we shake hands instead? Thanks!"

Also, even people without illnesses experience things sometimes. For example, if something makes you anxious, just let people know you're nervous in the situation. "Sorry, I'm just a little nervous right now." or "Sorry, I'm not a good public speaker." goes a long way. Or if you have a GI condition, it's okay to let people know you have "a sensitive stomach" - some of them will probably understand and it's a normal enough thing to not come off strange. One of my favourites is "Apologies, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Give me a few seconds to collect my thoughts, and I'll get right back to you."

(8) If you have a trusted friend/coworker, confide in them.

You don't have to tell them everything, but it's good to have someone on your side and who will check in with you if needed. My best work friend will also back me up on requests like over-ear headphones by pointing out that she would love the option as well, even if she doesn't actually care.

(9) Take note of what days/times are worse for you and schedule easier tasks during those times if possible.

(10) Learn to politely ask for clarification.

This is a fine line - a lot of people really don't like being asked for clarification. A best practice to avoid pissing people off is to put the blame for needing clarification on you.

For example:

"Apologies, let me make sure I heard you correctly. [Repeat back what you think they said]."

"Sorry, my brain's not working well today! Do you mind repeating that so I can make sure I got it?"

"Sorry, I didn't quite catch that. What was that last part?"

All in all, many accommodations are things you can do for yourself or without disclosing a diagnosis, especially if you have a good manager. Please also take care not to misrepresent yourself as having a disability you don't have. Take care of yourself and set yourself up for success! 🖤

[study-core-101]

Study Tip #25

Color-code your notes and sentences/words you highlight. Build associations, so it easier to find and remember concepts.

[ariologie]

a study strategy - five minute plan

I'm actually in a class that specializes in university success and studying strategies. As someone who's always wanted to get work done but always had this mental belief of "ah! it's too hard! I'll never do it!" - they have a little course site of their own, but I'm going to put this in my own words. NONE OF THESE STUDY TIPS ARE MINE.

News flash. Yes you can. I like to see it as pushing myself into the deep end and then "letting myself swim" in whatever that is. If that makes sense.

ANYWAY.

Set up your workspace. Because setting up your workspace enables you to first off, know where everything is. It's more organized, and your brain can feel less cluttered as a result.

REMOVE ALL DISTRACTIONS. They are out to get you.

With a timer (or not! I'm just a really tangible person, I like having some kind of physical/visual cue) work for five minutes.

After the fact, ASK YOURSELF:

Am I still into this?

If you are, continue. If not, try the five minutes again. (it really is that situation where it's like)

If all else fails, do another task that requires your attention.

[liones-s]

one of the biggest things I can advocate for (in academia, but also just in life) is to build credibility with yourself. It’s easy to fall into the habit of thinking of yourself as someone who does things last minute or who struggles to start tasks. people will tell you that you just need to build different habits, but I know for me at least the idea of ‘habit’ is sort of abstract and dehumanizing. Credibility is more like ‘I’ve done this before, so I know I can do it, and more importantly I trust myself to do it’. you set an assignment goal for the day and you meet it, and then you feel stronger setting one the next day. You establish a relationship with yourself that’s built on confidence and trust. That in turn starts to erode the barrier of insecurity and perfectionism and makes it easier to start and finish tasks. reframing the narrative as a process of building credibility makes it easier to celebrate each step and recognize how strong your relationship with yourself can become

[eliteprepsat]

Creating a Great Study Space

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your studies? Or so consumed by your activities that you feel you don’t have enough time to devote to your studies? With so many distractions left and right, you may find it difficult to dedicate yourself to your studies as well as you should. However, within every student lies the potential to succeed, and reaching that potential requires focus and diligence.

This is where a study space can come in handy. Do you have a study space to call your own? Developing great habits is the key to consistent academic success, and a study space should be at the top of your list. A great study space will allow you to get into the zone as you work toward your academic goals.

1. CHOOSE ONE SPOT AND MAKE IT YOUR OWN

Designating a single space as your study zone is a great way to develop consistency and maximize efficiency. Ideally, you want your body and brain to know it’s time to get down to business as soon as you enter the space. Having one space can also help reduce the potential distractions that pop up when you study in many different places. Really embrace the opportunity to customize the space to your liking because owning the space will instill a sense of pride, making it more likely that you’ll use the space for its designated purpose.

2. STOCK YOUR SPACE

You can’t have a study space without materials, so stock up! Since different classes require different items, take into account your course load to determine which items you need in your space. Of course, you’ll need a chair, a desk, a computer, notebooks, textbooks, and writing utensils. But don’t neglect some less obvious items, such as a paper calendar, decorations/plants, healthy snacks, and headphones.

3. ELIMINATE ANY DISTRACTIONS 📵

When you enter your study space, your number one priority should be studying. Anything that will interfere with your goals must be put on hold, including phones, games, multiple open tabs, other people, pets, etc. These distractors will still be there once you finish your work, so make it your mission to minimize their impact on your concentration and focus.

4. ESTABLISH A COMFORTABLE BALANCE ⚖️

Setting up your study space in a way that is inviting will make it that much easier to step into the space and get to work. If you’re uncomfortable, you will start to react negatively and defeat the purpose of a great study space. Consider the ergonomics of your workspace, and aim for a desk, chair and computer that will allow you to study comfortably for extended periods of time. Natural light can do wonders for your energy, so you may want to set up your space near a window that captures sunlight. However, much of your studying may come after the sun goes down, so a desk lamp can be a useful investment. Also, don’t forget to take temperature into account. Do what you can to ensure your space has an ideal temperature for you.

5. INSTEAD OF MUSIC, TRY AMBIENT/BACKGROUND NOISE 🎧

Yes, music can put you in the mood to focus and study, but more often than not, music (especially music with lyrics) can simply get in the way as another distractor. There are numerous apps and websites that play ambient/background noise. Find one that works for you and watch your productivity soar. Remember, your music will still be there waiting for you once you’ve completed your tasks.

At the end of the day, a great study space is one that works for you. No two study spaces should mirror one another because we’re all unique individuals. Think outside the box and cater to your own needs to create the best possible study space. The goal is to create a place where you can make efficient use of your study time and where you will want to return again and again. So start now and be ready to rock once finals, APS and standardized tests roll around. You’ll be glad you did it!

[qiscute]

possibly most embarrassing thing ever in my life is that i cannot study for japanese w/out the soundtrack to andrew lloyd webber's cats playing. like magical mr mistofolees just puts my brain into japanese mode and suddenly i remember casual form conjugations

[mindfulstudyquest]

gentle reminder you can rise up from everything. you can recreate yourself. nothing is permanent. you are not stuck. you have choices. you can think new thoughts. you can learn something new. you can create new habits. all that matters is that you decide today and never look back.

[linastudyblrsblog]

Ent vibes 👂💛

[cptsdstudyblr]

2025 goal: for other people to actually read my emails

[juliaxyn]

Even when you're tired, remember why you started.

[n1pp]

quit brainrot. unfollow trolls. read essays. go down rabbit holes. have a calendar. maintain a todo list. read old books. watch old movies. turn on dnd. walk with intent. eat without youtube. chew more. train without music. plan for 15 mins. execute. organise your desk. take something seriously. read ancient scripts. act fast. find bread. eat clean. journal. save a life. learn to code. read poetry. create art. stay composed. refine your speech. optimise for efficiency. act sincere. help people. be kind. stop doing things that waste your time. follow your intuition. craft reputation. learn persuasion. systemise your day (or don't). write. write. write. write more. iterate violently. leave your phone at home. walk to the grocery store. talk to strangers. feed the dogs. visit bookstores. look for 1800s novels. experience art. then love. sit with a monk and offer them lunch. don't talk shit about people. embody virtue. sit alone. do something with your life. what do you want to create? turn off your mind. play. play a sport. combat sports. notice fonts in trees. fall in love. notice patterns on a table. visualise it. talk to people with respect. don't hate. be loving. be real. become yourself. cherrypick your qualities. discard the useless. rejections aren't permanent. invite what aligns. accept what does not. read great people. be different. choose different. do great work. let it consume you. lose your mind. value your time. experience life.

[4theitgirls]

youtube channels to motivate you this semester

♡ abao in tokyo - study with me’s & playlists

♡ advika singh - study & productivity vlogs

♡ allie c. - medical school vlogs

♡ carrot td - study with me’s

♡ celine - study with me’s

♡ deaana - medical school, study with me’s, stationary, etc.

♡ dear mimi - study vlogs

♡ dia - medical student vlogs

♡ dr. rachel southard, do - medical school & residency vlogs & talks

♡ emily feng - medical school vlogs

♡ emilystudying - dental school & study vlogs

♡ emma grace - nursing school vlogs

♡ emmalilyn - study with me’s

♡ ginny - study vlogs

♡ hyobin - medical student vlogs

♡ leighton sanders - nursing vlogs

♡ lucky penny - study with me’s

♡ lunardazes. - uni study vlogs

♡ madi’s nursing journey - nursing school & nursing vlogs

♡ mango oatmilk - study with me’s

♡ maria silva - study & hospital interning vlogs

♡ merve - study with me’s

♡ mishujo - study & productive vlogs

♡ nada - study & productivity vlogs

♡ ray hon - study with me’s

♡ sab yang - medical school & study vlogs

♡ sean study - study with me’s

♡ sierra lyn - nursing vlogs

♡ studymd - study with me’s

♡ study to success - stationary, study with me’s, study hacks, etc.

♡ tani study - study with me’s

♡ yours truly, chloe - study vlogs

♡ yulma - study with me’s

[glowettee]

30 Ways to Romanticize Your Life 🌸

Life is more beautiful when you slow down and notice the magic around you. Here's how to romanticize your everyday moments:

 Wake up early to watch the sunrise.

Use your favorite mug for morning tea or coffee.

Write love letters to yourself in a journal.

Go on a solo date to a cozy café.

Light a candle while you work or study.

Play soft instrumental music while cooking.

Take a walk in nature without your phone.

Organize your desk with pastel stationery.

Capture small moments with a disposable camera.

Make your bed every morning.

Wear an outfit that makes you feel confident.

Add fresh flowers to your space.

Watch your favorite childhood movie.

Dance in your room to nostalgic music.

Try a new skincare routine.

Write down three things you're grateful for every day.

Learn calligraphy or start a creative hobby.

Keep a collection of your favorite poems.

Use a fancy pen for your daily notes.

Take a luxurious bubble bath.

Treat yourself to your favorite dessert.

Read a book that inspires you.

Keep a vision board of your dreams.

Watch the stars on a clear night.

Use aromatherapy oils for relaxation.

Write a letter to your future self.

Wear perfume even if you’re staying home.

Set up a cozy nook for reading or journaling.

Look for beauty in small details.

Smile at yourself in the mirror every morning.