thatbrownchick - Tumblr blog

[thatbrownchick]

[thatbrownchick]

hi. happy holidays. I'm going to start my college next month. I'm generally a messy student. I have a hard time managing my schedules and notes. I recently started following some studyblrs. but I'm still lost. I could really use some advice right now. love your studyblr btw.

Helloo! Happy holidays as well :-) Here are a few links that might help:

how to improve your handwriting

balancing study and work

whats in my bag

my favourite stationery

back to school basic supplies

how I stay motivated

tips on maintaining motivation

how to start a studyblr

how to take effective class or lecture notes

how to take notes from a textbook

how to memorise information effectively

my note-taking method

my notebook system

how to write faster

how I organise my binders

good habits to implement

how to study (my method)

how to get ahead in school

dealing with stress

productivity and time management applications

how to remove distractions

Here are some printables that might help you get organised:

2018 monthly planner printables

2018 student printables (2018 overview + calendar, daily + weekly + monthly planner, 30 habit tracker, class overview and timed worklog)

weekly study schedule

note-taking printables (dotted, grid, lined, cornell method)

exam revision printable pack (revision checklist, formulas + definitions sheet, essay + project planner, weekly schedule)

studying printable pack

ultimate student organiser pack

study and revision pack

pomodoro tracker

2018 student planner

2018 weekly planner

grade and assessment planner pack

essay guide and planner pack

student finance planner

note-taking printables (cornell, lecture, dotted, grid, etc)

goal and habit planner

I hope this helps!! Good luck with everything and thank you xx

[thatbrownchick]

HOW TO HELP AND TRY TO SAVE NET NEUTRALITY

PEOPLE, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT LIVING IN US I’M PRETTY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS AS WELL, SO PLEASE DO!

GO TO WWW.CHANGE.ORG AND SEARCH FOR PETITIONS TO SAVE NET NEUTRALITY AND SIGN THEM!

PLEASE REBLOG, DON’T JUST LIKE

[thatbrownchick]

Hi Emma! What do you see as the most important desk organisation or accessories to have? I don't have a lot of room and am sick of things feeling really cluttered and messy all the time.

I think some form of an inbox and outbox tray is pretty helpful - especially if your desk is a hub of everything you do. It is much better to have an instantly assigned area to place papers compared to just leaving them strewn across your desk. If you don’t have much room, I’d perhaps recommend utilising your wall space! Folders like these are fantastic alternatives to having a large box taking up space. I do like having a bookstand too. It is great to have for either storing books/papers or to avoid them taking up space when using them. I use this one. If you follow my Snapchat (@emmastudies), you’ll see I spray painted it silver to match my desk!! Despite having a big desk, I love this little shelf from Ikea. I put some books, task pads, etc underneath and then some random stationery bits on top. It just keeps things organized and out the way without interfering with my whole desk space. Plus, if you get more than one you can screw them together! I’ve seen a lot of people using large acrylic boxes to house pens but I prefer small pen cups. The selection I keep out on my desk (some goes in my drawer) are divided into groups/types and can be easily moved in and out of the way. I find those few things really help! If people are interested, I could do a desk tour or something to give you a more detailed overview xx

[thatbrownchick]

hello emma! :) in a few days i'm going school supplies shopping. any ideas what i should get? p.s. i'm also going to start a bullet journal/planner (i still haven't decided) when school starts. do you also have something for that? thanks x

Hello :-) My recommendations would be:

a backpack - the best solution for carrying around a lot of things! I tried going with a shoulder bag on my first day of university and it was the worst thing ever!!!! Never again will I do that to myself! Get yourself a sturdy backpack with strong straps! You, your back and your shoulders will thank me later! I use a 13″ laptop version Fjallraven Kanken, it is really awesome. Very practical, comfy and waterproof. My only dislike is how the zips go so far around the whole bag. I always get nervous that someone behind me will unzip it and steal my purse or whatever it sitting at the bottom.

a 4 ring binder (and plastic sleeves) - any brand will do really! I would recommend getting one per subjects since it saves running out of space if you try to fit things into one. It is also sometimes cheaper to purchase several at once!

notebooks - I use a single Arc Notebook for all my subjects and love it. I find it easier to have a single notebook with dividers, rather than carrying several individual books. However, any notebook(s) would be fine. You can decide if you’d like spiral, A4 or A5, etc.

planner - this can be any you like or even digital version! I tend to go for smaller planner if I’m actually taking it to uni. Here is are some recommendations. Here is a review on the Mossery Co planner. Here is my 2017 bullet journal. Here is a detailed pros and cons list of a planner vs bullet journal.

pens - I would recommend getting a pack with a selection of colours. I usually recommend the Staedtler 432 pens since they’re well priced, easily accessible and come in packs. They don’t smear and have worked well for me. I don’t see the point in buying huuuuge packs with a million pens but 10 to 12 is more than enough. Other pens I like are the Pilot G2 and Juice, Staedtler Triplus Fineliners, Zebra Sarasa, Muji Gel Pens. Obviously, you don’t need a million different packs! To be super simple, I’d say the Pilot Juice is my favourite at the moment.

highlighters - I use the cool, warm and light packs of the Zebra Mildliners. I’ve used the Stabilo Swing Cool in the past and they were good! I think having a selection that matches your pens is so helpful when you’ve organised a colour code.

pencil case - I only take a few pens to uni so my pencil is only small. I don’t think it’s necessary to take a huge pencil case so just any will be okay!

etc - this goes for post-it notes, page flags, etc! I love to-do list pads and post-it notes to help keep me organised!

printables - I’ve uploaded a few to my Tumblr and some more to my Etsy! (You can use ‘student10’ to get 10% off any purchase!)

I hope this helps xx

[thatbrownchick]

And some may even look pretty while doing so??

[thatbrownchick]

I love how it's a "maybe" and not an "am"

i may be a depressed ugly anxious dumbass

[thatbrownchick]

gentle reminder

you’ve survived everything so far; please try your best to know that things will get better even if it doesn’t seem like it right now 

[thatbrownchick]

some journaling ideas

quote of the day / song of the day / thought of the day

what you’re looking forward to this month / year

goals for this month

spreads or lists for favourite films / shows / music albums / books

favourite film / show / music album of the week or month

ongoing projects and work to keep track of

to watch / to read / to listen to list

wishlist

places to visit

letter to your future self / letter to your past self 

movie tickets / concert tickets / polaroids / receipts / stickers / stamps

self affirmations

playlists

five years from now 

tattoo ideas

things to study / learn more about

favourite quotes / lyrics / poems

achievements / accomplishments / places you’ve been and things you’ve done and when 

calming / grounding senses ( favourite sounds, smells, textures, and more )

support websites / phone numbers for reference

[thatbrownchick]

It hurts

It hurts when you were the loyal friend but they got bored of you and now they are doing all the things you used to do together without you.

[thatbrownchick]

7 things to remind yourself of every day …

1. I am unique 2. I am worthwhile 3. I am worthy 4. I can change 5. I can make it 6. I can succeed 7. I can be happy and have a great life.

[thatbrownchick]

[thatbrownchick]

support content creators and turn off non-chronological posts!

like many other smaller content creators, my visibility has crashed since the “best stuff first” feature was rolled out. this means that since we aren’t guaranteed an audience, it’s so much harder to create new posts and resources - we don’t know if they’ll even be seen by our followers! here’s how to turn the setting off.

1. go to your settings.

click the little gear icon that comes up when you view your blog!

2. click “general settings”.

it should be right at the top!

3. click “dashboard preferences”.

4. turn “best stuff first” off!

this way, you’ll be able to see content from everyone you follow, not just the bloggers with the most followers! this community is a place for everyone - support blogs no matter their size by turning this setting off. 💛

[thatbrownchick]

Studyblrs! Please turn off "Best Stuff First" in “Dashboard Preferences” in General Settings

REBLOG TO SAVE A BLOG (DO IT FOR YOUR OWN BLOG!)

You’re missing out on heaps of original study tips posts and heaps of great stuff by creators, not just me! My study tips are really detailed but can be specific at times, I don’t want to have to resort to poorer quality posts or clickbait titles to bring in the activity :’( 

Studyblrs are one of the biggest communities on tumblr, we can make a difference!

@staff please remove this feature! I’m an original study tips maker and this killed my activity! Tumblr is about original creators as much as reblogging, and having this option on will mean only the popular bloggers get featured more and more. It’ll be so much harder for new studyblrs to get a foot in!

Reblog to protect your own original content from being filtered! 

Check your activity graphs. I’m sure you’ll find yours drops off at the same date. #spreadtheword #protectyourcontent #protectoriginalcontent

[thatbrownchick]

How to start a studyblr blog

One of the most common questions I am asked is how to start and run a studyblr. Some people consider being a studyblr means having a selection of certain pens or highlighters but that isn’t the case. Having a studyblr is about being part of a community that promotes self-improvement, positive study habits and tips to help yourself and others reach their full potential. Below are a few steps I recommend when starting a studyblr:

1. Decide whether you’re going to start a new blog or a secondary blog. Most studyblrs, myself included, run main blogs and then a studyblr as a side blog. If you’re wanting to have a completely new account, follow only studybrs, message (via asks) with a link to your studyblr then it is best to create a new account. If you’re happy to continue on one account, then creating a side blog is a good option. However, when you use a secondary blog for your studyblr, it will follow as your main account. I prefer having my studyblr as a secondary blog since you can stay logged into one account (so much easier on mobile!). Plus if you wanted to run a collaboration blog, you can add other members. Here is so more detailed information about the differences.

2. Pick a username/URL. You can be super creative like me and just use your name! Otherwise, you can name your studyblr anything you want. Whilst most people have a study related username, that isn’t totally necessary. Find something you like and use it! You do have the option to change it later on it you’re unhappy or think of something better.

3. Choose a theme. My best advice for a theme is pick something that is easy to navigate and nice to look at! Editing HTML can be quite difficult for first time Tumblr users, however many themes make adjusting the appearance of your theme really simple by using the tools on the customise page. Some popular theme makers include:

@pohroro

@modernisethemes

@cyantists

@magnusthemes

@sorrism

@acuite

@themesbyflorels

@roxiestheme

@felinum

@bychloethemes

@wonderfullythemes

Once you’ve picked a theme, follow the instructions the theme maker has left in the caption of the post. When you’re using a theme, remember to leave credit visible to the owner. By removing credit you’re breaking the conditions set by the creator. 

4. Make an icon. This is relatively optional. Most studyblrs just use a random picture for their icon however others create personalised ones just for their blog. You can create your own icon using applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva or Word/Pages. Canva is probably the easiest way to make your own, plus it is free! If you’re looking for something a little fancier, you can commission @annistudio to make one! Depending on the level of complexity, she charges between $3-9. She created my icon and it is so amazing!

5. Write up an introductory post. Once your blog is up and running, you should create a post to introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, what you’re studying, your hobbies, etc. It is always nice to tag some of your favourite studyblrs! If someone has mentioned me or tagged #emmastudies in their post, I might see it and reblog it. Most blogs do the same! Making these posts will hopefully get you some new followers!

6. Post your own content. A great way to promote your blog is to upload your own posts. This can be anything, either pictures of your notes, advice posts, or infographics! Remember to update the content source and click-through links when uploading your posts. A little guide to taking photos can be found here. My editing process can also be found here. If you upload your own tips posts, feel free to submit them to @studyblrmasterposts.

7. Use popular hashtags. Before publishing your post remember to add hashtags. The most popular ones include #studyblr, #studyspo, #study. I track the tag #emmastudies so include that in your tags and I’ll see it! Most blogs also track their usernames so tag some of your favourites.

8. Join studyblr networks. You’ll often see these floating around Tumblr so if you see one, join it! There are ones dedicated to people graduating in a specific year, others for specific majors, or people who share a common trait/hobby! Alternatively, you can be added to my studyblr directory. It is a collection bloggers which can be filtered by categories such as education level, country, and exam system. You can apply here.

9. Use the queue option. By using the queue option, you don’t have to come on Tumblr every day to stay active. Set up a queue, select the number of posts and when you’d like them to be published and you’re ready to go. This option is great if you’re having a bit of an off-week and don’t fancy coming online or aren’t able to access the Internet!

10. Use other social media platforms. Whilst studyblr originated on Tumblr, we have since diversified across numerous different social networks. I’d totally recommend having a studygram! Mine is @emmastudiess if you wanted to check it out! Other accounts have YouTube (emma studies), Snapchat (@emmastudies), Spotify, Twitter, etc. Remember to provide links to your each account!

11. Be nice, friendly and polite. I think this is the golden rule for any blogger. Treat everyone with respect. Be kind when answering questions. Be grateful for your followers. Please, please, please don’t send anonymous hate! If you receive it, remember to delete and block that person. The studyblr community is one of the nicest I’ve come across and we want to keep it that way. 

12. Don’t be afraid to message other blogs and start a friendship! Interact with other accounts by sending them an ask or a direct message. I cannot begin to tell you how many wonderful people I’ve connected with from the studyblr community. I’d say the majority of studyblrs love receiving messages and would be happy to strike up a friendship with you!

I hope this can inspire you to start a studyblr or helps you set one up! Remember you can tag me in your introductory posts or uploaded pictures. Also, my ask and direct messages are always open if you want to chat xx

[thatbrownchick]

how to avoid education burnout

have 3 achievable goals a day: having a laundry list of things to do everyday is super unrealistic, and you just end up feeling bad about yourself because you didn’t accomplish your goals for the day.

leave your sundays open: i love sundays because they’re my day to chill out and catch up on school work that i wasn’t able to finish during the week.

recognize when you’re at your emotional limits: forcing yourself to get work done when you are unable to comprehend your study material does not benefit anyone.

learn how to say no: people will ask you for your time and it will stretch you to the limit, whether it be at your job, in your extracurriculars, or in your personal life. know when to step back and say no.

take care of yourself physically: take breaks, go for walks, shower regularly, get enough sleep, eat healthy, see your friends

celebrate your accomplishments: go out to eat with friends after a big exam, indulge in a night off after a busy week with some netflix and wine

make a study plan beforehand: it can be daunting to see how much work you need to put in to a class or task beforehand, but this allows you to spread your work evenly so you don’t become overwhelmed.

learn how to ask for help: it is very rare that people make it through school, whether it be high school or university or any graduate program, without needing the advice of others or just a kind soul to vent to. find that person.

never forget your hobbies: you will need things that keep you sane. if you love to play music, write, play volleyball, or cook, make you sure you don’t lose these things. they will become your escape when times get tough.

log off from time to time: it is exhausting to be constantly connected to social media and your email. just physically disconnecting from these for a night to take care of yourself can really help you clear your mind.

[thatbrownchick]

a dream i had last saturday