whatthehellamidoingstudyblr

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

I feel like I should make a separate post for this but z library isn't completely gone. There's still ways to access it but it's just the domain that's the problem. If you've pirated tv shows and cartoons like me then you know how sometimes the links you would go to won't work anymore but then there's a new domain for it with the same amount of shit on it.

I just accessed z library right now using the tor browser but if you're wary of downloading stuff then there's alternatives. If you're still not able to access it, don't worry too much I'm sure there's gonna be a new domain for it soon. But in the meantime, here are some Reddit pages for more info.  

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

“I must continue to follow the path I take now. If I do nothing, if I study nothing, if I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it — keep going, keep going come what may.” — Vincent Van Gogh

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

and i don't necessarily believe any of this i'm just saying words recreationally

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

its all i want……

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

“As early as the 1920s, researchers giving IQ tests to non-Westerners realized that any test of intelligence is strongly, if subtly, imbued with cultural biases… Samoans, when given a test requiring them to trace a route form point A to point B, often chose not the most direct route (the “correct” answer), but rather the most aesthetically pleasing one. Australian aborigines find it difficult to understand why a friend would ask them to solve a difficult puzzle and not help them with it. Indeed, the assumption that one must provide answers alone, without assistance from those who are older and wiser, is a statement about the culture-bound view of intelligence. Certainly the smartest thing to do, when face with a difficult problem, is to seek the advice of more experienced relatives and friends!”

— Jonathan Marks - Anthropology and the Bell Curve (via leofarto)

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

So Friday I took my first exam. It was about about C++ programming, which is something I've never seen in my life until the last few months. For this reason, I'm not surprised that I did not pass it, but the feeling of failure is quite overwhelming. I also expected to get a low grade, but not that low. I'm quite ashamed of myself. As a former art student, I never failed a test or an exam. I've always been a brilliant student, always sure of myself and my potential. Since I've started my journey as a physics student, that confidence has been replaced with humility. I'm now a little kid trying to learn as much as he can.

Deeply, I know that there is nothing to be ashamed of. A number does not define me as a person, does it? It's just a tool that I must use to verify how much I have learned. And from the grade that I have obtained, I can see that I still have a lot to learn.

May this failure inspire the me of the present to never give up and the me of the future to be proud of where she has come.

Also, I need a fucking vacation.

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

The Night Before Your Exam

Hello, hi there. Recently I made a post about what to do the day of your exam and it’s still getting notes which is amazing. Thank you all. So now, please enjoy these realistic tips for the night before your exam that do not involve perfum, gum, or cramming. Please don’t cram.

Get a good night’s sleep. I know that for many of us this is a major challenge because we deal with insomnia or anxiety disorders that keep us awake. Try taking a warm bath in Epsom salts. Stay in the tub until you break a sweat. Pick your salts wisely because some of them are more energizing (i.e lavender salts are more energizing I have found).

If you are having trouble sleeping because of tension in your neck/back, try to relieve the tension by rolling out your muscles on the floor, or conciously tensing them up for about 10-20 seconds before slowing releasing. The Epsom salt bath really helps with any sort of tension. I have chronic nerve pain from a car accident and it’s one of the few things that help me that is more holistic.

Don’t shy away from melatonin. It works wonders and you won’t feel “hung over” in the morning like you may with Z-Quil. They have melatonin gummies too!

Try lowering your body temperature. Sleep naked. It’s life changing. If you can’t sleep naked (because you live in a dorm) still do your best to keep it cool. Our bodies get tired when their temps are lower.

Additionally, do not cram for any exam. The night before your exam is not the time to be learning any new material. We are way past that. Gently refresh the material that you already know; however, do focus on items you may struggle with. Remember, althetes don’t go crazy hard the day before a game - treat your brain the same way; no heavy lifting.

You may take this time to rewrite your notes. It’s a simple act that can definitely help you to remember.

Try teaching the material to someone else, or if no one else is available - stand in the mirror and give your own personal TedTalk on the subject. Hey, if it works for Sims, right? Remember that if you can teach the material, you know it. Reiterating in your own words is so helpful.

This should go without saying, but eat a good dinner.

Use the “Match,” “Test,” and “Spell” functions on Quizlet. Very helpful.

Have I said do not cram yet?

Lay out your clothes for the morning. The fewer decisions the better.

You’re going to want to wake up with enough time to review your study materials a couple more times, get ready for the day, and leave for the exam early (so that you have time to review when you get there and to ensure you are on time!) So set your alarm in advance.

Make sure that you set out your blue book, calculator, etc. so that you are prepared for the exam tomorrow and you aren’t sprinting across campus to find somewhere that sells blue books.

Triple check that alarm.

Try to limit your use of electronics 30 minutes before you need to fall asleep. I know that isn’t always reasonable though. Just make sure your phone is plugged in so that it is well charged and ON when you need that alarm to go off.

Drink some water.

Don’t drink any coffee or other caffeinated beverage/over induldge in nicotine/or take your *prescription!!!* adderall after 8 PM. Really for the Adderall don’t take it after like 5:30. You will be up all night long, my friend.

Okay last time: do not cram for any exam. That’s like over extertion for your brain and it will take you time to recover. If you continuously pull all nighters to cram you will crash and burn eventually. So just start early on your study plan. You can make time for it, I promise.

Happy studying, realistic students!

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

do you know any summer internships in astronomy/physics that take international students pursuing a master's?

If you are doing a masters like an Msc, I recommend the ASPIRE program in Amsterdam! There is a great website for summer internships for physics students which I can link you to as well. I don't know how recently it has been updated, but it's a great place to start.

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

my masterpost | my studygram | ask me anything

[click images for high quality]

[transcript under the cut]

Other advice posts that may be of interest:

How To Study When You Really Don’t Want To

Active Revision Techniques

How To Do Uni Readings

How to Revise BIG Subjects

Keep reading

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

college study tips that actually help

put your phone on silent and put it across the room

listen to classical/soundtrack music without lyrics

make index cards for important vocab

wear pajamas

make diagrams and pictures. they don’t have to look pretty, as long as you understand it

make timelines for historical events

have a light snack

drink coffee or tea to keep you going

take a break every hour or so

have one pencil/black pen and one colored pen or highlighter. anything more will just distract you. the aesthetics aren’t important, your knowledge is

don’t be afraid to email/message your teacher or a classmate if you don’t understand something. the last thing you want to do is learn the incorrect information

know that sleep and health is more important than your grade. you cannot perform as well on a test if you are tired or sick. take care of yourself

it’s not a race. it’s not about who can learn something in the quickest time, it’s about learning

take a deep breath 

prioritize your homework by how long it will take you and when it’s due

plan some you time in between studying and school

if you’re mentally exhausted, set a timer for 30 minutes and take a nap. any longer and you’ll wake up even more tired

don’t understand something? that’s perfectly fine, don’t stress over it. ask for help rather than complaining

have a goal in mind and write them down. say things like “i am getting an education so i can get the job of my dreams. the life that i want. the happiness that i deserve”

be thankful. it is a privilege that you get to go to school and get an education. 

you got this.

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

I used to get so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information i had to remember for exams in school!!! Endless dates and names in history, formulas in maths, essay points for psychology, the list goes on! Here are the tips i use myself to help you retain all those facts and figures you need to remember - that have all been scientifically proven to help! ❤️

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

Tips on how to study a STEM subject, from a physics student

1. Go to class

Going to class and paying attention is key in this kind of subjects. I used to think that if I just read the notes I would understand the same, but this is a mistake. It took me way longer to grasp the concepts than if I had simply listened to my professor.

2. Understand the theory

I thought that jumping straight into doing exercises was easier to do and would prepare me for the exam, but this is a mistake. I found myself struggling with most problems just because I hadn't understood the theory behind them.

3. Exercises

When you feel that you get the concepts you can jump into the exercises. Do as many as you can, and try to really understand where you make mistakes and how your teacher's solutions differ from yours. I recommend you do them when the exam is close, so you have all of them fresh in your memory.

4. Practice exams

This is the last thing you should do before the exam, and it is optional, just do it if you are really pushing for that A. Pretend it's a real one and it will really make you feel confident when the actual day comes.

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

unified AGN model

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

it takes years to develop your craft. do not romanticize the idea of an ‘overnight success’. be a student. grow organically. get really good. hate your work. start over. find new ways to express the same ideas. the student becomes the master. your time will come.

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

the solution to the Mathematician's Lament is to teach calculus in early grade school if not kindergarten & i am being 100% unironic

[whatthehellamidoingstudyblr]

November will be filled with kindness.

November will be filled with positivity.

November will be filled with happiness.

November will be filled with blessings.

November will be filled with love.

November will be filled with progress.

November will be filled with opportunities.

November will be filled with peace.