07/01/2024

cant wait for when i become a real person

~7/100

01.08.2022 // i'm actually super excited to start working on my first assignments. so why is it that i can't bring myself to start? 🤔

🎧: my jinji by sunset rollercoaster

Master List of Academic Success from Girl with a 4.0 at Uni (study tips, life tips, etc.)

For some school tips:

Go to your professors office hours. Seriously just go. I've literally had professors tell me questions that are going to be on the test in office hours. I've had professors help me break past writing block in office hours. Often, professors are much more agreeable in 1-1 conversations, and they start to learn your name and work ethic (particularly important in large classes) My favorite example of this: Fall term of my freshman year, I had an astronomy class that was huge, Im talking hundreds of students. There were about 10-20 of us who found out that during office hours the week of big exams, the professor would actually let us help him choose test questions. His office was high up with a great view, and it was so fun to cram in to his office and huddle up, especially during the winter months late at night, excitedly discussing black holes, the conversation pin balling around the room.

Take paper notes. Holy crap I cant emphasize this enough. I know there's a heap of science behind it I just don't know the details so I won't go into it, but it dramatically increases memory. So during lecture, take notes using paper and pen, and in fact, keep all your electronics in your bag for class. This helps you keep engaged in the lecture and you never get distracted and tune out.

Sit in the front row. I know, I know. But seriously I've genuinely sat in the front row for every single lecture that I've ever attended since freshman year, and it has done wonders for me. I'm so much more willing to participate in discussions and answer questions, which helps me understand the content more. Also another great strategy to avoid using your phone or computer to eliminate distraction.

Don't skip lecture. I've never skipped a lecture unless I was sick enough that I felt like I would vomit during class. Skipping class just is not worth the consequences. Genuinely every lecture is important and you never know when the professor will say something that is going to be on exams or quizzes.

Do assigned readings and homework. every. single. time. Unlike in high school, a big majority of the assignments professors give out aren't actually busy work- they have a purpose. They're often super helpful for understanding information better overall.

Have study spots and spaces. One of my favorites is a 24 hour coffee shop about 10 minutes from campus. The vibes are off the charts, super eclectic, and insanely productive. Never study in bed, trust me. Libraries, coffee shops, even the dining room table are good. Just not bed.

Life tips:

Sleep. I know the academia world romanticizes running on 3 hours of sleep because we were up too late reading. But sleep is an academic superpower than severely enhances the functioning of our brains. Don't procrastinate things that are important- get stuff done early in the day. Go to sleep early and wake up early.

On that note, become a morning person. My most productive hours are 5-9 am, before my roommates are awake, before anyone is awake. In these hours I'm able to workout, clean the apartment, talk to God, and start studying, all before most people are awake, which means less distractions. Also, there's something really sweet about rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, coffee becomes so much more sacred, and silence is refreshing.

Eat food friends. I know sometimes we can forget to eat all day as we become lost in study, but I find that sometimes just a study snack makes me a lot more productive and revives me from any groggy feelings.

Ask questions. People will love to answer, and it makes you seem curious and interested.

Dress up. Even when you get up in the morning, change out of your pajamas. You can even change into different pajamas if you want. But I find that a nice outfit helps me feel lots more productive and aesthetic.

Last but not least, carpe diem, make your lives extraordinary.

Just because you have to study to achieve your dreams doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable

College has been a whole process for me. I did not know how to study, i did not know how to put effort into the right things, and most importantly, i did not know how to accept that my actions (or lack of) were the problem.

It took me years, but I've learned to accept that it's ok for me to need to study to be good when it comes to a subject, that college is a place for learning, not for being instantly good at something.

And now i can finally say that, without the subconscious frustration, i truly do enjoy learning new things, studying new subjects, and studying for the sake of knowing more, not just to pass exams.

It takes work, but it's all worth it.

Studying isn't about grades, it's about falling in love with a subject.

I've officially started my last year of college and have never felt more excited. These years have been a process of learning to love learning new things, but i think I've finally started fully appreciating the opportunity to study subjects that not only interest me, but will also help me in my life and career post-university.

I'm grateful to have professors that are passionate about the courses they teach, I'm grateful for the friends that are just as dedicated to learning as I am, with whom I can always discuss interesting details and debatable theories.

It's a new year and I'm grateful to become a new me.

Less than one week until the first exam.

I've reached the point where i can't wait for the day of the exam to have an excuse to get out of the house and dress up in something other than comfy house clothes.

Wish me luck!

Some pictures from recent studies and working from home. Now I'm done with taking classes for the rest of my phd, but that means it's officially time to start studying for my qualifying exam. My goal was to finish the first draft of my proposal by the end of this month but it's been so hard to make myself work on it for some reason. We'll see what happens.

Just because you have to study to achieve your dreams doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable

College has been a whole process for me. I did not know how to study, i did not know how to put effort into the right things, and most importantly, i did not know how to accept that my actions (or lack of) were the problem.

It took me years, but I've learned to accept that it's ok for me to need to study to be good when it comes to a subject, that college is a place for learning, not for being instantly good at something.

And now i can finally say that, without the subconscious frustration, i truly do enjoy learning new things, studying new subjects, and studying for the sake of knowing more, not just to pass exams.

It takes work, but it's all worth it.

166 days to go

More writing.