I have been collecting my favorite quotes for the past few years now. Many of these have gotten me through tough classes, long study nights, and reminded me to work hard for what I want most in life. Save this post and read it when you need it. But keep in mind, reading motivational quotes won’t get your work done. It only inspires a spark of motivation. You have to actually do the work afterwards too.
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door (Milton Berle)
Think about exactly what you don’t want and then do the direct opposite
The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it
Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs (Farrah Gray)
Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds (Gordon B. Hinckley)
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming (John Wooden)
80% of success is just showing up
If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten (Tony Robbins)
Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up (Thomas Edison)
If you really want the key to success, start by doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing (Brad Szollose)
Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough (Og Mandino)
The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me (Ayn Rand)
It is never too late to be what you might have been (George Eliot)
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week (George Patton)
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out (Robert Collier)
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Either you run the day or the day runs you (Jim Rohn)
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today (H. Jackson Brown, Jr.)
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself (George Bernard Shaw)
I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse (Florence Nightingale)
You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do (Henry Ford)
Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil (J. Paul Getty)
Success is dependent on effort (Sophocles)
Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay (Simone de Beauvoir)
Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure (Confucius)
You simply have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Put blinders on and plow right ahead (George Lucas)
Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day (Jim Rohn)
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop (Confucius)
Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit
Commitment is staying true to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in had left.
Don’t ask what’s the least you can do to be good. Ask what’s the most you can bare to be great.
Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.
Don’t study until you get it right. Study until you can’t get it wrong.
Get up early enough to set your intentions for the day in stone. A good morning is the beginning of a successful day. You are capable of everything you want to do today. You are strong, secure and able to achieve. There is no task too hard when you believe in every ability you hold, you are determined to hit every goal. Do not give up on yourself.
Every positive change in your life begins with a clear, unequivocal decision that you are going to either do something or stop doing something.
Hard work will never betray you.
Aggressive goals require aggressive work ethic.
The best way for you to predict your future is to create it (Abraham Lincoln)
The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing (Walt Disney)
The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment (William Arthur Ward)
You need to understand that studying requires extensive training. Study habits, amount of sleep, timing. Therefore, you should see it as a sport. In order to get better you need to repeat and practice. Your brain needs to be recited all this information for long term memory. It’s a hard process, I know, but trust me you’ll get there.
You get what you work for
You won’t have this day again, so make it count.
pls describe ur bf😭i am such a bookworm and also want him to be exactly like all my book bfs
ODJFISBOMGG OKAYY
okay okay LISTENNN, this man was made up 😭 he has the same first, last and NICKNAME of my favorite book bf. he doesn’t need to know this but maybe i’ll gift him an annotated version of the book and be like “oh my god what a coincadink… 😦😮🫣🤪” our subconscious really has our back with the perfect details ????
he’s 6’3, his build is chefs kiss. he’s really sweet, confident, overprotective, cocky ew jk in a good way yk i’m gonna stop now, he wasn’t looking for anyone/interested in a relationship because of his past and he recently just moved to the state from his home country a few months ago but he approached me first. HE WAS IN A SUIT. A SUIT…… i’m gonna faint. i looked really good that day too so that day was beyond perfect. he ofc, has his own group of friends that are protective yet goofy mfs. they’re all different which makes it fun to see them interact and banter like little kids lol. he’s really romantic too. i’ve never been in a relationship before so he took it really slow and easy, making sure i felt comfortable bc i may or may not have said “i hate men 👹👹” infront of him on the day we met. BUT TO BE FAIR I WAS HAVING A CONVO WITH MY FRIEND LMAOO
he’s really understanding, we’re two different people but we have troubled pasts that makes us connect. when i’m with him, i feel safe and seen. no one has ever had my back my whole life like he does. because of our different interests, my favorite thing about us is that we enthusiastically talk about it with each other and teach each other different things all the time. i swear, it will never get old. he’s a business man so he automatically has that dominate/upper hand aura to him.
o and he has an audi.
I. LOVE. AUDIS.
What would you say were the most important aspects to snag a good husband for yourself?
things in my control
I take good care of my looks and always make myself look nice on a daily basis. even if I'm just chilling at home, I'll do my skincare routine, brush my hair, and wear something that doesn't look sloppy
I stay in shape and keep my body nice. I'm a young lady in my twenties and looks matter. you have more options when you look good
I knew I wanted to get married so I was looking for a husband instead of any other dating arrangement. eyes on the prize, choose wisely
I carried myself in a way that said "I am a wife" and acted accordingly. the energy you put out there on the dating scene matters. I know what kind of marriage I want so I worked on becoming that wife early. it was just a matter of finding the husband that matches. stay ready so you don't have to get ready.
I know what I want, I know what the kind of men I like want, and I know how to win
I'm good at reading people and making judgements on those around me. I don't get involved in any capacity with men who are not viable options from the get go
things out of my control
location. NY/MA is ripe with options as far as well to do men are concerned. yes, living here was a choice but I'm sure it was easier for me to get someone like my husband here rather than if I lived in the middle of randomville USA. that doesn't mean it's impossible, there's just less options. but fret not. every city has rich areas. nice big houses in nice neighborhoods where the white collar men work. they need wives too!
things kinda sorta in my control
I take care of my looks, but my baseline is what it is. I am naturally pretty so even on my worst days, I'm not doing too bad
99% of my friends are married or on their way there which kept me in a circle of people where love flows and advice is worth taking. it's nice to have examples of what does and doesn't work right in front of you
──────── ⵌ HEART ...
──────── ⵌ BOW HEART ...
──────── ⵌ SMALL HEART ...
──────── ⵌ BOW ...
──────── ⵌ HEART STAR ...
okey, seriously, last one. happy Valentine’s Day everyone ! sending you all the warmest hugs heehee 🥰
please like, reblog, and credit if you use :)
support me through ko-fi | more dividers →
pretty pink nails ⑅˚˖
it’s all so quiet
ᡣ𐭩 Pink pilates princess ᡣ𐭩
♡ channel your inner elle woods and dive into your studies with a “what, like it’s hard?“ mindset
studying will only be hard if you assume it to be. uplift yourself before starting your study session. go on a rampage on how you’re the best student at your school and that you’re successful at everything you do! the only person that will be with you from the beginning till the end is you. be your own cheerleader despite it all.
life is better when you romanticize it and nothing beats playing some music to level your head, looking at photos & scenes of your favorite characters studying and acing their tests!
clean your desk, light some candles, buy cute stationary, pretend you’re being filmed, visualize how it would feel when you have straight A’s and see that perfect score on the corner of your test/exams.
make a playlist with a cute cover and choose a vibe. dark or light academia? classics? rnb? cafe jazz? make it fun. mix it all together or make multiple playlists for the different moods you’ll be in. don’t listen to lyrical music. i recommend brown noise! and going to a cafe or a library helps me focus a lot. the background chatter doesn’t ever get too much for me so it gets easy for me to tune it out.
bambi’s supplies:
kokuyo campus binder notebooks
papier planners
laohaster aesthetic highlighters - 1 & 2
tombow dual brush pen markers
0.35 pens + muji 0.38 pens
paper mate gel pens
aesthetic book tabs
kraft paper sticky notes
index card case
i love to study at libraries and local cafes. i also use this time to go on adventures to explore my city and find hidden gems. make sure it’s a place where you like the vibe, there are no distractions. something about looking like that mysterious, studious girl who stays to herself >>>>
before you indulge in your studies, be aware of your surroundings. get familiar with the place by grazing your eyes over the area and begin :)
make a checklist of all the items you need. laptop, charger, pens, notebooks, textbooks, a book to read if you want to spend more time at the place you’re at, headphones, calculator, etc!
if you’d rather stay inside, make your area is clean of clutter and clear of distractions.
now that you’ve set out a place, let’s talk about time. what hours in the day work for you? morning, afternoons or at night? what weekdays work the best for you to keep up with this schedule?
be reasonable with yourself here. pick a time where your schedule is free and you won’t be distracted by obligations. tell your friends and family you’ll be busy during those hours on selected weekdays, not everyday will be the same. life can be hectic so this is where you take responsibility. work around your appointments. make use of your time and run flash cards while you wait to get called in or you’re in line, while you exercise, get creative!
setting time away to eat and make sure you drink enough water is not equally but more important than any other thing. take care of yourself.
utilize your time wisely. no one and nothing is going to achieve those goals. you are.
now, let’s actually get into how i study.
create a system that works for you. keep a list of all of your assignments, finals, exams, tests, projects in an excel spreadsheet organized and ascended by the due dates and the progress of its completion. here are two very simple examples i made.
as you progress through the list, it’s always so good to see the growing checkmarks! like yes, you did that and you can continue doing so! i always advocate for keeping track of your accomplishments no matter what ♡
as for day to day classes and schedules, you can use notion or google calendar. there are plenty of cute and practical templates out there to use.
let me know if i should share mine or make some
the most important thing a student can do is put themselves first! find out what works for you. your strengths, your weaknesses, and obstacles you tend to come across and work around them to make the best out of it.
we’ve already covered the topics of time and place so great! now, that you’re all set, additional things i keep in mind to make sure i am all nice and comfortable are…
making sure i am comfortable. the temperature, clothes i am wearing, if i feel safe at the cafe/library/room i’m in.
i can’t focus or do anything on an empty stomach so get a small meal before you start and keep water and snacks with you!
the most important questions of all: are there any illnesses you have that affect your studying and focus? what is something you often find that gets in your way?
as hard as dealing with illnesses gets on a daily basis, it’s easy to forget that it can affect your studies just as much. you need to work with them. i used to think i was stupid, slow, and downright crazy for not understanding material right away or for how easily distracted i got because of my random bursts of energy. then it just dawned upon me one day and i said “oh… duh?”
so, what did i do? i found out what worked for me, monitored my studying techniques and personally modified them to work better with my attention deficit.
tackle the important tasks first. low maintenance assignments like reading and writing notes on a section, annotations, and worksheets can wait if they’re easy but this way might not be for everyone.
the reason why i advise this is because at the beginning of a study session, i have the most energy/brain power so i’d rather shift my energy towards the assignments that need more of my focus!
plan what tasks you intend on focusing on that day. look at your assignment spreadsheet. which ones are more important/urgent? due the soonest? write them out in order and follow the list.
immediately writing down my thoughts. i’m very forgetful so making this a habit has helped me so much for when i get any new ideas and remember to do something very important.
find out what learning style fits you. visual, auditory, reading and writing, kinesthetic. making powerpoints, study guides, drawing diagrams, color coding systems, interactive notes. cater your study methods to your needs. here is a pinterest board with examples!
take a self assessment quiz. if you want, check these quizzes out to figure out what kind of learner you are and what study habits you can improve! remember that you can always be more than one thing just because quizzes give you a single result. you know you!
active recall. it’s a study method to help with retention, memorization, and informational retrieval. it reduces forgetfulness all the while actively stimulating your brain rather than writing notes, highlighting text information.
separate the topics + subtopics and in the end, when you feel confident, jumble them together.
flashcards! i love them. you can use quizlet which has a spaced repetition system where it will bring back material you got wrong so you can focus on it extensively. physical flashcards and manually having to write them out is also a form of memorization!
practice testing (not multiple choice) online or finding them on a textbook, ask a friend to quiz you or ask questions to yourself and try to answer them accurately.
pretend to give a lecture. i love this one the most because if you know the subject very well, you can pretend to explain it to a peer and even a middle schooler so that it gives you a chance to simplify the material so it’s easy for them (and you) to retain.
while using flashcards and lecture techniques, it helps me when my adhd flares up and i really can’t seem to stay still or keep from making noise. i can walk around my room & talk aloud, walk on a treadmill, and move my body!
i study until it becomes natural for me to know the answer, not because i recognize the term.
check your work and understanding to make sure that all of the information you’re studying is correct! it won’t hurt to do a little review here and there. you never know when a mistake might’ve snuck it’s way in.
make your own study guide. (if that’s your method) for every unit and section, covering every topic. this can be on google docs and whenever you learn something new that you think is important to know, add it via docs app or write it on a notepad so that you can fill it in later.
on the go. you don’t have to do this ALL the time (or at all) but if you think you need more time to soak your mind with information but you’re on a bus, waiting in line, etc. pull out your flashcards or google docs app to quickly review. there’s no harm in that! (just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings please)
OFFICE HOURS! go to office hours even if you don’t have any specific questions or struggles! it’s always an extra learning opportunity because you can listen to teachers and teaching assistants answer questions you might have later on AND the more you attend office hours, you’ll build a connection and get to know the teachers. that is always important.
starting assignments ahead of time. don’t put off working on a project just because it’s due in 3 weeks or so. start ahead of time so you don’t stress yourself out and cram. stretch them out. plus, even if you don’t actually put yourself to work, get a feel of the materials you’ll need to know, the instructions, etc because if you have any questions, you’ll have more/easy access to teachers for help since not many people will be there at the beginning of when a project is assigned.
ADVANCE READING! this is so fun to do. you basically just read ahead on current/future topics the teacher will cover to grasp onto the information. write down any questions you have and personally ask the teacher for a more clear answer for your understanding.
i love doing this because when the time comes of the teacher covering the topic, light bulbs just keep going off in my head! it’s exciting. it gives me room for me to retain and write any additional information the teacher says.
do not multitask. remember, if multitasking has always worked for you, don’t stop! for me, it’s truly better to focus on the task at hand to strengthen skills and concentration rather than having to do 2 or 3 different things at once. efficiency is key and staying true to one task at a time is the best way to do so.
BUT when my adhd gets in the way, be consistently inconsistent. don’t unnecessarily guilt trip yourself when you suddenly feel like doing another task. go with the flow. follow whatever your brain feels like doing at the moment! MOVEMENT IS MOVEMENT.
additional tip: take breaks at certain times even if you don’t feel like it. like the advice above, it doesn’t necessarily have to be resting. it can be as simple as taking a trip to get a beverage, tidying up your area, something easy & light to keep your mind occupied and to avoid burn out.
breaking down the assignments into sections. this defeats procrastination. it can seem overwhelming when all the information is pieced together into one so divide the tasks into small sections.
ex. read one chapter in the textbook, start writing down terms to know, annotate. move onto the next.
study groups. it’s collaborative— a chance to ask and also help others on topics you don’t know and make connections! the smaller the better in my opinion.
don’t look at studying as something you “have" to do. it’s an activity. a choice. it can either be stressful or something you can easily get through— how you approach this will ;
participate! ask questions! don’t be afraid to ask questions and raise your hand to put your two cents in when it’s an open discussion! just do it.
focus on the now. don’t overwhelm yourself by looking at all the assignments you have due. the task you’re working on at the present moment is the one that needs the most attention and focus.
advice from others won’t always work for you. we are all different! what might work for others won’t always work for you. this is why it’s important to monitor your study sessions, habits, behaviors, and find out what works and what you like better through trial and error.
except for when i tell you to take care of yourself. if there’s anything you should take away from my posts, it is to put your needs first. always!
“think of motivation as a power boost at the starting line and your foot pressing on the pedal of your car is discipline, it’s what keeps you going forward on your journey. motivation, as fleeting as it is won’t bring you far but self-discipline will.“
remind yourself of the life you want to live, the businesses you will own, the cases you’ll win, the people you’ll be able to help with your knowledge, the feelings you’ll have because of your amazing accomplishments if you just keep. on. going.
read the “continuing to strengthen self discipline” section in my dream girl guide post. i guarantee it will help in finding what really works best for you when it comes to identifying roadblocks and how to work around these struggles.
KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM. you’ve been on top of your game so when it comes to engaging in activities that don’t revolve around school work, make it worthwhile. stay off your phone, say no to silly distractions and do something you’ll thoroughly enjoy. paint, draw, write, read a book, go on a walk! this will keep you going in doing your very best every day and it doesn’t have to be a strenuous activity! stagnancy who?
DOING ANYTHING THAT BRINGS YOU JOY AND FULFILLMENT IS PRODUCTIVE.
TAKE BREAKS. GO TO SLEEP. EAT WELL.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
DO NOT PUT THIS ON THE BACK BURNER. you want good grades and to do your very best, that can’t happen unless you TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
if it’s past your usual bedtime and your eyes are drooping, struggling to stay open, how are you able to retain all the information from that moment on? go to bed because then you’ll get a good night’s sleep and you’ll be refreshed for your next day’s class! OR if you don’t have class, you’ll be able to bounce back into studying in amazing condition.
PAMPER YOURSELF.
good heavens, take a shower, wash your face, go for a walk, move your body, stretch, take time to just stay to yourself. enjoy the silence, play some calming music, watch a show, take a nap. your body is a temple, treat it with love.
if you’re constantly stressed out all the while continuously flooding your brain with so much information without resting:
it decreases concentration → you won’t be able to retain any new information (so studying is automatically deemed useless) → poor sleep → you attend class and your inability to focus and overall school performance has degraded→ you isolate yourself from social interactions → fall into depression → difficulty picking yourself back up and the list goes on…
in summary, you will not be able to continue and put in your best work.
always remember that pushing yourself past your limit does more harm than good.
you WILL crash and all that hard work will go to waste once you’re physically and mentally unable to show up for yourself.
and if it means you have to get anything lower than a 80, IT IS OKAY. nothing is worth more than your health. trust me.
zlibrary + openlibrary - free online libraries
websites for research that is not google
weava highlighter - highlight text from pdfs and the web, add and organize notes and be able to access later! lifesaver.
99 legal sites to download literature
speechify - text to speech reader
not robotic. comes in many different voices and languages
aids in: easy reading, improve comprehension, multitaskers
adjustable reading speed
mercury reader - gets rid of clutter from articles for easy reading
grammarly - grammar and writing check
beeline reader - color gradient to help read easier
group your tabs for easy organization (for mac users: control + click)
piktochart - create infographics
spot misinformation - masterpost
desmos - free online graphing calculator
paper rater - essay scoring
pdf2go + cloudconvert - file converters
internet archive - free books, movies, software, music, websites…
slidesgo - google slides and powerpoint templates
pomodoro timers - tide w/ white noise + otto w/ a website blocker
remember to drink water
more very helpful resources
okay my love! that’s all for this post. i wish you the best! ₊˚⊹♡ as always, here is the google doc version
— kisses from straight a student, bambi ♡
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION
INVEST IN YOURSELF: FALL + SCHOOL EDITION GUIDE HERE
♡ channel your inner elle woods and dive into your studies with a “what, like it’s hard?“ mindset
studying will only be hard if you assume it to be. uplift yourself before starting your study session. go on a rampage on how you’re the best student at your school and that you’re successful at everything you do! the only person that will be with you from the beginning till the end is you. be your own cheerleader despite it all.
life is better when you romanticize it and nothing beats playing some music to level your head, looking at photos & scenes of your favorite characters studying and acing their tests!
clean your desk, light some candles, buy cute stationary, pretend you’re being filmed, visualize how it would feel when you have straight A’s and see that perfect score on the corner of your test/exams.
make a playlist with a cute cover and choose a vibe. dark or light academia? classics? rnb? cafe jazz? make it fun. mix it all together or make multiple playlists for the different moods you’ll be in. don’t listen to lyrical music. i recommend brown noise! and going to a cafe or a library helps me focus a lot. the background chatter doesn’t ever get too much for me so it gets easy for me to tune it out.
bambi’s supplies:
kokuyo campus binder notebooks
papier planners
laohaster aesthetic highlighters - 1 & 2
tombow dual brush pen markers
0.35 pens + muji 0.38 pens
paper mate gel pens
aesthetic book tabs
kraft paper sticky notes
index card case
i love to study at libraries and local cafes. i also use this time to go on adventures to explore my city and find hidden gems. make sure it’s a place where you like the vibe, there are no distractions. something about looking like that mysterious, studious girl who stays to herself >>>>
before you indulge in your studies, be aware of your surroundings. get familiar with the place by grazing your eyes over the area and begin :)
make a checklist of all the items you need. laptop, charger, pens, notebooks, textbooks, a book to read if you want to spend more time at the place you’re at, headphones, calculator, etc!
if you’d rather stay inside, make your area is clean of clutter and clear of distractions.
now that you’ve set out a place, let’s talk about time. what hours in the day work for you? morning, afternoons or at night? what weekdays work the best for you to keep up with this schedule?
be reasonable with yourself here. pick a time where your schedule is free and you won’t be distracted by obligations. tell your friends and family you’ll be busy during those hours on selected weekdays, not everyday will be the same. life can be hectic so this is where you take responsibility. work around your appointments. make use of your time and run flash cards while you wait to get called in or you’re in line, while you exercise, get creative!
setting time away to eat and make sure you drink enough water is not equally but more important than any other thing. take care of yourself.
utilize your time wisely. no one and nothing is going to achieve those goals. you are.
now, let’s actually get into how i study.
create a system that works for you. keep a list of all of your assignments, finals, exams, tests, projects in an excel spreadsheet organized and ascended by the due dates and the progress of its completion. here are two very simple examples i made.
as you progress through the list, it’s always so good to see the growing checkmarks! like yes, you did that and you can continue doing so! i always advocate for keeping track of your accomplishments no matter what ♡
as for day to day classes and schedules, you can use notion or google calendar. there are plenty of cute and practical templates out there to use.
let me know if i should share mine or make some
the most important thing a student can do is put themselves first! find out what works for you. your strengths, your weaknesses, and obstacles you tend to come across and work around them to make the best out of it.
we’ve already covered the topics of time and place so great! now, that you’re all set, additional things i keep in mind to make sure i am all nice and comfortable are…
making sure i am comfortable. the temperature, clothes i am wearing, if i feel safe at the cafe/library/room i’m in.
i can’t focus or do anything on an empty stomach so get a small meal before you start and keep water and snacks with you!
the most important questions of all: are there any illnesses you have that affect your studying and focus? what is something you often find that gets in your way?
as hard as dealing with illnesses gets on a daily basis, it’s easy to forget that it can affect your studies just as much. you need to work with them. i used to think i was stupid, slow, and downright crazy for not understanding material right away or for how easily distracted i got because of my random bursts of energy. then it just dawned upon me one day and i said “oh… duh?”
so, what did i do? i found out what worked for me, monitored my studying techniques and personally modified them to work better with my attention deficit.
tackle the important tasks first. low maintenance assignments like reading and writing notes on a section, annotations, and worksheets can wait if they’re easy but this way might not be for everyone.
the reason why i advise this is because at the beginning of a study session, i have the most energy/brain power so i’d rather shift my energy towards the assignments that need more of my focus!
plan what tasks you intend on focusing on that day. look at your assignment spreadsheet. which ones are more important/urgent? due the soonest? write them out in order and follow the list.
immediately writing down my thoughts. i’m very forgetful so making this a habit has helped me so much for when i get any new ideas and remember to do something very important.
find out what learning style fits you. visual, auditory, reading and writing, kinesthetic. making powerpoints, study guides, drawing diagrams, color coding systems, interactive notes. cater your study methods to your needs. here is a pinterest board with examples!
take a self assessment quiz. if you want, check these quizzes out to figure out what kind of learner you are and what study habits you can improve! remember that you can always be more than one thing just because quizzes give you a single result. you know you!
active recall. it’s a study method to help with retention, memorization, and informational retrieval. it reduces forgetfulness all the while actively stimulating your brain rather than writing notes, highlighting text information.
separate the topics + subtopics and in the end, when you feel confident, jumble them together.
flashcards! i love them. you can use quizlet which has a spaced repetition system where it will bring back material you got wrong so you can focus on it extensively. physical flashcards and manually having to write them out is also a form of memorization!
practice testing (not multiple choice) online or finding them on a textbook, ask a friend to quiz you or ask questions to yourself and try to answer them accurately.
pretend to give a lecture. i love this one the most because if you know the subject very well, you can pretend to explain it to a peer and even a middle schooler so that it gives you a chance to simplify the material so it’s easy for them (and you) to retain.
while using flashcards and lecture techniques, it helps me when my adhd flares up and i really can’t seem to stay still or keep from making noise. i can walk around my room & talk aloud, walk on a treadmill, and move my body!
i study until it becomes natural for me to know the answer, not because i recognize the term.
check your work and understanding to make sure that all of the information you’re studying is correct! it won’t hurt to do a little review here and there. you never know when a mistake might’ve snuck it’s way in.
make your own study guide. (if that’s your method) for every unit and section, covering every topic. this can be on google docs and whenever you learn something new that you think is important to know, add it via docs app or write it on a notepad so that you can fill it in later.
on the go. you don’t have to do this ALL the time (or at all) but if you think you need more time to soak your mind with information but you’re on a bus, waiting in line, etc. pull out your flashcards or google docs app to quickly review. there’s no harm in that! (just make sure you’re aware of your surroundings please)
OFFICE HOURS! go to office hours even if you don’t have any specific questions or struggles! it’s always an extra learning opportunity because you can listen to teachers and teaching assistants answer questions you might have later on AND the more you attend office hours, you’ll build a connection and get to know the teachers. that is always important.
starting assignments ahead of time. don’t put off working on a project just because it’s due in 3 weeks or so. start ahead of time so you don’t stress yourself out and cram. stretch them out. plus, even if you don’t actually put yourself to work, get a feel of the materials you’ll need to know, the instructions, etc because if you have any questions, you’ll have more/easy access to teachers for help since not many people will be there at the beginning of when a project is assigned.
ADVANCE READING! this is so fun to do. you basically just read ahead on current/future topics the teacher will cover to grasp onto the information. write down any questions you have and personally ask the teacher for a more clear answer for your understanding.
i love doing this because when the time comes of the teacher covering the topic, light bulbs just keep going off in my head! it’s exciting. it gives me room for me to retain and write any additional information the teacher says.
do not multitask. remember, if multitasking has always worked for you, don’t stop! for me, it’s truly better to focus on the task at hand to strengthen skills and concentration rather than having to do 2 or 3 different things at once. efficiency is key and staying true to one task at a time is the best way to do so.
BUT when my adhd gets in the way, be consistently inconsistent. don’t unnecessarily guilt trip yourself when you suddenly feel like doing another task. go with the flow. follow whatever your brain feels like doing at the moment! MOVEMENT IS MOVEMENT.
additional tip: take breaks at certain times even if you don’t feel like it. like the advice above, it doesn’t necessarily have to be resting. it can be as simple as taking a trip to get a beverage, tidying up your area, something easy & light to keep your mind occupied and to avoid burn out.
breaking down the assignments into sections. this defeats procrastination. it can seem overwhelming when all the information is pieced together into one so divide the tasks into small sections.
ex. read one chapter in the textbook, start writing down terms to know, annotate. move onto the next.
study groups. it’s collaborative— a chance to ask and also help others on topics you don’t know and make connections! the smaller the better in my opinion.
don’t look at studying as something you “have" to do. it’s an activity. a choice. it can either be stressful or something you can easily get through— how you approach this will ;
participate! ask questions! don’t be afraid to ask questions and raise your hand to put your two cents in when it’s an open discussion! just do it.
focus on the now. don’t overwhelm yourself by looking at all the assignments you have due. the task you’re working on at the present moment is the one that needs the most attention and focus.
advice from others won’t always work for you. we are all different! what might work for others won’t always work for you. this is why it’s important to monitor your study sessions, habits, behaviors, and find out what works and what you like better through trial and error.
except for when i tell you to take care of yourself. if there’s anything you should take away from my posts, it is to put your needs first. always!
“think of motivation as a power boost at the starting line and your foot pressing on the pedal of your car is discipline, it’s what keeps you going forward on your journey. motivation, as fleeting as it is won’t bring you far but self-discipline will.“
remind yourself of the life you want to live, the businesses you will own, the cases you’ll win, the people you’ll be able to help with your knowledge, the feelings you’ll have because of your amazing accomplishments if you just keep. on. going.
read the “continuing to strengthen self discipline” section in my dream girl guide post. i guarantee it will help in finding what really works best for you when it comes to identifying roadblocks and how to work around these struggles.
KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM. you’ve been on top of your game so when it comes to engaging in activities that don’t revolve around school work, make it worthwhile. stay off your phone, say no to silly distractions and do something you’ll thoroughly enjoy. paint, draw, write, read a book, go on a walk! this will keep you going in doing your very best every day and it doesn’t have to be a strenuous activity! stagnancy who?
DOING ANYTHING THAT BRINGS YOU JOY AND FULFILLMENT IS PRODUCTIVE.
TAKE BREAKS. GO TO SLEEP. EAT WELL.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
DO NOT PUT THIS ON THE BACK BURNER. you want good grades and to do your very best, that can’t happen unless you TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
if it’s past your usual bedtime and your eyes are drooping, struggling to stay open, how are you able to retain all the information from that moment on? go to bed because then you’ll get a good night’s sleep and you’ll be refreshed for your next day’s class! OR if you don’t have class, you’ll be able to bounce back into studying in amazing condition.
PAMPER YOURSELF.
good heavens, take a shower, wash your face, go for a walk, move your body, stretch, take time to just stay to yourself. enjoy the silence, play some calming music, watch a show, take a nap. your body is a temple, treat it with love.
if you’re constantly stressed out all the while continuously flooding your brain with so much information without resting:
it decreases concentration → you won’t be able to retain any new information (so studying is automatically deemed useless) → poor sleep → you attend class and your inability to focus and overall school performance has degraded→ you isolate yourself from social interactions → fall into depression → difficulty picking yourself back up and the list goes on…
in summary, you will not be able to continue and put in your best work.
always remember that pushing yourself past your limit does more harm than good.
you WILL crash and all that hard work will go to waste once you’re physically and mentally unable to show up for yourself.
and if it means you have to get anything lower than a 80, IT IS OKAY. nothing is worth more than your health. trust me.
zlibrary + openlibrary - free online libraries
websites for research that is not google
weava highlighter - highlight text from pdfs and the web, add and organize notes and be able to access later! lifesaver.
99 legal sites to download literature
speechify - text to speech reader
not robotic. comes in many different voices and languages
aids in: easy reading, improve comprehension, multitaskers
adjustable reading speed
mercury reader - gets rid of clutter from articles for easy reading
grammarly - grammar and writing check
beeline reader - color gradient to help read easier
group your tabs for easy organization (for mac users: control + click)
piktochart - create infographics
spot misinformation - masterpost
desmos - free online graphing calculator
paper rater - essay scoring
pdf2go + cloudconvert - file converters
internet archive - free books, movies, software, music, websites…
slidesgo - google slides and powerpoint templates
pomodoro timers - tide w/ white noise + otto w/ a website blocker
remember to drink water
more very helpful resources
okay my love! that’s all for this post. i wish you the best! ₊˚⊹♡ as always, here is the google doc version
— kisses from straight a student, bambi ♡
SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION
INVEST IN YOURSELF: FALL + SCHOOL EDITION GUIDE HERE