2017 MONTHLY CALENDAR PRINTABLES!

This post by Second Year Studying got me inspired to make a printable that you can stick to your wall to remind you of what to do when you are stressed /feeling anxious about studying. (I do recommend you to read the post more than once)

I didn’t try it yet, because I am not on exam season but I am sure that this will help me when I am feeling overwhelmed.

stop waiting on men to validate you. you’re pretty. you’re smart. you’re interesting. you’re worth time & effort. you deserve to be loved. you need to know these things and truly believe them. don’t wait on some man to come along and tell you.

15 things I tell myself when I don't want to work/study

1. You are very lucky and privileged to have access to almost unlimited knowledge and you should appreciate that. 2. Be one of those rare people who step over their insecurities and succeed. 3. Only 5 minutes. Only today. (Repeat it 5 minutes later and every day). 4. You will know what to do as soon as you start. Ideas never appear from inactivity. 5. Make yourself proud. 6. One hour every day doesn’t feel much but it’s 365 hours a year. You can’t not succeed after so much work. 7. It’s not supposed to be easy. Nothing good is easy. 8. If you had a child to look after, you’d make them study because you want them to accomplish something. Don’t you love yourself? 9. “Everything you want is on the other side of fear” George Adair 10. Every mistake increases our chance to make progress. 11. If you give up now, you’ll have to return to this later anyway but from the very beginning. 12. Let the process be your result. 13. Every moment you thought your fears would suppress you has become the time you made it. 14. Maybe you think you can never find something to use your skills and mindset for. But if you continue investing in what matters to you, it will find its way out there. 15. I allow you to think globally. You have a right to the boldest dream.

Pristine!

Tips to learn a new language

The 75 most common words make up 40% of occurrences The 200 most common words make up 50% of occurrences The 524 most common words make up 60% of occurrences The 1257 most common words make up 70% of occurrences The 2925 most common words make up 80% of occurrences The 7444 most common words make up 90% of occurrences The 13374 most common words make up 95% of occurrences The 25508 most common words make up 99% of occurrences

(Sources: 5 Steps to Speak a New Language by Hung Quang Pham)

This article has an excellent summary on how to rapidly learn a new language within 90 days.

We can begin with studying the first 600 words. Of course chucking is an effective way to memorize words readily. Here’s a list to translate into the language you desire to learn that I grabbed from here! :)

EXPRESSIONS OF POLITENESS (about 50 expressions)      

‘Yes’ and ‘no’: yes, no, absolutely, no way, exactly.    

Question words: when? where? how? how much? how many? why? what? who? which? whose?    

Apologizing: excuse me, sorry to interrupt, well now, I’m afraid so, I’m afraid not.    

Meeting and parting: good morning, good afternoon, good evening, hello, goodbye, cheers, see you later, pleased to meet you, nice to have met.    

Interjections: please, thank you, don’t mention it, sorry, it’ll be done, I agree, congratulations, thank heavens, nonsense.    

NOUNS (about 120 words)

Time: morning, afternoon, evening, night; Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday; spring, summer, autumn, winter; time, occasion, minute, half-hour, hour, day, week, month, year.    

People: family, relative, mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, husband, wife; colleague, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend; people, person, human being, man, woman, lady, gentleman, boy, girl, child.    

Objects: address, bag, book, car, clothes, key, letter (=to post), light (=lamp), money, name, newspaper, pen, pencil, picture, suitcase, thing, ticket.    

Places: place, world, country, town, street, road, school, shop, house, apartment, room, ground; Britain, name of the foreign country, British town-names, foreign town-names.    

Abstract: accident, beginning, change, color, damage, fun, half, help, joke, journey, language, English, name of the foreign language, letter (of alphabet), life, love, mistake, news, page, pain, part, question, reason, sort, surprise, way (=method), weather, work.    

Other: hand, foot, head, eye, mouth, voice; the left, the right; the top, the bottom, the side; air, water, sun, bread, food, paper, noise.    

PREPOSITIONS (about 40 words)    

General: of, to, at, for, from, in, on.    

Logical: about, according-to, except, like, against, with, without, by, despite, instead of.    

Space: into, out of, outside, towards, away from, behind, in front of, beside, next to, between, above, on top of, below, under, underneath, near to, a long way from, through.    

Time: after, ago, before, during, since, until.    

DETERMINERS (about 80 words)  

Articles and numbers: a, the; nos. 0–20; nos. 30–100; nos. 200–1000; last, next, 1st–12th.    

Demonstrative: this, that.    

Possessive: my, your, his, her, its, our, their.    

Quantifiers: all, some, no, any, many, much, more, less, a few, several, whole, a little, a lot of.    

Comparators: both, neither, each, every, other, another, same, different, such.    

ADJECTIVES (about 80 words)    

Color: black, blue, green, red, white, yellow.    

Evaluative: bad, good, terrible; important, urgent, necessary; possible, impossible; right, wrong, true.    

General: big, little, small, heavy; high, low; hot, cold, warm; easy, difficult; cheap, expensive; clean, dirty; beautiful, funny (=comical), funny (=odd), usual, common (=shared), nice, pretty, wonderful; boring, interesting, dangerous, safe; short, tall, long; new, old; calm, clear, dry; fast, slow; finished, free, full, light (=not dark), open, quiet, ready, strong.    

Personal: afraid, alone, angry, certain, cheerful, dead, famous, glad, happy, ill, kind, married, pleased, sorry, stupid, surprised, tired, well, worried, young.    

VERBS (about 100 words)    

arrive, ask, be, be able to, become, begin, believe, borrow, bring, buy, can, change, check, collect, come, continue, cry, do, drop, eat, fall, feel, find, finish, forget, give, going to, have, have to, hear, help, hold, hope, hurt (oneself), hurt (someone else), keep, know, laugh, learn, leave, lend, let (=allow), lie down, like, listen, live (=be alive), live (=reside), look (at), look for, lose, love, make, may (=permission), may (=possibility), mean, meet, must, need, obtain, open, ought to, pay, play, put, read, remember, say, see, sell, send, should, show, shut, sing, sleep, speak, stand, stay, stop, suggest, take, talk, teach, think, travel, try, understand, use, used to, wait for, walk, want, watch, will, work (=operate), work (=toil), worry, would, write.    

PRONOUNS (about 40 words)

Personal: I, you, he, she, it, we, they, one; myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves.    

Possessive: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, theirs.    

Demonstrative: this, that.    

Universal: everyone, everybody, everything, each, both, all, one, another.    

Indefinite: someone, somebody, something, some, a few, a little, more, less; anyone, anybody, anything, any, either, much, many.    

Negative: no-one, nobody, nothing, none, neither.    

ADVERBS (about 60 words)

Place: here, there, above, over, below, in front, behind, nearby, a long way away, inside, outside, to the right, to the left, somewhere, anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, home, upstairs, downstairs.    

Time: now, soon, immediately, quickly, finally, again, once, for a long time, today, generally, sometimes, always, often, before, after, early, late, never, not yet, still, already, then (=at that time), then (=next), yesterday, tomorrow, tonight.    

Quantifiers: a little, about (=approximately), almost, at least, completely, very, enough, exactly, just, not, too much, more, less.    

Manner: also, especially, gradually, of course, only, otherwise, perhaps, probably, quite, so, then (=therefore), too (=also), unfortunately, very much, well.    

CONJUNCTIONS (about 30 words)

Coordinating: and, but, or; as, than, like.    

Time & Place: when, while, before, after, since (=time), until; where.    

Manner & Logic: how, why, because, since (=because), although, if; what, who, whom, whose, which, that.   

LIFE TIPS PT. I

if it takes less than two minutes, do it now

always carry a water bottle!! you’ll (obviously) drink more water but you’ll also save money on buying drinks when you’re out on hot days 

if you notice something you like about someone, tell them. genuine compliments are way too few and far between. 

when you meet someone, repeat their name back to them. it’ll help you remember it (bc i am the worst at zoning out and immediately forgetting someone’s name)

give yourself a time limit to get work done. you’ll do more up against a 30 minute timer than if you have all day to get something done

also: be specific with your goals. if you want it done by winter, say you’ll do it one november 15. it’s easy to let time slip by. 

no one’s forcing your friends to hang out with you. they want to be around you. don’t try to convince yourself otherwise. 

never under estimate the power of a hot meal if you’re feeling unmotivated. take a break and make a grilled cheese dude

always keep $20 in your car for emergences

have a binder/folder to keep all your financial/important documents together. even if you don’t organize them beyond that it’ll make them so much easier to find when you need them

don’t sleep w makeup on!! keep a travel size thing of makeup wipes by your bed for nights that you’re too exhausted to wash your face for real

if you’re studying/working and can’t focus, go outside and take a walk around the building. stare at the sky for a minute. it helps.

networking: when you meet someone, put some notes in with their contact. remembering their kids’ names will make you stand out

fold your clothes while they’re still warm + you won’t have to iron later

get that chair out of your room. we all know your dirty clothes are sitting in it more than you are.

instead, stick some hooks on your closet door for those sorta-clean, sorta-dirty clothes that you wanna wear again

keep a running list on your phone of songs you hear that you like, books you want to read, etc

write down all your friends birthdays!! 

if you can’t sleep, try to imagine something in great detail. design your dream house. plan your wedding. whatever makes you happy + relaxed

get dressed as soon as you get up, even if you aren’t going anywhere. it’s hard to feel productive in sweat pants.

if you don’t ask, the answer is always no

thrift stores are super trendy lately, but they really are great for finding high-quality clothing for cheap.

don’t read the comments section. especially if it’s something you actually care about.

fresh veggies go bad fast, so if you can’t get to the store often have a couple frozen bags of your favs on hand!!

also, pasta is crazy cheap and easy to make into a meal. add some olive oil and those frozen veggies and bam, grown up meal in no time.

be intentional with your friendships. if you want to see someone again, set a date instead of the old “let’s get coffee sometime!” that never actually happens

libraries exist!! and theyre fantastic!!! 

if you’re buying anything, always google “_______ coupons” while you’re in line. you can usually find one, esp at chains!!

if it’s not something you need, put it back and sleep on it. if you want it bad enough to go back and get it a day or two later, it’s (probably) worth the money.

also, think if you’ll enjoy it for the same amount of time if took to earn that money. doesn’t work with everything (food, experiences), but for things like clothes/technology/home goods, it can help you save some $$$

you don’t have to do something if it makes you unhappy. sure, there are times that you have to suck it up and power through, but 99% of the time you have to option to say no and get outta there. 

be kind. seriously you hear it a lot but it is so important. 

List of most effective books for learning Russian.

0.

Learn Russian for Everyday Life: The Big Audiobook Collection for Beginners

Do you want to learn Russian the fast, fun and easy way?

Then this huge audiobook compilation is for you.

Learn Russian for Everyday Life: The Big Audiobook Collection for Beginners is for people who want to finally speak and use real-life Russian.

You learn the must-know conversational phrases, questions, answers, social media phrases, and how to talk about your everyday life in Russian. All words and phrases were hand-picked by our team of Russian teachers and experts. By the end of this audiobook compilation, you will be able to….

1. Communicate in Russian on social media

2. Master common greetings

3. Have basic conversations with locals

3. Talk about your daily routine - from morning to night

4. Order food at restaurants

5. Ask for directions

And much more….

With this audiobook compilation, you get:

Audiobooks inside: Must-Know Russian Social Media Phrases, Top 400 Activities: Daily Routines in Russian, and 3-Minute Russian

+ 60 audio lessons in total

+ 5 hours in total

+ 319-page PDF so you can read along

+ Two bonus conversation cheat sheets

Get Learn Russian for Everyday Life

1. The New Penguin Russian Course: A Complete Course for Beginners

This is the best book for learning Russian from scratch without teachers or classes even you know absolutely nothing about Russian.

PROS

1. A solid understanding of Russian grammar.

2. A vocabulary of some of the most useful words in the Russian language.

3. The logical and straightforward methodology with no spoonfeeding or watered-down grammar lessons accompanied by cutesy cartoon pictures.

4. In each lesson, you would first memorize a list of new vocabulary words.

5. You would study several concise grammar principles which were clearly explained.

6. You would examine a brief Russian text which incorporated the new vocabulary and applied the new grammar principles which you had just learned in the lesson.

7. You would translate an English text into Russian to test yourself on the new vocabulary and grammar.

8. A key which showed the correct translation of the English text into Russian, so you could check yourself.

9. The numerous additional Russian texts and conversations so that you can see how the vocabulary is used in context.

10. The answer keys at the back of the book show the Russian-English translation as well as the English-Russian translation of the exercises.

11. The translation exercises at the end of each lesson and their corresponding answer keys at the back of the book. Translation is probably the best way to test whether or not you really understand the grammar and vocabulary taught in the lessons, and this book gives you plenty of opportunities to test yourself in this manner.

12. it’s small enough to carry anywhere, unlike those bulky Russian 101 textbooks used in college classes which use a slow, watered-down, almost infantile approach to teaching the language. If you want to learn Russian, buy this book and work through the lessons.

CONS

The only major drawback is that you’ll never really learn proper pronunciation without listening to native Russians speak the language (in this case join our chat with native Russians), and this book doesn’t have tapes to accompany it. Other than that, however, you won’t find a better book for beginners who want to learn Russian.

Get "The New Penguin Russian Course" Now!

2.

Russian Learners’ Dictionary: 10,000 Russian Words in Frequency Order

Many people study languages and in the process learn many words they may not actually need. Any serious student of language will find such a reference most valuable.

PROS

This book literally lists the most frequently used words in order of occurance in normal conversation and writing.

It is perhaps wise to note that language is a dynamic beastie and words may shuffle in frequency of use, even inviting new words into the process.

It is a work built upon past efforts to document usage patterns, expanded to include more than simply what you would need to pass a scholastic requirement.

CONS

But remember, this is a list, not a text book.

There are examples of usage offered (for the first 600 words) as well as tenses, but no detailed explanations of application.

Get "Russian Learners' Dictionary: 10,000 Russian Words in Frequency Order" Now!

3.

Russian Complete CourseBook. Living Language

.

Complete Russian: The Basics (Book and CD Set): Includes Coursebook, 4 Audio CDs, and Learner’s Dictionary (Complete Basic Courses)

PROS

The most initial rate of Russian in a line of rates of the largest American publishing house LIVING LANGUAGE.

He will help to learn to speak, read and write in Russian, will lay the foundation on which you can enhance the knowledge further.

The modern rate “Russian without problems” is based on an effective method which since 1960 is used for training in diplomatic academy of the USA. In the first fourteen chapters the most important and basic elements for beginners are selected to learn Russian.

If you are able to devote to a rate of only 30 minutes in day, then in several weeks you will be able already to learn to speak on primary subjects and to understand written … The method of natural training is the basis for a rate, that is we will begin with studying of sounds, then phrases and separate words and then offers.

And to repeat everything that you need – to listen to an audio recording after the announcer for whom Russian is native. Listen, you speak, plunge into language.

This full course covers all aspects of language – skills of oral speech, the letter and grammar.

In the book you will find the translation into English of all texts of an audio recording and short explanations in each lesson.

The first five lessons belong to an explanation of rules of a pronunciation that is a basis for studying of new words, phrases and grammar.

If you already studied earlier Russian that can use the book for repeating and as the reference book on grammar, is tables of irregular verbs and the reference book on correspondence here.

Get now! "Complete Russian Basic Course"

4.

ELI Picture Dictionary Russian \ Иллюстрированный словарь “Русский язык”. Джой Оливер, Альфредо Бразиоли

The interesting, cheerful and entertaining illustrated thematic dictionary will be your faithful assistant in studying of Russian.

* more than 1000 words

* 43 illustrated themed pages that introduce well known topics such as home, family, school and work, as well as up-to-date and specific topics like the environment and astronomy.

* Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs and pretexts.

* The glossary lists more than 1000 words alphabetically and cross-referenced to the relevant themed page.

5.

Русский язык как иностранный (начальный курс). Меренкова Л.А., Ярось Л.Б.

The benefit contains pourochno the distributed language and speech material.

Illustrations, photos, drawings, schemes, tables.

the system of exercises directed to step-by-step forming at students of speech skills and abilities are widely provided.

The edition acquaints students with sound system of Russian, with the main types of intonational designs.

Grammatical material is presented in the form of typical and communicative and significant speech samples.

6.

Русский язык - мой друг (базовый уровень). Шустикова Т.В., Кулакова В.А.

The textbook is calculated on 300-350 hours and consists of an introduction fonetiko-grammatical course in which letters, sounds, an accent and intonation of Russian, and a basic course in detail are considered.

The first part of a basic course is devoted to studying of prepositional and case system of singular of nouns, adjectives, pronouns and numerals; aspectual-temporal system of the Russian verb.

In the second part plural of nouns, adjectives, pronouns and numerals is studied.

The textbook is universal – in is mute data of the comparative analysis of Russian and native language of pupils aren’t considered.

Independent work on the Internet with use of the websites corresponding to the studied lexical and grammatical subject is offered to pupils.

7.

Русский язык в картинках. Геркан И.К.

In the collection lexicon, limited, urgent for the initial stage of training, corresponding to subjects is used:

family, room, audience, dining room, polyclinic, city, nature.

The book lights the following sections:

- inducement of nouns in singular (one-two values for each case),

- plural nouns in the Nominative case,

- verbs in this and past tense,

- verbal aspects,

- adjectives in the Nominative case,

- some elementary types of compound sentences.

8.

Здравствуйте! Учебное пособие для курсов русского языка. Иванова Т., Федотова Н., Феоклистова В.

The benefit is intended for the foreigners having elementary preparation on Russian and learning Russian on short-term rates.

The benefit purpose - activization of language knowledge and enhancement of skills of oral informal conversation.

The benefit is expected 100 - 160 class periods (depending on terms of training and level of training of foreign pupils).

9.

Illustrated Russian Grammar by Goutta Snetkov

llustrated Russian Grammar.

Covers all the key points of elementary Russian grammar.

Infographics and illustrations in the book produce visually engaging explanations.

Practice exercises.

Comprehensive table of regular and irregular Russian verbs.

Can be used for self-study or as a supplement to any textbook.

10.

English Grammar for Students of Russian

A great book which teaches you how English grammar works so that you can understand Russian grammar!

PROS

You get knowledge about:

Parts of speech — how to identify English and Russian nouns, verbs, adjectives, prepositions and etc.

Functions of words — how to identify English and Russian subjects, direct and indirect objects and etc.

Grammatical terms — explanation of conjugation, case, declension, agreement  and etc.

Step-by-step analysis of examples — how to get from an English structure to an equivalent Russian structure.

Each chapter of the book covers one grammar point.

In English

Grammar explained as it relates to English, anticipating concepts necessary for Russian.

In Russian

Grammar explained as it relates to Russian.

Examples with explanations of the rules applied.

Possible pitfalls for English speakers.

11.

Грамматика русского языка в упражнениях и комментариях (Морфология+Синтаксис). Глазунова О.

Part 1.

The collection of exercises including the most important sections of practical grammar, and also the theoretical material necessary for their accomplishment.

Tasks are constructed on the basis of the most frequency designs of informal conversation.

The attention is paid to the contextual and style use of language units.

The exercises, most difficult for accomplishment, are supplied with keys.

For average and advanced grade levels, and also for preparation for delivery of TRKI-2 (the humanities and journalism), TRKI-3.

Part 2.

The second part of benefit “Russian grammar in exercises and comments. Morphology” O. I. Glazunova.

The specially formulated exercises provided in the collection will help pupils to understand how they are based in Russian of the phrase and offer what methods exist for expression of the main and minor members and what it is necessary to pay attention in case of the use of synonymous pretexts, the unions and connective words to.

The abundance of comments gives the chance to use the collection not only under the leadership of the teacher, but also for independent work of pupils.

There are keys and index.

12.

Russian-English Bilingual Visual Dictionary

Russian-English Bilingual Visual Dictionary of DK’s bestselling series makes language learning accessible by using photographs to put the everyday vocabulary of the modern world into context.

A thematic organization of more than 10,000 fully illustrated terms labeled in both Russian and English and comprehensive two-way indexes put the perfect translation at your fingertips.

Additional feature panels include abstract nouns and verbs, as well as useful phrases that you can use in conversation once you are feeling more confident.

Russian-English Bilingual Visual Dictionary is a colorful and stimulating learning resource ideal for all levels, whether you are a student, teacher, tourist, or business traveler.

Now fully updated with new text, images, and a bold new look.

13.

750 Russian Verbs and Their Uses

Verbs–the key to a living language.

750 Russian Verbs and Their Uses gives you the key to a living language–verbs in context.

Verbs give speech power and movement.

Russian verbs have subtleties that usually can be appreciated only after years of study and conversation with native speakers.

750 Russian Verbs and Their Uses gives you all the correct variations and adds immediately to your command of the language.

Correct usages are illustrated in common phrases and idioms, and close attention is paid to verb aspect–a special concern to students of Russian.

Perfect for students or for businesspeople who are working to develop one of the world’s most exciting commercial markets, here is the book that will help you understand and express yourself in an important and intricate tongue.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ISSA R. ZAUBER, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in linguistics from Leningrad State University. She is currently a senior lecturer in the Department of Slavic Studies at the University of Chicago. Series Editors: Jan R. Zamir, Ph.D., and Sonia N. Zamir, M.A.

14.

The Big Silver Book of Russian Verbs: 555 Fully Conjugated Verbs (Big Book of Verbs Series)

The Big Silver Book of Russian Verbs is the most comprehensive resource available for learning and mastering Russian verbs. Designed for beginning through advanced learners, this indispensable guide will help you conjugate verbs with ease, enabling you to communicate in Russian confidently.

555 fully conjugated verbs, listed alphabetically.

Current idioms and expressions for each verb.

The Top 50 verbs, with many examples of their usage in context.

More than 4,200 verbs cross-referenced to conjugation models.

A handy guide to deciphering irregular verb forms.

15.

Colloquial Russian: The Complete Course For Beginners

Combining a user-friendly approach with a thorough treatment of the language, it equips learners with the essential skills needed to communicate confidently and effectively in Russian in a broad range of situations.

Progressive coverage of speaking, listening, reading and writing skills

Structured, jargon-free explanations of grammar

An extensive range of focused and stimulating exercises

Realistic and entertaining dialogues covering a broad variety of scenarios

Useful vocabulary lists throughout the text

Additional resources available at the back of the book, including a full answer key, a grammar summary and bilingual glossaries

Balanced, comprehensive and rewarding, Colloquial Russian will be an indispensable resource both for independent learners and students taking courses in Russian.

Welcome to #DeStressMonday ♥ via @theoneproject-co

Learn how photography can help with anxiety: www.theoneproject.co

home made vanilla chai tea latte 🍶

ingredients: 

two black tea bags

cinnamon stick (or ground cinnamon) 

nutmeg

ginger

four black peppercorns 

all spice

cloves

vanilla extract 

brown sugar

milk

instructions: 

put the tea bags and the spices in a heatproof mug or glass (the bigger the better)  (i use a 32 oz. mug soooo) 

boil water 

pour hot water over the mixture 

let sit and steep for 5 minutes or longer 

strain the tea into another mug 

add brown sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to taste

enjoy! 

@cinnamon-studying i finally did it!! next up…cinnamon rolls