aksolotlove

[aksolotlove]

Hi again! It’s been awhile since I’ve done one of these and I’ve missed talking with you guys on a more collective level. So, here’s another studyblr challenge so that I can feel like I’m virtually hanging out with all of you!

Rules and Information:

This challenge will last for 29 days, and while they can be answered at any time I wanted to start the challenge on June 16th, 2022. That would mean it would end on July 14th, 2022, or 29 days from the start date.

I want to track the tag “#tranquilsummerbuddies” since this is taking place during the summer! That way I can reblog your guys’s posts and track what everyone is up to.

Don’t feel any pressure to start exactly on that date or post every day, however. I usually post catch-up posts instead of posting every day, but it’s really up to you. It’s meant to be fun so do whatever will make it more fun for you!

I’ll make a tag list that will be posted separately. If you reblog this I usually take that as you showing interest and I’ll add you to the tag list. However, if you want to be added or removed from the tag list you can always send me an ask!

If you have any questions, send me an ask!

Questions are under the cut!

Keep reading

[aksolotlove]

How to read unnecessarily long papers by stuffy academics

As a cognitive neuroscience major, I read a lot of lengthy academic papers. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from having done so many damn readings, it’s that you don’t actually need to read every single word in the paper to understand it. A lot of times, the author will repeat themselves over and over, or offer evidence/explanations that aren’t essential to understanding their argument. Instead, I recommend using the first/last method, which is essentially a guideline to what you should read in order to understand the main gist of an academic paper. 

Any academic paper consists of three structural units: the paper as a whole, the sections/subsections that make up the paper, and the paragraphs that make up each section. The paper as a whole typically follows a certain form: intro/abstract, main argument separated into sections, conclusion. The sections cover one facet of the main argument. The paragraphs provide specific details or explanations for the topic currently under discussion.

The first/last method is exactly what it says on the tin: you only need to read the first and last bit of every structural unit. This means you will read the following as they are presented in the paper: 

abstract, intro, and conclusion

definition of terms, if provided

first and last paragraph of each middle section

first and last 1-2 sentences of each paragraph

The main argument is typically summarized in the intro/abstract, conclusion, or both. The main claim of each section is usually presented in the first paragraph, and the conclusion of the section typically expresses the implications of that claim. Finally, paragraphs will usually start with some kind of topic sentence and end with a conclusion. By reading only these things, you’ll pick up at least 70% of the meaning of the paper, and you’ll save yourself a lot of time and frustration. 

If you’d like to bump that comprehension up to 95%, I recommend skimming the paper for italics, lists, and descriptions/summaries of other arguments and reading those things when you encounter them in addition to the things mentioned above. The key to this is to skim for certain cues, and not read every single word. Italics serve as a visual cue, lists are cued by indicators like “first”/”second” or “1)”/”2)”, and summaries of other arguments are typically indicated by copious citations or usage of another author’s name.

This method helped me get through a 26-page reading in a little over an hour with around 95% comprehension of the author’s argument. Hopefully it’ll help you in your studies as well.

[aksolotlove]

[aksolotlove]

‘eat the frog' method

Hi all, it’s werelivingarts. I just stumbled across this method called ‘eat the frog’, which means you get the most difficult or important task out of your way first. I actually have been using this method for a long time, hope this post gives you a new way of managing your time and productivity! 😜

“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” – Mark Twain 

[aksolotlove]

Zoomester Studyblr Challenge

Hi! I’m not a big creator on here but I always see Studyblr Challenges and I try my best to always take part (even tho i fail halfway) but this is my last semester at uni and I wanted to do a little something something. 

Info

This challenge is starting on March 1st and contains 31 prompts (one per day of the month) but feel free to take part at any given time! 

I initially aimed this challenge for all my struggling last semester/grad school/ thesis writing people BUT honestly, whatever your grade, this zoomester is crazy as it is.

If you do the challenge, use the tag #zoomester studyblr challenge so that it is easier for me to track posts and that way other people can also track and reblog!

Aims

This is lowkey my way of getting to know some more of you beautiful hardworking people.

Times are still hard so perhaps participating and getting to know people from the tags can be comforting for some people.

It really doesn’t matter if you’re new to the studyblr community or have been on here for a while and would like a safe space to insert yourself, here it is. 

Rules

If you want to do this challenge, please reblog this post

There are daily prompts for 31 days but challenges should not be a burden to the way you post so you can post as frequently as you like/are able to.

Please be respectful. If some of the prompts ask for personal insights please have in mind that everyone has had different experiences and POVs.

Prompts

Day 1- Introduce yourself! What’s some basic info you’d like to share about yourself? Also! What are you studying? (If you’re in college, what’s your major? which semester are you in?)

Day 2- If you’ve chosen a major, why did you decide on it? If you’re in any other grade , what field/major interests you the most?

Day 3- Have you done a challenge before? If so, how was it? If not, what are you expecting to get out of this experience?

Day 4- For my researching fellows, what are you researching on? If you’re not currently researching, what is the topic within your field that you’re most passionate about?

Day 5- Tag 3 studyblrs that you like seeing on your dashboard.

Day 6- Quickly! tag urself! 

five am. ice cold water. watching the sunrise. healthy smoothies. skincare. reads often. friends with everyone.

ten am. iced coffees. always in a hurry. golden hour aesthetic. remembers the little details. loves old movies.

midday. mom jeans. picnic dates. thrift-shopping. pinterest. low-key insecure. obssessed with photography.

three pm. the color yellow. walks everywhere barefoot. oversized t-shirts. can make anyone laugh. a bit crazy.

five pm. warm smiles. classy. aesthetic instagram feed. anklets. soft music. yoga. face masks.

eight pm.  netflix. cuddles warm sheets. indoors life. loves singing but can’t. sweats. never sleeps.

midnight. driving at night. flirty. neon lights. wears a lot of read. neon lights. big sunglasses. karaoke.

three am. tired eyes. small sketchbooks. pressed flowers. stargazing from the window. 

Day 7-  Some of your music faves right now (let’s say up to 5)

Day 8- International Women’s Day! What’s your take on feminism?

Day 9- Write something that you’d like to tell yourself.

Day 10- Tag someone whose aesthetic you love seeing on your feed.

Day 11- What’s something that you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t got the chance to do so?

Day 12- Are you more into plant or flowers? What’s your fave type?

Day 13- Tell us the most eye-opening book you’ve read.

Day 14-  What are some of the reasons you love yourself/should love yourself?

Day 15- Tag someone who you think would get along just right with you.

Day 16- What’s you go-to coffee/tea/beverage order?

Day 17- Share with us your feel good playlist.

Day 18- Tag someone who’s blog you constantly check.

Day 19- Tell us about your online experience (is it sometimes overwhelming? Do you feel like its a great way to get in touch with people? What’s something that you love seeing on here?)

Day 20- What are three things that inspire you?

Day 21- Share a quote that speaks to you.

Day 22- What’s your comfort food/ comfort routine for sad days?

Day 23- What’s some random miscellaneous piece of information that you just happen to know?

Day 24- Share with us your favorite word (it can be in any language)

Day 25- Tag someone who has great text posts 

Day 26- What has been your best zoomester experience so far?

Day 27- If you’re about to graduate, what’s something that you’ll miss from school? If you aren’t about to graduate, tell us something you really love about school.

Day 28- Spill the tea about the things that you’ve done during the zoomester (Online shopping, courses taken, any hobby)

Day 29- Quick! Name your own aesthetic! or alternatively, what’s an aesthetic you’d like to try out?

Day 30- What’s the best advice someone has given you? 

Day 31-  Send three people some uplifting messages!

TAGLIST

@myhoneststudyblr @gammastudies @studywithsab @productivebuddy @studyambitiouss @hopebooks @coffeambition @diaryofastemstudent @theologei @study-in-cafes @heyeducateyourself @cofitee @verypolish-studyblr @studycris @future-engr @studydiaryofamedstudent @coffee-catz @illya-studies  @problematicprocrastinator @fiercelittlestudyblr @serendistudy @bulletnotestudies @study-van @bright-goals​ @notebookist​

[aksolotlove]

As a person living with GAD for several years, I understand that anxiety can sometimes make studying seem like a daunting task. It can be discouraging when brain fog or ruminating thoughts don’t let you concentrate on your school work, so here are some tips to help you deal with it:

1. Take care of your basic needs

Have you been drinking enough water? Have you eaten properly? Have you taken your meds and supplements? Not having your basic needs met can make your anxiety symptoms worse. Also, it has been proven that even mild dehydration can impair mood and cognitive function (x,x). Aim to drink around 2 liters / half a gallon of water each day, eat a balanced diet, rich in vegetables and fruits, and try to limit caffeine intake, as it interferes with sleep and may worsen your anxiety.

2. Don’t leave it to the last minute

Sometimes the course material seems so extensive that you seem to not know where to start. You may be tempted to leave studying for another day, but procrastinating can only offer short term relief. In the long run, the material is just going to keep pilling up, and leaving everything to the last minute only causes more stress. Start early and start small. Aim to study a bit every day. If you like to use the pomodoro technique, try completing 1 or 2 pomodoros each day.

Pomodoro technique 101 by @werelivingarts​ here

3. Try mindfulness

By focusing your attention on the present moment, mindfulness can counteract rumination and worrying. That helps you reduce anxiety and it can be easier to focus on a present task. Mindfulness takes practice, but at the same time any activity, like eating, walking, or listening to music, can become mindful by focusing on the present moment.

If you want to give mindfulness a try, here are some free apps you can start with:

Smiling Mind iOS | Android Medito iOS | Android UCLA Mindful iOS | Android Healthy Minds iOS | Android Plum Village iOS | Android

4. Talk to someone

Talking to friends and family about your symptoms can sometimes help to better manage them, but if you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you’re close with, talking to someone on campus may be a good alternative.

Many colleges offer resources to help students deal with anxiety and stress. Check around your campus for resources like academic advising, peer counseling, and an on campus mental health provider.

More resources:

Tricks from Therapists on How to Deal with Anxiety

10 Ways to Reduce College Stress

Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget

Exam Confidence

moodgym - Online self-help

MyCompass - Online self-help

[aksolotlove]

It’s Intro Time Baby

Hi. It’s me. :) I should’ve done this intro when I first started on here, but since I changed the look of my blog, I figured now would be the best time to do so!

Fun things about me:

My name’s sophia. If you’ve been on my blog before and are for some reason on it again currently reading this, then you might know that I called myself something else before, and the reasoning behind that was/sort of still is my inherent distrust of the internet and fear that someone will track me down irl and wear my skin as a suit. lmao. However, I’ve now decided that I have zero fucks left to give, and also my name is extremely common, so. Hi. I’m sophia.

In case you couldn’t already tell from my username, I’m a scorpio. Yes, this is my only personality trait.

I use she/her pronouns irl, but gender is a societal construct anyways so refer to me however you would like.

Ever since quarantine began my mbti type has been INFP, but before that it was INFJ. I don’t know what that says about me. Maybe it’s the extreme lack of social interaction getting to me, but anyways! I don’t really put too much stock in MBTI (or astrology for that matter), but I find it fun and interesting so here we are.

If I had to compare myself to one character from death note, it would be mello. Take from that what you will.

Studyblr things: My favorite subjects are probably english, biology, psychology, and philosophy. I’m currently taking 6 AP classes and yes, I regret everything. Idk for sure what I want to do in college yet, but I’ve been thinking about biology.

Writeblr things: Indeed, I do write. Not as consistently as I would like, but we’re working on it. I’m a big fan of horror, literary fiction, mystery, and thrillers. Also fanfiction. Remember kids, just like “real” fiction, fanfiction consists of both really bad works and really good ones! So don’t knock it till you try it.

WhateverIwantblr things: I’ll also scream about anime and books and other current obsessions on here as well. Prepare yourself.

If you actually read through this whole thing, I thank you. I would give you a prize but I don’t really have anything in mind so here’s a virtual pat on the head. You’re welcome. ❤️🌸

#hi there!!!

[aksolotlove]

You need motivation to study? Let me introduce you to spiteful studying. When you study a subject to prove someone wrong. When you spend hours writing up notes so that you can get that grade and smile smugly at the teacher who predicted you a lower grade. Find someone to prove wrong, it can be a teacher, a parent, friend or just to prove society that you’re so much more capable then they say you are!

Trust me, it works.

#literally me with chemistry #one of my high school teachers was an asshole that made my anxiety 1000% worse #so now my life goal is to achieve more in academia than he ever did

[aksolotlove]

#my exam prep be like

[aksolotlove]

new tag game: what is your college major and what do people say when you tell them what you’re studying

#neuroscience #people are usually like #oh so you're smart #woow #must be difficult #no sir i am but a humble potato #i don't know what's going on

[aksolotlove]

Sleepover Sunday 💚

Come say hi☺️

Ask me questions

Tell me about your day

Talk to me about school

#my finals start tomorrow and im dying inside #this week we're writing the basic level ones and extended levels are next week #im kind of freaking out tbh

[aksolotlove]

[aksolotlove]

100 Days of Productivity | 2020

Day 3 of 100

10-12th Feb 2020

Finishing some interesting pre-readings, going on even more interesting class field trips (and completing some successful dorm meal prep) has made for a great few days! 

Currently reading: Circe by Madeline Miller (and am loving it!)

Insta @ isthisnametakenyet

Goodreads @ isthisnametakenyet

YouTube @ isthisnametakenyet

[aksolotlove]

03/24/20 ( March 24th 2020)

 Early morning study session (10 am is early)

Very busy so of course I decided to procrastinate by making a latte and studying Herodotus and Plato

Rock the Boat by Hues Corporation  🎧

[aksolotlove]

December 20, 2019 // Solstice Eve

[aksolotlove]

I have been staying in quarantine for three months and I’m getting back to the habit of procrastinating. Now I’m coming back to school and it’s hard to concentrate so above are my tips to get out of procrastination!

[aksolotlove]

Ultimate Studyblr FAQ

TAGS:

studyblr (=smartblr) - study blog

studyspo  (=smartspo) - study inspiration (e.g., quotes, pictures of studying or stationery…)

appblr - university (college) applications blog

archblr - architecture studyblr

artblr - art studyblr

astroblr - astronomy studyblr

bioblr - biology studyblr

businessblr - business studyblr

chemblr - chemistry studyblr

engblr - engineering studyblr

historyblr - history studyblr

langblr - languages studyblr

lawblr - law studyblr

litblr - literature studyblr

mathblr - mathematics studyblr

medblr - medicine studyblr

musicblr - music studyblr

philoblr - philosophy studyblr

physicsblr - physics studyblr

psychblr - psychology studyblr

stemblr - science, technology, engineering, maths studyblr

APPLICATIONS/ EXTENTIONS/ WEBSITES:

(If there’s no price written next to something, that thing is for free)

- Forest  android | iOS ($0.99) | Windows Phone (€0.99) | Chrome | Firefox (FocusNow - a similar free version for iOS)

- Momentum Chrome

- Fliqlo Mac/Windows | iOS ($0.99)

- Habitica website | android

- Duolingo website | android | iOS

- Khan Academy website | youtube | android | iOS

- Cold Turkey (program that blocks websites) website

- Todoist website | android | iOS | Chrome

- Quizlet website | android | iOS

- My Study Life website | android | iOS | Windows Phone | Chrome

- Lanes website | chrome

STATIONERY:

TESTS/ PROGRAMMES/ CERTIFICATES, ETC:

GSCE -  General Certificate of Secondary Education is a two-year programme in a specific subject taken by school students in UK. Students start GCSEs at age 14 in year 10 and then they take the public examinations at age 16 in year 11. A level -  a qualification in a specific subject typically taken by school students aged 16–18 in UK (after GCSEs). A Levels are worked towards over two years and split into two parts, with one part studied in each year:

A1 Level or AS Level - the first part of the A level.

A2 Level - the second part of the A level.

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the USA and Canada, which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. American colleges and universities often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations.

International Baccalaureate (IB) can refer to the international educational foundation, any of the 4 programmes it offers, or the diploma or certificates awarded at the end of the programme.

IELTS -  International English Language Testing System is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.

TOEFL - Test Of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in American universities. Though, it is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions.

ACT - American College Testing is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions in USA. 

SAT -  Scholastic Assessment Test  is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in USA.

EDUCATION STAGES/ DEGREES:

Major - is the academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits in USA and Canada. A student who successfully completes the courses prescribed in an academic major qualifies for an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree.

Double major -  a student who declares two academic majors is said to have a double major.

Undergrad student - a student taking up undergraduate education.  

Undergraduate education - is a level of education between secondary education and a master’s degree. When a student completes an undergraduate education they get a Bachelor’s degree.

Grad student - a student taking up graduate or postgraduate education.

Graduate education - is a level of education taken up after getting a Bachelor’s degree. When a student complete a graduate education they either get a Master’s or Doctorate degrees.

It goes something like this:

Beware, things vary from country to country and from subject to subject.

(Click here for the updated version of this post)