i was sick of all the "how to journal" content out there recycling the same advice that sounds great but doesn't always work in the reality of daily life. you're welcome 😏 (also low-key a shitpost, but there are nuggets of wisdom in here, i promise 😇)
✍️ what to journal about ✍️
sure, you could journal about self development and treat your diary like your therapist, OR you could write about:
the pettiest grudge you're still holding onto from elementary school 😤
all the gossip about other people's lives that you have Strong Opinions™️ about, but you're a good person, so what goes in the journal, stays in the journal 🤫
all the witty comebacks you never say to people's faces because you're a sensible, non-confrontational person, but also you didn't think of it until later 🙃
the possibilities are endless, let your imagination run wild, and/or feel free to contact the blogger for more 🤭
🚫 when NOT to journal 🚫
this is just as, if not more, important as when to journal.
nothing to say — forget morning pages, i can barely string together a coherent greeting before lunch. also, a whole night's sleep is like a total memory wipe, so i have nothing to write about 🤷♀️ and don't listen to whoever says to just write "i have nothing to write about" because if you start enough entries with that, you're gonna begin to feel there's no point BUT THERE IS!! just not right now. and that's okay ☺️
too often — personally, i think it's important not to make journaling your one source of clarity 🔮 continue to think things through in your mind, confide in people you trust, and have moments (in nature, perhaps) that simply can't be transcribed to words 🌼
not feeling it — if you're too tired OR feel fulfilled and clear-headed enough about your day, don't make journaling a chore you have to do no matter what. if that means you don't journal everyday, then so be it 🌝
so when do you journal? in general, when doing so would add something to your day ☀️ whether that's peace, humor, gratitude, or something else.
🎁 materials 🎁
now for the fun part: let's go to the stationery store! 🛒
✒️ GET A PEN THAT WRITES SMOOTHLY! you are literally lowering the physical resistance that's keeping you from journaling, trust me it works. also pencils suck.
🔐 get a journal with a band, lock, clasp, button, etc. — just because it's fun, but it has the added benefit of securing your intellectual property(?)
have a separate journal for writing thoughts vs. schedules vs. todos vs. collections (TBR lists, recipes, etc.) — beats having to make and maintain a whole index to keep it all organized in just one (1) notebook 😵💫
🌸 stickers — are a pretty substitute for correction pens 😻 (in theory, but i have yet to use all the washi tape i bought 😅)
or just journal digitally, idgaf, do what works for you, okay? 😇
portrait of a law student in her last semester (2024). sorry for the radio silence! i'm around but tbh i don't have any pictures of me studying because i haven't been studying. i just got back from spring break so expect pics from london soon !! :~)
also pictured: my new journal from london! i finished my cat one (featured here) in three months - a record time! (it's probably because i've been losing my mind for the past three months and have been furiously journaling my feelings every single day.....)
I’m baaack from my spring break and I’m already exhausted. The spring break itself was good and restful but the amount of homework that is due various days this week drives me crazy 🫠
• Financial management homework done ✔️ (it was long as damn hell and consisted of pure calculations)
• Physics pre-class module viewed and pre class assignment done ✔️
• Physics pre-lab done. ✔️ We have one of this “design your own experiment” labs tomorrow, and it is the first time I look at the requirements and have no idea where even to start. But that is a tomorrow problem.
I also had a meeting with my advisor today to revise my schedule for the next semester and wrote several emails to figure out an issue with one of my courses.
And I had a 30 minutes exercise time. (I’m kinda trying to establish a fitness routine and do some exercising every day).
That’s all for today. I can’t say that I anticipate tomorrow but not like I have a choice.
i'm an nineteen year old italian student (architecture major). english is not my first language so be kind and correct any grammar/lexical/whatever mistake you find! my pronouns are she/her, my zodiac sign is scorpio and my mbti is INFJ. I love studying, reading and watching movies.
i sincerely hope that this blog is gonna help me find a balance between mental and physical health and school. i know that i'm not the only person in the world feeling that way, so feel free to contact me in private messages and tell me your stories!
i'm gonna post quotes, study motivation, thoughts, study tips and my personal emotional outbursts.
Understanding study material 📚 Effective strategies 🤔
Here are some research-backed tips to help you navigate difficulties in understanding study material effectively 💪🏼
1️⃣ Break down complex concepts
Research suggests that breaking down complex concepts into smaller, more digestible parts can aid in understanding. Divide the material into manageable sections and focus on understanding each component before moving on to the next.
2️⃣ Engage in active learning
Active learning techniques, such as summarizing, teaching others, and practicing with flashcards, can improve understanding and retention. Engage actively with the material by explaining it to a study partner or testing yourself with practice questions.
3️⃣ Seek clarification
Don't hesitate to seek clarification from your instructors, peers, or online resources when you encounter difficulties. Research indicates that asking questions and seeking feedback can enhance understanding and fill in knowledge gaps.
4️⃣ Utilize visual aids
Visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, and graphs, can help simplify complex information and improve comprehension. Create visual representations of the material or use existing visual resources to enhance your understanding of challenging concepts.
5️⃣ Connect new material to prior knowledge
Research in cognitive psychology emphasizes the importance of connecting new information to existing knowledge for better understanding. Relate new concepts to familiar ideas or experiences to establish meaningful connections and improve retention.
6️⃣ Practice retrieval techniques
Research studies suggest that practicing retrieval techniques, such as self-testing and quizzing, can strengthen memory and understanding. Test yourself regularly on the material to reinforce learning and identify areas that require further review.
7️⃣ Collaborate with peers
Collaborative learning has been shown to enhance understanding and retention of study material. Engage in group study sessions with peers to discuss challenging concepts, share insights, and benefit from diverse perspectives.
8️⃣ Take breaks and manage stress
Take regular breaks during study sessions, practice relaxation techniques, and prioritize self-care to manage stress levels and optimize your cognitive performance. Read posts about mental and physical health to find more useful information.
🛋️ lazy girl diaries // homebody in her natural habitat 🦥
the homebody series 🏡 continues~
今天很好玩了天。我吃了草莓 🍓 我爱这个水果。我的语手艺慢慢更好。而且我的手写不好,所以我要练习和我终于有时间了!(today was a fun day. i ate strawberries 🍓 i love this fruit. my language skills are slowly getting better. also my handwriting is not good, so i need practice and i finally had time!)
❤️ "meditate" but it's 승관의 민들레
🥰🥰 physiotherapy exercises + full body workout
🎧 Spy x Family (Japanese input)
🎧 When I Fly Towards You (Chinese input)
📝📝📝 Japanese lesson + Chinese lessons
✍️ Chinese handwriting drills
✍️ Hiragana handwriting drills
🎧 Japanese word choice point
🎧 Seventeen's One Fine Day (Korean input)
❤️ journal in Korean
💌: 이렇께, 다음 주에 준비했습니다 (like this, i prepared for next week) 😌
london stationery haul for my stationery freaks !!! i went a little crazy with stationery on this trip but to my defense, it was all funded by my state tax return hehe... these are the various things i got, which i linked:
yellow hard shell charger case from London Graphic Centre
special edition totebag from London Review of Books
gallimard journal from Choosing Keeping
brass hand clip from Choosing Keeping (honestly my fave purchase on this trip !!)
vintage bus blind journal from Choosing Keeping
kaweco perkeo fountain pen and inks from Present & Correct
grid flatlay book from Present & Correct
the epicurean notebook from Magma London
i also visited Smythson of Bond Street and Mount Street Printers but they were out of my budget. beautiful places to get luxury stationery goods!