I feel that in the studyblr community nobody actively talks about the study environment some of us have, so shoutout to those students that:
• live with their parents (not everyone goes to college/uni where they have dorms, and even then, not everyone can afford it)
• have to deal with parents/family members constantly arguing in the background
• work / have to worry heavily about just getting by (paying rent, groceries, medication)
• need loud music to study and drown outside noises
• can not "study prettily" at coffee shops
• take care of other family members, and thus have to be ready to drop whaterever they are doing to assist them at any time
• can not concentrate or get "in the zone" no matter what they do
• do not have a personal computer/tablet
• do not have a room of their own
• are neurodivergent and the advice of most study masterpost/tips is not applicable.
You are valid, you are seen, you are not alone. If nobody has told you already: if you are trying the best you can then the best you can is good enough.
Hamilton: An American Musical portrays the founding fathers in a far more positive light than they deserve and neglects to mention the horrific impact these men had on both African Americans as a collective and the individual Black people they interacted with and portrays America through rose-tinted glasses
AND
Hamilton : An American Musical was instrumental in igniting a new wave of musical appreciation and modern musicals that sparked a generation's interest in history while also giving recognition and roles to incredible Actors and Actresses of color and is a musical masterpiece
Are opinions that can and should coexist. It's okay to be critical of the things you consume. It's encouraged even.
despite what capitalist society tells us, success is so much more than financial & academic. success is helping people. success is making people happy. success is going to bed with a smile on your face. success is love. success is the bonds we form with other people. there is so much more succeeding than money and academia. you’re not a failure just because you don’t make six figures or have a degree from harvard or oxford. there is so much more to life than what we are told.
If anyone ever thinks that nobody will remember you or miss you if you die:
Today I read about a 17 year old girl who died recently. I didnt recognise her name, but I recognise her face.
I used to work at Subway, and I remember her. She would come in every Friday with her friends and order a tuna sandwich, double cheese and toasted. I knew her order off by heart because it was all she ever ordered, and she would always be very polite. I never knew her name until today.
I haven't seen her since I quit working there, 3 years ago. But I remember her and I remember her voice and her order and how polite she was and how I was always jealous of her hair. Now she will never order another 6 inch tuna sub and that is really upsetting me.
Somebody will miss you. Someone will remember you. The cashier at your local shop. The woman who always likes seeing you walk your dog. Your next door neighbours. A fellow school pupil who always admires your makeup or your hair. You will be missed.
A lil graphic set about study theory! I kind of just made up these terms “inflow” and “outflow”, but the principles behind them are not new. I’m not an expert at any of this, just someone who makes occasional observations 😊
Wishing everyone good luck on their exams and finals! Let’s all get through this semester and the rest of the year.
I forgot to take my notifications off my phone for my exams and received the first one last night. It was quite sad to see the time marked that would have been the beginning of the end of my 2 years. I decided to sit back and enjoy my gorgeous tea made by my lovely mum and remember that it didn't all count for nothing anyway. In the end it will be my hard work that decides my grades and I'm glad I put the effort in regardless.
Being in Y13 means that my A-Level studies are now completely over, as are all of my formal qualifications until university begins. In terms of what that means for this blog is that (for a few months) things are going to slow down.
On a personal level, though, it's really, really strange.
I've never felt so strange as I have when packing away my A-Level work before my exams were even set to take place. Its been really emotional for me, as I invest myself so much into what I study, as I know it has been for many people. Remember to look after yourself if you still have studies or if you don't, and keep talking to and messaging friends. They are going through the same thing you are right now, and need all the support that you can give them, but don't be afraid to recieve the support they offer to you too.
This is a picture from a sunset that I took a little while ago. Going for walks and getting out of my own headspace has been one of the few things keeping me grounded and active during these times, but I know that for many that is just not an option. If you are shielding, don't be afraid to reach out. If you know someone who is shielding, reach out to them.
Mental health will suffer during this time, but there are things we can do to help. You could do that thing you really wanted to do, learn that language, or finish that knitting project. But remember, I'm proud of you if even got out of bed today.
I've just died my hair, and I couldn't be happier with the colour 😊
As for how I'm keeping going during lockdown?
I'm doing bits of Italian, though I'm very much still on the basics. I'm also reading, no surprise. The Hobbit and Dorian Gray are my current reads. Also, I am lucky enough to have a garden to keep going.
So, I realise now that I haven't posted in almost two weeks.
So here's what's happened since:
I have completed all college work for my a-levels, I now have to wait to see what happens with my results.
I have started learning Italian, and I am also thinking of picking German up again
There's a fire at the end of my street that is the most interesting thing to have happened in months around here (we live in a quiet neighbourhood) but now the power has gone out and everyone's alarms are going off
I am thankful that I have a garden during quarantine because it gives me some time outdoors
How is it going for everyone else? Do you have work from uni or school to keep going with? Have your classes moved online? Or have you turned to something else to keep your brain working?