TIPS TO BALANCE STUDIES & WRITING

Well, many of us are students, right? But we’re writers, too - doesn’t matter if we have a book published or not. If you’re here, you have an idea, and you love writing, then you’re a writer <3 and… a student.

I am, too! And I know it is difficult sometimes because you REALLY want to write that novel, but you want to graduate! Yeah, same.

So here are a few tips that might help you with that!

Disclaimer: this is about my personal experience, and just because it works for me doesn’t mean it will work for you. :)

Tips:

• Schedule all of your assignments!!!

“Omg, so obvious…” yes (and no). I often forget to write them down in a calendar. I have all the due dates written in a sheet, but not scheduled, which makes it hard to manage my time.

Scheduling will help you to have an easy overview of everything you have to do for school/college.

• Revise everyday

I’m sorry! But I find this SO important because this way you’re always up-to-date with your studies. It won’t be so hard when you have an exam or quiz approaching, AND it won’t take as much time as it would if you’re 100% lost.

• Prompts, prompts, prompts

Is it overwhelming to keep working on your novel after a long day? Okay, don’t worry, I got you. Search for a nice prompt and write about it. It doesn’t have to be a long story (sometimes less than 1k can work just fine!)

Why do this? So that you keep writing every day.

• Track your time

I knowww this is super boring for some of you, but please, this is life-changing!

I’ve been tracking my activities for more than a year now, and it really helps me to know how long I take to do a certain thing, and how much time I’ve spent on it (in a month, week, etc.)

I recommend an APP called TOGGL TRACK, and recently I’ve discovered ACTIE, which is almost the same, but it is more for you to work on your goals.

• Set goals

Don’t write down “finish a 60K word novel”!!! Such a hugeee mistake. I did that and guess what?! I started losing motivation because the goal was TOO BIG and was taking ages to achieve.

Instead, set goals & routines like these (for example):

- Write 500 words everyday of [novel name];

- Work for 40 minutes on [novel name];

- Finish writing [number] chapters of [novel name];

- Reach 5K words;

- Write [character]’s biography / backstory;

- etc.

I hope you found this helpful! If you have more tips, feel free to add them here.

Also, if you’re interested, check out my blog on WordPress, where I publish my poems and soon will bring more content, such as some tips, resources (pdf sheets, for example), and some other nice things!

Taeil

• okay so
• let me start with taeil
• cute floofy taeil okay
• taeil just gives off these warm brotherly vibes u know???
• like honestly you were b l e s s e d to have moon taeil as ur bro
• ever since childhood he’d just be so naturally protective over you like
• it wouldn’t be overprotectiveness like a certain someone (ty track cOUGH) but it would just be so subtle
• as in if you both would be on the bus he would give you the seat closer to the window and stand up while keeping an eye out for anybody who even tried to touch you the wrong way
• would be the best if you needed help with your homework
• didn’t understand an equation? mOON TAEIL AT YOUR SERVICE
• if u ever brought friends over and he would accidentally walk out with his bed hair, oversized tee and boxers
• happens way too many times is2g
• he’d just stop in his tracks and stare at you all with a blush on his cheeks before whirling around on his heel and walking back to his room without a word
• hES SO AWKWARD ITS PRECIOUS AAA
• he wouldn’t be the type to glare daggers at a guy you brought over
• he’d just stare at him while trying to calm himself down and gulp nervously, eyes shaking like they were in nct life paju during yaja time
• he’d clear his throat so much and ask so many weird questions
• “so how long have you been dating my sibling”
• "around two months?”
• "uhh, that’s great, congratulations”
• he wouldn’t be super aggressive w you than he would be with the other nct members
• but during christmas don’t expect him to be above shoving you outta the way to get to the presents first
• moon taeil is precious protect him

Johnny

• JOHNNY
• MY MAN
• u guys would be sibling goals af ngl
• would always back down in fights cause he hated fighting w u
• always always always ruffles your hair
• can get aggressive sometimes but its okay you get aggressive back
• would be ur no.1 supporter
• have an show at school??? expect him to have front row seats while holding a handycam in his hand, cheering the loudest 4 u
• fundraiser????? he’ll be standing by your booth and persuading everyone to buy your cupcakes cause let’s be real this boy has looks and enough smooth talk to churn butter
• going on a date to a fancy restaurant? it’s johnny’s fashion evaluation
• "wear the red dress we bought two months ago and use the pearl earrings mom gave you for your birthday”
• "what are those heeeeels use the other pair woman!!! ur legs will look better”
• wouldn’t be the overprotective type if you brought a guy/girl over
• would try to get along as well as he could w him/her to make you comfortable
• he always puts you first and makes sure you know that

Taeyong

• lee taeyong!!!
• real sweetheart
• would b so overprotective of u and he wouldn’t even realize
• if u brought a guy over he’d just make up random excuses to tail you around and “supervise”
• cough cough glare at him the whole time
• but halfway through he’d just kinda snap back to reality and realize how he’d been acting
• and just kind of tone it down a little
• ngl your friends would love going over to your house because of him lmao
• you guys would just have that kind of relationship where you just completely understand and count on each other
• like if you had a nightmare you’d just knock on his room door and peek in and he’s writing lyrics with only his desk lamp on
• and he looks up at you with bed hair and home clothes and he sees your face
• you guys don’t even exchange words before he understands you had a nightmare and you just trudge over and flop on his bed and fall asleep there as he continues to write lyrics
• or if he had a particularly stressful day and he’d come home looking like shit
• you’d just bring out the pillows and blankets and lay them out on the sofa with two tubs of ice cream with your favorite flavors
• and he’d just plop down next to you and you’d just listen to him vent
• honestly taeyong wouldn’t even be in the position he was in now if it weren’t for you
• sibling support 100000000%

Yuta

• this boi
• probably made you cry a lot during your childhood lbr
• there’d be times where he’d tease you for your pigtails
• “mooooom yuta’s teasing me again!!!”
• “moooooooooooooooom yuta’s teasing me again!!!!!!!!!!” (yuta’s imitation of your voice)
• but as you both grew up he matured and so did u
• of course there’d still be times where he’d tease you but they’d be more playful and less intense
• “what are you going on, a date? who’s the unlucky guy stupid enough to go on a date with you”
• “funny because the last time i checked he was in that idol group of yours”
• cue yuta choking on his spit
• there’d be times where you’d be cooped up in your room studying for exams
• and he’d knock on your room door licking a stick of ice cream and handing another one to you while asking if you needed a break of a ride to the nearest café/starbucks for a change of scenery
• or times where he’d be in a pissy mood and you made sure to give him space to cool down
• but u do knock on his door and tell him quietly that you have a plate of his favorite food in the microwave
• and he never answers but by the morning the plate would already be washed
• brags abt u a lot to the other members (not that you would know that)
• tbh i honestly think he’d be even more protective than taeyong
• wouldn’t be above threatening your boyfriend if they ever hurt you
• if u ever come home crying he’d go ballistic
• “tELL ME WHO THE HELL I NEED TO BEAT UP ONLY I CAN MAKE MY SISTER CRY”
• secretly a big softie for you no lie

Kun

• the nicest older brother to ever exist
• the most understanding person you’ve ever met
• treats you to food all the time
• never allows you to pay after
• “what kind of older brother would i be if i cant even treat you for a meal??”
• you go to him for advice,, like,, all the time
• a great listener
• went home crying after some school drama? better expect kun already there with some ice cream and blankets ready to listen to your latest emotional rollercoaster
• your parents could always trust him to take care of you if they had dates or had to go out so you never had babysitters
• all your friends wish they had kun as their older brother
• (pretty sure some of them had crushes on him, but i mean,,,, who wouldn’t)
• can be savage if he wants to but only if you poke fun at him
• doesn’t look like it but can be quite playful
• sometimes you’d tease him and he’d just look at you with that done-ass face
• drives you everywhere!!! even accompanies you to the mall or to do some shopping
• actually so touched the first time you bought him a meal with your own money
• “my baby’s growing up…” sniff
• “shut up this is literally a two dollar street snack”
• in his eyes you’re still a little kid
• love older brother kun thanks

Doyoung

• ngl he’d be the type to not know how to act around you when you both were young??
• “what do you want for your christmas present?? what do girls ur age like??? what do children like keep me up to date what are fedgeet speeners”
• only comes out of his room to grab some food
• as you both grew older he’d be more comfortable around you
• before performances he would send you selcas of him to ease his preperformance nerves
• tonsof selcas his gallery would be filled with them tbh
• “whos ur favorite brother”
• “obviously me ahaha who am i kidding”
• “its not gongmyung right”
• “right???”
• “(y/n) pls answer me”
• always remembers to buy you random trinkets from his tours abroad bcs he knows how much u love them
• u always go to him when you need help with your schoolwork or study but always roasts you about your grades
• “what do you mean you don’t understand trigonometry its literally the easiest thing in the book”
• his savage side always shows up whenever u two hang out together
• “oh u like that necklace? buy it urself”
• ends up buying that necklace for u anyway
• showers u with gifts cause he doesn’t know how to show his affection otherwise
• nags u a lot but that’s because he lovs u
• (and bcos ur a mess)
• “you ate dinner right?? im not accepting a ‘yes’ if you ate instant ramyeon”
• “i don’t care if you have finals you are bathing at least once a day ya stinkie”
• “wash those dishes piling up in your sink (y/n) gross”
• be grateful for older brother doyoung keeping you in check

Ten

• oof
• you know he’s thatone bitch
• one of the most annoying™ people you’ve known growing up
• kind of distant to you while you were teens because of how hectic his life is
• still doesn’t exempt his love for teasing you though
• i mean,,, have you seen that one picture of ten casually taking a selfie as his mom scolds his sister right beside him,,, yeah
• probably the type to wake you up saying you were late for school just to record you running around the house like a madman and going out the door just to realize its 4 am on a saturday
• but you grew up watching his antics so you knew what notto do when you got older
• as the both of you shifted to adulthood you got closer
• ended up as you taking care of him and making sure he doesn’t accidentally get in trouble most of the time
• still teases you playfully though
• “no ten the market is this way jesus christ get off your phone”
• “oho so you docare! if you care about me that much why don’t you pay for our meal—”
• “go choke”
• being ten’s sibling automatically makes you friends with johnny no ifs ors buts
• ten brought him along to one of your hangout sessions without telling you beforehand and now he’s just,,, there
• you don’t even bat an eye at him anymore
• or the other members he brings along
• probably tried to set you up with johnny more than once but the both of you have already caught on and are just playing along to amuse him
• automatically makes you good friends with lisa too
• lowkey doesn’t want to introduce bambam to you oops
• is so subtly protective of you but lbr who could get intimidated by his 169 cm ass
• like that time he caught jaemin glancing your way for a tad bit too long and he just gave him the look™
• never likes the guys you hang out with
• “that kind of guy doesn’t deserve you (y/n),,, you need someone gentlemanly, someone nice and tall like johnny-“
• “if you like him that much why don’t you date him instead”
• you may have grown up but in his eyes you’re still that little girl with pigtails he used to pull
• older sibling ten is annoying but you love him anyway

Jaehyun

• jaehyoOons
• growing up with such an attractive brother was both a blessing and a curse
• sure he was attractive and that itself was a plus point but then you had to deal with all the fakies that came at you just to get closer to your dorky older brother
• not to mention the countless times he accompanied you somewhere or picked you up from school and heads would just turn
• it got annoying at times but then you got used to it
• now you just enjoy the perks of having such an attractive brother because honestly, who wouldn’t
• not to mention good lucks are hereditary lucky you ;)))
• good brother,, always follows your parents instructions so if anybody ever got in trouble it was you
• if you were up to mischief and he found out he always covered for you,,, no exceptions even if he didn’t approve of whatever you were doing
• the little sneak got good at lying from all the times he covered for you
• always ALWAYS always there to comfort you whenever you had a bad day or if you were crying
• not necessarily protective but still ready to give a little “warning” to whoever messes with you
• talked to you a lot ever since you were children
• by a lot i mean a lot
• because he’s pretty shy at school when he was younger he makes up for it by discussing alien conspiracy theories with you
• now that he’s opened up more it doesn’t mean that you both don’t enjoy a good conversation about whether or not mars had living beings
• whenever you both had meals together or dinner with the family there wasn’t a moment where he didn’t steal your food
• “food tastes the best when it’s on another person’s plate”
• rly sneaky about it but you always notice
• gets angry at you if you don’t take care of yourself properly
• like the time he ignored all your messages and calls for two whole days cause he found out you consecutively skipped lunch and dinner
• makes sure you have your priorities straight
• older brother! jae is amazing lucky you

Winwin

• whatta weirdo
• ever since you were children he’s always been an oddball
• clings to you wherever you go
• even though he’s older than you sometimes it feels like you’re the older one who has to take care of him
• honestly if it weren’t for you he probably wouldn’t have survived the first 15 years of his life
• not to mention the multiple times you had to guide him whenever you were in malls or in a crowded marketplace just to make sure he doesn’t get lost or distracted
• would fool around with you during family gatherings
• inside jokes are a thing no ifs buts ors
• whenever something reminds you of that inside joke you’d just look at each other from the other side of the room and make eye contact before smirking
• all your other siblings are so done with you two,,, especially your parents
• like the time the both of you attempted to bake a cake for fun and eggs ended up on the ceiling
• don’t ask
• it took all your willpower to stop winwin from burning the place down
• when you guys finished you were covered in all sorts of ingredients and spend 15 minutes laughing about it
• but you got closer thanks to that!!
• even though winwin should not be allowed in the kitchen or near a stove anymore sometimes when you two hang out and want to reminisce you just start baking
• always ends up in a mess but you two have fun anyway
• as you two grew up there wouldn’t be much that changed
• he texts you random korean words or phrases just to show you how much he’s been improving
• actually convinced you to take up learning korean too
• you would call him and talk to him in korean to practice and he would cheer you on or correct you if you got any words wrong
• lowkey doesn’t want you to meet any of the nct members except for renjun lmao
• would probably try to set you up with renjun,,,, but ended up as you two being rly good friends so it was a win/win situation ha ha
• has actually had to fight yuta to make sure he did not get your number
• “but if winwin is this cute then how cute could his sibling be??? come on pls”
• you know all his embarrassing secrets,,, and always made sure to bring it up whenever he has members over
• he would whine for you to be quiet about it and stop
• older sibling! winwin is too lovable u are blessed

Jungwoo

• s o f t
• literally the best older brother you could ask for
• took care of you so much when you were children
• basically coddled you
• fell down in the playground and scraped your knee? expect older brother jungwoo to run around finding a bandaid before putting it on your knee as he told you to be more careful
• forgot lunch? jungwoo will 420 blaze it to your classroom and hand over his lunch saying that he’ll steal some food off of his friends
• had arguments with you whether or not cow was spelt with a c or a k
• someone made you cry? the moment you entered the house you’d just hug him and cry to his sweater
• he’d just hug you back and tell you it’s okay while caressing your head
• older brother jungwoo is soFT
• he probably wouldn’t change as you got older
• still coddled you nonstop 24/7/365
• “its going to rain today don’t forget to bring your umbrella”
• “yes mom”
  
• soccer nights are a thing and tradition to never forget or break
• you always wanting to meet nct and jungwoo chuckling nervously
• “(y/n),,,, im not sure that’s a very good idea,,,”
• you teasing him playfully
• “I saw that new meme on instagram about you,,, can you try saying ‘skorret’ again”
• “dO YoU havE JunGwOOiTis?”
• “(y/n) pls stop”
• “you know the general public and your members seem to have the image that you’re real soft i wonder if they know about the time where you-“
• “ssssssshhhhhh”
• but all is good because jungwoo loves you!! and you love him back don’t forget that