안녕하세요 여러분! Today I have a new kind of lesson for you all: it’s about Hanja! If you don’t know what Hanja is, it’s “Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation,” according to Korean Wiki Project. Korean words that feature the same borrowed character often have a shared meaning of some sort, which is why Hanja is good to know! If you know the meaning of one word with a character, you might be able to figure out another word with the same character without even using a dictionary! 

To start this series of lessons, I wanted to start with the character 최; I got an ask about some words starting with it and thought it’d be helpful to make a short lesson about it :) I’m also going to post this on my Instagram soon as well, so go check it out there too! Let’s start!

I hope this short list of words has been helpful – let me know what you think and if you’d like to see more of these! Maybe in the future I can break down the entire word – instead of just explaining what 최 means, for instance, I can explain what 애 means too, for example. Lmk your thought! See you in the next lesson! 다음에 또 봐요!

• My masterlist
• Joinmy Discord chat here to practice Korean with others!
• Follow me onInstagram herefor more Korean content!
• GetDrops Premium usingmy affiliate link to expand your Korean vocab!
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안녕하세요 여러분! Hey everyone! Today I have a lesson with a grammar structure you hear pretty often and it yet another way to say “because” in Korean lol. I also made a post on my Instagram about this structure, so go check that out as well! Let’s start!

Here’s the formula for this structure:

• [verb stem] + 느라고 + [rest of sentence]
• Note that this can only be used with verbs, not adjectives.
• I believe the -고 can be dropped with no difference in meaning.

-느라고 is used to explain a reason for a consequence, and this consequence is usually negative. It can also be used in contexts when your doing one action prevents you from doing the other. Let’s look at some examples:

• 공부하느라고 밤 새웠어요. = I stayed up all night studying.
• Here, you’re explaining what caused you to stay up all night, which was studying.
  
• 숙제를 하느라고 파티에 못 갔어요. = I couldn’t go to the party because I was busy doing homework. 
• The consequence of your doing homework is not not being able to go to the party. One action, doing homework, prevented you from doing the other, which is going to the party.

Let’s see some more examples!

• 늦잠을 자느라고 수업에 못 갔어요. = I didn’t go to class because I overslept.
• 운동하느라고 전화를 못 받았어요. = I was exercising, so I couldn’t pick up your phone call.
• 일하느라고 바빴어요. = I was busy working.
• 요리하느라고 힘들었어요. = I was exhausted after cooking. 
• 야근하느라고 집에 늦게 왔어요. = I came home late because I was working overtime.

That’s about it for this lesson! Hope it was helpful! See you in the next one! 다음에 또 봐요!

• My masterlist
• Joinmy Discord chat here to practice Korean with others!
• Follow me onInstagram herefor more Korean content!
• GetDrops Premium usingmy affiliate link to expand your Korean vocab!
• Check out myKo-Fi to support this blog and my studies! Thank you for your generosity!

안녕하세요 여러분! I have another Insta post I wanted to share with y’all! I have a regular lesson about -(으)면 되다 and -(으)면 안 되다 that I made a while back, but I feel like this post is a little more accurate and captures its nuance better. So that’s why I’m posting it here too! I hope it’s helpful!

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram by clicking the link below! Hope this is helpful :) See you in the next lesson! 다음에 또 봐요!

• My masterlist
• Joinmy Discord chat here to practice Korean with others!
• Follow me onInstagram herefor more Korean content!
• GetDrops Premium usingmy affiliate link to expand your Korean vocab!
• Check out myKo-Fi to support this blog and my studies! Thank you for your generosity!

안녕하세요 여러분! Hey everyone! I got a request for a vocab list about K-pop fandom-related words, so here it is! This is a combination of words you might use as a fan and some words related to being an idol. I hope it’s helpful :) Let’s start!

Nouns

• 가사 = lyrics
  
• 가수 = singer
• 그룹 = group
• (메인, 리드) 댄서 = (main, lead) dancer
• 리더 = leader
• (메인, 리드) 래퍼 = rapper
• 막내 = the youngest member of a group
• (메인, 리드) 보컬 = vocal
• 노래 = song
  
• 뮤직비디오 = music video
• 뮤비 is short for this.
• 멤버 = member
  
• 비주얼 = visual
• 밴드 = band
• 안무 = choreography
• 안무 연습 = dance practice
• 아이돌 = idol
• 연습생 = trainee
  
• 응원봉 = lightstick
  
• 인터뷰 = interview
• 앨범 = album
• (제일) 좋아하는 멤버 = bias
• 제일 좋아하는 멤버 literally means “favorite member” or “member you like the most.” I often just see 좋아하는 멤버 to mean the same thing, even though it literally means “member that you like.”
  
• 컴백 = comeback
• 콘서트 = concert
• 콘서트티켓 = concert ticket
• 케이팝 = K-pop
• 포토카드 / 포카 = photocard
• 팬 = fan
• 팬사인회 = fan signing event
• 팬클럽 = fan club
  

Verbs

• 덕질하다 = to be a die-hard fan of; to be really into
• 노래하다 = to sing
• 노래를 부르다 is another word for “to sing”
  
• 데뷔하다 = to debut
• 녹음하다 = to record
• 연습하다 = to practice
  
• 응원하다 = to cheer on; to support
• 촬영하다 = to shoot; to film
• 춤을추다 = to dance
• 컴백하다 = to have a comeback

That’s about it for this list! 제일 좋아하는 밴드가 뭐예요? 코멘트 하세요! What is your favorite band? Leave a comment! See you in the next lesson! 다음에 또 봐요!

• My masterlist
• Joinmy Discord chat here to practice Korean with others!
• Follow me onInstagram herefor more Korean content!
• GetDrops Premium usingmy affiliate link to expand your Korean vocab!
• Check out myKo-Fi to support this blog and my studies! Thank you for your generosity!

안녕하세요 여러분! I got a request to do some possible questions and answers that you might come across if you’re auditioning to be a K-pop idol! I’m not entirely familiar with the audition process or what kinds of questions might be asked of you, but here’s a list based on what I found online. I think that in order to answer these questions in Korean, you should be familiar with beginner/upper-beginner and some intermediate grammar structures and vocabulary. Check out my masterlist linked below to find some lessons that might help you answer them! I hope this is helpful for any aspiring idols! Let’s start!

Questions / 질문

• 이름이 뭐예요? = What is your name?
• 어디에서 왔어요? = Where are you from?
• 어디에 살아요? = Where do you live?
• 몇 살이세요? = How old are you?
• 학교에 어디 다녀요? = Where do you go to school?
• 학교에 어디 다녔어요? = Where did you go to school? 
• 무슨 언어를 하세요? = What languages do you speak?
• 노래한 지 얼마나 됐어요? = How long have you been singing for?
• 춤을 춘 지 얼마나 됐어요? = How long have you been dancing for?
  
• 랩을 한 지 얼마나 됐어요? = How long have you been rapping for?
  
• 무슨 악기를 하세요? = What instruments do you play?
• 왜 아이돌 되고 싶으세요? = Why do you want to be an idol?
• 가장 좋아하는 가수/밴드 누구예요? = Who is your favorite singer/band?
• 취미가 뭐예요? = What are your hobbies?

Answers / 대답

• 안녕하세요, 제 이름은 [name]입니다. = Hello, my name is [name].
• 저는 [country]에서 왔어요. / 저는 [country] 사람입니다. = I am from [country].
• 저는 [place]에 살고 있습니다. = I live in [place].
• 저는 [#]살입니다. = I am [#] years old.
• Use native Korean numbers when saying your age.
• 저는 [school’s name]에 다녀요. = I go to [school’s name].
• 저는 [school’s name]에 다녔어요. = I went to [school’s name].
  
• 저는 [language 1], [language 2]하고 [language 3] 합니다. = I speak [language 1], [language 2], and [language 3].
• 저는 노래한 지 [amount of time] 됐어요. = I have been singing for [amount of time].
• 저는 춤을 춘 지 [amount of time] 됐습니다. = I have been dancing for [amount of time].
• 저는 랩을 한 지 [amount of time] 됐습니다. = I have been rapping for [amount of time].
  
• 저는 [year]년부터 노래했습니다 / 춤을 췄습니다 / 랩을 했습니다. = I have been singing/dancing/rapping since [year].
• 저는 [instrument] 연주합니다. = I play [instrument].
• [reason] 아이돌 되고 싶습니다. = I want to become an idol because [reason].
• 가장 좋아하는 가수는/그룹은 [name]입니다. = My favorite singer/group is [name].
• 제 취미는 [hobby]하고 [hobby] 입니다. = My hobbies are [hobby] and [hobby].

That’s about it for this list! Best of luck to you all :) See you in the next lesson! 다음에 또 봐요!

• My masterlist
• Joinmy Discord chat here to practice Korean with others!
• Follow me onInstagram herefor more Korean content!
• GetDrops Premium usingmy affiliate link to expand your Korean vocab!
• Check out myKo-Fito support this blog and my studies! Thank you for your generosity!

soft-study-vibes:

It’s important to learn how to be alone. Whether you be heading to university, or living in your first apartment. Even when you have a partner, and close relationships with your friends and family, there will be times where you’ll be alone. Use this opportunity to get to know yourself better. Learn to change those feelings of isolation and loneliness into ones of positivity and independence. Take the time to watch your favourite shows, try that new recipe you’ve been holding back on. Dance around your room to those nostalgic 00’s bops. Being alone doesn’t have to be a negative experience! So take these moments and let them be filled with new experiences and self-love more than anything else.

Six revision techniques

How to reduce test anxiety

Avoid these 7 study mistakes this fall

The title is “Avoid these 7 study mistakes this fall”, and the fall has already gone, for sure but the post is valid any time you study. I really liked this blog post and I highly recommend it.

Study in a brain-friendly way: Some structures you can use in your summaries

Study in a brain-friendly way: The five most common problems when making a long-term plan and solutions

PROBLEM 1: I don’t know how to plan in revision.

By far the most important thing is that you actually plan in time for revision – many students forget about this.

Ideally, you should spread out your revision as much as possible, so you are revising the material more often at the start rather than at the end. Also, you should go over the materials you learned the previous day and you should do it everyday, but it is not necessary to write down that in the long-term plan.

PROBLEM 2: I’m already behind. What should I do?

If you’re already too far behind, it’s sometimes impossible to get everything done.

Sometimes you can still pass your exams if you spend more time studying. This does mean that you’ll have less time for other things in the coming period, such as free time. Are you prepared to do that? And more importantly, is it realistic? If the answer to both questions is yes, make a solid plan and test during the following week whether it’s actually feasible.

Another option is to perform your tasks less perfectly than you normally should do. Are some chapters less important? It’s a question of setting priorities and making choices. If you use this approach, it’s a good idea to test after a week whether you have learnt the material well enough. Sometimes ok is also good enough.

A third option is to postpone examinations or drop courses, if that’s at all possible. If it’s really not going to work, that could be the best decision.

It’s a hard choice, but it’s good to determine that your plan isn’t realistic early on, so that you can adapt it and get back to working efficiently.

PROBLEM 3: I don’t know if my plan is realistic.

This is often difficult to judge. The best thing is to give yourself a week to test it out. Keep track of how much time you spend studying, and check things off your list as you do them. If you do between 80% and 120% of the things you have planned, you’re on the right track. If you get less than 80% done in the first week, it’s probably too much.

PROBLEM 4: We only find out what the assignments are during the actual week we need to hand it in.

This isn’t ideal for creating a plan, but it’s not a deal-breaker. If you know that there will be assignments each week, you can include them in your long-term plan. Once you have done the first assignment, you can estimate how much time you will need to complete the rest. You just have to be sure that the assignments will be evenly spread over the weeks. You can still plan in other activities, such as reading, going to lectures and revision. It’s great if you can get some of the tasks done in advance, so you have some time left if the assignments take longer than expected.

PROBLEM 5: I have to do a written assignment. How should I plan that in?

Written assignments are always difficult to plan. Usually, it’s best to work backwards. When do you have to submit the final assignment? When do you have to submit the first version? And the conclusion or discussion? The other chapters? The first draft? And so you plan your schedule by working backwards.

No idea how much time you will need? Use the number of credits for the assignment as a starting point. Calculate the corresponding number of study hours and divide this by the number of weeks you have for the assignment. Then you have an idea of how many hours per week you will probably need. You can also ask fellow students or your lecturer to share their estimates and experiences.

Study in a brain-friendly way: Tips to enhance growth mindsets

1. Read about growth mindsets or watch an interview or film about what happens in your brain when you learn.
2. Remember that the aim of learning is to learn. It doesn’t always have to be fun. Being happy or enjoying what you are learning is certainly an advantage, but it’s not a dealbreaker. There is nothing wrong with a little discomfort while you learn. Don’t be put off if you don’t always enjoy learning; it’s really not important.
3. Note: making a mistake is a valuable lesson in itself. Most people don’t like making mistakes, but seen as a valuable lesson, mistakes take on a different meaning. You are, after all, learning. And if learning is important to you, mistakes become valuable.
4. Try to think of something that you are now better at than you were in the past. What was it that you found difficult, but which has now become easier? How did you achieve this? Thinking about this will put you into a growth mindset.
5. When you hear yourself saying ‘I can’t do this!’…….add ‘yet’

Study in a brain-friendly way: Reading and summarizing research articles

What is the most effective method for studying research articles?

FORMULATE THE GOAL

Start by thinking carefully about why you have to read the article. This will help you to determine your approach! What do you need to take out or remember from it? Do you need to read and summarize the entire article or is it sufficient to know the main conclusions?

SELECT PARTS TO READ

An article isn’t a novel: you don’t have to read it from beginning to end. Most articles are structured into sections using clear headings, and you can choose which sections are actually of interest and use to you. And you don’t have to read the sections in order.

A general rule of thumb is:

WHAT TO READ FOR AN EXAM?

Try to find out what the focus of your lecturer is: do you need general understanding of the article’s conclusion (in which case Abstract, Conclusion or Discussion will do), or should you be able to look critically at the methods of the research as well (in which it will be useful to read Methodology chapter)?

If unsure: definitely read the Abstract, followed by the Conclusion and Discussion. When reading the conclusion, it can also help to take a look at the visuals (graphs, tables, charts) in the results section. This will give you the gist of the article. If you don’t know much about the subject yet, consider to read the Introduction as well: this will give you the background information you need.

Reading these sections is usually enough, but there are some exceptions:

1. Are you expected to learn more about the data analysis or to formulate an opinion on the quality thereof? Then you will also need to read the Results section carefully.
2. Are you expected to compare how different studies are conducted? Or will you have to formulate an opinion on the quality of the research method used? Then you will also need to read the Methodology section.

WHAT TO READ FOR A THESIS OR WRITING ASSIGNMENT?

Are you reading the articles because you have to write about them? If so, you can also read the sections in the order mentioned above: start with the abstract. If it seems interesting and relevant, move on to the discussion and conclusion. If you’re actually going to use the article, read the whole thing.

If you don’t know much about the subject yet and still need some basic background knowledge, read the introduction and/or theory section. This will give you a more general understanding of the topic. Here, too, the goal can help you decide on your approach: If you’re reading articles to help you decide which research methods or analysis methods to use for your own study, then it goes without saying that you should also read those sections!

MAKE A SUMMARY

You can use the TC method to make a summary. When reading for exam, try to include:

• Research question
• Answer / key findings
• Implications
• Limitations

When reading for thesis or paper, also include;

• Citation information (author, date, journal, volume, pages, etc.)
• What you want to use from the article (findings, quotes, etc.)
• References to follow up on

In your summary, only include things you didn’t already know and are relevant to your exam or writing assignment.

Good luck!

Study in a brain-friendly way: What should you do during study breaks?

First, set a timer when you want to start studying again. Then do something that doesn’t require you to think very much. So don’t use your break for difficult matters such as difficult phone calls or emails. Physical activity is a good option because it helps relax your mind. And obviously if you have a 15 minute break, it’s not a good moment to start your favourite new series.

1. Write down all study appointments. For example: Lectures, work groups, seminars, deadlines for essays and exams. 
2. Write down the already planned and important social appointments. For example: Working hours for a (voluntary) job, sports, important parties, dinner appointments. 
3. Write down necessary time to relax. We recommend keeping at least one day free of study of study tasks, for example in the weekend. Also, take into consideration: Mornings after a late-night activity, and evenings after a long day of work. 
4. Write down self-study time. When will you be able to study? Study appointments + self-study should comprise about a full-time job (40 hours per week). What will you do during this study time? When will you have breaks? 
5. Now write down some buffer time. Life is full of surpries. In all lives unexpected events will occur. So, it’s absolutely necessary to plan in buffer time. In the time you plan in ‘in reserve’ you can complete tasks that have been delayed. If there is no (study) delay, buffer times becomes free time. 
6. Think about the time-slots that are still empty. Are there specific things you would like to do in this time? If not, name them: ‘free time’. Especially if you’re a perfectionistic person, it’s good to also make your ‘free time’ SMART so you know when you are NOT going to worry about your studies. 

Interleaving: Revising topics in mixed order. 

Learn to study using interleaving. Switch between ideas while you study. 

How to do it? 

1. Switch between ideas during a study session. Don’t study one idea for too long. 
2. Go back over the ideas again in different orders to strengthen your understanding. 
3. Make links between ideas as you switch between them. 

Hold on! 

• While it’s good to switch between ideas, don’t switch too often, or spend too little time on any idea; you need to make sure you understanding them. 
• Interleaving will feel harder than studying the same thing for a long time. But don’t worry  — this is actually helpful to your learning! 

Research:Read/watch more about the topic. 

Six revision techniques: 

• Test yourself with friends 
• Memory aids 
• Chunking 
• Flashcards 
• The method of loci or ‘Memory Palace’ technique 
• Timeline

Before the lecture 

• Write down questions about the topic 
• When you have to deal with definitions, learn them all by heart 
• Make a summary that you read at least once every day 

During the lecture 

• Arrive early, so you can sit in one of the front rows in the lecture hall 
• Make notes, using the Topic-Comment Method. It helps processing the information that you acquire, and you also create revision material for your exams 
• Engage! Teaching is not a one way process, so respond to the lecturer and bring on your own questions 

After the lecture 

• Study in an active manner. Try to study examples, think of counter examples, create and solve your own problems, revise your notes and/or discuss them with classmates 
• Look online, also look for non-academic sources. So busying yourself with the lecture topic 

The topic-comment method: 

• Use keywords 
• Restructure 
• Integrate all information 
• Be as concise as possible 

How to make a summary? 

1. Read first, write later
2. Find your own logical structure 
3. Make use of visual cues 
4. Watch out with bullet points 
5. Keep your topic-comment summary clean and organised

Present pain for future gain! 

MAKING A LONG TERM PLAN: STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION  

STEP 1: WHAT TO DO? 

1. Collect all the literature 
2. Determine the number of pages 
3. Estimate the number of study hours (Most people underestimate how much time studying takes) 

STEP 2: EXAMS AND DEADLINES 

1. When are your exams and other deadlines? 
2. How many weeks do you have before those deadlines? 
3. Reserve a few days as buffer and for last revision 

STEP 3: DIVIDE STUDY LOAD 

1. Divide study material over the weeks to see how much you have to do per week 
2. Don’t forget to plan in buffer time 
3. Estimate how many hours a week you need 

STEP 4: CONSIDER OTHER COMMITMENTS 

1. Consider busy periods and deadlines other than study 
2. Don’t forget days off, holidays, field trips, etc. 
3. Move study tasks from busy weeks into quieter weeks 

STEP 5: CHECK IF IT IS DOABLE 

          Is it doable? 

• Yes: Great! 
• No: Better adjust now, than run behind… (If unsure: Give yourself the upcoming week to test) 

You are finished! 

Hello everyone! 

I’m taking an online course on FutureLearn: Improving Your Study Techniques. I highly recommend it. 

In this tag, I share a summary of the course. 

Let’s start with the summary of the first week: 

How to prepare for a study session? 

1. Organise your study environment
2. Decide how long you want to study
3. Decide what you want to work on 

You can use Forest App for study sessions. 

UsePomodoro Technique.

The ‘three-step’ model: 

1. Preview 
2. Study 
3. Revise 

Previewing means: 

1. Reading the back cover of the book, the preface, and table of content 
2. Find out the structure of the book 
3. Find out the structure of the chapter
4. Not reading or trying to understand all the material