okay so fish and i (august) have been gaining quite a few new followers over here, so i figure it’s about the right time to say something i’ve been thinking about for quite a while: whether productivity, studyblr’s key concept, is helpful or objectively harmful depends on how we define it. what is “productive” looks different for everyone and varies based on any given day. sometimes, to be productive is to get up, take a shower, and go for a walk at some point in the day. sometimes, to be productive is to get up at 6 and focus on blocks of studying all day. but unless we acknowledge and support the first possibility and those like it, we are creating a community that is objectively inaccessible and sells a lifestyle both unachievable and potentially unhealthy for many. when you discuss “productivity”, consider what you mean, and whether you’re falling into the capitalist trap that defines success based only on achievement within predominant systems around you, or whether your understanding of success includes personal levels of effort and self-maintenance; self love before external ideas of ‘triumph’.
It’s been a month… literally I did not realise that being in class everyday was so exhausting how did i manage to do this in high school but at last I’m actually done with class, for the remainder of the semester I’m either in clinical rotations or labs.
I’m not mad about being able to make my own schedule and I’m definitely going to enjoy it before entering the second cycle of med school, especially since I’ve been feeling like a main character in a 90s meeting some friends for dinner once a week.
So February is definitely going to be a self study/rest because it’s the dead of winter/understand what will be required to pass because no one is telling us anything kinda of month but I’m excited, what is on your plate ?
Alright folks. So, if you’re in the same boat that I am - which is out of a job (we got laid off because restaurants in Texas were mandated to close dine-in services), worried about getting your bills paid because you lost your aforementioned job, on extended spring break and not returning to campus at all this semester, deeply concerned about all of your classes moving to an online format, and practicing social distancing - you are most likely feeling unproductive and bored out of your skull.
Here are some activities that have helped me:
Self care. It is amazing how much better you feel when you are clean, smell good, and you are wearing a fresh pair of clothes.
Doingsomething artistic, if you feel so inclined/have the materials to do so. For me, this has been getting back into painting and playing my violin
Spending time with your pets.
Spending time on your balcony/front porch, appreciating nature. This activity pairs very well with a cup of coffee or tea.
Taking this time to deep clean your house/apartment.
Face-timing/calling friends and family who are probably feeling the same way that you are.
If you are someone that wears make-up and enjoys make-up, absolutely feel free to get glammed up, even if it is just to watch Netflix. You aren’t wasting make-up if it makes you feel better about your situation.
Listen to music. I have rediscovered my love for Prince this week.
Learn how you can elevate your quarantine meals viaSupercook - which is a free website that tells you what dishes you can make with ingredients you have in your kitchen. Personally, I am coming out of this quarantine a home chef.
Ask your friends/family what shows they are streaming. I have finished so many shows over the course of the last couple of days, and without recommendations I would be so incredibly bored. Would definitely recommend Tiger King on Netflix, by the way. That documentary was quite the trip. I would also recommend Schitt’s Creek and The Stranger.
Give in to Duolingo’s constant notifications and practice learning a new language!
Read some of those books you may have lying around, or re-read an old favorite.
File for unemployment if need be. It wasn’t too difficult for me personally; there should be an option to indicate that you lost your job due to COVID-19. This is the case for Texas.
Take this time to get ahead on course material, even if your online course schedule is tentative.
Feel free to catch up on sleep.It’s okay to rest and not be doing something 100% productive 24/7.
That’s all for now folks. Keep your heads up, stay the home for the love of god, and just do your best. We will get through this ordeal.
Today I was chairman/moderator in a school debate on science ethics. It actually went really well and it was so much fun. But for the whole week I have been worrying about it. I was so nervous and anxious and I though of resigning. I’m so glad I didn’t though. Never stop challenging yourself! Even if it’s just small things like this, it helps you grow so much and I definitively feel better about myself now.
I used to turn down so many opportunities and stick to what I already now. If there’s one thing I could tell my past self, it is to take those opportunities. Now it’s too late to find out where they could have lead me.
hey everyone! if you’re just stumbling upon this post and are new here, i’m going into my 3rd year of undergrad in bio for health sci a.k.a pre-med sorta deal! i did this post last year and u guys loved it, i also think its a great ways for us #studyblrs to share more . this is just an update into what courses i’ll be taking this year, life updates, tips i learnt from last year + more!
PICKING COURSES
my courses:
I’m a health sci bio major with a double minor in chem + business! so here is what my full-time year of studies looks like (5 courses per semester)
physiology of neurons & muscles
human development
structural biochem
metabolism & bioenergetics
neurosci
statistics
lab in cell & molecular bio
molecular bio
fundamentals of marketing
managing projects & business plans
for freshman, your courses are pretty set and you likely won’t have much choice around what you actually want to take, so unless you’re an upper-year, you likely won’t see more interesting course titles like what i have above. not much for an update in this section, i planned most of my courses last year, but the most frustrating thing that happened was 9/10 courses i wanted to take were in my fall semester originally, so i have to do A LOT of rearranging, anywho…..
scheduling:
i’ll link last years post here as i went into pretty deep detail of how i schedule my courses and how you can too!
other tips + updates:
it’s always okay to change your programs!! (ie. major, minor, specialist) don’t let the standard of “a 4-year degree” fool you into thinking you can’t take longer. its always a good idea to look ahead and try to plan, but this age of our lives is when we’re changing the most and really finding who we are and what we want to do with the rest of our lives. it’s definitely not something to rush.
if you have to do summer courses, or retake courses, or take an extra semester, don’t beat yourself up. it happens to 99% of people!
take me for example!! i went into school thinking 100% i wanted to go down the med path, now here i am starting my 3rd year and I’m not so sure. I’m more so looking at doing my masters in physical therapy. you change, life changes, and you find what works BEST for you and the path you want for your life.
ALSO your path doesn’t have to be linear, or the typical; if you want to go to med/law/other post grad school, but your grades or extra curricular didn’t necessarily cut it, that’s okay! maybe you’ll work somewhere for a year or two and go back to school and get in. basically what I’m trying to say is if there is a career path that you love, don’t give up, and don’t think you have to get there the same way as someone else did.
currently, my fall courses are all completely online (minus 1 in-person tutorial) i hope most of you will be in-person, unlike me. but i’ll continue to post both online and in-person study tips as the year progresses.!
LIFE BESIDES SCHOOL
this summer i was lucky enough to work as an online PT, and this will probably continue part time into the school year. besides my other social accounts kinda blowing up, working on Syrse Dawn, I’ve been crazy busy with everything. I’m a little worried about balancing everything come the school szn, but as usual, i always prioritize my school work
we love academic validation haha….no but seriously, i love learning and school, and doing well has always been important to me, so while my work is important, mental health and school come first.
right now some passion projects and summer bucket list things I’ve been working on are finishing a current novel I’m writing (haven’t finished writing one since 2015), reading 1 more book, filling a sketchbook, going for a sunrise swim and honestly just spending as much time with my friends as fam as possible!
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like last year, i’d love to create a chain of studyblrs doing an update like this, sharing their courses for the year, how they organize them, updates + more! so if you get tagged, add to this chain + tag 5 more studyblr accounts!!
I’m Gracie! I’m a first generation college student studying integrated social sciences. Currently I am in the process of applying to law school and am working at childcare center and as an academic success coach! I want this blog to be a place for me and other to learn academia success strategies and get study motivation. I have always admired the studyblr community and am excited to join! Here are some of my blog inspos:
i have just one more exam left! can’t say im motivated but it helps to know my efforts helped me pass everything so far and im almost finishing this tough semester! here’s my desk.. that ive been glued to this whole month ;(
my desk seems so organized lately all because I haven’t stayed in there for a long time. I’ve been sick for a week now and I can’t drag myself to work and study for our exam : (
I just wish i feel better tomorrow so I can catch up with my readings for Pedia
