I have never taught makeup to anyone. In fact I haven’t been doing it for such a long time, but everybody tells me I’m doing it right, so I thought I should share the tricks I developed over time.
DISCLAIMER: I’m not a pro! I don’t want to pretend I am! But I like makeup A LOT! I try to learn as much as I can on the subject and I like to try new techniques and products. Everything here is only my opinion, based on my experience! Some products might not work as well for you, it’s part of the game, sadly!
When I started doing makeup, I did not want to achieve big glamorous looks with crazy eyeshadow and glitter everywhere. My main goal was to feminize my face as much as possible so that I could pass in public. I never really wanted to draw attention to me, in fact I wanted to achieve quite the opposite. Look like the girl next door.
So, if you are here for flashy makeup, glam looks and the likes, you are not on the good blog!
Of course, makeup can be expensive. I’m not rich, so I try to find good stuff at reasonable prices, either online or in store. Don’t worry, no need to break the bank at Sephora or MAC!
Hello my lovelies! Hope you are all well? Hope these mid-year blues haven’t attacked you - can you believe it is June already? HOW? June 2017? Anyway, I digress.
I hope that today’s post is helpful to you out there - whether you are in school or working or just trying to figure life out in general. Sometimes we find ourselves in extremely stressful situations - exam time, work deadlines etc etc but I think it is important to keep your outer cool no matter what. That being said, I thought I would share with you some tips on how to look like you have everything under control, even on the days when you actually don’t. The idea is to look like nothing phases you - you stay fly no matter what.
These tips are mainly focused on your outward appearance, I will write a post on how to keep calm inside your head when you feel like you are drowning in life.
Hair
No matter what style you are rocking - natural hair, braids, weaves, relaxed hair, wigs always always always make sure it looks fresh! It might require some extra effort eg. styling your hair before bed (something I used to do when I was natural) to save time in the morning, or wrapping your hair before bed or braiding your weave before bed or even wearing clip in extensions on bad hair days. You need to invest a little time into this schbang (that’s if you care) or else you will always look like you are trying to catch up with yourself. Rocking 3 month old braids with visible dandruff is not a good look - neither for the academic nor the corporate world. If you notice that you don’t have time to get your braids redone in good time, get some dry shampoo or braid spray and do a little DIY at least once a week. For more haircare tips, click here
Me rocking some braids - I keep em looking fresh by laying my edges daily and scarfing them at night
Eyebrows
Girl! Even if you do not fill in your eyebrows everyday, trimming or plucking or waxing or tweezing them is all you need! There is nothing like a clean brow and you will notice a difference in your face instantly! Keep your brows neat and tidy - they give the illusion of you wearing makeup (see the difference below)
Clothing
In general stay away from overly casual clothing (depending on the occasion of course). I generally stay away from t-shirts, mini skirts, shorts, ripped jeans (unless that is the look I am going for ). Combining these items with flip flops makes you look like you just rolled out of bed and didn’t put in any effort - we are trying to look like we are on top of things. Also if you do want to wear jeans and a tshirt and flip flops, make sure you consider your accessories so you look like you tried (see Riri below)
I am not saying you cannot look fly in ripped jeans and a t-shirt however, I think to look more put together, overly casual clothing doesn’t make the cut without being properly styled.
I try to avoid wearing flip flops and stick with sandals or heels - I particularly like a low heeled sandal or if I am wearing ‘slippers’ they have to have a twist to them ;) Keep your sandals stylin’ so that even if you don’t rock heels, you stay cute. (I feel a blog post coming on?)
Jewellery & Accessories
This is a major major key for me! I loovveee jewellery and accessories. At any given time you will catch me wearing my watch, earrings and at least one necklace. If you cash me on a less simple day, we will throw in a couple of rings and bracelets to the mix. Accessories (doesn’t have to be loud or make a statement) always elevate your look and make you look like you tried. The trick is to invest in at least one gold necklace (if you can) and just wear it all the time - that is if you are the type of person who doesn’t like to take off their jewels.Get a cute watch - doesn’t have to be expensive and keep it cute! You can get very affordable watches on ASOS, H&M and even Amazon.
I have a discount code for the #odaraonline website - http://myodara.com/ so you don’t really have an excuse. Use my code #SHARMSONLINE2K17 to get 10% off whichever jewels you decide to buy, some of my faves are their dainty necklaces and their simple stud earrings
Light Makeup
Dab your face at least once a day with some blotting paper (I use regular tissue if I am honest) to get rid of the grease and shine. I carry a bag of lipsticks with me so I am spoilt for choice when it comes to re-applying after lunch or after work. I know not everyone wears makeup to work my current product list for work includes transluscent powder, mascara and lipstick (of course with my eyebrows drawn on - I never leave those at home). A touch of lipstick or even lip balm makes you look like at least you tried
Does anyone have anyother tips they use to look put together at all times? Cos I see some of you ladies and you look forever beat! Share the love, comment below!
Until next time, make sure you are subscribed to my beauty blog and my YouTube Channel so you don’t miss a thing!
please use sparknotes. please use khan academy. please listen to school house rock songs and watch the history of the entire world i guessandtim and mobyandbill nye. any documentary you watch in class can be found somewhere online with a quick google. get your books from project gutenbergandz-lib. download textbooks off the internet whenever you can find them. use desmos for a free online graphing calculator. if you’re learning something and you don’t get it look up the wikipedia page on it and put it into simple english to get the gist, then put it back into regular english to get the full story. cheat if you have to. school sucks so bad rn and if you’re like me and you get all your materials secondhand or from the lost and found, online resources are really useful rn; all of the above have helped me pass a class in some way, and i hope they can help you too.
stay inside and stay safe. best of luck to all the students out there.
okay studybugs, to celebrate 20k+ (!! thank you so much?? what) i’m venturing into masterposts… so studying loads & loads works to a point, but using time productively is such a helpful skill (I’m still trying to learn) & can help reduce unnecessary study time/cover way more ground far more quickly so why wouldn’t you??
The right study methods are important, try a few and choose which work for you
E.g. I know that active study methods work best for me, so I write notes/essay plans, do exercises/tests, make flashcards and test myself, do past papers, and go over them all with a highlighter for good shit/key mistakes
Condense, condense, condense!! That’s why I use flashcardseven more than full-blown notes now, it’s so much quicker and easier to deal with small chunks of info
Also flashcards take way less time in my experience – to make larger note-sheets pretty (which is a Big And Important Deal for me) takes a lot more time/planning/rewriting than just a little , A5- sized piece of card
I repeat: it is way quicker to write out 1 flashcard again than 1 whole A4 sheet of notes
On that note (ha), feel free to rewrite your notes if they go a bit wrong, but only if you have time and it will be beneficial to you. Re-writing notes can help get the information in better and is not always a complete waste of time. If not, tho, chillax, swallow your pride and keep on writing, even if you just had to cross out three WHOLE WORDS right in the middle of the page. Your examiner is not going to care. Promise :)
Use online resources we forget about these too much! Use Quizlet for absolutely anything (more on this below) and memrise is great too tho I don’t use/like it as much. If there’s a particular kind of test/resource you need, type it into Google, particularly if it’s for languages of for a set course (e.g. ‘EDXEL A-level History’), chances are someone else has needed it before too and it’ll be ready and waiting
Teach what you’re learning or discuss it with your mum/friends, anyone. Just talk at them and tell them everything you know on the spot, it’s a great way to help you remember everything and also test gaps in your knowledge
Alternatively just sit and write everything you know and can possibly think of for a topic it does the same job
Study groups – beware to know thyself tho (if you think you and your friends will just spend ages chatting then avoid avoid avoid) but these can be a great way of keeping focussed and productive over longer periods of time, break up the monotony of studying and be a really helpful support network for a particularly difficult topic
Checklists! And keep them after you finish the day, they are so so indispensable for planning, staying on track and working out how much you have left to do, as well as reminding you how much you’ve already done (which is so important! Keep tabs on this! V. motivating and rewarding as well as instructive)
Actually just plan plan plan this cannot be stressed enough. I plan what I’m doing in each session for my entire day in the morning so that I can keep track of how well I’m doing. It doesn’t matter if you fall behind of catch up too quickly (lucky you), sometimes we over-estimate our fabulousness! Planning just gives you a structure (which really helps everyone) and short-term goals to work towards, which are important to keep you working/motivated
Plan specific activities/topics for each section. If you’re planning and writing in just ‘french’ for 45 mins or ‘latin’ for an hour then you might as well not be planning at all. Instead write ‘french: practise essay – [essay title]’ and ‘latin: four vocab tests (irregular verbs, adjective declensions, masc. & fem. nouns’
Have a set schedule! Keep to similar timings throughout the day with regular breaks (we all know this but it’s important). Lots of people find Pomodoros helpful, I find them a bit to stop-start-y and I can’t get much done so I prefer to have longer study periods with longer breaks. Do not work for more than 50 minutes at a time it is pointless, unhealthy and it does not work.
Maybe try to keep roughly to your school day timings to limit the amount of work you’re doing to a healthy level? I do 45 mins with a 15 min break each time (my printable schedule is here sorry it’s a bit messy)
This means even when I’m at school I can do 2/3 sessions in the evening still sticking to the same timings
What to do in breaks – make tea, small exercises, browse social media, have a chat
What to eat whilst studying – blueberries (the food of the gods got me thru my GCSEs), nuts, any fruit (your brain runs mainly on natural sugars – not refined), anything green (smoothie, kale, avocado), fish (maybe not for a snack but hey whatever floats your boat (ha))
Drink lots of water (tea counts! especially if it’s black (leaf-water)), eat well and exercise it’s actually beneficial to your energy levels, mood and information retention
Work in a well-lit (preferably natural light), comfortable and sensible atmosphere so you can FOcus – preferably quiet (exam practise) or if you need some noise make sure it’s low in the background so it won’t distract you – distractions = timewasting
Feel free to go somewhere other than your room if you know this is going to be more helpful! I find myself losing focus surrounded by my books etc. sometimes so coffee shops/libraries are a really good option (especially with classical music in my headphones)
I like soft piano music when studying as it’s calming and easy listening without any concentration but if you want to have a look at other background noise go here for music or here for general noise
Apps &c.:-
Disclaimer – I don’t often use apps to study. Almost all of these notes are just from brief interactions. I usually just use the default timer on my phone as my timings don’t fit the usual Pomodoro apps, but if you’re looking for something a little more snazzy my all-time faves (they’re all free) are:
Momentum (chrome extension for laptop) – studyblr stalwart; I actually use this every day & I love it. Aesthetic motivating new-tab/home screen with gorgeous landscapes, clock, inspirational quote and to-do lists
Quizlet (website and app) – as I mentioned, my absolute fave app for on the go revision. Any quiz/test you need will be there (within reason). I way prefer it to memrise as I find that just takes too long. 4 different ways to learn on the app + more online, once you’ve saved the quiz it doesn’t need wifi so you can use it literally anywhere
Flat Tomato – fave timer I’ve found. Based on Pomodoro but I’ve changed the settings and it works perfectly with the way I like to schedule my time (which is rare). To-do list from which you can name each session & also looks pretty with nice colours. V. simple, no habit tracker or anything but works really nicely & well
FocusNow – Bye delay – free version of Forest which I’ve never used tho I know both are v. famous in the community (and for a reason!). Has an adaptable timer (based on Pomodoro). Grows a ‘castle-farm’ square-by-square for every session you go without clicking off the app. Habit tracker & everything and v. sweet
MinimaList – v. simple but lovely-looking and accessible to-do lists. If you click on a to-do a timer for 15/30/45 mins comes up, and if you pick up your phone a dialogue box tells you to put it back down
Pomotodo–really nice app from what I can see, just as good if not better/more aesthetic than Flat Tomato, with habit tracker &c. and v. v. cleverly designed. The only thing for me is that you can’t change the timings – it’s Pomodoro or nothing, but if that works for you would deffo recommend
(FYI I have an iPhone so the above apps are all from the app store. Some good google play ones I’ve seen are: Pomotodo(again),Brain Focus,ClearFocus,Focus LockandForest which is on google and apple too (but: ££))
hopefully this helps, feel free to ask if you have any questions or requests (also 1st masterpost eekso please be nice and let me know what you think!). striving for maximum productivity is the interminable struggle - good luck
hELLO homework pEOPLE it’s kou & back with something that will hopefully drag myself out of the pits (!!) i have hit rock bottom and there is literally no going back, i mean it. from hereon all i’m planning to do is sprint to o’s; but i, someone who has to be given a pep talk every ten seconds to do work, intend to show some of y’all how i climb out of bed every morning. (´∇｀)
(lil disclaimer: everyone is motivated by something different.)
i. i don’t. (i’m jk, laugh) for every single painful study session i have, i slam quotes on the wall in front of me and stare it. they’re not even decorated or whatever, they’re just quotes, but if they echo throughout my session it’s good. here are a few really amazing quotes designed by gr88 people:
ii. random posts by wonderful people (pep talks in a way): 1||2||3||4||5||6||7||8||9||10
iii. so i know different things motivate different people. for some, the somehow better future is a huge motivator, and i relate to that. here are some blogs that may motivate you (entirely dependent on preference)
ix. alsoo idk bout y’all, but thinking about where i could go with my friends/family after my exams motivates me, so here are websites you could check out places to go, and maybe jot them in a travel journal
x.here’s a list of songs that some people have contributed to as well: (generic; there’s english, there may be korean, chinese… it’s a youtube list so just pick and choose <3)
hey everyone! it’s rhianne, or studypetals. i’ve gotten a lot of questions and concerns about how to start a bullet journal, so i decided to start a new one myself to show you how i set mine up!
GENERAL INFORMATION:
so what’s a bullet journal? well, it’s not an actual journal, per se, but rather a system of journaling! the “bullet” word comes from “bullet points,” the way tasks/events are jotted down in this journaling system. (source)
what is a bullet journal used for? a bullet journal can be used as a simple planner system, but it can also be a creative way to plan your daily/weekly tasks! some people even use it as a half-scrapbook/half-planner (like me!)
what’s the difference between a planner and a bullet journal? this is a great question i’ve gotten before. a planner already has the dates/decorated pages/etc. all you have to input into a planner is tasks and events. a bullet journal is a book of blank pages, so it allows more creative freedom than a planner does. if you aren’t patient enough for free-handing everything, stick to a regular planner. if you like having a unique journal/planner and like customizing your spreads, look into starting a bullet journal!
MY SETUP:
picture 1: material starter pack here’s what i use for my bullet journal (aside from the decorative things like washi tape, magazine cutouts, etc.)
moleskine notebook, regular, squared, soft cover
zebra mildliners
pilot g-2 pens
muji 0.35mm pens
picture 2: cover page i just have a cover page to catalogue what this journal has in it. you can always put anything you want on the cover page, like:
the semester you’re using it in
your name
“bullet journal” or “planner”
a simple quote
etc.
picture 3: index so for my first journal, i didn’t even use an index. it’s up to you whether you want to include one or not. if you use an index, remember to number the rest of the pages after it! you can either catalogue every page after you’re done with it, or only the pages you really want to reference.
picture 4 (left): legend this is super important, especially for a bullet journaling system! so in this particular system of journaling, each task has a bullet point next to it. the most regular one i’ve seen is a square, so that’s what i use. what the legend does is keep track of what each symbol means. of course, if you just want to fill the squares in after you complete a task, then you don’t need this. however, if you want more organization, then make up whatever symbols you need to for this part! there isn’t one concrete symbol system, so do what works for you!
picture 4 (right): testing stationery page i like seeing what each pen/highlighter writes like before i really use it, so why not make a page for testing them! what i do is write what type of stationery it is with the actual pen/highlighter so i don’t forget which stroke is which.
picture 5 (left): favorite washi page ahhhh one of my favorite pages. you can put your washi collection on this page, or just strips of the ones you like a lot! they can be as long or short as you want them to be.
picture 5 (right): youtube ideas! (or other filler pages) this isn’t for everyone, of course, but it’s one that i added! i just showed it to you guys since i wanted to show the washi tape page. anyways, there are a lot of cool pages you can add throughout your bullet journal, such as:
books to read/movies to watch/etc.
life goals
expenses
favorite quotes
moodboards
class schedule/information
recipes
AU ideas (for writers!)
favorite art pieces
favorite lyrics
etc.
picture 6: weekly spreads the big one! so this is what i primarily use my bullet journal for. step-by-step, this is how mine are created (but you can always make yours unique):
make the title (“week #,” or something)
write the days
write the dates
write down the tasks for each day
make a section for something you have to do each day (the “essentials”)
write down the extra sections (goals, important dates, quote of the week, habit trackers, etc.)
decorate with washi tape, doodles, printed pictures, magazine cutouts, leaves, flowers, movie tickets, etc.
WHEW. that’s all i have for this topic (for now.) i hope any or all of this helps you guys out there wanting to start a bullet journal. if you want to make one, we’re gonna be in this together! have fun and remember the most important thing: it doesn’t have to be perfect.not all the pages are gonna be great, you’re gonna make mistakes, and some pages are just not gonna be what you wanted them to be, but that is 100% okay. just remember to have fun with it, and just.. start!
-rhianne (5.30.16+6:48pm)
n.b. even without a bullet journal the extra resources are /so/ helpful for notes &c.
soo this is my first ever masterpost c: and i thought i’d do it on a topic i’ve been very interested in the last few months and which helped me feeling better in my everyday life!
okay i thought in part one i would mainly focus on a few apps i discovered lately, because as a beginner i, myself, found it easier to begin with a guided meditation.
this was the first meditation app i used and i also think it’s my favourite because it has such a cute design and is really user friendly. moreover most meditations are free, but if you want to buy some extensions you can do so for really little money (i haven’t done this yet though, because there are already many options!)
i only recently discovered this app, but i really like it, too. unfortunately only the first 7 days are free, but in these 7 days i learned lots of new things and i quite enjoyed using this app for one week straight. i think if you’re willing to invest some money this app would be even better, because it has many options that way, but even just for 7 days it’s worth a try!
i really enjoy this app as well! it’s really user friendly, too and has a nice design. the reason i like stop, breathe & think more is only because i think the voice that guides the meditation is more pleasant (but of course that’s only my opinion and the app is really great nonetheless!)
i never used this app myself, but i heard lots of great things about it and i will quite likely give it a try soon as well. it looks really cute & i also think it’s really popular.
okay so i think that’s it for now. please be aware that this is only my opinion and feel free to tell me about other meditation apps you used and enjoyed, i would be really happy about that! c: i hope all of you have a nice and productive day! ❤
We’ve all been there. Feeling so stressed that you take it out on other people. I personally suffered from this a lot, because I didn’t know how to cope with stress properly. This little guide is for all of you that don’t know how to cope with the prickly behavior and anger that may come with stress.
Take breaks!
I know how it feels to just want to plow on and not take breaks. The stress gets the better of you and, in the end, you don’t get much work done. You work slower and less effectively under stress so taking breaks is what you should do! During your breaks, you should really look for something that involves you leaving your desk. Things like sports or hobbies will help you clear your head and get rid of some of that anger.
If you’re all over the place with your notes and aren’t organised, the stress-levels will rise. Keeping a bullet journal or making a study planner will help with this!
The source of your stress might be the way you’re studying. If you dislike studying or the technique you’re using isn’t working for you, you might feel more stressed. Figure out what kind of learner you are and change the way you study!
Having a good support system behind you can really make the difference.I know I can turn to my family or friends if I need to talk about anything. Unfortunately, not everyone has a support system like mine. It’s important to remember that there is always somewhere for you to go.
Your parents: they probably know you better than you do.
Siblings: if you’re reluctant to go to your parents for various reasons, you can turn to your sibs for some family comfort
Friends: they might have different opinions than you and your fam, so they can offer you a fresh perspective
Teachers: if you’re having a hard time with school, you can go to your teachers for help! most teachers really want their students to do well, so they’re likely to help you
Studyblr community: the studyblr community is such a nice place to turn to for help. i’ve personally gotten a lot of help for various assignments!
Self care
Looking after yourself is super important!!! Taking some alone time can calm you down and relax you. Taking breaks and self care are often linked, because they have a similar effect.
I’ve had a few people asking me how they can put together the ultimate application for university, and in particular for Oxbridge. Much of the advice in this post is relevant for any university applications, but there is also some Oxbridge-specific advice!
1. Work hard and know your stuff
To be honest with you, the only way to have a killer application is to have worked hard and to know your stuff! The simple fact is that universities want to take people who are going to add value to their institutions, so if you aren’t willing to put in the hours preparing for exams, perfecting your personal statement and understanding what the courses you are applying for involve, they are unlikely to offer you a place.
2. Have the exam results to prove it
The simple fact is that exam results are the best indicator universities have of how hard you work and how smart you are. If you can have put together strong performances at GCSE and in your ASs, you are instantly in a pretty strong position.
At Cambridge especially, exam results really are key, so you need to have high marks across most of your papers in order to really stand a chance. Cambridge pretty much assumes that everyone they interview will have similarly good grades, so then it comes down to your personal statement, entrance exam marks and interviews to decide who they take.
3. Pitch-perfect personal statement
Your personal statement is important, regardless of where you are applying! It is your only opportunity to express your interest in the subject you are applying for and to tell the universities you are applying to exactly why you are worth their time and energy.
Focus on your subject!
When you write your personal statement, you need to really focus on your interest in the subject you are applying for, making sure that you point out areas of particular interest, where you have gone above and beyond what you are expected to do at school in order to really stretch your intellectual boundaries.
80%-20%
In general, Oxbridge (and most other universities) recommend that your personal statement is 80% about your subject, so you should really only have a brief final paragraph to outline any other extracurricular stuff you take part in. That said, it is definitely worthwhile including something on your extracurricular activities as this demonstrates an ability to excel academically while still handling the demands of other commitments.
Show an interest in the subject, not its potential future rewards!
When you’re writing your personal statement, definitely bear in mind that you are trying to convince someone that you will be worth their while teaching. As such, admissions will be looking for people who are genuinely interested in their subject! So, avoid writing study like: “I’m interested in studying economics at Cambridge because it provides a great pathway into a range of high-flying careers”… This will really, really annoy anyone who reads your personal statement!
4. Entrance Exam
This one only applies for certain subjects and certain universities. Personally, I didn’t have to take an entrance exam for my subject, but I’ve spoken to a lot of people who did. For example, a lot of my friends study law, and so had to take the LNAT, a UK exam that pretty much anyone wishing to study law has to take.
Practice!
Having spoken to people who did entrance exams, the single, universal piece of advice was to practice past papers, to spend time looking up tactics and to research the different styles of question you may be asked. These tests are said to be tests of your aptitude to study a certain subject. However, in reality, they are more a test of whether you have been bothered to spend time looking at what you need to do in order to succeed in them!
You may also find it helpful to speak to people you may know who have taken these tests for advice.
5. Interview
So, at some universities, and specifically Oxford and Cambridge, you will have to be interviewed in order to get an offer. If this is the case for you, please check out my blog post Interview like a Boss.
Please check out my Exam Grade Booster blog and reblog this post if you found it helpful!
One of the hardest thing I’ve encountered is trying to study when you lack motivation or initiation. Whether it be due to a mental illness or simply procrastination, it can be very difficult to do what you need to do. Here are some tips for buckling down and getting things done. These are also helpful tips for things that aren’t even related to studying.
Be kind: lacking motivation or initiation does not mean you’re lazy or not trying hard enough. If it’s due to a mental illness, remind yourself that that is what it is and it is not your fault. Talk to yourself in a compassionate, encouraging, and helpful way. Don’t beat yourself up, think positively and focus on how you can improve your current situation.
Tell yourself why: remind yourself why you need to study, finish that project, etc. What are the reasons this assignment matters? How will you benefit from starting or finishing this assignment? How will other people benefit? Reminding yourself of the importance of something will make starting or finishing the assignment easier and more rewarding.
Start with the easiest: start with the easiest assignment first. This will provide a kind of snowball effect and make it easier to work. The sense of accomplishment from finishing one assignment will make starting the next more manageable. Sometimes when you think of the mountain of work you have to do it can be overwhelming. Start with the easiest assignment and go from there.
Make it smaller: break assignments into really small bite-size pieces. This goes along with the previous tip; if you have a big assignment, start by breaking it down into really tiny pieces.Think of one assignment you have to complete. What is the first step? Can you make that first step even smaller? Keep making it smaller until you are absolutely certain you can do it.
Just 5 minutes: if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, etc. tell yourself you only have to study or work for 5 minutes. Do the assignment for 5 minutes and then you can quit if you still aren’t feeling it. Sometimes it just takes getting started to motivate yourself to finish.
Take breaks: break assignments into small, doable steps, and take frequent short breaks. This will help you stay focused and help fight becoming mentally tired. The pomodoro method is great for this. It’s much easier to finish an assignment if you have little breaks to look forward to.
Don’t wait to feel it: don’t wait to do an assignment until you feel motivated. Do it anyway; once you get started you may begin feeling motivated.
Give yourself credit: give yourself credit for the time and effort you do put in. It is easy to call yourself lazy, especially if your low motivation is caused by a mental illness, but you are actually working harder than you would if you were feeling motivated. Remember: it doesn’t matter how big the assignment was. It doesn’t matter how much you accomplished. It doesn’t matter how it turned out. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it. It doesn’t matter what other people think about it. If you put in any time or effort, give yourself credit.
Go outside: going outside for even 5 minutes can boost your mood and energy. It doesn’t take much to get the benefit. It works even better if you can be near trees or water!
Chunk the day: break up the day into small parts. Decide on the littlest amount of time you can spend on an assignment. It can be as big or small as you want. This is your “chunk” of manageable time. Decide what you will do with that chunk of time, and tell yourself “I only have to keep going for this chunk, then I can stop if I want to.” After the chunk ends you can rest, keep going, or do something else for the next chunk. Chunk your way through the whole day and you will be more productive and feel better!
Budget your energy: ask yourself how much energy you have “available” today. Don’t push yourself beyond your capacity because you will just get burned out and wind up in the same position you’re in now, instead only do what is reasonable for the amount of energy you have. No matter how little energy you have, always save some time for self-care: exercise, grooming, hobbies, relaxation, etc. Reduce negative thoughts and replace them with happy thoughts to boost energy and motivation! Repeat and persist: it is much better to do one small thing many times, than do one big thing once. Reward/congratulate yourself for every bit of effort no matter how small. Your brain will respond very well to this and you will have more energy, well-being, and self-confidence!
Build a routine: try to create a routine where you do similar assignments at the same time almost everyday. Having a routine makes it easier to get up and do the work automatically instead of relying on motivation/initiation.
Study groups: if you get word of a study group sign up! The best kinds are the ones that have a schedule that you are expected to be at, this makes it easier to get going. If you don’t know of any study groups, grab some friends and start one! Designate a time, place, and frequency to meet and make sure people stick to it!
Use a planner, calendar, to do list, etc: utilize these to make lists, establish a routine, and set goals. Having your assignments physically written down will help you stay focused on one task and actually crossing it off a to-do list will make it easier to begin a new assignment.
Post your goals: remind yourself whyyou’re studying. Put up signs, pictures, notes, etc. in your study space to keep your goals in sight. Whether they be long-term or short-term, reminding yourself of what you hope to achieve will help motivate yourself into studying so you can get your dream job or whatever your goal may be!
Get cheerleaders: sometimes getting started on an assignment by yourself can be too much. Try talking to trusted friends, family, teachers, etc. about your goals and how you’re struggling with finding motivation (you don’t need to be too specific on that last part!). It’s okay to ask for help. Support could be something as simple as a “you can do this!” text or phone call, a nice hug, or even just having someone sit in the same room while you do your work. Tackling big assignments alone can be daunting but developing a support system can make a world of difference!
Team up: try grouping up with other students in your classes or that have similar assignments. Even if you aren’t working on the same assignment just having someone working beside you can be all the motivation you need. Study groups are great for this! Surrounding yourself with others who are working hard will help inspire you to focus and get it done, other students also make for great resources! You never know who may have taken that class already and can offer a word of advice.
Just do it: use self-talk to get yourself started studying and to keep yourself going. Try writing down one of these phrases to display in your study area: “I am choosing to get started” “Just do it!” “Put one foot in front of the other” “I think I can, I think I can” “One step at a time” “It doesn’t have to be perfect” “Good enough is good enough” “I am focusing on starting, not on finishing” “It doesn’t matter how I feel now; I will get started and I may feel better later” “Start small” “What’s the smallest thing I can do right now? Do it!” or think of one of your own!
Personally, this is the most effective one for me. All you need is a blank piece of paper. Pick a sub-topic that you are doing e.g in biology a topic could be immune system and the sub-topic could be antibodies and antigens. If you want you can create some questions for each sub-topic and on your blank piece of paper, using questions as a guide, write everything you know about that sub-topic without your notes. After get your notes out and check and correct with a different colour pen. Watch this video to get a better understanding
2. Flashcards
I recommend you use written flashcards, unless you have vocab or definitions in which case digital ones like quizlet is fine. You should have questions on one side and your answers on another - i’ve heard people say the answer shouldn’t be long but i find that the more detailed it is the higher marks you score in the exam - of course summarise don’t just copy from a textbook or there is no point in doing this. When you test yourself try to do something else other than reading, for example write the answer down and then check and correct.
3. Spaced intervals
No point cramming for an exam. Yes it might have got you an A* in GCSE or other lower level exams but it’s certainly not going to get you an A* for a-levels or other higher exams. Space your learning out and if you can try and revise everyday, even if somedays are just for half an hour, DO IT! It will help you in the long term. Don’t revise one subject/unit for a whole day, space it out. For example don’t revise like this: AABBCC, revise like this instead: ABCBCA or something along those lines.
4. Mind maps
My favourite revision source!!! For some reason in an exam ( i only use mind maps for essay based subjects) i can remember where i put each point on my mind map which helps me write my essays and retrieve my information more in the long term! Don’t make it boring by trying to be ‘minimal’ - ADD COLOUR !!! But to stay within limits, too many colours can make it look overwhelming and confusing !
5. Teaching someone else
Either teach your younger siblings or pretend you are teaching to an imaginary class - while it may seem crazy it works, trust me. Use a whiteboard to help you illustrate your ideas! This method will help you identify any gaps in your knowledge and you’ll truly see if you know something well enough to explain it. If you cannot explain it to a six year old then you truly have not got the grasp of it, as Albert Einstein says!
6. past papers
Honestly, this should be the last thing for your revision, unless you have not left enough time to revise all the content and you are running out of time then past papers should be the first thing you do. Do these properly, don’t do it just to see what gaps you have in your knowledge- genuinely do it as if it is a real exam. This will help you see how well you can apply the content you have memorised for an exam. It will also get you familiar with the mark scheme which will help you get as close as full marks !!!
hi everyone! since the holidays are over for most of us, i thought i’d make an inspirational and motivational masterpost all about notes! upgrading your notes by changing the layout, adding doodles, banners, using sticky notes, changing your handwriting etc. motivates me personally to study!
out with the sloppy last minute notes and in with the new!
things haven’t been going my way lately + i’m hoping to change that. i put together this lil guide to getting ur life back on track. i hope this helps !! :]
Okay yes sorry I lied - but I just noticed that there are over 250 of you little peeps, so I thought we should celebrate by getting excited about revision timetables! Yay!
No, actually, this is all down to whoa-obsessedmuch when they asked me this, and I was a bit reluctant to put this up as I spent so much time on it. However, I have since been able to get over myself, and so here it is, free for you all to print, use, and enjoy. I hope it helps
thought i’d reblog this from ages ago in case anyone needed it seeing as i mentioned it in my last post. it’s my study schedule/how i measure out my days (in terms of ‘sessions’: 45 mins study, 15 mins break). it’s really pretty basic but i find it really helps to give me structure.
hope it’s useful, i might make a prettier version soon but for now feel free to print &use &c.. please like/reblog if you use
Fantasy is probably one of the most popular book genres, especially Young Adult Fantasies. This is because of the new worlds that are created, and the magic that lies within each world. With each fantasy we read, we are transported to a new fictional realm with new possibilities. This genre is so interesting, but it does require a lot of fine detailing.
If you’ve wanted to write a fantasy, but don’t know how, this post will hopefully help.
1. Fantasy Sub-genres
The first step is to typically figure out what subgenre of Fantasy you’re writing. There are many sub-genres but the most common are:
▪︎Sci-Fi Fantasy—futuristic, some magical elements placed within it
▪︎Urban Fantasy—present times, supernatural/magical elements incorporated within it
▪︎Young Adult Fantasy—relates to audience age range, typical fantasy but aimed towards teens
▪︎Adult Fantasy—audience age range, also a typical fantasy but aimed more towards adults
▪︎Modern Fantasy—somewhat like urban fantasy, only it’s set in more modern times, and just has magical elements
▪︎Historical Fantasy—takes place during a time in history with magical elements incorporated within it
▪︎High Fantasy—a realm made up entirely by yourself, no modern elements, just pure magic with no traces of the mortal realm
Figuring out a subgenre is SO important because it affects some events, and elements within your novel.
For example, I’m writing a YA Fantasy. But I also have a Sci-Fi Fantasy project that I just started. My YA Fantasy involves my own realm that’s outside of the mortal/human realm. Some things from the mortal world are incorporated into it, therefore it’s not a High Fantasy.
My Sci-Fi Fantasy project is futuristic revolution, and more so like The Giver, Maze Runner, etc. It’s a small city concealed from the mortal realm. The area is more like a Utopia with magical elements added in.
There’s so many sub-genres with Fantasy, and sometimes people may decide on the sub-genre AFTER they write their story. Its purely based on how you feel. Personally, I like to figure all that stuff out, BEFORE I begin plotting/writing. It just helps with my world building process.
2. Fantasy Elements
If you take an English or a writing class, more than likely story elements has been a topic of discussion. When it comes to Fantasy, I think we all know the general elements that make a fantasy novel. But, if you don’t, here are some general elements within a fantasy novel.
Magic—this one is a given
Worlds other than ours—in a fantasy story, there is a high possibility the setting isn’t the human/our world. It’s a completely made up world with its own government, laws, etc.
Literally anything that we classify as Unrealistic (just like my standards ahaha)
Species—Literally any form of life that isn’t human nor animal that exists in our world. Think of like Faes, Gremlins, Goblins, etc
A thing to remember: Mortals can be added into your story obviously, but they aren’t classified as mystical beings. We’re…special thats for sure, but we are real.
3. Characters
THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE FUN PART OMG. CREATING FANTASY CHARACTERS!
Okay so, pretty much you’d create your character like normal. Only, there’s some extra things you might include. Some of those things could be:
What species are they? Fae for example
What type of magic do they use? Do they even have a magical ability?
Age?Are they immortal? Are they above the average life span? For example, your character could be over 200 years old
Any weaponry skills?
Minor, but pretty necessary things for a character. If someone’s been living for over 200 years, surely they have to be at least a little grumpy about it. I know I would.
Seeing as this is a fantasy, there may be magic within your story. It’s good to determine whether or not your character has the ability to do magic. Or if they have no skills within magic. Could this cause a problem for them? Think of Deku from My Hero Academia. He was Quirkless pretty much and that really brought the poor guy down :(
4. Worldbuilding
This is probably the last section I mention in this post.
As I have said above, fantasy worlds are places the reader can be transported to. It’s the home of your book characters. And most importantly, it was created by you. Unless, you know, your setting takes place in our world.
There is SO much to consider when it comes to creating a new world from scratch. But in this post I’ll only list the major things (or things I believe that are major).
Magic: Is there magic in your world? If so, how does it work? Is it a natural thing for society? What are the limits? What are advantages and disadvantages to it? How does magic work in your realm?
The World Itself: Is your setting in a mountain? Is it on a grassy plain? Is it in a village? What’s the area look like? Are there many trees? This is the more geographical aspect of things. Whats the climate like? Are weather patterns consistent or inconsistent?
How People Interact: How do they greet and say goodbye to each other? What are forms of affection? What is acceptable and not acceptable?
Language: Do they speak a different language? What phrases to they use? What’s considered “slang”? What’s proper and improper?
Educatuon: What age group is normally taught? Is education a mandatory thing? Do they go to school, or do they get taught at home? What are they taught?
Food: Is there food from our world? What are these new food items called? What is considered food for “rich people” and what is considered food for “Poor people”?
Government: Is it a monarchy? A democracy? Or do they have a dictator? Is it an oligarchy? How are leaders chosen? How are they thrown out? How many terms to they serve before a new leader is chosen? Do the people have a say in who is chosen?
Those are some things to consider when worldbuilding! Also watch me pull up with my government type knowledge XD
Anyways, I hope this post was at least somewhat insightful. Always remember to do your own research to figure out what is best for YOUR story!
Quick note: I use Google docs to outline, as well as the app Novelist! I think they’re both very useful when it comes to writing.
1. Outlining On Google Docs
Okay, seeing as I already have this outlining done for DOL 2 (Yes, the squeakwel) I’ll have to blur some things. BUT, the way I outline is very simple and easy (for me.)
I personally don’t like to go majorly in depth with outlining seeing as I don’t typically stick to my outline.
Here is How I set Each Chapter Up:
Google Docs has this side tab where it acts like a table of contents. Every Header/Title type writing you have, it shows up on the outline. This is very useful when looking for a certain chapter.
How I write this out is, I change my text to Header 1, change the font and then everything after that is put in bullet points. I either do mini chapter synopses, or if multiple scenes happen in one chapter, I write out pretty much full—but vague—scenes
It’s that simple.
2. Novelist
Novelist is a free app you can get on the appstore! I have an Android/Samsung so I don’t know if you can get it on Iphone/Apple.
When you first open up a new story on Novelist, make sure you have the “Novel Standard” Option pressed. This changes some things for you.
At the bottom, you will see a button that says Organize. That’s where you’ll do your outlining.
You create a section which is what chapter you are on. Within that section you will create a “note”. This will be your synopsis for the chapter, or you can write out the full scene.
I’m currently in the beginning stages of outlining Children Of War and Rage (a Sci-Fi Fantasy wip I have), so that’s what you’ll be seeing in this next photo set.
Here you see that I have the section, and then I have the note.
I really like this app because it helps me plan out characters, scenes and relationships. I think it’s definitely worth trying out.
That’s all I use pretty much XD. I hope this was insightful in some way!
pro-tip: a lot of the time, when an image off google is automatically saving as “.webp” or “.gifv” in order to stop you from using it, you can work around this con pretty easily. all u gotta do it right click and select “open image in a new tab”.
notice how this new tab’s url ends with “.gifv”? or some kind of code converting a normal image to a webp (ex: “.png?type=webp”)? literally just manually edit the url so it just ends at “.gif” or “.png”. delete the “v” or delete the code. then hit enter so the image reloads under this new url, and hit save. it should save correctly this time <3
