Stayed up way past my bedtime to finish a term paper for my class on Japanese political economy. Somewhat satisfied with what I had to say, hopefully my professor feels the same way.
it is better to do good things poorly than to not do them at all. a 15-20 minute walk is better than not going, slow yoga or stretching is better than not moving at all. reading a few pages is better than not reading anything. baby steps are okay.
I have never been into dark academia but after 6 months of non-stop lockdown and 13 months of zoom university I have started to romanticize a new type of university aesthetic which I call
Just Normal Academia:
The taste of cheap vending machine coffee. The dusty smell of your library seat. Clothes that are not remarkable in any way, but hey, you are wearing actual pants. Trying to read books that are relavant for your essay but getting distracted by your friend who wants to chat. The feeling of being cramped into public transport with hundreds of other tired students in the morning.
I never thought I’d be the type of person to have an academia aesthetic but I’d do almost anything to live the Just Normal Academia life right now
honestly i think about sitting in one of those disgusting old chairs in the ratty old library about two to three times a day, at least, and i could cry bc i just want all that so bad
15/jan/22// It’s a Saturday and my new part-time job is starting today. However, I got the late shift so I was still able to attend half of the day of a seminar that’s taking place on weekends (yay). We started with giving feedback on presentation videos some of us had prepared beforehand, using feedback methods based on non-violent communication.
“Every man who receives a liberal education now counts chemistry among the most indispensable objects of his studies” - Antoine François Fourcroy
27/06/2020, Saturday.
Today I got back at my parents house, I love to study at my old desk
Currently doing NMR spectroscopy, I find it fascinating! I enrolled for two lectures this spring/summer:
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry;
Biomolecular Spectroscopy Laboratory.
The first one is mandatory for graduate students, it includes NMR basics (with some hardcore formulas). The second one is focused on 2D-NMR for macromolecules (for example proteins)
“We may live in an age of instant messaging, instant gratification and Instagram, but there is no way to short circuit the path to success.” - Tory Burch
24/06/2020, Wednesday.
I did it! On 10th June 2020 I graduated
Since my last post I worked on my thesis (wrote it in English, which is not common for undergraduate students), completed the PowerPoint presentation and kept attending on-line lectured. K. (my supervisor) was extraordinary! Yes, she left all the work for the very last week (almost died of anxiety), but when she got into it she helped me enormously
When the day came, I was more excited to present my work than anxious. I was worried because my graduation was on-line, but everything went perfectly. Family and friends could watch the presentation on the university YouTube channel ☺️
Even if graduation is enough, I could enroll for the postgraduate lectures I wanted! Double the joy
The downside is I had no rest time. I had to start study right after… But I try to do my best, I hope to finish exam in July
Any advice for a postgraduate student?
Personal life had been inexistent, all my forces are in academia. Not a big loss because in Italy there still are restrictions. I kept working out, but I need to do more because spending all my time in the house drives me crazy
“A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers” - Helen Keller
04/05/2020, Monday.
Academical situation:
On the 21st April, I passed my last exam! On-line testing was better than I thought. It was quick and I got my grade confirmed (as the exam was only a part of a bigger one). Registering Physical Chemistry II grade meant registering my last undergraduate exam. Yes, I am done
I intend to apply for grad-school at the same university, many more exam to go. But, I closed a chapter. I am sad… Not because of the closing, not because of the changing… No… I am sad because I haven’t felt the joy of it, I haven’t felt different or relieved or anything…
Updates are on their way! Italy has entered phase 2 today, universities have high autonomy and during last week tons of meetings were made to decide and organise the following steps. I, a common student, have to wait few more days. By the end of the week, I will know what the future holds for me
Will I be able to enrol in two post-grad courses? Will I have to wait till autumn (and loose time)? Who knows.
While waiting for both updates and thesis correction, I keep up with on-line classes.
Personal situation:
I did 7 weeks of solitary isolation, it went extraordinarily good! I am surprised! Had ups and downs, but -overall- I am satisfied about how I adapted my routine during a difficult time. Especially due to the fact that I spent my study hours at university, and relaxed at home. Radically changing my habits has been a big turn
Today I saw S., we considered the risk (extremely low) and agreed upon seeing each other. My lonely time has come to an end! Seeing each other means -as well- that I can train at his place, with weights! Time to set up a new routine ️♀️
During quarantine, I listened to many podcasts (in italian)! They are my new passion, If anyone has suggestions on interesting ones (in italian, english or french) they will be welcome
“Being alone has a power that very few people can handle” - Steven Aitchison
15/04/2020, Wednesday.
Academical situation:
It is unlikely university reopens in this academic year. Officially, everything is closed till 3rd may. After that date, who knows?
In these weeks, I rolled up my sleeves! I finished writing my thesis, sent it to my supervisor and I am currently waiting for the correction. The work is not finished, but the “creating from zero” part is behind me!
While waiting, I had my last exam scheduled on the 21st april. It’ll be held online, on a specific platform and I have to sign a from declaring that I am not cheating. Yesterday, I started revising and I hope everything goes on smoothly
In parallel, I am following online first year second semester postgraduate lectures (only two of them). I hope to be able to undergo the exams, even if now I can’t be sure! It does depend on bureaucratic matters, not me…
Personal situation:
I am on my 5th isolation week. I am doing solitary quarantine! It is not bad as it may seem, nobody interrupts while I work! And I can concentrate truly well. I do not feel lonely, but -of course- I have down moments! I may not be an extremely social person, but staying alone for 5 weeks is not good either
I created a new routine: I don’t get up late, kept my week day usual alarm (7h45 a.m.). I try to have my work done in the morning, or - in general- in the first part of the day. Thus, when I am done I know I can dedicate myself to my hobbies!
The activities I want to do range from gaming to cooking, from reading a book to cleaning the house. I try to be flexible and do what inspires me in that moment. I still train, every other day. Home workouts are hard and makes me exhausted but satisfied! On rest days, I practice yoga (25-45 minutes, depending on my energies level). I made great progress with my flexibility and I am proud ♀️
After dinner S. and I watch a couple of a tv series episodes, we both have Amazon Prime Video and we manage to start at the same time, that way we are sync even if we live in different houses! We just finished “The Man in the High Castle”, I highly recommend it
“Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed” - Terry Goodkind
20/03/2020, Friday.
Another month passed by. It feels like everything stopped, but a lot has changed.
Academical situation:
On february 24th italian universities closed due to Covid-19 spreading. Official reopening on april 3rd, but the date is likely to be postponed because the situation appears to be critical.
As a consequence I was unable to undergo my last exam (physical chemistry II - laboratory). Formal indications are: it is not possible to take exams from remote, as cheating can occur. As soon as the structure reopens, exams are scheduled. At the moment I do not have a date, most likely mid-april ⏳
Graduations is delayed as well. As previously, no approved date, june is a possibility. If that was definitive, I would be unable to attend first year second semester postgraduate courses and labs. I do not want to lose time… I do not want to wait till autumn…
What am I doing? Temporarily left aside my exam, I am concentrating on writing my thesis and following online classes (I refuse to fall behind)
Personal situation:
Rigid lock down began on march 2nd. I decided not to go at my family house, I stayed alone in my flat. It was the right call because I got ill, yes, it probably was the famous virus (I had the typical symptoms, in a light form, and in november I had myself vaccinated against flu).
I felt poorly for 7/8 days, even had fever on thursday the 12th. But now I am good, it has been 4 days since symptoms disappearance. I saw noone and followed certified indications (those communicated by official organisations).
I do not find difficult to be in self-imposed isolation, the worst enemy is boredom. Since I got well, I’ve been doing yoga. And I am searching an at-home-training in substitution of gym one. ️♀️
How are you dealing with the situation?
Do you have any suggestion on at-home activities I could try? (New organising methods, smart-working techniques, home workouts, yoga classes, books… Recipes as long as they are light)
“You don’t have to do this, you get to do this” - Tom Kubis
27/02/2020, Thursday.
Physical chemistry II: On Friday 21st I passed physical chemistry II, theory
I was nervous and scared before my exam, as usual! Still need to do laboratory part: it was supposed to be on friday 28th… Guess what?
University is closed the whole week! Cause: coronavirus precautions
I do not have a new date yet. But I need to study like due date hasn’t changed because if it is postponed for too long I’ll have to split my time between study and thesis
Thesis: it has been two weeks since I was in the lab. I officially finished my samples, no more synthesis for me. Now I “just” have to write it
Self-care: gym is close as well… Slightly mad. Positive aspect? Yesterday I did yoga for the first time in moths! Turns out I lost flexibility! ♀️
“Things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle” – Abraham Lincoln via Tina MiModels
07/02/2020, Friday.
One month had passed since last post. I started writing a few times but never finished, I thought I had nothing to share… I realised not posting had a negative influence on my productivity! I am aware it’s stupid, but I am generally more encouraged if I think about sharing my day
Catching up:
Physical Chemistry II: I started four weeks ago, not giving 100%… I kept postponing “real studying” and kept reading my notes over and over. It seemed like every day I had better tasks (chores, thesis assignments). But now the time has come: due date 21st february! It is so close
Good news are that I find the topic extremely interesting and I have my productively anxiety (about time!)
Thesis: I haven’t started writing yet. First I want to close the exam; that way I can focus on one task at a time! It is still not clear on what my thesis is about… Polypeptoids are the main topic, of course, but we have to decide on which aspect I should focus
Needless to say: the situation makes me distressed.
“Every moment of one’s existence, one is growing into more or retreating into less.” - Norman Mailer
02/01/2020, Thursday.
Here I am again: reading articles and plotting excel graphs. It is the first university related activity I do during winter break. Currently at my parents house and enjoying rest and family
I have no intention in working (for real) till I get back! No routine, no stress and no anxiety!
New Year Resolution: 2020′s goal would be consistency. I don’t have a list full of things I already know I won’t accomplish. My purpose is to build a path towards my future and become a person I’ll be proud to be, step after step
I need to focus on the present and stay honest to myself.
2019 thought me I have to work, I have to modify my life. I do not have to be scared of changes, they are opportunities. It thought me results will come if I do the necessary. Last year was full of personal growth and I am extremely proud
“The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others” - Hasidic Proverb
25/12/2019, Wednesday.
Merry Christmas!
This year winter break means relax, time with family and feeling free! I need detachment from university, at least for a bit. I do deserve it, I earned it
Physics II: had my exam in the 23rd! I refused to enter holidays knowing I was supposed to study. I rolled up my sleeves, I gave everything I had left and I passed my exam
One exam down, one more to go (obviously divided in two parts). Not only I passed it, but I scored 30/30
Thesis: project keeps going, nothing to report. I should probably start writing something, introduction would be nice!
I started studying today and I must say i really missed it. When i was still at school i would have never thought that one day I’d really enjoy studying.
My masters programme is starting tomorrow and I’m actually really excited. Unfortunately my first lecture was cancelled for covid reasons, and i can’t attend the scheduled welcome session. So first day Wednesday instead I guess! Spending this sunday doing some anatomy studies ft. some photos I took when I was in Edinburgh
