Latest Posts by study-diaries - Page 2

Things I tell myself as a reminder.

If you want something you never had. You gotta do something you never did.

If it's a million to one. I'm gonna be that one.

The only way to go is forward

One step at a time

Remember, this is a little hurdle for you to succeed

It's okay to lose battles. You're here to win the war.

Failure is a part of success.

I'm worth fighting for.

You can wake up any day and decide to change the person that you are.

I am enough.

I walk in abundance and increase in abundance.

Hope it helps :)

Reminder

Your sadness is valid.

Your frustration is valid.

Your pain is valid.

Your jealousy is valid.

Your hurt is valid.

Your disappointment is valid.

Your shame/guilt is valid.

Your regret is valid.

Your anxiety is valid.

Your happiness is valid.

Your enthusiasm is valid.

Your passion is valid.

Your love is valid.

Your emotions are valid.

No matter what your emotions are, they are valid. You are allowed to feel.

But that does not mean your reactions may be valid too. You cannot hurt other people because of your emotions. You are responsible for your reactions to emotions.

Responsibility does not dismiss your validity of feeling a particular emotion.

How To Better Your Overall High School Experience From A Recently Passed Out Student

No drama, absolutely no drama. Don't get into trouble, it stirs negative emotions which is a waste of time.

It's not high school musical. I seriously am saying this, you won't just have "problems" that can be solved by just working together. Not everyone would be willing to be your friend/solve problems etc. Be okay with that.

Catch up on homework/assignments/tests/projects. Everything is so much easier when you actually are doing the work on time. Don't pile your work up until it becomes a mountain you can't climb without breaking down.

Don't take everything as "I'll manage" or "it's easy". Newsflash? The really important topic that you thought you'd wing it by studying the day before is actually way more complex and harder. So, take your books and do sit and study.

Stay with positive people. Your friends determine your energy. The people you surround yourself with represent your energy and mindset. So, choose friends wisely. Have a good friend circle.

Sleep on time. This is honestly one of the things i had difficulty in following because sometimes there's too much to do and absolutely no time. But is still say this because it's not impossible. I made sure to sleep before 11 or 12. Max would be 12:30.

Do courses! Lots and lots of them. The reason why i suggest this is because it literally enhanced my experience and my learning journey. It also gives you better opportunities during college admissions and for job interviews.

Have an idea of what you want to do in college and choose subjects accordingly. If you just entered High School and are in a position where you have to choose your subjects. Sit back and think "What am i going to do in college?" (I live in a place where what subjects you pick in high school would only open up opportunities in those fields.)

Choose subjects wisely and make sure to have a variety of subjects. Like languages, practical based and memorization based so you have options and won't get easily bored.

Build career paths. How? I again recommend courses. Even online courses like Coursera and Edx can highly make you experienced in your desired field. It's a roadway for more opportunities.

Save! Even if it is a dollar. Save money for things that you don't know you need in the future. It might help you. More than you think it would.

Build habits. Good habits. Waking up early, reading, exercising. Anything really. And be consistent with it.

Read! When i say this. I mean it. Read Everything. Self help books, business books, finance, romance, fantasy, dystopian, fiction, biographies. You don't know how this makes you develop into a another category of improvement. If you don't like reading, listen to audiobooks and podcasts.

Explore. Seriously. Be open minded. Everything is interesting but you must make it interesting.

Extra curriculars are a must. I seriously mean it, i don't remember much about academic achievements but i do remember all the main events and awards from clubs and competitions. That also doesn't mean you join everything under the sun, something interests you. Join it. If it doesn't, then don't.

Even if your friends aren't passionate about improvement etc, you can be friends with them. It doesn't mean they're bad, it just means that your goals differ. You can still be friends with them.

Don't drag out fights between friends or anyone. There's nothing wrong with cutting off from fights, it saves a lot of energy

Always lend an ear to others, friend or not. People remember others who are good to them so be nice. It doesn't hurt much. If someone needs help. help them.

Have some network beyond school (from other schools if you go for extra competitions or anything) I found it extremely helpful

Don't party (not too much). Personally, i don't believe too much in FOMO. Like, everyone around me participates in every small event, parties and what not. The trick is to join things you actually want and not just because you think you'll miss out. If you join every party/event, you'll likely won't be able to differentiate between the things that actually matter because everything looks the same.

Don't drink. That's what I'll always say. It's actually pretty bad for you, not only can you result in a bad hangover on a Monday morning but also actually mess up your body from the inside.

Don't do relationships. (at least in my opinion, it's an invitation for unwanted drama from what I've seen with my friends. it's messy)

Speak up in class (It can be difficult, but you must do it from time to time, it will boost confidence). You don't have to answer every time really. I spent my entire life sitting silently knowing the answers to every question but I chose not to say it.

Explore your aesthetic. Literally.

Cut your hair, wear rings, go emo or goth or cheerleader style. Hell, mix them. No one cares. Even if they do, does it really matter?

Take mental health days. I literally had 3-4 days a month for just resting. My sister and I would take days off together to watch tv shows and movies.

Talk to freshers, sophomores, juniors and seniors. (Honestly, I really love when my juniors come and talk to me, it feels nice, and you'll actually help them. we seniors aren't that bad)

There's no such thing as not cool (except when you disrespect somebody).

Don't start fights, if you find yourself in one, apologize and move on. Unnecessary drama really.

And don't gossip/talk bad about anyone. Once, my friend literally asked me, "Don't you freaking hate anyone from the class?" and i just said, "Hating someone requires energy, i don't want to waste my time and energy on that. Even if i hate them, i don't really have to advertise it."

Get familiar with your circle.. Honestly, i am a very quiet person, I didn't start getting comfortable with my group until like 3 months into senior year. It took me 1 and a half years to get comfortable with them.

It is totally fine to have a small circle of friends. It's also okay to have a large circle of friends. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Don't back answer a teacher. Teachers have impressions and if you back answer. That definitely leaves a bad impression. And you don't want that.

Have a memory book or anything for the last day of high school (I didn't want to keep a book because you had to spend weeks giving it to everyone so when we had a high school party, I took one of my scarfs and made people sign it and write a short message)

Don't give in to peer pressure. Honestly, it's fine if you don't do or like something.

__________________

Additional Posts:

Mistakes I made in my junior year that i don't want anyone else to repeat.

Mistakes I made in my senior year that I don't want anyone else to repeat

__________________

Hope This Helps! :))

any tips for studying while sick? xx

Hey there Anon! :D I hope this helps you.

How To Study When You're Sick

In no way am I promoting for you to study when you're sick or anything but there are a few times where you are stuck with studying due to tests and exams. It can be stressful during this period so, here are a few tips to study when you're sick which I've personally used as someone who has a lot of cramps and sinus issues which tends to creep in on me especially during exams.

Don't force yourself

Honestly, I don't really think you should study while you're sick because your body is already weak. Take rest. It's really fine if you miss a few days. Your health matters more. A healthy body leads to an active mind (In terms of learning)

Periodic Snacking

I am normally really against snacking in between study sessions but when I'm sick? I need my snacks. This is really simple, why? Your body is tired and losing energy quicker than before, plus your mind is also hazy. That's why, eat something everyone one hour or at least 40 minutes.

Water Is A Must

I literally keep a bottle of warm water mixed with honey with me all the time, even during school. It helps with cramps and actually gives you some energy. So, hydration is key.

Prioritize

By this, i mean, take a look at the table of contents and glance through the topics. And then mark the topics that the teacher specifically put emphasis on. That one topic that can help you gain extra points. Each lesson will definitely have at least one such topics. You don't have to study everything. You just need to study what you need to.

Energy Control

So, based on your energy. Choose what you have to do. If you're on low energy, then you might want to revise some old topics, or even watch some videos on certain topics. That's what i normally do. Watch videos on all your topics when you're sick. If you a bit more energy, you can use it appropriately and use it for learning just one or max two topics.

Breaks/Power Naps

Normally I'm against taking a lot of breaks in between study sessions because it disrupts focus but when you're sick. This. Is. Important. Take some breaks. Go easy on yourself.

Progress > Perfection

It's not about perfection. Never about perfection. You've done one topic? Well, done. Learn it. Rest. And don't feel guilty about just learning one topic. Those small topics that you cover now will pile up later and before you know it, you've completed most of your syllabus.

PYQ's To The Rescue

This was the main reason I actually passed. The thing is, when you're sick, you just feel like you don't know anything even if you've been studying for hours. This is where this comes into place. Previous Year Question Papers are the key to succeed. How To Actually Use PYQ's

Active Studying

Study using active methods.

Active Studying ==> Active recall and filling gaps, visual representation, learning through stories and mnemonics.

Passive studying ==> learning through notes, repeating things over and over again, trying to memorize instead of learning and understanding the concepts.

One hour of active studying is better than 5 hours of passive studying.

Break It Down

This is what i call "Line Visuals". You divide the topic line by line if you have to.

You read a paragraph => You don't understand anything.

Read every line => Draw it

Understand the key terms used there

And then draw a single visual representation for that entire topic.

I'll guarantee you, you will understand it. Review it once a day for a week and then once a week. If you don't have a week, then review it once in an hour.

-------------------------

I hope this helps! :D

(Feel free to send in more asks/questions. Honestly, i'm out of ideas here)

I'm kinda running out of ideas, my brain's been fried these days. So, if you have any topic that you're interested in regarding high school or generally studying or anything, don't be shy to send an ask. I seriously need some ideas

An Absolute Guide To Manage Your Time And Energy For School

If you struggle with time management and are still struggling, then maybe this short guide can help you become better, not perfect but better.

These are not time management techniques, no. None of the techniques personally worked for me because let's be honest. It's not that practical. I'm someone who does not get Pomodoro, nor can i get anything done if i write it down.

It's a mockery really but here are some adjustments that i made that helped me manage my time and energy.

Between classes/breaks/lunch

Have some incomplete work? Do it between classes. The short breaks. The teacher is 5 mins late? Complete at least some of the work, you might not believe it but you get a lot of things done when you add the spare time.

Travel

If you have a lot of travel time, do some of your studying then. If you get headaches, just do active recall or skim through notes, try to revise. You can even practice for tests, take your question paper and try answering the questions in your head.

Home=Studies

I personally only prefer studies at home. All written assignments, essays, extra curriculars, everything is only during school hours (If you don't have the "time". Do it during breaks). Because home is the one place you have minimal distractions beside your gadgets so use that opportunity in any way you can.

Mental lists and Accountability Partners

Normal to do list never work for me so i always keep a mental list of tasks i have to do every single day. It helps. An additional tip is to keep an accountability partner, share your tasks with each other and keep each other on track. Make it more challenging by making each other do something like a dare or something stupid if you don't complete your lists.

No time allotments

I personally feel that keeping a time allotted for every subject/topic is unnecessary like it doesn't work for me. I'll change the subjects when i'm bored. I'll take a break when i feel tired. Having time allotted is like a barrier. (At least for me) It will take time for you to understand difficult topics. Easy concepts can be fitted in the allotted time but difficult ones need more time and energy.

Only important things in the morning

Mornings are the best things that can possibly happen. I'm generally not a morning person, seriously but if you have to study complex topics or if you have some kind of important work then do it in the morning. Nobody disturbs you. Everyone is asleep. You can concentrate on your work and your mind is fresh, you can grasp more things and get your work done by the time everyone gets up.

Get in the flow

Learning things is not difficult. Making aesthetic lists and vision boards is not difficult. Anyone can do it, hell, everyone does it. Sticking to the process consistently is difficult.

You won't see results right away. It will take you time. It will take you energy so take a breath. Stick to the stuff longer than an hour and you'll actually see how difficult topics turn into easy ones. It normally takes 20 mins for you to actually get into "work" mode and it would take another 20 mins to actually get what you're trying to do.

Mindset Shift

What i realise when i look around me is that literally no one actually wants to do the hard work. Many of my friends literally give up after studying a hard topic, they don't put in the effort and the only thing i hear is "It's too hard and i don't have the time and energy right now" and that is the exact mindset that leads them to unwanted stress and cramming before a small test or an exam.

The thing is time is going to pass anyway so might as well get things done. And get it done in the best possible way. Period.

Get Assignment Done In Advance

My school gave me around 5 assignments every week or so, the only way i got them done was through doing all of the work during school hours. Complete them during breaks or free periods, after school or just between classes. And i know, sometimes you'll feel like "This is weird" because everyone else is relaxing and talking. You know what i did? I just sat with my group of friends and i just did my work (written work) while also talking to them. It's not as difficult as you think it is. It's more fun honestly. Honestly, after a while, they too joined me.

One Step Ahead

Look, it's really easy. Set what i call a "One In Advance". Your assignment is due in two weeks? Complete it by next week. Project due in one month. Complete it a week in advance. This is necessary because, when you start early, you finish it earlier than others so you can actually focus on some studying rather than wasting your time managing assignments and tests. You'll actually notice the difference in your stress levels when everything doesn't pile up. The trick is to complete everything before one week.

When You Feel Tired? Rest. Period.

This is non-negotiable. You don't force yourself to work when you are really tired. There is no use doing work when you feel exhausted.

The only thing i did for me to have a few extra hours per day is just allot my time. When i'm at school, it's fully work mode. Do your work and get things done. When i get back home, it's rest + study.

Hope this helps! :)

(By the way, in no way am i promoting toxic productivity. Rest when you need it and take time off. It is a crucial part. Don't. Forget. That. I'm providing you some daily adjustments that made my life easier and can do that to yours too)

reblog if you think sign language should be taught as a language in schools.

How To Study For Longer Hours

These are some of my tips that I used for studying for longer hours during my junior and senior year in high school. I generally studied 4 heavy content subjects and 2 languages. And, yes, i did get good grades.

Studying is a task that requires you to be consistent and driven. That is why, I want to make one thing very clear. This is not a promotion of toxic studying when you feel too tired.

I will start with a simple process that i formed.

Work => Compensation => Repeat.

Quality Matters

By quality I mean. One hour spending time recalling facts and answering questions and filling gaps is better than 5 hours of reviewing notes. Just focus on improving your focus and methods. I call it the "FM Method"

You choose one specific method, and you consistently follow it for a specific period.

Longer Hours Should Not Exceed 5

If you have to study for long hours, don't let it exceed 5 hours. The reason is simple. It's useless, and your body will drain up and use all your energy. I used to study for 9 hours some days in my junior year. Now i study only for 3-4 hours every day. The results? Practically the same. My grades didn't drop but i feel more motivated to study and complete everything.

So, don't extend the hours you study. Make your focus and methods better.

20 Second Breaks

When you complete a topic, small or big. Just close your eyes for 20-30 seconds and lean back on your chair and calm your breathing. Process the information. Let everything sink in. Take out the tension. DO NOT TAKE YOUR PHONE. And then after those 20-30 seconds, just glance through the topic before moving to the next one. So, take 20 second breaks.

Active Studying > Passive Studying

This is the same thing i spoke before. Use active methods of studying. Active recall and filling gaps, visual representation, learning through stories and mnemonics.

Passive studying is when you learn through notes, repeating things over and over again, trying to memorize instead of learning and understanding the concepts.

One hour of active studying is better than 5 hours of passive studying.

Rewards

When you complete an hour or two, give yourself a small reward. But the reward should be as productive as your time spent. If you spent the last two hours studying and then you watch 3 hours of your favourite tv show then that is not a good reward.

A reward should actually compensate, you need you calm your brain, not indulge yourself in instant dopamine hits.

Actual Rest

A reward is different from rest.

Rest is essential for your body. Sleep is the body's soother. You used your brain for hours and if you don't let it rest than definitely it doesn't matter how well you're actually studying. You. Will. Feel. Tired.

Burnout Effect

In one way, burnout is good. Honestly, some people's highest point is 30 mins or an hour. They find burnout creeping in after some time had passed. And that is why, if you want to reach at least two hours of studying. You need to push that limit. Every single time. Try moving 30 mins every week. Your max limit is 1 hour. Then this week, study for 1 hr 30 mins. The next week, study for 2hrs. then 2hr 30 mins. Do it for a few weeks.

If you don't push yourself to the max limit. Then you'll never actually reach your goal.

Consistency

This is an indefinite rule. You want to improve your grades. Do it every day.

Your work ethic and your willingness to stick to habits will determine your success.

Make a "Your" Environment.

This is a very underrated thing; you must have a "you" environment. It doesn't matter what it is. Basically a "you" environment is whenever you're there, you're motivated to do work. It doesn't have to be a place really. Another example would be, whenever i'm on my phone, i'm likely to waste my time doing unnecessary things but whenever i'm on my laptop, i'm automatically in "work" mode. So, for you it might be your study desk or even school sometimes.

(I remember, during the last 2 months in senior year, i used to go to the very corner of my classroom, sit on the ground, face the wall, put my headphones on, placed my bag in front of me as a table and just solve accountancy sums because that place was my "work" environment. Honestly, it looked so weird but whenever i was there, my focus was just amazing)

Additional Posts That Might Be Helpful:

Study Trick That No One Told Me How To Use Previous Year Papers Tips To Understand Complex Topics Small Things To Get Additional Points In Exams Questioning Method

Hope This Helps!! :)

The Two Mottos Of Life Are:

Beauty with brains.

Books with looks.

People make it weird by acting weird. Nobody was looking at you when you entered the room but if you be fidgety and nervous then viola! You've made people look at you and made it awkward. Seriously. I've had this experience so many times. Even when you've done something wrong, just apologize and say that "I'll do better" and watch the reaction of the other person. While if you act all guilty and just stare at the ground, of course it's going to piss someone off and this was something i realised really late. So, the next time you have any thoughts like:

what if it looks bad?

what if they think I'm weird?

what if they talk bad about me?

what if they talk behind me?

In most cases, you're the one in this situation and your brain is indirectly controlling you into doing things that actually prove your thoughts so in other words, you're messed up by your own mind.

Floor To Ceiling Method

This is something i found out recently. When you're trying to build a habit or if you want to achieve a specific goal or anything. You just have to put in a really simple chart like this.

Basically, let's say, i want to lose some weight. That's the habit that i want to build. So, that's your first step.

Step 1: Set your goal

Set your goal, whether it is losing weight or getting good grades or straight As. The trick is to be extremely specific. Write your Goal down. And write a single activity that you can do everyday to achieve your goal.

Step 2: Set your bare minimum as your floor.

Your bare minimum, let's say, a 15 min walk or 10 push ups or some jumping jacks. It could be anything. Literally no matter how small. Set a floor. Your bare minimum action that you do when you don't even feel like doing anything.

Step 3: Assign small goals for each level.

At level 1, set another action that is just a bit more challenging than the bare minimum. Then, at level 2, raise the action a bit more. And level 3 must be harder than that.

Step 4: Then set your ceiling which is a full on focus activity.

Set a ceiling which is the hardest action, let's say 1 hour of exercise. That's your highest peak action.

So, your aim must be to do your "Ceiling" activity everyday but on days which you feel that you are burnt out or are tired? This is the method that might help.

The trick is to actually never miss a day. Not a single one. You can do level 1, 2 or 3 depending on the day or even the bare minimum would be enough.

This method helps you to actually realize that you don't have to achieve your ceilings every single day. Sometimes, the floor is also enough and the trick is to not let a day go by without doing some actionable step towards your goals

This Helps In:

Maintaining Consistency

Improves Motivation

Isn't Toxic

Gives you a level that you can adapt to your day

It's easy to build habits

Hope it helps! :)

I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' - Muhammad Ali

Goals For This Year

I know I'm like 3 months late but I was waiting for the academic year to end so right now I'm fresh out of high school and obviously my priorities look different now so let's get down to it. Last year's goal post is here

It's almost the same for a few things. Some of my goals are standard so let's go

Personal:

Finish Quran at least 2 times

Memorize Juz 30 and half of Juz 29

Sleep and wake up at the same time everyday (5 am and 11 pm)

Exercise everyday

Maintain good mental health

Pray Tahajjud everyday

Get experience in data entry (I got myself a small gig every week so I guess it's good)

Figure out college

Academic:

(I'm not really taking a content heavy course so this is going to be a short list)

Maintain good grades in college semesters

Search for courses and internships

Extra curriculars:

Brush up my Arabic, especially speaking skills

Maintain this blog

Get into some frontend development

Open up a business

Improvements to be made/Fields to explore:

Confidence in speaking

Finance management

Frontend development

Arabic speaking fluency

So, if you noticed, compared to last year's goals. This year is pretty low . One main reason? I'm done with high school so obviously I don't have any long list for academics, i just want to build something stable so i guess this is something i'm working with. I don't want to pressurize myself into getting perfect grades in college because let's be honest, the degree doesn't count. It's the things that you do outside of it.

“Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days.” - Zig Ziglar

Eid Mubarak !! ❤️❤️

تَقَبَّلَ اللهُ مِنَّا وَمِنكُم

 Taqaballahu minna wa minkum

Relentless hardwork beats talent/intelligence. Every. Single. Time.

So the next time you feel like you're not talented/intelligent/good enough. Remember this. You're working hard for it. That's what matters.

There will be people better than you but there is absolutely no rule for you to not work harder than them.

When people say they feel tired all the time, my only question is "What time do you sleep?" Like, If you sleep at 2 in the morning, of course you'll feel tired.

Don't set alarms in the morning. Set alarms to go to sleep. The max time you can stay awake is 12.

You sleep at the right time and you will automatically change for the better.

Don't push your body to do work beyond it's limit.

Mistakes I made in my senior year that I don't want anyone else to repeat

I made a similar post last year for junior year so if anyone wants to check that out, click here!

I missed out on a lot of fun because of studying

I was too serious, I just realised that now

Studied the whole year and did well, only to burn out during finals so take a break. The world does not burn because you left one question

Most of my conversations revolved around college which by the way will irritate people. Talk about actual things, be light hearted.

Spent a lot of time on the phone in the morning

Slept late. Do not follow this. Seriously.

Didn't take time out for myself

Got too addicted to the concept of learning from AI (I mean during learning and not assignments)

Loved the concept of productivity, ended up back firing.

My anxiety sky rocketed because of pressure

People will say sh*t, you don't have to listen to them

And sometimes when people say sh*t. Listen to them

I thought the same study methods I used for my junior year could be applied to senior year but no, I took too much time, trying to force myself to follow those methods and that heightened my frustration because they didn't work (so if something doesn't work even after a month? Your sign to revaluate)

Just because a method of studying worked for you in the past, doesn't mean it will work all the time so don't continue it.

Thought my whole happiness would come with that one freaking grade on my progress grade but newsflash? it didn't

Was forced into things I didn't like, competitions and extra curriculars mainly. Worst part? I won all the ones I participated in but it just felt worthless.

I empathized with others but I couldn't empathize with myself

Stopped giving a shit about certain things that actually mattered

I spent my whole senior year comforting others who had problems but never shared mine. And the result? Burnout plus loneliness.

Panicked during exams and ended up questioning myself too much.

My mental health deteriorated but I managed.

(Again, it is for your referencing obviously. I will look at this when I'm going to college.)

Tips To Study Concept-Oriented Subjects

I've always struggled with this. Everything is concept oriented but there are only a few that come to mind when i think about this topic. Maths. Physics. Chemistry. Economics. Accountancy. These honestly eat our heads so here are a few tips of how i study them.

Practice everyday

These subjects require practice. Most of these require a deep understanding of topics, so that's why practice it daily. Every single day.

Basic Concepts Are Your Weapons

The basic foundation must be strong because that's how you build your pillars. Understand the ground so you can build your pillars on it. You should have the foundations like the back of your hands.

Maintain a notebook for formulae and theory

Keep a separate book for all basic concepts, another book for formulae and another book for your notes. When you have to revise, you have all the materials and they're organised.

Maintain a separate notebook for concepts

The main concepts are everything in these subjects. If you get your foundations strong then viola, you're all done. Maintain one book that is fully concept based. Everything that is related to the foundations are supposed to be in that book.

Past question papers

Past Question Papers = Grade Booster. The thing about past papers is that they're literally indicators of how you exam would be. They tell you crucial elements of your whole syllabus. Important chapters, topics and repeated questions. You practice papers and you can automatically see how beneficial they really are. If you want to know how to use practice papers. Click here.

Do it. Just do it

For a procrastinator like myself, let me tell you. It is hard. Even now, i'm writing this instead of studying like a normal human being who would when there are high school finals going on so let me just say this. Get up and do it for sometime. Just some time and you'll automatically get invested in it. It may take some time but it will happen eventually. I personally just do it due to fear. I don't really wanna fail my exams so align your goals with some kind of emotion so it gets you going.

Watch videos

This is like the interest booster. You may not realise but when your teacher teaches you the subjects, it gets awfully boring and confusing. When you learn it through videos and visuals on YouTube, you know what it is, you know additional details and it sticks to you. So, watch and try not to get distracted. Period.

Break It Down

Not your chapter. I mean the topic itself. Line by line if you have to. I did this exact thing for accounts whenever i had to do ratios. It was a pain. An unwanted pain. I couldn't understand anything. But i sat down one day and read every single line of the textbook for that topic. I made what i call "Line Visuals". This is simple.

You read a paragraph => You don't understand anything.

Read every line => Draw it

Understand the key terms used there

And then draw a single visual representation for that entire topic.

I'll guarantee you, you will understand it. Review it once a day for a week and then once a week.

____________________________

Hope this helps!!! :))

End Of School Life

I'm curious because i just completed my whole school life and i literally feel relieved but most of my classmates were hugging each other with teary eyes so...

How To Self Study

This is coming from a girl who spent her fresher and sophomore year studying at home and yes, I got good grades. So, here are some tips that I followed for studying by myself without depending on any teachers.

So, let's get into it!

Gather and organise material

This is important, why? What are you going to study if you have absolutely no idea what your syllabus and study material is? By materials I mean:

Textbooks (If you have any)

Practice papers

Previous year papers

Extra reading materials/ Reference books

If you don't have any textbooks. Go through the topics that you have and gather resources from different sources.

Tip: Have at least 1 extra reading material for every subject/paper. It helps you understand some topics that are explained in a complex manner in textbooks which is almost all the time.

Don't depend on your teacher

Teachers are good. Seriously. But their attention will always be shifty. They have a lot of students to teach, from many other classes so if you depend only on your teachers for clarifying your doubts or being at the back of you to study then newsflash, its going to be hard. Rather, be your own teacher. Don't go "I'll ask this to her/him tomorrow after class" because that will be your answer every time you have even a small question which can easily be solved by a simple search. You're saving your time and theirs.

Tip: If you're someone like me who gets distracted when you take up your phone even for a second then write down all your questions in a paper and search them later after your study session.

Make notes

I usually say this because notes help you understand topics. There are many methods of taking notes. I usually don't follow any structure for note taking, I just read and write keywords under the topic name, linking a few things here and there.

Tip: Notes need not be aesthetic. Seriously. You can be as messy as you can.

Watch videos related to concepts

This helps and I know most already do this.

Tip: When you finish watching a topic, close the video and write down what you understood and then play the video again, fill in the gaps that you missed and watch it again.

Study in chunks

I always believe that whatever you do, you should do in chunks. Instead of doing one chapter, divide it. Into small bits. I'll tell you, you'll see the difference. I don't usually recommend Pomodoro since it doesn't work for me. I don't keep a time limit or a set number of breaks. I finish a chunk and if I am tired, I take a break otherwise i continue.

Tip: Self quiz yourself after each chunk and then take a break. Then after you finish the chunks for the whole chapter with the self quizzing then self quiz yourself randomly for every chunk. Here's an additional tip. Take 20 second breaks.

Period of deep work

This is not a new concept, i didn't realize i did this at first. Basically, when you start your work. You do nothing but work. Like nothing else. No phones. No snacking. No unwanted thoughts. Just nothing but what you have to do. That is to study.

Tip: It is difficult to implement this right away especially if you have a habit of it getting distracted easily so i just suggest => Start smaller. One topic with full concentration. It would usually take you 20 - 30 mins to get immersed in the work. 40 mins if it's something you don't like but once you get the momentum? An unbelievable achievement really. And then, change your environment.

Quality > Quantity && Consistency> Cramming

One hour of productive studying is better than nine hours of useless studying. I feel like it's better to study 20 mins everyday rather than the whole night before an exam. It just causes stress.

Tip: Start early. Your teacher is on chapter 5? And you still don't get chapter 1, it's fine. Start learning. Seriously, it's okay to be behind. You just have to stick. Do it everyday and you'll see results that is better than those who are just keeping up with the teacher.

Deadlines Are Mandatory

Have deadlines. There are a number of ways to do this. I'm a person who is really lazy and a weird soul who would never complete their to-do list for the day if they write it down. It would always be left unfinished. So i just keep a mental time limit and the thing i have to get done.

Tip: Overestimate your deadline. Like, let's say i have to complete around 15 lessons that week. I keep my deadline to around 25-30 and i eventually complete 15. It's about adapting to what works for you. Just change according to what works for you.

Practice questions / Previous Year Papers

I can never emphasize this enough. The best way to prepare for any exam is just do practice questions or previous year questions. You will learn a lot of things. The topics that are important or repeated. The topics that are never asked.

Tip: Grade yourself on each paper. Circle the questions in your textbook while you are studying and practicing. Then when you have to actually study then you can actually revise the topics a bit more thoroughly. If you want to know more, click here.

It's okay to be behind in class

During my first term in senior year, the whole class was around 5 chapters ahead for every test and exam while me? If they were on chapter 12, i was in chapter 4 or 5 but i understood the concepts and took my sweet time with each chapter. Because the more time you take for a chapter, the better it stays in your memory.

Tip: Here is where active recall comes handy. When you revise one chapter, take a 2 day break and study another subject and then go back to the chapter and answer the practice questions. If you're able to do them, great! If not, revise more and then look at it after 3-4 days. Repeat until you have no mistakes in your answers. This helps in long term retaining.

Make It Interesting

How do you study boring subjects? You adapt. Mind maps don't work for me. Neither does flash cards. So, i found something that did. Storytelling. Take your most boring subject, turn it into a story. Make it bearable.

Tip: Tie it somethings that you like. For example, business studies was the most boring one for me so obviously, every topic was a story for me. HR Theories and Processes? ==> An office romance story. Management Principles? ==> A fantasy story where a group goes on a quest. Make It interesting. Make it gripping. And let me tell you, this actually works because our minds grasp stories better than just normal theory jargon.

Difficult Topics Are Only Difficult Because You Think They Are

This was something that i learnt the harder way. Everything looked difficult at the beginning. Everything. But the most difficult paper was maths. Because i had no teacher. Literally. I was learning from YouTube, searching different sites for tips and tricks. I thought it was too difficult and then i was like "i have to do it anyway no matter how much i brood" so i started from scratch like 3 months before my exams.

Tip: A mind set change is everything. If you think it is easy. The topic will be more bearable. If you think it's tough, it's going to be more tough. If you want some more tips for complex topics, click here.

Hope this helps !!! :)

Study Tip 6

Keep a small notepad with you so you can write down important things. If you don't write down things, you will definitely forget. It's gonna be helpful for you to stay organized.

Reminder

It's okay if you didn't achieve the things that you worked hard for.

It's also okay if you did.

It's okay if you feel like you didn't try harder.

It's also okay if you did.

No matter what people say, you did your best.

If you didn't achieve the goal that you said you would, people will say "She didn't try hard enough"

If you did achieve the goal, they would say "She sacrificed too much"

No matter what, people will talk

So, be gentle to yourself.

It's funny how most of us would rather read study and productivity tips/quotes than actually studying or doing work.

I'm being indecisive so let's see 0-0

school has that charm in which you started 2 days ago yet you already feel like you're behind

You know, being a senior is such a good vibe. Like, nobody messes with you and everyone comes to talk to you from sophomore and junior years to ask about class selection and finals. And you give the vibe of that wise old owl who in fact doesn't know anything.

There's no way I'm going back with something I don't like.