Remember What Life Is All About

Master List of Academic Success from Girl with a 4.0 at Uni (study tips, life tips, etc.)

For some school tips:

Go to your professors office hours. Seriously just go. I've literally had professors tell me questions that are going to be on the test in office hours. I've had professors help me break past writing block in office hours. Often, professors are much more agreeable in 1-1 conversations, and they start to learn your name and work ethic (particularly important in large classes) My favorite example of this: Fall term of my freshman year, I had an astronomy class that was huge, Im talking hundreds of students. There were about 10-20 of us who found out that during office hours the week of big exams, the professor would actually let us help him choose test questions. His office was high up with a great view, and it was so fun to cram in to his office and huddle up, especially during the winter months late at night, excitedly discussing black holes, the conversation pin balling around the room.

Take paper notes. Holy crap I cant emphasize this enough. I know there's a heap of science behind it I just don't know the details so I won't go into it, but it dramatically increases memory. So during lecture, take notes using paper and pen, and in fact, keep all your electronics in your bag for class. This helps you keep engaged in the lecture and you never get distracted and tune out.

Sit in the front row. I know, I know. But seriously I've genuinely sat in the front row for every single lecture that I've ever attended since freshman year, and it has done wonders for me. I'm so much more willing to participate in discussions and answer questions, which helps me understand the content more. Also another great strategy to avoid using your phone or computer to eliminate distraction.

Don't skip lecture. I've never skipped a lecture unless I was sick enough that I felt like I would vomit during class. Skipping class just is not worth the consequences. Genuinely every lecture is important and you never know when the professor will say something that is going to be on exams or quizzes.

Do assigned readings and homework. every. single. time. Unlike in high school, a big majority of the assignments professors give out aren't actually busy work- they have a purpose. They're often super helpful for understanding information better overall.

Have study spots and spaces. One of my favorites is a 24 hour coffee shop about 10 minutes from campus. The vibes are off the charts, super eclectic, and insanely productive. Never study in bed, trust me. Libraries, coffee shops, even the dining room table are good. Just not bed.

Life tips:

Sleep. I know the academia world romanticizes running on 3 hours of sleep because we were up too late reading. But sleep is an academic superpower than severely enhances the functioning of our brains. Don't procrastinate things that are important- get stuff done early in the day. Go to sleep early and wake up early.

On that note, become a morning person. My most productive hours are 5-9 am, before my roommates are awake, before anyone is awake. In these hours I'm able to workout, clean the apartment, talk to God, and start studying, all before most people are awake, which means less distractions. Also, there's something really sweet about rubbing the sleep out of your eyes, coffee becomes so much more sacred, and silence is refreshing.

Eat food friends. I know sometimes we can forget to eat all day as we become lost in study, but I find that sometimes just a study snack makes me a lot more productive and revives me from any groggy feelings.

Ask questions. People will love to answer, and it makes you seem curious and interested.

Dress up. Even when you get up in the morning, change out of your pajamas. You can even change into different pajamas if you want. But I find that a nice outfit helps me feel lots more productive and aesthetic.

Last but not least, carpe diem, make your lives extraordinary.

Rules to not feel like shit:

sleep. for fuck's sake just sleep.

take care of your health! u can't study while being in p a i n

exercise or stretch every day please please your knees need it

do not!!!!! leave things for the last fucking minute!!!!! i beg you!!!!!

Yea guess who's feeling pain everywhere and can't barely keep her eyes open but has to cram a presentation for tomorrow!!! AGAIN!!! AAAAAA

06.26.24

good morning!!! happy wednesday 🌸 we had our adcon this morning. our lectures were asynch so I had my car cleaned and now I’m staying at my fave café studying before my afternoon lecture. 2 days left before clerkship ends!!!!! 🎀

Had a big family gathering today, so yesterday night I had to work extra time to stay on top of my work. Had a lot of fun with my relatives, but now it's time to go back to studying :)

one thing i really enjoy doing in my journal is writing down beautiful poems, passages from novels, and film reviews that i come across. a few weeks ago, i watched la chimera and it was one of the best movies i've seen in the past decade. i'm still thinking about it, weeks later.... beautiful movies beget beautiful film reviews so i wrote down an excerpt of an nyt review🏺

07/01/2024

a month left and i'm not panicking (i am)...! sorry to juxtapose beautiful flowers with a cursed picture of memorizing crim at like 3 am lmao. hope everyone's having a lovely summer and good luck to those who are also studying over the summer ! summer study squad🌞📚, let's go!!! may we be blessed with good grades, passing scores, and a stress-free autumn🙏

No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.

pic: g.pixs

Bus to a field trip: light hearted yelling and fun dancing

Bus home: "Did you know I'm genuinely concerned I am unable to love?"

Study for what you love and it will never feel like studying.

I tried all semester long to stay afloat with the courses as to not be overwhelmed during exam season

Now the exams started and I'm able to enjoy learning about things that I'm passionate about

5/6 exams to go (i absolutely nailed the first one)