study advice (just for fun)
Use your resources: online videos, past papers, marking schemes, ebooks, textbooks take your pick
For Muslims: study after fajr and schedule around prayers. (Also start with rabbi zidni ilma)
Summary sheets: summarize each topic on one piece of paper I like doing this for geography
Formula sheets: make a list of all the formulas you use in math, physics and other calculation based subjects and keep it with you when you study (it's a life saver)
Erasable pens are amazing for note taking especially for diagrams
Use mnemonics when you can and other memory devices. If you can't come up with one ask chat gpt for it
On the same note use chatgpt to simplify your notes and make the content more fun
Keep a mistakes notebook or Google document for all questions you do wrong. For each mistake write it down with corrections this helps identify weak spots in learning
After each test ask your teacher for feedback and corrections then redo all your mistakes. Jot down the errors in mistake document/notebook
How To Study Anything At 10x Speed
This is not a bs guide, these are some tips that have actually worked for me and they can work for you too. The thing is, it's fairly really easy. I have sometimes managed to prepare for a test before 15 mins by just reading through it. It's fascinating if you break it down.
Mindset Change
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. So, first thing is first. Be open. You are not dumb, you can easily understand everything if you just remove the concept of "It is too hard or boring"
I once heard that the subject isn't boring, you are bored. So, change your thought process. Start with, "I can handle this"
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.
Story Method
People remember stories more than normal facts or random pieces of data. Stories allow you to link different facts together and make it easier for you to process.
The easiest way to do this is using "FTF" (First, Then, Finally).
First, the main character (you or anyone else you imagine) will start on a journey. That's scene one. You will need to associate some points to this scene. This will mostly include the overall concept. Basic understanding.
Then, the main character will face a problem. This will include all the major questions revolving around the topic.
Finally, the main character will find the answers. Let's break it down more.
What i love about this is that it can be used for sudden test/ pop quizzes because all you need to do is just remember the story.
If you want to read more about it, check out: How To Study Using The "Story Method"
Use Mnemonics
Learn with this. It helps you to remember easily. Make catchy phrases to remember points/facts. These are like the building blocks of studying anything. Stick small notes to your books writing the phrases beside the topic so the next time you want to revise it, it's easy.
Connect Similar Topic
Connect all your related subjects. Everything in school is somehow connected. I usually used to connect economics and business studies concepts. Sometimes even computers so... Connect them.
Active Recall
Active recall is like the number one tip i'd recommend. It's easy and most of you probably do it already. You just have to keep revising and testing yourself at the materials periodically. It's easy and effective.
Teach What You Learn
You learn the most when you teach. I had taken my friends for this. Study and teach it to them. This helps because you have to have a clear understanding of the material first rather to teach them and you may end up with some important feedback. Your friends might ask a specific question you didn't know the answer to and now all of you are trying to perfect yourself with the material.
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Additional Tips:
Tips for understanding complex topics
How To Self Study
Tips To Study Concept-Oriented Subjects
How To Study For Longer Hours
How To Study Multiple Subjects
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I hope it helps! :)
By the way, all of these tips are from my previous posts. But honestly this is what i do to actually study faster. It actually works for me and i hope it works for you too :)
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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! :)
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
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.
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.)
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 !!! :)
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.
Gosh, i can't believe how fast this is going but it's alright. For the past few days, my mantra has been "You'll be fine. This is gonna pass." I don't know if it's working or not though...
Today was alright, I did... Enough I guess.
Did Accounts 4 hrs 40 mins (Solved a question paper plus revision)
Went through Computers for around 1 hr
Business Studies for 3 hrs
Revised some English Grammar 1 hr
Not bad but could be better. Honestly, I'm kinda scared alright. I'm gonna go over economics, accounts and computers tomorrow so yeah.
I can't believe I'm this close to my exams. Literally a week and gosh, it's gonna be a hectic month. My highschool party got over yesterday so I literally didn't study anything. Now, the main question is... How in the world am i gonna use these precious days to get the best possible result?
I don't wanna get burned out like I had last year in the middle of the exam month so I'll be taking consistent breaks. From Friday, I'll be studying Arabic because that's my first exam so exactly 3 days to prepare for it. Then I just have... Like 4 more days... I gotta fit in Business studies, Economics, Accountancy and Computer Applications in it... I can't revise fully, I'll just revise the things I haven't in awhile.
I haven't been studying a lot this year but I still feel confident enough so... I guess it is what it is...
Today I:
Did Accounts 1 hr+
Did some business studies revision.
Today was my last highschool exam that was in my school. With this, it's straight up finals in March (in another school) and I just have to say... I literally feel so damn happy. Like, everyone was getting so emotional and I was like "Yaaayyy" but literally, it's really cool. I don't know how I survived the past 2 months, from January, we had around 18 exams plus 2 practicals and my brain is fried.
I had no time to even log in here, with revision and exams and studying (and reading Onyx Storm) so yes, no time. But I have around 2 weeks for my finals to start and officially, it's the last month of high school and damn I am happy.
I've been getting some anxiety about finals but I'm trying to be calm, like seriously... I'm also kinda worried about fasting and studying together but I guess I'll manage.
So yeah, how have you guys been?
I had my brain fried.... Just wow... I don't have any pictures for today but...
Arabic - 40 mins
Accountancy - 4+ hours
Computers - 1 hour
And just wow, I feel sleepy and irritated really T-T
An honest study tip is don't try to romanticize studying. Like, it's good but it works for around a week and then you're back to your lazy couch potato because you can't even sit and study and now you have added extra things that need to be done to actually study. You've added more steps.... Which makes it an even harder task.
Try actually being.... Let's say scared? Recently, I've got this interesting tip, I actually think about the worst possible result I could get and the reactions I'd get and that always gets me going. Because fear is always a better motivator.
I have no idea what I'm doing with my life. Honestly I just wanna sit back and cry. I have around 11 lessons for tomorrow's exam and let me tell you, it's not pleasant. T-T
Did 7+ hours of Business Studies
Completed Arabic Assignment
My brain is honestly fried. I have no idea what the hell I'm doing, i hope the exam is easy tomorrow :")
Did I count the days wrong? Yup, definitely did. Well, let's just say that I have no idea how I'm managing. But today's exam was suprising. Really really suprising. I surprisingly remember the lessons we'll enough even without going through them that means I've learnt them good enough.
(By the way, i completed my English exam yesterday and my business studies exam today. Now I have my English (part 2) exam tomorrow and Business studies (part 2) on Monday.)
Studied English +2 hours
Honestly I feel like English is the only subject where i actually am calm and don't panic for the exam. The poetry and everything combined is so .... Fascinatingly serene.
I'm back. After a long time, I'm finally back at posting these regular updates. I had a huge stagnant month but I feel like I'm getting back on track.... It's not even 2 months before my finals start and I'm not that anxious but still anxious. I've got 16 exams till February 2nd week and then cancel 3 days because of school events etc etc.... I've literally got 35 days T-T
I've got an exam tomorrow so :")
Today I:
Did 2+ hours of business studies
Learnt for English 2+ hours
I honestly got really off track here, it's been a mess for the past few days and honestly i'm kinda in a processing mode, a lot is happening and i feel disassociated with reality alittle but i guess life goes on?
What was i doing the past few days? Trying to study with severe cramps and not overthink anything... its not really working. I have like ton of tests and assignments next week and mid terms start the week after next and i am not ready.
I don't find myself studying or doing anything and honestly, i need a break but i can't get one until December end and we'll only get like a week so it's gonna be hard but i think i'll manage
Today wasn't bad but not too good either :")
Honestly I'm overthinking quite a lot because of the finals so much that i got a freaking headache.... Anxiety has been following me around all week, I don't even know how I'm gonna manage...
Today I:
Studied Accounts (2hr 15mins)
Studied Business studies (1hr)
Honestly nothing much but gosh, my major problem is studies plus teacher pressure and subtract your hobbies/interest multiply zero time and divide your health. Isn't the equation really good? T-T
I can do it... atleast i hope i can. Tomorrow i have school till 3, I'll be at home by 4: 30 and tomorrow is fully accounts in the evening so I'll be studying either economics or business studies in the morning... let's see.
Well hey there, it's been a productive despite me not going to school and honestly I'm really proud of myself for actually doing something useful for once xD
Completed (yesterday and today)
Economics assignment
English assignment (20%)
Accountancy (3-4hr)
Business studies (1hr 30mins)
Computer Ppt done
I havn't been touching Arabic so I kinda have to start. Plus i got like an English test tomorrow :")
That's it for today <3
So, we're going back on the countdown... Since my final exam schedule just got released and honestly I'm feeling kinda excited. If this was last year, I was literally really nervous and was overwhelmed but this year? I just feel calm and excited.
I'm gonna start to study more consistently from now, especially in Arabic and business studies so let's see.
That's it for now <3
How have you guys been?
Okay, today was interesting ...
I got my results and I'm only disappointed in accounts.... Even though i didn't score that bad ://
Anyway, I am starting to be a little more productive atleast from some days... I'm planning to make use of this term because honestly I don't know how we are gonna get our final papers...
Today I:
Did accounts + made notes
Revised economics
Revised Business studies
And I'm currently reading this self help book "Think straight" by Darious Foroux. It's kinda good actually, it's been a while since I've read anything so it's nice from my usual routine.
Okay, time's flying really fast. My term exam results come on Monday or Tuesday and my accountancy teacher told me that I did really bad and that she was disappointed in me and that i should concentrate more on it.
So, I'm wondering how the heck did I do bad in a subject that I was studying almost everyday?! And then this other girl studied 3 days before the exam and got like 95+
Honestly, the paper was alright but i panicked and did some shitty things :// gonna avoid that in the future.
Today I:
Revised some Economics
Did accounts (1 and a half hours)
And yes, I'm gonna be putting extra effort from now on because it's really close to my next term exams and then it's gonna be followed by Revision exams and I have a school function on top of that.... i just wanna sit and cry honestly T-T
Projects to complete:
Economics (by Monday)
Computers (By Oct end)
I just finished my term exams yesterday and honestly, school starts in like 4 more days so I'll make the most use of my time till then. I've got multiple projects to complete and right now, my main aim is to learn from the mistakes I did during the exams. Especially in accounts.
My projects:
Computer
Business studies
Economics
[I'll start my countdown once my school starts again]
Explore. Clubs. Extra curriculars. Sports. Anything. When you get to freshman year, start exploring. Even if you're a sophomore, junior or senior. Start exploring because you need to be involved in something other than your school. (But don't overdo it!! Max of 2-3 extracurriculars)
Do your homework/assignments as soon as you can.
Get a planner/calender. Update it daily.
Exercise. Dance. Jog. Jump. Do whatever you want but exercise atleast 3 times a week.
Sleep earlier. Before 11 preferably.
Whatever you do, don't back answer a teacher.
Allow yourself to relax but don't overdo it.
Choose your friends carefully. Keep 2 or 3 close friends.
Don't just blabber everything about anything. Think before you speak
Don't involve yourself in any sorts of drama. Clear everything out before it even starts cause it's definitely gonna backfire if you don't
Choose your friends carefully. I mean, very carefully.
Time is investment, use it to your advantage.
For exams, solve past year question papers!!!
Have a doubt in something? Go ask your teacher (it will save you the trouble)
YouTube has a wide variety of videos for you to learn from
Study everyday. Just for an hour. It's more than enough.
Read. Read. Read. Write. Write. Write. Anything.
Honestly, get a study group. (I mean it. Don't study together in the same place. Just send important questions and ask doubts.)
Study things that were thought in previous classes. You will be behind the class but it definitely helps during exams/tests.
Most of all, try to enjoy. You won't get back your highschool years. I realise that now.
I did a similar post a few months ago. The mistakes that I made during my junior year. You can find it here.
Hope this helps! :D
Well... I had been sick the past few days but right now I'm better. Atleast well enough to study. Tomorrow we have school till 1, I'll be back by 3 so after that I'll start my studies... I have my term exams from next week, I just feel exhausted and tired now T-T
To do list for the weekend :
Complete English assignment
Complete 1 unit of English (3 lessons + grammar)
Complete 1 chapter in Accounts + Revise some previous chapters
Complete 2 chapters in Economics
Complete 8 chapters Part 1-3 in Business Studies
I hope I'm able to complete these :")
It's awfully lazy of me to not do a daily update for 5 days straight but honestly I got sick from Thursday and not to mention it was damn hard to complete assignments when you have a fever and cold. It's like something is against me being productive everyday T-T
I thought maybe i could productively use the 4 days after the school event to study something but no, of course I had to get a fever :")
In the past 5 days I:
Assignments completed:
Computers
Business studies
Accountancy
Assignments Pending:
Economics
Studied 2 topics in economics today
and that's the only thing I could do in these days... But it's fine, I'll catch up eventually. Everything will be fine or so I keep telling myself that. T-T
Days are going by sooner T-T
Anyway, today i couldn't study a lot but I did complete some of my assignments...
Today i:
Completed Arabic assignment and submitted it (due date was Monday)
Completed 50% of both accounts and business studies assignment
Studied Economics lesson 3 & 5 (Part 1) and lesson 5 (Part 3)
I don't expect to get anything done tomorrow since we have a school event and I'll probably come back 7 in the evening so... yeah.
Assignments to complete:
Accounts (Submission: Tuesday)
Business Studies (Submission: Monday)
Computer: (Submission: Friday)
Economics: (Submission: Monday)
Honestly I don't know when I'll get to study because of these useless assignments plus we have some MCQ test coming up in a week I guess... who keeps MCQ tests near Term finals after a major school event?! I swear I'm surviving here with idiots T-T