How I Study

I work hard at school.

(To put it super simply)

And although I can try and ignore it all I want, studying is a major part of working hard.

This is how I study. I know it probably isn't applicable for everyone, either because you aren't in school anymore or because this just doesn't work for you, but I also know that I couldn't do it any other way and some of you must be in the same boat.

I love a good study guide/master notes set and because most teachers won't hand those out, I like to make them for myself using all the notes I've acquired into a color coded Microsoft Word document in Calibri 11-point font, because everyone knows that is the superior font and color coding is for cool kids. I will type these up a couple nights before a test or quiz and go over them again and again until I feel like I've got it. After the unit is over, I'll file away all the study guides and take them out again when midterms or finals rolls around. With vocabulary words, however, (English or foreign language) I will create a set of flashcards and review those in the nights leading up to as well as breakfast/lunch before the test. In a similar way, I'll file them all away for exams.

I always plan out my study breaks so I don't risk spending too much time during them. Set a point (either a time or certain extent of information) when you want to stop reading/reviewing and take a break. Figure out what you'll be doing in that break (eating, watching the television) and set a realistic time when you will need to stop. Set an alarm so you'll be aware that your time is up, it will make you less likely to "forget" to look at the time.

I try to make a to-do list of all the things I have to cover, and order them so I get all the hard stuff done towards the beginning with small sections of the easier stuff. It prevents that "Wait, it's ten o'clock and oh shoot I have to take a shower and clean my room and do all the math problems and study for that quiz that I forgot was tomorrow" moment that I have experienced too many times.

Even though I have yet to consistently do this, even paced studying is best. Even reviewing the notes you did in every class for 10 minutes a day is beneficial.

When I have some test that involves me knowing sequential things (usually history) I like to tape a string of yarn up in my room from one corner to the other and make index cards for all the things I need to memorize. I will put the title/name of the event (if it has one) on the front as well as the date it occurred, and add a back with facts. It helps visualize all the events in order and makes you research them a bit more.

While writing this I realized that I have a ton more tips so one day (maybe soon) I'll make a part two. I have a bonus post coming Saturday, so follow me to see it, and there will be another one next Thursday.

stay wonderful!
stay, wonderful.

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February Favorites

It's that time of the month again.

Favorites time.

February Favorites Time.

FFT.

Man I sound cool.

Here's the roundup:

Starting from top, going clockwise.

Diigo- I'm a high school gal who has got a whole bunch of researching and writing to do as well as quite a bit of nonmandatory internet surfing. However, balancing all these sites and statistics and what have you is quite the task. Or rather, it would be if I didn't have diigo. Diigo is a sort of a site where you can highlight and bookmark and tag webpages and keep them all organized--online. No way, right? You can highlight webpages! Whhhut. All you do is pop on over to diigo.com, make an account and then drag a little buttton to your toolbar. It's free. It's helpful. It's perfect.

Boots from Celebrity Pink for Macy's- I'm a little late to this trend but whatever. These boots go with everything and are just fun and wonderful and comfortable. They also feature a little heel (about an inch and a half) that mini girls like me really value. They have little pins where you can fold the top over and press it down, but the inside pattern is pretty ehhh so eeehhhh I don't really do it ever. I wear these boots all the time as they are not too slippery on the bottoms and nice for the ice that plagues every side walk in New Jersey at the current moment. I need summer again.

Batiste Dry Shampoo- I'd heard about dry shampoo for a long time and my gross teenage hair yearned for it, but I'd never actually gotten my hands on it till last month. And I love it. Whether it's because I'm too busy or because I'm trying to stretch out times between washes for healthier hair, I don't always have freshly washed hair and this stuff it great for it. A few spritzes and a good brush through and my hair feels and smells all voiiila fresh and clean. I often make the mistake, however, of holding it quite close to my head and producing a big white circle that is hard to remove. Besides my own errors, I have no complaints and am thoroughly enjoying adding dry shampoo to my best friend beauty products list.

Honey I'm Strong Shampoo- If this favorites list was listed in order from most to least favorite, this would be at the top because I FREAKIN LOVE THIS STUFF. I got a Lush Patchouli Shampoo Bar for Christmas and because I know their stuff expires I switched to it immediately and ditched my old shampoo, this stuff, for two whole months. About a week ago I switched back to this and it was like my hair let out a carol of the Hallelujah Chorus because oh my goodness gracious this stuff makes you hair so soft and glorious feeling. The Lush stuff, I think, is good for a hair cleanse because it leaves your hair squeaky clean, but when comparing the two in "adding softness", the patchouli bar is in the bottom of a ditch and the Honey I'm Strong stuff is in the Stratosphere. (Okay now I'm getting carried away. But the Honey I'm Strong stuff is QUALITY.) Side note: it took about two washes to build up maximum softness but there is a definite difference after just one.

Essie We're in it Together Nail Polish- I don't have much to say about this other than the color is so cute and girly and perfect for spring. As with other Essies, you'll need two coats along with a top topcoat to make it stay for a medium time. The price ain't great but it could be worse ($8) and you can usually find them for cheaper ($5ish) at TJ Maxx, so check there out before paying the full price.

Bigelow Green Tea with Mango- I was never a really big tea girl before this stuff. But it is great. If you like mango or tea, try it cause you'll probably love it. It is pretty naturally sweet, but I add one pinch of sugar anyway. I'll often bring it in a thermos to school and people around me will go "mmm it smells nice in here, what is that?" It's the tea. It says caffeinated, but it's green tea, so the level is very low and I don't really notice any sort of a difference, although it's definitely not a nighttime tea.

I don't know what inspired the strangeness that inhibits this photo. 

Gilligan and Malley PJs (at target)- as I write this I am snuggled up in these. There isn't much to say other than they're cute (I would choose them for sleepover pajamas) and so comfortable, and have a nice pull waist so every size fits a lot of different shapes. Other than that, they have complete coverage on your legs so they are great for winter but I know they will transition well into spring (maybe summer) and then fall. They came with a nice top too (not the one in the photo, that's by Poof!) but the bottoms are the standouts.


I can't believe I'm sticking with the Thursday thing. They'll be a high school related one coming next week so follow me to see it, and possibly a midweek bonus post. stay tuned. <3

stay wonderful.

stay, wonderful!

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