#school advice

star-studyings:

• The food
  

You will most likely get sick if you are not used to the food that the university cafeteria serves. Not in a “oh god I’m dying and throwing up everywhere” sick, but more in a subtle way: slight stomachache, maybe some constipation, gas, or diarrhea, it all depends of how your body reacts to it, how the food is being prepared, and what you are eating.

Talking about what you are eating. You will have the option to get a burger and fries for every meal, or pizza, or cake. Don’t do it. For your health’s sake, don’t. I know it sounds tempting, and I know fries for every meal is delicious (fry lover here!), but I am telling you from experience, you will regret eating the same greasy food so often and your body will show it for you. 

For about a week in college I started to not care about myself (e.g. neglected skin care, ate crappy food, did not exercise, was barely doing my school work), and it was starting to show. I gained about five pounds in just those days (more about it later), my skin was greasy and I was getting pimples like crazy, I was having stomachaches everyday, and I felt as if I was getting lazier as days went by. I decided to change my eating habits. I chose fruit and salads instead of a burger and fries/pizza. And it helped me get my life together a little bit. I felt healthier and my skin cleared up.

• Freshman 15 

Yes. You will gain weight. It is normal, and you should not freak out.

There will be lots of food available to you and no one to stop your from eating what ever you want. You will have more than too many snacks sometimes, or a second dinner because you decided to go eat again with your friends. It’s okay. Try to stay active so the weight changes are not extreme; go for a walk, or go out running, hit the gym often, practice your sport, etc. Just keep moving.

If you think you might be dealing with an eating disorder, contact your clinic and they will put you in touch with psychological help available on campus. Remember, nothing wrong in admitting that you are having problems, help is always there.

• Condoms and Sexuality

When it comes to sexuality, I am open to discuss the subject as if we were simply talking about groceries, you can just ask my friends. I consider that I’m a very sex positive person, because it should not be a taboo subject (unless it is making someone uncomfortable). We need more sex education available (luckily, Planned Parenthood had some workshops at my school, and being who I am, I dragged my friends with me to one), many people do not know how to even put on a condom, or what sex might lead to (pregnancies and STIs/STDs).

Anyway, I’ll keep it simple: carry your own condoms even if you yourself are not sexually active (check that they are not expired, ripped, and keep them in a safe place); if you decide to be sexually active, in any way (one night stands or something more stable), get tested (there are many resources on campus, if you do not want to use them, look for the nearest clinic and get it done there); if you think that sex is just not your thing (i.e. asexuality, saving yourself for marriage, etc.) that is perfectly fine and you should not let anyone shame you for your decision or pressure you into having sex.

• Snacks and Water
  

Carry snacks with you at all times, especially if you are planning on being out most of the day. You will get hungry, and therefore grumpy or weak. Also, carry a reusable water bottle so you can keep yourself hydrated.

It can be fruit, bars, trail mix, anything that can be considered a snack. Now if you want to carry a lunch with you, I am not stopping you.

• Peer Pressure

This is not something that happens only in HS. It happens everywhere, and if you feel like you are being pressured into doing something (alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex, anything) stand your ground and be firm with your decision. I don’t care if you think you might lose friends or look like a weakling, if you do not want to do something, NO ONE should force you to do it. In the case that you are feeling uncomfortable in any given situation where peer pressure is taking place, get out of there; forget about “looking good for your friends” or “being cool with them”.

• Extra Chargers
  

Carry your chargers with you at all times. Your laptop charger and also your phone’s, you might not know what might come up that will force you to be out working for long periods of time ahem,group projects that require you to meet until late at night or that take almost six hours.

• Laundry
  

For goodness’ sake, DO YOUR LAUNDRY once a week. (I usually do it on Thursdays because i have noticed is the day with the least people. Try not to do it on Sundays, everyone does it on Sundays)

Story time because, why not?

I once went about three weeks without doing laundry. It started with me just being lazy and saying that I would do it in a few days, then next thing I know it’s midterm season and those days turned into weeks. By the time I decided to do my laundry, I already had both of my laundry bags completely full (I had to take my spare laundry bag from my storage thing lol). The trips to the laundromat were easy, except for having to carry those heavy laundry bags. Once I got there I had to wait for washing machines to be empty…. 

What I am trying to say is: don’t put yourself in the position that I was in. Be responsible and do your laundry often. I’m also saying this because dirty laundry might get smelly such as gym clothes, and you don’t want to stink up your dorm.

• Exercise
  

Try to stay active. I know we all think that walking from class to class is enough physical activity, but no. Go for a walk, try to go for a run, ride your bike around, go to the gym, and try to do these things at least 3 times a week. If you do not stay active, you will store extra fat, your joints will hurt, you’re prone to suffer stress more. If you struggle with doing physical activity, get together with a friend or a groups of friends and simply go for a walk; it takes away the stress and you are moving at the same time. 

Just stay active.

• Majors
  

No shame in changing your major. So you thought you were going to college to study something but along the way you realize that you prefer something else, good, change it. Don’t stay doing something that makes you unhappy only because you started with it. Changing your mind is part of any process, and in college it will happen a lot of times.

• Time management
  

Get your shit together. I’m saying it like that because that is how I realized that I needed to manage my time better. 

Get a planner, some apps to help you manage your time, study in time lapses and take good breaks, have a plan for the day, prioritize your school work over social events or parties or whatever it is that has been taking your time and distracting you from doing your work, get some to-do lists and cross items out as you complete them, have a goal for each day (”today I want to finish this essay and proofread it”). 

Finish what needs to get done first so you can go and do any other things that you want. Create a balance.

• Money Management
  

We’re broke college students I’m just stating the facts here.

Try to have a spending plan, or a budget, and  stick to it. Save some money from the money you get (when I get $10, I save $3). And I know I am always advocating to the whole Treat-Yo-Self thing, but don’t abuse it. Treat yourself but think, ‘do I really need this? how many times will I actually use it? can I get it for cheaper?’ Think before you buy, so you won’t end up just wasting money that you WILL need later.

You can get a piggy bank if that is what works for you, but just try to not waste money on useless things. Remember that money does not grow on trees, and it is something that is earned with hard work, so value it.

Also, don’t go out every day or try to spend money the way your friends spend money. Allow yourself to say “I cannot afford that right now”, no shame on that. Don’t feel bad for having to turn down plans because you have more important spending to do. It’s okay, really, your friends will understand. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of my points, message me and I will gladly talk to you. And let’s remember that as Studyblrs, we are here to help each other and build each other up.

If you still have questions about something and I did not include it in a post, let me know and I can write about it.

honeyymistt:

things i learned during finals season because it was rough

1. start as early as you can, especially for subjects that are cumulative like calculus. you need to understand the basics before you can understand other concepts.
2. learn how to recognize when you need a break. are you struggling to focus? are you not really engaged with the work? are you actually retaining the information you’re learning? 
3. don’t get too discouraged if you’re not understanding things right away. yes, it’s annoying and frustrating but don’t give up on it so quickly. if the answer key is provided, look at the answers/steps and try to understand whythat answer is correct. give yourself a 5 minute break and try the problem again. practice makes perfect. you’re 100% capable of understanding it, even if it feels like you aren’t.
4. if anyone says it’s easy, they’re lying. everyone is struggling with something.
5. make your room somewhere where you want to study. light a candle if you need to, open a window, have a warm drink, make sure the lighting is good, wear comfortable clothes, etc.
6. take advantage of all of the resources available to you. youtube videos, practice quizzes, old tests, office hours, free tutoring if your school offers it, etc. there are so many resources available and there are so many people who are willing to help you succeed; but you have to approach them first.

after finishing yet another finals season (which was also rough) i thought i would add on to the list ✨

1. don’t force yourself to be a early morning studier if your max productivity time is in the evening. waking up at 6AM won’t make a significant difference in your actual test results/exam experience, it’ll just make you more tired. prioritize sleep so that your work period is as productive as possible.
2. don’t talk to certain people about the test/class subject. some people are fantastic friends but make you more scared for the test. know who you can talk to without getting more nervous. it’s nothing against that person, just do what keeps you the most calm.
3. pomodoro doesn’t always work the best. download an app like flipd where there’s a stopwatch, and challenge yourself to stay focused for longer periods rather than waiting for 20 minutes to pass by.
4. make (or find) a good study playlist. time goes by a lot quicker <3
5. the study resources your professor provides are not the only resources available. search your class subject on google, keep scrolling (be persistent with this) and you’ll find so much.