Study Notes - Blog Posts

When I sense that exams are coming...

07.10 ||

These Saturday I went to the Pinacoteca museum of the Sao Paulo, it wasn't a simple visit but a review of everything about Brazilian history guided by my history teacher.

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Nesse sábado eu fui à Pinacoteca em São Paulo, não foi uma simples visita mas uma revisão de história do Brasil guiada pelo meu professor de história.

17.09.2019 ||

Now I'm less nervous, I'm calm and breathing. Will be all right!

Ps.: Don't forget to eat good foods like fruits✓

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Agora estou menos nervosa, estou mais calma a respirando. Vai ficar tudo bem!

Ps.: Não se esqueça de comer bons alimentos como frutas✓

06.09.2019 ||

This days it's so hard to me now, I'm nervous and unprepared for this exam, it's like everything I do is not enough to pass this year, I don't want to go to class anymore and I want to study more at home. I'm not separating more time to play my violin, although practiced today and it was wonderful. I'm trying survive this week.

Ps.: This place is a coffee inside the college. I like to study there when I want to go out.

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Esses dias tem sido difíceis pra mim, eu estou nervosa e me sentindo despreparada pro vestibular, é como se tudo que eu tivesse feito não fosse o suficiente para passar esse ano. Eu não estou querendo mais ir às aulas e quero estudar em casa. Eu não estou separando tempo para tocar violino também, apesar de eu ter praticado hoje e ter sido maravilhoso. É, eu estou tentando sobreviver.

Ps.: Esse lugar é um café que fica dentro do cursinho ( na faculdade ) eu estudo lá quando quero espairecer.

28.08.2019 ||

I went to the library and I caught this two books:

1° Angústia - Graciliano Ramos : a Brazilian author that I like more, so I'm very interested for read this book! And it's required reading for my entrance exam.

2° The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood : a dystopian novel that I'm very excited for reading, to read dystopian is very good to thing about the systems around the world and develop critical sense.

I also studied math. But I like more to read. Sorry person that like de exact science.

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Fui à biblioteca e peguei esses dois livros:

1° Angústia - Graciliano Ramos : É um escritor brasileiro que eu gosto muito, então estou muito interessada pra ler esse livro! E é uma das obras obrigatorias da Fuvest ( o vestibular da USP ).

2° O conto da Aia - Margaret Atwood : um romance distópico que eu estou muito animada pra ler, ler distopias é muito bom para pensar sobre os sistemas ao redor do mundo e desenvolver senso crítico.

Eu também estudei matemática. Mas eu gostou muito mais de ler. Desculpe pessoas de exatas.

27.08.2019 ||

Today was a day very agitated, I almost died for make a redaction and when I see I was getting late for the old test resolution class I took. I really like this teacher who gives this subject ! I Closed the day with classes in biology, Brazilian grammar, physics and phylosophy.

Ps.: Today was the day of delivery of materials, this is one of the last kit to be received, it made me nervous.

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Hoje foi um dia bem agitado, eu quase morri fazendo uma redação, e quando eu vi estava ficando atrasada pra aula de resolução da prova antiga que eu fiz, eu realmente gosto do meu professor de texto! Eu fechei o dia com aulas de biologia, gramática, física e filosofia.

Ps.: Hoje eu recebi um dos últimos kits de materiais a serem entregues, o que significa que está acabando! Isso me deixou nervosa.

25.08.2019

Now it's 2:00 AM and I finished old test of the Enem (so you don't know it's the national high school exam that you take to enter the several universities in the country). I did forty five portuguese tests in three hours. I think it can improve me.

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Agora é 2:00 da manhã e eu acabei de terminar uma prova do Enem antiga. Eu fiz as quarenta e cinco questões em três horas. Eu acho que dá pra melhorar.

pretty privilege in academia

'pretty privilege' is the idea that people who are perceived as more attractive often receive more opportunities, attention, and rewards compared to those who are considered less attractive. this concept is not limited to social settings but also especially extends to (in) academic environments.

in academia, research has shown that physically attractive students tend to receive higher grades because they are perceived as more intelligent, even when their actual performance does not differ significantly from their less attractive peers. this bias can affect everything from classroom interactions to evaluations and recommendations, potentially influencing a student's academic trajectory.

the underlying reason for this phenomenon is the "physical attractiveness stereotype," which assumes that attractive individuals possess positive qualities such as intelligence, sociability, and competence. it leads to preferential treatment and better opportunities for those who are deemed attractive.

it's important to be aware of this bias and strive to treat everyone fairly, regardless of their appearance. while we can't always control how others perceive us, we can make a conscious effort to judge people based on their abilities and contributions rather than their looks.

now, there is no benefit in ignoring it - because it simply will always exist. instead, you can choose to take advantage of it.

why people take advantage of pretty privilege:

increased opportunities: leveraging your attractiveness can open doors to more opportunities that might not be as easily accessible otherwise.

positive perceptions: attractive individuals are often perceived more favorably, which can lead to better treatment and more support from your peers and instructors.

enhanced confidence: knowing that you are perceived positively can boost your confidence, making you more likely to engage and participate actively in academic settings.

competitive edge: in highly competitive environments, any advantage can make a significant difference. taking advantage of pretty privilege can provide an edge over others.

but you should never only rely on your appearance to get you further in life - it is only to play the same game.

if you're interested in enhancing your appearance, here are some tips to help you feel more confident and attractive. it's important to remember that beauty is subjective and varies from person to person, and self-confidence plays a significant role in how others perceive you.

skincare: have a daily routine (cleanse, tone, and moisturize your skin. remember to use products suited to your skin type.) and apply sunscreen daily.

hair care: regularly maintain your hair, keeping it clean, well-trimmed, and styled in a way that suits your face shape and personal style. use conditioner and hair masks to keep your hair healthy and shiny.

oral hygiene: brush and floss your teeth daily to maintain a bright smile and fresh breath. visit the dentist regularly.

dress well: wear clothes that fit well and flatter your body shape. choose outfits that reflect your personal style and make you feel confident. dress appropriately for different occasions.

accessories: use accessories like jewelry, watches, and scarves to add a touch of elegance and build your outfits. ensure accessories complement your overall look without overpowering it.

physical health: engage in regular physical activity to stay fit and healthy. exercise can improve your posture and boost your confidence. eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support your health and appearance. drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and glowing.

attitude: a genuine smile can make you appear more approachable and attractive. maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use confident body language.

social skills: improve your communication skills to connect better with others. show genuine interest in others and practice empathy in your interactions. charisma and behavior can make or break appearing attractive.

remember! enhancing your appearance should be about making yourself feel good and confident, rather than solely seeking external validation. what you find attractive and enjoy should come before what other people like.

read this for more information: Pretty Privilege | Applied Social Psychology (ASP)

i hope this was helpful! ❤️nene

tricking yourself into doing tasks that make you nervous

you know the situations. when you get wrapped up overthinking and suddenly, this seemingly easy task seems horrible and daunting. here are some tips to help you trick your brain into completing the action.

visualise success. imagine how good it will feel once the task is completed. this can boost your motivation and reduce anxiety.

pair the task with an enjoyable activity - for example listening to your favourite music or having a nice cup of coffee while working.

promise yourself a reward for completing the task. it could be something small like a treat or a break to do something you enjoy.

tell yourself that you're just excited. you're challenging yourself. this positive gaslighting will help you feel more positive about your nervous energy.

❤️ nene

Just love this kind of aesthetic✨️🤍

https://www.instagram.com/live_musingly/

Hey guys!

I'm also on Instagram now :)

It would be really nice, if you could give me a follow💖

manifest reaching your goals, achieving your dream grades, finishing the books on your tbr list and an endless supply of aesthetic stationary

Rainy saturday study session!✨

Day 11/60

I promise: I will never give up until I achieve my goals!💖

Day 7/60

My recent wall decoration!✨

I did some studying today, but I couldn’t concentrate very well, because I didn’t sleep well last night😴🥲

Day 6/60 - It’s Monday again!

Hey guys! I took the weekend off, went on some walks and just relaxed a bit😊

Today I updated my Notion, adding all the tasks I have to do✨🥰

I also managed to read half a chapter of my social psychology book, plan an essay that is due in a few days and write some summaries for previous chapters I have read!💖 All of it took me around 3 hours. I’m really proud of myself that I studied that much today✨🥰

How are you doing?✨

Day 2/60 - 2nd of September

Already writing some flashcards and I already made a lot of progress!🥰✨

How have you been?💖

1.     Organize your study space

Organizing your study space is really important. Avoid starting to study before that because getting up to get things you don’t have at hand will distract you. I have my own “desk organization list”. Laptop, iPad, Apple Pencil, earphones, water, fruits, my pencil case, my folders, paper, etc.

2.     Make a plan and get control of your calendar

Make a to do list and plan everything out. When exactly are your exams?  How many days do you want to study for each subject? Which subject needs more time? Etc., etc. 

3.     Mistakes are good

When studying we do make mistakes sometimes. I hate it. You hate it. Yes, it’s awful. But they are GOOD. You learn from them. A short anecdote of my life: If I didn’t make the mistake of dating a complete idiot, I probably would not have learned that bad boys really aren’t that great haha.

4.     Find examples

To really understand something, you should find examples. E. g. if you are learning about some kind of criminal law, look up cases. If you are studying about the business cycle, look up examples of different countries. Is the US in a boom? Or a depression? Has it been in a depression before? What was that like?

5.     Test yourself

Quizz yourself. This is the most important thing when studying something by heart or learning a language. Get your flashcards out of your pocket!  And quizz yourself every single day! 

6.     Take regular breaks and sleep for 8 hours

I know, studying is important. But what is even more important is your health. Don’t drain yourself. You got this. Don’t worry! Take a short break after 25 minutes every time. Just a short one. Allow yourself to breath and close your eyes. Your brain needs sleep and breaks to function!

7.     Study before going to sleep

A numerous amount of studies have found out that the brain processes a lot of things while sleeping. This can be very beneficial to us! Study for a few minutes before going to bed or revise what you have studied that day. It will help you remember it better.

8.     Eat good foods

I know you don’t want to hear this… A pizza is quite nice. But is it good for you? Probably not. Food is fuel. But we need good fuel to function properly. Eat nutritious foods and be good to your body. It really needs a healthy diet to maintain your health and stay happy. Also: Your brain needs calories. Don’t starve yourself. Aaaand, remember to drink enough water. I recommend watching “The Game Changers” on Netflix.

9.     Exercise

Working out can be extremely beneficial to you. Not just for your physical strength but also for your mental health and productivity, studies have found. Going for a run or going to the gym can increase your overall well-being! So let’s go! I’m getting ripped tonight, RIP that… umm sorry.

10.  Be kind to yourself

Last but not least, please be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up. Everything is going to be fine. You are not alone. You are loved. You are worthy. Please remember that! I love you.

IIf you are struggling right now, please join our self help group on Discord. We’re doing self help “group therapy” calls. We’re stronger together. I’m also working on a website to help students with studying and mental health issues.

Love, Sophia

Studying in the kitchen = suddenly green/orange aesthetic🧡😂

What have you been up to?✨

Something I worked on the past few days~

I’m really proud of myself how this first attempt of making a digital notebook turned out!🥰🌸

Would you be interested in getting a notebook like this for free? If you are interested, leave a comment and maybe soon I will open up a etsy store where you can download my creations (or maybe even buy something in the future)✨

Another gloomy/rainy day of studying!✨

I wish I could write as fast as in the timelapse in real life🥺🥲

Just a casual saturday~

Getting stuff done on a rainy day~ ✨📚

What are you up to today?😊

Tbh I’m currently thinking about starting a study youtube channel, but I’m still hesitated bc I’m scared of what other people will think about it. + I don’t know if I can post consistently on there, because making videos is a whole lot of work. I’m glad that I’m able to post on here somehow regularly😅

I’m really uncertain about what to do…😵‍💫

What do you think about this? Would you enjoy watching some kind of study vlogs? Or “study with me”?🥺

Long time no see! And it´s already June!!

I´m glad I finally found some time to make a post :) Atm it`s really stressful because of exam preparations, but I´m honest with you: I believe in myself. I can do this! 

And I also believe in you! You can also achieve everything you want to. Just take your time and stay positive!!

𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏

Yesterday, I planned the whole month and realized, that my very first exam is in 51 days! And yet there is still a lot to do and prepare for this... 

But I try to stay positive!

Everything is going to be alright, even though studying online is sometimes really hard.

If you have any upcoming exams: You can do this! Even if it´s hard and tiring, you can tackle this exam!

STUDY ESSENTIALS →

here's a list of a few things i need for my study sessions

~ textbooks

~ notes

~ any other study material

~ a cup of coffee

~ lip balm

~ headphones/Spotify

~ study lamp

~ a chocolate bar or some kinda snack

~ pencils / pens

~ highlighters

~ tissues (for the tears)

~ flashcards + Post It's

~ a heater / air conditioning

~ a comfortable chair

~ water (!!)

~ essential oils

~ study guides

~ YouTube + Khan Academy + TED

~ hair ties

~ clock

~ meds

~ motivation.