12.05.2025—late Night Studying. Can’t Believe There’s Only 2 Weeks Left Of The Semester. Truly

All the things that made my life full—sciences, not the least of them—an ever-unfolding journey of discovery where every question opens a new world of answers

eight step guide on how to study (as a third year pre-med student with ADHD and a 4.0)

welcome to my step by step guide on how to study. i have a love-hate relationship with studying, but this is what works to get me going. getting started is the hardest part, i promise.

step one: prep your space. get a glass of water or coffee or energy drink and make sure you have everything you need out and ready. throw your phone across the room or just put it out of sight. you will forget that other fun things exist (like tik tok) if you cannot see it. out of sight, out of mind.

step two: sit at your desk (or table or a general designated study space with a chair). studying in bed never works like you think it will and studying on the floor (while enriching) will do nothing but hurt your back from hunching over. sitting at your desk makes you feel much more productive (most of my study sessions start by just forcing myself to sit in my chair).

step three: put some music or ambience on. if i need to use my brain more i'll opt for some fantasy-themed forest ambience or sci-fi droning sounds. your brain is tricked into thinking that you're having fun if music is on, but plot twist! you're actually being productive. music i turn to is soft piano, video game soundtracks (genshin, undertale, minecraft, stardew valley) or lofi, but your mileage may vary. DO NOT do music with words unless you want to be distracted.

step four: make a list of need-to-dos and rank them based on priority and time. start by doing an activity that will take a short amount of time. by completing a short to-do, it builds the motivation to keep going.

step five: start a study timer. i bought a physical study timer that is so satisfying to wind and set and watch the time tick by, but a desktop one works just fine. set your timer based on how much energy you have. some days i go for 60 minutes, some days i do 25, it all just depends. as a study session goes on, it's normal for your amount of energy to go down. i may do 60-45-30-20 then take a long break. know thyself and thine needs!

step six: lock in. do not think about what you are doing, simply do it. do it before your brain has the chance to convince you it doesn't like what you're doing.

step seven: take regular, controlled, and useful breaks. do not start an activity on your break that will break your flow. walk around, stretch, check your phone, refill your drink, have a snack. reward yourself! you're doing great, i promise.

step eight: long break. do something that will rest your mind. maybe watch youtube, eat a meal, play a video game, read a few chapters of a book. be proud of the work you've accomplished.

i hope this helps! happy studying!

I aspire to be the kind of person who'll stare at your soul from across the road and then disappear when a bus goes by.

14.05.2025 // catching up with readings

love all the reading I've been doing lately. it is also exciting to see my library build up over the years, especially now that I can afford to buy some of the books I have wanted for years. recommendations from friends and acquaintances have also helped me expand my reading choices beyond my usual categories and genres. the tbr list keeps growing and it's a reason to live for.

4-11-2025

Hello Fellow Students,

As the second semester approaches, I'm gearing up for another round of classes starting on the 16th. While I'm excited to dive back into my studies, I'm also taking this time to recharge my batteries, especially since I'm battling a bit of a sore throat. Don't worry though, I'm keeping my spirits high and staying motivated by taking care of my health and indulging in some good reads, like Julie Clark's gripping novel, "The Lies I Tell."

Remember, self-care and motivation are key components of a successful college experience. So, take some time for yourself, stay focused on your goals, and let's make this semester a great one! 💪 📚📖✨

Body language cues for a few emotions

Happiness:

Smiling genuinely, with crinkles around the eyes.

Open body posture, with relaxed arms and shoulders.

Leaning forward slightly towards the person or object of interest.

Making eye contact with a warm and engaged expression.

Anger:

Tightened jaw and clenched fists.

Furrowed brows and narrowed eyes.

Standing or sitting with a rigid and tense posture.

Pointing fingers or aggressive gestures.

Raised voice or speaking through gritted teeth.

Sadness:

Downcast eyes and a drooping posture.

Slumped shoulders and shallow breathing.

Avoiding eye contact and withdrawing from social interaction.

Sighing or a subdued tone of voice.

Tearfulness, with watery or red eyes.

Fear:

Widened eyes with dilated pupils.

Raised eyebrows and a tense facial expression.

Frozen or rigid body posture.

Backing away or seeking physical distance from the perceived threat.

Trembling or shaking, especially in the hands or legs.

Surprise:

Raised eyebrows and widened eyes.

Mouth slightly agape or forming an "O" shape.

Leaning forward or recoiling backward in response to the surprise.

Quick inhalation or gasp of breath.

Rapid blinking or blinking more than usual.

Disgust:

Curling the upper lip or wrinkling the nose.

Narrowing the eyes and raising the upper eyelids.

Turning the head away or physically distancing oneself from the source of disgust.

Covering the mouth or nose with the hand or a tissue.

Expressing verbal disgust through phrases like "ew" or "yuck."

These are just some examples, and individuals may display variations in their body language based on their personality, cultural background, and the specific context of the situation.

6/100 days of productivity!

Date: 4/12/25

Tough day today, reminding myself it's ok to be a person with feelings lol.

☀ Morning ▸ went to farmers' market ▸cleaned apartment

🌿 Afternoon ▸ got conference paper down to about 15 mins (still have to time it to make sure) ▸ made slides for conference paper ▸ unclogged bathtub drain without having to call maintenance!!

🌙 Evening ▸ felt sad, overthought and moped about for some time ▸wrote letter to pen pal ▸chat with J tonight

The older you get, the more you choose calmness over drama and distance over disrespect. You prioritize your peace, mental health, and happiness — over everything.

i'm finally back on a macbook again 🥹 i managed to replace the screen today and not a moment too soon, the warranty on my windows laptop just expired and it was starting to act funky again. i'm hoping this gives me the kick i need to get this math class done and move on with my semester