Mr-froggio - Canon World ;

In that face... there is so much suffering,

Prince Myshkin; The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Study tips that i learned through failures!

1. It's so important that you do a first read thru of the text as fast as possible. Stick to annotations and brief summarizing notes/outlines. Our brain is constantly making connections even when we're sleeping, so even if you don't understand something at first, getting stuck on it is a waste of your present time AND sleep time. Some things will click while you're doing chores because your brain is still working in the background! But it can't happen if there is nothing to click. Try to expose yourself to all the material as early as possible. [If you're studying math, skip the derivations and proofs in the first read thru and just do the example problems and focus on the underlying assumptions. Depending on the class/exam objective, you might not even be tested on the proof]

2. The breaks. Even if you know you can study 4 hours straight - don't. I used to do this especially when I was anxious, but it just burned me out. Even as quickly as the next day! If you're doing your first pom of the day and you feel really fresh to the point that you feel like you can skip that first break - dont.. it will pile up!

3. The water and the sugar!! This might sound really obvious, but studying burns up so many resources. On days I don't study, I might be okay with 60-70 oz of water, but on days I do, it's normal for me to hit 100 oz. I also ate way more food in general and ate more sugar too, and I think that's pretty normal.

4. Flashcards and practice problems > annotations > having nice notes. It kills me to say it, but the last exam I took (and passed!), I relied on my very disorganized notes/screenshots on my tablet. I didn't have time to organize and transfer them nicely onto paper in order even though every perfectionist cell in my body wanted to soo badly. Making your own textbook can be helpful but I seriously just didn't have the time. Focus on what will actually get you that pass score!

5. Find the note-taking app you like BEFORE your study period or exam season and practice using it! The last thing you want is to fight the syncing mechanism as you're trying to study. I like to use Flexil because of the split screen feature, the linked screenshots, and the cross-platform sync. If you are studying math, either learn latex over the summer/off period so you can use it in Obsidian/Anki or commit to manually written flashcards and notes the whole way. Dont try to switch halfway through because that will be a waste of your time. I personally think writing out the math is faster than typing it out in Latex, but it's your poison (they're both poison). (And if you study any type of math, I 10000% recommend using a tablet)

6. Unless you are studying for fun, orient everything around the class/exam objectives. Unfortunately, you're not gonna have time to be curious. If you don't think something will be tested, quickly cut it out and move on.

7. Figure out what your exam taking weaknesses are. Out of every 10 missed problems, I realized I'd miss a question solely because i input the wrong number into the calculator. Now I say the numbers in my head as I put it in, do it at a relatively slow pace, and break up large formulas into itsy pieces and make sure the output is close to what I expect it to be. I write out all the steps on paper sometimes to make sure every calculation is as expected. You only get once chance during the real thing, so it's important to come up with a policy to reduce risk and to stick to it every time.

Study because it makes you smarter. Every time you dive into a new topic, you're not just memorizing facts; you're building a sharper, more agile mind. The breadth of your knowledge will never be a hindrance; it will only ever propel you further in life.

Study because it opens doors. Knowledge is your ticket to new opportunities. Whether it's landing your dream job, travelling the world, or just being able to hold your own in any conversation, the more you know, the further you can go.

Study because it builds discipline. Setting aside time to study teaches you valuable skills like time management and self-discipline. These habits will serve you well in all areas of life, long after you’ve closed the textbooks.

Study because you want to improve yourself. Self-improvement isn't just about hitting the gym or eating right. It's about feeding your mind and growing as a person. Each study session is a step towards a better, more informed you.

Study because it’s a privilege. Not everyone has the opportunity to learn. Embrace the privilege of education and make the most of it. Honor those who fought for the right to study by making the most of your own education.

“I still catch myself feeling sad about things that don’t matter anymore.”

— Kurt Vonnegut

3 days in the arctic. not much time to draw, but a lot to see 🌠 kola peninsula, august '24

21.08.2024—study study study

Hygieia (detail) by Gustav Klimt (1907)

The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.

— Fyodor Dostoevsky