The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.
— Fyodor Dostoevsky
Czeslaw Milosz, from “Ode,” in New and Collected Poems: 1931-2001
[text ID: O October Season of poetry, of the total daring Of starting one’s life at every moment anew,]
The SS Warrimoo, a passenger steamship traveling from Vancouver to Australia, was silently knifing its way across the mid-Pacific waters. The navigator had just finished calculating a star fix and handed the results to Captain John DS. Phillips.
The Warrimoo's coordinates were LAT 0º 31' N, LONG 179 30' W. The date was December 31, 1899. "Know what this means?" First Mate Payton announced, "We're only a few miles from the intersection of the Equator and the International Date Line."
Captain Phillips was prankish enough to seize the opportunity to do the nautical feat of a lifetime. He summoned his navigators to the bridge to double-check the ship's position. He altered his course slightly to focus directly on his target. He then altered the engine's speed.
The calm weather and clear night worked to his advantage. At midnight, the SS Warrimoo rested on the Equator, exactly where it had crossed the International Date Line. The ramifications of this odd arrangement were numerous.
The ship's bow was in the Southern Hemisphere, in the middle of summer. The stern was in the Northern Hemisphere, in the midst of winter. The date on the aft portion of the ship was December 31, 1899. The date on the forward half of the ship was January 1, 1900. The ship experienced multiple days, months, years, seasons, and centuries simultaneously.
RAHHHHHHH ELLIOTT SMITHHH
i hope i make you proud when i get my degree. you are a legend, helping me to get throught tough times during college.
we had to make 3 conceptual models for our design, i woke up early to finished all and it was a fail at first :") but! i got to get back anw, and made 2 concept design (accidentally xD) approved by my prof.
it will be very busy and stressful! i try to balance everything with time management, affirm myself with positive things, and make sure i am in my maximum capicity to pass.
its very important to check up on yourself as well, especially during difficult times. slacking and falling off is common to happen, so i hope everyone will stay focus and take time to self-reflect too (walking alone for 10 mins is ok!)
gl everyone !! <33
one of my weekly rituals is afternoon tea with friends after class
You dumb motherfucker life isn't about smelling flowers or feeling radiant sunshine on your skin or making meals with your loved ones. You idiot son of a bitch. It's about apps. It's about scrolling through apps.
Mastering academic excellence
Becoming an academic weapon is about more than just studying hard, it’s about studying smart.
Your study environment plays a crucial role in your ability to concentrate and absorb information. A cluttered desk or disorganized room can lead to distractions, stress, and reduced productivity. On the other hand, an orderly and minimalist space promotes clarity of thought and focus.
Why Minimalism Matters
Reduces Distractions A minimalist setup limits visual and mental distractions. With fewer items in your field of vision, your brain can focus more on the task at hand.
Promotes Calmness An organized space creates a sense of calm, reducing stress and anxiety, which are common barriers to effective studying.
Enhances Efficiency Knowing exactly where your materials are saves time and keeps you in the flow of your work, avoiding interruptions caused by searching for misplaced items.
How to Create the Ideal Study Space
Declutter Regularly Keep only essential items on your desk. Store books, papers, and other materials neatly in drawers or shelves.
Personalize Mindfully Add a few personal touches, like a plant or a motivational quote, but avoid overloading your space with unnecessary objects.
Ensure Comfort Choose a comfortable chair, good lighting, and a desk at the right height to prevent physical discomfort during long study sessions.
Active learning is the cornerstone of effective studying. Unlike passive methods, such as simply reading or highlighting, active learning engages multiple areas of your brain, enhancing comprehension and retention.
Key Active Learning Techniques
Summarization After reading a section of your textbook or attending a lecture, summarize the main points in your own words. This forces you to process the information deeply, improving understanding and memory.
Self-Testing Regularly quiz yourself on the material. This not only reinforces your knowledge but also highlights areas where you need further review. Tools like flashcards or apps such as Anki can be particularly effective.
Teaching Others Explaining concepts to others is one of the best ways to solidify your understanding. This could be done with a study partner, in a group setting, or even by teaching an imaginary audience.
Mind Mapping Create visual representations of the material, such as diagrams or mind maps. This technique helps you see connections between ideas and organizes complex information into a more digestible format.
Study aids are tools and resources that can support and enhance your learning process. When used correctly, they can make studying more efficient and effective.
Types of Study Aids:
Flashcards Ideal for memorization, flashcards help reinforce knowledge through active recall and spaced repetition. Digital flashcards allow for easy organization and accessibility on the go.
Mind Maps These visual tools help break down complex concepts and illustrate relationships between ideas, making it easier to grasp and remember large amounts of information.
Practice Tests Taking practice exams familiarizes you with the format and types of questions you might encounter, reducing test anxiety and highlighting areas for improvement.
Educational Apps Numerous apps cater to various aspects of studying, from organization (Notion, Evernote) to subject-specific learning (Duolingo for languages).
How to Use Study Aids Effectively
Incorporate Them Regularly Don’t wait until the last minute to use study aids. Regular integration into your study routine ensures continuous reinforcement of material.
Customize Your Tools Tailor flashcards, mind maps, and other aids to suit your learning style and the specific material you need to master.
Combine Methods Use a mix of study aids to address different types of content and to keep your study sessions dynamic and engaging.
MENS SANA IN CORPORE SANO
The ancient adage "mens sana in corpore sano," meaning "a healthy mind in a healthy body," underscores the importance of physical well-being in achieving academic success. Neglecting your health can lead to burnout, decreased cognitive function, and lower academic performance.
Physical Health and Academic Performance
Nutrition A balanced diet fuels your brain, improving concentration, memory, and energy levels. Incorporate brain-boosting foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Exercise Regular physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, enhances mood through the release of endorphins, and reduces stress. Even short, daily exercise sessions can make a significant difference in your mental clarity and stamina.
Sleep Adequate sleep is essential for memory consolidation and cognitive function. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to ensure you are well-rested and ready to tackle your studies.
Mental Health and Academic Success
Stress Management Practice mindfulness techniques such as meditation or deep breathing to manage stress. Regular breaks during study sessions can also prevent burnout.
Work-Life Balance Ensure you have time for relaxation and social activities. A balanced life contributes to mental well-being, which in turn supports academic success.
Positive Mindset Cultivate a growth mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than as obstacles. This perspective not only enhances resilience but also keeps you motivated in your academic pursuits.
[photos from Pinterest]
never not thinking about elliott smith's hampshire college thesis, 1991
love sleeping in guest bedrooms. they’re always just a Little off
You will burn and you will burn out; you will be healed and come back again.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
IM LOSING MY MIND OVER THESE HEADLINES
“If the evil were to see you, they’d kiss your hand and repent.”
i overthink, i overlove, i overfeel and yet, i don’t regret it one bit. it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. it’s either all or nothing
i showed you my secret tumblr account
: what?
i'm saying that i love you
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
— Vincent van Gogh
ever since i learned about ghost buildings i haven't been able to stop thinking about them
You hold yourself so well, people would never suspect you're going through hell.
IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT SOME OF YOU ARE UNAWARE OF MY SOULMATE
BEHOLD!!!!
THIS IS MOO DENG HER NAME MEANS BOUNCING PORK SHES A BABY PYGMY HIPPO AT A THAI ZOO AND SHE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
GIVE HER LOVE
(pics courtesy of her trainers. thank you @yellowwwcrayon for introducing her to me)
Shout out to all the Black ppl that can no longer participate directly in the fandom they love because of the stresses of racism 👍🏾 you contain multitudes of value and I'm sorry that the color of your skin and the power of your voice makes people not want to acknowledge that.
i just had the funniest experience in vr chat, i joined a random server and the one i joined had Japanese people so i waddled around in my goofy club penguin avatar that i have saved, after a while a guy walks up to me and clones my avatar so were both penguins then another guy shows up and clone my avatar
now keep in mind there only speaking Japanese i don’t know what they are saying, then another guy joins in, so i got a group of three penguin friends
we just waddle around and goof about, the one of them tries to talk to me, but not only do i not have a mic i also don’t speak Japanese, they figure out i don’t speak Japanese and start listing various places, they get the part of being European right, and after listing a lot of places they ask if im from the UK and when i nod they all just start cheering. after hanging out for a while one of them gets real close to me and whispers…
“penguin brothers forever”