Saturday 25th January

How do you take your picture? Like they are very aesthetic and the lightning is just really good adhfkgkjkgk !!!! Can you tell me any tips for the lightning ??? Thanks so much !!!

ahh thank you so much! currently i take all my photos using my dying iphone 6s! real talk tho, i’m terrible at editing pictures consistently :( i’m still learning and trying to nail down an aesthetic BUT!! i do have a few tips that i’ve picked up! 

natural light is your best friend! i try and take all of my journal photos on the same white table i have set up next to bedroom window. i also usually take them somewhere between 9-10 am, which gives me slightly more consistent lighting that isn’t as harsh. experiment to find the best lighting of the day where you are!

move to the light! is your desk too far from your window? or is the best light somewhere else in the house? no problem, just pick up a sheet or something you can lay out as your backdrop and arrange your supplies wherever the light is best, whether that’s the living room by the french doors, your brother’s huge desk that he only uses for gaming, the dining room table…wherever dude! a white pillowcase is mobile and you can even carry your stuff in it lol.

edit brightness using the app snapseed! i upload the raw photo with no filters or edits to snapseed first, and i usually just let the curves tool do the lightening of the shadows in my photos for me. i think it washes out the whole photo less than just upping the overall brightness in like vsco or something.

only apply filters/color edits after you’ve adjusted your brightness! a lot of preset filters on apps like snapseed or vsco are going to automatically adjust the contrast, shadows, highlights, and temperature of your photo. you don’t want to spend time on an edit only to discover that when you change the brightness it suddenly looks funky. not fun :( also, always edit with your screen at max brightness so you can see clearly what you’re doing!

hopefully that was helpful, but i’m still learning as well! best of luck friend!

happy capricorn season!

instagram // shop

How to Handle Having TOO MUCH To Do

So let’s say you’re in the same boat I am (this is a running theme, have you noticed?) and you’ve just got, like, SO MUCH STUFF that HAS to get done YESTERDAY or you will DIE (or fail/get fired/mope). Everything needs to be done yesterday, you’re sick, and for whatever reason you are focusing on the least important stuff first. What to do!

Take a deep breath, because this is a boot camp in prioritization.

Make a 3 by 4 grid. Make it pretty big. The line above your top row goes like this: Due YESTERDAY - due TOMORROW - due LATER. Along the side, write: Takes 5 min - Takes 30 min - Takes hours - Takes DAYS.

Divide ALL your tasks into one of these squares, based on how much work you still have to do. A thank you note for a present you received two weeks ago? That takes 5 minutes and was due YESTERDAY. Put it in that square. A five page paper that’s due tomorrow? That takes an hour/hours, place it appropriately. Tomorrow’s speech you just need to rehearse? Half an hour, due TOMORROW. Do the same for ALL of your tasks

Your priority goes like this:

5 minutes due YESTERDAY

5 minutes due TOMORROW

Half-hour due YESTERDAY

Half-hour due TOMORROW

Hours due YESTERDAY

Hours due TOMORROW

5 minutes due LATER

Half-hour due LATER

Hours due LATER

DAYS due YESTERDAY

DAYS due TOMORROW

DAYS due LATER

At this point you just go down the list in each section. If something feels especially urgent, for whatever reason - a certain professor is hounding you, you’re especially worried about that speech, whatever - you can bump that up to the top of the entire list. However, going through the list like this is what I find most efficient.

Some people do like to save the 5 minute tasks for kind of a break between longer-running tasks. If that’s what you want to try, go for it! You’re the one studying here.

So that’s how to prioritize. Now, how to actually do shit? That’s where the 20/10 method comes in. It’s simple: do stuff like a stuff-doing FIEND for 20 minutes, then take a ten minute break and do whatever you want. Repeat ad infinitum. It’s how I’ve gotten through my to do list, concussed and everything.

You’ve got this. Get a drink and start - we can do our stuff together!

頑張ってください！// ig: studylustre

my masterpost | my studygram | ask me anything

[click images for high quality]

Other advice posts that may be of interest:

How To Stop Procrastinating

How To Study When You Really Don’t Want To

My Experiences With GCSEs

Dealing With Executive Dysfunction - A Masterpost

The “getting it done in an unconventional way” method.

The “it’s not cheating to do it the easy way” method.

The “fuck what you’re supposed to do” method.

The “get stuff done while you wait” method.

The “you don’t have to do everything at once” method.

The “it doesn’t have to be permanent to be helpful” method.

The “break the task into smaller steps” method.

The “treat yourself like a pet” method.

The “it doesn’t have to be all or nothing” method.

The “put on a persona” method.

The “act like you’re filming a tutorial” method.

The “you don’t have to do it perfectly” method.

The “wait for a trigger” method.

The “do it for your future self” method.

The “might as well” method.

The “when self discipline doesn’t cut it” method.

The “taking care of yourself to take care of your pet” method.

The “make it easy” method.

The “junebugging” method.

The “just show up” method.

The “accept when you need help” method.

The “make it into a game” method.

The “everything worth doing is worth doing poorly” method.

The “trick yourself” method.

The “break it into even smaller steps” method.

The “let go of should” method.

The “your body is an animal you have to take care of” method.

The “fork theory” method.

The “effectivity over aesthetics” method.

How to start a studyblr blog

One of the most common questions I am asked is how to start and run a studyblr. Some people consider being a studyblr means having a selection of certain pens or highlighters but that isn’t the case. Having a studyblr is about being part of a community that promotes self-improvement, positive study habits and tips to help yourself and others reach their full potential. Below are a few steps I recommend when starting a studyblr:

1. Decide whether you’re going to start a new blog or a secondary blog. Most studyblrs, myself included, run main blogs and then a studyblr as a side blog. If you’re wanting to have a completely new account, follow only studybrs, message (via asks) with a link to your studyblr then it is best to create a new account. If you’re happy to continue on one account, then creating a side blog is a good option. However, when you use a secondary blog for your studyblr, it will follow as your main account. I prefer having my studyblr as a secondary blog since you can stay logged into one account (so much easier on mobile!). Plus if you wanted to run a collaboration blog, you can add other members. Here is so more detailed information about the differences.

2. Pick a username/URL. You can be super creative like me and just use your name! Otherwise, you can name your studyblr anything you want. Whilst most people have a study related username, that isn’t totally necessary. Find something you like and use it! You do have the option to change it later on it you’re unhappy or think of something better.

3. Choose a theme. My best advice for a theme is pick something that is easy to navigate and nice to look at! Editing HTML can be quite difficult for first time Tumblr users, however many themes make adjusting the appearance of your theme really simple by using the tools on the customise page. Some popular theme makers include:

@pohroro

@modernisethemes

@cyantists

@magnusthemes

@sorrism

@acuite

@themesbyflorels

@roxiestheme

@felinum

@bychloethemes

@wonderfullythemes

Once you’ve picked a theme, follow the instructions the theme maker has left in the caption of the post. When you’re using a theme, remember to leave credit visible to the owner. By removing credit you’re breaking the conditions set by the creator. 

4. Make an icon. This is relatively optional. Most studyblrs just use a random picture for their icon however others create personalised ones just for their blog. You can create your own icon using applications like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva or Word/Pages. Canva is probably the easiest way to make your own, plus it is free! If you’re looking for something a little fancier, you can commission @annistudio to make one! Depending on the level of complexity, she charges between $3-9. She created my icon and it is so amazing!

5. Write up an introductory post. Once your blog is up and running, you should create a post to introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, what you’re studying, your hobbies, etc. It is always nice to tag some of your favourite studyblrs! If someone has mentioned me or tagged #emmastudies in their post, I might see it and reblog it. Most blogs do the same! Making these posts will hopefully get you some new followers!

6. Post your own content. A great way to promote your blog is to upload your own posts. This can be anything, either pictures of your notes, advice posts, or infographics! Remember to update the content source and click-through links when uploading your posts. A little guide to taking photos can be found here. My editing process can also be found here. If you upload your own tips posts, feel free to submit them to @studyblrmasterposts.

7. Use popular hashtags. Before publishing your post remember to add hashtags. The most popular ones include #studyblr, #studyspo, #study. I track the tag #emmastudies so include that in your tags and I’ll see it! Most blogs also track their usernames so tag some of your favourites.

8. Join studyblr networks. You’ll often see these floating around Tumblr so if you see one, join it! There are ones dedicated to people graduating in a specific year, others for specific majors, or people who share a common trait/hobby! Alternatively, you can be added to my studyblr directory. It is a collection bloggers which can be filtered by categories such as education level, country, and exam system. You can apply here.

9. Use the queue option. By using the queue option, you don’t have to come on Tumblr every day to stay active. Set up a queue, select the number of posts and when you’d like them to be published and you’re ready to go. This option is great if you’re having a bit of an off-week and don’t fancy coming online or aren’t able to access the Internet!

10. Use other social media platforms. Whilst studyblr originated on Tumblr, we have since diversified across numerous different social networks. I’d totally recommend having a studygram! Mine is @emmastudiess if you wanted to check it out! Other accounts have YouTube (emma studies), Snapchat (@emmastudies), Spotify, Twitter, etc. Remember to provide links to your each account!

11. Be nice, friendly and polite. I think this is the golden rule for any blogger. Treat everyone with respect. Be kind when answering questions. Be grateful for your followers. Please, please, please don’t send anonymous hate! If you receive it, remember to delete and block that person. The studyblr community is one of the nicest I’ve come across and we want to keep it that way. 

12. Don’t be afraid to message other blogs and start a friendship! Interact with other accounts by sending them an ask or a direct message. I cannot begin to tell you how many wonderful people I’ve connected with from the studyblr community. I’d say the majority of studyblrs love receiving messages and would be happy to strike up a friendship with you!

I hope this can inspire you to start a studyblr or helps you set one up! Remember you can tag me in your introductory posts or uploaded pictures. Also, my ask and direct messages are always open if you want to chat xx

If you've ever wondered if you could buy ebooks on Korean websites like Kyobo, the answer is yes:

cherry blossoms in daikanyama.

代官山の桜。

Here are some podcasts for those of you that learn or speak Spanish.  Many you can find on  iTunes, on Android using Castbox, or on their own websites/RSS feed. Other podcasts: Arabic| French | German | Italian| Russian| Ukrainian| Eurasia

Language Learning

Accelerated Spanish

Coffee Break Spanish

Discover Spanish

Language Transfer: Complete Spanish

Learn Spanish Daily Podcast

Learning Spanish for Beginners 

Light Speed Spanish

Medical Spanish Podcast

Notes in Spanish: Beginner

Notes in Spanish: Intermediate

Notes in Spanish: Advanced

One Minute Spanish

One Minute Latin American Spanish

Real Deal Spanish

Spanish by Choice: Transcripts here.

SpanishPod101

Spanish - SurvivalPhrases

Speak Spanish with Maria Fernandez

Beginner-Advanced Listening

Advanced Spanish with Spanish Obsessed

Español Automático: Includes transcripts.

Españolistos

Hablemos Español (Mexico)

La Casa Rojas: Transcripts can be bought.

Learn Argentinian Spanish

My Spanish Podcasts

News in Slow Spanish (Spain):  Includes transcripts.

News in Slow Spanish (Latin America): Includes transcripts.

Notes in Spanish: Gold: Transcripts can be bought.

Podcast en Spanish

Spanishpodcast: Includes transcripts.

SpanishPodcast.net: Includes transcripts.

Show Time Spanish

Unlimited Spanish: Includes transcripts.

Spanish Only

00 Podcast: Movies

Al Filo de la Realidad: Occult, UFO’s, pseudoscience.

Campamento Krypton: Pop culture.

CienciaEs: Science podcasts

Cultura, contracultura, y recontracultura: Culture.

Economía para la Ciudadanía: Economics.

El Amor Después : Relationships and love.

Engadget: Technology.

Es Salud: Health.

Es una Trampa: Star Wars

Fallo de sistema: Sci-fi, comics, movies.

Gameover: Video games.

Histocast: History

Juego de Tronos : Game of Thrones.

La Papa: Answers to unique questions.

La  Parroquia: Humor.

La Rosa de los Vientos: Mystery

Lo-Fi: Relationships.

Melomania: Classical music.

Memorias de un Tambor: Spanish history.

Nadie sabe nada: Humor.

Negá Todo : X-files

Nunca Ayudes a Nadie: Productivity

Oh My LOL: Humor

Radio Ambulante: Like This American Life

Radioshock: Random interesting topics.

SBS Radio: News

Señaladores: Literature.

Sexopolis: Sex & sexuality.

Siglo 21: Music.

Son y sabor: Music

Terror Y Nada Más: Horror.

Verne y Wells Ciencia Ficción: Sci-fi and stories.

Argentina Podcastera: Several interesting podcasts from Argentina.

iVoox: Several podcasts can be found here.

Radio Nacional: Several podcasts from Colombia.

RTVE: Several podcasts from Spain that you narrow by category.

You can find waaay more podcasts in Spanish simply by going through Spanish radio stations. I’ve seen podcasts for Pokemon, poetry, geology, and beer. You’re bound to find something you like :D