More Tea Parties | Content Warnings
Hello, friends! It’s officially cozy season, the perfect time to settle in with a warm drink. Today, we’re talking about studying. Feel free to make yourself comfy, maybe grab a yummy snack, and let’s get started.
What kind of student are/were you? What is/was your favorite subject in school?
Pineapple
I think lots of people think I was a good student. My grades made it look like I was a good student. In reality, I feel like a bad student. Especially while I was in college. This was partly due to having undiagnosed and untreated health problems, but it was also just bad work/life/study balance. I prioritized making money over school when I shouldn’t have, because it was easier. I skipped classes often and, now that I’m done, I often wish that I’d done more while I was in school. I came out of it with a decent GPA, but there are times I wonder what I would have been like if I’d focused on studying.
I always liked English/Literature classes. Obvious choice, ha ha. Some of my favorites in college were Contemporary American Lit, an intro to literary criticism class, and in my last semester a philosophy in literature course. Otherwise, I also really liked music. I was in orchestra from elementary school up into college.
Apple
I was usually sick and absent, so I spent most of my time in school trying to catch up. All of my homework and papers from class were usually packed into one severely overstuffed folder. I went to any tutoring sessions and office hours I could to try to make sense of what I’d missed. I also got lost a lot. I carried all my books around because I couldn’t remember my locker combination, and even if I could, I forgot where my locker was too. These days, I’d like to think I have more strategies to help manage the chaos a bit better (and more cute stationery). As for my favorite subject, I love to read, so it’s always been English, and that’s what I have a degree in now.
Raspberry
I was the one who was always reading and studying. I probably looked like I was on top of things, but that was definitely due to the anxiety and over-policing what I later found out was undiagnosed ADHD. So I was definitely in a state of constant stress and/or absent due to stress-related migraines. But I love learning, so I’m still studying when and where I can. Now I’m just more mindful and kind to myself while learning.
In middle school and high school, I was definitely the history and English nerd, which translated into my English major/history minor at university. I also really loved psychology once I started learning about it.
Is there anything you’d like to study but haven’t had a chance to?
Pineapple
I’d like to study philosophy and foreign literature more. I really only know very little about philosophy, and I’ve read a few foreign authors. The US is very American based lol. In school, I took a class about novels written in second languages that was really interesting, but other than that… there’s so many famous authors I haven’t read and would like to.
I’ve studied lots of languages but not super in depth, so I’d like to study those more and add even more to the list. I really want to study Tagalog recently.
Oh! And classics!! I sometimes dream about what I’d be like if I’d been a classics major instead of a lit major lol I’d like to study art history or something like that maybe. It seems interesting
I was going to try to have a study day once a week or month or something next year as a resolution, so hopefully I can work on some of these things then.
Apple
I’ve always been curious about candle making. It’s definitely a hobby I could see myself getting into. My sister also got into bookbinding this year, and it’d be so much fun to learn more about that too!
Raspberry
I really love learning languages! I’d love to study Korean and French more when I have time, and I’d love to learn ASL and Braille. I’m also currently studying yoga, so I feel like I’d love to have a deeper understanding of anatomy to strengthen my practice.
What’s your method for taking notes? Any tips?
Pineapple
Depending on the subject… I annotate books if I’m studying a novel. I highlight or underline or post-it motifs or things related to themes, things that define character, etc. One time I was writing a paper on clothes and uniforms in a novel and I literally went through the novel and summarized almost every page in the book. I don’t know why I did that. I wouldn’t recommend it, really.
Mostly I try to take notes in my own words, rather than just copying what’s written or said to me, so that I know I have a better understanding of it. I usually take notes as I go, because I’ve almost always been taught through lectures. They really aren’t very organized other than that. I wish I had more tips. Or any at all, really.
Apple
I basically do Cornell notes, but I always skip the summary part that they’re supposed to have at the bottom. I add in charts and graphs when there’s a lot of information to compare. I think my main tip would be to make things as easy for future you to understand as you can. Leaving things out or saying I’ll rewrite something or add more details later tends to get me into trouble when I either can’t remember or run out of time. Definitely don’t be me, haha.
Raspberry
Write everything down and then lose the notebook! Haha, at least that seems to be my usual method. I remember things better if I handwrite it and have to verbally explain it (which usually means I talk to my cats and dog a lot). I also use color-coding with a rainbow assortment of pens, and that helps me retain information better.
What about self study? Any tips for that?
Pineapple
I’m horrible at self study. It’s why I haven’t kept up with any of my language study.
Probably the best thing you can do is fit it into a routine. Rather than make it a habit, make it a routine. I try to fit reading in this way, but lately I’ve been doing math before bed instead. I treat it like I do my writing. Maybe not every day, but most days is probably good lol
Apple
I try to remind myself to keep things interesting. Even if it’s something I have to study, I look for things about it that make me curious or excited to learn. That way I have more reasons to keep at it if I ever feel like giving up. I also try to make a realistic schedule and find ways to keep myself accountable, like checking in with a friend or using a schedule app on my phone. I do my best to plan breaks too because rest is important and burnout is no joke. I’m also learning to be less afraid of making mistakes and allowing them to help me grow instead.
Raspberry
I try to keep a somewhat-consistent time to study. I do a lot of self-paced studying, but I always treat it like it’s a class with a set time and schedule. That way, I stay on track and have (imaginary) deadlines to meet.
When it comes to academia aesthetics, is there one that you vibe with?
Pineapple
The classic dark academia… I long for it lol but I’m not really that organized. I can’t do things just for the look. I need them to be functional as well generally. So I’ve kind of settled into “chaotic academia” lol
This is why I didn’t graduate with a minor study in college. I jumped from German to Japanese to Korean without sticking with any of them long enough to qualify for a minor in language lmao
Apple
I think I vibe with goblin academia the most. Lots of green (my favorite color) and weird trinkets and messy notes and comfy clothes and nature. I like the other academia styles too, though! Anything with a bookshelf and a cup of tea is great to me.
Raspberry
I’m a sucker for dark academia! It gives great vibes perfect for fall! Light academia also gives off cozy vibes, so I really like that one too. There’s also a fun academia sub-style called Queer Academia, which I love. It has bright, pride colors. In classic Bi style, I’m going to say I can’t choose just one!
Thanks for hanging out with us!
We’re always looking for more study tips and decorating ideas! Share your favorites in a comment below, and we’ll talk to you soon!
JAAM Writing 