Organise!

Hello!
I'd like to think of myself as quite an organised person...sorta... But over the last year ive tried my hardest to become more organised so i dont feel so overwhelmed with things to do, and we all know how horrible that feeling is! I've started doing things here and there to keep things in order and get my thoughts straight, so im going to share them!

Sticky Notes
Now this is probably one of my favourite tips I've got. My friends know that I'm obsessed with sticky notes/post it notes, as I carry around 2 packs with me in my pencil case at school! I find it so much easier to remember things if I have them right in front of my face, ie. on sticky notes!
I have a 2 door floor-to-ceiling mirror in my room which I like to use to stick reminders of what I have to do, and also sometimes quotes to keep me motivated to do those things. I find it really effective and has definitely helped me stay organised over the school year.


To Do Lists
If you can't tell, I'm a visual person! Writing out lists for things is how I keep calm about situations, and wrap my head around everything I have to do. For example, whenever I go on a holiday I write out a list of what I need to bring and how many of each. Another example is with my homework over the weekend. I obviously want to be able to have time to relax after a hard week of learning, so writing what I need to do gives me an idea about how much time I have to relax.
I got given this super cute and handy to-do list from my sister for my birthday and it's from Kikki.K, and it's so useful because it lets you write down your priorities and what you must do, but also has a place to write how you're going to treat yourself. Genius!

The Night Before
Now this tip is great for those in school or uni, but also for if you're just going somewhere the next day. Every school night I pack my bag for the next day with all my books and pencil case inside. This lessens the panic in the morning when I realise that I've overslept and I need to leave in 20 minutes. When that does happen I know that I only need to get dressed, pack my lunch (which would make the rush even less but I don't like it when my lunch is all cold so I make it in the morning), clean my teeth and get out the door.

Get a Pet
Okay now this is kind of a strange one but I swear it helps! Buy or adopt a pet, even if it's simply a fish. By now having something to look after and care for you are going to feel more organised because you have to clean out its bowl or tank and feed it (if its a fish). I bought a Siamese Fighting fish and named it Gus (TFIOS reference there!) and I know I have to leave time to do all the things to keep him alive, so it's taught me that I have to be organised to keep him alive.

So that's a few of the things I do/have done to organise myself and my thoughts better! Until next time!

- Tianah xo

Study Tips

Hi guys! 

So at my school the year 11 and 12 first semester exams are starting this week... Scary... Now being in year 12 I have lots of exams to study for 7 -to be exact- and all are within 3 weeks so I decided to start studying last week. I was looking up helpful ways to study just to add to what I already do, so I've come up with a few tips that help me and hopeful you too! 

1. Write a list! 

For me writing lists helps a lot with getting myself organised and ready to conquer all the topics I have to cover. So I have 5 subjects which all have heaps of topics in them which I've covered over the semester. Now, by writing a checklist of everything you need to study you are making a physical reminder of how much or how little you have to remember, and it will help with getting you ready to start. 

For example, I study chemistry. I went through my notebook and booklets that my teacher gave me, and made this list with all the topics I need to remember or perhaps relearn before the exam. 

So now whenever I have finished studying one of those topics, I can just tick it off and not have to stress... As a bonus, ticking things off on a To Do List is always fun and makes you feel like you've accomplished something! :) 

2. Study in an environment where you know you can concentrate! 

Some people can study really well with music, whilst others can't. I can't. I need things to be super quiet so all my attention is on what I'm suppose to be doing. If you know that you can only study with music then listen to music, and if you can't then don't. I personally think that studying without music is more effective. My maths teacher is a firm advocate of studying and doing work in a quiet environment, because studies have shown that when you listen to music while you study your brain doesn't make the right connections and you only remember things for a short amount of time, and if it's quiet then information can reach your long term memory and stay there. 

3. Flash cards!

Even though it's the 21st century, flash cards are still one of the best ways to remember information! You write down the question or word, write down the answer or definition, and bam you're ready to start studying! You've probably all heard of flash cards.. Who hasn't!? But did you know that you can get apps for your portable devices which I think most of us have at least one! I have 2 (not sure why I have 2 but anyway..) called FlashCards++ and Flashcardlet. Both are great, yet one is free and one isn't. You can write your own flash cards or download ones that other people have created and made available on Quizlet which is really helpful if you are too lazy to make your own sometimes! Hehe 

4. Have food!!!!! 

The exclamation marks were totally needed there! You get to eat while study! Whateven!? 

Having food with you when you study will prevent you from wondering around the house, continuously opening and closing the fridge expecting something new to be there every time, and endless procrastination (because let's face it, food is amazing). Having healthy food with you is even better for your studying. It will give you energy that you need to be able to remember information or stay up. A good choice is some fruit like a banana or apple, or saltanas (mmmmm my favourite). 

5. Have a clean study area! 

My mum tells me this nonstop and I think it might just be starting to kick in after 17 years... I always find that I study better and have less distractions if my desk is clean and tidy, that way I can't play with anything that shouldn't be on there, and trust me it happens. You won't even notice that you're doing it until 10 minutes or so has passed and your still playing with that bouncy ball on your desk. I don't know, who even has a bouncy ball on their desk... Not me :P 

Now that's all for now! Hope these help and good luck! :) 

- Tianah xo