✨Cosmic Witchcraft Masterpost✨

Vegan Garlic Noodles!

[Side note: I feel really bad for being inactive on here :( I tried to make bread so many times and I got really discouraged because I haven’t succeeded yet, so I just focused on other things. I’m really sorry, I hope to be more active soon!]

Anyhow! This is a really awesome, delicious recipe that has just the right amount of comfort-food flavour and for 20 kcal it’s much lighter too!

Ingredients:

one package shirataki pasta / noodles (0 kcal, may be more if flavoured)

0.5 tsp margarine (20 kcal)

salt, to taste (0 kcal)

garlic powder, to taste (0 kcal)*

*start with 0.25 tsp and work up, little by little. I personally just eyeball it :)

How-to:

Drain and rinse your shirataki noodles and heat until warm (I microwave on high for one minute). Remove excess water.

Add margarine, salt, and garlic powder and mix well.

Voila! Yumlicious~

ESSAY WRITING 101: HOW TO GET A FIRST/A* IN ANY ESSAY

I’ve been preparing to start my masters after a one-year break from academia, so I’m a little apprehensive about getting into essay writing again. I found a great resource on my University’s website, giving a universal guide to writing a First Class essay. If you’re about to start your first year at uni, want a refresher, or are taking essay-based classes at your high school, this is the post for you!

C O M P R E H E N S I O N

Use a wide range of relevant sources, well understood and fully appreciated.

What do I need to do?

Read beyond the recommended reading given to you or the textbook in class. Can you explain what you’ve read to someone who isn’t studying your course - if not, do you really understand it?   

C R I T I Q U E

Ability to set sources and view points in context and evaluate contributions. Methodological awareness and theoretical appreciation.

What do I need to do?

I posted here about the WHAT-HOW-WHY paragraph structure. The critique is your WHY. WHY is the source written in that way? What was the context of the time or geographical location where it was written? Can either have impacted the writing? What are the limitations to the source - have they avoided discussing something that you believe vital to their argument? Critical thinking is the key to obtaining the highest marks in an essay.

A N A L Y S I S

Excellent answer to the question. Locates suitable concepts and makes a comprehensive assessment of issues involved. Understands the relevant theories and applies them to answering the question.

What do I need to do?

Answer the question. It seems silly but answer the question. What are you actually being asked to talk about, and are there any limiting factors (e.g. a specific time period)? Make sure that everything you’re saying is relevant to the question. If you’re anything like me, going off on a tangent is second nature. A good tip is to read your essay aloud to yourself - if you can sense you’re waffling on about something, then cut it out. 

P R E S E N T A T I O N

Well structured and planned. Clear, articulate style (good spelling, grammar, and syntax.) Proper referencing and bibliography. Confident presentation and appropriate length.

What do I need to do?

Plan plan plan. I never really understood the importance of proper essay planning before I got to University, but it really cannot be emphasised enough. Try and plan in a cyclical sense, taking a thematic approach to your writing and ensuring your main thesis argument is clear throughout your writing. It can be good to break one large essay into 2 or 3 smaller ones, but make sure that they are well connected and don’t read in a disjointed manner. Linking your introduction and conclusion can be an excellent way to ensure that your essay reads fluidly. Another top tip for writing a conclusion is to point your reader to further reading in the area you’re writing about - this helps to place your work as part of the academic conversation on the topic.

ho ho holy shit it’s december first (1st)

wheel of the year 

Ana/Mia Buddies

If you’re looking for an ana/mia buddy, there’s someone who can help!                  Ana-Mia-Buddies is a blog, where you can find someone to help! Message them with your name, location, and age, and they search around to find someone right for you! Then, you will be sent their Tumblr name! Reblog to spread awareness!

Halloween/Autumn Movie Masterpost

It includes both movies and TV series, and it spans from cozy to mildly scary. I left out all major horror movies that have gore and graphic violence because I wanted to make a list that I can actually enjoy (I hate gore… and zombies)… and all the halloween movie lists I found are always focused on that.

As of today (sept.12) I’m working on a second part because I realized I left out a lot of stuff (including Charmed and Buffy… shame on me). It may take a while…

Also, I’m done with people insulting me about not putting up trigger warnings. This is just a movie list: if you want to avoid specific scenes, google the title you’re interested in and see if it’s appropriate for you. I’m not responsible for what you decide to watch. I won’t tolerate more comments of that sort.

my quick tips for online classes and exams

💻 DURING ONLINE CLASS SESSIONS:

- find a good spot with enough light and stable wifi (if you multiple options, select the one that would make you most comfortable, most focused, and confident enough to take online tests/quizzes/exams at - you will need good wifi for these too!)

- study at a desk, if possible (this tip is popular for a reason. studying at a desk, with good posture, mimics the feeling of being in a classroom or the library. thus, it will help you focus better - especially during virtual classes)

- accommodate yourself (not just with comfort, but also with actual necessities that you cannot get or too embarrassed to get in your usual classroom/library. stress balls, stim toys, positivity cards, calming music/candles. comforting plushies. as long as it helps you focus better, it’s on the table)

- try to treat online classes the same as an in-person class, especially time-wise (if your teachers/professors live-stream the lessons, great! just don’t skip class. if not, try to set a specific time for each class. even better, study for your classes at the same time they used to be held. this will create a sense of routine and trigger the brain’s normal reactions to your usual class - which is to study)

- get dressed (prioritize focus and routines. put on your normal outfits, uniforms and even perfume. trick your mind into being focused)

- minimize distractions (declutter your study space. put your phone out of reach. turn off notifications. close all other tabs on your browser - this can reduce lagging too. select non-distracting or overpowering music. restrain from eating or snacking. don’t spam or pay attention to spams in your classes’ chatboxes. only bring along items that are absolutely vital to your focus)

- take notes, even if you can record your lessons and/or access the lessons later (writing things down enhances your memory of it. it will also force you to focus and prevent you from zoning out/ being distracted)

- if possible, put your teachers/profs on the big screen to create the illusion of being in a lecture (if your study spot has a TV/projector that can connect to your laptop and quality speakers, do it. it’s more fun than you’d think)

- be actively engaged in the lecture (if there are technical problems or if you have questions, chatbox away. this is also good practice for people with social anxiety too: the fact that you are in your home and behind the screen can make it easier for you to ask for help)

- give yourself breaks between classes (don’t cram all your classes in one morning. but don’t procrastinate either. time your breaks)

💻 REVIEWING FOR ONLINE CLASSES:

- textbooks are your best friend (especially when your classes’ live-streams are just chaotic and hard to follow. practice speed reading. look for keywords and crucial information. take notes rather than highlighting everything. compare them to your lecture notes, your syllabus, or your friends’)

- take advantage of the online format (revisit videos and podcasts. check your classes forum for questions or announcements. listen to your lecture when you’re cleaning or exercising. study at your own pace and in your own style. basically anything you wish you could do when your class was in-person)

- don’t be afraid to email the profs/teachers (compile all of your questions into a list. be as specific as you can about your concerns. put a subject for your email to reduces the chance of your email getting lost in your instructors’ inbox.)

- take time to know your learning style (when are you most focused? most energetic? are you a visual or an auditory learner? do you need to be active? what drinks or scents or sounds keep you going? you don’t always get this chance to study however you want)

- submit assignments at your own pace - but make a schedule/ set alarms to avoid forgetting to turn them in (for overthinkers like me, turning things in “early” for me is extremely anxiety-inducing. take your time to double-check or edit your work - as long as the submission box is still open, of course. so remember to start working on them early)

- reward yourself (don’t stress yourself out by rewarding big accomplishments. reward small victories. reward baby steps. reward effort. you’ll get things done eventually)

- and more tips on productivity at home in my last post right here

💻 PREPARING FOR AND TAKING ONLINE EXAMS / QUIZZES:

- again, find a good spot with good wifi, good lighting, and a desk (if possible, try to recreate your ideal exam environment as closely as you can while studying and reviewing for the exams. this can reduce the anxiety of tests and/or unfamiliarity)

- be prepared for technical difficulties (plan out a course of action to take if they ever arise. draft an email template. research in advance the contacts of people whom you can report to - IT personnel, your instructors, student office, etc.)

- bring everything you need to the exams - but no distractions (like mentioned earlier, if you need any special accommodations that are not considered “acceptable” in an in-person exam/quiz, now it’s the time to bring them along. the last online exam I took, I had a cupcake ready on my desk because I tend to use up more energy when I’m stressed/anxious. however, I always cut my music and put my phone away for optimal focus mode)

- plan your desk set-up prior to your exams (plan where you want to put your notes, textbooks, calculators or scrap paper. charge your laptop. sharpen your pencils. have your backup pens or calculators handy. lay out everything you need onto your desk the night before your tests. it can reduce anxiety too)

- make cheatsheets (the goals when making them are simple: (1) get you to rewrite your notes for that good memorization; (2) condense your information and find a connection between them for a thorough understanding of the materials; (3) reduce the time you use to flip through your notebooks or textbooks or google for information during the actual tests)

- actually study instead of relying on the quizzes/ exams being open-book (this goes hand in hand with the previous point. at the very least, it will help you ace your exams better by saving you all the time and trouble you spend looking for an equation you probably should have already known)

- time yourself with mock exams (if you are given mock exams to practice with, do them, with a timer. this will help you familiarize yourself with the stress of being timed, thus reducing your anxiety during the actual tests)

- get enough sleep and eat properly (even if the exams or quizzes are online, they are still, at their core, tests. and tests are always stressful and energy-consuming. so take care of both your physical and mental health)

Feel free to add your own tips. And good luck to everyone with the (online) exam season coming near 🍀 I believe in you!

some cottagecore things to do during social distancing 

bake some cookies or bread

tend to your plants (or garden if you have one)

knit/quilt

write some letters

decorate your space for spring

watercolor/sketch

take a walk (things are blooming!! look at them!!)

take pictures outside as spring rolls in

pick up an old favorite book

throw a tea party, even if it’s just for yourself

take a drive through the countryside (if you can)

cut some flowers to put around the house

turn the lights off and light some candles

write some poetry!! it’s a bit of an emotional time for everyone

go through keepsakes

PLAY MINECRAFT

My “things to do” on summer holiday.

- Get a tan.

- Get a hella tattoo.

- Say yes for a whole day.

- Leave a note on somebody’s car window.

- Have a big sleepover.

- Buy a pair of converse.

-  Have a water balloon fight.

- Go by a different name for a day.

- Be hippy for a day.

- Watch sunrise and sunset.

- Maybe get a boyfriend.

- Learn how to skateboard.

- Go on a thrift store shopping spree with friends.

- Hold a “free hugs” sign in public.

- Make an inspiration wall.

- Write a song and sing it in public.

- Get a piercing.

- Talk to a stranger.

- Reach 2K on Instagram.

- 24 without any electronics.

- Destroy a watermelon with your friends.

- Have a paint fight wearing all white.

- Fry an egg on the road.

- Create a quote book.

- Play messy Twister.

- Buy flowers an give it to a stranger.

- Burn old schoolwork.

- Maybe get fit (?)

- Kiss someone.

- Make a blanket fort and sleep in it ( maybe do it in your backyard? idk, just be original ).

- Get a pennyboard.

- Wear pajamas in public.

- Go to as many concerts as you can.

- Take a photo every day.

- Go to a record shop.

- Go to the zoo.

- Go to a fair or carnival.

- Buy a cute little fish.

- Go bowling.

- Make Vlogs.

- Jump into a pool fully clothed.

- Ikea adventure with friends.

- Make a summer movie.

- Make pinterest recipes.

- Get on a roller coaster.

- Go to the amusement park.

- Start a wish tree.

- Make a bonfire party.

- Make a selfie album.

- Fly a kite ( I’ve never done that )

- Make a bonfire party.

- Crave names in a tree.

- Make a lemonade stand.

- Buy a disposable camera.

- Play catch with eggs.

- Leave notes in books on a book shop.

- Get a construction cone ( I think it’s gonna be fun ).

- Make a Instagram account and take photos of everything that you do this summer.

- Have a lot of fun.

AP Chem summary: Chapter 1

1.1

Chemistry: the study of composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter.

Composition of matter relates to the kinds of elements it contains 

Structure of matter relates to the ways the atoms of these elements are arranged 

Property: any characteristic that makes a sample of matter unique 

Molecule: an entity composed of two or more atoms with the atoms attached to one another in a specific way. 

1.2 

States of Matter: the three physical states matter exists in; gas, liquid, solid

There are two types of pure substances: 

Elements: has a single kind of atom and is represented by a chemical symbol (basically anything on the periodic table of elements) 

Compounds: composed of two or more elements joined chemically 

The Law of Constant Composition/ The Law of Definite Proportions

The elemental composition of a pure compound is always the same 

Mixtures: have variable compositions and can be homogeneous mixtures (solutions) or heterogeneous mixtures 

1.3 

Physical and chemical properties can be used to identify a substance 

Physical change: matter does not change its composition (ex: Changes of state; gas to liquid, etc)  Chemical change (Chemical reaction): substance is transformed into a chemically different substance  Intensive properties: independent of the amount of matter examined (internal qualities)  Extensive Properties: relate to amount of substance present (external qualities)  Scientific Method: dynamic process used to answer questions about our physical world; can lead to scientific laws (general rules that summarize how nature behaves) Makes use of hypotheses (tentative explanations) which can be tested and refined into theories that can predict the results of future observations and experiments.

1.4 

Measurements in chem are made using the metric system and SI units. 

length- meter (m), mass- Kilogram (kg), time- second (s).  

Kelvin = Celsius + 273 Celsius = (5/9)(Fahrenheit - 32)  Density = Mass / Volume 

1.5 + 1.6 

All measured quantities are inexact to some extent 

Precision: how closely different measurements of a quantity agree with one another 

Accuracy: how well measurement agrees with the accepted or “true” value 

Significant Figures: one estimated digit, the last digit of the measurement. Certain rules must be followed. 

Dimensional Analysis: a problem solving technique where units play a major role within the calculation using conversion factors (ratios constructed from valid relations between equivalent quantities)