New Quarter/semester Checklist

Developing Self Discipline

Requested by flowering-veins. Thank you!

Self-discipline can be considered a type of selective training, creating new habits of thought, action, and speech toward improving yourself and reaching goals. Self-discipline can also be task oriented and selective. View self-discipline as positive effort, rather than one of denial.

Schedule a small task for a given time of the day; Practice deliberate delaying.

Schedule a particular task in the morning and once in the evening.

The task should not take more than 15 minutes.

Wait for the exact scheduled time. When the schedule time is due, start the task.

Stick to the schedule for at least two months.

Advantage: Scheduling helps you focus on your priorities. By focusing on starting tasks rather than completing them, you can avoid procrastination.

Schedule a task and hold to its time; Avoid acting on impulse.

Track your progress; At the end of the allotted time, keep a record of accomplishment that builds over time.

If you begin to have surplus time, fill it with small tasks, make notes to yourself, plan other tasks, etc.

Advantage: Building a record will help you track how much time tasks take.

If you begin to have surplus time, fill it with small tasks, make notes to yourself, plan other tasks, etc.

Harness the power of routine.

Instead of devoting a lot of hours one day, and none the other and then a few on an another day and so on, allocate a specific time period each day of the week for that task.

Hold firm.

Don’t set a goal other than time allocation, simply set the habit of routine.

Apply this technique to your homework or your projects, you will be on your way to getting things done

Advantage: You are working on tasks in small increments, not all at once. You first develop a habit, then the habit does the job for you.

Use self discipline to explore time management

Time management can become an overwhelming task. When you do not have control over your own self, how can you control time? Begin with task-oriented self-discipline and build from there.

Advantage: As you control tasks, you build self-discipline. As you build self-discipline, you build time management. As you build time management, you build self-confidence.

Maintain a self-discipline log book.

Record the start and end times of the tasks.

Review for feedback on your progress

Advantage: This log book can be a valuable tool to get a better picture over your activities in order to prioritize activities, and realize what is important and not important on how you spend your time.

Schedule your work day and studies.

When you first begin your work day, or going to work take a few minutes and write down on a piece of paper the tasks that you want to accomplish for that day.

Prioritize the list.

Immediately start working on the most important one.

Try it for a few days to see if the habit works for you.

Habits form over time: how much time depends on you and the habit.

Advantage: When you have a clear idea as to what you want to achieve for the day at its start, the chances are very high that you will be able to proactively accomplish the tasks. Writing or sketching out the day helps.

Discouragement:

Do not be intimidated; do not be put off by the challenge

If you slip, remember this is natural

Take a break and then refresh the challenge

Tricks:

Associate a new habit with an old one: If you drink coffee, make that first cup the time to write out and prioritize your tasks.

Advantage: Association facilitates neural connections!

Mark your progress:

On a calendar in your bathroom, on a spreadsheet at your computer, on your breakfast table: Check off days you successfully follow up. If you break the routine, start over!

Advantage: Visualizing is a ready reinforcement of progress

Role models:

Observe the people in your life and see to what extent self discipline and habits help them accomplish goals. Ask them for advice on what works, what does not.

daily reminder that the boy you’re in love with at 16 probably won’t matter when you’re 25.

daily reminder that the math test you failed your freshman year of high school probably won’t matter when you’re graduating college.

daily reminder that the problems you’re facing today may seem like the worlds end, but they will not matter in a year.

daily reminder that you’re going to be okay.

everything is going to be okay.

the main takeaway: in my experience, people tend to bring way too much to college and then end up regretting it when they move out. you really don’t need that many things because somebody else or the front desk will likely have anything you need.

bold is for things i find essential.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

folder for official papers like vaccination forms, work forms, etc

lined paper/notebooks

pencils

pens

something to hold your utensils on your desk/utensil cup/desk organizer

note pads

a pencil bag

tape

stapler - it’ll save your butt when you’re running to class late with an essay due. staple your work! not doing that can drive some professors nuts.

scissors

index cards

hole puncher

white out

printer paper

highlighters

paper clips

binder to hold old schoolwork

graph ruled composition notebook for stem classes

erasers

washi tapes/my crafting materials

i didn’t need anything different from high school. i wouldn’t recommend going out and buying a lot of new school supplies. perhaps just bring the usual stuff on your desk and in your backpack.

BED

a mattress pad - a lot of people on youtube will recommend that you buy these very expensive mattress foam pads. i didn’t use one – i just had a cover for the mattress. i’m sure the quality of mattresses will differ from college to college, but i slept fine.

sheets (set) - check to see what size your college uses. we use twin XL, so I had to go buy another set of sheets.

comforter - i had one duvet and one thinner blanket so i had layers to cover all seasons.

pillow - i only used one, and i find that if you loft your bed it’s much more convenient to have fewer things on your bed so changing your sheets isn’t as much of a hassle.

your favorite stuffed animal/comfort object :)

BATH

towels (2)

handtowel - my dorm didn’t provide paper towels for after you wash your hands

shower caddy - i would recommend something that can be hung up if your dorm has showers with hooks on the doors. mine didn’t, so i ended up buying a sturdy plastic caddy that i put on a stool in the shower.

in the caddy:

all your essentials (shampoo, conditioner, face wash, etc)

soap (i don’t recommend bar soap unless you have a ledge on your caddy where you can put it)

toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant. just bring your basic stuff.

FOOD

one mug

electric kettle (if you drink tea or eat instant ramen a lot)

water bottle

snacks

chip clips

a fork, spoon, and knife

chopsticks

tea bags (you can steal these from the dining hall)

tupperware - i bring about two containers just in case i want to steal something from the dining hall, but that’s about it.

one plate - wouldn’t recommend bringing more than that. what do you need five plates for?

i would recommend against bringing kitchenware like pots/pans/cooking spoons/etc. my dorm has these available for residents; check with your dorm as well. i also did not cook or bake a single time the whole year, and my friend who cooked just used the communal pots and pans.

CLEANING/LIVING

lysol wipes/lysol spray

paper towels

tissues

key chain

zip loc bags

trash can - preferably with a lid so you can put food in there. best to bring your own trash can so you don’t have to resent your roommate for not taking out the trash when it’s their turn.

trunk/container - i use one for storage, one lockable trunk for valuables, and one container for food to keep out bugs. these containers also doubled as tables/night stands because i didn’t want to buy furniture.

desk lamp - if your roommate sleeps before you, it’s convenient to have a little light so you can work as they sleep.

laundry bag - would recommend something that is easily rolled/carried to and from the laundry room

laundry detergent

illness/first aid kit

bandaids

vitamin c powder

painkiller of choice

cough drops

tide stick

sewing kit - i patched up my roommate’s laundry bag once and definitely could’ve borrowed a suitemate’s kit, so these aren’t necessary in my opinion.

vacuum - check to see if your dorm has these available for check out. mine did.

microwave - i didn’t buy one. my floor had one in a communal area, and a few people in my suite had a microwave.

fridge - i just used my suitemates’ fridges.

ear plugs - for light sleepers/those easily disturbed.

CLOTHES

do not bring your entire wardrobe!!!!!!!!!!! do not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just bring the things that you wear most often. remember: nobody actually pays that much attention to what you wear, and you’ll only see the same people 3 or 2 times a week, so you only need 3 unique outfits a week lmao.

do bring:

one formal outfit/pair of shoes (in case of interviews or dinner parties)

enough socks/undergarments to last as long as you want to go in between laundry loads. i only bring enough to last 1.5 weeks, and it forces me to wash my clothes regularly, which is nice in a way.

ELECTRONICS

phone and charger

laptop and charger

portable charger and cord

HOBBY

be real with yourself here. i played my ukulele or painted probably five times the entire year. i read none of the books i brought despite being an avid reader. i brought some of my crafting materials and only used them maybe three times.

cards - i brought some thank you cards/envelopes/stamps with me but you don’t have to. these are easily bought.

DECORATIONS

i did not bring any decorations and i don’t regret it, but a lot of my suitemates had tapestries and things. i would just bring stuff that’s already in your room at home. the less stuff you have to bring home the better.

best of luck with your first year! hope this helps :)

Dorm Shopping 101: Making a List

The earlier you start the better, back to school sales are not the end all be all of deals. Shopping for your dorm and college can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it more approachable. Before you buy anything you should make a list to avoid overspending and overpacking.

 As you make your list, consult your family and older friends that went off to college. They’ll help you figure out what you really need to bring.

Another source to consult is your university, they’ll often provide floor plans, dimensions, a list of what the room comes with, and a list of banned products on their website or any housing information they sent you.

Actually write your list, it doesn’t matter if it’s on paper or the notes app on your phone, you’ll need to refer back to your list when you’re shopping

It helps if you write your list in categories like decor, bedding, lighting, toiletries, shower supplies, appliances, etc.

Look at what you use around your house to add to your list to make sure you don’t miss anything important like laundry detergent or sponges for washing dishes.  

It helps to know if you will be in a community style dorm or a suite style for things like bathroom supplies and cleaning supplies

Talk to your roommate(s) so you don’t end up with double the stuff 

Remember you can always buy more later

Note that dorm rooms are relatively small, so shop compact. We will cover how to make the most of what little space you have in future posts.

Dorm life isn’t all about making your dorm look presentable: you have to survive too if your meal plan is limited. Be prepared to shop for food and snacks that can last you through the first half of the semester until you have time to go shopping again.

Personally, I like to write my lists out by hand, it helps me remember it and keep me on task. My bullet journal is great for these things because then I know where my list is rather than trying to keep track of a random slip of paper. -  Clove

When I write a list on hardcopy paper, I have a professional black leather planner which can be used for a wide variety of things like academics and important career-related information. It may be useful to invest in one from Franklin Covey or your local office supply store. Otherwise, when you make a digital list, preferably use Google Docs where you can access it from any device. - Jasiel

Taste of Cherry (…طعم گيلاس) dir. Abbas Kiarostami, 1997

a lengthy intro post ><

I'm currently going through my archive and I just realized how I've never actually did an intro post? (Maybe I did but I can't see it so it doesn't exist anymore <3)

Anyways, hello! I'm Sunny, a college student from the ph! Quick facts:

I was born in 2001

I'm a Libra sun and my MBTI is INFP/INTP

I'm into various interests (films, reading, K-pop, recently fs and whatever my mind decides interesting)

I'm a heavy procrastinator ._.

I've been in the studyblr community since 2017 but I didn't really post a lot of stuff because I felt like it was "too productive" for me. I kept on seeing posts with pretty journals, tons of pens, aesthetic desk set-ups, and I kept telling myself that I should be at that level as well. If I don't have nice pens, nice desk set-ups, and nice journals then I'm not a studyblr.

These past years in the pandemic literally shattered who I am as a student, and I just felt so lost. I've been in a tough place and I really cannot care less about my academics. I flunked a lot of classes, argued a lot with my mom, and was just all around negative towards my studies. I'm not proud of it, but I know that I did what I could've.

I'm trying to be better now, though! Hence, why I'm here! I realized that I don't really have to be a certain 'way' to use a studyblr. I should be fine-tuning this platform for me, use it as what I need it and not the other way around. Sure, studyblrs can become an inspiration, but I now know that I don't have to be the same as them.

I'm still trying to rebuild myself as a student, hopefully this time with a stronger foundation! Please, feel free to hit me up! :D I'd love to have friends who can motivate me and I can motivate as well T__T I'm also in studytwt!

study/blrs that I've followed through out the years: emmastudies / tbhstudying / noodledesk / eintsein / studynostalgic and many more!!

IDK who needs to hear this but if there’s something in your life that makes you feel better, but you never stick to it,

it’s still actually perfectly fine to do it

and you shouldn’t stop yourself from starting just because it won’t be a permanent change.

Like if starting a new daily planner gives you an amazing afternoon of planning and four days where you feel in charge of your life,

why not do it?

It doesn’t matter that it won’t be a permanent change - 4 good days is still worth it.

If you ever catch yourself thinking, “I wish I could pray/stretch/prep/plan/do the thing, but I always get started on that and it never lasts more than a couple of days,”

what this really means is, “hey, I can feel better for a couple of days.”

if this post is making you think of things in your own life that you wish you could stick to because of how good they make you feel,

just be aware:

you’re not thinking of a list of ways you’ve failed to commit

you’re thinking of a list of things that make you happy, and you should give yourself permission to start doing them as often as you want to

since my writing post was received pretty well, i though i’d make other, to give some insight on the racism in the film industry and why it’s still a big problem now as it was in the past. 

cuties