My Studying Essentials

Study Aesthetics are Important 😊

I spend a lot of my time studying. Way more than in undergrad because graduate classes are no joke. For each lecture, there are at least 50 slides, but usually more. Also, lectures are around an hour and 20 minutes, so that is not a lot of time to pack in ALL of the information. Science courses are also a bit more dense than other subjects.

My motto on studying is that you always need to be evolving and revising your study methods. What worked for you in high school is not going to work in college, and what worked in college is not necessarily going to work in graduate/professional school. This goes for your study methods AND study tools. I have only been back to school for 2 weeks, and I have rejuvenated the study tools I use for success, and have outline them below for you!!


1. My iPad and MacBook Air // Get techy! Don't forget the Apple Pencil!

My master's program actually gave us all iPads and Apple Pencils. Sounds ideal, right? It totally is, but we have to take all of our exams and quizzes through a software that is on the iPad, so less fun... But, I took this as an opportunity to reinvent some study methods, and have been loving it! I downloaded the app called Notability on day 1, and have been using it almost exclusively for note taking. You can download the lecture slides to the app, and then use the Apple Pencil to write directly on the slides. I have also downloaded some e-textbooks to it, and love that I can write and highlight all over the book without feeling like a vandal. This can all be connected back to your laptop, and that is exactly what I have been doing!

2. Erin Condren Life Planner // Keep it organized!

I love my planner. Like, I am completely in love with it!! I have been using Erin Condren since college, and it never lets me down. The amount of personalization you can give the planner is insane. The weekly view lets me make daily to-do lists, and the month view lets me see everything I have going on. There is even some coloring pages and space for notes in the back of the planner!! And it comes with stickers. I am in love.

3. Flair Pens // Make it pretty!

If you know me, then you know that I like to color code and coordinate everything. These have been my pen of choice since I was the age of 14. So this has been a 10 year pen commitment 😂, and I regret nothing. I use them in the planner, and have a different color for each class and activity. It is a way for me to visually see what I have for each class. I think I have every color of Flair pen made to this date, so it feel like I have endless color options (haha). I will also use them when I need to hand write notes while studying, and give different topics in each subjects different colors.

4. One folder // For the odds and ends!

I have been using one plain, two pocket folder to keep paper handouts, and notes I handwrite while studying. Only one of my classes distributed a paper syllabus, so that is in the folder. And, any flashcards or concepts maps I make are also tucked in there. It is a good essential to always have on hand, no matter what stage of education you are in.

5. Notecards // Memorize, memorize, memorize!

I have already had to make flashcards for my immunology/microbiology class. Like, wow! But, I had notecards, so it worked out. I am currently using blank cards (ones without lines), and it is working out nicely. I can write things and draw things without the lines distorted them. Always a good staple in your arsenal of study materials.

6. Noise Cancelling Headphones // When you need to ~focus~

I got free Beats when I bought my new laptop (I know, you are thinking that this girl has an insane amount of free expensive tech, but I technically paid for the iPad in tuition 😂). I was not sure how I felt about them, until I put them on my head, and realized that THEY ARE AMAZING. They sound great. They do cancel noise, but not to the extent like you feel like you are trapped in a sound proof room! They have been great to listen to lecture podcasts, and music in the background for studying.

7. Google Drive // Able to study from anywhere!

I used to do make note outlines on a word document, and then email them to myself if I was going to be using a different device. How cumbersome. I am glad that I have since discovered the effortlessness of Google Drive. It has been a life saver these past few weeks because I have not been bringing my laptop to class because I have the iPad. I also LOVE how you can make presentations and have spreadsheets on Drive. It makes collaborating on a project a lot easier.

This list would have been A LOT different a few years ago when I was starting my senior year of undergrad. I would have had notebooks and folders for every class, special pens for labs, pencils for exams, even more Flair pens to take notes with...you get the picture! I feel like I do not need as much of the traditional school supplies for grad school. However, it has only been a couple of weeks, so you never know where the rest of semester will take me.

Anything that you like to use for school and studying? Let me know!

Desk  |   Lamp  |  Chair  |  Swell Bottle  |  Periodic Table of Elements  |  Similar Globe  |  

Similar Pin Board

As always,

#dontforgetyourpearls