We should start taking care of ourselves by doing less, not more. Worry less, work less, waste our time less, learn how to take it slow and focus more on enjoying every single moment of this beautiful life🧸🥞

a guide on becoming an academic weapon. ᥫ᭡

being an academic weapon is one of the top goals for a lot of us. we strive for excellence and hope to achieve top marks in all our classes so that we can continue to reach whatever it is that may be our final goal like getting into a top university, graduating as valedictorian, or getting into the career of our dreams. this guide will be about all the habits of an academic weapon and what tools & methods you can incorporate into your study/school routine!

let’s begin …

୨ৎ — lecture preperation

pre-reading chapters/lecture powerpoints

skim through chapters, make note of important headings, highlight key terms! if you can, look through any powerpoints that will be used for lecture notes as well!

• jot down quick notes like vocab terms, key pieces of information, and/or any questions on topics you want to understand further!
• read chapter summaries & highlight important headings

set up your notes

if you like to use different note-taking methods, try setting up your pages beforehand! this will take up less time while in class and you’ll come in already prepared to take any notes!

• i have a post on note-taking here on my blog that you can refer to for a few different note-taking methods!

begin homework assignments

my professor will publish homework assignments on sunday mornings for each week that we’re learning new material, so if your teacher does something similar or you’re taking an all-online course, start by working ahead on those homework assignments!

getting a head start can …

• help with having a better understanding of the material by the time of your lecture
• help you apply the knowledge you learned from the assignments into your lecture
• help you come up with questions for better comprehension of the topics
• help you manage your time better
• reduce your work load later on

start creating flashcards

if you’re required to know key terms/vocab, start creating flashcards ahead of time! this will help you get familiar with the vocabulary that’s related to the material and will jumpstart that increase in understanding of what’s to come in your lecture or any required readings!

୨ৎ — smart studying

we’re always told to “work smarter, not harder” and i believe that doing so can help you achieve success more quickly and efficiently! while it’s great to dedicate a lot of time to your studies, it’s not always optimal. spending hours upon hours working with no breaks in between and forgetting to take care of yourself can lead to burn out, so it’s important to find ways to study that not only help you study more efficiently but also work with your learning type!

trial periods

there are a plethora of study methods out there that you can try out to see which ones work the best for you!

posts with study methods ( + how-to’s ) …

• how to study effectively - @milkoomi
• non-basic study techniques - @glowettee [ this post is PHENOMENAL! mindy includes so many unique study methods— some that she created herself! — that give an entirely new way to study & learn material! 100/10 recommend reading through this! ]

take some time each week to try out a new study method while still incorporating techniques you’re used to! pick one study method for the week & test it out at the start of your study time slot.

trying out new methods/techniques also help with keeping your study routine fresh and it creates a bigger study arsenal for yourself! having multiple ways of studying just means having a variety of ways to learn the material! every method has its benefits, some will help with memorization while others can help with better comprehension!

pick your big 3

amongst all the different study methods out there, you should pick your top 3 techniques that help you the most! they’ll be your ultimate go-to study methods!

factors to think about for your big 3 …

• how much time does the method/technique take?
• what is your success rate with the method/technique?
• how easy was it for you to incorporate the method/technique into your study routine?

your big 3 study methods should help with maximizing your productivity time, help you achieve your desired grades, & be within your limits while studying, meaning it shouldn’t make you feel like you’re stretching yourself thin because, again, we need to study smarter, not harder!

my personal big 3:

• Feynman Technique - teaching others
• active recall - practice questions & flashcards
• knowledge application - making real life connections

textbook tests

i feel like a lot of us view textbooks as these giant, daunting bricks we’re forced to lug around, but they’re required material for a reason! they’re more than just a giant book of “boring” chapters!

a lot of textbooks have mini assessments at the end of every chapter, so take some time to do them! they’re just practice tests and they’ll be extremely useful for active recall (plus, you don’t have to worry about creating your own practice questions!)

୨ৎ — change your mindset

being an academic weapon means having the mindset of an academic weapon. the way you think and feel about your schooling plays a huge role in this!

“i have to” to “i get to”

treating your academics and studies as if they’re chores will make you lose your motivation and passion for learning. getting to have an education is a privilege and i feel like a lot of us forget that. be thankful that you get to pursue an academic career and get the chance to further your education! instead of “i have to study” say, “i get to study”!

getting an education is a beautiful opportunity in life, so practice gratitude when it comes to learning!

self care

i will always advocate for self care because you can’t do your best when you aren’t at your best. being an academic weapon doesn’t mean throwing your entire life away or setting your health to the side to solely focus on your studies. going to the extremes for your academics shouldn’t be normalized.

you don’t need to pull all-nighters every other day to study, you don’t need to work/study for 14 hours, you don’t need to harshly motivate yourself to get back to studying— you need to treat yourself kindly and shoe yourself gentle care.

• get enough sleep
• shower, do skincare, brush your teeth
• keep yourself hydrated & well-fed
• get your body moving
• make time for your hobbies & things that make you happy
• remember to take breaks when your mind & body needs them

don’t sacrifice your well-being to get ahead on your road to success. you’ll only bring yourself farther behind if you neglect your health.

final notes —

becoming an academic weapon is 60% mindset, 40% work ethic. you have to motivate yourself to give your best work, but! you have to take care of your mind and body before you even think about giving your best work. be kind to yourself, affirm yourself that you can do this! you are more than capable of achieving academic success!

the work you put in as an academic weapon has to be work you’re proud of. be sure that you’re using your time wisely, that you free yourself from distractions while studying, that you give yourself enough time to get work done (and take breaks & do something for yourself!), and that you always give it your all when you’re completing assignments, writing notes, or studying.

i know that you’ll be able to truly be an academic weapon! you have what it takes! you just have to remind yourself of your own potential.

with lots of love, faustina 🌷

「 ✦ 2 • 5 • 25 ✦ 」

passed my written exam yesterday! now i gotta wait for the physical exam results hnng 😵‍💫

♪: straight up - THEY.

₊˚⊹♡ education is hot!

education is literally the most valuable thing in life. please please PLEASE take advantage of that. self concept is important, good looks are important, happiness is important, health is important, but without education we wouldn't even know what any of that even means. ♡

having knowledge makes you magnetic. when you're smart, people will look up to you. and if people look up to you, it means they think about you, they admire you, and you have an influence on them.

life is knowledge. the more you learn, the more you are. knowledge is the fundamental basics to life. nothing is the root of everything but we wouldn't even know what nothing is without education. we wouldn't have language, we wouldn't have concepts, we wouldn't have technology, we wouldn't have the screen you're reading this on. we wouldn't have tumblr 😨

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 1. noting down ur findings

the smartest people ALWAYS note down what they learn, whether it be big or small. if you have lots of knowledge and / or the memory capacity of a goldfish then naturally you may not always remember what you learn. keeping it noted down in any preferably easily accessible format of your choice is so helpful and a very smart choice if you want to be an Intellectual™. notebook, sketchbook, binder, google docs, notion pages, tumblr posts, notes app, anything you like !!!!! just keep it noted down !!!! ♡

──★ ˙ ̟🎀2. utilising ur resources!!!!

so many people i know and millions of people throughout the world suffer with a crippling addiction to their phones, but what are you actually doing on said phone? you spend ages on your phone, your tablet, your laptop, reading, writing, playing video games, and so on, but even then, are you genuinely learning? are you taking the time to absorb the knowledge placed before you or are you skimming through it all in a mindless cycle of media consumption?

think about how you can utilise the things around you to learn. for example, make all that time spent on your devices useful. research, study, learn in your free time. knowledge is abundance. you can use your local library, your local bookshops, ur school or ur college or ur workplace just to find out more about your surroundings and about the world. it is so much more valuable thank you'd think.

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 3. wisdom

wisdom is the highest form of knowledge. to learn is to live so living is the only way you're going to truly learn, if that makes sense. therefore, by using this direct method, you gain the highest manner of knowledge; wisdom. wisdom is not being book smart or knowing how to solve equations or write essays but wisdom is genuine, pure, raw, life experience and life lessons, which, surprise surprise, can only be gained through experience and living your life. go out, try things, get out of your comfort zone, get comfy being uncomfy. you got this. ♡

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 4. social interaction

"nerds dont know how to socialise!!!" okay so maybe i adhere to this stereotype sometimes but social interaction is, however unfortunate it may be, a key part of being intellectual and having genuine knowledge. going back to wisdom and learning through experience, speaking with and networking with and sparking connections with others is a vital way to be educated and informed and cultured along with enhancing your social skills, because we need to know how to interact with others, too. if we can't spread said knowledge through connections and socialising so it can be passed down for hundreds of thousands for years to come then there is no point in learning at all because it'll have no use in the long run.

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 5. media consumption

feed ur brain. i cannot stress this enough. read books, fiction or non fiction. i know you've heard this a million times but it's true. read just a random article of interest every day to get your brain working. learn a new word every day, read news reports, letters, interesting blogs, articles, websites, do puzzles, crosswords, wordsearches, memory games, listen to podcasts, audiobooks, watch documentaries, youtube videos, interviews, ted talks, video essays, EXERCISE UR BRAIN

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 6. insights, emotional intelligence and empathy

as i've said before, and i'll reiterate again, knowledge extends beyond simply having book smarts and knowing how to work with letters and numbers. the most powerful method of communication amongst humans is emotion, and being well versed in how to read, understand and communicate said language is only learnt through real life experience and observation of real life experiences where the use of emotional intelligence and empathy come into play. analyse these experiences and note down everything

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 7. question ur sources and BE BOLD

one thing i was taught ever since i was little is that when ur online you need to be veeeery careful with all the information you get fed because there are lots of people out there, esp on the internet, with lots of different intentions and lots of different facts, even if they have good intentions and don't mean to mislead you. always double check whatever ur told with someone you know or on another website or two or a physical yet reliable source if you have one to hand, and cite your own opinions too. you get to choose what does and doesn't get to enter your mind. your mind and your knowledge is yours entirely and only yours to be tampered with and adjusted in any way you'd like.

──★ ˙ ̟🎀 things 2 study and be generally educated on:

• social etiquette and politeness
• countries and their respective laws, cultures, landmarks etc.
• history of your own family and ancestry
• languages you're interested in and basic phrases in several languages
• information about your dream and / or current career
• finances and how to manage your money
• business, networking and persuasion
• pet psychology and how to take care of them
• capital cities and basics about places around the world, esp if you plan on going travelling

something beautiful about knowledge is that you'll never run out of it and it can never be taken away from you. people can take anything from you, but never your intelligence. ♡

all my love! 💖✨💘💗🎀💓

the angels lounge community update

i decided in this community i’ll be posting community exclusive newsletters! i’ll also be posting polls there that will allow community members to take part in deciding what my next project will be for my blog (i.e. individual posts, series, etc.) along with fun polls as well!

it’ll still be a place for people to hang out of course, but i also wanted to add some exclusive things for it as well!

remember: the community is open to anyone! so feel free to join!

invite link —

dealing with a bad grade (part 1/5) 🎀

posted by: glowettee

hey sweeties! ♡ mindyyy here

okay so like… we need to have a heart-to-heart about something that happens to literally everyone - getting a grade that makes your heart sink. i totally get it, i've gotten a less than decent grade before and i felt like my whole academic career, life, MINDSETT just crashed. but guess what? i turned it around, and i'm going to share exactly how i did it. this is going to be a 5-part series specifically for helping you with your grade. <333

let's start with the immediate aftermath (because i know you're probably reading this with teary eyes and a racing heart):

♡ the 24-hour rule
this is literally my holy grail rule. give yourself exactly 24 hours to feel all the emotions. cry into your plushies, eat that emergency chocolate bar you've been saving, watch sad tiktoks - whatever you need. but when that 24 hours is up, we're switching into recovery mode. i literally set a timer on my phone and when it goes off, it's glow-up time.

♡ emotional first aid kit
grab your cutest notebook (mine's pink with gold stars obviously) and write down everything you're feeling. i'm talking full main character energy here - all the thoughts, fears, and worries. this isn't just venting, bestie. we're documenting these feelings so we can look back and see how far we've come. plus, getting it all out on paper helps clear your mind for the strategy phase.

♡ reality check (but make it gentle)
let's break down why this isn't the end of your academic journey:

• grade weight check: calculate exactly how much this affects your final grade. sometimes what feels like a disaster is actually just a tiny bump in the road
• context matters: was this during that week you had the flu? when your bestie needed emotional support? when your laptop died? write down any external factors (we don't need accountability at alll,) (i'm joking)
• pattern or one-off?: look at your other grades. is this a surprising drop or part of a trend? this helps us know if we need a total study makeover or just some fine-tuning

♡ the strategic breakdown
this is where we get seriously helpful. grab your planner so we can create your recoveryyyy blueprint:

• schedule a professor/teacher meeting ASAP (i know it's scary but professors and teachers actually love when students care enough to ask for help)
• review your study methods (be honest - were you just rereading notes and hoping for the best? i do this all the time on my lazy days, it doesn't help...)
• analyze your test-taking strategy (did you run out of time? panic? misread questions?)
• check for extra credit opportunities (sometimes they're not advertised but exist if you ask!)
• look into study groups (because two brains are better than one, and four brains are literally a power squad)

♡ creating your comeback toolkit
this is the part where we get super practical (please bare with me):

• get a separate notebook just for this subject
• color-code everything (i use pink for things i don't understand, gold for improvements, and purple for victories)
• start a concept map of everything you need to review
• make a list of resources (tutoring center hours, professor office hours, study group times, online study resources, books etc...)
• create a daily study schedule (even if it's just 30 minutes, consistency is key)

♡ mindset reset (the most important part)
here's the truth: this grade is not your destiny. it's not even your story. it's just one chapter, and you're about to write the most amazing comeback story ever. think of it like this - even the most aesthetic, successful study girls have their off days. what matters is how you bounce back. you have drive and power, and using that to comeback from something that makes you devastated shows your resilience. <33 don't give up on your dreams when something hits you, because it's like giving up on yourself.

tomorrow we're diving deep into analyzing what went wrong (in the most organized and cute way possible, obviously). because just like my favorite quote says (got it from pinterest btw): "every setback is just a setup for your greatest comeback." ✨

remember: you're still that girl. you're still capable. and you're about to show everyone (especially yourself) just how powerful you can be. please don't give up, i assure you, once you comeback and end up getting an A, after receiving that C-, you'll literally feel unstoppable!!!! <333

stay gorgeous and focused!
xoxo,
mindy 🎀

how to stop waiting & start becoming her

the version of you that you dream about? she already exists. she’s just waiting for you to step into her.

most people spend their lives waiting. waiting for motivation, waiting for the right moment, waiting until they feel “ready.” but you don’t become her by waiting, you become her by deciding.

💡 how to step into your highest self today

1. act as if. if you were already the best version of yourself, how would you dress? what would you eat? how would you carry yourself? do that now.
2. romanticize your discipline. the life you want requires effort, but effort doesn’t have to be exhausting. make your self-improvement journey beautiful. create morning routines you adore. make studying aesthetic. turn workouts into a ritual.
3. speak it into existence. your words shape your reality. stop saying “i wish i was confident.” start saying “i am glowing with confidence.” your mind believes what you tell it.
4. let go of the past version of you. the one who procrastinated, the one who doubted herself, the one who played small, she doesn’t exist anymore. every day, you are new.

you don’t become her someday. you become her now.

xoxo mindy <3

whisper your worries to glowettee hotline. i’m listening. <3: https://bit.ly/glowetteehotline

just in case you need a reminder...

yes you will have a good future, yes you will find someone who loves you fully, yes you will achieve your dreams, yes you are worthy of love, yes you will find close friends, yes you will get your dream house, yes you will live the the life you deserve.

discipline goes a long way

⋆february journal prompts for reflections

hey lovelies!! mindy here...

here are some february journal prompts to gently guide your reflections + creative energy 🤍

• ~ write about the warmth of love in your life. how do you celebrate the small, everyday moments of affection?
• ~ reflect on a memory that feels like a cozy embrace. what made that moment so unforgettable?
• ~ explore the idea of self-love this february. list three ways you can nurture your heart every day.
• ~ jot down what makes your heart flutter. even if it's a song, a scene, or a quiet moment
• ~ write a letter to your future self about the kind of love you hope to receive + give.
• ~ describe a ritual that makes this month feel extra special. what little details transform a regular day into magic?
• ~ imagine a conversation with your heart. what gentle advice does it whisper to you when you need comfort?
• ~ list moments when you felt truly seen + appreciated. how did these moments shape your sense of self?
• ~ explore how you express gratitude for the people who fill your life with love. what are you most thankful for rn?
• ~ write about a challenge that taught you the true meaning of resilience + strength. how can this lesson guide you forward?
• ~ create a visual journal entry in words. describe the colors, textures, + scents that capture february for you.
• ~ reflect on what friendship means during this season. whom do you cherish the most, and why?
• ~ jot down your favorite self-care practices. how do they help you keep your heart nourished during chilly days?
• ~ write a poem or short story inspired by the beauty of winter transitioning into early spring. let your imagination run free.
• ~ imagine celebrating love with absolutely no boundaries. how does that ideal version of love make you feel?
• ~ list three things you admire most about yourself. let each one remind you of your inner glow.
• ~ explore the concept of vulnerability. what does it mean to open your heart without fear?
• ~ reflect on the power of words that uplift you. what is one phrase that has stayed with you, guiding you through tough times?
• ~ write about a dream or goal that feels tender + achievable. how will you nurture it this month?
• ~ create a gratitude list focused on love; in your heart, your relationships, + the love that surrounds you every day.

sending you the biggest virtual hug + all the good vibes!! hope these prompts bring clarity + warmth to your february moments rn!!

xoxo, mindy 🤍

inner glow up. ᥫ᭡

while we focus on our physical selves to glow up, we tend to forget about our minds and hearts. we also need to focus on letting more light come into ourselves. the way we think, the way we love, the way we expend our energy; all of that can have this aspect of “glowing up” too! in this post, we’re going to discuss how to glow from within and let that beautiful new energy radiate outwards.

let’s begin …

୨ৎ — the mind

deep clean your thoughts

meditation:

take a moment, even if it’s just for 5 minutes, to sit and clear your head. focus on breathing exercises, concentrate on the rhythm of your heart, listen to the ambient noises of your surroundings. meditation is a fantastic way of clearing your mind and removing those overwhelming thoughts that are piling up in your brain! you also don’t need to be sitting, you could also meditate while in the shower! i have an entire guide on how to do so! you can also take meditative walks and focus on your surroundings.

journaling:

just dump all your thoughts onto a page, write down everything that’s on your mind. once you’re done you can even rip up the paper and toss it away! doing these journal dumps can help release those racing thoughts and clear your mind. it may even help to relieve some weight off your shoulders!

decorate your mind with peace & kindness

write down affirmations or go to a mirror and say those affirmations to yourself! fill your head with positive thoughts and calming reassurance.

• try recording a voice message & send it to yourself! you can say your affirmations that way or give yourself a motivational mini-speech. this way, you can go back to those messages when you need an uplifting message from someone. and it’s always better to get back up with kindness and love from yourself!

organize your headspace

make room for positivity, peace, and grace and throw out all the negativity that’s tossed around in your head. don’t let negative talk from others, media, or yourself take up space in your head! your mind should never hold a spot for negativity.

• distance yourself from those who bring you down
• delete social media that no longer serves you or take regular breaks to unplug from your phone
• replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations
• replace “i can’t” with “i can”

୨ৎ — the heart

nurture your heart

as your mind is an important place to keep thoughts of joy, kindness, and love, your heart needs to feel it!

• practice self care
• take care of your physical needs (shower, drink water, brush your teeth, eat nutritious and delicious foods, move your body)
• write yourself love letters
• say “thank you” when receiving compliments

provide protection for your feelings

your heart is scared and access to it should be very limited. don’t let just anyone in. now, i’m not saying you have to put iron walls up around your heart and feelings, but i’m saying that you need to be selective. be picky about who you surround yourself with.

invite people who…

• provide genuine & unconditional love
• support you and your dreams
• encourage you to prioritize your health (physical & mental)
• offer guidance when you feel lost

close the doors on people who…

• make jokes out of your insecurities
• take your passions and dreams as something to laugh about
• invalidate your feelings and thoughts
• think it’s okay to walk all over you
• don’t value your time and space

୨ৎ — letting in the light

i believe our energies attract different things whether we want them to or not. letting dark or bad energy ruminate within yourself and allowing it to consume you can attract misfortune, loss, and sadness which keeps us from reaching our true potential.

let light or good energy flow within you and let that energy be the one that takes up all the space. you’ll attract what you actually want rather than the things you wish to avoid.

light energy can come from…

• taking up hobbies you enjoy
• listening to music that makes you feel good
• spending time with loved ones
• going on nature walks
• playing with pets
• celebrating your accomplishments

final notes —

the biggest take away from this: protect your peace. becoming the best version of yourself comes with knowing how to find peace within yourself and making sure you show yourself love and kindness. the main person you should lean on for that kind of good energy should be you. let your glow up start from within!

with lots of love, faustina 🌷