More on learning things
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Turn the steering wheel toward the side mirror where you see more of the trailer to straighten it out.
Turning toward the 'problem' side (where you see more trailer) straightens the alignment.
5 people, independently
Check for and read full text transcripts instead of watching the video if available.
Reading a transcript can take less time than watching the video.
2 people, independently
If you lack family financial support and want to become a primary care doctor, look into NYU's program which offers a free degree.
It avoids piling on tons more debt.
- You will need the grades and work to get accepted.
one person who lived it
Read in smaller daily chunks rather than cramming large amounts at once.
It is easier to read consistently over time than all at once.
one person who lived it
Continue learning new things and skills throughout your life rather than stopping after school.
Learning changes us, and living things die when they stop changing.
one person who lived it
Plan your route carefully to avoid areas where you cannot easily exit or maneuver, such as narrow driveways or steep inclines.
You may get stuck in places you can't get out of.
one person who lived it
Tie the first overhand knot with the opposite hand side going over (e.g., left over right for right-handed people) to create a square knot instead of a granny knot.
This prevents laces from coming untied.
one person who lived it
Avoid reworking the knot too much.
Reworking can shorten the length, shrink the knot, and cause wrinkles.
one person who lived it
Be aware that shorter trailers are harder to control than longer ones.
Shorter trailers react quickly ('move on a dime'), whereas longer trailers react slower.
2 people, independently
2 more on this
Check that all tail lights are functional before driving.
Many trailers have non-functional tail lights.
one person who lived it
Use the Tow/Haul mode or Tractor mode on your vehicle to assist with reversing.
These modes change throttle, brake response, and transmission mapping to provide better control with loads.
one person who lived it
words, word, prevent, spelling23
Use subtitles to verify the correct pronunciation and spelling of proper nouns and complex words.
Set hard word count goals to ensure you complete tasks, but do not let a bad day's shortfall spill over into the next day.
Hard word count goals are the only way some people get things done.
one person who lived it
Plan writing projects by the hours you intend to spend rather than by word counts.
It helps preserve the creative process and fun.
one person who lived it
Be aware that counting tardies as absences can lead to a significant increase in actual absences.
People may choose not to go at all rather than risk a penalty for being slightly late.
- Based on one high school's experience.
one person who lived it
Use Deepl.com instead of Google Translate for comic book text, as it handles context better.
It handles context much better.
one person who lived it
19 more on this
Enable closed captioning or subtitles on English-language TV shows and movies to improve spelling and grammar skills.
It helps children recall how words look rather than sounding them out.
- Live programming may have errors in spelling, grammar, or symbols.
one person who lived it
Read Shakespeare plays as scripts or watch performances rather than reading them as traditional prose.
Reading it is difficult; it is meant to be performed.
one person who lived it
Do not use ellipses after 'e.g.'
'e.g.' stands for 'exempli gratia' ('for the sake of example'), which already indicates that the list is incomplete.
one person who lived it
Scan or photograph assignments before handing them in to serve as proof of submission if they are lost or misplaced.
It provides evidence that you completed the work and can prevent having to redo it.
one person who lived it
Encourage children to ask about unknown words they encounter in captions.
They may ask about words they don't know mean, whereas they would have ignored them just by hearing them.
one person who lived it
Pick your battles and allow deliberate failures to ensure important tasks succeed.
It is not possible to ace every assignment.
one person who lived it
Use a desktop computer with two windows side-by-side—one for the comic book and one for the translator—and switch between them using Alt+Tab to highlight individual words with your mouse for instant explanations.
Highlighting words with a mouse on a desktop allows for faster access to translator pop-ups than other methods.
one person who lived it
Learn the visual appearance of 'settings' and 'English' in non-phonetic languages like Chinese so you can revert your device's language if you accidentally change it and cannot read the menu.
It saves the effort of finding help to navigate menus when you cannot read the language.
one person who lived it
If your notes might be used in court, spell out acronyms to prevent lawyers from exploiting semantic ambiguity.
Lawyers may argue semantics and connect unclear acronyms to the wrong meaning, which is difficult to defend.
one person who lived it
Understand the underlying flow and 'why' behind technical processes, such as VPN connections, to solve problems instead of applying band-aid fixes.
Knowing the connecting dots helps in solving the problem rather than just resetting passwords or restarting clients.
one person who lived it
Submit assignments as PDFs instead of Word documents to avoid issues with compatibility and tracking.
Raw state documents like MS Word allow for tracking and other complications that PDFs prevent.
one person who lived it
Provide detailed plans and examples from previously accepted projects to strict review boards for Eagle Scout projects.
Projects have been rejected for minor errors like grammatical mistakes.
one person who lived it
Use subtitles to verify the correct pronunciation and spelling of proper nouns and complex words.
4 people, independently
Create games around arbitrary language elements like spelling and verbal phrases.
Most of the information in these areas is arbitrary.
one person who lived it
To prevent original data from being guessed when writing over it, write the alphabet through multiple times, staggering the starting letter of each pass rather than repeating a single A-Z sequence.
Writing just the alphabet once allows the original data to potentially be sussed out because it never fits perfectly; staggering prevents alignment.
one person who lived it
Review Wikipedia sources firsthand rather than just copying them to the bibliography.
Using sources only for the bibliography without review risks detection of 'farmed' sources by professors.
one person who lived it
Look up unfamiliar legal or professional terminology encountered in documentaries or true crime videos.
Attorneys and policemen often use a rich vocabulary.
one person who lived it
Expect inconsistent mathematical notation in Simple Wikipedia articles.
One article might use bold letters for vectors while another uses letters with arrow hats.
one person who lived it
Check the 'Properties' section of a Word document to view creation time, last saved time, and total editing time.
one person who lived it
apply, college, financial, access19
Apply for financial aid like FAFSA to access grants such as Pell Grants.
Grants can offset the need for loans.
2 people, independently
- Fill out the FAFSA to apply for Pell Grants and other federal aid.1
Consider grad school in a fulfilling area if you lack the degree or experience needed for a decent job.
It may help you get a more fulfilling job if you are currently unemployable in a decent role.
one person who lived it
Check if your college allows you to keep your .edu email account after graduation.
to retain access to student discounts
- policies vary; some schools stop recycling usernames, others may not allow retention
one person who lived it
Consider federal student loans if they offer lower interest rates than other debts, such as car loans.
Federal loans may have lower interest rates (e.g., 4%) compared to used car places.
one person who lived it
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Apply for scholarships, including those for returning students or based on unique traits like language skills.
Unique traits can lead to significant funding; for example, one person received a large scholarship for being a Spanish speaker in a field where it was rare.
one person who lived it
Look into adult education programs that award high school credits through written exams or co-op work experience.
You can gain a diploma, work experience, and social connection with new colleagues.
one person who lived it
Apply to every 'first year' scholarship and grant available, even if you have a GED.
Having a GED does not make you ineligible for scholarships.
one person who lived it
Work at Chipotle or Taco Bell to access employee scholarship programs that may pay for the majority of your college degree.
These companies have paid for the majority of degrees for employees who continue working there through college.
one person who lived it
Do not let finances steer your decision to return to school if you are determined to finish.
Adopting an 'I’ll figure it out' attitude can drive you to continue despite financial concerns.
one person who lived it
Use student loan money only for tuition, books, and housing.
one person who lived it
Apply for a Pell Grant or use a BOG waiver to attend college for free if you qualify due to poverty.
one person who lived it
Consider attending community college first to explore interests and earn credits at a lower cost before transferring.
This path helps avoid entering the workforce with significant debt.
one person who lived it
Avoid for-profit schools.
Their primary mission is maximizing money rather than education.
one person who lived it
If you are a first-generation or low-income student in the U.S., apply to top-tier universities with need-blind admissions to access substantial financial aid that often makes attendance affordable.
These institutions have significant resources to support such students, offering a huge advantage for those who are smart and generationally poor.
one person who lived it
Contact admissions immediately to ask about readmission if you have recently dropped out.
Schools normally want to help students complete their degrees if they have already been enrolled.
one person who lived it
Consider military service to avoid college debt and gain training and education entitlements.
The training and education benefits are decent enough to consider as a way to move forward without debt.
one person who lived it
Verify that homeschooling programs are accredited before enrolling, as unaccredited diplomas may not be accepted by colleges or employers.
One relative discovered his program was unaccredited and rejected for his desired field.
one person who lived it
Choose colleges based on department quality, affordability, and fit rather than just rankings.
one person who lived it
learning, write, notes, understanding50
Adopt a brighter tone or higher pitch instead of simply getting louder.
Study material as if you intend to teach it to someone else.
If you can explain it, you are ready for the test.
one person who lived it
Adopt a brighter tone or higher pitch instead of simply getting louder.
Higher tones carry better than lower ones.
5 people, independently
Condition yourself to study by rewarding yourself with candy after reading a page.
One person became a more efficient studier.
- One person admitted skipping less relevant parts to get candy faster.
one person who lived it
Learn and use effective note-taking techniques to help with studying and identifying knowledge gaps.
Good notes make studying easier and help pinpoint specific concepts that are not understood.
3 people, independently
46 more on this
Avoid using your phone for distraction; commit to your work as if it matters, and it will.
Committing fully causes the work to matter.
one person who lived it
Save money by avoiding daily small purchases like sodas and chips.
Doing it every day drains your wallet.
one person who lived it
Split your paragraphs more frequently in written posts.
People might read your content more if you do.
one person who lived it
Wait for the first few laughs from the audience to help settle into the rhythm of your speech.
It can help you get into the swing of things after initial nervousness.
one person who lived it
When you make a major failure, be honest about it and ask if there is anything you can do to make amends.
Honesty is the fastest way to recovery, even if painful.
one person who lived it
Write everything down rather than assuming you will remember it.
You think you will remember but you won't.
one person who lived it
On tests that do not penalize wrong answers, write something relevant or guess instead of leaving the question blank.
You could potentially earn some points rather than none.
one person who lived it
Write a private review of a book immediately after finishing it, adding new comments months later if you continue to think about it.
It has worked brilliantly for one person; deep books may still be on your mind six months later.
one person who lived it
Ask a librarian to help you find free online GED-like practice tests to gauge difficulty.
One person found the tests were not as difficult as anticipated after trying them.
one person who lived it
Watch short summaries of school topics to aid studying.
This approach helped one person a lot.
one person who lived it
Remind yourself that audiences will likely forget your mistakes within a couple of days and were not judging you.
Most people watching are not judging you, and this happens to everyone.
one person who lived it
Ask for the thought process behind advice rather than just the solution.
Understanding how someone thinks teaches you more than their final answer.
one person who lived it
Focus on clear pronunciation and articulation so your speech is easily comprehended.
Clear diction allows you to speak softer while still being understood by listeners.
3 people, independently
Quiz yourself on study material rather than just re-reading it.
Re-reading makes you think you understand better than you do, whereas quizzing is more useful.
one person who lived it
Include funny parts or jokes in your speech to engage the audience.
It can make you entertaining and receive laughs.
one person who lived it
Accept help from community members, such as having someone pay for test fees in exchange for a favor.
It removes financial worry.
- Based on one specific interaction
one person who lived it
Date greeting cards when writing or sending them.
It provides context and makes re-reading them in the future more special.
one person who lived it
Make specific items in a list stand out as unusual or distinct to ensure they are remembered better than the rest.
The Von Restorff effect suggests that things are memorable because they are unusual.
one person who lived it
Accept that revisiting old concepts may feel isolating because few others can relate.
Hardly anyone else can relate to revisiting concepts from over 10 years ago.
one person who lived it
Accept that forgetting academic content after exams is normal if your goal was only to pass rather than retain the knowledge.
It is okay since you do not need it.
2 people, independently
If you need a high-frequency word list for learning, compile one from actual conversations and magazine stories rather than using dictionary-based lists.
Dictionary-based lists are often too general to be useful.
one person who lived it
Create summary pages with lessons learned and references in your notes to help your future self recall information.
It compensates for forgetting details and proved useful when looking back at old class material years later.
one person who lived it
Use advice as evidence of the advisor's values and trends to add to your own toolbox.
Advice reveals what the giver cares about and how they approach problems.
one person who lived it
Focus on applying code to solve problems rather than memorizing syntax when learning to code.
Syntax issues are easily searchable.
one person who lived it
Use your own brain to critically work out internet advice and draw your own conclusions instead of blindly accepting it.
Pooling best ideas is different from blindly taking advice from a random stranger.
one person who lived it
When learning a language, exaggerate your accent and embrace the 'goofy caricature' of the culture.
It helps master cadence and timing, which helps natives engage with you.
- Based on one person's experience learning Italian.
one person who lived it
Write a specific, positive, and truthful detail about the recipient in your greeting card.
Specific personal notes are more memorable and make the reader feel good.
one person who lived it
Recognize that using a bidet can make toilet paper feel unclean by comparison.
One person reported that after pressure washing with a bidet, using just paper felt unclean.
- Based on one person's experience.
one person who lived it
For short answer questions, include specific keywords teachers expect, as graders often scan for these terms rather than comprehending the full answer.
Graders may look for expected words without fully reading the response.
one person who lived it
Learn touch typing properly to increase productivity and reduce strain.
Typing is a major part of productivity; learning it correctly makes you much more efficient, though it takes time to break older habits.
2 people, independently
On STEM exams, write down relevant formulas even if you cannot solve the problem.
This demonstrates partial understanding and may result in partial credit.
one person who lived it
Take notes during lectures to ensure you pay attention.
Without note-taking, you are likely to lose focus entirely.
one person who lived it
Have learners physically press buttons themselves rather than having someone else do it for them to improve retention of steps.
Doing the action cements the skill better than watching.
one person who lived it
Make study notes slightly obscure or distant to force your brain to pool more resources into decoding them.
The extra distance occupies surplus attention that might otherwise wander, directing it toward the study content.
one person who lived it
Study in groups by explaining concepts to peers.
Talking and hearing explanations is very effective for reinforcing learning.
one person who lived it
Focus on learning how to search online for solutions over memorizing technical steps, as this is the most important troubleshooting skill.
Most technical details are guesswork for everyone.
one person who lived it
Visualize how new information applies to your own life to deepen understanding and conviction.
Connecting learning to personal experience helps you understand and believe what you have read.
one person who lived it
One approach that helped someone appear attentive in online classes was to zone out and stare directly at the camera lens.
They were often complimented on how intently they seemed to be paying attention.
one person who lived it
Write down your feelings after consuming media or during daily life to clarify your thoughts and improve memory retention.
Articulating feelings helps you understand your own thoughts better and aids in remembering the subject matter.
one person who lived it
Allow recovery periods between learning or practice sessions, treating rest like muscle recovery after workouts.
Resting between sessions allows you to learn much more, as observed when practicing piano.
one person who lived it
Attend class regularly to improve later studying and retention.
Hearing the material beforehand helps immensely with understanding it later.
one person who lived it
Understand the underlying principles behind mathematical methods rather than just memorizing rigid procedures.
Understanding why methods work enables you to discover various tricks and alternatives.
one person who lived it
If you struggle to memorize formulas or structures, try reviewing them while brushing your teeth or combing your hair.
one person who lived it
Experiment with different times of day, such as later in the morning or during lunch, to find when you are most comfortable writing.
one person who lived it
Accept that being bad at something is the first step to improvement; do it poorly but consistently while remembering your purpose.
one person who lived it
Provide extensive context about your background and specific situation when asking for help online to receive personalized advice.
Generic questions yield generic responses; detailed context allows for tailored next steps.
one person who lived it
students, college, class, teacher42
Treat college like a job with a 9-5 schedule, doing homework on campus rather than at home.
Go to class even if attendance is not taken.
It reduces the risk of failing and having to retake the course.
2 people, independently
Make friends with people outside your close friend group to build broader social connections.
You may stay in touch with other classmates later in life rather than just your closest friends.
one person who lived it
Consider going to school as an investment in yourself for your remaining adult life.
You will likely thank yourself later for gaining a leg up during your long adulthood.
one person who lived it
Visit college campuses after 6pm to judge the atmosphere, safety, and noise levels when classes are over.
It allows you to see what the buildings are like and determine if the area is rowdy, quiet, nice, or unsafe.
one person who lived it
38 more on this
Walk into professor office hours to talk about their major, even if you are not a student.
Office hours are not just for students; anyone can walk in.
one person who lived it
Do not suffer over a teacher's mistake; remain honest as it is a normal situation.
It is normal and not your fault.
one person who lived it
Use your maturity to stay grounded and model behavior for younger students.
You have a leg up in being more mature and grounded than younger kids.
one person who lived it
Be disciplined and studious even if others mock you.
You will reach your goals and get somewhere in life if you are a disciplined student.
one person who lived it
Treat college like a job with a 9-5 schedule, doing homework on campus rather than at home.
This approach helps avoid all-nighters and structures time.
3 people, independently
Join Greek life in your second year of college rather than your first.
It serves as a social supplement rather than your sole source of friends, avoiding the boredom some freshmen experience when they only have friends within Greek life.
one person who lived it
Teach your professor how to use Zoom settings like hand raising or breakout rooms to improve class dynamics.
Students have more to gain from changing the environment than the professor does.
one person who lived it
Show consistent effort in class to encourage your teacher to invest more in helping you.
Teachers are more likely to put in extra effort for students who demonstrate they are trying.
one person who lived it
Be overprotective of your work to prevent classmates from borrowing it.
Dealing with the pain of having work borrowed is not worth it.
one person who lived it
Partner with existing organizations to handle logistics such as screening people, obtaining permits, and supplying tools and wood for Eagle Scout projects.
They can do a lot of the legwork.
one person who lived it
Go back to school or seek resources if you struggle with subjects, as they may have alternatives to assist you.
One person who struggled with math found a different class alternative through their guidance counselor.
one person who lived it
Value the moment students understand an idea through their own thinking rather than asking for simplification.
It is a rewarding part of teaching to see them grasp new concepts.
one person who lived it
Keep a healthy diet instead of relying on cafeteria fast food and ramen.
Eating healthy helps with mood, focus, and class attendance.
3 people, independently
If you want to stand out to a professor, send them, reach out with genuine appreciation for their teaching rather than just asking for extensions.
Direct messages of gratitude mean a lot and make students more memorable than those who only ask for favors.
one person who lived it
Do not rush your college decision to free up a waitlist spot.
Most colleges do not begin processing the waitlist until after the commitment deadline has passed.
one person who lived it
Check if your college offers free tutoring or homework help centers, such as math or writing centers.
These resources were cited as the primary reason for one student's success.
one person who lived it
Avoid making constant petty complaints to teachers over several years.
Doing so can set a negative reputation at the school that spreads among staff.
one person who lived it
Attend office hours to seek help from professors.
Teachers may hold you to a higher standard but are often more willing to chat about assignments or grades.
one person who lived it
Focus on understanding how to solve problems and the reasoning behind tasks rather than memorizing procedures.
College teaches problem-solving and thinking; knowing why you do things is key for career progression and avoiding serious errors.
2 people, independently
Email a former teacher to thank them for introducing you to a book you later re-read and appreciated.
It makes their day; they hope students revisit books and find meaning as they grow.
one person who lived it
When touring colleges, observe students' facial expressions to gauge happiness rather than focusing on buildings or classes.
Student faces reveal whether they are happy.
- Do not visit during finals week, as everyone will look miserable.
- Students generally look sleep-deprived.
one person who lived it
Recognize that older students are often favored by lecturers because they are focused, dedicated, eager, and serious about the content.
Older students know what they want, try hard, enjoy the content, and are not there to 'fuck around'.
2 people, independently
Treat school like a job to make academic responsibilities easier to manage.
Procrastination tends to flare up during school but dies down during work.
one person who lived it
If you are a teacher, help students overcome blocks in self-belief by focusing on their own improvement rather than having them identify their personal value with their work.
Once students have footholds to move forward with this focus, their progress skyrockets.
one person who lived it
Ask teachers about their personal interests or hobbies to improve your relationship with them.
This approach can help prevent poor grades from worsening.
one person who lived it
Make getting enough rest your top priority instead of cramming or going out.
Lacking sleep harms concentration, judgment, emotional state, willpower against delay, auditory attention, and alertness during lectures.
3 people, independently
Seek help when facing obstacles during your education.
We're human after all
one person who lived it
Walk into your local community college office and start asking questions for help.
Community colleges are made for folks seeking this kind of support.
one person who lived it
Avoid useless drama and petty social politics in college.
These issues become minuscule in perspective after graduation; do not waste precious years fighting or taking it too seriously.
one person who lived it
After the general part of the lesson, divide the class so advanced students can help median students.
This capitalizes on the advanced students' strengths and teaches them to use them constructively.
one person who lived it
Inspect the cafeteria, toilets, and non-teaching staff during tours to judge maintenance and institutional care.
The cafeteria indicates proper maintenance since you spend hours there weekly; toilets show attention to detail; non-teaching staff reveal how much the institution cares.
one person who lived it
Include extracurriculars and diverse references in applications to demonstrate you are well-rounded.
Universities want students with a variety of skills.
one person who lived it
Build rapport with teachers through participation to potentially gain favor during grading or when requesting extensions.
Teachers remember and appreciate participation, which can work in your favor.
one person who lived it
Network and volunteer during university to open new opportunities.
Taking university seriously inevitably opens new opportunities.
one person who lived it
Engage students actively during lessons to prevent them from disengaging.
Otherwise they may withdraw and hide.
one person who lived it
Gauge lesson advancement based on median students rather than advanced ones.
Going at the pace of advanced students disservices others.
one person who lived it
Attend office hours to ask specific questions and bridge gaps in understanding rather than asking professors to summarize entire lectures.
This enhances your overall college experience.
2 people, independently
Ask clerical library staff to direct you to a professional librarian if they cannot answer your detailed research question.
3 people, independently
Use teapot candles as a cheap, long-burning fire starter.
They are inexpensive if bought in bulk and burn for about half an hour.
one person who lived it
Check timestamps or comments before watching tutorials to skip intros, stories, and sponsor plugs.
Many YouTube videos contain long introductions, random stories, and sponsor segments that delay the actual content.
4 people, independently
Use the saying 'the time will pass anyways' to motivate action.
You might as well act since time passes regardless.
one person who lived it
Keep a clipboard in your backpack to use as a portable table when you lack table space.
It provides a surface for work when tables are unavailable or crowded.
one person who lived it
1 more on this
Do not stick chopsticks vertically into a bowl.
It resembles funeral incense sticks and is offensive in some cultures.
one person who lived it
classes, major, start, learning27
Study the textbook chapter prior to attending class.
Focus on schoolwork over social time so you do not have to pay for classes twice due to lack of focus.
Avoids paying for a class twice because you weren't focusing the first time.
one person who lived it
Study for placement tests like English 101 if you read frequently, as passing them can earn college credits.
You may save time and money, potentially saving a couple hundred dollars.
one person who lived it
Start studying now.
Otherwise you will regret it later.
2 people, independently
Start with the easiest GED subject, such as Social Studies, to build confidence by passing without extensive study.
Passing an easier test first builds momentum.
- Based on one person's experience
one person who lived it
23 more on this
Create a multi-year plan detailing which classes to take and when to ensure graduation.
It helps track completed classes and balance course load.
one person who lived it
Take a wide variety of classes in your first one or two years of college to discover interests before declaring a major.
Flailing around without direction can wreck your GPA and confidence.
one person who lived it
Read 'Shop Class as Soul Craft' before picking your major.
It is a fantastic, surprising, helpful, and well-reviewed book.
one person who lived it
Learn web design skills like HTML and CSS to create websites.
You may thoroughly enjoy the time spent creating them.
one person who lived it
Encourage both boys and girls to take Shop (woodworking, welding) and Home Ec classes.
These skills are valuable for everyone regardless of gender.
one person who lived it
Take free courses on Coursera.
There are so many free courses.
one person who lived it
If you are losing your hearing, start learning sign language while you still have some hearing to avoid coping with deafness simultaneously.
It is easier to learn the language before becoming fully deaf.
one person who lived it
Learn practical skills through side projects, businesses, or hobbies, as these can teach more than formal schooling.
Projects equal research which equals learning.
one person who lived it
If unsure about what to study, take a sabbatical or work for a year instead of enrolling in college immediately.
There is no rush to begin studies.
one person who lived it
Focus on learning how to learn over what you learn.
Learning methods are transferable, whereas specific materials may become outdated quickly in fast-changing industries.
one person who lived it
If you are a morning person, take early classes to keep afternoons free.
It allows you to get stuff done early and have the afternoon and evening open.
one person who lived it
Choose a major that leads to solid career outcomes rather than one with limited professional prospects on its own.
Some degrees, like art history, may not provide enough value on their own to secure employment.
one person who lived it
If you are an adult learning a musical instrument, start by playing chords or melodies from songs you already like.
Playing recognizable tunes is encouraging and tends to work better than other methods.
one person who lived it
If you are following a rigid career track that makes you unhappy, pay attention to the classes you genuinely enjoy instead.
Sticking to one track can lead to increasing unhappiness as you progress.
one person who lived it
Study the textbook chapter prior to attending class.
Grasping new material is far simpler if you have already considered it.
3 people, independently
Save some general education classes for your last year to mix easy courses with the hardest ones in your major.
It provides a balance when taking difficult major-specific courses.
one person who lived it
If required to take introductory macroeconomics and microeconomics simultaneously, enroll in both under the same professor.
The material overlaps, and a single instructor is likely to align the courses to reduce their workload; however, for upper-level core major courses, you must take microeconomics first.
- For 400-level core major courses, microeconomics must be taken before macroeconomics.
one person who lived it
Do not take intermediate microeconomics (price theory) and international macroeconomics simultaneously.
The workload is too heavy.
one person who lived it
Watch the entire instructional video before starting the task to avoid getting stuck mid-process.
Blindly following a video can lead to stopping because you cannot do a step and needing to detour to another video.
one person who lived it
Read the handbook or rulebook of every school you join closely to identify requirements you might otherwise miss.
One person avoided taking Calc 2 by reading the handbook closely.
one person who lived it
Choose a major based on your own interests rather than following your parents' wishes into a field you know nothing about.
one person who lived it
Avoid learning grammar in isolation; combine it with practical application to avoid the ineffectiveness of studying theory without practice.
Learning only grammar is compared to learning music theory without playing music.
one person who lived it
Take free online classes from universities on subjects that interest you.
3 people, independently
person, reading, audiobooks, books35
Read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker to learn more about sleep science.
Have someone else take your phone away when you read to remove the temptation of self-control.
It allows you to finish books without relying on self-control.
one person who lived it
Read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker to learn more about sleep science.
3 people, independently
If you are an auditory learner, listen to audiobooks during gym sessions, dog walks, or showers to improve retention and speed.
It turns these activities into reading time and helps you get through material more quickly.
- Not for everyone; specifically appeals to auditory learners.
one person who lived it
Read 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'.
One person described it as seriously life-changing.
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Read 'The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao'.
One person noted it is a good book.
one person who lived it
Read science fiction books to expand your mind.
Good sci-fi expands the mind.
one person who lived it
If you struggle to comprehend audiobooks at high speeds, try listening at 1.65x speed instead of faster rates like 3x.
Higher speeds can impair comprehension for some listeners.
one person who lived it
Read 'Learned Optimism' to help change your mindset.
It might be pretty helpful.
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Search for a book's title combined with the word 'syllabus' to gauge its academic reputation.
This can give you a sense of how respected the book is in academia.
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Read 'How to Read a Book' by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren to learn effective reading techniques for textbooks and other materials.
One college-bound person found it helpful for both personal and school life.
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Listen to upbeat songs while commuting to exams and sing along to reduce stress by keeping yourself too busy to worry.
Singing along keeps you too busy to worry, reducing stress levels.
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Regularly read news sources and websites with political leanings different from your own.
It helps broaden the mind and provides counter-arguments.
- Do not scour for information that only confirms what you already believe.
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Practice skills actively instead of just consuming content about them.
Reading or watching content without practice does not lead to results like wealth.
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Read fiction to learn practical tips and tricks.
Characters in books often demonstrate ideas and tricks on practical things.
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Read 'The Best of Dear Coquette' by The Coquette.
It offers irreverent kindness.
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Read 'The Emperor's Handbook' by Hicks for Meditations.
One person found it stays well in tune with original translations while providing clear, easy-to-understand wisdom.
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Read 'Grit' by Angela Duckworth or take the 'Learning How to Learn' course on Coursera to gain insightful and applicable knowledge about thinking and learning.
The resources provide helpful and applicable insights.
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If you cannot sit still while listening to audio content, listen to audiobooks or podcasts while performing physical chores like cleaning or washing dishes.
One person with ADHD finds they cannot listen motionless.
one person who lived it
Be skeptical of TED talks, as they may oversimplify complex ideas to the point of inaccuracy.
Speakers sometimes simplify concepts so much that they no longer make sense.
one person who lived it
Read 'Rhinoceros Success'.
It is described as a quick but powerful read.
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Read 'Why We Sleep' by Matthew Walker to identify if constant tiredness is affecting your focus, which helped one person fix their sleep and read for hours without disconnecting.
It helped one person realize they were constantly tired, leading them to fix their sleep and improve their ability to read and memorize.
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Watch Hollywood movies with original-language subtitles while reading and repeating the dialogue out loud.
One stay-at-home introvert reported this as a great way to accelerate language learning.
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Read 'The Hungry Brain' by Stephen Guyenet to understand the complexity of unconscious food choices.
It provides information on how complex and unconscious food choices really are.
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Read stories of characters overcoming struggles using techniques you want to use to gain hope and confidence.
Seeing relatable characters improve their lives gave one person hope and confidence that they could achieve similar successes.
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Accept pushback as a necessary tool for refining your beliefs, even when the argument is solely aimed at challenging your own ideas.
The lesson learned is often directed inward rather than outward.
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Seek encouragement and belief from partners or family members to boost confidence during testing.
Having someone celebrate with you and believe in your ability helps.
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Do not continue consuming material until you complete the application tasks derived from it.
Tying reading to action creates stronger context and memory around the habit compared to passive consumption.
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Seek out external sources like YouTube videos or books beyond assigned readings to create a 'scholastically rogue' mindset.
Going outside assigned reading can feel rebellious and provide a sense of secret knowledge.
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Read fiction to broaden your empathy and understand human complexity.
One person reported it broadened their empathy level and ability to understand humans.
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Understand that microwaving works by rapidly vibrating water molecules in food to warm it from within.
Microwaving is not 'sketchy'; it is a specific physical process.
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Watch channels that provide researched discussions on art and books placed into historical context.
The host asks interesting questions and provides historical context.
one person who lived it
Avoid modern self-improvement content created for internet audiences, as it often provides temporary emotional spikes instead of actual reflection.
It feels optimized for temporary emotional spikes rather than actual reflection.
one person who lived it
If you struggle to concentrate on text, try audiobooks; one person found this helped them retain information when reading caused them to overthink.
one person who lived it
Read David Foster Wallace's 'This is Water' speech to improve your perspective on not taking things personally.
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Consider reading Invitation to a Beheading by Nabokov if you are interested in works similar to Kafka's The Trial.
one person who lived it
Swap the percentage and the base number to simplify mental calculation, since X% of Y equals Y% of X.
3 people, independently
Remember that -40°C is equal to -40°F as a key reference point for extreme cold.
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