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Surely by now we have all, in some way or another, figured out which method of studying we most prefer. It varies per person, as we all have different types of memory and intelligence, and what works wonderfully for one isn't guaranteed to work at all for another. Some of us prefer to sit in perfect silence, some of us prefer to work in a group, some of us prefer to work alone to music. For the former two I have merely my applause, as I find silence and company incredibly distracting. For the latter I have suggestions.

Music, I have found, helps to cancel out the noise and mania of surrounding locations. Likewise, as I have a mind tend to wander, it provides some small amount of distraction from straying thought - part of the subconscious is occupied handling the interpretation of varying notes and sounds, if I had to guess, but for argument’s sake I’ll admit that I don’t know how it works.

My first recommendation is to pick something relatively even, that is, something without tumultuous ups and downs, something melodious. Upbeat rap tracks or EDM mixes have been designed to rile people up and get blood flowing, in a manner counterproductive to the simmering attentiveness demanded for effective studying. One can scarcely interpret the semantics of a textbook when their thoughts are racing and their fingers are thumping. Something more laid back or relaxed, be it acoustic or classical or merely a ballad slightly more mellow than the usual, is much more preferable and easy to work with. The goal of music, after all, is to help with focus, not hinder it.

My second recommendation is to pick something familiar. If we are listening for what comes next, for whatever rise or fall or change or word we have not before heard, we are not paying attention to our material. It does not have to be a song that’s been played a thousand times or something we know by heart. Really, any song that follows a logical pattern should be predictable enough to refrain from detracting attention.

My third recommendation is to stick to it once it’s been found. Keeping with a similar set of songs or pieces can help to return one to a studying mindset as it has been proven, though I cannot cite my exact source and am not qualified to account for the reliability thereof, that associating certain atmospheric constants with set mental states will aid one in returning to that state later; ergo, study where you always study, test in the same state in which the studying was done, so on.

I personally am a fan of the classics. Mozart’s Requiem, the entire 45 minute piece on repeat if needed, has become something of my go-to when I really require focus. Barring that I prefer anything heavy on the cello or organ, such as Chopin or Rachmaninoff, because I sometimes like to mix things up. Anyway, that’s just me. Find your own niche, set out a pattern, study hard and prosper.

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College As Told By Junie B. Jones

A tribute to the beloved author Barbara Parks.

Cynthia Crise

Cynthia Crise May 16, 2016

44726

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The Junie B. Jones series was a big part of my childhood. They were the first chapter books I ever read. On car trips, my mother would entertain my sister and me by purchasing a new Junie B. Jones book and reading it to us. My favorite part about the books then, and still, are how funny they are. Junie B. takes things very literally, and her (mis)adventures are hilarious. A lot of children's authors tend to write for children and parents in their books to keep the attention of both parties. Barbara Park, the author of the Junie B. Jones series, did just that. This is why many things Junie B. said in Kindergarten could be applied to her experiences in college, as shown here.

When Junie B. introduces herself hundreds of times during orientation week:

“My name is Junie B. Jones. The B stands for Beatrice. Except I don't like Beatrice. I just like B and that's all." (Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, p. 1)

When she goes to her first college career fair:

"Yeah, only guess what? I never even heard of that dumb word careers before. And so I won't know what the heck we're talking about." (Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth, p. 2)

When she thinks people in class are gossiping about her:

“They whispered to each other for a real long time. Also, they kept looking at me. And they wouldn't even stop." (Junie B., First Grader Boss of Lunch, p. 66)

When someone asks her about the library:

“It's where the books are. And guess what? Books are my very favorite things in the whole world!" (Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, p. 27)

When she doesn't know what she's eating at the caf:

“I peeked inside the bread. I stared and stared for a real long time. 'Cause I didn't actually recognize the meat, that's why. Finally, I ate it anyway. It was tasty...whatever it was." (Junie B., First Grader Boss of Lunch, p. 66)

When she gets bored during class:

“I drew a sausage patty on my arm. Only that wasn't even an assignment." (Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren, p. 18)

When she considers dropping out:

“Maybe someday I will just be the Boss of Cookies instead!" (Junie B., First Grader Boss of Lunch, p. 76)

When her friends invite her to the lake for Labor Day:

“GOOD NEWS! I CAN COME TO THE LAKE WITH YOU, I BELIEVE!" (Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, p. 17)

When her professor never enters grades on time:

“I rolled my eyes way up to the sky." (Junie B., First Grader Boss of Lunch, p. 38)

When her friends won't stop poking her on Facebook:

“Do not poke me one more time, and I mean it." (Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, p. 7)

When she finds out she got a bad test grade:

“Then my eyes got a little bit wet. I wasn't crying, though." (Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus, p. 17)

When she isn't allowed to have a pet on campus but really wants one:

“FISH STICK! I NAMED HIM FISH STICK BECAUSE HE'S A FISH STICK, OF COURSE!" (Junie B. Jones Smells Something Fishy, p. 59)

When she has to walk across campus in the dark:

“There's no such thing as monsters. There's no such thing as monsters." (Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed, p. 12)

When her boyfriend breaks her heart:

“I am a bachelorette. A bachelorette is when your boyfriend named Ricardo dumps you at recess. Only I wasn't actually expecting that terrible trouble." (Junie B. Jones Is (almost) a Flower Girl, p. 1)

When she paints her first canvas:

"And painting is the funnest thing I love!" (Junie B. Jones and her Big Fat Mouth, p. 61)

When her sorority takes stacked pictures:

“The biggie kids stand in the back. And the shortie kids stand in the front. I am a shortie kid. Only that is nothing to be ashamed of." (Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed, p. 7)

When she's had enough of the caf's food:

“Want to bake a lemon pie? A lemon pie would be fun, don't you think?" (Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed p. 34)

When she forgets about an exam:

“Speechless is when your mouth can't speech." (Junie B. Jones Loves Handsome Warren, p. 54)

When she finds out she has enough credits to graduate:

“A DIPLOMA! A DIPLOMA! I WILL LOVE A DIPLOMA!" (Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl p. 6)

When she gets home from college:

"IT'S ME! IT'S JUNIE B. JONES! I'M HOME FROM MY SCHOOL!" (Junie B. Jones and some Sneaky Peaky Spying p. 20)

Cover Image Credit: OrderOfBooks

Cynthia Crise

Cynthia Crise May 16, 2016

At University of Tulsa

15 Thing Only Early 2000's Kids Will Understand

"Get connected for free, with education connection"

Juliana Baumgardner

Juliana Baumgardner May 22, 2019

950

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This is it early 2000's babies, a compilation finally made for you. This list is loaded with things that will make you swoon with nostalgia.

1. Not being accepted by the late 90's kids.

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Contrary to what one may think, late 90's and early 00's kids had the same childhood, but whenever a 00's kid says they remember something on an "only 90's kids will understand" post they are ridiculed.

2. Fortune tellers.

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Every day in elementary school you would whip one of these bad boys out of your desk, and proceed to tell all of your classmates what lifestyle they were going to live and who they were going to marry.

3.Bunnicula

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You could never read this book past 8 o'clock at night out of fear that your beloved pet rabbit would come after you.

4. Silly bands.

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You vividly remember begging your parents to buy you $10 worth of cheap rubber bands that vaguely resembles the shape of an everyday object.

5. Parachutes.

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The joy and excitement that washed over you whenever you saw the gym teacher pull out the huge rainbow parachute. The adrenaline that pumped through your veins whenever your gym teacher tells you the pull the chute under you and sit to make a huge "fort".