3/30/2021 2 Comments My AP Exam Study PlanAP exams are around the corner, which means I enter what I like to call “crazy Madeleine AP exam study mode.” I work hard all year to do well on the AP exams, and getting a good score is something that is important to me. When April and May come around, I develop my study plan, commit to studying, and do my absolute best on these tests.
Today’s post includes a breakdown of how I plan to study for my tests. As I approach my third year taking AP exams, I feel as though I have my routine down to a science and I can offer some helpful pointers on how to prepare. Hopefully these tips can help you if you are new to the AP testing world, if you are looking for a different way to start your studying this year, or if you are looking to refine your approach in preparing for these exams.
I wish everyone the best of luck on the AP exams this year. We are going to rock it! What AP classes are you taking? I am taking world history, human geography, English language and composition, and statistics. What tools do you utilize when studying? Let me know in the comments below. Happy studying!
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3/16/2021 2 Comments I Am Stressed!Hello, everyone! I hope you are doing well. The sunshine and warm weather in Maryland has made me happy and excited for the summer months to come, but I have been feeling very stressed lately.
A combination of homework, wanting to start studying for AP exams, creating plans for my various school clubs, and leading my youth group chapter is what is triggering this stress. I have also noticed that the stress comes in waves. Sometimes I will be feeling fine, and other times I feel as though I have one million things on my mind at once. Sometimes I feel stressed and I will not even know what I am stressed about! Have you noticed any of these things when it comes to you and your stress? Stressful periods are a normal part of life. While being stressed out is certainly not fun - it is mentally draining, it puts a damper on my mood, and it leads me to miss out on exciting events - I have found some things that help reduce my stress, and I want to share them to hopefully help the next time you are experiencing stress.
What did you think of my tips for dealing with stress? Do you do any of these things when you are feeling stressed out, or do you have anything we can add to the list? Let me know in the comments below, and, remember, this too shall pass. How do you feel after scrolling through social media? Does your time on the app leave you feeling happy and ready to take on the day? Conversely, does your time on the app lead to comparisons and negative thoughts about yourself? I have answered “yes” to both of these questions at one point or another, but I am working on creating a positive relationship with social media so I can leave my social apps, particularly Instagram, feeling happy more times than not.
Instagram certainly is a highlight reel. It is a social app where everyone posts photos of themselves looking their best and doing exciting things. It often lacks posts showing people’s normal lives. I have found this lack of reality can lead me to compare myself to the celebrities and models who have flawless bodies and who are achieving amazing things. Additionally, Instagram can be addicting as I scroll from Tik Tok to post to reel in a time-consuming cycle. On the flip side, there are certainly some positives to Instagram. Through the app, I have been able to meet new online friends. There are also plenty of positive and real posts out there; you just have to find them. Instagram can foster supportive online communities and give people the platform to express their ideas. This is what I think about the app, but what have I done about it? The following are tried and true tips I have implemented to improve my relationship with Instagram, and, if you have noticed similar things with your social media experience, I encourage you to give these recommendations a try. Set time limits: As previously mentioned, Instagram can be addicting. It is easy to find something interesting on the app and, then, before you know it, an hour has flown by. I set a one hour time limit on the app so I am aware of how much time I am spending on it. The time limit also helps me use my time on content I want to see, and not “waste” it mindlessly scrolling through posts. Follow accounts that make you feel good: Instagram is what you make of it. If you follow accounts that post motivational quotes, have people sharing insight into their real lives, and feature people who do not use photoshop, you are building a social media environment full of positivity and happiness. Seeing this type of content is sure to give you a better Instagram experience. Unfollow accounts that do not make you feel good: Likewise, unfollowing Instagram accounts that you do not like, regardless of how cool you think the person you are following is, makes your social media experience much more positive. If you are looking at posts that make you feel bad about yourself, you are bound to leave the app feeling sad. Understand that social media is not real life: Social media users pick and choose what content to post. Most things you see are filtered, at least to some extent, and are not completely raw. Try to stop comparing your life to the things you see on social media because social media and real life typically are two completely different things. What are your thoughts on social media? Do you love it, hate it, or a mix of both? Do you have any tricks that you use to create a more positive online environment? Let me know in the comments. 2/16/2021 2 Comments The Concept of Dating YourselfI hope everyone had a fabulous Valentine’s Day! Because love is in the air, a post about dating seemed fitting. I am not talking about the type of dating where you find a boyfriend or girlfriend, however. I am talking about dating yourself. You may be wondering what in the world I am talking about. Dating yourself? That is not something discussed frequently, but I think it is something important to think about.
The concept of dating yourself was first introduced to me in an episode of Victoria Garrick’s podcast, Real Rod (if you are looking for a real and raw podcast, I definitely recommend you give this one a try). After I listened to the episode, I really thought about everything that was mentioned. I occasionally talk about wanting a boyfriend, dates are cute, it is fun buying things for a loved one, and it would be exciting to live a movie-type romance in real life. While all of these things are special, why is it not often that we show this type of love and attention to ourselves? I continued to think about this topic, and I realized that, yes, I exercise and watch my favorite TV shows as forms of self-care, but I do not always give myself the love and attention that I would give someone in a romantic relationship. I decided I want to change that. Each and every one of us deserves love, from both ourselves and others. So, what does dating yourself entail? I think the concept of dating yourself is what you make of it. I would like to start buying myself little presents every now and then. I am someone who does not like spending money often, but I think buying a little gift occasionally is deserved and sweet. After all, if I had a boyfriend, I would buy him gifts from time to time. Another thing I can do is take myself out to dinner. I often do not like going out alone, but getting comfortable with myself and having “me time” can be important. Going out for a little treat is a nice way to relax, think, and enjoy my own company. I would also like to get dressed up nice every once in a while. Sweatpants and sweatshirts have become my uniform during quarantine, but, on occasion when I put on heels and makeup, I feel like a queen. I do not want to get all fancy often, however, unless there is a certain event I have to attend, but I always end up feeling great when I get dressed up. Doing this once in a while just for myself, and feeling good for me, is fun. One last thing that comes to mind is that I should treat myself and speak to myself the way I would treat a boyfriend. Let’s play pretend for a second because I am currently in the “single pringle squad.” If my boyfriend was having a bad or stressful day, I would tell him to take a break and relax. Then, if I am having a bad or stressful day, I should follow my own advice and relax. Similarly, if my boyfriend told me that he felt ugly, I would of course respond and say that he is not ugly and that beauty shines from within. On a day where I am not feeling pretty, I should tell myself that I am beautiful and that beauty comes from within. Just like people are supportive and kind to their significant others, we should be supportive and kind to ourselves. Your version of dating yourself may look a little different than mine, but I think a new focus on ourselves can be beneficial. In addition to just pure enjoyment, all these acts of love and affection for ourselves can help us realize all the love and affection we deserve. The next time a romantic relationship presents itself, you know your personal passions and that you can love yourself without a significant other. You will also be able to have a firm understanding of how you should be treated in that relationship - with respect and unconditional love. If you encounter anything less, you know it is not the relationship for you. There is nothing wrong with having a significant other, of course (I think it is quite fun, in fact), but loving yourself independently is needed before giving all that love to someone else as well. What are your thoughts on this? Have you heard of the concept of dating yourself before? Let me know in the comments. I hope you showed yourself some love this past Valentine’s Day and always. I wake up, get dressed, do homework, have breakfast, go to school, eat lunch, finish my classes, do more homework, exercise, eat dinner, do even more homework, and go to bed. I will then wake up about eight hours later and the cycle repeats itself.
Have you ever heard the saying “Groundhog Day”? Not just the day when, according to tradition, the groundhog comes out and determines if we will have more winter or an early spring, but when everyday feels the same. I have noticed that my new lifestyle during the coronavirus pandemic has made life sometimes feel like Groundhog Day. Because of the pandemic, I am home almost all the time, I do not see many people, and many activities are virtual. This combination of events tends to be unchanging and, at times, it can make the days blend together and feel the same. I feel like I have gotten used to this routine, but I try to add little things to my life to keep it exciting. If you are feeling the same way - that everyday feels like a repeat of the previous day - I have found an important thing to do is reflect on how you are feeling and ask yourself what you need. What is your life lacking and what is making everyday feel dull and repetitive? How can you best support yourself through these challenging times and what small changes can you make to add some excitement to your daily happenings? Something I noticed is that I want to make more time to hang out with my friends. I always feel very happy seeing them, so, even if it is socially distant, I should make plans to see people more often. Once a week is a goal I am aiming for, but, even if it is every other week, having some sort of plan can add some excitement and fun to my life. Another thing I have done is have weekly movie nights with my family. On Friday nights, my family always has a nice dinner together and then we watch our favorite Netflix shows or a good movie. I love this tradition we started during the pandemic because it gives me something to look forward to after a week of school and work. Plus, quality time with my family is very important to me. Additionally, extracurriculars help add some normalcy and variation in my daily schedule. For example, I participate in clubs at my school, such as Happiness Club and Young Writers Club. Both of these are great opportunities to interact with my peers and have fun doing certain projects together. Soccer practice twice a week is starting again and the practices are a great way to do something different with my day while doing something I really enjoy. Also, my youth group has programs every Saturday night, which are always varied and meaningful. As I continue to adapt to the crazy times we are living in, I am sure my daily routine will adapt as well. For now, safe get-togethers, family nights, and extracurriculars are items I would like to keep, add, or increase in my life to make it feel more exciting and less repetitive. Is there anything you are doing or would like to do to add some spice to the quarantine life and get rid of Groundhog Day? Do you want to have a weekly spa day, try some exercise classes, spend more time with friends, utilize video chats, or try a family game night? There are so many options! 1/19/2021 4 Comments My Happy ListThis past week was very stressful for me - lots of homework, meetings every evening, and a couple deadlines. It was go, go, go, and I was looking forward to the week being over. Taken as a whole, the week was not good, but, after reflecting on each day, I realized there was a moment of happiness at one point or another.
This realization made me think of the saying “it’s the small things in life.” This statement could not be more true for this past week in particular, but also for life as a whole! There are so many wonderful things to celebrate, small and large, and today I will be sharing 50 things that make me happy. I strongly encourage you to do the same thing in a journal, in the notes section of your phone, or anywhere else. It always feels so good to think of all the happy things in life.
Making this list was so much fun and reminded me of how many things there are that add happiness and joy to my life. I definitely recommend you make your own happy list - even if it only consists of five items! Creating the list in itself made me happier! What is one thing that makes you happy? Comment down below so we can fill the comments with even more happiness. Now, let’s all have a great week! Winter break was a wonderful opportunity for me to reset, relax, and enjoy myself. The holiday season is full of brightness, excitement, and joy. Now that the holiday season is over, I have noticed that my energy level and sometimes my mood drops around this stretch of winter. The sun sets earlier, it is really cold, and I am outside less. While not everyday is all sunshine and rainbows, there are some things I like to do to make the most out of my winter time blues and to make the season as enjoyable as possible.
Have you also noticed feeling a bit more down or less energized during the winter months? Have you found anything to be helpful in making you feel more bright and happy? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! This year has been like no other and I know many people, including myself, are looking forward to a fresh start in 2021. With the new year comes New Year’s resolutions. While I think having the opportunity to make changes to improve and to look at life with a new breath of air is special, there is something about the resolutions that are discussed around January 1 that rubs me the wrong way.
I think a big part of the reason I do not like New Year’s resolutions is that they tend to be negative. Whether it be a goal to lose weight, start a new diet, exercise X times a week, find a significant other, make more money, or anything else along these lines, resolutions can do more harm than good. All of the examples I mentioned above are likely goals due to extrinsic motivators. A person may want to start a new diet so he/she can lose weight to appear more “attractive” according to society’s beauty standards. A person may want to find a significant other because he/she likes the idea of having a significant other, but it may not actually be what is right for him/her at that time. In addition to motives that may not necessarily be in the right place, oftentimes New Year’s resolutions are not actually resolved. Continuing on with my examples, a person who wants to exercise five times a week may hit the gym consistently within the first month of the new year, but over time this routine may wear off. New Year’s resolutions may be hard to keep up with if they focus on goals that are not derived from internal motivators or that are unsustainable. With this in mind, I have never been one to set New Year’s resolutions that will be “life-changing” or super drastic, but I like taking advantage of the opportunity the new year brings to reflect and improve. If there happens to be something I want to work on or achieve (for the purposes of my satisfaction, well-being, and pride, and not that of society’s, my friends’, my family’s, or anyone else’s), I might create a plan of action to achieve it. An example of one of these plans was my New Year’s resolution last year. At the time, I really wanted to write a book, so I set a goal to work on planning and drafting for 15 minutes each day. I wanted to write the book because I wanted to, and for no reason other than that. Additionally, my 15 minute goal was something to which I knew I could commit. I ended up abandoning my goal of writing a book by about April, but that was not because my plan was unsustainable; it was because it simply was something I did not want to do anymore - which is totally okay! This year, I think my New Year’s resolution is going to be working on more content for my blog’s Instagram. I have this goal because I want to spread my Real and Relatable messages and because making posts, such as reels, is a lot of fun for me. Plus, when I make something that is successful or well-done, it feels amazing. While this is certainly something I can work on in the new year, I want to state that there is no bad time to make a change and start working toward a new goal. I could decide I want to be nicer to my sisters, call my friends more often, or write in my journal daily starting tomorrow! Everyday is a day to start anew. To sum it up, New Year’s is almost here! This means some crazy New Year’s resolutions will be floating in the air. New Year’s resolutions can be made for the wrong reasons or they may not be sustainable. Have you noticed this at all? If so and making resolutions is something you enjoy or typically do, I encourage you to be mindful of the goals you are setting. Is this really something you want to do? Can you realistically do it? What is driving you to achieve your goal? Also, remember there is never a bad day to make a new goal and start working on it. Goal-setting is not limited to January 1. So, what do you think? Will you have any goals for the New Year? Let me know in the comments. Happy Holidays, everyone! 12/8/2020 2 Comments Managing The 2020 School Year: Tips and Tricks For Limiting Stress and Getting Work DoneThis school year has been like no other. Many of us are learning online and have spent hours upon hours on screens. I have adjusted quickly and comfortably to this new virtual environment, but I know for many people this is not the case. Having challenges is completely understandable as we are living through unprecedented times and carrying on with life in ways we have never before. Some of the struggles I have heard about this school year include lack of motivation, difficulty focusing, trouble understanding content, not learning enough material to be prepared for the future, and having too large of a workload in some classes. First, I am sorry so many people are feeling this way. Amidst a global pandemic, the last thing people need is more stress. Thankfully, there are many habits, practices, and mindsets that can be developed to overcome the stressful situations and thoughts many students are experiencing. Feeling unmotivated to do work? I have been there! Sometimes work can feel like the last thing you want to do. My advice for this situation is first reminding yourself that the work has to get done and it is up to you whether you turn in the assignment or not. For me, not turning something in is never an option. Remind yourself that complaining about what you have to do or brushing it aside is not going to help you in the long run. Try doing something fun before you start working as a way to refresh your system. Tell yourself that, after watching a TV show, going for a quick walk, or FaceTiming your friend for a few minutes, you will complete your assignment and get it turned in. Once you finish the assignment and other items on your to-do list, you can use your time to do more exciting things. Instead of feeling unmotivated to do work, try to change those feelings into motivation to get tasks off your to-do list and to be able to do something enjoyable in the near future. Having difficulty focusing? Get rid of anything that might distract you, such as turning off notifications on your desktop, putting your phone on “do not disturb” and placing it on the other side of the room, and telling your siblings not to interrupt you. Create an environment with the least amount of distractions, so you can be as productive as possible. Similar to my advice for feeling motivated, work distraction-free with high focus for a designated amount of time and then reward yourself for your efficient work later on. Having trouble understanding content? Learning virtually is very different from learning in-person. When online, sometimes topics are more difficult for teachers to teach and are more difficult for students to understand. It can be challenging all around, so we have to make the best of the situation and do our part to understand to the fullest of our abilities. If your school has teacher help periods like mine, utilizing these times to ask questions about things you are learning in class and questions about certain assignments is very beneficial. If you do not have periods like this, email your teachers. Do not be afraid to reach out because most teachers are very willing to help you. In the worst case scenario, if your teacher is unable to help, you can ask for online resources to support your understanding or find such resources on your own. Not learning enough material? This is a two-sided situation. Some students feel like they are not learning enough content to be prepared for AP exams or classes in future years, while other students feel like they are getting too much work. Others may feel a little of both, depending on their classes. I personally fall into the first category. With shorter class times, there is no doubt that content is being cut out even though we are sure to need the information at a later time. To deal with this problem, I have done a couple of things. I take advantage of easy-access resources. The College Board posts videos and practice questions that cover every topic in the AP class curriculum. While this material does not cover all the nitty gritty details, it goes over important themes that I need to be aware of. I also have taken it upon myself to read my textbook for AP World History, for example. The textbook goes into great detail on topics that may not necessarily be discussed in class, or, if they are discussed in class, it will likely only be skimming the surface. While reading the textbook when it is not assigned and doing other similar work is not my idea of “fun,” I am taking it upon myself to learn the content I know I will need at some point or another. Have too much work on your plate? Many students have felt like teachers are assigning too much work. While I certainly feel busy and I am working a lot of the time, I do not feel overwhelmed with my workload and believe I am doing a good job managing everything I have to do. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do about the number of assignments teachers give. There is, however, something you can do about the manner in which you tackle the large amount of work at hand. Efficiency is key! This year my school starts an hour later than when it started last year when we were in-person. In addition, I have a lunch break that is longer than an hour! I take advantage of this extra time, wake up early, and use my extra breaks to get work done. I highly recommend you do the same. Waking up even thirty minutes earlier could be the difference between finishing one assignment or having an extra task to do at 10:00 at night. It can be easy to turn to your phone during the extended breaks, but I like to think that in “normal” school during these breaks I would actually be in class, so I should use that “class” time effectively by working on things I need to get done. My school days are certainty work-filled, but by being efficient I would say that I am able to enjoy about an hour of movement and an hour of screen time each day. I made a model schedule to show what a typical day in school for me looks like. By working hard during the week, I have a bit more time on the weekends to really enjoy myself and practice some self-care. People are feeling lots of different emotions and are having different experiences during the 2020 school year based on differences in learning styles, work practices, and personalities. Regardless, we are all in this together and we will get through it. Keep working hard and chugging along.
I hope you found some of my advice helpful and that this post was useful to you. If you want to continue this conversation or share any thoughts you have on school this year, I would love to hear from you in the comments and through email or DM. Additionally, what have you experienced this school year? Do you have any good tips that have been working for you? Let me know in the comments. Thanksgiving is two days away, so there is a lot of gratitude in the air. One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is going around the dinner table as each person takes a turn sharing what he/she is thankful for. Some of the classics that are often brought up include being thankful for family, friends, health, and education - all of which I am incredibly grateful to have.
In today’s post I want to bring attention to something that typically remains in the shadows: being thankful for your body, your home. Sometimes people do not feel confident or comfortable in the skin they are in, and it is easy to take everything your body does for granted. In a world where many people are trying to change their bodies and have insecurities about certain physical features, recognizing all the wonderful things your body is doing for you everyday can be really helpful. Below I have listed some parts of the body and the amazing things they do for each person. Your body is your home for the rest of your life; treat it with love and respect. Face: Your face is your “money-maker” as they say. In all seriousness, we should thank our faces, because your face helps you experience the world. Your eyes capture beautiful sights, your nose smells baked goods and other wonderful scents, your ears hear music and the words of your loved ones, your lips open to reveal your beautiful smile, and we all love the feeling of when our cheeks hurt because we have been smiling so much. Arms: Your arms help you lift and hold things. They will aid you in opening many of life’s doors. Most importantly, it is with your arms that you give hugs to the people you love. Heart: While your heart is not visible to the public, it is such an important thing to be grateful for. It is your driving force, keeping you alive and guiding you through life. Stomach: Toned or flat stomachs are often sought after, but it is truly important to appreciate your stomach the way it is. It protects your organs, keeps your babies safe if you are a female and plan on having/have had babies, and allows you to enjoy delicious foods. Legs: Your legs are strong! They carry you everywhere you need to go. They allow you to walk, dance, run, jump, bike, and much more. Focusing on the things the body can do, rather than on its appearance, is a helpful tool and can help reframe thoughts about our bodies. I realize I am writing this with a fully functional body, and I understand the privilege that comes with this. Simply put, your body, as is, takes you through life. It is always there for you, providing for you, and works with you to do the things you want to do. It is normal to have things you do not love about your body, but accepting your body as it is and being grateful for all it does is very worthwhile. What is something your body does that you are grateful for? Comment down below! If I had to pick one thing, I would pick my legs for allowing me to run, play soccer, dance, and explore new places, all of which I absolutely love to do. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! While this year is one like no other, there are still many things to be thankful for. |
AuthorLover of adventures, traveling, family time, fashion, soccer, writing, and more, Madeleine is giving you all the real and relatable content you have been looking for. Archives
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