How to study for finals


I'll be the first to admit that I don't actually know how to study.
It's hard.
What's the proper way to get all of the knowledge that you've "learned" into your head in the way that your professor wants it? What's the best way to get an A?
I have no idea.
However, I do have some tips on how to make finals week and all of the studying at least bearable, even if it's still just as confusing.

1. Find a place where you love the atmosphere, but you can still focus on your work.


Finding a place to study is like finding a place to live, at least for the next week. It's important to love where you're going to be spending most of your time. When I study, I need windows and open space; I don't want to feel suffocated. Thompson Library is my perfect studying sanctuary.

2. Remember you have books.


I don't usually read during the semester. It's a bad habit and I could probably do so much better in my classes if I did, but it's the truth. I'm terrible at keeping up with the readings, especially if I'm not constantly tested on them. I wish I could say I kicked this habit this semester, but I didn't. Instead I found books in the library. 
Textbooks are useful when it comes to studying because the information they contain is exactly what professors are looking for.
However, if you're like me and you have more research papers than tests, remember that books exist. The internet is great, but sometimes looking through the stacks and smelling the old books (I love that smell!) and flipping pages is refreshing. And you may find something that isn't on the internet.

3. Treat yourself.


When I study I like to give myself tiny rewards when I make progress (especially if it involves reading about politics, ugh). Chai lattes are my favorite reward (and drink of all time). If I've already had a long day, but I know I still need to head to the library and crack open the books I'll get myself a treat. It helps me get in a better mood for more long hours without fun. 

4. Get inspired.



Getting an education isn't something everyone in the world has the opportunity to do. All of us who are lucky and privileged enough to go to university should be thankful for our opportunity. We have the chance to inspire and teach others, but we shouldn't forget that we can still grow too. Universities are full of inspiration, whether it comes from other hardworking students around us or our surroundings. Even after we graduate we are still learning. 
Don't let finals get you down. You're going to do great and you're going to feel so much smarter afterwards as well!

Happy finals week and good luck! 

- Jess

Tamiya Tuesday: Tamiya is suffering from finals, just like the rest of us. Send her love.

All photos taken in Thompson Library at the Ohio State University by me.

Junior Finale




This is a stressful time. There is one week left of classes and then finals.
I have so much due and I have a classic case of putting everything off until the very last second.
So, this is all I've got for awhile.
I'll be in the library or in my room with books and notebooks and colorful stickies and my computer:
writing essays, learning Russian, pretending I'm not drowning in school work.

I'll see you soon.

- Jess

Tamiya Tuesday: Tamiya is contemplating grad school. She's scared, but who isn't?

Coachella FOMO


Coachella weekend 1 is over and guess who wasn't there.
Me.

I have major FOMO.
Fear of missing out, if you don't know.

I understand, not everyone can go. It's in California at the end of the semester, so it's unlikely that I'll ever go while in school, but there's still the want to go. Every. Year.
This year is especially hard for me to miss out on because STROMAE WAS THERE.
He is my (and arguably the world's) favorite francophone artist. He is everything and more.

Here he is. (Thanks Rolling Stone)
Thankfully, Coachella has this fancy livestream (it was a thing last year, but not sure about any other time) so I didn't miss all of his set. 
I did miss Papaoutai and everything after because I have terrible internet. I may or may not have cried.
Papaoutai is the best.

I strongly encourage everyone to check him out on youtube. The more recent videos have English subtitles, so that is helpful, but the artistry can be appreciated without fully understanding the language. I promise! 
He's on tour in North America this summer and I won't see him (it's bittersweet that I'll be in France). 

The FOMO is real (more for Stromae than Coachella).

- Jess

Tamiya Tuesday: Tamiya doesn't like living in a dorm. The people are immature and she is too mature. There are only 3 weeks left in the semester, you can last!

Stromae's real name is Paul and he is 6'5". Wow.

National Sibling Day


Apparently today is National Sibling Day.
Who decides these things?

I've searched far and wide for a recent picture of my brother, sister, and me. The most recent one I could find was taken 3 years ago! It's from my high school graduation. That's definitely not the last time we were together, but the last time we got a proper photo. This is so crazy to me because we've all changed SO MUCH since then.
None of us are the same person we were 3 years ago.


I'm now challenging myself to take pictures more. On the rare occasions that everyone finds time to be together, it'll be great to have a photo to look back at. Other families do that, right? 
Join in with me and take more photos (of everything!). Some people think it's silly to always be taking pictures of food and pretty buildings, but why is it? Why is it silly to want to document the beauty you'll be passing by?
Have a good weekend!

- Jess

French Friday: étudier - to study (what I'll be doing until May)


France


Sometimes I'm not sure the things happening to me are real.
This happens when something really good happens and something really bad.
Today is good! (So good!)

It's almost the end of the semester, which means lots of projects and papers and worries. It also means planning for the summer. I've a feeling that this will be my best summer yet because....

I'M GOING TO FRANCE.
Is this real?!
Remember when I thought the closest I would get was Epcot?
I've been studying French for 6 years and I never thought I would actually get to go there. I booked my flight and I'm ready to go. 
Honestly, I'm terrified and nervous and worried. I've never been outside of the US and I've never traveled alone before. So many new things at the same time!

 I'll be using this space to document my travels when that time comes around. Until then, I'll be trying to finish my million projects before the semester is over. 

This is where I'll be until May...
- Jess

Tamiya Tuesday: Last week Tamiya was studying hard for a bunch of tests and avoiding me and my sickness. Good luck on your tests Tamiya!

Threes


Hi! I'm Jess. This will be the third time I've tried this blog thing. Third time's the charm, right?
I like the blog idea. I like being able to keep up with people (who I know and who I might not know) on my own time. I wouldn't say I 'failed' at my other blogs, but I wasn't doing them for the right reasons. It was the "Oh, look at this cool girl. She gets all this stuff and so many people love her!" type thing. Not today. Today, I don't care what people think (mostly true) and I'm doing this for me, as an archive of my life and because it's cheaper than buying a bunch of pretty journals.

In the past I was terrible at keeping up with posts and I would just forget for months that I had this, but I'm giving myself 2-3 posts that I will definitely do every week. So, here it goes: 

#1: My week on instagram: @jess_mccune


Yesterday, I had my first buckeye donut from Buckeye Donuts and OMG!
I'm in love.
If you aren't from Ohio or you're just unaware what a buckeye is, it's perfection.
A peanut butter ball covered in chocolate, and these are the same, except in donut form. It's impossible to go wrong.


March Madness is over tomorrow. My March Madness was over yesterday. :'(
I was born and raised a Kentucky Wildcat (in Ohio, a technicality). 
The Wildcats were on their way to a perfect 40-0 season and their 9th NCAA National Championship when they couldn't handle it against Wisconsin. I, and all other UK fans, am crushed. It was one hell of a season and one hell of a game that I'm glad I was around for. Wisconsin deserved to win though, they played a good game.
I'll just keep in mind that UK basketball is still the winningest (a real word) college basketball program in history. (C-A-T-S! CATS! CATS! CATS!) 


And now, it's Easter. Yesterday we had a Spring Egg-stravaganza ft. Bunny Muyao.
Today I had brunch with some of my sisters at Northstar and let me tell you, that mushroom frittata is to die for. 10/10, do recommend.

Thanks for caring enough to get down here.
Have a happy Easter! 
(or other Spring holiday or regular Sunday)

- Jess