{The Advantages of Color-Coding Your Notes}

I am definitely what they would call a "visual learner". I usually have to have things written out or organized with color or symbols to remember things. I am also a firm believer in color coding your notes.

High liters from Target

On one hand, my notes do look a bit like a child's coloring book, but make no mistake. During class, I will take notes as usual and adding color is the way I study. Not only does adding color all over the place make studying fun for me, but it doesn't feel like studying. Over time I've realized that you really benefit from studying the day's notes for 5-10 minutes every night. So as I'm adding all this color with high liters and pens and things of that nature, I'm also reading my notes fairly thoroughly.

Some review notes I took recently

Adding the color also really helps when studying for a longer quiz or test be cause it helps me focus on each line. I use col
or coding in a very organized way (in other words: not haphazardly coloring all over my notes). I specifically take notes in an outline format so that I can isolate an individual color to each line (i.e.: I, A, 1, i…and so on and so forth).

The most important thing is that you don't over do it. Adding too much color can be highly dizzying and make the actual important notes hard to read. Adding color is supposed to be fun, but also to help you become a more efficient and organized thinker. I am all for color everywhere, but not to the point where studying becomes inefficient or distracted.

When it comes to notes and school, color-coding is not for everyone. You need to find a specific way you like to take notes and stick with it. You need to go for something that is easily read and organized as well as being quick when teachers are fast with notes. But being efficient doesn't always have to be bland and straight forward. Anyone can use color on their notes, you just have to know the right way.

{5 Reasons I Love Spoken Word Poetry}

I originally learned about spoken word poetry in a TED Talk by Sarah Kay in 7th grade. As soon as I heard her legendary poem "B" (also known as "If I Should Have a Daughter") I was hooked on it. I always had (and still have) my quirky hobbies that not many of my friends understood and I would usually lose those hobbies in about a week. But spoken word is something that has miraculously stayed with me ever since. It was a way for me to express my feelings artistically without having to think a whole lot about it. Of course I had to think of all the semi-distant metaphors and similes that crowd my writing, but I didn't have to think poetically, I really just had to write. Sometimes the great thing about spoken word is that it's as easy to write as making a list. To this day, "B" by Sarah Kay is still by far my favorite spoken word poem and ever since then, I've loved listening and watching all sorts of spoken word poems and music. So here are 5 reasons why I love spoken word:

5 Reasons Why I Love Spoken Word

1. It's all in free verse and doesn't take a lot of thought

2. Really any speech can be a form of Spoken Word

3. It's an easy form of poetry to write when I don't know what to write

4. It could be a list if you really wanted it to

5. Someone's voice can really change the meaning of the poem they're reading

This post wasn't super original, but it will do. If you haven't tried spoken word, I definitely suggest that you try it. Spoken word is just a really easy way to express yourself without feeling too out there or uncomfortable with what you're writing (which I know other forms of poetry can do). 

This is obviously only my second post and I only have like 2 people reading it, but that's okay. I'm honestly really nervous about you two people judging all my writing. If anyone would like to leave suggestions for posts, please do so. I'm planning on posting about 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). 

{8 Up Lifting Ways to Push Through School}

As a student myself, I absolutely understand the success itself isn't the greatest school motivation for every day matters. I do, however, think that a few simple habits can keep you up lifted and can change your attitude. Sometimes all you need is a new objective and a new perspective to keep pushing through. 

{8 Up Lifting Ways to Push Through School}

1-Wake up with an open mind

2-Dress up, and put on a smile

3-Cheer up with a positive attitude

4-Stand up for something you believe in

5-Straighten up and be proud of who you are

6-Reach up for a new goal

7-Lift up the people around you and be a good friend

8-Look up to the Lord

Today, think of your own Up Lifting tips (leave them in the comments) and use them to get through a tough week. Most of all, trying to keep a positive attitude can make your week fly by. Lastly, I leave you with a quote:

"Hard days are the best because that's where champions are made. So if you push through the hard days, you can get through anything."-Gabby Douglas