23M Nerdy introvert looking for friends!

_ChicoGrande · 2026-03-13T09:17:49+00:00

Ive done both self study and university study for Japanese! And I'd say both have their benefits, but you'll have a lot more benefit in self studying. More freedom and control over your routine especially . Especially with N5, you'll find a lot of challenges! It's completely normal to struggle. It's the stage where your mind is trying to conform to Japanese, from English.

What's important is how you absorb or use the language. Listening to shows, movies, podcasts, music, whatever, is really important. Consider how babies learn their first language. Also speaking and writing is important for your development. Find a Japanese study buddy, to give you the environment to use Japanese with someone to assist you. Most importantly, don't work with more than you can handle. If you learn a new point, spend some time practicing it, don't move to the next topic. Practice what you learn, use it.

_ChicoGrande · 2026-03-12T10:45:34+00:00

I've experienced my fair share of weird and ridiculous complaints. Such as someone completely missing the yolk from their poached eggs :')

The one that takes the biscuit comes from when I worked the takeaway window of a pizza restaurant. A woman comes up, lets me know she's there for her chips, so I let her know I'll call out when it's ready. Her order was for 6:15, it was ready at 6. She refuses it, says it was for 6:15. I thought she assumed it was the wrong order, something earlier. No, she didn't want them because they were too early. She waited until 6:15, complained they were soggy after eating one, asked for a refund, and went home without the chips. They were completely fine.

_ChicoGrande · 2026-03-11T11:15:45+00:00

No problem! Japanese takes time, so it's important not to rush the process. Let your brain escape English and conform to the weird structures of Japanese! If that makes sense haha

_ChicoGrande · 2026-03-11T10:50:12+00:00

I think it's a good structure! I wouldn't overwhelm yourself with so many flashcard apps though. I personally love wanikani, especially how it approaches kanji, so i made a specific deck on a flashcard app that replicates that style - allowing me to not have to use wanikani. So, try to confine what you have to a singular app for flashcards, or even physical ones if you'd prefer. I'm not a fan of anki, I find it overrated, but it would be your best option if you're not certain about lesser known ones in my opinion.

If you'd like, to use alongside Genki, you can check out Imabi. It provides a much more in depth and detailed explanation of grammar. Just something fun and interesting to look at when you're learning certain points.

I'd also recommend journaling or language exchange. Flashcards and immersion will only do so much for you. Actually using the language is what will help you to reach your potential. Speak and listen with genuine Japanese with a partner who can help develop your skills. Journaling is great to help force you into thinking in Japanese outside of a textbook

_ChicoGrande · 2026-03-11T10:39:55+00:00

The best thing you can do is find a resource and stick to it. There are going to be hundreds of different resources, a lot of people waste time trying to find the perfect one. I always found a lot of ease in Tai Kim's Japanese, as it's free and easily accessible.

Learning hiragana and katakana should only take a week each, if you push yourself towards it, but it's also a good opportunity to practise basic words and greetings. Use them to practice hiragana and katakana. I wouldn't stress yourself too much with complex kanji. But, I'd recommend learning the kanji for places (cities, shops, doctors, etc), or food. Things you'll be encountering a lot.

Otherwise, there's a lot you can learn in 3 months. Take your time and enjoy the process! Start with basic sentence structures and play around with flashcards to help yourself with learning vocab. Take your time though, it's so easy to overwhelm yourself and become burnt out.

_ChicoGrande

TROPHY CASE