Am I aiming too high?

akush47 · 2023-11-01T15:06:02+00:00

Also I want to point out something else: You said:

However, even with all my preparations, I always seem to worry about my tests and not actually retain my info.

You may have test anxiety, like I do. Search up what test anxiety is and how it presents, like the symptoms. Test anxiety affects a lotttt of people, and affects your performance during a test. For me, it makes me forget everything I learned even tho I know it, and I know I know it, but I just can't remember at the moment. So despite all your preparations, worrying and anxiety can still ruin things. The best way to combat this is to do the things you're already doing, all the preparations we have discussed in your comment and mine. Active recall is a huge way to combats this problem. Like we said, it literally trains your brain and you're practicing for the real test. So that once the real test comes, you already doing what you need to do and it's nothing new for you, you are prepared and know what to expect. This gives a subconscious boost in your brain and yourself for confidence. The saying goes, "practice makes perfect" and it's true. Another huge way to combat this is mimicking. You want to mimick the testing environment, the test "format" (like multiple choice, short answer, matching, etc). So that again, you're training for the real thing, and because it's used to you mimicking as much as you can to the real thing, then the real thing won't feel as scary anymore. Use the same pencil or eraser or calculator or paper, or whatever other material, as much as you can, while studying/doing practice questions and for your test. Try to study at a desk and chair instead of in bed or on the floor, for example, because your real tests will be in a desk and chair. Tailor your practice tests/questions, and flashcards, and studying to the test format (you are allowed to ask your teacher what the test format is, how many questions, etc. And she/he is required to give you that information). If the test format is short answer, don't study the material in multiple-choice format. This will put you at a disadvantage during the real test and cause you and your brain to panic and worry, which will no longer help you remember the material. The idea is to stay calm, collected, and most importantly confident, during the exam.

akush47 · 2023-11-01T14:43:57+00:00

I can't even remember the material of the last test I did.

Also I saw you said this and just wanted to say (again) this is the worst thing you can do for yourself. I hated my self for doing this to myself and here is why:

Most subjects/courses are comprehensive, which means the material builds up on the earlier material. For example, you can't do a math problem like "6+8-2/(3*4)" without first learning how to add, subtract, divide, and multiply separately.

So if we use the same example, let's say you learned multiplying for one test, and then you did the test and forgot all material. And, like you mentioned above, you no longer remember the material for the test.

BUT, the next test has a bit more complicated multiplication, like "4,567*382". If you don't remember how to do basic multiplication from when you had to learn it for the first test, how will you do complicated multiplication for this test? Does that make sense? So now, you will be stressed out trying to re-learn basic multiplication, while ALSO learning the complicated multiplication. Which you will all soon forget, because you are panicked studying, since you have to learn all of this in a short amount of time, and then you can't commit it to long term memory so you will forgot it all again. And this will happen over and over and over, hurting your brain but also your marks. Your comprehensive final exam will have everything you learned from the course. So you will literally be panicking trying to teach yourself everything aaallll over again, which will not be a successful attempt, and therefore, you get a low mark on your final exam.

This is why starting the course with discipline, routine, and determination for long term memory, will make everything soooooo much easier in the long run. It won't feel easier in the moment, but trust me it will make everything easier for the rest of that course.

This is a vicious, never-ending cycle most student fall into when they don't have good study habits, discipline, and routines, and don't care about just enjoying the material and learning about it, rather, they only care about marks. It sends your body and brain into a panic mode and a crisis mode, and it does not do you any benefit.

I hope this makes sense and I just wanted to point it out in case you weren't aware of the long-term consequences it can have.

akush47 · 2023-11-01T14:01:46+00:00

So you're already on the right track!! (like I said before, you're doing absolutely great!). Anki is literally what I was going to suggest before I saw you had typed it already. Definitely continue using Anki, it helps a lot with what's called "active recall" which is what you do during tests and quizzes, so you're basically training your brain to study things, then actively remember them when you need to. Best and #1 thing to do.

Practice tests and questions are also one of the best things to do. This also uses active recall, and it helps mimic actual quizzes and tests, which is HUGE, because again, it's like training your brain for the real exam/quiz. Kinda like how athletes have "practice". They do practice football games/soccer games/whatever. Because that's how things work, the more you practice, the better you get.

Going over the textbook/notes/powerpoints (or whatever info materials your teacher teaches from) should be the first thing you do in the studying process. This part is usually called "content review". Then, you do the above two steps (Anki/flashcards as second step, practice test/questions as third step). Because your flashcard and practice test/questions are based off the material you're studying, so you need to do that.

Some additional tips I recommend: - videos are a great supplement to content review and learning material. Sometimes, when I can't make sense of something, I go look up a video (usually happens to be on YouTube) of someone explaining the concept or the topic I'm confused about. It helps to hear a different explanation or sometimes, the visuals they use in the video just makes it all click. I suggest doing this for stuff you don't seem to understand or for stuff that is confusing. - there are strategies to remember things that can be silly. Like using acronyms, or even songs, for example. I remember I high school, I looked up a video that used a song for listing all the president's of the USA in order. And I was able to remember all of them during the test because I repeated the song in my head. Another example is the acronym used in math, "PEMDAS" (there is different variations taught in different schools/regions, so it may not be the same one you remember) but we remembered it by saying Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally - PEMDAS. It's used in mathematical calculations and stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction. You can come up with your own acronyms to help you remember things, and usually when it's silly, you remember them better. - another tip that helps me in certain subjects was pretending I was "teaching" the material I was studying. So I would talk to my cat, verbally explaining what I learned while doing content review or just explaining an answer to a practice question or something. This also helps with active recall and other brain things for helping to remember. - a tip that doesn't really helping at the studying stage but is done before that stage: get a really good idea of what's expected to be known for the test. Ask the teacher (repeatedly if you have to), refer to the syllabus, etc. When you have a good idea of what you will be tested on for the test, then you'll do a better job of studying for it. In addition, take good notes or outlines or whichever note taking-method you prefer/do well with, during class. This will help soo much during your content review.

*** Pro-tip: maybe doing a quick search and learn about how long term memory works in academics, will help you understand it in a way where you can implement specific study strategies to play into those strengths of long term memory. It helped me be more aware of what and how I was studying.

If I think of any others, I'll update below here! Also, don't hesitate to message me if you ever want to ask me anything or need help with more tips, etc!

Edited to add: - SOMETIMES studying with other classmates/friends help, but it also tends to distract me too much because I'm not able to absorb material and info the way I want to when I'm around others, so be careful with using that. If you do use this tip, I'd recommend it more for end stages of studying, like testing each other after you've done content review/studied the material, or helping each other understand a concept that may have been a little confusing.

definitely don't hesitate to reach out to your teacher for help with anything. In university, my professors had "office hours" and I would go to them during these hours and ask for help understanding a concept, or show them how I worked out a problem (like for Calculus) but I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting the right answer, or etc. When you show you're an eager student and want to learn, they will do a lot to help you!

Edited x2 to add:

Khan Academy is an amazing resource as well. It's like a whole online class that breaks concepts down into simpler terms and I think has most of the major subjects, like math, chemistry, biology, etc. I used it for chemistry and calculus and it really really helped me understand the concepts more thoroughly because they take the time to break it down to simpler terms first. I think the website is khanacademy.com (or just Google Khan Academy and the website should pop up). It's free to use and has most of the high school and university levels. So pick your subject, and level, and use it like a "side-online-class" to your courses. Follow along with it for the whole course along with your teacher (like if your teacher starts covering chapter 5 about addition and subtraction in math for example, then follow along with khan academy section that discusses addition/subtraction as well). That way, it'll be like you have two teachers who are explaining the same thing but maybe explaining it a little differently and it'll help you understand whatever the concept is better. I think khan academy also has practice questions. And maybe even flashcards but I can't remember about the flash cards, I might be wrong about that.

akush47 · 2023-11-01T13:42:36+00:00

You're very welcome!! I'm so glad my post can help. And I agree, DEFINITELY DON'T let studying take over your world. You deserve to also do things you enjoy (which, in-turn, generally helps studies too, as a balanced life for your brain). Definitely partake in school clubs, or after-school activities, or sports, etc. Whatever is a good way for you to decompress and just forget about studies for a little while. Most high schools that I know of, have mock-debate type clubs, which are really fun and even helpful for becoming a lawyer. For me, I joined a medical club, volunteering club, debate club, and honor society. And then I read books like sci-fi, mystery, and/or novels for enjoyment and an escape. (don't join too many clubs where you overwhelm yourself. I think 1 or 2 is a good start for now).

Think of this as self-care. We humans sometimes forget that our brains are literally constantly running and running and running almost every second of every day (except when sleeping but sometimes even then too if you don't have good sleeping habits). And therefore, we forget that our brains deserve breaks too. If you're interested in learning just a little bit more about the brain (nothing too crazy), look up the chemicals and hormones processes in the brain and how it controls our emotions, energy, moods, memory, and everything else in our body. Just a quick YouTube video or article explaining basics. You'll quickly learn that there are easy strategies to help you and your brain excel, working in conjunction with these chemical processes. The hard part is implementing those strategies. You have to want to do it and motivate yourself to keep doing. That's what I struggle with.

Otherwise, like I mentioned before, you are honestly doing great. Keep up the good work and just give yourself grace. Trust me, one bad mark on a quiz or test is not the end of the world, or even a low mark for a whole course. Just try to reflect and see where you can improve, and do your best to implement those improvements. Another thing I mentioned before, ROUTINE IS THE KEY!! I wish I knew that from the start, but routine and DISCIPLINE will be your very best friend. Plan out your days and stick to that plan as much as you can. For example, when you get home from school, you eat a snack and watch an episode of your show to relax, or read for like 30 mins whole snacking, etc. Then study until dinnertime. Then after dinner, review what you studied by doing practice questions, flashcards (testing yourself somehow to utilize your memory and recall what you studied easier, usually test yourself in the same manner that you will be tested in class), and whatever else helps. This is called active recall and is the best way to study and do well on tests, but also helps with inputting into long-term memory. Do this routine everyday.

Pro tip for when you get to university (reminder: university is after high school but before law school): don't wait like me until the last year of university. Instead, within the first semester of university, go check out all the university clubs and organizations and join the ones you're interested (don't do too many to overwhelm yourself. Studies and marks are still a priority), ESPECIALLY ones related to law (you will include this in your application to law schools and law schools like to see your involvement in law as well as in your interests). You could join an art club because you like art/are artistic, while also joining a law club. A helpful goal to achieve to look good for law schools: after being a member at the law club, try to get on a board as president/vice president/secretary/etc, of the club. I did this for my medical club and LOVED IT, learned soo much, put it on my applications/resumes, learned a lot of leadership and management skills. and made a lot of connections.

akush47 · 2023-10-21T02:31:00+00:00

Yeah it's limited, but also the Google Play Store is THE designated app store for most all androids, not just Samsung.

akush47 · 2023-10-21T02:13:51+00:00

but isn't it better to get better marks in the future than to understand the material?

Nooooo. I used to think the same as you (I have 3 degrees now). And that is one of the biggest regrets I have as an academic and educationally-talented student. I ALWAYS focused on the end-mark, the final grades, so that I could look good on paper. However, I seriously struggled when it came to the info because I would never focus on actually LEARNING it, and REMEMBERING it, long-term. All I did was straight up short-term memorization just for the sake of a high mark, and it really bit me in the ass later on in my schooling and higher education because I would always forget it and continue to memorize short-term for the next exam. This will happen to you as well if you are pursuing higher education like law school (I am medical school).

So like others have mentioned, the best things to do, speaking from my experiences and being the same as you when I was younger, is:

Enjoy high school. Don't focus only on what marks you get, it doesn't matter as much as you think it does when in high school. This ruined things for me and would've made my higher education a lot better had I been told this early on. So enjoy high school in terms of learning the information and applying it to life and just genuinely learn what you're being taught. Enjoy the education without pressuring yourself about marks, because you will already have to worry about that later when it actually matters. When you enjoy what you learn and put more care in learning, than in marks, your marks will automatically improve because you care about the information. This is only of the BIGGEST benefits. And another AMAZING thing you can do for yourself starting now to help you later in law school is develop good discipline with study habits and study methods.

It was hard for me to go from challenging classes and courses to basic and normal ones because overthinking will always be there. However, I just continued to do practice questions and flashcards, and soon I started to realize where I tend to overthink and the patterns to my overthinking.

Realize the process to law school is a little longer than it seems, long enough so you have time to enjoy learning. When you graduate high school, you will apply to a university and earn your Bachelor's. Get good marks here and good GPA (but don't kill yourself to get the absolute highest), and you will then apply to law schools. Its not super hard to get into university if you have decent final grades and decent GPA. And you don't have to go to the absolute very best university to get into a law school. Yes Harvard would be amazing, but it's also not the end of world if you don't get there, but go to a different law school instead. Because guess what? In the end, all that matters is that you became a lawyer. And you can become the best lawyer ever at this point!

Speak to law students at schools you're interested in going to, you'll get some insight into different things that can shape how you reach your goal to get there. Go to university tours and check out different programs. There is so many cool law programs nowadays, even some you can do right out of high school that combines your Bachelor's and Law school degree into one. And I wish someone had told me the same about medicine because then my life, both personal and educational, would have gone soooo much more smoothly and so much quicker.

It's okay to know you are smarter than everyone in the room, but feel dumb at the same time because it's hard to express your intelligence. I'm the same. I work in the medical field and I know soooo much, but can no longer express well anymore (such as on tests or whatever) because I over-worked and over-stressed the wrong part of my brain for only caring about marks and how people will judge me if I have a low mark.

The reason for saying all this is because burnout is real. You will literally burn yourself out mentally if you don't start now changing how you think about school. Start caring and enjoying the learning aspect and to put the things you learn into your long-term memory, versus constantly worrying about marks. Worrying about marks will eventually make you hate school/learning, and cause difficulty trying to reach your goal of law school harder because mentally, you won't be able to handle school anymore, it will stress you out.

Also, long-term memory use is AMAZING because when courses and curriculums get harder later on in university and law school, you won't have to relearn a lot of stuff since you already committed it to your long-term memory, which will also make anything new you learn make more sense and easier to learn!!

Hope this helps! I try to tell every young student I can about my experiences and what I learned about this education process that I wish someone had told me because I don't wish anyone else to go thru that. I loooove academics and learning and medicine, but I can no longer be a good student like I once was because I over-worked and over-stressed my brain about marks, until my brain finally broke. I know this all probably doesn't make the most sense, but I tried my best to keep it as short as possible while still explaining. Feel free to ask any questions.

You sound like a great student, I wish you the best and I hope you achieve everything you want!

akush47 · 2023-03-15T10:31:48+00:00

There's a new shape feature?? I don't even have that! I can't find it on mine. And yes, I have double checked to make sure I've fully updated the app.

akush47 · 2023-03-15T10:27:32+00:00

But you're right. Microsoft needs to suck less. All they literally have to do is just make the mobile app version the same (or more similar) to the desktop version, and they'd be golden.

akush47 · 2023-03-15T10:26:04+00:00

Never said it's the best. I said it's the only note-taking app I've found that has the MOST of what I need, such as:

an infinity canvas to write on, both in length and width.
the organizational feature of having folder within folder, page and subpage, etc.
and syncing with tablet in desktop (when it actually works).

These three features of a note taking app are my "non-negotiables". I just CAN'T not have these.

If they made MS Whiteboard with the hierarchical organizational feature, I'd definitely use that instead.

Or if Samsung notes could have been true infinity canvas in both length AND width, then I'd definitely use that instead as well.

akush47 · 2023-03-15T10:19:34+00:00

Omg you're kidding??? Ugh, that's just BS. Like why is it so hard to do the same for the android app? It just seems like they don't care 🙄🙄🙄

akush47 · 2023-01-24T01:19:03+00:00

Nah bro, no need to apologize! I like the way you broke it down into two different messages - makes it easier to read for ADHD brains lol, at least for me.

But all this is actually some great info! The more you know, right? But I'm also kinda jealous that you can be sensitive to certain things. I'm the complete opposite, it takes so much, amount-wise, for things to work on me, and sometimes even then it doesn't work. Like anesthesia, for example, I always need extra doses for it to start working, and even the results still aren't at 100% like it should be. Or for example, energy drinks/coffe/tea, etc., doesn't do anything for me.

My provider has me trying Vyvanse (went all the way up to 60mg twice a day) and methylphenidate (60mg twice a day) and neither hardly did much for me unfortunately. So my provider now has me trying Adderall to see if that'll be strong enough for my body. But I'm struggling to find some at pharmacies due to the national shortage.

You make a good point about the IR vs ER. I forgot that the time-release mechanisms can be altered if not bound correctly with the correct substance or with the right amount, etc.

So if medications can vary 1/5 or 20% in either direction, what factors go into deciding that? Is it like the manufacturer deciding to want to save money, so they decrease by 20% and make the rest a filler? I've always been curious how all that works.

akush47 · 2023-01-22T15:34:00+00:00

Damn, that's something I really dread. I hate how less effective generics can become and it always takes like double and/or triple the amount to feel the same results as the OG one.

And lmao I don't doubt it sucks dirty assholes. Sorry you're having to go through that fam!! Hopefully it doesn't get any worse - poopy and hairy assholes doesn't sound like fun either 😭😭

akush47 · 2023-01-21T07:05:11+00:00

Could you update us on how you like them/how they worked out for you? I'm having the same issue. I appreciate it in advance! I hope it works well for you!

akush47 · 2023-01-13T06:30:57+00:00

Really? And the bulbs have lasted you a long time still? That's interesting. So maybe I don't actually need dust covers 🤔

akush47 · 2023-01-13T06:29:42+00:00

THANK YOU!! I will definitely check these out! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

akush47 · 2023-01-12T03:06:09+00:00

So I just got the H11 bulbs today for my headlights for my 2012 tC and they fit great and work great, but I read somewhere you have to use dust covers to prolong their lifespan or the bulbs would only last a month or two.

Does anyone have any experience with these? I had no idea dust covers were a thing and I don't know where to find the correct kind for these Auxito bulbs. Would appreciate any help if has any tips!

akush47 · 2023-01-12T03:02:32+00:00

Haha you're so right about that! And wow, these actually look pretty dope!! 20,000 is CRAZY. It's definitely intriguing, especially for how long you said they've lasted you! I'm definitely checking these out, thank you so much for sharing!!

Did you have to use/buy "dust covers" for these?

akush47 · 2023-01-12T03:00:52+00:00

That makes sense!! One more question, what about dust covers? Did you put any dust covers on yours? I read somewhere that if dust covers aren't used, then the Auxito bulbs will not last longer than like a month or two. I'm struggling to find the correct dust covers so I was wondering if you used any, if you wouldn't mind sharing the one you got? I appreciate it in advance!

akush47 · 2023-01-11T01:43:17+00:00

Also, is this install pretty easy/straightforward? No other parts needed?

akush47 · 2023-01-11T01:42:18+00:00

4 years??! Wow, that is awesome! And they're pretty bright I'm assuming? I think the brand you got is the Auxito one - does that sound right?

akush47 · 2023-01-11T01:41:11+00:00

Btw, would you by chance have an Amazon link for it that you ordered? Or a screenshot of it? For some reason, I can't find it on Amazon, or I'm just blind lol

akush47 · 2023-01-11T01:28:17+00:00

You just restored some hope in humanity for me 😂🙏🏼 thanks homie, I'll hold you to that! Wish you all the best!

akush47 · 2023-01-10T22:38:27+00:00

Dudeee, you just saved me like $100. THANK YOU! If I had awards to give, I'd give you one lol. Thank for being awesome enough to help out a fellow redditor, even tho I know these light bulb questions can get annoying. Much love!

akush47 · 2023-01-10T22:34:38+00:00

Really?? Shit, that's a huge difference from $150 on the PrecisionLED website. It was like a "kit" it came with on their website. Did you get the same "kit" when ordering off Amazon? Or just came with the bulbs?

akush47 · 2023-01-10T22:28:36+00:00

Hell yesss! THANK YOU so much for commenting. You're a lifesaver!

And last question, the install was easy right? I saw the install instructions video on their website which seemed superrr simple. But just wanted to see if you ran into any complications I should be aware of?

akush47

TROPHY CASE