download links:

ever!

Things you don’t have to apologize for

Just a collection of a few personality tests! Most of them are more psychological or geared toward assisting in self-improvement or pointing out aptitude, but I sprinkled a few fun ones at the end just for kicks.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Enneagram System

Four Temperaments

Big Five Project

Multiple Intelligences

Holland Codes

Moral Alignment

Love Languages

Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale

Hogwarts Houses

Nerdy Personality Attributes Scale

SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE

since school is coming up really soon for me - and most people too- I thought I would make a guide to surviving school to help us all out. enjoy!

P R E P A R A T I O N

give yourself a pep talk a bit before you get back to school to make sure that you have the right mindset. 

check your syllabus.

find what works for you.    

clean up.

links to check out! 

T I M E  M A N A G E M E N T 

plan everything.

prioritize

do not overextend yourself.

some links!

S T R E S S  R E L I E F

stress during the school year is inevitable, and we may come across it more than once. it happens to everyone and you will get through it. don’t worry about it!

identify the cause.

practice self care.

now get to work.

helpful links!

S T U D Y I N G

 ok so i’m going to admit that i don’t really have any original tips when it comes to studying, and so instead of trying to pretend like i have any study tips i’m going to link some really cool posts with a v wide variety of studying/note taking tips, etc.

R A N D O M  T I P S

R A N D O M  L I N K S

i hope you find this helpful! i love you and good luck at school!!  ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و

It’s that time of year again. We are all excited to begin a new year of academics; it means new stationery, new teachers, new beginning. On the other hand, we’re all nervous about early mornings, late nights, copious amounts of stress, and lots of mental breakdowns. Hopefully, this post will make your life a little easier, teach you something new, or introduce you to awesome products you’ve never heard of!

These are some of my favorite apps to help me get through my school year. I’ve included some for both iOS and Android products, as well as a few Chrome extensions!

“The Homework App” (iOS) - This cute little app allows you to keep track of all your school assignments. You can add classes, color code them, add assignments, and SO much more. It’s probably one of the most helpful planning apps I’ve ever downloaded. I do fine without buying the premium version.

“Chegg Flashcards+” (iOS/Android) - BEST FLASHCARD APP I’VE FOUND. Seriously this app is great. Upgraded version definitely not worth it. The other Chegg apps are pretty nice for homework help as well.

“Sunshine” (iOS) - This app isn’t exactly school related, but if you’re very temperature sensitive like me, it’s perfect. Design is adorable, and I love the notification you get every morning!

“Sleepytime” (iOS/Android/Web) - This sleep scheduler is perfect for those of us who have a lot of trouble getting up in the morning. You just put in the time you’re falling asleep and it gives you all the recommended wake up times based on your sleep cycles so you don’t wake up wanting to die!

“Forest” (iOS/Android/Chrome) - If you get distracted by your phone or the internet while studying, you need this app. It’s a timer that grows a little tree while you focus! Be careful though, if you leave the app for too long, the cute lil thing will die!

“Socratic” (iOS) - Need help with a homework question? This app gotchu. Just type it or take a picture, and it provides you with resources, step by step instructions, and, of course, the answer.

“Grammarly” (Chrome/OSX) - Awesome little spell/grammar checking app. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Google Docs.

“Any.do” (iOS/Android/Chrome) - Task list app. I use this seriously every day.

Whether you’ve been collecting stationery your whole life or have just been introduced to the studyblr world and have no idea what’s popular, this section will be a dream.

The famous Muji gel pens - Luv luv luv these! Cheap, high quality, and adorable, these are great for starter pens.

Pilot G2 Gel Pen - These are pretty popular. They’re inexpensive and moderately good quality. Personally they aren’t my favorite.

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner - My favorite fineliners! The triangular shape makes them easy to hold, and they don’t bleed through paper much.

Stabilo .88 Fineliners - Since they’re so similar to the Staedtler fineliners, most people pick one or the other. I have both because I like to have a variety of colors, but it’s up to you really!

Zebra Mildliners - These highlighters are known for the variety of cute colors, I just love em! They’re great quality, my only complaint is that some pens (Muji gel pens in particular I’ve found) can smear a lot with these.

Clear Tipped Highlighters - These are awesome for textbooks. Sharpie has some, and so does Muji.

Muji notebooks - I use these for bullet journaling (if you don’t know what that is, check out this video here) and as paper for mind maps. They have tons of different kinds, my favorite being this dotted notebook. Very inexpensive as well!

Moleskine Notebooks - These are SUPER popular. I’ve never used one, but I’ve heard great things!

Campus Kokuyo Paper - This paper is my favorite. You can get it in notebooks or loose leaf. My favorite is the graph paper. I use it for my notes daily. If you’re going to use it often, I’d recommend getting the binder notebook for them as they don’t work well in normal binders.

WASHI TAPE! - Who can forget? I have a huge collection of them. Get them from Etsy, Target, Amazon, and pretty much any craft store.

Websites:

Muji

Jetpens

Kikki K

Ohh Deer

Poppin

Yesstyle

Note taking is probably one of the most important parts things in school! In order to study efficiently, your notes should be organized and personalized to YOUR advantage.

Cornell Note System - This method of note taking is popular and effective.

This note taking masterpost by @thescholarlysquad

How to make revision notes by @aspiiro

College note taking 101 by @briellestudies

How to structure your notes by @iwillbeapolyglot

Last minute revision by @muststudy

I happen to have NO lunch period this year, so I’ve been looking a lot into good snacks to bring. These are great for lunches too!

Mason Jar salads - It’s exactly what it sounds like; a salad in a mason jar. I would recommend getting plastic jars from Target or Amazon to avoid messy situations!

Granola bars/protein bars - Perfect for on-the-go breakfast or a quick snack between classes!

Cheesesticks - Quiet to eat and very filling!

Yogurt - Sooo healthy

Hummus & pita chips/veggies - My favorite snack!

Popcorn

Oatmeal/overnight oats - Great for study snacks or mornings where you’re being rushed! ( @studydiaryofamedstudent has a ton of great food recipes on her blog!)

Smoothies

Soup

School is stressful. We all get down. Here’s some tips to help alleviate some of that worry!

TAKE A BREAK. I cannot stress this enough. Overworking yourself is the worst thing you can do. Put down the textbook, listen to some music, have a cup of green tea, and just chill for a bit.

Get lots and lots of sleep! I know it’s not always possible, but try to aim for at LEAST 7 hours a night. It will help so much, I promise!

Organize! When I’m stressed, I like to regain control over my life. Try bullet journaling if you haven’t already. Make lists. Get a calendar. Organize your room or your study space.

This masterpost by @mindpalacestudy

Going into high school? Here’s some help!

My masterpost on high school survival

This post by @studyinding

This post by @universi-tea

A bunch of miscellaneous things that I absolutely adore and I think you will too! (Plus some other helpful posts)

My favorite backpack - Herschel backpacks are the bomb.com!

The most popular bag on studyblr - Not a huge fan, but whatever floats your boat!

Really cute USB humidifier - Where I live, it gets very cold and dry and I get sick a lot, so this is an adorable godsend!

Cute animal paperclips

Cute sticky notes

A water heater you can keep at your desk to make tea all the time!

Speaking of tea here’s a USB mug heater

And oh this amazing frickin pen case

Some cute header ideas

Tips on learning a new language

Staying healthy in cold weather

Online study resources

How to get a 4.0 GPA

HUGE study masterpost

Guide to pretty notes

Website with ALL the answers

I hope you got something out of this! If you have any questions about anything, feel free to send me an ask here!

understand farmer lingo

lol - lots of lettuce tbh - the bean harvest gtg - got to graze

lmao - love my apple orchard wtf - where’s the fruit omg - organic merlot grapes omfg - Olga, my favorite goat rofl - reaping our fresh limes

@ninazeneik wtf

Reasons to read The Raven King it has quotes like this:

And it also has quotes like this:

To Lunar Chronicles content creators:

Please keep this in mind when you make edits: 

I have seen edits where the characters have been whitewashed and that’s not cool. I just want the characters the author, Marissa Meyer, have created being brought to justice. 

 if you need more information Meyer’s has explicitly stated each of the character’s traits on her website

PLEASE DO NOT GET A "DORY" FISH

The fish from the new Finding Dory movie, the blue tang, is in danger.

With the new movie coming out, everyone and their kid is going to want a blue tang. Clown fish sales SKYROCKETED in 2003, when the original movie Finding Nemo was released. Unlike the blue tang, clownfish can be bred in tanks, are a more easy saltwater fish to care for, only needing 4 gallons per clownfish, and an anemone.

The blue tang CANNOT BE TANK BRED. They are captured live from the ocean, which can be damaging to the coral reefs.

The blue tang gets HUGE, and eventually you’ll need a tank the size of your couch to accommodate it.

The blue tang gets SICK. VERY EASY.

Do NOT get a blue tang, SERIOUSLY. If you are well equipped, an experienced saltwater fish owner, I mean go for it, but don’t get them as your child’s pet. They will be bored of it in a week anyway, and the fish will probably die. There’s tons of Finding Dory merchandise (shirts, bags, stuffed animals, seriously they have everything) to buy yourself or your child.

PLEASE SAVE THE BLUE TANG.

How to Change a Color in a GIF

To:

You will need: • photoshop • how to make a gif • how i color my gifs

Keep reading

The Masterpost of noteworthy of PJO/HOO quotes: In no particular order

“How did you die?” “We er….drowned in a bathtub.” “All three of you?” “It was a big bathtub.”

It looked like the ocean was hitting itself repeatedly in the face.

“Braccas meas vescimini!” I yelled. I wasn’t sure where the latin came from. I think it meant “Eat my pants!”

I’d love to tell you I had some deep revelation on my way down, that I came to terms with my own mortality, laughed in the face of death, et cetera. The truth? My only thought was: Aaaaggghhhhh!

Nico was a corn plant. And he was alone.

But Annabeth also knew that Percy wouldn’t listen. He couldn’t leave Bob to die alone. That just wasn’t him - and that was one of the reasons she loved him, even if he was an Olympus sized pain in the podex.

I don’t define myself by the boys who may or may not like me.

“HERNIAS ARE US” Wait…sorry. I’m dyslexic. I squinted and decided it probably read: “HERMES EXPRESS”

Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood.

Decapitation is not a healthy lifestyle choice.

The situation was so pathetically sad it was almost funny.

Jason realized the ship would’ve already capsized or been smashed to bits of Percy wasn’t on the job.

After the fight with Lycaon, Nico had discarded his shredded aviator jacket.

Seriously, who curses you with their dying breath and says: I hope your eye twitches.

“What if we promoted, like, Adidas shoes?” Percy wondered. “Would that make Nike mad enough to show up?”

“That’s us,” he said. “Those five nuts right there.” “Which one is me?” I asked. “The little deformed one,” Zoe suggested. “Oh, shut up.”

We were all exited because that evening Capture the Flag was going to be totally vicious.

“SURRENDER! YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY ONE SPANKING HOT WAR MACHINE! WHAT’S UP, ENCHILADAS? NICE DAGGER IN YOUR FOREHEAD.”

“Fear can’t be reasoned with. Neither can hate. They’re like love. They’re almost identical emotions. That’s why Ares and Aphrodite like each other. Their twin sons – Fear and Panic – were spawned from both war and love.”

“Like your zodiac sign?” Percy asked. “I’m a Leo.” “No, stupid,” Leo said. “I’m a Leo. You’re a Percy.”

“Look, lady, we’re not going to go all Hunger Games on each other. Isn’t going to happen.”

Percy turned and sized up Jason’s tornado. “Nice outfit.”

“We could even provide entertainment. You could sing and I could, like, randomly burst into flames.”

“The rivalry ends here,” Percy said. “I love you, Wise Girl.”

“Not a word about the shirt,” he warned. “Not one word.”

Note to self: don’t leave boxes of magic grenades where dwarfs can find them.

“Atlantis?” Jason asked. “That’s a myth,” Percy said. “Uh…don’t we deal in myths?” “No, I mean it’s a made up myth. Not, like, an actual true myth.”

He imagined the Fates up on Olympus, laughing at his wishful thinking: LOL NOOB!

“Europa fell off and died along the way, but that’s not important.” “It was probably important to her.”

I have become one with the plumbing.

It’s hard to enjoy practical jokes when your whole life feels like one.

Don’t feel bad, I’m usually about to die.

What horrible things would you have to do in your life to get woven into Hades’ underwear?

“Fine. A very cute little satyr boy.” Will shuddered. “But I delivered it. Have you ever delivered a baby?”

“Oh, come on!” Percy complained. “I get a little nosebleed and I wake up the entire earth? That’s not fair!”

“Secondhand poison can kill a person, you know.”

“Okay,” Percy said. Well, just don’t get knocked unconscious.“ “Shut up, Jackson.”

“How far is that in regular measurements?” Percy asked. Frank rolled his eyes. “That is a regular measurement in Canada and the rest of the world. Only you Americans-” “About five or six football fields,” Hazel interceded, feeding Arion a big chunk of gold. Percy spread his hands. “That’s all you needed to say.”

Afterward, I had the last laugh. I made an air bubble at the bottom of the lake. Our friends kept waiting for us to come up, but hey-when you are the son of Poseidon, you don’t have to hurry. And it was pretty much the best underwater kiss of all time.

I nodded, looking at Rachel with respect. “You hit the Lord of the Titans in the eye with a blue plastic hairbrush.”

“Do you have anything to declare?” “Yes,” Percy said. “I declare that this is stupid.”

“Behold!” Percy shouted. “The god’s chosen beverage. Tremble before the horror of Diet Coke!”

Why can’t you place a blessing like that on us?“ I asked. “It only works on wild animals.” “So it would only affect Percy,” Annabeth reasoned. “Hey!” I protested.

“We’ve got a dam hole.”

“I am a son of Apollo, you anemic loser.”

Now their only guide was an emaciated corpse lady with self esteem issues.

“Hercules, huh? Percy frowned. “That guy was like the Starbucks of Ancient Greece. Everywhere you turn–there he is.”

“Though I am still sorry I won’t see you die.” “I get that comment a lot,” Percy said.

“Hi, I’m Paul Blofis.” Poseidon raised an eyebrow and then shook his hand. “Blowfish, did you say?” “Ah, no. Blofis, actually.” “Oh, I see,” Poseidon said. “A shame. I quite like blowfish. I am Poseidon.” “Poseidon? That’s an interesting name.” “Yes, I like it. I’ve gone by other names, but I do prefer Poseidon.” “Like the god of the sea.” “Very much like that, yes”

“You’re cute when you’re worried,” she muttered. “Your eyebrows get all scrunched together.”

Then she laughed for real, and she put her hands around my neck. “I am never, ever going to make things easy for you, Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.”

“That is exactly how people beat Chinese handcuffs. They turn into iguanas.“

“Scrawny?” Leo asked. “Baby, I invented scrawny. Scrawny is the new sizzling hot.”

“He’s hot,” Thalia muttered. “He’s the sun god,” I said. “That’s not what I meant.”

He opened his hand and the stone Leo had skipped flew out of the stream, right into Percy’s Palm.

It was almost enough to make me turn vegetarian, except for the Percy fact that I loved cheeseburgers.

“We’ll go together,” Annabeth decided, knowing this would be their final battle.

As they passed trough the waiting room, the statue of Hygeia was sitting on a bench, pouring acid on her face and singing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” while her golden snake gnawed at her foot. The peaceful scene was almost enough to lift Leo’s spirits.

Yet the tune Apollo strummed was so melancholy, it broke Leo’s feels.

He put his finger to his lips. “I’m incognito. Call me Fred.” “A god named Fred?”

I mean, Owl-head and Wise Girl are kind of lame insults.

“Well, it’s the only pig ball I have. So don’t ask for an encore.”

“Save yourselves!” Percy warned. “It is too late for us!” Then he gasped and pointed to the spot where Frank was hiding. “Oh, no! Frank is turning into a crazy dolphin!” Nothing happened. “I said,” Percy repeated, “Frank is turning into a crazy dolphin!” Frank stumbled out of nowhere, making a big show of grabbing his throat. “Oh, no,” he said, like he was reading from a teleprompter. “I am turning into a crazy dolphin.”

“This is Annabeth,” Jason said. “Uh, normally she doesn’t judo-flip people.”

“The Hades cabin needs a head counselor. Have you seen the decor? It’s disgusting. I’ll have to remodel.”

“Right,” he said. “Whenever an engine malfunctions, I like to tap-dance around it. Works every time.”

I was wearing a suit. I hope someone got a picture, because I don’t wear suits.

Now, he couldn’t help thinking that Octavian looked like a watered-down, unhealthy version of Will Solace - like a phone that had been copied too many times.

“YEAH! WHO DIED? WHO CAME BACK? WHO’S YOUR FREAKIN’ SUPER SIZED McSHIZZLE NOW, BABY? Woooooooo!”

He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life looking like an extra from The Walking Dead.

“I figure the universe is basically like a machine. I don’t know who made it, if it was the Fates or the gods or capital-G God or whatever. But it chugs along like it’s supposed to most of the time. Sure, little prices break and stuff goes haywire once in a while, but mostly…things happen for a reason. Like you and me meeting.”

“Don’t break the vile of deadly poison. Man, glad you said that. Never would have occurred to me.”

Dive-bombing a volcano was NOT on Reyna’s bucket list.

“I’m sure you both would’ve been wonderful at killing each other. But right now, you need some rest.”

“For a long time,” Nico said, “I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know.” Percy looked at Nico. Then at Annabeth, as if to check that he’d heard correctly. Then back at Nico. “You –” “Yeah,” Nico said. “You’re a great person. But I’m over that. I’m happy for you guys.” “You … so you mean –” “Right.” Annabeth’s grey eyes started to sparkle. She gave Nico a sideways smile. “Wait,” Percy said. “So you mean –” “Right,” Nico said again. “But it’s cool. We’re cool. I mean, I see now … you’re cute, but you’re not my type.” “I’m not your type … Wait. So –” “See you around, Percy,” Nico said. “Annabeth.” She raised her hand for a high five. Nico obliged.

Okay, maybe monsters kept coming back forever. But so did demigods. Generation after generation, Camp Half-Blood had endured.

Leo had a weird memory of a middle hurtling toward him and screaming like a little girl…what the heck had that been about?

I’d never seen her so happy, like the chance to beat me up was the best thing that ever happened to her.

“Whaaaaa!” Nico flailed.

“Schist!”

Yes officer, that’s the girl that stole my heart! Sounded like a freaking country song.

“I think we have achieved idiot mode.”

“With great power, comes great need to take a nap.”

“Getting a second life is one thing. Making it a better life, that’s the trick.”

“Lady,” he said, “could you fold your flappers, please? You’re giving me a sunburn.”

“Stay dead. Stay away from us, or the grass gets it.” “He’ll do it! He’s crazy!”

“Hooray,” Leo said halfheartedly. “I suppose that’s our poison.”

“I’m coming back for you, Calypso,” he said to the night wind, “I swear it on the River Styx.”

“If the statue engulfs people in fire, we should send Leo.” “I love you too, man.”

Getting killed by Tartarus didn’t seem like much of an honor.

The waiter brought fresh-baked bread and cheese, a bottle of sparkling water for Annabeth, and a Coke with ice for me (because I’m a barbarian).

Hazel frowned. “What is a chicken nugget?” “Oh, man…” Leo shook his head in amazement. “That’s right. You’ve missed the last, like, seventy years. Well, my apprentice, a chicken nugget—”

Percy had graduated to a totally different level of butt-kickery.

“That thing is really red,” Percy muttered. “I wonder if its cherry-flavored.”

“Until then, my friends, tell the sun and the stars hello for me.”

Or maybe because the visitors were smart and ran when they heard explosions.

It’s hard to pull off a romantic kiss when you’re both drenched in muck, but we have it our best shot.

“Go to the ridge-” “And flash him!” Annabeth’s face reddened. “That came out wrong. But yeah, good idea.”

“You’re drowning them!” She complained. “Hey, I’m a Poseidon kid,” he said. “I can’t drown. And neither can my pancakes.”

“I might kill my bro Jason.” “Or I might kill my bro Percy.”

If Leo had gears and wires in his brain, they would have short-circuited. Calypso pushed him away. “That didn’t happen.” “Okay.” His voice sounded an octave higher than usual.

“Being a hero doesn’t mean you’re invincible. It just means that you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed.”

Percy pointed his pizza slice at Jason, “You, sir, are a ray of sunshine.”

“It’s so cute I’m going to cry!”

“You weren’t able to talk sense into him?” “Well, we kind of tried to kill each other in a duel to the death.” “I see. You tried the diplomatic approach.”

“I am nice! I simple ooze niceness, Perry Johansson. Haven’t you noticed?”

“I’m pretty sure if I tried to sing, all I would cause is an avalanche.”

Nothing like watching your relatives fight, I always say.

“I played dumb.” “Was it hard?” Annabeth asked.

Dragon Frank veered to the left with Annabeth in one claw yelling, “Let’s get ‘em!” And Percy in the other screaming, “I hate flying!”

“Greeks!” Percy yelled. “Let’s, um, fight stuff!” They yelled like banshees and charged.

“It’s him,” I said. “Typhon.” I was seriously hoping Chiron would say something good, like ‘No, that’s our huge friend Leroy! He’s going to help us!’

Then she did something so unexpected Nico would later think he dreamed it. She walked up to Nico, who was standing to one side in the shadows, as usual. She grabbed his hand and pulled him gently into the firelight. “We had one home,” she said. “Now we have two.”

“I’m going to be the flower boy at your wedding, right?”

Am I a troubled kid? Yeah. You could say that.

Okay so I found my dead grandfather’s journal from 56 years ago. This is some old stuff, okay, and I was like yeah I’m gonna read a page or two. 

Basically he wrote down this road trip he did with a friend of his (name is Giulio) but at some point it gets so weird.

I’ll try my best to translate it from italian to english (english is not my first language) and well, I’m also having a hard time trying to read my gandpa’s writing cause he wrote like a drunk snail.

Now, beware, my grandfather was an italian man dedicated to work, church, work and work, who believed in the traditional family and all that Jazz. But at some point I reach this part where he writes: “yesterday me and Giulio slept in the same tent as mine was stolen at the gas station. As it was really cold, we slept close. In the middle of the night I realized that the warmth next to me did not belong to my Nadia (his fiancé at the time, my grandmother). It was the most intense feeling I’ve ever felt”.

And I was like allright that’s some weird no homo bullshit but who cares.

BUT THEN IT JUST GETS WORSE.

“I was having a cigarette whilst Giulio was asleep in the car, having a nap before we hit the road again. In the midst of the smoke of my tobacco, I saw his face and thought that the woman who is going to marry him will be lucky”.

Grandpa, what the hell? 

BUT OH NO IT JUST GETS BETTER.

“We shared a bed. Old motel did not have spare rooms, it was awkward at first. Then I started thinking that the warmth of Giulio’s body is somehow becoming more familiar to me then Nadia’s.”

Now, I have like seventy more pages of this goddamn journal but I am pretty fucking sure my gandfather had the worst crush over his best friend.

Due to popular demand I have translated some highlights cause damn it gets gayer and gayer.

So at one point my grandpa kind of stopped talking about Giulio and I was like (there we go, denial. Been there done that).

Then out of fucking nowhere, date 23 of may 1960, my grandpa writes:

“We finally reached Palermo. It is a beautiful city, full of art and good food, tomorrow we will visit some of the churches. I am now writing in our hotel room, a cheap place that still looks lovely in it’s way. Giulio is taking a shower. The noise of the water is keeping me awake, although I suspect that’s not the only reason I can’t shut my brain down”.

First of all, my grandpa wrote like a fucking professional writer. Second of all… grandpa, you can’t sleep cause your best friend is naked in the shower?

Anyway, they visit Palermo, everything is nice, they hit the road again and tHEN THIS HAPPENS.

“We stopped in a little bar. We ate something, chatted with the bartender and asked him directions for our next stop. We then had a few beers to celebrate our good times. A young girl then sat on the stool next to mine: she told me her name, Enrica, and she was pretty and lovely in her dress. Yet I did not make conversation with her and dismissed her after she made her intentions somewhat obvious. The main reason is, of course,  my devotion and love for my Nadia. The second reason is that Giulio was watching me.”

AND HE JUST SWITHES TOPICS TALKING ABOUT THIS MOTEL THEY FOUND AND FOR FUCK’S SAKE GRANDPA YOU CAN’T JUST STOP THERE CAUSE THIS IS SOUNDING LIKE A GREAT FUCKING FANFICTION. 

My granfather was totally pining after Giulio.

Now, there are like fifteen pages where he doesn’t really say anything about Giulio, he talks about cities they want to visit and that their car broke down in the middle of the street and got some help from, and I quote, “a handsome young man, probably not older than 16″. Like, really grandpa? 

This is the last thing I read.

“I believe Giulio will have my back no matter what happens. He made that much clear.

-What happens after this trip? -he asked me at the reastaurant where we had dinner.

-We go back to our lives, I have my workshop to look after.

-And Nadia. You are going to marry her, I hope.

-Of course. -I answered, as my love for Nadia is strong -Will you be at the wedding?

-If you want me to.

-Of course I do.

-Then I’ll be there. By your side, as usual. That much wont ever change

I am now realising that I’ve never felt such intense feelings for anyone before, because my love for Nadia is strong but yet this is a different emotion. He is my brother, my friend and a half of my heart. That will never end. It almost seems like I am enamoured.”

And he then starts talking about the food of the reastaurant.

MY GRANDPA TOTALLY WENT INTO BRO MODE. I AM DYING INSIDE CAUSE WTF AM I DISCOVERING?!  THIS IS SOME PARABATAI BULLSHIT

I am so going to translate the whole thing and publish it changing the names. 

And the journal it’s not even over.

I am going to be serious for like ten seconds: I have finished reading the journal and I am now going to write the last bits I chose to share. Let me be clear, I DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO USE THIS AS A FANFICTION IDEA. I saw many many tags saying: fanfiction AU, ideas for fanfiction, remember for fanfiction and so on. Don’t. Do not think this is a good prompt cause this is memories. My grandfather wrote that stuff and the only reason I am sharing it is cause first, it’s absolutely lovely, two: it may help someone who has feeling for a friend and such and is confused about it, especially if their friend is of the same sex. But this stuff actually happened and I do not want anyone to think about it as a good idea for a fic.  I’m happy people are liking this and I am happy people are invested in my grandpa’s adventures, but have respect.

Now, in the journal there are also many thoughts he had about society, and work and culture that were really interesting, and so many poems for my Grandmother who were the most beautiful things I ever read. It was obvious he was in love with her deeply. I have decided to keep them private.

On the fourth of june they are in Venice and my grandfather writes:

“I have spent many beautiful days traveling Italy with Giulio, going back and forth the country, savoring every single thing this expereince gave us. We are now in Venezia, it is as beautiful as my Nadia told me. So much art, and incredibile food. The Canal Grande is wonderful at night. I walked with Giulio alongside the Canal for hours, not really speaking, as he told me about his favorite moments of the trip. I simply listened, enjoying the sound of his voice”

The page ends like that, he then starts writing two days later, talking about the presents he picked for Nadia and his family. My grampa then talks about Giulio one more time.

“It has occured to me of how lucky I am. I did not only travelled for this beautiful country, but I did so with my dearest friend. I am grateful to God for this opportunity, as Giulio is the kindest soul. We are kindred spirits, I know we will never be separated. Such feelings make me feel horribly guilty. In a way, it almost feels as if I am somehow betraying Nadia. But I would never do such a thing, I am sure of that. I love her. And yet, I feel dirty”.

He then completely stops talking about Giulio. The pages go on and on, talking about his trip, the last cities he visited, the places he saw. Then I reached the last page and I am still shaking.

“We are going back to Rome, the travelling is reaching it’s end.  Giulio is driving. I do not know what to do with myself and my heavy heart. The feelings I have haunted my dreams. And yet I can’t bring myself to feel sorry for them. They are intense and they are shaping my soul in a new form I never experienced before. There are moments when I catch myself staring at his profile, with the low sun behind him. Those are the moments I shall treasure the most. This journey will be in my heart forever, in my memories and on this pages. I feel like I am a different man, I hope a better one perhaps. I am going to see my Nadia again, then marry her, and I know we will be happy. Because I love her with every fiber of my being. And in the same way I will always think of him. 

June, 31, 1960″

My grandfather was a kind, tender man. He loved deeply my beautiful grandmother, they lived together happily for almost 50 years. My grandfather was a man who loved with all his heart and the fact that I had the chance to find out about this side of him makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 

I don’t know what happened to Giulio, I never met him nor heard his name, so the whole thing remains misterious. 

But I will say this much:

My grandfather’s name was Sergio Milani, he died three years ago because of the Parkinson illness. He was a loving, kind man, who loved his family and loved his wife.When he died, he was cremated, as he requested. I have decided to burn this journal and to throw the ashes in the sea where we once threw my grandfather’s.  This journal belongs to him, and I will give it back.

Thank you all for the kind words (I received many lovely messages). 

I know a lot of people who dedicate a truly tremendous amount of time to studying, but many of them can’t get the kind of results they want. They highlight, they flashcard, they take notes, but they can’t seem to do as well as they want. I’ll be honest, compared to some of my peers who do this I must seem downright lazy. I spend 1-2 hours a day (on average) studying, yet I get the results I want. As a result, some people have told me “you’re lucky you’re so smart. You barely have to study”. Frankly, I’m not that smart, and I’m no smarter than my peers. What’s the difference? I study smarter, not harder.

Ideally, we’d all study smarter and harder, but I don’t. So, here are my tips for studying smarter and harder, but I hope you’re a better student than I am and study smarter and harder.

AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER

1. Set a realistic, yet challenging goal. Setting a realistic goal is important to prevent overexertion and burnout, but if it’s not, at least, a little bit challenging, what’s the point? I typically set my goals with regard to that semester’s GPA, but if you’d like to measure your success some other way that’s great.

2. Read the entire syllabus. I know it seems kind of daunting at first because syllabi are one of the driest, boring pieces of text in existence, but it will save you a lot of pain in the future.

3. Take note of the grading system the instructor has. You should devote the most amount of time and effort to the things with the highest weight put on them grade-wise. I think it’s kind of common sense that you should pay more attention to the midterm worth 40% of your grade than the homework worth only 5%. I have some instructors that won’t even collect homework, and I have some classes that are entirely homework/project based. That’s why it’s important to read the syllabus.

4. Familiarize yourself with the curve of forgetting. Plan your study sessions around the curve of forgetting and you will automatically remember and understand the material more just because of your timing. This post  by @thelazystudyspot is great if you haven’t heard of the curve of forgetting.

5. Familiarize yourself with Bloom’s taxonomy. This image was supposed to be for instructors, but understanding Bloom’s taxonomy is a powerful weapon in a student’s arsenal. If you can engage your higher level thinking skills while studying material you will be way more equipped to handle those tough exams or write that daunting paper.

DURING THE LECTURE

6. Stay mentally engaged during class. If you’re mindlessly copying down notes without thinking about the material, STOP. You’re really hurting yourself. Lecture is the time when you should be at least beginning to understand the material. It’s okay if you take a breather from note-taking for a minute to just think about what the instructor is teaching.

7. Ask questions. If you’re completely lost or one small step completely tripped you up, especially in a math class, let the instructor know. Many of them will be happy that you’re paying attention and are making an effort to understand the material. I’ve never had an instructor take issue with a question I’ve asked.

AFTER THE LECTURE

8. Learn how to actively study. If you’re a student who feels like they’re always studying, but not getting the results you want you’re probably passively studying. Highlighting, flash carding, and repeating notes from your textbook word for word are okay in some cases but usually you’re just completely disengaged from the material. Utilize Bloom’s taxonomy to help you study more actively.

9. Figure out what study methods actually work for you. Do practice exams work best? Does working through all the homework problems work best? Does reading every page of your textbook work best? The best study methods vary widely from person to person, so you need to figure out what works for you.

10. Actually study when you’re studying. Did you really study for four hours today, or did you talk to your friends for an hour and a half, have a half hour snack break, scroll on Tumblr for an hour and study for 1 hour? I’ve been guilty of this a few times too. There’s really nothing wrong with socializing or hanging out on social media, but you should really be honest with yourself about how much time you spent studying.

11. Get help when you need it. Before college, I was really stubborn and never wanted to ask for help from anyone, but now I have no shame about asking other people for help. Collaborating with friends can help you look at a subject in a totally different way. A lot of times you can work through problems together and get a deeper understanding than you could have on your own. With this in mind, please don’t copy your friends homework or notes. Not only can that be academically dishonest, you’re not learning anything.

13. Just be real if you don’t understand something. Be honest with your instructors and your peers and whoever the hell else, anyone who judges you is not worth your time, and most people will be happy to help. And seriously, be honest with yourself if you don’t understand something.

THINGS I HAVE NOT FOUND HELPFUL (this list is pretty subjective)

1. Reading the textbook for every single class. I have read my textbook for a class a total of 4 times and I probably should have read it 1 other time. I take a lot of math, science, and computer science courses so your experience will probably be different if you’re an English Literature major. I’m just saying don’t believe the myth that you always have to read the textbook.

2. Doing every single math problem (especially if they’re not graded). If homework is optional I’ll do a few of them on each topic. I try to choose problems that are complex and difficult. If I can do the more difficult problems in the homework and feel somewhat comfortable about it, I know I’ll be fine on the exam.

3. Highlighting  in the textbook. I have a pretty deep seeded disdain for highlighting in the textbook. I guess it can be a pretty good way of marking the important material and it can probably be done right, but I’ve never had any success with it and I don’t know many students who have.

4. Using flashcards. Flashcards are really great if you have a vocab test because in that case you’re really only expected to memorize the definition. But instead of memorizing the textbook definition of the Krebs Cycle you should probably work on trying to explain it, in detail.

More resources:

Why you should set aside a day every week to NOT study by @fullmetalbiochemist

How to study with a mental illness by @studyvet

Using feedback to improve your work by @rewritign

Study tips for university by @studyfulltime

Complete study masterpost by @moleskinestudies

Debunking the triangle myth by @studywithmariana

These are just some things that have worked for me. I hope this helps!