The Academic: Issue 1

䄀 䌀 䄀 䐀 䔀 䴀 䤀䌀

椀渀 琀 栀 椀猀 椀猀 猀 甀 攀 㨀

dedicated to Ms. VH, for getting me through high school; Mr. Casey, for always believing in me; and my parents, for such unfailing love and unconditional support.

--Edye dedicated to my mother and sister for listening to me when I was losing it, and Panera staff for letting me use their free wifi.

--Meadow

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© 2016 by Edye Benedict and Meadow Pendley. All rights reserved.

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contents

IV Editor’s note VI Meet the Staff 1 How to write an essay: a walkthrough 5 Tests, Graduating, and Colleges, Oh My! 10 The Bullet Journal 15 Realistic Goal-Setting 17 How to meet your due date 20 Studying after a long day 22 A Brief Guide to Studying Solo 24 How to create a study group and stay focused 29 The Perfectionist’s Guide to Group Work 32 Difficult Teachers 101 35 Toxic Classmates: When Enough is Enough 38 Companions and Competition 39 How to Deal with Bullies 42 Revisions and Relationships 45 DEARMAN: The Key to Interpersonal Effectiveness 48 Meet the Blogger: Kimberly 51 Stationery: Fails and Holy Grails 56 Studying Snacks & Smoothies 58 Things I Learned in 2015 59 Cover submissions

Layout by Edye Benedict (academla)

Layout by Edye Benedict (academla)

“Can we produce 19 complete, edited, high quality, fully laid out articles with only 20 staff members total; a polished, professionalgrade cover; a page of our favorite reader submissions; an editor’s note; every element that makes a magazine a magazine, from pagination to footnotes to a dedication page to meet the staff; and pull it all together into one cohesive PDF to upload to the internet and the world? I damn well hope so.”

Dear Readers: First of all, we would like to thank you for taking the time to read our magazine.

To say that this experience has been a rollercoaster is putting it lightly. We have dedicated hours of frenzied typing and all-nighters to make the dream of two stubborn teenagers a reality, and the fact that you are reading the product of our hard work is the culmination of our vision for this project.

When Meadow first proposed the idea of a student-focused magazine, they thought it would become something trivial – if, in fact, it was to become something at all. They shared the idea on a whim at 2:03pm on December 29th, 2015, and in the blink of an eye had sixty messages and one hundred notes.

Amongst those sixty messages was Edye, who wanted to make it a reality.

After spitballing in Tumblr’s IM for awhile, we exchanged numbers and began texting, striking up an essentially ongoing conversation that has yet to conclude. We created the zine Tumblr account, spent hours obsessing over the theme, and created a Google doc to plan and input the flood of applications we were already beginning to receive.

In the past month, we have spent over 180 hours working on this zine (yes, we did the math). We have fielded hate comments, had to let 6 staff members go, created almost 100 Google docs, gone through 200 applications, and never want to see 12-point Georgia font again. We’ve nitpicked and doubted ourselves; we’ve stayed up all night trying to turn an excellent article into a phenomenal one. And through it all, we have not given up.

The Academic represents the hard work, ambitions, and talents of students in this day and age. We’re making this zine for students everywhere, and it is a resource as well as an exhibition. Its combination of articles and layouts showcase the talents of 20 amateur writers, editors, and graphic designers, ranging in age from 14-22. Many of the topics were suggested by our fellow students and readers. We have written about subjects that we as students and young adults would want to read, and we hope that these articles are as relatable as they are helpful.

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Putting all of this together was definitely a learning experience for both of us.

Edye, for one, has learned not to micromanage quite so much and that Lindt truffles are the solution to every tearful fit of self-doubt. Meadow has learned that they can balance school, friends, family, and a full-fledged startup magazine while, somehow, not losing their sanity.

Of course, we cannot forget our staff. Although the two of us spent many hours of the day organising and perfecting the content, it was our staff who brought it all together. There would be no zine if there was no staff. They worked tirelessly to write, edit, and design each piece to suit our specifications. They quelled our fears and reassured us when the going got tough, and we are incredibly grateful for them.

Lastly, we must thank our followers and readers. We have received so many kind messages and experienced an outpouring of support beyond our wildest dreams.

We can only hope that this magazine will live up to your expectations.

Without further ado, we present The Academic, issue #1.

Thank you.

Love, Edye and Meadow

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meet t h e

RS@EE

“

That ’ si t !You' r edone !Br e at he ,r e l ax, and know t haty ou di dt hebe s ty ou c oul d.

Nowgowat c hNe t f l i x, was t ey our l i f e away on Tumbl r ,hang outwi t h f r i e nds–what e v e ry oudot ohe l py ou de s t r e s s .

Al t hough t hepr oc e s ss oundst e di ous , onc ey ou e s t abl i s h af or mul al i ket he one I ’ v ej us tde s c r i be d,i twon’ tf e e l t i me c ons umi ngatal l .Be s tofl uc kwi t h y ourne xte s s ay !

“

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TH HE EB BU UL LL LE ET TJ JO OU UR RN NA AL L T Wr i t t e nby :.

Xuanl i n( s t udy i ngs ) ,Ru( gr y hf f i ndor s ) ,andJoannaTas mi n( s t udy buz z ) Edi t e dby :Adi( s t udy pl ant s )andEdy eBe ne di c t( ac ade ml a) De s i gne dby :KatChai( muj i pr i nc e s s )

Whatisit?

Thebul l e tj our nal .

Youmayhav ec omeac r os si t be f or eorne v e re v e nhe ar dofi t , butt hi sor gani z at i onals y s t e mi squi c kl ybe c omi ngapopul ar al t e r nat i v et ot hes t andar dpl anne r ,c al e ndar , ort odol i s tamongs ts t ude nt s .

Thi sf l e xi bl es y s t e mc ombi ne st hef unc t i onsof apl anne r ,t odol i s t ,di ar y ,andnot e bookwi t h ane mphas i sonc us t omi z abi l i t y .Bui l tont he c onc e ptofr api dl oggi ng,t he bul l e tj our nal of f e r sy ouabas i cpl at f or mt os i mpl yande f f e c t i v e l yor gani z ei nf or mat i on.

Thebul l e tj our nalc anal s oi nc r e as epr oduc t i v i t y .Be c aus et he r ei ss uc hr oom f orc r e at i v i t y and e xpl or at i on,y ou ge tt oe xpe r i me ntwi t h di f f e r e nt or gani z at i onal me t hods .Ev e r y one hasadi f f e r e ntwayt os t ayor gani z e d, andus i ng ame t hodt hat ’ sbe s tf ory ouc anmaxi mi z ey our pr oduc t i v i t y .

I naddi t i on, ake yal l owsy out oe f f i c i e nt l yj otdown i nf or mat i on wi t hi n af e w mi nut e s ;s y mbol sasbul l e tpoi nt swi l li mme di at e l yi nf or my ouwhe t he rane nt r yi ny ourj our nali sade adl i neorani de a,me ani ngy ouc an makey ours e nt e nc e smuc hmor ec onc i s e .

Wi t ht he bul l e tj our nal ,pr e v i ous l y di s or gani z e dt hr e adsofy ourl i f e s t y l ec omet oge t he r , andwi t hal ly ouri nf or mat i oni nonepl ac e ,y ou c anbe c omemor ee f f i c i e ntandpr oduc t i v e .

Details

A bul l e tj our nali sde s i gne dt obeasope ne nde dasy ouwanti tt obe ,s ot hepage sofy our j our nalmi ghtbec ompl e t e l ydi f f e r e ntf r om anot he rpe r s on’ s .

Wi t hf l e xi bi l i t yt hatl e av e sr oom f orunl i mi t e dc r e at i v i t y ,abul l e tj our nalhass o

ma ny e l e me nt st ha tone be c ome sc onf us e d whe r et os t a r t .Ev e r y t hi ng ,f r om t henot e book t ot hec ont e nt soft hej our na l ,i sc ompl e t e l y c us t omi z a bl e .

Wha t ’ smor e ,a nynot e bookc a nbeus e df ora bul l e tj our na l !Whe t he rt hepa g e sa r el i ne d, s qua r e d,dot t e dorpl a i ni supt ot heus e r ’ sdi s c r e t i on.Ar t i s t sl i ke pl a i n not e books ,whi l e bul l e tj our na l i s t swhoi nc or por a t ev i s ua l si nt o t he i rj our na l i ngof t e npr e f e rg r i dde dordot t e d pa pe r .

Li ne dpa pe ri spopul a rwi t hwr i t e r swho e nj oyus i ngt he i rbul l e tj our na la sadi a r y , t oo.

Gr i dde dpa pe rs e e mst obet hemos tpopul a r c hoi c e ,wi t hl a r g e ha r dc ov e rs qua r e d not e booksf r om Mol e s ki nedomi na t i ngt hema r ke t f orbul l e tj our na l se v e r y whe r e .Ot he rnot a bl e br a nds f or g oodqua l i t y not e books i nc l ude Muj i , Ty po, Le uc ht t ur m1 91 7 , a ndRhodi aNot e pa ds .

The r ea r enume r ousnot e bookbr a ndsout t he r e ,s oi t ’ sonl yama t t e roft r i a la nde r r or be f or ey ouf i ndt hepe r f e c tbook!

The bul l e tj our na li s ,i ne s s e nc e ,a doi t y our s e l fpl a nne r ,wi t hmor ec us t omi z a bl ef e a t ur e st ha nas t a nda r dpl a nne r .Li kemos tpl a nne r s ,bul l e tj our na l sc a na l s oha v ei nde x e sa nd ke y s ;a ni nde xt r a c kst hec ont e nt s ,a ndake y s e t sal e g e ndwhi c hc a nbeus e dt hr oug houtt he j our na l .

Fore x a mpl e , onemi g htus eac i r c l ef or a ne v e nt , as qua r ef orat a s kne e di ngt obedone , a ndada s hf orj ot t i ngdownar a ndom t houg ht .

Pa g e sa r eof t e nnumbe r e ds ot he yc a nbef ound us i ngt hei nde xa tt hef r ontorba c koft henot e book,s oa st oa l l ow y out oe a s i l yke e pt r a c kof i mpor t a nt i nf or ma t i on a nd or g a ni z ey our whol ej our na lbe t t e r . Ag a i n,a l loft he s ee l e me nt sa r eopt i ona l , a ndama t t e rofpr e f e r e nc e .

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I namont hl yov e r v i e w,t hemont h’ sc al e ndari sof t e ns hown,wi t hi mpor t ant dat e sc i r c l e dorhi ghl i ght e d,andmont hl ygoal sar eof t e ns hown.Manybul l e t j our nal i s t sde c or at et he i rs pr e adswi t hs mal ldoodl e sandaf e at ur e dquot e .I n addi t i ont omont hl yov e r v i e ws ,al mos te v e r ybul l e tj our nali nc l ude sdai l ye nt r i e s ,wi t hador abl ef l agsandbanne r sador ni ngt hedat e ,anddai l yt as ksl i s t e d be l ow,l i keac he c kl i s t .

The s edai l ye nt r i e sar et hes oc al l e dhe ar toft hebul l e tj our nal ,whe r emos tof t hewr i t i ngandj our nal i ngt ake spl ac e .A c ompl e t e dt as kwi l lhav ei t sbox s hade dort i c ke dof f ,whi l eat as ki npr ogr e s swi l lbehal f s hade dormi gr at e d, asi ndi c at e dbyanar r ow,andani r r e l e v antt as ki smar ke dbyas t r i ke t hr ough. f e at ur e d:Zoë( e mpat he t i c al l y)

—1 1—

I DE AS&I NS PI RATI ON Themos ti mpor t antt hi ngt or e me mbe ri st hat y ourbul l e tj our nalhast os ui ty ourne e ds .The be s twayt odot hi si sbyc r e at i ngpage sf ort he t hi ngst haty ouwantt oke e pt r ac kof .Fori ns t anc e ,i fy ou’ r et r y i ngt or e c or dt heamountof t hebooksy ou’ r er e adi ng,makeapagef ori t !

Youc anmakeasmanypage sasy ouwant .

He r ear es omei de asf orbul l e tj our nalpage s :             

Songsy oul i keatt hemome nt Booksy ouwantt or e ad TVs hows / mov i e st owat c h Ahabi tt r ac ke r Ac ount downpagef ort hi ngsc omi ngup Agr adet r ac ke r Fav or i t equot e s Ane xpe ns e spage Yourf av our i t ebl ogs Ac c ompl i s hme nt s Goal s( may beatt hes t ar tofe ac hmont h) Thi ngsy ouwantt obuy Wor koutr out i ne s f e at ur e d:Ai s ha( s t udy l ad)

f e at ur e d:Che y e nne( s t udy r os e )

He r ea r es omee a s ywa y st oma key ourbul l e t j our na la e s t he t i c a l l ypl e a s i ng :        

—1 2—

Choos eac ol orpa l e t t e Us eba nne r sa ndf l a g s Wr e a t hsma kee v e r y t hi ngs upe rpr e t t y a ndt he y ’ r ee a s yt odr a w Wr i t emot i v a t i ona lquot e si ny ourda i l y s pr e a ds Hi g hl i g htt hi ng s Us es t i c kynot e s Pr i ntoutphot osa nds t i c kt he mi n Ske t c hr a ndom t hi ng s

I st hebul l etj our nal r i ghtf orme?

I fy ouar el ooki ngt of i ndas y s t e m whi c hs t or e se v e r y t hi ngf r om i de ast oi mpor t antde adl i ne si nonepl ac e ,butdonotwi s ht oc onf or mt ot hes l i ght l yr i gi d s t r uc t ur eofapl anne r ,t he nt hebul l e tj our nalmaybej us twhaty ouar el ooki ng f or !I t sf l e xi bi l i t yal l owsy out ot ai l ory ourday t odaypl anni ngt oy ourne e ds , whe t he ry oupr i or i t i z es i mpl i c i t yors pac ef orc r e at i v i t y .

Howe v e r ,bul l e tj our nal s may be mor et i me c ons umi ng t han a pl anne r ( de pe ndi ngonwhats or toff or maty oude c i det ous e ) ,asy oudohav et os e t t he m upy our s e l f .Youmayal s of i ndy our s e l fs pe ndi ngt oomuc ht i met r y i ngt o makey ourbul l e tj our nall ookgood,whi c hc anbec ount e r pr oduc t i v e .

Theke yque s t i on t oas ky our s e l fi s whe t he rornotas y s t e m asc us t omi z abl east hebul l e tj our nalf i t si nwi t h y ourl i f e s t y l e .I fy out hi nkt haty ou wi l lbeabl et omanaget her e l at i v e f r e e dom t hatc ome s wi t h a bl ank not e book wi t hout ge t t i ng t oo i nv e s t e di nt r y i ngt obe aut i f yi t ,t he n y e s :t hebul l e tj our nalmayv e r ywe l l bey ourke yt oi nc r e as e dpr oduc t i v i t y .

I fnot ,t he n may bea pl anne rora s i mpl e dai l yt odo l i s tmi ghtwor k be s tf ory ou!

—1 3—

f e at ur e d:Anni e( 365t e xt )

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how to create study groups

and stay focused

written by Xuanlin (study-ings) and Edye Benedict (academla) edited by Helen Zhang (helendreamsinlaw) layout by Edye Benedict (academla) Â

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Although it can be quite difficult to focus and stay on task when with your friends, studying with others can actually be very productive! With the right environment and mindset, a study group will not only be fun but enriching as well. Here are some suggestions that may help increase you and your friends’ productivity!

First, set some rules.

Before creating a study group, make sure everyone agrees on what you are going to do. For example, your group may decide not to go on phones or talk during designated study time. This ensures that your group will actually accomplish what you set out to do, and this way, you will all feel like you’re focusing together. You could even set a penalty for breaking the rules – for instance, if someone goes on their phone during study time, that person has to buy everyone a snack or drink!

Make a list of what you want to achieve.

You may not all be studying the same thing, but if each person creates a list of everything they want to accomplish by the end of this study session, it will motivate the group to work harder and stay focused. Set time-based targets, e.g. “finish notes on the Cuban missile crisis by 2pm”. If you all manage to achieve what you set out to do in time, reward yourselves with something like a snack break, TV episode, or scheduling a group event (going to the movies, eating out, et cetera)!

Choose a suitable study location.

Meeting at someone’s house can often be distracting, especially if they have a TV, a comfy bed, or siblings/pets that want to socialize. Depending on the situation, even school libraries can make focusing more difficult, given their level of activity and the increased likelihood of running into even more friends. Public libraries are great for study groups; the fact that you’re not supposed to talk in a library will dissuade you from chatting too much. If you have a small group, you could meet somewhere like a well-populated café (Starbucks, for example). The fact that it’s busy and loud makes it harder to hear each other or track a conversation.

Consider listening to music or white noise.

Background noise is generally helpful in all study settings, whether you’re alone or with a group. One way to avoid distractions is to put on your headphones. When you’re not quizzing each other or asking questions, listen to your own music.

(Side note: the effectiveness of this method varies from person to person, and listening to music may not be conducive to your particular studying style.)

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There’s something about earphones and background noise that isolates you (in a positive way, of course) from the world around you and allows for a more productive study session.

Set a time limit.

Establish a very strict time frame – not a schedule, but the span of time in which you will all study before going your separate ways. Having only a few hours to study will help boost your productivity, because you’ll know you won’t have time to procrastinate. If, on the other hand, you decide to study until “whenever,” you’re more likely to be a little too relaxed about deadlines.

Use the pomodoro technique.

The pomodoro technique can provide you with a way to study effectively and have time to talk to your friends! Schedule 25 minutes for silent studying with no distractions. After that’s done, set a 5-minute break where you can talk and relax for a bit. Repeat this process, and after five sets of 25-minute study sessions and 5-minute breaks, reward yourselves with a 10-minute break! However, these times are just a suggestion – definitely experiment to find what times work best if the standard 25-and-5 set isn’t suitable for you!

Test each other.

This would work well with the pomodoro technique. To make your study sessions more interesting, change up some of the 25 minute study sessions by testing each other with flashcards or notecards.

Group study sessions provide you with an opportunity to improve your memory, as well as help your friends out with their revision too!

Friends are a large part of your school experience, but studying is too.

Although it can be difficult to strike a balance between them, by incorporating techniques like the ones listed above, you can easily allocate time for both and make the most out of your academic career.

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Attributions Cover Friends: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Library: Icon by Icomoon from www.flaticon.com Popcorn: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Chat bubbles: Icon by Anton Saputro from www.flaticon.com House: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Clipboard: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Books: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Laptop: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Music note: Icon by Yannick from www.flaticon.com

Article Phone: Icon made by [Freepik] from www.flaticon.com Checklist: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Study group: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Headphones: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Timer: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Tomato: Icon by Freepik from www.flaticon.com Question mark: Icon by Google from www.flaticon.com

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SOCIAL t h e a c a d e m i c

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GROUP work

t heperf ect i oni st ’ sgui det o

G

wri e nbyEdy eBe ne di c t( ac ade ml a)•e di t e dbyHe l e nZhang( he l e ndre ams i nl aw) de s i gne dbyEmi l yWanne r( f rugal s t udi e s )

r oupwor ki ss ome whatofane c e s s ar ye v i li ns c hool .Fort hos eofy ouwhoar el owke y ( orhi ghke y )c ont r olf r e aks ,y ou know whate ac h gr oup as s i gnme nte nt ai l s :y ou, pl anni ngt hee nt i r et hi ng,de l e gat i ngt as ks ,ands t ay i ngupt heni ghtbe f or ei t ’ sduet o f i ni s he v e r y t hi ngt haty ourpe e r sdi dn’ t .As i def r om pe opl enotpul l i ngt he i rwe i ght ,t he r e ’ st he adde ds t r e s soft hegr ade ,whi c hofc our s ede pe ndsont heov e r al lqual i t yofapr oj e c tt haty our gr oupme mbe r smayormaynothav ec ont r i but e dt o.

Ihav edr e ade dgr ouppr oj e c t ss i nc edi nkye l e me nt ar ys c hoolpos t e rpr e s e nt at i ons .

Par tofi t i st hec ont r ol f r e aki nme ;Iwantt hi ngsdonemyway , t omys t andar d, ande v e ni fs ome onet r i e s har d, i fi tf al l ss hor tofmyv i s i on, I ’ m goi ngt ogoi nand“ f i x”e v e r y t hi ng.

Theot he ras pe c ti st hat ass ome one who al r e ady s t r e s s e si nor di nat e l y ov e rgr ade s ,t ol os et ot alc ont r oloft he

Tol os et ot alc ont r ol oft heas s i gnme nt ’ s out c omei spr e t t y muc hmywor s t ac ade mi cni ght mar e . di s pl aywasf l awl e s sandhadt hec l e art ouc hofape r f e c t i oni s t( me ) ,butatt hec os tofs l e e pl e s s ni ght sanduns ol i c i t e ds nappi ngatmyt e ammat e s .Ihav e ,wi t houtf ai l ,gi v e nupone v e r ygr oup pr oj e c tI ’ v ee v e rdoneandt ake nov e ri nde s pe r at i on.

I tt ookt hewi s dom ofmys oc i ol ogyt e ac he randan86f ormet or e l uc t ant l yl e tgoofmy domi ne e r i ngnat ur eandr e l ax,atl e as ts ome what ,aboutgr oupwor k.

Soc i ol ogyi sbyf art hemos te nj oy abl eandi nt e r e s t i ngc l as sI ’ v ee v e rt ake n.

Mygr oupoff our wasgi v e nas ome whatl as t mi nut eas s i gnme ntonwhi c hwewe r e n’ te nt i r e l yc l e ar .Wehad may bet woc l as s e st ome e tabouti t ,butot he r wi s ewe r es uppos e dt odoi tout s i deofc l as s .I de c i de df ore v e r y onet hatwewe r egoi ngt odoaPr e z i , and, asus ual , de l e gat e dt as ks .

Thegr oup c ons i s t e dofmyf r i e ndRobi n,Ke v i n,andDe nni s( t owhom Ihadne v e rs poke nbe f or e ) .Robi n andKe v i nwe r ebot hpr e t t yont opoft hi ngs ;Robi nandIwe r egoodf r i e ndsatt het i me , ands he wasac c us t ome dt omype r f e c t i oni s t i cnat ur ewhe ni tc amet ogr oupwor k.Ke v i nwasawi l l i ng par t i c i pant ,butunf or t unat e l ynotmuc hofanor gani z e r .

Ther e ali s s uewaswi t hDe nni s .Hewoul dn’ tans we rt e xt s ,bar e l ys pokeuporc ont r i but e d dur i ngi nc l as spl anni ngs e s s i ons ,woul dn’ tpi c kupt hephone ,ore v e nl ookatt heGoogl edoc s I ’ dc r e at e d.( Bas i c al l y ,hewast hede f i ni t i onofaf r e e l oade r . ) Fi nal l yi tc amet ot heni ghtbe f or et heas s i gnme ntandIwasi nf ul l onpani cmode .Robi n e nc our age dmet oc r e at eaGoogl edoc ,i ns t r uc t i ngmet oj us tt e l lt he m al lwhatt odoandt he y woul dge ti tdone .

Ke v i nwasmaki ngav al i ante f f or t , whi c hIappr e c i at e d, buthewass t r uggl i ng wi t h Pr e z is oIal lbuts hov e dhi m as i deandt ookov e rt hewor kwhi c h wasme antt obe c ompl e t e dbyf ours t ude nt s .

Name shavebe e nc hange dt op rot e c tp ri vac y .

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Ev e nt ual l y ,Ke v i nandRobi nc ompl e t e dt he i rt as ks .De nni sr e pl i e donc e ,t he ndi s appe ar e d of ft hef ac eoft hee ar t h.Is e nthi m anar guabl ynas t yme s s agee xpl ai ni ngt hathene e de dt opul l hi swe i ght ;Idon’ tr e c al lge t t i ngar e s pons e ,andi fIdi d,i twas n’ tv e r yc ont r i t e .I nt hee nd,I s t ay e dupl at et of i ni s hhi se nt i r epor t i onoft hewor k,i naddi t i ont oc ompl e t e l yr e doi ngKe v i n’ s Pr e z is l i de s .

Whe ni tc amet i met opr e s e nt ,If e l tmor t i f i e dandmor et hanr e adyt os c r e am and/ orpunc h awal l .Wehe mme dandhawe d,c l e ar l yunpr e par e d,andDe nni swasobv i ous l yr e adi ngof ft he s l i dewi t hnoi de awhathewast al ki ngabout .

Be f or egr adi ngbe gan, myt e ac he ri ns t r uc t e dust oe s t i mat et hepe r c e nt ageofwor kt hate ac h gr oupme mbe rhadc ont r i but e dt ot hepr oj e c t .

Ofc our s eIwasne r v ous , whi s pe r i ngt oKe v i nand Robi nandbadge r i ngt he m aboutwhatr at i ost he y ’ dputdown.Ev e r y one ,i nc l udi ng De nni s ,agr e e dt hatIhaddonet hemaj or i t yoft hepr oj e c t .

Wee nde dupge t t i ngahi ghBont heas s i gnme nt–ade at hs e nt e nc ef oranov e r ac hi e v e rl i ke me .

Ie nde dupt al ki ngt omyt e ac he rc onc e r ni ngt hegr adeandt hee nt i r ee xpe r i e nc e , e xpr e s s i ng i nnounc e r t ai nt e r msmyi mme ns ef r us t r at i onwi t hDe nni s .

Shel ooke datmer at he rqui z z i c al l y be f or es ay i ng,“ The nj us tdoy ourownwor k.I fhedoe s n’ tdohi sownwor k,t hat ’ shi spr obl e m.

Taki ngt ot alc ont r ol ofanygr ouppr oj e c t doe se v e r y one ( i nc l udi ngt e ac he r s ) adi s s e r v i c e .

30

TOXI CCLASSMATES wh e n e n o u g hi s e n o u g h

wr i t t e n b y Z ( j e we l i n t h e p a l a c e ) , E d y e B e n e d i c t ( a c a d e m l a ) &C a i l e e d e l a C r u z ( c s k y e s t u d y ) • E d i t e d b y H E l e n Z h a n g ( h e l e n d r e a m s i n l a w) d e s i g n e d b y E m i l y Wa n n e r ( f r u g a l s t u d i e s ) • r e q u e s t e d b y l i l y o f t h e g r e a t v a l l e y Unf or t unat e l y ,ats ome poi nti n ourl i v e s we al lhav et of ac ec l as s mat e s who ar e unc oope r at i v e ,ne gat i v e ,andunpr oduc t i v e .The yr ui nt hemoodandc an’ tber e l i e duponf or s c hoolwor korpr oj e c t s ;t he ymi ghte v e nus ey out oge tahe adunde rf al s epr e t e ns e s( s uc has pr e t e ndi ngt obey ourf r i e nd) .

The y ’ r edi f f i c ul tpe opl et owor kwi t h, andc anmaket hec l as s r oom e nv i r onme ntanunf r i e ndl ypl ac e .Luc ki l y ,t he r ear es e v e r alt hi ngsy ouc andowhe ny ouc ome ac r os ss uc hpe opl e .

Thi si nc l ude st al ki ngonl i ne ,t e xt i ng,ands t udy i ngt oge t he r .I fy ou’ r enotar oundt he m asmuc h andde l i be r at e l yav oi de ngagi ngi ns mal lt al k,i tmaydi s s uadet he mf r om c ont i nui ngt ot ake adv ant ageofy ou.Toxi cc l as s mat e sof t e nt ar ge tf r i e ndl y ,ope npe opl e ;c l os ey our s e l fof fand c hanc e sar et he y ’ l ll e av ey oual one .

Wor ki ngwi t hs ome onee l s ewhoi sc oope r at i v ei snotonl ymor ee f f i c i e nt ,buti twi l lr e duc e s t r e s saswe l l be c aus ey ouwon’ tc ons t ant l ybeone dge .

Thi sdoe s n’ tme any ouhav et os e ndt he m of ft ohar as ss ome onee l s e ,buti ft he y ’ r ec opy i ngy ournot e sc ons t ant l yandas ki ngy ouf or home wor kans we r s ,s i mpl yr e di r e c tt he m.Pr opos et hatt he yme e twi t hat e ac he r ,of f e rt of i nd s omeonl i ner e adi ngsorv i de ost hatmi ghtbehe l pf ul ,or ,e v e ni fi t ’ shar s h,e nc our aget he mt o dot hewor kt he ms e l v e s .

I ft hi sc l as s mat ei sr e al l ybot he r i ngy ouandhasbe guni mpac t i ngy oure duc at i onale xpe r i e nc e , i tmaybeagoodt i met oge ty ourt e ac he ri nv ol v e d.

Te ac he r sar eunde r s t andi ngofi nt e r pe r s onal i s s ue s ,and t he y ’ l lwantt o do whatt he yc an t o pr omot er e s pe c t f uland pos i t i v e pe e r r e l at i ons hi ps .De s c r i bet hes i t uat i ont ot he m( av oi dge t t i ngt ooe mot i onalorwor ke dup,of c our s e– asi n al lpot e nt i al l yunc omf or t abl ec onv e r s at i ons ,s t i c kt ot hef ac t sand ai mf or c onc i s i on)ande i t he rmakeas pe c i f i cr e que s toras kf ort he i radv i c e .

Di s t anc i ngy our s e l fphy s i c al l ymi ghtmakei te as i e rt opayat t e nt i oni nc l as s .

I fape e ri sc aus i ng y out ol os ef oc usandaf f e c t i ngy ourpe r f or manc e ,t hebe s twayt oc opei st oge toutoft he s i t uat i on.I ns e v e r ec as e s ,s wi t c hi ngt oanot he rc l as smaybey ourbe s tbe t ;y ou’ l ll e ar nbe t t e r whe ny ou’ r enots t r e s s e doutaboutot he rc l as s mat e s .

Ashar dasi tc anbe ,s ome t i me sbe i ngdi r e c ti st heonl ywayt of ul l yr e s ol veas i t uat i onwi t ha di f f i c ul tc l as s mat e .Bec ompl e t e l yhone s tandt r ynott owor r yt oomuc haboutt he i rr e ac t i on.I f y ous us pe c tt hatt hi spe r s oni st aki ngadvant ageofy ou,t e l lt he m.As s e r ty our s e l fandl e tt he m knowt haty ou’ r eawar eoft he i rmot i ve sandwon’ tc ont i nuet ohe l pt he m.Thepur pos eofs c hool i st ol e ar nandi mpr oveasas c hol ar ,nott ode alwi t hunne c e s s ar ydr ama.

35

Foc usont hec l as sandnotont he i rbe hav i or .Whe t he rt he y ’ r es t i l ls i t t i ngne xtt oy ouory ou’ r e s e v e r alr owsaway , don’ tl e tt he i rne gat i v i t yge tt oy ou.

Li s t e ni ngt omus i ci sagr e atwayt of oc us y ourat t e nt i onons ome t hi nge l s e .I t ’ sal s oagr e atwayt os t opt hi nki ngaboutpr obl e mat i c c l as s mat e s .

I tmayt akeal i t t l ee xt r ame nt al e f f or tt oc onc e nt r at eont hemat e r i al andf i r ml yt une t he m out ,buti t ’ snoti mpos s i bl e !

36

DEARM AN

TheKe yt oI nt e r pe r s ona lEf f e c t i v e ne s s Wr ie nbyE dy eBe ne di c t( a c a de ml a )— E di t e dbyHe l e nZ ha ng( he l e ndr e a ms i nl a w)— De s i g ne dbyKa tCha i ( muj i pr i nc e s s )

Di al ect i calbehavi ort her apy( DBT)s avedmyl i f e.Wi t houtgoi ngi nt ot oomuchdet ai l ,Iunder wentagr eatdeal ofemot i onaladver s i t yi nei ght handni nt hgr ade,andDBTwasabs ol ut el yi ns t r ument ali nmyr ecover y.The knowl edgeIhavegai nedf r om t hi sexper i encehasdr as t i cal l yi mpr ovedmydai l yl i f e.Oneoft hemos tus ef ul s ki l l sIdi s cover eddur i ngmyt i mei nt her apycomesf r om t hei nt er per s onalef f ect i venes s( I PE)modul e.

DEARMANi sanacr onym t hats umsupt hegui del i nesf oranef f ect i veconver s at i onwhenyouhaveapar t i cul ar obj ect i vei nmi nd.( I not herwor ds ,howt ogetwhatyouwant . )I nt hebegi nni ng,whi l eIwass t i l lf ami l i ar i zi ng mys el fwi t ht hi smet hod,Iwr ot es t r uct ur ednot esorpl anneds t r uct ur edconver s at i onsf ol l owi ngDEARMAN t ot hel et t er .WhenIt ol dmyf r i endaboutDEARMAN –f ouryear saf t erIwasi nt r oducedt oDBT–however , herf i r s tr es pons ewas“ ohyeah,Inot i ceyouus i ngt hos eal lt het i mei nourconver s at i ons ! ”Overt i me,youwi l l f i ndt hatt hes es ki l l sbecomenat ur alandi twi l lnol ongerbeneces s ar yf oryout obr eaki tdownpi ecebypi ece.

Unt i lt hatdaycomes ,t hough,I ’ l lbr eaki tdownf oryou.

Di s cl ai mer :Theconver s at i onexampl esi nt hi sar t i cl ear ei nt endedonl yasgui des .Pl eas edonott hi nkI ’ mi ns t r uct i ngyout os peaki ns uchs t i l t edandf or malt ones .Andno,Idon’ tact ual l yt al kt hi swayei t her .

Describethesituaon.

St ar tt heconver s at i onbypr ovi di nganobj ect i vedes cr i pt i onoft hes i t uat i on.Avoi dcompl ai ni ngatal lcos t s .

Eveni fyouhaves t r ongf eel i ngsaboutwhat ’ sgoi ngon,cont r olyourt oneandconcent r at eont hef act s .Youcan, however ,hi ghl i ghtdet ai l st hatwi l ls uppor tyourar gument .

Forexampl e,i fyouwantyourpar ent st ol etyouat t enda concer t( andt heyar ehes i t ant ) ,s ays omet hi ngal ongt he l i nesof ,“ Ther ei saconcer tgoi ngont omor r ow ni ght .You don’ twantmet ogobecaus ei t ’ sas choolni ght .Ihavebeen get t i ngs t r ai ghtA’ sandhavenotbeens l eepdepr i vedi n mont hs . ”

Expressyourfeelingsandopinionsaboutthe s i t ua on.

Thi si swher eyougett oexpanduponyourdes cr i pt i on,but cont i nuet oavoi dget t i ngover l yemot i onal .Thepoi ntoft hi s conver s at i oni st oat t ai nar es ol ut i onwi t hwhi chbot hpar t i esar es at i s f i ed;i fyoubegi nyel l i ngorcr yi ng,t hechanceof af avor abl eout comedecr eas ess i gni f i cant l y.Us e“ I ”s t at ement sandmakes ur et hatyouar en’ tat t acki ngt heot her — 45—

pe r s on.Ev e nt houghi t ’ sokayt os har ey ouropi ni ons ,Ir e c omme nds t e e r i ngc l e arofs ay i ngt hi ngs l i ke“ y ou’ r ebe i ngunf ai r , ”be c aus et hat ’ sanac c us at i onwhi c hwi l lc aus et heot he rpe r s ont obe c ome de f e ns i v e .Foc usonhowi t ’ saf f e c t i ngy ou.

Fore xampl e :“ It hi nkIde s e r v et ogobe c aus eI ’ v ebe e ndoi ngs owe l l , andal l myf r i e ndswi l l bet he r e .

I ’ v ewant e dt os e et hi sar t i s tf ory e ar sandI ’ v ebe e ndy i ngf ort hi soppor t uni t y .I tmake smeups e t andangr yt haty ou’ r es ay i ngno. ”

A s s e r ty ourwi s he s .

He r ec ome st hebi gone !Thi si swhe r ey ous t at ey ourde s i r e .Tr yt obeasc onc i s eands hor taspos s i bl e ;nobodywant st ohe aral ong, r ambl i ngpr opos al .

Taket i mebe f or e handt oc ons i de rwhe t he ror noty ourr e que s ti sr e as onabl e , andi fy out hi nkt heot he rpar t ymi ghtbeunl i ke l yt or e s pondwe l l , t r y wor di ngt heque s t i ondi f f e r e nt l y .

Fore xampl e :“ Iwoul dl i ket ogot ot hec onc e r t . ”Si mpl east hat .

Reinforcewhatyoudoappreciate.

Whe ns ome onei st r y i ngt omakeadi f f i c ul tde c i s i on, i t ’ sni c et oknowt hatt he i rac t i onst husf arhav e notgoneunnot i c e d.Showi ngappr e c i at i onc angoal ongway .Pe opl el ov ef e e l i ngv al i dat e dandar e of t e nmor el i ke l yt oac qui e s c ei fy ouac knowl e dget he i rge ne r os i t yt hani fy ougoi nt ot hes i t uat i on ac t i ngungr at e f ul .I naway ,i t ’ sal i t t l ebi tl i ke“ but t e r i ngt he m up”–butonl yi fy ou’ r es i nc e r e !Tr y nott omakel ar gebl anke ts t at e me nt st hats oundl i key ou’ r et r y i ngt owi nt he m ov e r( t hi ngsl i ke “ y ou’ r eanamaz i ngpe r s onandIappr e c i at ee v e r ys i ngl et hi ngy ou’ v edonef orme ” ) .Iwoul dl ump v al i dat i oni nwi t ht hi saswe l l :i t ’ sv e r yi mpor t anti nanys i t uat i ont omakes ur et heot he rpe r s onf e e l s v al i dat e dt oo.

Fore xampl e :“ Thanky ouf ort aki ngt het i met ot al kt omeaboutt hi s .Iknowi t ’ sahar dde c i s i ont o makeandt haty ouhav eal otofot he rt hi ngsony ourpl at et oo.You’ v eal way sbe e nr e as onabl eand f ai rwi t hmeandIr e al l yappr e c i at et hat . ” Addi t i onal l y ,i ft heot he rpe r s onr e s pondsf av or abl y ,r e me mbe rt ogi v eapos i t i v er e ac t i on.Thank t he mf orbe i ngs ounde r s t andi ngandt e l lt he m howmuc hi tme anst oy out hatt he y ’ r ec ons i de r i ng y ourr e que s t .

S t a yMi ndf ul .

Al otofpot e nt i al l ypr oduc t i v ec onv e r s at i onsde r ai lbe c aus eoneorbot hpar t i e swe r eunabl et o r e mai nmi ndf ul .Ke e pt hec onv e r s at i onf oc us e d;pe opl ear el i ke l yt obr i ngupe xt r ane ouspoi nt s , par t i c ul ar l yi ft he yar er i l e duporde f e ns i v e .I t ’ sokayt or e pe atwhaty ouwantaf e wt i me s( c al ml y , ofc our s e ) ,andc anhe l pputt hedi s c us s i onbac kont r ac k.I gnor et heot he rpe r s oni ft he ys t ar tat t ac ki ngy ou.Re ac t i ngal l owst he mt os uc c e s s f ul l ydi v e r ty ourat t e nt i on.Onc et hi shappe nst hec onv e r s at i onus ual l yf i z z l e sout .

Fore xampl e :i fy ourpar e nts ay s ,“ Ye s ,buty oual s ohav e n’ tbe e nhe l pi ngoutar oundt hehous eor c l e ane dy ourr oom, ”y oumi ghtr e s pond,“ Ye s ,andt hati s n’ twhatwe ’ r et al ki ngaboutr i ghtnow.I woul dl i ket ogot ot hec onc e r tt omor r owni ght . ” — 46—

A ppe a rc onfide nt .

St andt al l .Makee y ec ont ac t .Ev e ni fy ou’ r ene r v ousoruns ur e ,gi v eof ft hei mpr e s s i onofs e l f as s ur anc e .Youdon’ twantt oappe arar r ogant ,butac t i ngi nt i mi dat e doruns ur ei snott hewayt ogo i fy ouwantt heot he rpar t yt ober e s pons i v e .

Av oi dwhi s pe r i ngors t amme r i ng( goi ngov e rt hepoi nt s be f or e handc anhe l pr e duc es t amme r i ng) .

Nego ate.

Thi ss houl dr e al l ygoaf t e r“ as s e r ty ourwi s he s ”i nmyopi ni on,butofc our s et heac r ony m hast o wor k,and DEANRMA doe s n’ tf l ow v e r ys moot hl y .Ne got i at i ng i ss e l f e xpl anat or y : make ( r e as onabl e )de al swi t ht heot he rpe r s on.Aswi t he v e r y t hi ng,makes ur et haty ouc ans t i c kt oy our wor d;don’ tmakepr omi s e sy ouc an’ tke e p.

Fore xampl e :“ Iwi l lpayf ormyt i c ke tandf i ndmyownr i de ”or“ Iwi l ls howy oual lofmyc ompl e t e d home wor kf i r s t ”or“ Iwi l lgot obe dt hes e c ondIge thome . ” I ft he yr e s pondwe l l ,t he ny ouc angoi nt or e i nf or c i ngwhaty ouappr e c i at e ,i nc l udi ngt he i ragr e e me nt .

“

I nt e r pe r s onale f f e c t i v e ne s si sa c hal l e ngeandane c e s s i t yi nday t odayl i f e .

Fors omepe opl e ,anyki ndofs e r i ous c onv e r s at i on i sdaunt i ng,par t i c ul ar l y whe nt he r ei sapot e nt i alf orr e j e c t i on.

Us i nggui de l i ne sl i keDEARMAN c an goal ongwayi nappr oac hi ngt he s edi f f i c ul ti nt e r ac t i ons ,andc anul t i mat e l y makey ouamor ec onf i de ntandc ommuni c at i v ei ndi v i dual .

—47—

“

48

Ques ti onSf rom The ComMuni ty

49

The s ear el e s swe l l known pr oduc t s( t hough t hat i s n’ tt os ayt hatt he y ’ r ec ompl e t e l yunknown) .Many oft he s ewor kasdupe sf orhi ghl ypopul arbr ands , andar eus ual l ymuc hmor eaf f or dabl e .

ONERY:FailsandHolyGrails I AT ST

HIGHLIGHTERS l dl i ne rHi g hl i g ht e r s Mi Joanna:Igotal lt hr e epac ksonanonl i ne s hoppi ngwhi m oneni ght , andIhav e n’ tr e gr e t t e di ts o f ar !Ius e dt obeanant i hi ghl i ght e rpe r s onbe f or et he s ehi ghl i ght e r s ,butt he yhav er e al l yc ut e c ol or sandnow Ic annots t opus i ngt he m!Thebi gge s tdowns i det ot he s ewe r et hec os toft he pac ks( Ihadt oge tt he ms hi ppe df r om Japan)andhowt he ybl e e dt hr oughpape rabi tmor et han Ie xpe c t e d.

Rat i ng:4outof5s t ar s !

e nt e l 24/ 7Hi g hl i g ht e r s P Me adow:Re al l ygoodi nkf l ow;t he yc omei n5c ol or sandt y pi c al l yi nl ar gepac ks .Youc ans e e howmuc hi nki sl e f ti nt hehi ghl i ght e r .

Unl i ket heShar pi ec l e art i ps , Ic ans e ewhatI ’ m hi ghl i ght i ng;asal e f t i e ,t hec l e art i psdon’ tai dmeatal l .

Rat i ng:4.

5outof5s t ar s .The ybl e e dt hr oughpape r sof t e n,butt hepac kIboughtwasa1 0pac k f or$5.

— 51—

CBr i t eL i neHi g hl i g ht e r s BI Sy dne y :The s ear et hebe s ts t andar dhi ghl i ght e r s -t he yc omei n5s t andar dc ol or sands i mpl y wor kwe l l .

Rat i ng:4outof5s t ar s .The y ’ r egr e at ,butnotasgr e atasot he rpr oduc t s .Goodv al ue .

i Doubl eHi g hl i g ht e r s Muj Xuanl i n:The s ec omei nr e al l yni c eandbr i ghtc ol our s !The y ’ r eal s ov e r ypr e t t y ,andIr e al l yl i ke t het r ans par e ntde s i gn:y ouc ans e et hel i qui di nki nt hepe n!Ir e al l yl ov et hedoubl et i paswe l l : t het hi ne ndi sgr e atf orunde r l i ni ng,aswe l lasdr awi ngboxe sorc i r c l e si nnot e si fy oune e dt o; t het hi c ke ndi sgoodf ors t andar dhi ghl i ght i ng,andi t ’ ss e mi t r ans par e nts oy ouc ans e et hr ough t hepl as t i coft heni b.Howe v e r ,t he s ear ev e r ys us c e pt i bl et ol e aki ng.Li ket hege li nkpe ns ,t he y c anbequi t euns t abl eandde c i det os udde nl ye mpt yawhol es pl ot c hofi nkont ot hepape r .Si nc e t he s ehi ghl i ght e r sar et hel i qui dt y pe ,t hi sc anbewe tandme s s y .I ’ v ef oundt hatt he yc andr yup r at he rqui c kl y ,andr unoutofi nkqui t ef as taswe l l .

Rat i ng:3outof5s t ar s .

I fy ou’ r et het y peofpe r s onwhodoe s n’ tne e dmor et hanoneort wohi ghl i ght e r s( l i keme ) ,I ’ ds ayt he s ear e n’ twor t hy ourmone y-e s pe c i al l ywi t ht headde dr i s koft he m l e aki ng!

eCl e a r Vi e wHi g hl i g ht e r s Sharpi

Sy dne y :The s ear emyf av or i t ehi ghl i ght e r sf ore v e r y t hi ng.Wi t ht he c l e arv i e wt i p,y ouknow e xac t l ywhe nt os t ophi ghl i ght i ng!Gr e at c hi s e lt i p,br i ghtc ol or s ,andShar pi e ’ s“ Sme arGuar d”as s ur anc e .

Rat i ng:4out5s t ar s .Thes hapeoft hehi ghl i ght e r si sal i t t l eawkwar d i nmyt i nyhands ,butt he ywor kr e al l ywe l l .

Me adow:Whe nIhe ar daboutt he s e ,Ide bat e donbuy i ngt he m.The yar eabi tpr i c e yf ormy budge t ,andt he r ewe r e n’ tmanyr e v i e wsont he m.I ’ m anav i dhi ghl i ght e r ,s oIde c i de dt of i nd s ome onewhoowne dt he m andbor r owt he m pr i ort opur c has i ngt he m.Iwas n’ ti mpr e s s e d.The “ Sme arGuar d”guar ant e ewasnott r ueont heone sIt r i e d.

AsI ’ ml e f thande d, t hec l e art i pdi dn’ t he l p.

Al t houghIl i ke dt hef i r mt i p, Ide c i de dt he ywoul dbeawas t eofmone yast hec ol or swe r e n’ t asv i br antashope d.

Rat i ng:2outof5s t ar s .Ov e r al l ,i twasabade xpe r i e nc e .

— 52—

hol ygr ai l

The s e“ hol ygr ai l ”pr oduc t sar epr oduc t st haty ous e e al l ov e rs t udy bl r .

The y ’ r ef e at ur e di nphot osofpr e t t y not e s ,me nt i one di nc apt i ons ,s e e mi ngl yr e v e r e dby al laspe nc i lc as es t apl e s ,andbyf art hemos twe l l knownbr andsi nt hec ommuni t y .

l oPoi nt88F i ne l i ne r s Stabi Joanna:Thef i r s tf i nel i nerpensI ’ vebought ,s i nc et heywer er eadi l yavai l abl ei nmy l oc albooks hop.Theyf el tpr et t ygoodatf i r s t ,butIs oonr eal i z edt hatt her ewer e c heaper ,bet t eropt i onst hant heSt abi l of i nel i ner s .Thebi gges ti s s uewi t ht hes ewas t hatt heybl edt hr oughever ypi ec eofpaperIus ed, andt heyhadni bst hatbr oker eal l y qui c kl y.Notanamaz i ngpen,butpr et t ydec enti ft hat ’ st heonl yc hoi c eyouhave.

Rat i ng:2outof5s t ar s !

Sydney:Ij us tgott hes e,s oI ’ ms t i l ldec i di ngonmyopi ni on.Myf i r s ti mpr es s i ons havebeenamaz i ng,however :t her angeofc ol or si sf ant as t i c !Ther ear ebr i ght s , dar ks ,andevenneons .IneverknewI ’ dl i keus i nganeonpenunt i lIt r i edt hes e.

Rat i ng:5outof5s t ar s .

e rT r i pl usF i ne l i ne r s Staedtl Joanna:I ’ v eus e dt he s epe nsf orqui t es omet i me ,andIr e al l yl i ket hec ol orv ar i e t y t hatc ome swi t ht he1 2pac kand36pac k.The y ’ r eof t e nqui t ee xpe ns i v ef orpe ns , t hough, andt he ybl e e dt hr oughnor mal l oos e l e afpape rmos toft het i me .

Is t i l l us e t he mf orc l as sandnot e t aki ng,s oIc an’ tr e al l yc ompl ai n!

Rat i ng:4outof5s t ar s !

Sy dne y :Iwoul dde s c r i bet he s ease xac t l yi nbe t we e nt heShar pi epe nsandt he St abi l of i ne l i ne r s .Thet r i angl es hapei sr e al l yannoy i ngt omepe r s onal l y ,andI ’ v e ac t ual l ys mas he dt het i psont he s ebe f or e ,whi c hi sv e r ydi s appoi nt i ng.

Rat i ng:3outof5s t ar s .Il ov ehowt hec as edoubl e sasas t and,butt he y ’ r ej us tnot asgoodast heot he r s .

Joanna:Oneofmyul t i mat ef av or i t epe ns— I us et he s ei nt he0.

2ni bs i z eandt he y ’ r ehone s t l y pl ai n amaz i ng.The y ’ r es upe rs of tand don’ tbl e e dt hr oughasmuc hasmos tf i ne l i ne r s , pl usI ’ ms upe ri mpr e s s e dbyt heamaz i ngc ons i s t e nc yoft hei nk,t hebl ac ki sgor ge ousf or wr i t i ng!

Rat i ng:5outof5s t ar s !

— 53—

nF i ne l i ne r s UniPi

i 0.

38Ge l Pe ns Muj Joanna:Iboughtapac kwhenmyl oc alMuj ihadas al egoi ngon,s ot heydi dn’ tc os tmet oomuc h,whi c h i spr et t yneat !However ,t hepenswer el es s t hans at i s f ac t or yi nmyopi ni on.Theyhadr eal l yi nc ons i s t ent f l owi ngi nkandt hepenwas n’ tasc omf or t abl et ohol dasIt houghtt heywoul dbe.Over al lapr et t y r oughexper i enc e,butIdi dl i ket hei rc ol orvar i et yandavai l abi l i t yofr ef i l l s !

Rat i ng:2outof5s t ar s !

Xuanl i n:Thes epenswr i t er eal l yr eal l ys moot hl y-t hey’ r et hes moot hes tpensI ’ veeverus ed,andt hat ’ s whyIc ont i nuet obuyt hem!Theyal s oc omei napr et t ygoodr angeofc ol our swhi c hf i tper f ec t l ywi t ht he c ol ours c hemesIl i ket ous ei nmynot es ,andagoodr angeoft hi c knes s es ,t oo( t houghIf i ndt he0.

38t o bet heni c es tt owr i t ewi t h) .Theyar eal s or ef i l l abl e!However ,t heyc anbequi t evol at i l e.Iboughtan or angegeli nkpenoneday,andt henextdayi thads omehowexpl odedi ni t sc apandempt i edhal fi t si nk i nt omypenc i l c as e.Thes epensal s ot endt odot hatt hi ngwher eawhol ebl obofi nkac c umul at esont he ni b,andt henextpens t r oket ur nsoutt obeabi gwets pl ot c h.

Addi t i onal l y,t heyar ef r agi l e-dr opt hem wi t houtt hec apon,andI ’ ds ayt her e’ sa7080% c hanc et hat t heywon’ twor ks moot hl yagai n.Thebal l poi nti sr at hereas i l ypus hedbac ki nt oni bupondr oppi ng,r ender i ngt hepenqui t eunus abl e.

Eveni ft hi sdoes n’ thappen, If i ndt hataf t erdr oppi ngt hepenonc e, i t si nk neverr eal l yf l owsi nt hes moot hwayt hati ts houl d.

Rat i ng:4outof5s t ar s .I ’ ds ayt hatt hes epensar ewor t ht hemoney,butonl ydependi ngonwher eyou l i ve.

I fMuj is t at i oner yi snotr el at i vel yc heapandeas i l yac c es s i bl ef oryou, Idon’ tt hi nkt hey’ r ewor t ht he ext r aef f or tormoney, es pec i al l yi fyouhavet opayf ors hi ppi ng!Ot herpenst hatyouwoul dbeabl et of i nd eas i l yatyourl oc als t at i oner ys t or ewi l lper f or m wel lenough,nomat t erhow muc hs t udybl rs wear sby t hes epens .

— 54—

The s ear el e s swe l l known pr oduc t s( t hough t hat i s n’ tt os ayt hatt he y ’ r ec ompl e t e l yunknown) .Many oft he s ewor kasdupe sf orhi ghl ypopul arbr ands , andar eus ual l ymuc hmor eaf f or dabl e .

unde r dog

i l otG2Pe ns P Joanna:Thes ewer epr et t yc heapf orPi l otgelpens ,andt hey’ r es ur pr i s i ngl ypr et t ygoodqual i t yi nk, al t houghi ts mudgesal i t t l et oomuc hf ormyl i ki ng,andI ’ veneverbeenahugef anofgelpensi nt he f i r s tpl ac e.They’ r epr et t ys moot hr ol l i ng,t hough,andal otbet t ert hanot hergelpensI ’ veus ed bef or e!

Rat i ng:3outof5s t ar s !

ePe ns Sharpi Sy dne y :Mygot ope nsf ore v e r y daywr i t i ng.Thet i psar egr e atanddon’ tbr e akorbe nd,andt he c ol or sar ev i br antandbe aut i f ul .

Rat i ng:5outof5s t ar s .

a pe r Ma t eI nk J oy P Me adow:The s epe nsar egr e at .

The ydon’ tbl e e dt hr oughorc r e at egl obsofi nkont hepage .

The y goe xac t l ywi t ht hePape r mat eFl ai rPe nsc ol or s .

Iwi s ht hatt he yc amei nal ar ge rv ar i e t yofc ol or s , t hough.

Rat i ng:3.

5outof5s t ar s .I twoul dbehi ghe ri ft he r ewasal ar ge rc ol ors e l e c t i on.

t eDude sGe l Pe ns Wri Meadow:Thes epensar eamaz i ng.Ther e’ sahuges el ec t i on ofc ol or s ,andt heywr i t edec ent l y s moot hl y.Idon’ tt ur nt hepensups i dedownt oc ol l ec ti nkasIdon’ twantt owas t ei nk.Ipai dabout $1 4atTar getf or24pensver s us$1 3f or1 0St abi l of i nel i ner s .

Rat i ng:3.

5outof5s t ar s ;I ’ ms ur et hati fIl ef tt hem ups i dedownt heywoul dwor kbet t er .

a pe r ma t eF l a i rPe ns P Sy dne y :Gr e ats e l e c t i onofc ol or sandgr e ats hape ,butal mos tal way sbl e e dt hr oughanypape r .

Rat i ng:3outof5s t ar s .Ij us tc an’ ts t andi twhe npe nsbl e e dt hr ough! !

Me adow:Thec ol or sar er e al l yni c e ,andt he ywr i t es moot hl y .The ydobl e e dt hr oughof t e n,butI us ual l yonl yus et he mf orgr adi ngmy s e l forhe ade r s .

Rat i ng:3.

5outof5s t ar s .Thec ol or sar ebol d,butt hebl e e di ngdoe sbot he rmeabi t .

— 55—

S t u d y i n gS n a c k s&S mo o t h i e s wri e nbyEdy eBe ne di c t( ac ade ml a) , Me adow Pe ndl e y( s t udy i ngwt  ) , andRu( gry hffindors ) e di t e dbyKri s t e n( re wri t i gn)/l ay outbyEmi l yWanne r( f rugal s t udi e s )

Weal lknowhowdi f f i c ul ti ti st os t udyonane mpt ys t omac h.

I ti mpai r sy ourc onc e nt r at i onand i s n’ the al t hy !He r ear es omes nac kst haty ouc anpr e par eont hes potands omet haty ouc an makeahe adont hewe e ke nd.Al s o,makes ur ey ous t ayhy dr at e danddr i nkpl e nt yofwat e r !

Pe anutbut t e rwi t happl e s Toas twi t hav oc ados e as one dwi t hl i meand c hi l if l ake s Fr ui t( f r oz e n,f r e s h,ordr i e d) Ve ggi e sorpi t awi t hhummus Nut s Toas twi t hpe anutbut t e randbanana( wi t h hone yormapl es y r up) Yogur t Che e s eandc r ac ke r s Par f ai t s–j us tl ay e ry ogur t ,f r ui tandoat si na t al lc uporgl as s Que s adi l l as Smoot hi e sar eoneoft hemos tc onv e ni e nts nac ks( and,i napi nc h,me al s ubs t i t ut e s )f orbus ys t ude nt s .The yt akel e s st hant e nmi nut e st omake , andt he yc anbepr e t t yde l i c i oust oboot .

He r ear es omes moot hi er e c i pe s s t r ai ghtf r om myki t c he n!

Qui c kt i p:Cr e at es moot hi ej ar sorki t st heni ghtbe f or e .Ius eane mpt yj am orBe l lj art oputal l ofmyi ngr e di e nt si n( f r oz e nf r ui t ,anyv e ggi e s ,e t c . )t heni ghtbe f or e .Ipl ac et hi si nt hef r e e z e r s ot hef r ui twi l lt hawal i t t l e ,andt he ni nt hemor ni ngal lIne e dt odoi st os si ti nt ot hebl e nde r , addl i qui d,ande nj oy !

56

Things I learned in 2015

We asked our readers to tell us about what they learned in 2015. Here are some of our favorites!

I learned how to say no and to give constructive criticism. (thebakerandthebeast) I learned how to calm my anxieties and worries about what people think of me. I realized that just as I don't think about what other people say or do, whether embarrassing or not, after the exact moment it happened, others don't either. I realized that no one will remember most of what I say or do that makes me, personally, cringe, so there's no point in me worrying about what someone might think. I learned to just let it go and move on; life goes on. (roguesmari) Everything happens for a reason. One day, I can say to myself that I have the gratitude of that one thing happening in my life, because it made me a better version of myself. (academicallypanicking) I learned to work hard and don’t stop till you get what you want. I’ve noticed that hard work actually pays off. This may seem like a simple thing but it’s crazy how many people give up because it got “too hard” or “ I don’t have time.” I learned that you always have a choice and that I have a choice to work hard now and have a good future. (acanthastudies) I cannot let my family’s anger disrupt my happiness. (studyingwtf) I've learned that I will only get somewhere if I strive for progress, not perfection. (studyeu) If you don’t go for what you want, someone else will. Take opportunities when they present themselves. (exceptionalcelestial) Bears can run as fast as 35 mph. I have a new fear for 2016. (light-studying) I learned that you should never sacrifice your mental health for a grade (amyunedited) The biggest thing I learned in 2015 is to do things for myself- making decisions to make other people happy will only get you so far! (katieisstilltumbling) Distance yourself from the negative people in your life, even if they are family. (fairyflossnotes) Being educated is way better than being beautiful. (studying-afterhours)

Layout by Edye Benedict (academla) 58

The Academic: cover submissions

The designers’ first assignment was to create and submit a potential cover.

Although we ultimately voted on Joanna (studybuzz) as the winning cover artist, we received several excellent submissions, which we are proud to exhibit in the last pages of the magazine!

artists § Comfort Anyanwu (studyeu) § Emily Wanner (frugalstudies) § Jasmine Altham (studybtch) § Kat Chai (muji-princess) § Sam (melbstudent) § Sierra (paperandpsychology) § Danyy (savagesirensx)

Layout by Edye Benedict (academla) 59

THE ACADEMIC BYST UDENT SF ORST UDENT S f e b r u a r y2 01 6| | v o l u meI

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