COOPER TAYLOR 🥉

Hi Anya! I've struggled with forgetting textbook details too, but what really helped me was switching to active recall instead of just passive reading. The key is to read a section, then close the book and try to explain the main points out loud or write them down from memory. This forces your brain to retrieve the info, which strengthens retention way better than highlighting or re-reading. For example, after reading about photosynthesis in biology, I'd quiz myself on the steps without looking back, like listing how light energy converts to chemical energy in chloroplasts. Start by breaking the chapter into small chunks, maybe 2-3 pages at a time, and after each, jot down key facts or concepts in your own words. Then, the next day, review those notes and test yourself again without the book. Spaced repetition apps like Anki can help with this by scheduling reviews at increasing intervals. It feels a bit tedious at first, but it sticks because you're actively engaging with the material rather than just absorbing it. One concrete tip is to create flashcards with questions on one side and answers on the other, focusing on details you often forget, like specific dates in history. Do this consistently, and by exam time, you'll notice you retain way more. If something's still fuzzy, go back and re-explain it to an imaginary friend - that's the Feynman technique in action. It's simple, but it works reliably for most people.

Idk man, I just winged it last time with a loose plan and it kinda worked. Start by skimming everything quickly to get the big picture. Then dive into the stuff you suck at. Make flashcards for quick facts. Quiz yourself daily. Mix in some breaks to avoid burnout. End with practice tests. Time yourself. Review what you got wrong. That's basically it. kept me sane.

maybe Cornell split and capture key steps and why and color-code, flag gaps, three-line summary.

Switched last year and oh boy, the pros are endless but with hilarious fails. Like, I can draw diagrams super easily, search notes instantly, and sync everything to my phone. Cost was a punch though, spent $400 on an iPad and stylus and but it cut down on paper waste. Then there was the time I got distracted by notifications during a lecture and ended up browsing memes instead of noting key points. Distraction is real if you don't turn off alerts. Pro tip: use do-not-disturb mode. Overall, it helped me review more because notes are neat, but I dropped it once and cracked the screen, adding repair costs. I'd say go for it if you're chaos like me.

I went through two plastic boxes and one garden cart with wobbly wheels before I gave up and put a metal reel on the wall... tbh that model has been the only thing that did not look tired after a season in the sun. is heavier and more rigid which helps when you are reeling in a long hose because the whole mount does not flex. For brick I prefer drilling into the brick rather than the mortar, then using sleeve anchors or masonry screws with a wide washer. Set the height so the crank is around hip level and offset the reel a bit so the hose comes off the guide toward your yard instead of straight at the spigot. If you can borrow a hammer drill it turns a tough job into an easy one. Without one you can still do it, you need patience and a fresh bit.

Set a nightly review alarm; like dishes, nobody wants to. For what it's worth, taking a few minutes to practice this in a calm setting usually helps it stick.

Double-check the course rotation and prerequisite chains so you don't get stuck waiting a year for a single class; map those "offered fall only" classes first. Balance each term by pairing one heavy course with a lighter gen-ed and when possible, pick asynchronous sections to reclaim commute and bedtime flexibility. Build buffers: know add/drop and refund dates, set aside a small emergency fund for a surprise textbook or extra childcare, and ask HR about tuition reimbursement or flex time before you register.