Author: Brooke F.

I’m a college student who has unrealistic dreams of being a famous authoress who writes mystery novels. Either that or a goblin... haven't decided which. I live on a farm up on a hilltop where the wind likes to mess up my hair and the trees sway poetically in the wind.

How to avoid burn-out in college

~ Brooke F. ~ 1 Comment

Make short-term achievable goals to go along with your long-term big ones.

This can look like a daily to-do list where you check off little things like doing laundry or cleaning out that messy desk drawer. Your long-term and big goals can be rather daunting. So break it off until smaller bites that you can see yourself accomplishing.

Have at least one weekend day open for catching up (if you can).

I know this isn’t doable for everyone, but leaving at least one weekend day open for catching up on anything that needs to be caught up on is a great thing to do. This can be homework or housework or both. You just need to keep a day open for the things that tend to pile up if you don’t.

Evaluate Priorities (you’re probably going to have to say “no” to something.)

There’s going to be a lot of things bartering for your time in college and I’m sorry to say, you’re likely not going to be able to do it all. I know it’s hard, especially if you have a people pleasing complex (cough, cough), but you’re going to have to say no to some things and some people. You cannot do it all. So prioritize the things that are really worth your time.

Celebrate little achievements and accomplishments and reward yourself every now and then.

Buy yourself a coffee if you did well on that test. Allow yourself to watch an episode of your favorite show when you finish your homework early. Celebrate the small mile-stones and you’ll maintain your wind for future projects.

Keep an eye on your mental state.

College moves so quickly. So much so, it is very easy to cultivate some very unhealthy thinking patterns and habits without even realizing it. I nearly broke one semester because I didn’t even realize I had an issue till I was on the verge of falling to pieces. Keep a conscious eye on your mental state. Sometimes being mentally unhealthy can sneak up on you. It is very easy to lose yourself in a school schedule.

Try to take care of your body.

You study like crap when you feel like crap. Coffee is not a substitute for water. Get some sunlight every now and then. Take your meds. Go for a walk every now and then. Shower and wash your face at the end of the day.

Keep a schedule of some sorts

Especially towards the beginning of the semester when you have lots of room numbers and time slots to remember. But really it’s good to have a schedule year-round if you can manage it. This kind of organization can really help you manage and budget your time and therefore lead to less stress overall during the school year.

Know that it’s okay to ask for help and seek out tutoring resources if you can when needed.

I know asking for help is on most people’s “least favorite things to do” list but trust me, you’re probably going to have to do it at some point during your college career so might as well get used to the idea. And try not to wait till you’re halfway through a class and you’re completely lost to ask for help. If you’re struggling now, ask for help now. Nail down those concepts that you’re shaky on; most subjects build upon earlier concepts.

Make time for passion projects, social activities, or hobbies every now and then.

Don’t run yourself ragged and deprive yourself of spending your time doing fun things or hanging out with friends. These are not “luxuries” that you can deprive yourself of long-term. Sure, don’t skip studying and exam to go partying but definitely schedule a coffee date with a gal pal or a day to indulge in one of your long-neglected hobbies. You are not a machine. You are a person with many different needs, some of which are social. Don’t deprive yourself of these things because you feel you don’t deserve or have “time” for it. You need to make time for it.

Evening Poems: Golden

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

Golden child, golden child,
As soon as you were born
Your parents cooed
What a treasure! So beautiful.
And as you got older and you were quick to read.
Shes so talented they said. Ahead of the curve.
But as your pace slowed to match the others,
You can hear the disappointed words of your mother.
When you raised the bar so high you yourself could not reach
You did not realize this was a permanent arrangement.

And so golden child, golden child, you began to fall.
For you tied your worthiness of being loved to your performance.
And so when you sometimes struggled to keep pace,
Tears born of failure, tarnished your golden face.

Evening Poems: Battles

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

I love you
Coming from the wrong person
Those words feel like a weapon
And twenty swords drawn, aimed at your heart,
Just waiting for the precise moment to thrust.
You do not trust the person you love to love you back in a gentle way
A way that is good for your soul.
No, they are the type of person that will hit you, all while dripping good intentions like blood from a wound.
Punch you in the stomach while softly telling you that you are their world.
And the tragedy is, they often mean it. But cannot see beyond their own red hands.
The special pain of oblivious lovers.
Am I cursed to love the ignorant?

Perhaps so. For you are a poison that smells of Roses and I drink you in all the same.

Evening Poems: Victorious

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

The many victories of a healthy mind
Are In the small things I’ve come to find.
Nails no longer bitten to nubs
Flesh and blood and hangnail stubs.
I buy myself a coffee with little guilt.
And By midmorning, I no longer wilt.
Hunger is something I actually feel.
Food can be enjoyed, senses real.
I can sleep and wake with the sun.
And I feel full when the day is done.
Even if I haven’t exactly changed the world.
I was not lost in a sickening whirl.
I saw my coffee thick with cream.
Walked barefoot in a little stream.
I saw the rain fall in a mist.
Along the pane the water kissed.
These things weren’t lost on me- I saw them all.
I couldnt before- I was too busy with my fall.
These are the victories of a healthy mind.
All the little things that you can find.

How to bounce back from failing an exam (or even a class)

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

Yeah, I know this isn’t fun to write about or even read about. As a student who grew accustomed to A’s and B’s in highschool, I found myself a little shell-shocked when I got to college and failed my first big test (RIP my biology midterm grade-you will be missed). And it was… an adjustment to say the least. Really this one grade should not have made me question my identity like it did but a someone who prides myself on how well I do at school, it was definitely a blow to my pride. I questioned whether or not I was really cut-out for college or even my major (I am a bio major by the way). But in the end, what I really ended up doing was dusting myself off and trying again. And here’s how I did it…

I had a grieving period

And boy, did it stink. I cried over this grade a lot (probably a bit more than I should have). But I really do think it is good to allow yourself to feel sad over this grade, especially if you worked really hard and did not receive the mark you feel you had earned or expected. Don’t wallow of course. You should not tie your self worth to your grades. But do allow yourself the time to be sad. Cry. Shower. And Take a nap.

I had a forgiveness period

And then I had to forgive myself. I know it may seem strange to some, but when I get a bad grade, I have to forgive myself for it because usually it means I disappointed myself. But wallowing in self-hatred is not a recipe for doing well in a class or even doing well in general for that matter. So there eventually came a point where I just had to accept it and move on.

I had an evaluation period

I had to think about why I flunked. This, in turn, and lead you to forming a better game plan for this class in the future. I had to ask myself how I got this bad grade and what led to it and whether or not it was in my control. I’ve done poorly on a few tests since the bio midterm mishap and did so for a variety of different reasons. Some were simply due to ineffective study methods or spreading of study time. And every now and then, the class itself is just plain difficult (or maybe even a professor is). This doesn’t give you an excuse to give up of course but you should definitely recognize what is and isn’t in your control.

I made a new game plan

Once I identified why exactly I did badly, I made a new game plan. Usually this step involves a new study strategy that focuses on where I was weak before and compensates for where I messed up. I recommend making this plan and then STICKING TO IT (it doesn’t do you any good to make it and not follow through).

I Tried to avoid burnout by taking breaks

I know for me it was hard to accept that I still needed breaks after my bad grade. When I don’t do well, I have a bad habit of depriving myself of such things because I felt I didn’t deserve it. But trust me, not taking-breaks just results in burn-out and that helps no one. Breaks are not optional. Stick to your game plan but your game plan should consist of a well-needed break every now and then. This step took me a few weeks to grasp but after completely wearing myself thin, I got the message that I need to rest as any normal person does.

I accepted that this happens

To the majority of people actually. College is hard. But I can do it because I can do hard things. Even if I fail sometimes. That’s a part of succeeding actually I’ve discovered. For every success I have about 100 little failures that allowed me to get there. And that’s alright. So best of luck to you. Go and achieve your goals. Because you can do hard things!

Flowers

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

I wrote a reversible poem! Read it Forwards and then Backwards!

I’ll love you forever  

So I gave you flowers  

The church bells rang 

Till death do us part.  

To Never to be severed from. 

My darling it’s you I never want 

To lose 

To love is 

To feel my heart beat stop in my chest. 

I hear those fateful words 

My head spins.  

I’ll never forget 

This 

What did I ever do to deserve 

You 

It begins and ends with 

Flowers 

More Photography Ideas

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

An Arcade

Arcades, especially at night, can be a flurry of bright, colorful neon lights. This makes them prime photoshoot locations, especially if you want to get a bright, retro vibe.

Cats

Cats are pretty awesome for a lot of reasons. But one thing is for sure- they’re awesome at being photogenic. If you have a cat available, maybe consider taking a few shots with your pet!

Rainbow scarves and accessories

Rainbow accessories create a wonderful pop of color that creates a lovely focal point in your portraits or shots.

Roller Skates

Roller Skates are a great way to give your photoshoot retro vibes! Plus, roller-skating rings tend to have fun, bright neon lighting that also adds to the shots.

Bubbles

Bubbles can make for beautiful, care-free and whimsical looking shoots. Just have your subject blow a cloud of iridescent bubbles that catch the light and you’ve a cute shot!

Mirrors

Mirrors can create an interesting perspective with which you can play with in your shots. They can also contribute to making the photo look more dramatic. The only cons is you’ve gotta make sure that the angle you come at the mirror with, doesn’t reveal you, the photographer, unless that’s a specific affect you want to obtain like in the example above.

Instruments

Yet another item that makes a great focal point for your photos. They also add a sort of classy air to the shoot. My favorite instruments to incorporate are pianos, violins, and guitars.

And that’s all for now! I really enjoy making these posts so I might make some more in the near future! Stay safe during these trying times!

~Brooke F.

Writing Prompt: Murder Circus

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

You’ve worked at a circus all your life. You’ve seen acts come and go and generally have enjoyed your job and have stayed on good terms with everyone. It’s a living. But your life takes a turn when a new act is hired: a fortune teller. Which would be fine if she didn’t foretell the death of multiple circus troupe members three separate times. Something is going on here, and you are determined to find out what- not only to save your job, but the lives of the other members of the troupe.

Evening Poems: Nature Girl

~ Brooke F. ~ Leave a comment

Field girl, field girl,
You belong to grass of the field
A gentle power you’ll wield
That many will seek to destroy
You have gold in your hair
Eyes of honey so fair
Dont let them take your heart.

Sea girl, sea girl,
Many will try to tread your depth
And come up short of breath
It is not your fault they never learnt to swim.
You have salt in your blood
For You are the flood
That bathes the world in blue.

Storm girl, storm girl.
Your voice is thunder
You’ll leave them to wonder,
Where your power lies.
There is force in your will,
Rain water does fill,
Your throat and spills through your eyes.