Saturday, March 21, 2020

6 Ways to Create a Productive Study Environment

6 Ways to Create a Productive Study Environment 6 Ways to Create a Productive Study Environment Whether you’re studying for a test or writing an assignment, working effectively depends heavily on your surroundings. As such, it’s critical that you have a good study environment. Luckily, we have six top tips for what makes the perfect place to study. All you need to do is keep the following considerations in mind†¦ 1. Location, Location, Location! Where you go to work makes a big difference to your productivity. If you’re studying at home, the key will be finding somewhere away from distractions and disturbances. If you don’t want to study at home, however, or if your party-hard housemates make working from home a little challenging, you have plenty of alternative options, including libraries and coffee shops. 2. Tidy Desk, Tidy Mind This doesn’t work for everyone (some people thrive on chaos), but generally you’ll find yourself more productive if your study environment is tidy and organized. This is partly because keeping your workspace tidy makes it easier to find books, notes or anything else you need when you need it. But it’s also because not being surrounded by piles of clutter and discarded coffee cups can make it easier to focus on the task at hand! Theres probably a desk under there somewhere. [Image: Ali West/flickr] 3. Eliminate Distractions You’re unlikely to get much done if you’re checking Twitter every thirty seconds. If this sounds familiar, you might want to install software on your computer/phone to temporarily block any websites or apps that you find distracting. The same applies to TV, friends, partners and anything else that stops you paying attention to your work: If it’s distracting, make sure it isn’t part of your study environment! 4. Background Music Many people find a bit of background music good for concentration. Instrumental music is the best option here, as songs with lyrics can become distracting. Note, however, that wearing headphones while revising has been found to make it harder to recall what you’ve read. So although you might think that wearing headphones is a good way to block out noise when studying at a coffee shop, it might also interfere with your learning! It definitely helps if you open your eyes, too. 5. Comfort is Key! Temperature, lighting and comfort all make a big difference if you’re settling in for a prolonged study session. Make sure your environment is cool, well-lit and comfortable enough that you won’t become restless after a few minutes working. Taking regular breaks is also helpful. You can also be too comfortable, though, so studying in bed is probably not a great idea. 6. Be Prepared†¦ Ultimately, the most important thing when creating a study environment is to be prepared! This means having everything you need to hand when you start, including books, notes, pens and pencils, a drink, snacks and any other study resources you find helpful to have around.

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Libation

Libation Libation Libation By Maeve Maddox A cutesy use of the word libation is becoming popular with restaurateurs. I heard a radio spot for a local eatery of no particular elegance advertising â€Å"food and libations.† Pinterest has a category called â€Å"Elegant Food and Libations,† and numerous restaurants advertising on the web offer libations. One of them has made sure that potential customers know the meaning of the L word by posting the anticipated question and its answer on its home page: What are Libations? â€Å"They are drinks!† Until the 17th century, when some classically educated young gentleman thought it would be funny to call wine intended to be drunk by his guests â€Å"libations,† the word’s standard use was to refer to an ancient religious practice. libation: noun. The pouring out of wine or other liquid in honor of a god; the liquid so poured out; a drink-offering. Libation is from the Latin verb libare, â€Å"to libate, to pour out in honor of a god.† The usual liquid to pour out in the context of honoring a god or one’s ancestors is wine or some other alcoholic drink, although a libation can be any liquid. Water is poured out by Buddhists. In ancient Rome, milk was poured out to the goddess of childbirth. In addition to being offered to deities, libations were poured out in honor of one’s ancestors. Relatives visiting a Roman necropolis might pour a libation directly onto a grave, or into pipes installed for the purpose. The practice of pouring an offering of liquid onto the ground, an altar, an amulet, or a sacrificial animal has been a part of religious practice in all parts of the world. It continues into modern times in various religious and cultural contexts. A Cuban custom is to spill a drop or two of rum, while saying â€Å"para los santos (for the saints).† A similar custom exists in the Philippines, where someone opening a bottle of rum will spill a capful, saying â€Å"para sa yawa (for the Devil).† The following rap lyrics refer to a libation practice called â€Å"tipping,† in which malt liquor is spilled on the ground in memory of the dead: â€Å"Pour out a little liquor† Pour out a little liquor for your homies 2Pak Going down the drain I’d like to keep stepping But I can’t get past the pain, I tip my 40 to your memory Take a drink and I start to think DRS Gangsta Lean Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Format a UK Business LetterHow to Play HQ Words: Cheats, Tips and TricksEducational vs. Educative