How to Romanticize Your Education

On keeping the (study) spark alive.

The Meet-Cute: Vision Boarding Your Dream Semester

Like the spark of a new crush, this is where you dream big. Set the scene, set the vibe, and get excited to fall head-over-heels with your goals.

This is key, especially as an online student. The best way I find to do this is to Prepare a vision board before the semester starts.

(Affirmation, Study location, over all vibe, coffee (fav study treat), grade goal)

Vision Board Pictures:

- Grades you’re striving for this semester!

- Affirmations! because you got this, you can do it! (you’re already doing it)

- Aesthetic notes- note taking is so fun! Take first draft notes and make a copy of aesthetic notes… whatever gets you excited to learn and study.

- Coffee shops and libraries around you! Then go study there! You will have seen your vision board and now you’re in it which is a total motivator! It’s like flipping a switch in your brain.

- Anything that makes you excited to learn, even if its a picture of hair in a bun, glasses on a desk, or an energy drink.

- Grad pictures literally the entire goal!

- Pictures of jobs you want to do with your degree!

Tip: I have a collage included in my desktop wallpaper! Make it part of your wallpaper or add it as a widget!

Don’t Show Up Empty-Handed: The Tools That Keep You Loyal

Just like you’d show up to a date with flowers or your best playlist—bring the good stuff. These study tools are your emotional support, conversation starters, and red-flag detectors.

Tools:

- Google Tabs- this is something I did not know about until a month ago. Here’s a tutorial if this slipped by you too! Essentially instead of keeping a bunch of windows open with 5+ tabs, you can put tabs into a group and easily open and close them together! You can name and color code these tab groups!

- KnowT- I have used this tool a couple times (as it is summer break) but I see myself really utilizing this tool. Being able to import documents is a huge plus, and I like the study activities are better than Quizlet. I feel like I am learning at a better pace to ensure longevity in retaining knowledge than Quizlet.

- Atlas- Is an AI tool that will analyze a file (MP4, PDF, etc.) and can give you notes, or a summary of the content. Personally, I am iffy on this. I do not like that important information may fall through the cracks and highlights are being chosen for me. However, I can see myself using this is I am having trouble with a particular topic. This is because I can prompt it to ‘summarize this for someone who has no knowledge about x,y,z). I can see adding this into notes, but not making my notes revolve around Atlas.

- NotebookLM- Is an AI tool that can create a podcast on imported files. I think this would be a great review and very creative. I think this is great for using when you are between studying but feel you need a bit more exposure and reiteration. (I prompted for the podcast to sound Giggly Squad’s Hannah and Paige having a conversation about government)

Wine and Dine Your Degree: Study Dates to Keep the Spark Alive

Study Dates! Just like every other relationship, you have to maintain your educational relationship. Especially when you’re online and are not as exposed to breaks (switching classes, commuting, and limited social interactions).

Your relationship with learning needs quality time too. Take it to cute cafes, beach outings, or spontaneous lunch dates. Keep things fresh, and flirt with your focus.

- Study at the beach! This is often overlooked but a great option to switch things up and link serotonin to your study session. (if you can read a book at the beach, you can read a textbook or your notes). If you’re not understanding something, throw a frisbee or kick a ball, and try again! Most of the time your brain is overworked and you need a small break. This does wonders for mental stamina!

- Take yourself out for lunch and study! Personally, Mexican is my go to, you can choose yours. However bottomless chips and a margarita seems to really motivate me. Im not going to lie, I would love a chaotic study session at Waffle House but I don’t see it being very academic.

Know Your Type: Building Your Study Love Language

Before you commit, know what you need. Quiet time? Background ambiance? This is where you figure out what keeps you in sync with your studies—and what turns you off.

This is the same for studying. What traits work best for you? What are dealbreakers For me, wordless background noise words best. Dealbreakers for me include music with words as I find I cannot fully focus and end up getting distracted. I know some people need complete quiet.

Ambiance is Everything: Curating the Mood for Romance (and Retention)

From cozy cafés to dark academia playlists, seduce your senses and set the tone. The right background noise can turn a boring task into a candlelit dinner for one.

Background Noise and ambiance suggestions:

• I Miss My Cafe. (My fav) You can adjust each noise setting and even play Spotify at the same time through the website (which I do utilize depending on how focused I need to be). There are several other

• Harry Potter Ambiance . Even if you haven’t seen (or read of corse) the Harry Potter series, you can still enjoy that dark academia ambiance. If you’re at home, you can throw this on the tv and enjoy the visuals in the background to get a warm, cozy, calm, vibe.

• LifeAt. gives you a plethora of options to choose from. This includes ambiance and timing your study session and breaks. There are many more options for a paid subscription, but you can see those options for yourself.

• LowFi honorable mention! I had an AP teacher play this every day so it’s a bit nostalgic for me. A true classic for most and honestly I think forgotten about all the same. ,

Bring Flowers Just Because: Little Things That Make Studying Feel Special

Buy yourself flowers, dress up to do flashcards, order your favorite treat. These tiny love notes to yourself build a relationship with learning that feels worth showing up for.

you don’t necessarily need to dress up for flashcards is you don’t want to, that does seem extravagant, but you definitely can get yourself a nice bouquet of flowers to enjoy as you study. How is it any different than getting a coffee? Its is rather stimulating your vision than tastebuds, bringing the fresh outdoors to you, and adding a little romantic spark. While you’re at it, grab some candles to set the mood too!

The Emergency Contact List: Your Go-To Study Spots

Every relationship needs stability. Keep a list of your top 3 study locations where you can always rekindle the flame and get back in sync with your goals.

Here are mine:

1. The library (one near me and one thats a little further but bigger and more aesthetic)

2. Books-a-Million (for coffee and quiet. Also because Barnes and Noble is an hour away)

3. The beach (for fresh air while studying and natural background noise)