The chaos of the pandemic faded into a blur, leaving behind one vivid memory: my own self-contempt. His August of 2020 was supposed to mark the beginning of a thrilling chapter as I stepped into college life. A period filled with new friendships and exciting classes, or so I imagined. Instead of a bustling campus life, I found myself holed up in a lonely dorm room, battling loneliness and struggling to understand even the simplest concepts. What was supposed to be a time of adventure turned into months of isolation and academic setbacks.
It didn't take long for me to realize that my success in high school didn't prepare me for the rigors of college, especially the complexities of online classes via Zoom. The change from easily maintaining a 4.0 GPA in high school to struggling in college had a big impact on me. Studying in the same space as sleeping and eating made my difficulties even worse, until romantic feelings came to my rescue.
That critical moment marked a clear change. I made a conscious decision to never study in my room again. For me, I cannot overstate the importance of distinguishing between study and rest areas. In my opinion, these worlds should never intersect.
My path to romanticizing learning began in the spring of 2021 when I first encountered Lofi Girl's study session beats. When I put on the headphones, my mind seemed to move to the pages of all the books I had read deeply, and I was able to understand them as effortlessly as if I was holding the material. Passionate professors guided me through each concept.
As I graduate in a month, I realize that my YouTube is a reflection of how I got here. It's a combination of classical music and a dark academic playlist. It's a curated sanctuary, reflecting the countless hours spent on essays and exams, with each video representing the results.
This column is not meant to shame or criticize people who study comfortably in bed or easily immerse themselves in work anywhere. The truth is, I have a lot of respect for people who are blessed with such an innate ability to focus. But for many people, including me, this traditional approach is completely useless. Making it romantic may be the key. It certainly worked wonders for me. And now I'm here to share that magic with others.
The first and most important step is to understand your aesthetic. I have always loved reading and writing, which passively led me to a dark academic aesthetic. This aesthetic slowly changed to include the aesthetics of medieval philosophers. For example, the process of writing this article included my medieval villain vibe and my ancient academy student core.
The next step is to choose the character you want to embody. The beauty of my romanticization process lies in its transformative power. I seamlessly transform into the embodiment of another era and mindset. Whether I'm passing on the wisdom of a philosopher, pursuing the scholarship of academia, or slipping into the shoes of Hermione Granger in the Forbidden Books Corner at Hogwarts, I'm fully immersed in the intellectually passionate nature of humanity. Masu.
Which brings me to my next point: location. There is no doubt that Hillman Library is popular among Pitt students, but in my opinion, there is still a lot of room for improvement in its aesthetics. If you need to align your research with her STEM and require the use of a whiteboard for active her recall, Hillman may be a good fit. But for someone like me who seeks an environment that resonates with the atmosphere of a baroque scholar, Kathy's Her First Floor is the ideal place. Or, if you're looking for a lighter academic feel, the cozy atmosphere of Flick Her Library, with its warm lighting, sets the stage for a journey into a fantasy world.
Once the aesthetics and location are decided, the actual study begins. Everyone studies differently, some find comfort in saying concepts out loud, while others seek clarity through visual aids such as videos. Others prefer solitude to work on problems alone. Currently, I aim to provide creative and romantic methods that are tailored to different learning styles.
To my fellow humanities majors, who often carry the weight of lengthy essays, I suggest they seek solace in a communal environment like Kathy's quiet first floor. Here, enjoy the timeless charm of pen and paper in a tranquil setting. Keep a trusty notebook by your side to record the ebbs and flows of your thoughts. After all, our medieval scholar predecessors navigated the depths of knowledge without the aid of digital note-taking apps.
I'm a biology double major, so I understand the challenges posed by courses like biochemistry and genetics. Sometimes simply typing or handwriting notes isn't enough. In such cases, I look for an empty classroom within Kathy, whether by myself or in a group. With 25Live, you can find classrooms available throughout the school year. Immerse yourself in the art of concept mapping in Kathy's academic atmosphere. Sketching intricate diagrams on the blackboard, set to the music of Vivaldi, becomes a transformative learning experience. This approach helped me remember every nuance of the Krebs cycle and amino acid structure.
For active recall and vocal learners, consider using closed classroom spaces in Cathy and other buildings for learning sessions. Start by playing some toned-down classical music to set the mood, then verbally discuss the concept with your research partner.
If you prefer to study alone, try connecting your laptop to the classroom screen. Display pictures of philosophers like Plato or Socrates in front of you and use them as an audience to express your thoughts. I have personally tried this method several times and can confidently say that even ancient philosophers might have picked up a thing or two from my explanation.
In the end, I simply want to say, enjoy what you're learning. It's hard to romanticize learning if you lack passion for your major. After all, how can you immerse yourself in the beauty of knowledge if you are not truly interested? Therefore, start by pursuing subjects that arouse your curiosity and enthusiasm.
Nada Abdulaziz loves writing about anything related to philosophy. To chat about Aristotle, email naa108@pitt.edu.