As students, we all know that studying can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. That’s why I’ve decided to launch a new interview series called ‘An Inside Look’ featuring other students, many of whom you might know from the studygram or YouTube study community!
In each edition, I’ll be chatting with different students to learn about their study habits, productivity tips, and more. By sharing a variety of perspectives and methods, I hope this series will inspire and motivate you to improve your own study habits.
Our first interview will be with Isabel, who runs the Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube pages @inthecloudsnotes. In our interview, Isabel shares how she studies without a study routine, her top tips for staying focused and how she is able to balance her studies with content creation.
Let’s jump right in.
Hi Isabel, could you tell us a little about yourself
Hi! […] I consider myself a calm and relaxed person. I’m very perfectionist, but at the same time, I don’t put that pressure on myself because I’m a positive person and always believe that everything will work out for me. On the other hand, I often suffer from anticipation, but it’s something I’m trying to improve.
What are you studying and what are your future plans following education?
I’m studying law, almost finishing my degree by the way. I’m planning to do a master’s degree in something related to communication and content creation. Since I created my own community I found new passions inside me that I didn’t know about and I want to explore that.
What does your study routine look like?
I already said it on my Instagram and this is the truth: I don’t have a study routine. I’m not the best student in the class too, but the point is that I feel good like that. I study when there are 1 or 2 weeks left for the exam, usually. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, but I’m OK with it. I don’t feel less intelligent than others, after all, I am also successful in college grades.
How do you make sure that you achieve the results you want?
For what I want to have as a job in the future I don’t have to reach any specific result, I don’t have any grade as a goal. Taking this into account, I can tell you that I truly believe that it isn’t your grades that define your knowledge and I also believe that the employer will see your real value no matter what.
What has been your most life-changing study tip?
Using the Pomodoro tracker. I can only use it when I’m 100% focused or I’ll spend more than 5 min resting. When I use it I feel like I don’t get tired as easily and that I can continue studying more and am more focused. It’s perfect, but please don’t use social media, don’t read books or watch videos in the break, that’s the secret.
How do you balance everything in your life especially content creation alongside studying?
It’s OK, because recording videos and taking pictures while I’m studying it’s a good way of having a break (which is perfect ahahaha) and at the same time it motivates me to study more and to record more videos, what it’s a beautiful snowball. I mainly record videos when I’m studying so when I’m not (like when I’m with my family, friends or boyfriend) I don’t feel any pressure to do it.
How do you unwind and relax after a stressful day?
I watch TikTok videos to inspire me to produce my content, I have dinners out with my besties and boyfriend and I study about online business. That is something that I’m really interested in lately, so for me, it’s not a study session, but a hobby.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Maybe the fact that I don’t have brilliant grades, because most people think that studygrammers are the best ones in the classroom. I created my study accounts to motivate myself, motivating others was a bonus in my life.
What quote keeps you motivated and/or inspired throughout your studies?
“The universe always works in my favour”
And finally, any advice or last words of wisdom for incoming university students?
Just like Coldplay said: “Nobody said it was easy” and it won’t be, but it’s part of the journey. At the end of the day, everything will work out for you. Think positive, always!!! If you think positively, you attract positive rewards, trust me. 🤍
ALLIE DUNIN 