modern dark academia

• black mom jeans as the core piece of every outfit

• storing most of your books the wrong way around because new editions often have
obnoxiously bright covers

• meeting your friends outside to read together & sip warm coffee from a thermos flask
because you’re trying to reduce waste & cannot afford to visit cafés anyway

• wearing your best instagram-worthy outfit just to go to the least expensive grocery store in
your neighbourhood

• setting pictures of your favourite paintings as backgrounds on your phone & laptop

• applying dark red lipstick to attend online lessons because there are no other opportunities to
enjoy painted lips

• trying to thrift antique candle holders & furniture but mostly having to settle with ikea
because time & money are of limited supply

• only wearing black face masks to match your outfits

• writing your notes with a black gel pen because a fountain pen can sometimes be too much
of a fuss

• remembering to close your velvet makeup bag every time not to let the plastic, pink mascara
tube & blush palette show

• living in candlelight to conceal the fact that the flooring of your cheap studio is anything but
hardwood

• staying on top of the news but trying to learn when to escape into the world of a good book
to avoid getting overwhelmed

• leaving your camera on during online lectures to force yourself to stay focused

• setting time limits on social media applications because you’re trying to live that academia
lifestyle & stay away from modern devices as much as possible

• sitting alone, socially distanced, at the university library & typing an essay while listening to
classical music, obviously refusing to wear wireless earphones
• silk & velvet scrunchies everywhere

• setting the mood with dried plants & “library ambience” videos on youtube

• loving public libraries but being a little sad that you can’t afford to curate a large, beautiful
collection of books of your own

• doing as many things by hand as you can while most of your studies are online

hey! dark academia tips for a beginner?

Hey, thanks for sending! Here are my best tips for amateur dark academics:
1. Indulge intellectually stimulating activities. Dark academics are always looking to learn
more, do more, and be more. Do things that better your brain, such as researching. Find a
topic that interests you— one that cannot be easily answered by a simple Google search and
collect as much information as you can about it. And despite popular belief, that topic doesn’t
have to be literature-based; it can be abnormal psychology, French history, hell— anything
your heart desires and your brain would benefit from knowing.
2. Improve your penmanship. Dark academics are always taking notes, annotating, and
scribbling things down in their journals. Said notes are usually in cursive or at the least—
legible. And what’s worse than distasteful penmanship? Not only will this help you channel
your inner dark academic, the people who have to read what you write won’t have to squint
and sigh when reading it.
3. Drink more herbal teas and rich coffees. Tea and coffee are probably the two most
consumed beverages by dark academics. Tea is relaxing, nice to sip after a laborious day at
work or school and coffee is stimulating, a nice early morning wake-up beverage for a
majority of the human population.
4. Learn about the classics. This is not exclusive to books and authors. If you’re more of a
movie person, like myself, don’t hesitate to go back in time and learn what you can about the
most iconic screenwriters of say... the 1940s. If you’re into vintage music, learn what you
wish about the most influential musicians of the time. You can never go wrong with vintage!
Well... except the racism, homophobia, sexism, slavery, classism, and poor tastes in eyebrow
makeup, but that’s a discussion for later.
5. Purchase clothing of darker and earthier tones. This isn’t an absolute must, but many
correlate the clothing with the aesthetic, so it would be a helpful identifier if you want the
world to know that you’re a dark academic. By “dark and earthier tones”, I mean shades of
brown, dark greens— including forest green and sage, greys and of course, blacks. Stay away
from the ostentatious neons and pastels, as this is more common in the cottagecore aesthetics.
Plaid and tweed are also treasured amongst the dark academia community, but they certainly
don’t look good on everyone, so find what works for you. Dark academics also LOVE button-
down blouses—especially ones with unique sleeves and Victorian-Era designs.
You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg curating your wardrobe, either. I personally
purchase most of my clothing from thrift stores and online resell sites, such as Depop and
Poshmark because they’re so much cheaper than buying them new.
6. Opt for darker makeup. This is pretty self-explanatory— wear darker lipstick shades and
darker eyeshadow, if you wish. Also, you don’t have to conceal your eyebags, as they give an
enigmatic depth to most people’s eyes.
That’s all I have right now, I hope this was helpful!

dark academia hobbies

-sewing/embroidery [from ether an pattern or imagination, it’s an very over looked hobby in
the states. you also look very dramatic while doing it]

-painting by numbers [god the drama of setting up an good quality paint by numbers up to
paint while listening to an autobook??? it makes me feel like a scholar on summer vacation.
bonus points if you drink something while painting]

-knitting [while i personally don’t do it, you’re holding two bronze sticks and making
something da from SCRATCH. i want to marry someone who knits. knitters are patient and
good with their hands]

-jounaling [use a fountain pen or muji ball point and write as if your trip to the grocery store
was the best thing since sliced bread]

-going on a walk [we all need fresh air please if i help you romanize it will you enjoy a
thoughtful stroll? it seems like the only thing everyone in this community has in common is
an lack in vitamin d]

- playing piano/violin/bass/ect [learn something nice to play for your best friend whom you’re
secretly in love with. though not anything from swan lake. i despise those songs and if your
soon-to-be lover is anything worth wild, they’ll agree with me.]
how can i expand my "general knowledge"? i feel like im missing so many references in
conversations

hello!🖤 this is a very good question & simultaneously a very difficult one to answer. i don't
think there are any easy, straightforward ways to improve one's general knowledge, but here
are some things that come to mind:
• read the news & read them from multiple sources. go through every section as well — i
myself have recently started skimming even sports articles just to stay on top of the biggest
competitions that a lot of people tend to talk about! pay attention to national as well as
international politics, culture, & even read the letters to the editor to know what people are
talking about.
• read books & listen to podcasts. even just knowing what the best-known classics are about
can help understand a lot of references!
• have basic knowledge of the most famous composers & (pop) musicians of the 20th as well
as 21st century. people reference pop culture a lot!
• study history. even just reading through a school textbook of world history is a good start!
get familiar with ancient greek & roman myths, different religions, the two world wars...
documents are a fun way to deepen your knowledge on specific subjects!
• read a dictionary of foreign words. having a very basic understanding of etymology helps to
decipher new words.
• get to know basic etiquette. this alone gives the impression of being well-educated & it can
help to understand some references to etiquette mistakes or the deliberate breaking of
etiquette rules.
• always google any new things you come across. even just reading the wikipedia article or
checking the dictionary for a word the definition of which is slightly vague in your mind
already broadens your knowledge.
• don't be afraid to ask another person to explain the reference they've made. this is difficult!
however i've found that people love to explain things (& feel smart in doing so). admitting
that you don't understand something is the greatest wisdom!
• take school seriously & make connections between different subjects. research new topics
further at home if you have the time! i find that a big tell-tale sign of poor general knowledge
is gaps in knowledge on geography, so make sure you have a basic understanding of where
different countries are situated for example.
 • don't be too hard on yourself. there will always be some references you won't get. other
people will always have different sets of knowledge than you. it doesn't mean you aren't smart
or knowledgeable, & what matters is that you're making an effort!

Dark Academia Starter Pack

 Can make eyebags look hot.
 Coffee stained desks, papers, and clothing.
 Collecting books only to be left unread.
 Penmanship either embodies perfection or is that of a bipolar person in a manic state.
 Knowing a vast amount about multiple topics.
 Unnaturally disheveled hair.
 Either always writing in notebooks or always writing online.
 Oral speech is not as articulate as written speech.
 Glasses with circular frames.
 “Actually...”
 Liking self-isolation.
 That specific style of pen you won’t deviate from.
 English, Classics, Philosophy, Linguistics, or Social Sciences Major.
 Identifying with the socially awkward characters or villains in shows or movies.
 Appreciating antiquated goods.
 Tweed jackets and leather pants.
 Having a notably empty laugh.
 Owning a pair of beat-up Oxfords.
 Having that one odd hobby that you wouldn’t dare share with anyone else.
 Brooding and/or enigmatic.

Right language nerds these tips are going to be controversial but bare with me:

 Read fan fiction/online published literature in your target language. These will be
cheap, easily accessible, pretty low level of reading ability is needed to read most and they
come in short manageable chunks.
 Graphic novels, manga and webcomics are your new best friend. The visuals will help
you piece together context and the writing is fairly short and usually day-to-day conversations
are more common but that might be because I’m a massive romcom lover.
 People will tell you to listen to your target language’s pop music and yes I agree you
should for culture purposes but indie artists often have easier to understand music because of
the lower level of production meaning the instruments are less distracting.
 Yes, you do need a textbook when you are a beginner. The textbook is a necessity for
structure to make sure you are actually understand grammar and vocabulary etc. You also
need a “teacher”, this can be your grandmother or best friend or a stranger who you can have
conversations with, who can correct you, and who will answer your desperate calls for help
when you understand nothing of what you just read.
 If you are reading fanfics and comics you should also be reading news articles. Most
broadcasters have Instagram and Twitter. I promise you if you want to study in the country of
your target language read the news in that language someone will try to talk to you about it
and you will sit there like a lemon and look like an idiot.
 If you are 16 or older you should learn how to swear. If you do not learn now, you will
from native speaker friends very quickly.
Thank me later. Remember your language learning does not have to be pretty and be filled out
in little journal with pastel highlighters whilst visiting Parisian Cafés. Learn what you want to
learn. If you are legal and like to read erotica read it in your target language as long as you are
having fun and reaching your language goals no one can stop you. Read horoscopes, watch
horror, write about your flower garden on a blog because I guarantee atleast a couple hundred
native speakers will be doing these anyway.

dark academia book recommendations

The best books I (re-)read recently from best to 9/10:

Putin’s people (Catherine Belton) – don’t we all like analysing people who have power and
money and how they got there?

Brief answers to the big questions (Stephen Hawking) – this one blew my goddamn mind, not
that everyone didn’t know already but this man is just unreal in all ways possible and
surprisingly witty as well
Da Vinci notebooks (there are a lot but I mean the one with this cover) – this one is especially
for my fellow artists out there but also contains lessons about other things as well, and I just
loved seeing how the mind of this genius worked
A personal matter (Kenzaburō Ōe) – might be disturbing or triggering to some as it does
touch on delicate topics like alcoholism and centres around an internal moral debate about
abandoning a newborn child who was born with an abnormality. Based loosely on the
author’s own experience because he has a son who is a musical genius but also has a mental
handicap.

Milkweed (Jerry Spinelli) – a heartbreaking story of a WWII concentration camp survivor,

from what I understand not based on a real person but I’m not 100% sure so don’t quote me
on that. Main character is adorable and following his mental growth was very interesting.

In cold blood (Truman Capote) – this is for my fellow gays. For those who were not aware,
this book is actually a sort of reportage of real events Capote wrote about two criminals who
murdered an entire family. Capote was gay as hell and it’s been speculated he fell in love with
one of the criminals, Perry, as he narrates this character in a very specific manner that aims to
invoke empathy in the reader by humanising him.

Something wicked this way comes (Ray Bradbury) – reminds me of Stephen King because of
the ordinary setting where odd events take place, however not scary. Bradbury writes in a
poetic manner that’s incredibly beautiful and captivating, and I’ve never come across any
other author who writes in this way. Definitely an autumn staple.

Strange case of dr. Jekyll and mr. Hyde (Robert Louis Stevenson) – I don’t think I need to
explain this one, but I just found this an interesting take on human nature.

All the light we cannot see (Anthony Doerr) – WWII, again. Equally heartbreaking but does
not involve concentration camps, rather focuses on the war and horror outside of them.

(You will probably only appreciate my top 3 if you’re also nerd (I learned so much stuff from
those books istg), if you’re more into novels and stories the rest will be more appealing to you
instead.

Be it these books or your own favourites, happy reading!)

dark academia / online school

 • slow mornings now that you don’t have to commute – brewing coffee & reading as you eat
breakfast, journaling in black ink while sitting in a comfortable armchair

• getting ready to preserve a sense of normalcy – wearing jewelry & a soft knit, tying a ribbon
in your hair & applying lipstick but carefully making it look a little smudged as if it was all
very effortless

• setting a mood – lighting candles & fairy lights to create a warm atmosphere

• drinking more coffee during lectures & taking all of your notes by hand, ink flowing on soft
paper as you eagerly mark down all of the new information your professor is sharing

• taking walks during breaks – wrapping yourself up in your oversized coat to go watch the
nature or buildings around you, to observe birds or passers-by, noticing the change of seasons

• finding joy in putting your vast vocabulary to use when writing essays, making your digital
assignments look as old as possible & handing everything in weeks in advance in order to
spend the rest of the course just researching whatever you feel like

• listening to jazz & classical music all day long, only making it quieter during lessons in case
you have to answer any questions

• asking your teacher for additional reading & staying up late, completely submerged in your
books

• dreaming of lectures in old wood-panelled halls, lying on the grass under the campus’ most
ancient tree, hearing other student’s pens gliding on paper again once the pandemic is in the
past

living the dark academia life

 messy handwriting and even messier notebooks, doodles of skulls with sunflowers
dangling from their eyes
 burning the corners of pages, an older look given to them, the smell of ancient given to
your room
 wearing the cheapest, largest brown sweaters and the most comfortable, softest cream
skirts
 classical music softly bouncing on each one of the walls in your room, a list of your
favorite composers pinned to your wall
 a black ring on your finger, your hands wrapped around a warm cup of tea
 your eyes closing softly from spending too much time reading, a candle to keep you
company
 the wet tip of your finger, the turning of yet another page
 soft brown on your eyelids, gloss on your lips
 long studying session in the library, you’re curled up on your chair, seven academic
books are sitting next to your side, three articles are waiting to be read
 stains around the edges of your nails, your skin painted with ink
 a book in your bag, a pen used as a bookmark to annotate everything that makes your
hands shake
 a leather belt around your waist, your old grandpa’s sweatshirt tucked in has not gone
to waste
 standing right in the centre of a museum, sketching the outline of a sculture, scribbling
down everything there is to know about a painting – in this, your hands are still stained
 letting the rain softly caress your hair, carrying an umbrella to match your velvet
trousers
 a smile on your face when writing an essay, a yawn from your mouth when you finally
go to sleep – after your eyelids are closed, psychedelic, dark and soft dreams are reaching
your mind

random things I think are very dark academia for reasons I can’t explain 1.0
 Eating fancy dinner alone both at restaurants and at home – It takes a lot of balls
to eat alone at restaurants but if you look like you know what you’re doing nobody will
question pretty much anything you do. Besides, you want to have a lot of balls in life (it’ll get
you a lot of places but being cocky will not so be careful to not cross to that side). Confidence
like that will just boost your image to a whole another level, trust me. 
 Women who wear men’s cologne – I don’t know how to explain why… I associate it
with mystery and sensuality and intelligence for not reason whatsoever. However, please
don’t go around smelling like axe, I beg of you. I use and recommend scents like Prada Luna
Rossa Sport Eau de Toilette because it’s soft, mellow and just sweet enough, not at all heavy
and doesn’t give me a headache. It says I-am-young-rich-and-my-own-boss-what-about-it.
 I’m certain there are also options that are more reasonably priced, so you can definitely do
this on budget too – DA doesn’t need to be expensive!! And a second time for the back row:
DA doesn’t need to be expensive!
 Belting out old songs in the shower – (+1) point if it’s Frank Sinatra, my dude. But
you know what else is fucking cool? Old songs in your native language (if you’re from a non-
English speaking country). 
 Wanting to read a book but not being able to because you have unfinished
schoolwork to do and before you complete it you can’t give yourself a break to do fun
stuff – And then you always have schoolwork you haven’t finished and never get to read your
books. But you know, that’s okay. You don’t need to read 6 hours a day to fit the DA
aesthetic, you don’t even have to read weekly. You don’t have to read once every few months,
at that. Learning happens outside of that, too. You don’t need to read a shit ton of books to
love learning which is the core of DA. Get that degree, sis.
 Family pass downs – I’m talking rings and necklaces, dresses or basically anything
from recipes to books to tableware. I love leaning about their stories and so on. Don’t you just
look at old things and imagine the places they’ve been, the people who have used them, how
meaningful they could have been to someone else?

dark academia / winter

• waking up in your warm bed, seeing the condensation on your windows & looking out to see
all the snow that fell down during the night

• wearing your softest slippers to go get the post in the morning & noticing the thin layer of
ice on the pavement faintly cracking at each step all the way to the mailbox where you pick
up the newspaper that still smells of fresh ink

• making a big cup of ginger tea, wrapping yourself up in a thick blanket & reading prose in
the soft armchair by the fireplace

• listening to j. s. bach’s oratorios while practising chess – you don’t quite know how to play
yet, but you are determined to learn

• the fire crackling softly in the library as you are working, black ink sliding feverishly on
thick, cream paper, to finish your very last essay before the holidays
 • the cold, sharp air hitting your nose when you step out of the door & the smell of fresh snow
all around you

• draping a long, warm scarf around your neck one more time as you look up to see delicate,
light-as-feather snowflakes falling from the bright blue sky

• ice-skating on a frozen lake in the woods & taking breaks to drink warm cocoa, holding the
warm cup in both hands to warm up your fingers

• feeling the little tingling on your cold cheeks as you get back inside, wearing your warmest
wool jumper & putting up fairy lights

• drinking mulled wine out of an old russian tea glass & feeling the warm liquid make its way
to your stomach as you are reading poetry about the darkness of winter out loud with your
closest friends

dark academia / spring capsule wardrobe

winter capsule wardrobe – i have incorporated many of the same items in this spring capsule,
sometimes with added colour options, because no student buys a whole new set of clothes for
each season, right?
tops
 a black turtleneck. preferably cotton or cashmere.
 a white collared shirt. silk, cotton or linen.
 a dressier top. perhaps a cream linen blouse with puff sleeves & a square neckline?
 an oversized knit. in a cream colour; wool is best at keeping you warm on chilly
spring evening adventures.
 a basic knit. possibly a cream, white or beige turtleneck or a wrap cardigan.
bottoms
 a pair of cream or light-blue straight-leg jeans. 100% cotton only. black is great too, if
you want to keep wearing the jeans from the winter capsule.
 a pair of black, dark grey or beige trousers. cotton with a high waist. go for a loose but
nicely draping cut, that can taper at the ankles if you prefer that.
 a skirt. either a black cotton mini or a silk midi in a cream or beige colour.
dresses
 a white flowy dress. for warmer days & special occasions.
 a white or beige knit dress. stay away from acrylic & polyester, they will make you
sweat!
underwear
 bras. neutrals & comfort, as always! especially now under white, more lightweight
fabrics in a nude or black colour work best. i especially like dainty ones with no padding, just
an underwire. feel free to completely omit the bras though, you do not have to wear one!
 underpants. all cotton in whatever style & colour you like. if you want to feel more
fancy, get a matching bra.
 socks. spring is the time to play with sock – go for different neutral colours, lengths &
styles! why not try lacey socks or even a muted pattern?
 tights. thin black tights for chillier days. to spice it up, you could try ones with little
polka dots.
jewellery
 two dainty necklaces. wear them on their own or stacked together – make sure both
are in the same colour, either gold or silver.
 a few rings. one bigger & more interesting (i’ve been loving croissant dome rings &
ones that look like old coins), the rest more minimal to complement the more intriguing piece.
same colour as necklaces.
 a pair of everyday earrings & a more elegant pair. if you wear earrings; again in the
same colour as the rest of your jewellery. a creole style is lovely for spring, so are pearls.
accessories
 a canvas bag. in cream of black – perhaps with the logo of your favourite bookstore
imprinted on it. make sure it’s a sturdy fabric!
 a small leather bag. whatever style you like; black or brown & just big enough to fit a
small notebook & your sunglasses.
 a leather belt. in a colour that matches your leather bag – i’m a black leather kind of
girl, but brown is nice for spring!
 a scrunchie. white or cream silk – or perhaps organza?
 a pair sunglasses. i always prefer a more timeless style with brown (tortoise-shell)
frames & lenses.
shoes
 a menswear-inspired shoe. match with your bag; oxfords, brogues, derbys, loafers
(ones with a platform look especially cool!)…
 white (platform) sneakers. goes with everything & looks very cute. i wouldn’t go for a
very thin canvas, & dirt shows less on a cream colour instead of pure white.
 occasion footwear. type depends on your style; could be heeled ankle boots, pumps,
ankle-strap heels, loafers, ballerinas or even the same derby shoes from the previous point.
outerwear
 a long coat. wool is a great material for spring too – just this time the coat doesn’t
have to be lined. beige & brown are nice for spring. or just go for a trench coat!
 a tweed jacket or a checkered blazer. in grey or brown tones; make sure the fit is
slightly oversized.
 a scarf. depending on your climate get either a nice silk scarf to tie around your hair
or neck, or a beige wool or cotton one for those cold mornings.

dark academia / winter capsule wardrobe

tops
• a black turtleneck. preferably cotton or cashmere.
• a white collared shirt. silk, cotton or linen.
• a dressier top. something to wear with jeans when having poetry nights with your
friends; i would still advise to go for black, but the style can be more extravagant –
puff sleeves, maybe?
• a basic long-sleeved t-shirt. choose a dark, muted colour or go for black.
• an oversized knit. white, grey or black; wool is best at keeping you warm.
• basic knit. possibly black; doesn’t have to be boring in style – could be a wrap
cardigan, a turtle or mock-neck, balloon-sleeved…
bottoms
• a pair of black straight-leg jeans. stick to 100% cotton.
• a pair of black or dark grey trousers. wool or cotton is good.
• a black skirt. mini or midi; wool is, again, great for winter, but anything will do.
dresses
• a long-sleeved little black dress. pick a style you like, be it frilly or clean cut.
• a dark knit dress. just try to stay away from acrylic & polyester, they won’t keep
you warm.
underwear
• a few pairs of bras. go for neutral colours & comfort.
• enough underpants. black or baby pink lace is always nice; cotton is good.
• different types of socks. black & white, thick & thin; make sure your ankles are
covered.
• black tights. they keep your legs warm when you wear a skirt or a dress.
jewellery
choose gold or silver, whichever suits you best, & stick to it.
• two dainty necklaces. you can wear them on their own of stacked together.
• a few rings. one bigger & more interesting, the rest more minimal to complement
the more intriguing piece.
• a pair of everyday earrings & a more elegant pair.  if you wear earrings; make sure
both pairs fit your other jewellery.
accessories
• an over-the-shoulder leather bag. black or brown; it should fit your school papers
& at least a few extra books.
• a small bag for special occasions. whatever style you like; it should go together
with your little black dress & fit at least a lipstick & everything you might need at a
party – a tiny bottle of vodka & a small notebook?
• a black or checkered (but dark in colour) umbrella.  for those beautifully gloomy,
rainy days.
• a leather belt. black or brown, depending on the colour of your bag & shoes.
• a scrunchie. black velvet or white satin.
shoes
• a pair of black or brown boots. either a chelsea boot or a dr. martens type shoe;
these should be the same colour as your everyday bag.
• a menswear-inspired shoe. should match your bag; oxfords, brogues, derbys…
• occasion footwear. type depends on your style; could be heeled ankle boots,
pumps, ankle-strap heels, loafers, ballerinas or even the same derby shoes from the
previous point.
outerwear
• a long woollen coat. preferably black; could also be a checkered dark grey.
• a tweed jacket or checkered blazer.  in grey or brown tones; could be worn under
the oversized coat for added warmth.
• a pair of mittens. in a dark colour; maybe a friend or a lover knitted them for you?
• a big long scarf. matches the mittens; favour natural materials for warmth.
dark academia / new academic year

• trying to fix your sleep schedule yet choosing to stay up late listening to the storm outside

• doing extra reading in preparation for your first lecture on your way to school in the
morning as if to tune your brain into the right state for studying

• returning to the university library, taking in the smell of the thousands of books in the vast
room before diving into the aisles again, excited to learn something new

• planning a few outfits for busy mornings – as the weather is getting colder, you can finally
wear your favourite turtleneck, jumper & wool coat again

• trying to revise for the new academic year by going through your notes from years past – a
towering pile of black leather-covered notebooks balanced on top of a rickety antique chair by
your desk

• going on early morning walks in nature when it’s softly raining to clear your head of any
stress, simply listening, smelling & feeling the world around you

• examining your schedule & neatly marking down all deadlines into your calendar in an old-
fashioned cursive – starting to plan study sessions, museum dates & reading time around your
other commitments

• sitting in a dimly lit, wood-paneled pub with some new & old friends, heatedly discussing
some current or historical event, everyone’s cheeks glowing red from their drinks or just the
warmth of the place

• spending whole afternoons researching for essays – opened text books, printed out scientific
articles & scribbled notes scattered on the table at your spot in the university library

• lying down on your bed late at night, listening to mahler & letting your mind rest after a
long first week back at university

• walking the centuries-old cobblestone streets & visiting cosy little shops to buy whatever
supplies you need for the new semester & retrieving your favourite pair of oxfords from the
cobbler

• preparing a batch of vegetable soup to eat during the week – jazz playing softly in the
background as you take your time chopping carrots
 • going to lectures early to get your favourite seat in the hall & to exchange a few words with
the professors – listening attentively while writing notes in blank ink, answering as eloquently
& precisely as you possibly can whenever a question is being asked

• taking a coffee break outside of the university building on a gloomy, grey day, feeling the
autumn wind on your neck but the warmth of the cup on your fingers

• lighting a softly scented candle as you study by the window, feeling oddly thrilled to be
doing your first homework assignment of the year

Unique Dark Academia Fashion Ideas

By now I think we all know that silk shirts, oxfords, and old blazers are staples of Dark
Academia fashion. Here are some ideas for fitting your wardrobe to the aesthetic that I
haven’t seen a lot of. 

Tops

Silk button downs are great, but if you want something perhaps less fancy and simple, here
are some ideas:

 Cardigans. Specifically, tighter button down cardigans. While they are very similar to
silk shirts, they aren’t quite as eye catching, and usually not as bright. I have a cream silk
blend cardigan that I’ve been wearing under blazers instead of silk; it’s warmer, for one, and
doesn’t make me feel so pretentious when my classmates are all in sweatpants.
 Cotton. Especially for warmer months, a good cotton shirt looks great tucked in a pair
of high waisted shorts or trousers. I would suggest one with buttons as an accent, to avoid it
being too plain. You can also roll up the sleeves for peak “disgruntled professor/lawyer”
look. 
 Sweaters. I don’t just mean a black turtleneck here. Turtlenecks are of course great for
winter and fall, but other sweaters are great also. I especially would suggest sweaters with
interesting weaves or embroidery, as without the turtleneck they often need a little something
extra to dress it up. There’s also the classic look of putting a button down underneath and
pulling the collar out. For colors, jewel tones are always best in my opinion: deep reds,
emerald greens, midnight blues. But you know yourself best, and if your hair looks great with
cream, or light blue makes your eyes pop, go for it. Be sure to tuck over sized sweaters into
your bottoms to avoid losing your figure. 
 Bottoms

Bottoms are a little easier, as they’re usually not the statement piece of an outfit, especially in
dark academia. Still, high waisted, pleated, 100% linen trousers are hard to find in thrift
stores, so here’s some alternatives: 

 Black jeans. Personally, I avoid low waisted pants like the plague. Unfortunately, it’s
hard to find high waisted suit pants in thrift stores, especially ones with the tighter fit that I
prefer. Often, I go for my pair of good quality, 100% cotton, extremely high waisted black
skinny jeans instead. Avoid jeans with rips or that aren’t a uniform color. I definitely would
suggest black if you’re going to wear jeans, though that may be my inherent dislike of blue
jeans talking. 
 High waisted pants of any kind. When it comes to tucking shirts in bottoms, you
want a high waist. I can tuck the bulkiest of sweaters easily into my jeans, because they are
high waisted and made of a thick material. Thin, flimsy material is hard to hide the lines of
your tops in, and lower waisted pants often can’t hold the hem long before the top gets
untucked. 
 Skirts. I prefer more masculine clothing, but I do have quite a few skirts that I wear on
occasion. And good lord, if they aren’t the most comfortable pieces of clothing I own.
Specifically, long flowing skirts made out of 100% silk, cotton, or wool. Wool is great for
winter months, and adds an extra layer of protection from the cold. Cotton and silk is best for
the hot summer time, and if you’re having trouble with staying in dark academia fashion
when you’re sweating out of your fingernails, consider skirts. A long skirt can dress up
something like a t-shirt if you do it right. Sandals, a long breathable skirt, and a tied up or
tucked in shirt is a great go-to when the sun is sucking away your soul. 
Shoes
I still don’t own a pair of oxfords. 

 Boots. I’m a boot person. For dark academia, I would avoid taller boots; ankle boots
or calf-length boots are the way to go. Go for leather, and tighter fits. A great way to pull your
outfit together is to match your shoes and your belt or bag, and well as the hardware. If your
belt is black with a silver buckle, go with black boots with silver accents. Try to avoid mixing
metals (silver with bronze, etc.) if at all possible.
 Ballet shoes. I don’t own any, but personally I think they’d be a great alternative to
simple flats; especially if you lace the silk ribbons up your shins a bit. These are definitely
best for summer months though, I would not recommend during the winter.
Accessories
A single accessory can completely change your outfit and aesthetic. Personally, some of my
most used clothing pieces are not what you’d call dark academia. My go-to jacket is a bomber
jacket with patches, and my usual boots are heavy Harley Davidson biker boots with metal
caps. Here are some accessories that can turn your everyday outfit to something more dark
academia-esque. 

 Suspenders. I would recommend suspenders for everyone honestly. I was having

trouble with a pair of trousers, because I needed to keep them high on my waist and tight to
tuck in my shirt, but they had no belt loops. Suddenly I realized someone had solved the issue
centuries ago, and used my suspenders. It worked perfectly, and also added a whole new level
of dark academia to my outfit. I like using them in a subtle way though: under a jacket or
blazer usually, that I might take off if it gets hot and just so happen to show off the suspenders
underneath. Or, never even take the jacket off and just let people get subtle looks at them.
Drawing attention to suspenders makes me feel like a douche for some reason; maybe it’s the
images of fedora tipping that flood in. 
 Satchel or book bag. I know this one is a staple, but listen. Buying leather satchel
changed everything for my look. I might have a bomber jacket, skinny jeans, and biker boots
but a satchel thrown over one shoulder shifts everything about my appearance. If you are able
to buy one new, Amazon has some great options under $100 dollars. If not, keep your eye out
whenever you go to the thrift store.
 Hair accessories. Try silk ribbons. Pull your hair back with them, braid them into
your hair, or use them as headbands. Learn how to braid metal cuffs into your hair if you’re
up for a challenge.
 Scarves. Scarves are such an easy way to dress up an outfit, as well as keep you
warm. I would suggest long, silk scarves that have enough width that you can style it around
your head/hair, which I think is a great look that also keeps your ears warm. Jewel tones are
definitely suggested here, especially if you’re wearing all black it’s a great statement. 
 Jewelry. If you’re religious, I would highly suggest jewelry with some sort of
religious symbolism. Religious imagery is something I defiantly associate with dark
academia. If you have any jewelry pieces that were passed down to you, try them. I like rings
 a lot, but for my right hand I cover all my finger with heavy steel rings that cover my
knuckles (for punching purposes). On my left hand, I have rings from my family. I would
again suggest not mixing metals, though it can look eclectic if that’s a look you like. 
That’s all I could think of at this moment, but feel free to add your own or message me!  Go
forth and dress to make yourself confident, whatever that may look like. 

🎞 ❛ Everyday Things That Radiate Dark Academia Vibes 🕯 ༉‧₊˚✧

 Enjoying a cup of coffee and allowing tiny droplets to slide down your mug and onto
your newspaper.
 Disheveled hair.
 Mysterious eyebags/dark circles.
 Sharp and sophisticated hand gestures when speaking.
 Rich internal dialogue.
 Humming remembered symphonies to yourself.
 Ominous pausing after making a possibly chilling statement.
 Rustling through the autumn leaves in worn boots or sneakers.
 Using complex terms and words to poetically describe mundane events.
 Dark lipstick.
 Listening to symphonic tunes while completing household chores.
 Civil philosophical debates with willing friends.
 Posting definitions of aesthetically pleasing words online.
 Mentioning statistics when discussing factual topics.
 Effortlessly quoting influential historical figures.
 Using “🎞🃏♦️🚬🩰🕯🦉♟💀🪐🥀🏛🗡🥂🎭📇♠️” when texting.
 Film noir.
 Brushing dust off of your old books and opening them for the first time in what feels
like eons.
 Annotating texts outside of school.
 Peering at your dimmed computer screen through your glasses.
 Delicately gliding your fingertips under words on a page.
 “[Insert famous author/poet/historical figure/literary artist] once said...”
 Low and sultry voices.
 Dark academia things to study…

1. French. 
2. Latin. 
3. Italian. 
4. Greek mythology. 
5. English. 
6. Literature. 
7. Classical music. 
8. Theatre. 
9. History.  
10. Classic literature. 
529 not

Some study tips I just learnt recently

Read out loud: this one really helps me to focus on my notes/readings, especially when I’ve
just started studying and need to sort of get into the mood.
Move around while studying: if you can, walk around the room a little while you’re
studying so you don’t get bored or sleepy.
Remind yourself what learning is for: studying can seem boring if you treat it like a task.
Remind yourself that you’re not studying just to pass the exam or get a degree, you’re
studying because you genuinely want to learn and pursue knowledge. Think about why you
chose the major/class in the first place. (if you’re genuinely not interested in the topic, just
remind yourself it’s always good to know something outside your interest, and be open to
change - maybe the topic will become interesting once you’ve learnt more about it!) 
Take a shower/bath: I don’t know about you but taking a shower really helps me to feel
refreshed and motivated. If you’re feeling tired or not in the mood to study, go take a shower
and see if your mood has changed. (If it hasn’t or you’re starting to feel even worse, it might
be a good idea to just take a break for the day.)
Things That Make Me Feel Like I'm Living My Best Dark Academic Life:
- reading novels under candlelight all night simply because i can. feeling tired but satisfied the
day after, mild dark circles under my eyes but head full of stories.
- wearing rings on any available finger, especially my silver snake ring or the gold ring with a
green gemstone passed down from an older relative. Even typing on a computer becomes
more DA when they reflect its light.

- the feeling of a warm mug of coffee in my cold hands on a rainy, dreary morning. Or a
refreshing glass of chilled water when the sun has decided to pay a visit.

- writing letters and poetry for my boyfriend by hand, decorating them with pressed flowers
and one spray of my signature perfume. Sealing the brown envelope with wax and then
delivering them by hand, or by placing them in places he will surely find them.

- following on from the last point, the feeling of secrecy and pure romanticism when he does
the same in return. the joys of seeing his words on paper or the paintings within those sealed
envelopes, knowing that they are for my eyes only.

- sharing facts in conversation with friends when the topic calls for it, especially when i am
able to reference my subject of study.

- the first breath of the outside when i open my window in the morning.

- stove kettles and perfectly brewed tea.

- late night debates and discussion about the meaning of it all.

- the euphoria of strangers complimenting my outfits.

- sitting in my local costa with my boyfriend and our best friend (when we could.)

- the knowledge of how old my university campus is, creating imaginary stories of all the
people who, like me, have walked its corridors and marvelled at its beauty.

- the feeling of satisfaction after completing a wordsearch.

- warm baths lit only by candles, the floral smell of bath salts or bubble bath filling the air.

- the rush of adrenaline after finishing and handing in an assignment just in time.

- seeing my bookshelves overflowing with books, both new and old, unread and well loved.

- when i am able to casually quote poetry or literature flawlessly in conversation, the

satisfaction when others notice, and the sense of mystery when they do not.

- long walks in autumn or the stereotypical english weather with my closest companions.
 - staying up late, or all night, to write stories and poetry. reading out my words to the night
sky in the privacy of my bedroom. the sense of pride in knowing that these words and
moments are between myself, the moon and her stars. they are ours alone.

there are several more, but these are some of my favourite.

dark academia / summer activities

in the city
 visit an antiquarian bookstore – browse slowly, enjoy the atmosphere, talk to the
shopkeeper
 go to a library – the oldest you can find
 visit (outdoor) museums, castles, old ruins or a botanical garden
 wander around an old city or the old town of a city – take pictures of small, interesting
details & don’t forget to look up too
 find the most dark academia spots in your city – go there with a coffee & journal in
black ink
 read in a park or a garden – under apple trees or old oaks
 go for a walk in the early morning or late evening – enjoy the cooler air
 go to a farmer’s market – buy fresh vegetables & fruit, talk to the sellers
 if you have money: book a staycation at a castle or manor hotel or just an old town
near you
at the countryside
 go to the countryside – bicycle, run through meadows, have picnics, eat breakfast
outside
 go stargazing
 pick flowers & dry or press them – decorate your home with them
 spend time offline – watch the sunrise or sunset, listen to the birds singing, simply sit
still & let yourself sense the world around you
 go for a swim during the golden hour
 do some sports – horse riding, rowing, ballet or even football
at home
 read poems & plays out loud
 write poetry – even if it’s bad
 write letters (even to imaginary people) – seal them nicely
 practice your cursive
 light candles on cooler or grey days – do not turn on electric lights
 learn new ways to do your hair – try ribbons & new types of braids
 paint your nails – dark red, black, beige or just a neutral light pink are very dark
academia choices
 hang out in the house in only your favourite underwear & an oversized white shirt to
stay cool – perhaps add lipstick, if you’re feeling it
academia
 plan for the next academic year – make lists, write goals & find new tips to try
 do some research into a topic you usually don’t have the time to study – ancient greece
& rome, 18th century philosophers, whatever you enjoy!
 learn a language or deepen your skills in one you already know – read & watch old
films, even if you don’t understand everything!
 do an online course – or take one at a university or a community college near you
art
 practice an instrument – in the lack of one, try classical or jazz singing
 draw or doodle
 take a pottery or oil painting class
drinks
 make iced coffee – drink it at an open window in the early morning
 brew tea on rainy days – listen to the rain hit the roof or windows
 find a signature cocktail or wine (it can be alcohol free, of course) – enjoy your drink
of choice from a beautiful, thrifted glass
Summer Dark Academia Fashion
The forecast says it’s going to be almost 80 degrees this weekend. It is time to leave your
cave. You go to your closet and open it to find racks of wool sweaters you have collected over
the past eight months. There is a single t-shirt balled up in the corner. You are me. 

Tops
Turtlenecks are no longer an option.

 Suit vests. You don’t need the oppressive heat of a button down to wear suit vests. If
your vests are a little more low-necked then you’d like, wear a tank top or something with
short sleeves underneath. I’m wearing a suit vest in this post, if you want to see styling ideas. 
 Silk button downs. Obviously short sleeves are preferred, but long sleeves are still
possible in the summer. With a material like silk especially, because it feels cool and also
helps to keep your skin safe. You just need loose sleeves. That is the theme with this post:
loose. If you want to continue dressing long sleeves or long pants in the summer, tight
clothing is not an option. You need to be able to get airflow to your skin. 
 Cotton. Cotton is a great material for heat; tops or bottoms. If you have a long sleeve
button down, you can roll up the sleeves and tuck it into something high waisted. Add
suspenders (optional, but highly recommended), and that’s summer dark academia right there
you mad lad. Short sleeves or no sleeves work just as well.
 T-shirt or tank top. Yes, even a basic t-shirt can be “dark academia” if styled right.
Granted, you’re likely going to end up looking more like a “Milo Thatch from Atlantis” kind
of academia, that’s hardly a bad thing. (Look up Cole Sprouse dressed as him and thank me
later) A simple white top in black bottoms is reminiscent of a suit, while tan bottoms looks
more “Lara Croft on an archaeology dig”, which is fun. 
 Camisoles. If you want as little fabric on you as possible, silk camis are the way to go.
Plus, you can find tons for super cheap in the pajamas/underwear section of most thrift stores.
Is it weird to wear shirts people probably had sex in? Kind of. But if you’re cheap like me,
you move past that quickly. Tuck into a pair of high waisted, loose pants that are black or tan,
and you remain dark academia and without heatstroke (drink water). 
Bottoms
Unfortunately, they must be worn.

 Shorts. Best material is linen, and you can find a lot of options and styles on Etsy and
more high-end online stores. However, they’re also more expensive, so here are some other
keywords for shorts: pleated, high waisted, paper bag. Look at ASOS, Express, or SHEIN for
cheaper options. Jean shorts can also work, but they should be dark and definitely not cutoffs.
A belt can also help to make the outfit seem more together. And, as always: high waisted,
unless you want a more masculine fit, in which case avoid high waists.
 Trousers. It’s trouser time baby. Suit pants are out. Skinny jeans are (unfortunately)
out. We want loose, flowy material. Pleats are excellent. Actually, pants like these are pretty
easy to find these days, and not just on the internet. Straight leg trousers look more
streamlined and put together, whereas wide-leg are a bit more roguish. Tuck in a white top of
your preference, add some suspenders, and drink water. You’re set.
 Skirts/Dresses. Oh to be a wandering poet, running through fields and wildflowers in
a flowing linen dress as the sun casts a crown above your head, and the wind gives you
countless kisses on cheeks and hair. Wait! That can be you! Stop fantasizing and start doing-
get a pale dress, linen or cotton is best. Pale colors are preferred for summer. Find a field.
Frolic.
Shoes
Please put away your oxfords.

 Mary Jane sandals. Mary Janes are pretty much the oxfords of summer shoes.
Especially if you can get them in leather with low heels, it looks very classy.
 Gladiator sandals. When in Rome. Or, when you’re into an aesthetic that really likes
latin. Either way, these shoes are pretty much string and a sole, so they’re about as cool as you
can get, temperature wise. 
 Ballet sandals. I mentioned these in my unique dark academia fashion post, but I’ll do
it again for summer. They’re similar to gladiator sandals in style, but I think they look fancier.
Plus, you can tie them in little bows, which is adorable.
Accessories 
You know what I’m going to say. Say it. Out loud. 

 SUSPENDERS. Ten bucks on amazon, and I promise they’re the best investment into
your wardrobe you could make. They’re magic- take your boring shorts and shirt, add
suspenders, and POOF. It’s dark academia. So classy. 
 Sun hat. Cottage core and dark academia have pretty much moved from distant
cousins to siblings at this point, might as well embrace it. Get something with a black bow out
in. Have a picnic and read Keats.
 Watch. I feel like a nice classy watch would be a great accessory that doesn’t involve
adding fabric to your body. I mean, I don’t have one, but I feel like it would. 
 Hair. If you have long hair, do yourself a favor, buy a french comb, and learn how to
do a french twist. It takes a few tries to get right, but there are youtube videos and it is one of
the easiest hairstyles that looks like it takes so much effort. I have pretty much switched
ponytails out completely for french twists, and especially for the summer it’s great to get all
your hair up and off your neck. If you have short hair, feel free to gloat. 

Dark academia things: 

 Looking at the moon. 
 Spending the evening in the library. 
 Not understanding other people.
 Wearing silver jewellery. 
 People watching in cafés.
 Listening to music and thinking.

Arabic dark academia

 Having tea first thing in the morning, the afternoon, evening, night and whenever you
have nothing to do and whenever you have everything to do
 Practicing calligraphy, hoarding calligraphy pens and quills like a dragon hoards its
jewels
 Youre now a calligragon btw
 Pretentious hand written letters
 Fragments of poetry and prose on the wall
 In Egypt you can buy a vintage gramophone (as far as I remember)
 Wrinkling your nose at orientalists who have clearly never been anywhere near the
culture they're trying to portray.
 Appreciating the orientalists who have in fact been there and paint like it. (Sorry to
disappoint but there were never sexy slave babes roaming the streets)
 Mourning for the scholars of Al Andaluas and times when Arabic was the language of
science
 Arguing over e'arab (the value of a word with regard to others in the sentence) and
balagha (it translates to "eloquence" but is more like a complex version of figures of speech)
of words
 Arabic being such a complex language you get carried away sometimes
 Passing the allotted wordcount so you start going over your paper and compressing a
whole sentence, consisting of a conjunction, a subject, a verb and two objects into a word in
desperation
 Words like ‫( فأسقيناكموه‬faa'skainakumooh) meaning "and so we have let you drink it"
being an example.
 Tea over burning coal. Over logs (hatab) tea over bokhour/oud hits different and you
know it.
 Brewing coffee over low heat and humming to Layali Al Ouns
 "No offense but I like real coffee" when someone mentions starbucks
 Um Kulthoum and Asmahan are superior you cant change my mind.
 NO I DID NOT FORGET ABDUL HALIM HAFEZ I WANTED HIM A BULLET
OF HIS OWN.
 Fareed al atrash concerts at 3 am.
 Nothing you ever cook will be under seasoned.
 Reciting poetry to yourself in the mirror
 Big chunks of jewelry (usually gold) engraved or woven through with intricate
patterns and swirls. Wearing four bracelets in one hand is absolutely fine and under dressing
is a myth
 Owning swords is not out of fashion (ancient arabs were well known for their
swordsmanship) but using them is, unfortunately <3
 Wondering how they won wars with these swords. I couldn't even lift it enough to stab
myself if I wanted
 Extra names. People called ‫هد‬kk‫ ش‬honey (shahd), ‫ال‬kk‫ جم‬beauty (jamal), ‫رة‬kk‫ زه‬flower
(zahra), ‫ ليلى‬night (laila), ‫ سماء‬sky (samaa), ‫سيف‬/‫ مهند‬sword (mohanad/saif) and ‫ صفاء‬purity
(safaa) like it's the most normal thing in the world (which it should be, along with names of
ancient gods)
 Poetry from the abbasid era describing palaces and fountains and music so eloquently
your heart skips several beats and you wonder how it is still beating at all and if, after all, you
have been born in the wrong era.
 Classic poetry from the school of Apollo brimming with romance and yearning you
have never seen matched.
 Poems that tear at your heart and stitch it whole with every bayt (verse? The
equivalent for it) and you keep coming back for more.
 Stories so well told that you swear you can see the princes and charmers and
musicians and dancers all flicker to life in the flames before you
 Historical masjids and churches.
 Going to the palaces and shrines and towers from the ancient days of yore
 Not exclusively (as neither is anything on this list) arabic but BRAIDS and braid
jewellery that clinks when you shake your head
 The unwavering belief that poetry is meant to be sung.
 Singing poetry because it is meant to be sung
 Thick eyebrows
 Lining already lash lined eyes with kohl.
 Beautiful brown eyes. Honey eyes. Chocolate eyes. Freshly turned earth eyes. Eyes
that hold all the ethereal beauty of the world.
 Hair styled in dark, thick curls or braids
 Savouring the way the words move around from your throat to your chest to the tip of
your tongue, like liquid gold,
 The sweet music from the strings of a qitharah (string instrument)
 Scented candles are cute, but have you ever heard of oud (perfume infused wood)?
Anyhow one of my Sudanese friends make it AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL.
 Wanting to study with the scholars of baghdad and azhar so bad
 Recognizing that for all your culture, some of it is inspired by others and that's okay.

the linguistics students

 thick reference books with paper thin pages and minuscule font
 collecting idiomatic phrases from other languages, finding meanings that can’t be
conveyed precisely in your mother tongue
 seeing language like a puzzle waiting to be solved
 a love for the complex power of words
 fighting to preserve dying languages
 studying the essence of communication
 a shelf stacked with pocket dictionaries, useful phrases marked by sticky notes
 interest in the related fields of history, anthropology, and psychology
 learning the international phonetic alphabet
 a deep belief in the importance of human language
 repeating unfamiliar phonemes until the sounds start to make sense in your mouth
 wishing you could learn any language instantly
 appreciating the importance of context and nonverbal communication
 neat syntax diagrams in your notes
 researching how your language has developed over time
 deciphering archaic dialects
 debates over what, exactly, constitutes language at its core
 crowded sidewalks and the buzz of words you don’t understand
 a fascination with language families and their similarities
 hearing the difference between bilabial and labial fricatives, or aspirated and
unaspirated consonants
 a willingness to try new things
 knowing that the way we use language is in a constant state of flux

the creative writing students

 hastily written notes, ideas scribbled down in the middle of the night
 developing intricate characters and worlds
 the sound of a typewriter, the click of computer keys, or the scratch of pen against
paper
 a love for words
 pushing yourself to create writing that people will see themselves reflected in
 carrying a notebook with you to jot down ideas
 sharing feedback with your writing group
 the wafer-thin pages of a dictionary
 reading to learn, picking apart character development and plot twists for techniques
that can better your own craft
 staying up late to finish drafting a chapter
 your favorite sweater draped over your shoulders
 the rush of excitement as you begin a new project
 rereading your old pieces, realizing how far you’ve come
 a never-ending list of book recommendations
 wanting to portray a scene exactly how it looks in your head
 nurturing your imagination
 long afternoons in a coffee shop, typing as the buzz of conversation surrounds you
 leaving pieces of yourself in all your characters
 the glow of a candle, flickering in a slight draft
 a playlist of songs that remind you of your characters
 working feverishly, your thoughts moving faster than your fingers can type
 finding inspiration in events from your own life
 the satisfaction and pride of a finished manuscript

dark academia & chronic illnesses

everyone’s chronic illness looks different, but here’s a short aesthetic inspired by my own
experiences because everyone is allowed to participate and feel welcome in academia/studyblr
stuff

 paying close attention to your body and its needs

 practical clothes, a focus on comfort and functionality
 getting solace and distraction from books
 fighting against the idea that you should strive to be productive 100% of the time
 a list of favorite documentaries and video essays to return to when you don’t have the
energy to do anything else, but still want to engage your brain
 researching your condition, studying the science behind medications and treatment
plans
 a mug of herbal tea, warm and fragrant
 discovering study strategies that work for you and account for your varying energy
levels
 learning to be content with yourself
 rejecting typical expectations of where & how you should learn, prioritizing what’s
accessible to you

the education students

 the expectant hush of an empty classroom

 an appreciation for the value of learning
 finding a deep meaning in your work, loving it despite the long hours
 learning to decipher messy handwriting
 encouraging and supporting people to succeed
 the joy of passing your knowledge on to others
 color-coded folders and neatly written labels
 writing exams, considering the best ways to test your students’ knowledge
 helping people reach their full potential
 early mornings in the classroom, prepping a lesson
 the moment of lucidity when someone finally grasps a particularly difficult concept
 wanting to spark inspiration in your favorite subject
 stacks of papers waiting to be graded
 knowing that standardized test scores do not define intelligence; searching for better
ways to measure understanding instead
 student art projects hanging from the walls of your classroom
 creating a safe environment for your students, knowing that comfort is a prerequisite
for learning
 empty tea mugs scattered across your desk
 pushing your students to improve
 seeing something unique and wonderful in everyone
 shopping for school supplies

the foreign language students

 pages of scribbled notes on grammar and verb conjugations

 buying copies of your favorite books in the original language, even though you can
barely read them
 sounding out long words, letting the unfamiliar syllables roll off of your tongue
 a knitted blanket wrapped around your shoulders like a shawl
 pacing the room, repeating words until they’re memorized
 excelling in class, always ready to be called on
 vocabulary flashcards tucked in the pocket of your coat
 empty mugs scattered across your room
 writing down unfamiliar phrases to look them up later
 admiring words for themselves, for the beauty in the syllables
 flipping through dictionaries, underlining useful words
 a longing not only to see the world, but to understand it in its native tongue
 soaking up language, keeping the words filed away in your head
 carefully dissecting the grammar of a sentence, marking out parts of speech until you
can fully understand
 never missing a duolingo practice
 mumbling to yourself, practicing your accent and inflection
 difficult vocab words scribbled on your hand
 using idioms to sound more like a native speaker, seeking authenticity
 methodical work, notes perfectly organized
 the joy of comprehension
 sitting on the train and going through flashcards again and again
 photos of the places you want to visit pinned to the walls
 writing your favorite words in the margins of your notes
 putting shows in your target language on in the background, letting the sounds wash
over you until they’re familiar

we had our student wellness seminar today and there was a brief session about how to be
more focused and excel at studies. So I took down a few points and I hope this helps<3

Effective and consistent study helps you to show what you know and avoid excessive test
stress.

Identify 1 topic per week to teach someone else. Keep sessions under 40 minutes and include
a few minutes for review.

Create practice tests with true/false, fill in and multiple–choice questions covering each
lecture or text chapter.

Record the date you complete each assignment and take a quiz about the concepts and
problems you completed.

Test yourself by writing summaries, facts, examples or diagrams without looking at notes or
text.
When studying, first take an untimed practice test provided by the instructor or in chapters of
the text.

Schedule time to reread chapter introductions, summaries, vocabulary lists and illustrations
prior to tests.

Separate parts of the course that require memorization of facts versus analysis of concepts or
problem solving.

Limit your efforts to memorize tedious facts and formulae to 25–minute periods so that you
stay alert and effective.

Use sketches and diagrams to specify the process and tasks needed to complete a long–term
project.

Stop interruptions by alerting others about the times you are unavailable because you are
studying.

If you can’t study in total quiet, use a form of white noise such as a fan or soft music.

Get at least 7 hours of sleep to give you the mental and physical energy needed to concentrate
in lectures and when reading.

Increase your ability to focus if you are upset. Take 5 minutes to write concerns or questions.
Then shift into a work mode.

Give yourself a high five after a session in which you focus and learn. Recognize and reward
yourself for a job well done.

Keep your eyes closed and switch scenes. Imagine a situation in which you had an academic
success. Congratulate yourself for a job well done.

Increase the amount of information you remember after studying - review information within
24 to 48 hours.