So much to tell you guys, so little time to write...

I'm currently very busy studying. That's what I came to Berlin for, so that's all ok :) I'm very content with the courses I chose. They are all very interesting :) (Although I haven't made my mind up about one: exam or presentation + paper?)

Today I have finally started studying in teams with German students. And yes, that's different from studying with international students. Now I'm the only one that doesn't master German as well as the others. On the other hand, I master English better than many of my colleagues, so I might be of some help explaining the academic papers we need to read.

As I wrote last week (in Dutch), I'm trying to find my way in full-time study without losing my head (which I did last year). I've decided to try a new discipline: studying 8.00 to 18.00 and not think of anything study-related in the evenings.
As always, a new discipline means trouble. It means failing, trying to get back on track, and failing again. Fortunately I had foreseen some problems, so I could anticipate and, after failure, put into perspective.
Problem #1 was/is for me to get up early. When my alarm goes off, my mind needs a very simple, concrete reason to get up. Not something complicated and abstract like: "I have to study." (My mind would counterargue: "I can study an hour later.") So I came up with: "I have to say hello to someone, that will no longer be online to say hello to if I don't get up in time." And it worked! That is, it worked, until that someone went abroad for a week... But than I came up with something different that also worked but which I'm not gonna bore you with.
Problem #2 is keeping myself motivated, even when not everything goes according to plan. This one is harder to tackle. I implemented a few safeguards for this.
- Take the evenings off to divert, relax and refuel for the next study day;
- Promise myself a day off after I finish the goals I have for the next weeks;
- Make studying as enjoyable as possible (in the sun, with a cup of coffee or tea, ...);
- Set challenging, but achievable medium term goals (the achievable part was harder than the challenging part). Remind myself how proud I'll be if I manage to achieve my goals;
- SMART goals for each day;
- Put buffer time into my schedule to avoid stressing out;
- Remind myself that the plan is just a plan, not a prophecy. I can change it. Whenever I like;
- Keep the plan updated.
Problem #3 I encountered the second day I started my new discipline. I haven't really found a solution for this. It's actually the not thinking of anything study-related in the evenings that I found out to be very hard. (And I only just realized that even now, on my Friday evening off, I'm writing about study planning...)

So... at the moment I'm very tired from trying to learn this new discipline. But I'm motivated to put through. I do feel that I'm being more productive.

Enough about study for now.