Mismatched mondays - of doodles

Ah, doodling. It's what you do in math class when things just get too...math. Scribbling, writing, drawing, you name it--it happens without you knowing. To some, it's a waste of time and a distraction. Spending time doing something you're not supposed to; drawing pictures of cats (that aren't necessarily nice) instead of focusing on your studies. To others, however, it's an escape. It enables you to rest your brain muscles and clear your head so that you can think more creatively and clearly. (That's what I think!)

Well, to those of you who believe that it's a waste of time, suck it, because studies show that people who doodle during phone conversations, lectures, and while studying actually retain more of the info. Of course, the doodles have to be somewhat related to the information, something like a visualization of what you've just learned. 

(I don't know about you, but I hate it when I'm note taking, and my professor just speaks at a 100 miles per second. "Doodling" comes in handy when taking notes, too! Instead of writing out "flower" or "house" just draw a quick one!)

Fastcompany.com lists steps to turn your mindless masterpieces into learning enhancers! Although they mean to enhance doodling in a "company" sort of sense, their tips are helpful for everyone. They discuss the "visual alphabet"--symbols that are easily recognizable and draw-able--to just having confidence in your doodles. Really, who cares? Remember, it's the thought that counts!

Besides remembering that last thing said during a lecture (that could help you pass your midterms!), doodling also helps enhance your artistic abilities. Need to learn how to doodle? Well, it's quite simple, really. 

Everyone has their own method of memorization, their own studying techniques, and their own doodling identity. I like like to jot down a single idea first--my name, something that's currently bothering me (if I'm worried about a test, chances are my page will be filled with vocab that I can remember), a flower as spring draws near--and then work around it. Draw shapes or write words that somehow relate to your idea and then just get farther and farther away from it. I do highly doubt that you don't know how to doodle, though. Just check your homework or notes from the class you hate most, you could be very surprised!

If you've checked out the link above, I particular like their last suggestion: create your own doodle world. Create a place that inspires you every time you think about it. A place where you can do whatever you want, however you want. Create a story with characters, unexplainable shapes and events and people. 

Make your doodles inspiring and let them inspire you.

You never know what it may turn into.

Here are a couple of themed ideas to get you started if you're nervous:

Doodle on your hand. (not what it sounds like, more like this) Trace your hand(s) once or several times and create something within the hand. I remember back in pre-K my teachers used to have us do this on Mother's Day and Thanksgiving. It was a bittersweet reminder of how fast we grow, but just how much smarter and more creative we get with each passing day; yet, it was also a weird shape and a great way to make a turkey. Just saying. 

Doodle the Earth. Show how this planet looks in space, in your head, or just draw it and fill-in-the-blanks.

Heck, doodle space or animals or space animals. Just get on a tangent! 

(NOTE: As I was typing that, I couldn't remember the word tangent and instead wrote "tandem" which I learned it's number one definition, according to Google, is "a bicycle with seats and pedals for two riders, one behind the other.". This is the kind of stuff I'm talking about, people. Learn something new from a silly mistake and just keep going.)

And, of course, it wouldn't be Mismatched mondays if there wasn't something to mismatch. You see that "TO LOOK FOR..." list? That's a list of things I will continually be searching and try to fit in here and there.

Well, here's a cheap, quick, and totally dorm room approved Paper Heart Wall Art.