| How to Make an Awesome Music Playlist Posted: 03 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT Whether you want to take over DJ duties at your next party or create a good mix to listen to while you work out, there are a few tricks of the playlist trade. Picking a theme, sticking with the right amount of songs, and listening to your playlist over and over can help you modify and tweak it to be the best it can be. If you ever feel stuck, try asking your friends for suggestions or looking at popular playlists online to get some inspiration. [Edit]Picking a Theme - Try a nostalgic playlist for a throwback vibe. If you want to be transported back to the past, pick a time period where you had the most fun and choose songs that remind you of it. You could pick a time when you grew up, one when you were in school, or just one that reminds you of a good time.[1]
- Try 90's R&B, early 2000's pop music, 70's psychedelic rock, or even 80's jam bands.
- Go for an upbeat playlist for working out. If you want to take your playlist to the gym, think about songs that will pump you up and get you ready for your workout. Try songs that have a fast tempo, a strong beat, and a solid baseline to keep you in workout mode the entire time.[2]
- Dubstep and EDM songs are great ones for working out.
- Stick with soothing music for relaxation or meditation. For calming songs that you can listen to while studying, meditating, or winding down, go for slow, soft tempo songs with quiet base lines. You can even pick music that is specifically for meditating with white noise or nature sounds incorporated.[3]
- Classical music is also great for relaxation and studying since it doesn't have any distracting lyrics.
- Lean towards popular music for parties. If you're taking your playlist to a party or a DJ set, go for songs that most people will know. You don't have to choose songs that are all from the top 40 list, but try to pick ones that you and your friends all know. The more people can sing along, the more they will dance and jam to the music.[4]
- Different parties might need different soundtracks. A kid's birthday party, for example, will have different music than a house show in your neighborhood.
- Base your playlist off your mood for a specific vibe. Some songs can bring up certain emotions, and you can make a whole playlist based on that. If you're feeling happy, go for uplifting, supportive songs. If you're feeling a little down, try adding melancholy or sad songs to your playlist.[5]
- This is a great way to figure out a name for your playlist as well, since you can just title it after your mood.
- Angry playlists might have a lot of heavy metal, content playlists might play smooth jazz, and sad playlists might have classical or slow songs.
[Edit]Organizing Songs - Open up a music program on your phone or computer. There are a few different websites where you can make a playlist. Spotify, Apple Music, Playlist.com, and Windows Media Player all allow you to make specific playlists, so you can choose whichever one you feel most confident with.[6]
- Internet radio stations like Pandora allow you to make your own radio station, but they don't let you compile individual songs into a playlist.
- Start with a hook. Whatever your theme, genre, or taste, one thing about playlists is universal: it's got to start with a great song. Lead off with a song that'll hook everyone who'll listen, or will kick off your personal favorites playlist with a bang.[7]
- Alternatively, maybe the order of the songs is predetermined (as in a countdown playlist) or maybe you're just not interested in a carefully selected order for the songs. Consider randomizing the order by hitting shuffle, or by tossing the songs in alphabetically for easy access. This tends to be easier for very long playlists.
- Include some highs and lows. In most cases, you'll want an awesome playlist to vary the mood, the tempo, and the tones in the music somewhat, or else it'll get repetitive and dull. Even if you're making a Best of Black Metal playlist, try to throw some more atmospheric headbangers in there, or it'll be hard to follow.[8]
- Alternatively, a party playlist should probably only go up, so start with a banger and progressively get rowdier. Likewise, a go-to-sleep playlist should stay relatively sedate. Let it fade off into white noise or silence at the ending.
- Add a climactic song in the middle of the playlist. Whichever song is the loudest, has the most noise, or is the most interesting is the one you should put in the middle of everything. Think of your playlist like climbing a mountain: the middle is the peak, and then you gradually come back down again.[9]
- Depending on the playlist theme, this could be a really fast rap song, a loud EDM song, an orchestral classical piece, or anything in between.
- Listen to the transitions between songs. Some songs have abrupt endings while others will have gradual fade-outs or codas. Some rock songs end with long blasts of feedback, while other songs will fade out. Listen to how each song transitions into the next.[10]
- Avoid aural schizophrenia. It's nice to have some variety, but going straight from Slayer to Simon and Garfunkel will sound strange. It's your playlist, but try to make the order relatively smooth. Slayer to Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You" to Simon and Garfunkel? That's more like it.
[Edit]Making People-Pleasing Playlists - Aim for 30 to 50 songs total. Playlists that are too short won't captivate your audience, and ones that are too long can be a little overwhelming. Try to go for 30 to 50 songs total to hit the sweet spot for an awesome playlist.[11]
- Sticking to this many songs gives you enough time to convey the theme of your playlist without dragging it out too long.
- Think about your playlist's audience. Different people like different music, and some songs may be more appropriate than others. If you're going to a child's birthday party, you might pick songs geared towards younger children. If you're just hanging out with your friends, you could pick popular songs that are on the radio right now.[12]
- If you're making a playlist for kids, make sure you listen to the lyrics of every song you add to avoid curse words.
- Include 1 to 2 songs per artist to avoid repetition. While this rule originally started to protect artists on radio stations, it's a good rule of thumb to stick to so you and your audience don't get bored. As you compile your music, try to only add 1 to 2 songs by the same artist throughout the whole playlist.[13]
- Having too many songs by the same artist can feel too much like just listening to an album.
- Name the playlist something eye-catching and relevant. If your playlist is public, people may be able to click on it and play it for themselves. To make it enticing, try to name it something that captures the theme of the playlist and seems snappy and fun.[14]
- For example, you could try "100 Most Uplifting Songs Ever."
- Or, "The World's Most Perfect Pop Songs."
[Edit]Elevating Your Playlist - Be on the lookout for new music. If you're trying to make an awesome playlist, you probably listen to a lot of music. As you find new music, save it to your phone or computer so that you can add it to your existing playlist or create a new one in a few months.[15]
- Try listening to the radio, other playlists, and your friends' recommendations.
- Update your playlist every few weeks. To keep your playlist fresh, try to update it every 2 weeks or so. You can add new music that you find and delete irrelevant music that you don't like as much anymore.[16]
- Updating your playlist too often can confuse your listeners, while leaving it for too long can make it feel stale.
- Test out your playlist. You can put your playlist on your phone, iPod, or any other portable music device and take it out with you on a run, or to the gym, or to the party where you want to dance. Delete songs that don't work and add songs that enhance the experience that you're soundtracking. It's easy to make changes.[17]
- You might decide that some songs fit better elsewhere, in which case you can make a brand new playlist instead.
- Make collaborative playlists with your friends. If you're feeling stuck in a rut or you want to take your playlist to the next level, consider making a playlist where multiple people can add and delete songs. This will take the pressure off of you to be the sole contributor, and it can introduce you to new music that you might not have heard of before.[18]
- You can make collaborative playlists on Spotify and Apple Music.
- Some applications, such as Spotify, will offer song suggestions for your playlist while you're creating it. This can help you find songs you forgot and songs you didn't know about.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Be Organized in School Posted: 03 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT It can be really frustrating to feel like you're always forgetting your homework or losing your pencils, but you might not realize how much it's affecting your school performance. Fortunately, those problems can usually be fixed by a little organization. When you keep your work area, schedule, and even class notes organized, you'll almost certainly find that it's easier to keep up with your schoolwork, and you might even see an improvement in your grades! [Edit]Assignments - Create a binder with a separate section for each class. Even if you do a lot of your schoolwork online, you'll still have things like worksheets and handouts to keep track of. To keep all of your paperwork organized, use a 3-ring binder, and use dividers so there's one section for every class you're taking.[1]
- Try putting color-coded pocket folders inside the binder to keep track of papers that don't have holes punched in them. For instance, you might use a blue divider, folder, and notebook for math.
- Any time you get a piece of paper for class, put it in your binder right away. That will help keep you from having a lot of loose, crinkled paper to sort through at the end of each day.
- Figure out the organization method that works for you—you might want to have a section in your binder for graded papers and one for assignments that are ready to turn in, for instance.[2]
- Organize your digital files into folders. Just like you need to organize your physical papers for class, it's also important to keep your digital files sorted. Any time you save a document, whether it's a draft of a paper or a worksheet that you downloaded, make sure to save it to a folder for that specific class. You can even use sub-folders to separate different types of files for a single class.[3]
- For instance, you might have a parent folder labeled "Biology," then within that folder, you might include sub-folders like, "Class Notes" "Homework," "Research Paper," and "Handouts."
- Consider using a service like Google Drive or iCloud to store your files online (or on the cloud). That way, you won't lose your files if your computer crashes.
- Track all of your assignments in a planner to keep up with them. Keep a weekly planner so you don't forget to turn in any important assignments. Check your planner every day, and write down any homework, tests, or other important dates as soon as you learn about them. [4]
- If your notebooks and folders are color-coded, consider using the same color pens to write down your assignments. For instance, you might write all of your math assignments in blue and all of your English assignments in red.
- Include other activities in your planner as well. That way, it will be easy for you to see which days you'll be busiest, so you'll know how to plan your studying for each week.[5]
- Use an online planner if you prefer to keep up with things digitally. You can use the calendar app on your phone, tablet, or computer to keep up with assignments.[6] For instance, you might track everything in Google Calendar. You could also use apps like myHomework Student Planner, Trello, or Power Planner to help you manage assignments and to-do lists.[7]
- Your school might provide an online assignment manager that you can use, as well.
- When you're trying to decide between a paper or digital planner, think about which one you're likely to check the most often. For instance, if you already have a paper planner but you forget to look at it most days, you might do better with an app you can put on your phone.
- Set alarms in your phone to help you remember important deadlines. Even if you're using a paper or digital planner, sometimes a due date might still creep up on you without you realizing it. If there's anything really important you need to remember, set an alarm in your phone. Try to set it a little ahead of the actual deadline so you'll be reminded in time if you do forget.[8]
- For instance, if you have a big paper due for Lit class, you might set a reminder for 1 week before the due date so you won't forget to work on your final draft, as well as a reminder for the morning it's due so you don't forget to bring it to class.
- Your online planner may be able to notify you about your assignments, so check out the settings!
- Start a new page of notes at the start of each class. Every day when you start class, take out a fresh sheet of paper. Write the date and the class at the top of the page, then set it aside while you listen to the teacher. Throughout the class, use that sheet to write down the important points your teacher mentions.[9]
- If your teacher mentions a new assignment, write the due date in your planner immediately.
- Writing the date on your paper will help you keep your notes organized, and it can be helpful if you're trying to recall something specific while you're studying.
- Jot down the important things your teacher talks about. Keep your notes simple and effective by writing down keywords and short sentences from the lesson. Don't try to write down everything your teacher says—just write down the main concepts, preferably in your own words.
- Try using a highlighter to call attention to anything you think is especially important.
- If your teacher mentions that something will be on the test, be especially sure to write it down. [10]
- Rewriting things in your own words may help you learn, understand, and memorize the material better!
- Try the Cornell method for more organized notes. To follow the Cornell method, draw a horizontal line about 6 lines from the bottom of your lined paper. Then, draw a vertical line about from the left side of the paper. This should create a total of 3 boxes. Use the left-hand vertical box to take down key points, and the right-hand larger box to take down general notes. After class, use the bottom horizontal box for review, clarification, and summary.[11]
- When you're studying for a test, first read the bottom horizontal box, and then go up to the other 2 boxes if you need more information.
- The Cornell note-taking method might be the right note-taking method for you if you're studying something like History that has a lot of key points and specific details.
- Practice the Mind Map note taking format. For Mind Mapping, you'll need a blank sheet of paper instead of lined paper. Mind Mapping uses bubbles to connect individual keywords to one another. The benefits of Mind Map note-taking is that you can easily see the relationship and connections between 2 ideas at a glance.[12]
- If you feel yourself often getting bored taking notes, try Mind Mapping, since it's more creative!
- Mind Mapping can be effective for subjects like Literature, where 1 main subject (i.e. a book) has several important features (i.e. characters, themes, plot points, etc).
[Edit]Studying and Time Management - Do your homework at the same time every day. Just like it's easier to get up in the morning when you wake up at the same time every day, it's easier to remember to study and do your homework if you have a set time for it. It might feel a little strange to have a set schedule at first, but if you stick to it for a few weeks, you'll find that it starts to come naturally.[13]
- As you're planning your schedule, think about when you tend to be most productive—are you full of energy after school, or do you prefer to have a little downtime when you get home, then do your homework after dinner?
- If you're learning remotely, think about the times of day you tend to work best, and plan your difficult subjects for that time period. Save your easiest subjects for times where you might tend to drag a little more.
- Study in a quiet, distraction-free spot. Whether you're doing your homework after school or primarily learning online, you'll need a quiet, calm spot at home where you can focus on your schoolwork. Try to pick a spot that's out of the way, like a desk in your room. However, if that's not an option, let your family members know when you'll need some peace and quiet so they don't bother you while you're working.[14]
- It's a good idea to turn off notifications on your phone and tablet during your study time. That way, you won't be distracted by text messages or social media mentions.
- Some people study best in complete silence, but other people do better with a little background music or white noise. Experiment to find what works for you.
- If you start getting distracted while you're studying, get up and take a 10-15 minute break, then come back to your work.
- Work on large assignments a little at a time. Don't let big projects pile up on you—you'll feel anxious and rushed if you wait until the last minute, and your grade will likely suffer. Instead, start working on things like essays and art projects as soon as you know they're due. Break the project down into smaller, more manageable parts, and tackle a little at a time until the job is done.[15]
- For instance, if you have to write a 3-page paper in a week, you might schedule one day for doing research, one for filling out a detailed outline, one for writing a first draft, and two days for revisions. That will still leave you a couple of days of free time in case you fall behind or have other things you need to work on.
- Working a little bit each day on your project will help the workload feel smaller. It will also give you more time to relax at the end of the day.
- Review your notes from class every day. Even if you're busy working on homework and other projects, take a few minutes of your study time each day to go over the notes you took in class. That will help you retain what you learned, and it's a lot easier to study for a test a little at a time instead of trying to cram all at once.[16]
- This is a good time to rewrite your notes if they're a little messy.
- Get ready for the next day every night. Before you go to bed, check your planner and make sure you have all of the assignments and supplies for the next day of school. Put them in your backpack if you'll be taking them to school, and consider packing your lunch at night so you won't be rushed the next morning.[17]
- You can even lay out your outfit for the next day! That way, all you'll have to worry about in the morning is getting up, brushing your teeth, and eating breakfast.
- If there's anything important you need to remember for the next day, try putting a sticky note somewhere you'll be sure to see it, like on your bathroom mirror, lunchbox, or door.
[Edit]Supplies and Study Space - Keep your school supplies in one place. If you're attending school in-person, use your backpack and locker to store your items, or keep them in your desk or stacked in a bin if you're learning remotely. In addition, use pencil cases or pouches to organize small things like pens, pencils, highlighters, glue, scissors, and calculators.[18]
- There is no "right" or "wrong" way to organize your supplies—the important thing is that you consistently put your things in the same place so you'll always know where they are.
- Try keeping your pens, pencils, and colored pencils in a pencil case, for instance, and keep your extra papers and notebooks in a desk drawer at home.
- Even if you want to rush out of class when the bell rings, it will be a lot easier to find your stuff later if you take a few seconds to put everything away neatly.
- Stock up any time you're running low on school supplies. A big part of being organized is being prepared. If you're running out of paper, pencils, or something else, make sure to buy more or ask your parents to buy you more. Put it in your pencil case or backpack as soon as you get it, so you don't forget it at home![19]
- Being unprepared for class can not only distract you, but your classmates as well, especially if you have to ask them for supplies. It can also detract from your participation grade.
- Throw away anything you no longer need at the end of each day. Every day, take a few minutes to look through your school belongings, including your study area, backpack, locker, and binder. Toss out things like scrap paper, candy wrappers, dried-up pens, or anything else that's definitely trash. Keeping your study area tidy will make it easier to concentrate on your schoolwork.[20]
- Don't throw away old assignments and tests, even after they're graded—they might be helpful when you're trying to study for final exams.
- If you study in an area that's also used for other things, like your family's dining table, try keeping your papers and books stacked in a bin when you're not using them.
- Don't expect to become organized overnight! It takes time, so be patient with yourself and have confidence that it'll work out soon.
- You should clean out your backpack at least once a week or after school everyday to get rid of trash or rubbish that you don't need in there.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Pencil case
- Binders
- Pencils
- Pens
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Highlighters
- Planner
- Sticky notes
- Organization tools (storage bins, pencil holders, etc.)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Bird Box Posted: 03 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT Bird watching is a relaxing, fulfilling activity that's easy for most people to do. You can bring the birds to your own backyard by building them a bird box, or a variation of a bird house. Once you have your materials, you can spend a single afternoon building a cozy home for the birds in your area so they have a safe place to nest during breeding season. The best thing about bird boxes is that they're reusable, so you can clean them up and use them time and time again! [Edit]Cutting the Lumber - Measure and cut 2 side panels out of untreated wood. Use pine, cedar, or plywood that's thick. Using a tape measure and a ruler, measure out the 2 side panels, then use a saw to cut them out. Cut out 2 panels that are both wide and in length on one side and in length on the other.[1]
- The side panels will be slanted at the top to create the classic bird box shape.
- To find untreated lumber, look for wood that's been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council, or the FSC, by looking for the FSC logo on the label.
- Since all your pieces are the same width, it may help to start out with a piece of lumber that's wide.
- Cut out the front, base, roof, and back from the same wood. Using the same wood, grab a tape measure and measure out 4 new pieces. Then, use a saw to cut them out. The measurements for each piece are:[2]
- The front piece: wide and long.
- The base piece: wide and long.
- The roof piece: wide and long.
- The back piece: wide and long.
- Carve out a diameter hole in the front panel. Attach a spade bit, or a boring bit, to your drill and make a pencil mark about 1/3 of the way down your front panel. Use the boring bit on your drill to carve out a wide hole in the front so that birds can enter the box.[3]
- This hole might seem small, but it will allow smaller birds to get into the box while keeping large predatory birds out.
- If you want to attract larger birds, leave the front panel off of the box completely to make it more accessible.
- Drill 5 small holes in the base piece. Using your same boring bit, make 5 marks spaced evenly along the base piece. Then, use your boring bit to make five wide holes to let water and waste flow out of the box.[4]
- These drainage / ventilation holes will keep the box cleaner so the birds are more likely to stay for long periods of time. It will also ensure that the birds have enough air to breathe while they're in the box.
[Edit]Assembling the Box - Nail the sides to the bottom of the back plate. Start by lining up your side pieces so that the flat edges are flush with the bottom of the back plate and the tops of the side pieces are slanted downwards. Use 2 nails on either side to attach the side pieces to the sides of the back plate, leaving about of space at the top of the back plate.[5]
- Leaving the space at the top will give you room to attach the roof.
- Attach the base to the back plate so it's flush with the sides. Grab your base plate with the holes in it and line it up with the bottom of the back plate and the bottom of the side pieces. Use 4 nails to hammer the base piece into place to the back plate and the side pieces.[6]
- The base piece needs to be really secure since that's what the birds will actually be sitting on in the box.
- Line up the front panel with the sides, then use nails to attach it. Grab the front piece and situate it on the side panels so that the hole in the front is near the top of the box. Use 3 nails on either side of the front piece to attach it to the side panels, then use 2 more nails to attach the front piece to the base piece.[7]
- Attach a rubber hinge to the roof and the base. Grab a strip of rubber that's wide and tall. Use 2 nails to attach the top of the strip to the top of the back plate. Then, attach the top of the roof to the edge of the rubber hinge with 2 more nails.[8]
- The roof should rest on the top of the 2 side panels to stay closed.
- Attaching the roof with a hinge rather than nails will make it easier to clean and maintain the box over time.
- Paint or decorate the box if you'd like to. If you want to decorate your bird box, you can grab a paint brush and use non-toxic, water-based paint to use on the outside of the box. Let the box dry completely for about 1 day before you hang it up outside.[9]
- Painting the box can make it easier to see, and it might make it a cute attraction in your yard.
[Edit]Hanging and Cleaning the Box - Set up your bird box between February and March. If you're in the southern part of the country, put up your box no later than the end of February. If you're in the northern part of the country, put it up before late March.[10]
- This will give the birds in your area ample time to use the box during breeding season.
- It can take a few years for birds to find your box, so don't be discouraged if it doesn't get used right away.
- Drill a hole in the back plate for hanging. Use a drill bit to make a hole at the top of the back plate. This will make it much easier to hang the box later on so the screw doesn't have as much wood to push through.[11]
- You may have to push through the rubber hinge a little bit, which is fine.
- Mount the box at least above the ground. Choose a tree or a pole in your yard that's out of the direct sunlight to hang your bird box. Grab a screw and use your drill to attach the top of the bird box to the tree or the pole. Make sure it's really sturdy so that the birds can go in and out with ease.[12]
- Putting the bird box high up will keep the birds safe from predators on the ground.
- You don't need to add in any nesting materials to your box, because the birds will bring in their own.
- Wash your bird box every October or November. After each breeding season, take your box down from its mount and dump out any nesting material or waste inside of it. Use boiling water to clean out and disinfect the inside, then let it air dry before you hang it back up again.[13]
- Never use harsh chemicals to clean out your bird box, or you could harm the birds.
- If you open up the box and find unhatched eggs, leave them in the box. According to wildlife laws, the eggs can only be removed from October to January and they must be destroyed – it is illegal to keep the eggs.
- When birds start using your bird box, try to keep your distance so they don't get spooked.[14]
[Edit]Warnings - Many species of birds are very territorial and won't nest in boxes if they're too close together.[15]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - thick and long pine, cedar, or plywood
- Saw
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Drill
- Boring or spade bit
- drill bit
- Nails
- Hammer
- Screw
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