Like most freshmen starting out their first semester of college, I struggled! When I first began my blog I was barely starting out my first semester. I am graduating next year, so you can say I've learned A LOT in between then. Since I've accumulated these tips and tricks I've never READ the chapters of ANY textbook (well except for math homework). So let's see what I got:
School Supplies
If it's any consolation I don't buy brand new school supplies every year. I buy one pack of my favorite pens the Pilot G-2 gel pen or if I'm taking a math class I'll use the Pilot FriXion (they're erasable). Add a highlighter, mini stapler, a notebook and you're good to go.
I've tried everything to hold my papers in: binders, file folders, multi-subject notebooks, regular folders. What works for me is one regular notebook for each class and one folder for all classes to hold syllabi, handouts and returned work. Trust me, once you start college you won't want to be lugging around a huge binder or textbook.
A planner however is ESSENTIAL, I pick one out from my dollar store or Big Lots but you can get a little fancy and buy really cute customized ones (I'm looking at you Erin Condren).
Rate My Professors
Talk about a game changer. This website has helped me every year. It's basically a review site for professors in colleges and universities worldwide. You can see what other students thought about the class, advice for passing, average grade earned, easiness level etc. It's awesome for picking out the professor that matches your needs!
Studying
I am procrastinator extreme when it comes to studying. I HATE reading textbooks. I'm proud to say I graduated with honors without opening my textbook unless I absolutely HAD TO. It's boring for me to sit down and read text for hours on end. That's why I use websites like Khan Academy, WolframAlpha, and Quizlet. They have interactive videos, widgets and study guides so you're learning while not feeling like you want to rip your head out. Quizlet has pretty much come in handy for everything, it's my go-to website when I need to cram information in last minute.
Note taking
Obviously you have to take good notes during lecture time. I make sure to take out my colored markers, highlighters and a comfortable pen. Using colors has definitely helped me have a more enjoyable time during class. I always get complimented on how cute my notes look. I recommend fine tip markers like Stabilo or Papermate Flair.
Apps
Again in order to avoid any type of textbook reading I find alternatives. Taking a foreign language course? Try Duolingo. Need to stay organized? Any.do is the perfect mobile calendar.
Money
There are many Apps that can help you earn a little extra money. Let's be real no one likes to eat ramen EVERY DAY! These apps helped save me during times when student loans just overwhelmed my life.
Shopkick: I've been using this app for about a year? It's been great so far. I've earned SO many $10-$20 gift cards towards Sephora. Yes, FREE high-end makeup. All you have to do is scan items at grocery stores and you can even earn kicks for just walking into a store. It's awesome!!
Find & Save: Okay this by far is the easiest app! Just upload a picture of your receipt from any store offering cash back. It's that easy.
Ebates: If you like online shopping than this app is for you! Earn cash back for almost every purchase and also get a $10 gift card for the first $25 you spend.
Mercari:
If you have clothes, shoes, bags, electronics or makeup that you haven't used in a while or haven't used at all this is the place to go. I've earned some money selling shirts that I though I would wear and just never did. It's a great way to clear out old items that are just sitting in a corner. If you use my code: CuT335 you can earn $2 towards your first purchase. I've found $10 VS Pink sweaters and $20 Juicy Couture purses in amazing condition.
What are your tips and tricks that you've learned?
** none of the companies mentioned are paying me for including them in my post.
I know it's been a while since I posted! I've been on trips here and there and I got lost
in blogging. Anyway I should be back for good with a couple of new posts.
I recently took a trip down to Van Nuys and I must say there cosmetic stores
have a much bigger selection than my local Sally's or really any store.
Sally's was having a sale on their China Glaze nail polishes and I picked up four!
I was a little bummed that they had run out of For Audrey's.
Then I went to Amuse and Walmart and picked up 2 essentials the
Hard Candy Glamoflauge and a NYX jumbo eye pencil in Milk.
Any recents hauls for you?
Mall Haul!
This weekend I want a little crazy with my shopping. (You'll see more later)
and now my credit card is feeling the burnnn. lol.
I did have fun though!
So what did I get?
I went to Sears and picked up some nail polish, Sally Hansen Haute Collection polish and
some earrings from Studio S. Then I went to F21 and picked up
sunglass which I really needed because it's starting to get really sunny out and some earrings
and a pretty rose bracelet.
Overall I only spent about $40, not bad.
Any recent hauls for you guys?
Up & Up Daily Moisturizer Review
During the winter months I become extremely pale.
Because of this I like to use a gradual tanner or daily glow lotion
to warm up my skin tone.
I normally use the Jergen's brand but I was at Target and this little
bottle caught my eye.
It's the generic brand of Target, Up & Up.
I believe they only have for darker skin tones right now
but that's fine with me because it means that I'll get darker quicker and I did!
In only a matter of days I was shades darker and I had a nice
bronzed look.
It's not a huge drastic change but it's nice to have when you want to look a little less ghostly!
What's your favorite moisturizer?
LUSH Haul
I recently took a trip to the a mall that's about 1.3 hours away from me
and I saw that they had a LUSH. I love Lush, every time ago
I leave with at least a bath bomb.
Though this isn't a huge haul, I thought I'd share what I got.
The first one is the Pink bath bomb.
This smells really sweet and florally but not
enough to make me sick! It's so yummy
and the best part is it's pink with confetti inside. :D
The second one was my sister's pick for me. It's a the Big Blue bath bomb.
This smells very fresh and soft. It's a light scent.
I got a piece of the Porridge soap. This smells soooo good.
My favorite scent out of all three. It smells like vanilla
and sweet oatmeal. It does leave little bits of oatmeal
in the shower but I don't mind.
What's your favorite Lush product?
Pink Picks: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick
What can I say about primrose except that it is the perfect pink lipstick!?
Definitely one of my HG lipsticks for sure.
I just picked this up about 2 weeks ago and have been using it ever since.
Revlon's formulation is always on point for me. I go straight to Revlon for my
lip products. The super lustrous line has so many colors. Life's A Peach, Nude Attitude and
Barely Blossom among my favorites.
As you can see in the swatch Primrose is a beautiful blue toned pink.
It works well with lighter skin tones so I don't know if I would be able to
pull it off when I'm on my tanner.
What's your HG lipstick?
E.L.F. Eyelid Primer: The Review
Before I head to work I thought I'd leave a review of the ELF eyelid primer that
has been compared to the Urban Decay Primer Potion.
I purchased this primer a while ago at Kmart. It's only a $1, so I didn't expect
it to do much. Well much to my surprise I definitely got more than what I
bargained for. It goes on very light, dries quickly and holds my eye shadow
for quite a long time.
The packaging is sleek-ish. It has a nice doe applicator very similar to a lip gloss.
I feel like the UDPP is not as convenient to carry around.
So how does it compare? Well the E.L.F. primer is a good second.
While it does not last as long as the UDPP IMO it has a really good hold
and really lets the colors shine through.
Here I have an eye shadow that I've swatched. One being on the primer
and the other without. As you can see the one with primer is much more
vibrant in color. The one next to it looks like it's almost fading away.
What is your favorite primer?
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