Back to College // What to Snack on

All of the free food in college is great, until you can't fit into your jeans as easily one day. While you're beautiful just the way you are, it's important to fuel your body with the proper nutrients in order to stay healthy and on top of your game! Here are some of my favorite snacks to keep you fueled and focused.

Nourish Snacks// Full of protein & honestly really delicious I keep these at my desk and in my backpack. I love Monkey Love, Coco'Nilla Crunch and Mind Your P's & BBQ's.

Apple & Peanut Butter// A great sweet treat, but make sure you choose a healthier peanut butter and  don't eat too much peanut butter. But it satisfies my sweet tooth, which is huge so you should be good!

Chopped Apple & Cinnamon// Looking for some apple pie? Chop up an apple, add a little cinnamon and put it in the microwave for a minute. It's really good, and the perfect late night sweet treat.

Carrots, Cucumbers and Fiesta Ranch// A great, savory and healthy snack for studying or just watching tv. If you're looking for a little crunch, this is perfect! Buy a fiesta ranch packet (normally by the dressings at your grocery store), and mix it up with some greek yogurt.

Skinny Pop//  A little more on the expensive side, but it's perfect sweet and salty snack, without too many calories! Gives you a perfect portion!

Berries// Cut up some strawberries with blackberries and blueberries, even sprinkle a little sugar! It's a great dessert or small snack to always have on hand.

Granola Bar// A great grab and go option! I would look at K bars, Kind bars and others that are low in sugar and high in protein!

What do you eat while you study? Any favorites?


xoxo

Back to College Posts

Planner Review

School Supplies
What to Buy Once You're There
How to Budget

Back to College// School Supplies

I love school supplies. This is honestly one of my favorite times of the year because of all of the school supplies that are in stores. Here is my list of must have supplies for college!

Writing Utensils
Le Pens 
Paper Mate InkJoy
Paper Mate Clearpoint Mechanical Pencil Set
Sharpie Accent 10ct Highlighter 
Crayola Colored Pencils 
Crayola Markers

-All of your needs should be met here with these writing utensils! I normally keep my Le Pens, a couple pencils and a couple of highlighters with me. I leave the extras at my desk for when I'm studying and to restock later in the year. The markers and pencils are great for late night projects, home made cards and crafts!

Note Taking & Organizational Supplies
Wilson Jones Basic Round Ring Binder 1"
Wide Ruled Reinforced Filler Paper
8-Tab Index Divider with Pockets
Post-It Note Pads

-Every class I have has a binder with loose leaf in it. I then add dividers with pockets for extra sheets of paper so that I don't I have to stretch out my pockets in my binders. I've been using the same 6 binders for 6 semesters. I use post its in my notes as well to remind myself of important concepts for projects, papers and exams.

Desk Supplies
Sparco Hole Punch
Kantek Acrylic File Sorter
Kantek Acrylic Pencil Holder
Fun Patterned File Folders
Fiskars Scissors
Post-It Tabs 
Post-It Stick Notes
Scotch Magic Tape Dispenser

-You're going to need a hole punch to put papers in your binder to stay organized. The file sorter and pencil holder are cute, and you can add a monogram or your sorority letters to personalize them! The file folders are a cute way to liven up your organizational system. The rest are simple necessities you'll be glad you have on hand!


These should all get you started and prepped for success! Is there anything that you use that I miss?




xoxo

Back to College Series:

Planner Review

What to Snack On
What to Buy Once You're There
How to Budget
What to do Your First Week
Important College Resources
How to Manage Your Time
Best College Advice

Mid-Term Test Tips

I can't believe it's mid-term time already! Here are my test tips, everything from what to wear studying, to snacks to when to start!

What to Wear Studying:
Don't get me wrong, I am all for super comfy clothes, but I have to wear something that I wouldn't want to fall asleep in. It usually means jeans and a sorority tee with some sort of sweatshirt, or leggings with a chambray shirt and rain boots.


Snacks:
A seriously underrated part of studying, here are some snacks that won't make you bloated, give you a sugar crash and taste good.

-Apples & peanut butter
-Almonds, cranberries and sunflower sends
-Cherries
-Cucumber & dressing
-Crackers and cheese



When to Start:
Start studying a week before each test, or a week and a half depending on how difficult the material is. If it means only reviewing your notes for twenty minutes, or working on your study guide for a short period of time each night. (not including weekends unless your test is on a Monday)



What to Do
Create a study guide for your self
If your professor doesn't already have one, or has a very limited study guide create one for yourself.

Calendar of topics 
This doesn't have to be anything fancy, maybe just written on a sheet of scratch paper or outlined in your head (but you really should write it down).

Study for 45 minutes, take a 15 minutes break. 
This can include checking social media, calling a friend for a quick chat, making a snack, a run to Starbucks, a quick workout or watching part of your favorite show!

Study with a group:
Study with people who have different strengths in the class from you.  This way you have some one to bounce questions off of, and they do as well. Make sure that this group can actually focus, otherwise you're just wasting your time!

Night Before/Day Of
Night Before.
Go to bed at a reasonable time, and make sure to have everything you'll need for the test either packed or in a packable position.

Review the material right before you go to bed for 20 minutes. Do this right after you get ready for bed so you have a little break!

Day of
Eat something and drink some water along with that caffeinated drink. Your stomach won't be grumbling and your mouth won't be dry this way, and you can focus on the test!

Get up 15-30 minutes early to review the material one last time.

Arrive a little early to ask any last minute questions of your TA or professor.


What do you do to prepare for mid-terms? I know they are a little harder to study for because you still have events, extra-curriculars and a job/internship to worry about!


xoxo

Back To School: Desk & Study Supplies

Another installment of my back to school series! Today I'll be giving my advice on what study supplies to pack and what you'll want on your desk!

I love study supplies! I'm extremely organized and meticulous when it comes to my notes and study guides. I wanted to give you an idea of what I bring to college with me, and then give you suggestions on which products I buy!

Studying:

Tips!

-Use binders with looseleaf for your classes, that way you can add paper as needed and re-use the binders semester to semester. I suggest 1 inch binders. 

-Use multi-colored pens for color coding notes and your agenda. My favorite are Le Pens.

-Use notecards for vocabulary and studying. 

-Get white out to fix mistakes on your notes and in your agenda.
-Mechanical pencils are great, because you never have to sharpen them! I usually get mine on Amazon, and I love the fact that these are thicker. Make sure to get lead to last you the semester.
-Post-its and a small notebook are great for todo lists and little reminders. Also essential for planning your weeks successfully.


My desk is my safe haven, and I love an organized one. Here are some of my essentials for a great desk and even dresser. Some of these items are also essential for networking.

 Tips!
-Grab a magazine holder to hold small books and important papers.
-Pen holders are great for extra writing utensils
-Notepad for scratch paper and thinking!
-Scissors and a stapler for final papers and projects.
-A fun print from Etsy to liven up your space.
-A tray to hold your jewelry and to put your keys and i.d.
-Thank you cards and plain stationary to send to prospective employers and gift givers.
-Paper clips and binder clips to keep things together and hold your place in your agenda.

Check out Target & Design Darling boutique for the perfect desk supplies!


What else would you have on your lists? When do you leave for school?

xoxo

Back To School: Setting Up Your Agenda

I just gave one of my closest friends a Lilly Pulitzer Agenda for her birthday! My inner organizational freak decided she could also use the Lilly Pulitzer Greek sticker set.  Since I pride myself on a well-kept agenda, I thought I would share some pointers on setting up your agenda!


The great thing about this lists is that you can mix and match tips that fit your lifestyle.

1.Color coding is your friend. At the beginning of each semester assign different activities colors and make a key in the front of your agenda. An example is below. I don't color code my classes but rather use black ink to write down my assignments for the day and then highlight the most important tasks each day.
*If you want to color code even more, assign colors for each of your classes!

2. Write down all important due dates. At the beginning of each semester go through my syllabi and write down every paper, test and project date. I suggest using red so that it stands out from other commitments and I know how to schedule my weeks to add in increased homework time.

3. Write down everything you have to do each week for each class. Each Sunday  go through all my syllabi and write down every assignment due, test to study for and project step to complete. If you have a position in an organization write that down too. Don't forget internship application steps and other important application to-dos.

4. Assign each task a day. Once you have a list,write each homework item or to-do item on a day. If you have a consistent weekly schedule take that into account when you will have the time to do each assignment. You can always move things around later on.

5.Use post-it notes for extra to-do's or changes. During the week use post-it notes to add daily to-dos or to note changes in your schedule! This works great because you can add or remove as many post-its as you need.

6.Add stickers for fun. This may not be an organization tip, but I love that Lilly gives you the ability to use stickers to mark things on your calendar! I use it to mark special events and birthdays of loved ones. It makes my agenda a little more cheery.

7. Re-evaluate your week Thursday or Friday nights. Every Thursday or Friday night (afternoon) go through and make a to-do list of everything you have to do that weekend. It's easier than forgetting something Sunday night right before you fall asleep.

My agenda isn't nearly as busy as it is during the school year, so if you want more detailed photos just let me know in the comments


What other tips do you have for setting up your agenda?

Back To School:Bedroom essentials

As August quickly approaches many of us will be returning to our high schools, universities and colleges. Some of us may even be leaving to attend a new school. Here are some of my school essentials for the upcoming year!

If you haven't already set up your bedroom with your roommate here are some great tips!

1. White is not always the best option: This may be the bedding you have for the next four years. If we're being honest what makes you think you won't spill your sixth glass of coffee on your white duvet after six hours of studying? Go with a navy, black, or a darker color

2. Decorate with pillows: Now go ahead and get the white, monogrammed pillows. The best thing about pillows is that they are a lot cheaper to replace them. They'll be really useful for movie nights and study sessions when your bed doubles as a couch.

3. Find a bulletin board: This is a great investment. You can paint it, scrapbook it or just hang things. I used it to hold heavier statement necklaces, pictures and memorabilia.  As the year progresses, you can add and remove pictures/memories. Mine normally doubles as an inspiration board as well. It makes your room a little homier without a million picture frames.

4. Get a lamp: Especially if you have a roommate, a lamp will be a smart object to bring. A large lamp may not be plausible, but a bedside lamp or a clip on one works the best. I used mine when I had to get up earlier than my roommate or go to bed later than my roommate.

5.Second set of bed sheets & an extra blanket: This may seem weird, but trust me I am thankful weekly that I have an extra set of sheets and an extra blanket. One night while I was blogging in bed, I spilled a glass of Diet Coke (#tsm) on my sheets. Instead of having to wash my sheets that night, I just changed my sheets really quickly and got back to what I was doing. The extra blanket is great for naps, movie nights, or the rare instance that it's cold in your room!


 What are some of your bedroom essentials? Check back next Wednesday for more Back to School supplies!

xoxo