Rebranding

New year, new me, new blog…ish.

Last August I started this blog as a way to keep writing and keep busy. It lasted about a week. In my week as a blogger, though, the one thing I remember most is how excited I was to write and post whatever my heart desired. I mean, I do call myself a writer after all.

This year, I want to get back to that. I want to push myself as a writer and as a person. However, I don’t want to be hung up on “The Confused College Student” label I gave myself upon creation. A confused college student was very much who I was (and still, to be honest) but I don’t want it to limit the content that I post. While organizing and planning is essential to me, this blog and life, it’s kind of generic and I want this space to be lively and personal.

So, what can you expect from me?

  • Tips and tricks to adulting
  • Short stories (maybe even set for Saturday/Sunday because I’m a sucker for alliteration)
  • Updates on my life occasionally
  • Whatever else I think of throughout the year as my interests are constantly changing

 

Back-to-School Supply Shopping: College Edition

If only I had spent as much as time on homework and essays in high school than I did making sure I had all the right supplies every single day, then maybe I wouldn’t regret my high school career all that much. Whatever, the past is in the past and since I spent those four years perfecting the most efficient way to carry your papers and books, I can offer this to you. Here’s what you’ll need to have the most organized school year ever*:

1: One 3″ Binder with Sleeves

Initially, I hated binders because they were bulky and school supply shopping lists normally demanded that you needed one for each subject. In high school I tried getting away with notebooks and folders, but you’re more likely to leave those at home if they’re not all together. I also recommend getting one with plastic sleeves as I keep my student ID in there for easy access.

2: Dividers 

This one is pretty self explanatory, but you’ll need as many dividers as you have classes. Another tip: some dividers are also folders which is great if your professor doesn’t hole punch their handouts (so you’ll also need to invest in a hole punch, but that can stay in your room).

3: Lined Paper 

Whether its in a notebook or loose leaf, this is a must. You’re always taking notes.

4: Planner 

You’ll need something to remember any long term homework assignments, essays, and reminders for mid terms and final exams.

5: Pens (or other writing utensils)

6: No. 2 Pencils 

You definitely want to make sure your stocked before any tests, mid terms and final exams. Bookstore prices tend to be overpriced.

7: Scantrons 

Some professors provide them, some don’t. Make sure you find out before test day.

8: Highlighters 

You really only need the basic yellow one, but if you have a working system already, don’t let me stop you.

9: Colored Pens 

If I’m in a class that is lecture heavy with a PowerPoint presentation every single class, I opt for one of those pens that is four-in-one. In my Sociology class last semester, I wrote in blue for everything, purple to highlight words I need to know the definition of, pink to highlight examples, and green to write in any additional comments from the professor. Using different colors not only breaks up your notes so its easier to read, but also makes classes a little more enjoyable. I think I will make a whole other post about it in the future.

*As always, these are tips and totally customizable to what works for you 

The 7/27 Tour

This weekend I attended the Fifth Harmony’s 7/27 Tour with Special Guest JoJo* (yes, that is the full name of the tour, and yes I had to write the whole thing out). Don’t get me wrong I’m a fan of 5H and they put on a great show, but I mainly purchased the tickets for JoJo.

 

I loved her when I was younger and I love her now, and Saturday’s show did not disappoint. She started the show with When Love Hurts (off the tringle she released in 2015), threw it back with hits like Baby It’s You, Leave (Get Out) and Disaster, performed her cover of Marvin’s Room and new song I Am, and ended her set with the new single Fuck Apologies (the censored version for the youngins.

This was also my first time seeing Fifth Harmony in full and they were spectacular, although I don’t have anything to compare it to. They kept the room’s energy up and had me standing the entire time, so far that I applaud them.

*Victoria Monet was the other opening act, but I arrived halfway through her last song. From what I saw, it was great though.

The New InstaStory?!

I was already to make my first post about this week’s bullet journal, but then more pressing issues came forth. Late Tuesday night, Instagram updated and totally ripped off Snapchat that there is no way this wasn’t intentional. I heard about it, rolled my eyes and kind of forgot about until the morning. I fully expected to hate it and rip it to shreds.

…Except, I kind of like it.

On Snapchat, most of my stories consisted of some doodles on a black blank picture. And every single time, I’d always (silently) complain about how few colors there was to choose from, or that there wasn’t even a white to use. Like excuse me, Snapchat, but how do you expect me to draw rainbows and flowers with puffy little clouds. I never said my SnapArt was good, okay. However, Instagram delivered and more. They even added different brush strokes Snapchat couldn’t even dream of having. For that, it’s 1-0 Instagram.

Also on snapchat, I am a huge user of writing over my pictures and if you couldn’t have guessed, I write a lot. So it’s often annoying when I am in the middle of typing a sentence and the

n I hit character limit and have to send an additional snap. With Instagram, the character limit is gone or at the very least you can fill up the whole page with text. The downside to InstaStories is that you cannot change the text color so you’re stuck with boring white. At the end of this round, I’ll call it 1.5-1 Instagram.

At the end of the day, I definitely prefer the aesthetic that Instagram has going on, but Snapchat has a more personal and intimate feel to it. I like how I’m writing this post as if a) my opinion matters and b) I am an active user of either. I haven’t posted on my Instagram in months and the only thing I ever post to my Snapchat story is me lip syncing to various High School Musical songs when I’m super, super bored.

But let me know, are you #TeamInstagram or #TeamSnapchat?

If you want to see what I’m up to, be sure to follow me on instagram.

My First Post!

Every year when August rolls around, I have an overwhelming urge of productivity that needs to be fulfilled. Maybe its the fifteen years of schooling that’s conditioned me to associate August with Back-to-School supply shopping, but it exists and this year I decided I want to start blogging.

My motivation to start a blog isn’t just because it’s the month of August, though. It’s always been something in the back of my mind but questions like “What would it be about?” and “What would you call it?” pushed it back even further. Now that I’ve looked into it a little more and asked myself some basic questions, I’m ready to try.

Writing has always been one of my favorite past times, but not doing anything with it irks me. From this blog, you can expect to see posts about: the never-ending struggle of being a confused college student, some organizational tips to trick you into thinking you have your life together, and hopefully we can laugh along the way. I’m looking forward to this ride and I hope to see you Friday for my first (official) post!