Living By Myself For a Week

This week has been an interesting one.

Two things happened on Monday. The first was that I started back at Uni. The second was that my family jetted off to Aussie leaving the house to me for a week. For five whole days, I got to experience what living on your own feels like. Because I'm so used to sharing my house with four other people, it was definitely a little disconcerting to come back from the airport to nothing but silence. I thought I'd hate how quiet the house was all the time but after a day, I found I didn't really miss the noise and chaos too much. 

I think there's definitely a difference between living alone and flatting. There's a lot of self discipline involved with having a place to yourself. It really keeps you on your toes. There's no one to remind you to throw away expired groceries or close all the lights before going to sleep. Since I flatted for a month last year, it was interesting to be able to compare my two experiences. 

Because it was still my childhood home, nothing was too unfamiliar to me. I could still go about my day to day routine like normal. The only thing that was different was the absence of my parents and brothers. Because I know my home like the back of my hand, this probably made it a less accurate representation of what living alone is actually like. Nonetheless, it was still a great learning experience for me. The main thing I realised was that I'm not as unprepared for moving out as I initially thought I was. I'm actually perfectly capable of managing and maintaining a place of my own. Moving out is always at the back of my mind and even though I don't know exactly how far into the future it's going to happen, it's nice to do things like this so I sort of know what to expect. 

Thanks for reading!
Q: Have you lived/do you live by yourself? 

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Reflecting on my First Semester at Uni

Today I finished my first semester of Uni. I decided to read over my Starting Uni blog post and even though it's been less than three months since I wrote it, I feel like so much has changed. If you read that post, you'd know that my transition from high school to Uni wasn't the smoothest of changeovers. Everything felt so foreign and strange to me and it really made me question the whole idea of Uni and all the decisions I'd made leading up to starting. The way I was feeling was completely normal for someone who tends to get really comfortable doing things a certain way. I'm someone who takes a little longer to adapt to new and different situations however when I do, I forget all about my initial doubts and uncertainties.  

Overall, I really liked my classes this semester. There was one paper that I didn't find as enjoyable as the rest of my classes but I could definitely see the benefits of its teachings. The weeks after writing my blog post, everything started falling into place. I was settling into a weekly routine and this really helped me feel more comfortable in my classes. Throughout the semester, I found the workload pretty manageable. I found that work outside of class was almost just as important as work during class. Self discipline and studying without the teacher's aid was something that I felt pretty okay doing. However, I feel like you're more likely to get in a creative rut when studying alone. Which is where study groups came into play. Arranging study sessions with classmates was a great way to not only bounce ideas off one another but also get to know them better in a more casual and relaxed environment. I think the best friendships I made this semester were created through my study sessions with them. At the start of the year I was definitely worried about getting to know people but all it took was time and a couple of study sessions to rid myself of that fear. 

Something that's really cool about design school is that everyone has a creative passion or hobby that they specialise in, whether that be painting, typography, clothes making or digital art. During the last half of the semester, I really started to feel at home amongst all these creatives. I wasn't used to being surrounded by people who thought so similarly to me. At high school, you're interacting with a range of people with very different interests and thought processes. At design school, everyone is unified by the same goal. And that's to create. This realisation made me appreciate the institute I chose even more. Looking back at my Starting Uni blog post, it's nice to see how I've progressed over the course of 2 and a bit months. Even though the start of the semester got off to a bit of a shaky start, I'm glad things played out the way they did. It's been a real learning experience for both my design and personal life. I can't wait to see what the next semester holds! 

Thanks for reading! Feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!

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How to Manage Multiple Social Media Platforms

When it comes to blogging, platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest play such an important part in bringing readers to your site. Social media can really do wonders for your blog however maintaining several accounts at once is no easy feat. If you struggle with managing and being active on multiple platforms here are some tips to hopefully point you in the right direction!  

Keep on Top of Notifications
When notifications are left unattended, they can really begin to clog up your device. The trouble with this build up is that you're more likely to find yourself out of the loop. When you have an overwhelming amount of notifications to go through, it's understandable to want to skim through them quickly. However this means you're more likely to dismiss something you actually have a strong interest in. Make sure to keep an eye on the comments, messages and follows as you receive them. If they're easy to check off then don't hesitate to do so. When you constantly have notifications coming through, it definitely helps to get as many out of the way when you can. 

Have Daily Goals
At the start of each day, tell yourself what you hope to achieve on each platform. It could be joining a blogger chat on Twitter, starting a new board on Pinterest or commenting on five people's photos on Instagram. If you find you're putting certain platforms over others, give yourself reasons to tend to those accounts you're less loyal to. It's all about finding that balance and having a task for each social media site will really help motivate you to evenly spread your time across all accounts. 

Track When You Post
It's a good idea to make note of when you post online. Use a planner or diary to mark when you've shared on a certain platform. That way, you'll be able to see which sites you need to engage with more. It's easy to forget when you last posted on an account so it definitely pays to have some kind of record to refer to when this happens. A big part of engaging on social media is having a consistent posting schedule. Regular tweets, pins and shares are essential in order to connect and interact with your followers. Use your planner/diary to establish a good posting schedule. It'll really benefit you in the long run. 

Thanks for reading! What's your favourite platform for promoting your blog? Let me know in the comment section below!

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How to Prepare For Any Big Test/Exam

When it comes to study and revision, everybody has a learning method that works best for them. I'm a visual learner which means I find it easiest to process things through charts and diagrams however you may prefer learning through listening or reading. Even though we all absorb information differently, there are still certain study habits that will benefit everyone no matter what their learning style is. My end of year exams are coming up so I know that compiling this list of tips and tricks will be a good way for me to mentally prepare myself for the upcoming months. If you know you'll be undergoing a test anytime soon, hopefully you'll be able to take something useful away from this post!

Start With The Tricky Stuff

Always study the harder content first. This should get top priority over the things you find least challenging. Make sure you've wrapped your head around the trickier stuff before reviewing the easier topics. Most of the time, the more complicated it is, the more points it offers so even if you aren't perfect at the basics, you'll still have a very good chance at achieving a high grade. 

Try a Practice Test

Find a past paper or test and try to complete it under exam conditions. To make it as official as possible, set yourself the same amount of time you'll have for the actual thing and make sure all devices are turned off or switched to silent. Aim to have just your test paper and stationery in front of you. After all, this is all you'll have on the day. Once you've completed your practice test, you should have a better idea of the exam format and how you're going to manage your time when it comes to the real thing. 

Keep Your Notes Tidy

Make sure you have notes that are both legible and easy to follow. There's no point in having a book of class notes if you can't read a single word of it. If you're really struggling to make sense of what you've written, ask to borrow a friend's book and review the content by writing all the information out again. After you've finished, you'll have both tidier notes and a better understanding of the things you re-wrote.  

Teach Others

When you explain something to a fellow classmate, not only are you helping a person in need but you're also strengthening your understanding of the information being taught. Sharing your knowledge and strategies is a great way to see how well you get the content. By teaching someone, you're testing your ability to process information. If you can teach it effectively, then you can execute it with ease however if you struggle to phrase your ideas then you may not have a complete grasp of the concept just yet. 

Communicate With Your Teachers

If you're ever unsure about anything exam-related, talk to you teachers. They know the content and test material better than anyone. They'll also be able to point you in the right direction in terms of what to study and how to best prepare for the questions. Your teachers are there to help you so so don't be afraid to contact them if you're feeling a bit stuck. 

Thanks for reading! What's the best piece of study advice you've ever been given? Let me know down below!

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4 Tips For Introverts

I've always considered myself an introvert. It's definitely not unusual for me to feel a little out of place at big social events/gatherings. I tend to keep to myself in large groups, need to step away from the crowd from time to time and take a little while to warm up around new people. Over the past few years I've been able to come out of my shell quite a bit however I still have my introverted preferences. I definitely feel more comfortable talking one-one-one than with a group of about 5 or 6 and when having a conversation with someone I've just met, like to ask questions instead of sharing stories about myself. In today's post, I'm sharing with you 4 tips for introverts. If you find socialising a bit tricky at times, hopefully this post will be useful in some way. 

1. Fake it Til You Make it
If you find yourself in a social situation where you don't know anyone, try not to let your discomfort show. If you're not quite ready to approach someone, make yourself look as friendly as possible. People are more likely to come up to someone who is smiling and looking around rather than someone who is frowning and staring at their feet. Stand tall and proud even if you're shaking inside. You'll have company in no time. 

2. Seek Advice
It's okay to ask for help from family and friends. If you struggle in certain social situations, don't be afraid to ask those who are more comfortable talkers/socialisers for advice. You don't have to change your personality completely, but if you're wanting to build on your social skills, it may help to get some tips and strategies from a person who is of the extroverted type. Talk to those who encourage you to meet new people and open yourself up to others but don't let them turn you into someone you're not. Introverts and extroverts are two different personality types and there is nothing is wrong with either of them so don't feel bad if you can't keep up with what they're telling you to do. 

3. Practice Makes Perfect
For quite some time, I really struggled with small talk and making conversation. Every time I went to speak with someone, I almost rehearsed the conversation in my mind, making sure I was completely prepared to say what I wanted to say. This was the only way I felt safe starting a conversation with someone and even though this probably wasn't best way to interact with people, it definitely helped me to develop this skill. Nowadays, I'm able to make small talk more naturally and I feel like I definitely have the practice I put into this skill to thank for that. Just put yourself out there. Even if you don't start off doing it in the right way, don't worry because you'll get there in the end. 

4. Start By Talking About Them 
My favourite way to start a conversation is with a compliment. If you like their jacket or their shoes or their earrings, tell them! This is a great conversation starter in terms of leading on to questions and personal stories. If you ask them where they got something from, it's highly likely you'll be able to continue the conversation from their response. If you're not very good at talking about yourself, make the conversation about them. Listen and ask questions. They're bound to appreciate your strong engagement and focus. 

Thanks for reading!

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Why I'm Scared About Next Year

If you were to ask me what I saw myself doing this time next year, I wouldn't have a clue. I'm leaving high school in a few months time and instead of having a better sense of where I want to go, I feel as lost as ever. My initial plan was to take 12 months off and allow myself time away from the classroom but upon further reflection I realised just how hard it'd probably be for me to return to school after a break that long. When I wrote my post explaining why I was so keen on taking a gap year, I wasn't really thinking ahead. I thought a lot about the break itself without really considering where I would go once the year was over. I'm scared that after I finish my gap year, I won't have the motivation/drive to get back into studying. And since I know I want to go to Uni and experience the student life there, I don't know if it's worth the delay. 

Next year feels like its approaching too fast, too soon and I don't know how I'm supposed to make all these life-changing choices in such a short space of time. It feels like so much is riding on each decision from here on out which makes everything to do with next year much more daunting. Now that I've decided I do want to go to Uni in 2018 and I have some idea of what I want to study, I have to figure out whether or not I want to stay or leave my home city. This is something that I'm constantly turning over in my mind. I love where I live yet know that I can probably afford to lose some of the reliance that I have on my parents. While studying, you're guaranteed to save quite a bit of money while staying at home. On the other hand, you're guaranteed to gain a stronger independence in a new place surrounded by new people. It's choices like these that are getting me worked up about next year and when I'm neutral about both options, I almost wish that someone would come up to me and tell me what I needed to do right then and there. 

That's definitely not the way to go though. No matter what I'm feeling now, I want it to be me who decides how next year pans out, not someone else. It is up to me what happens next, and as scary as that sounds, I know that I'll make it work one way or another. 

How did you/do you feel about leaving high school? Let me know down below!

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How to Get a Good Night's Sleep

Having a good night's rest is so important and puts you in the best possible position for the next day. Lately, my sleeping schedule has been a bit off and I feel like I haven't had a decent night's sleep in ages. I'm either taking forever to drift off or am waking up abnormally early. Either way, I'm getting very little sleep. If you can relate and feel unsatisfied with the amount of hours you've been sleeping recently, hopefully these tips will be useful in some way.

Stretch Before Bed
Try fitting some gentle stretching into your night time routine. This will hopefully loosen any tenseness in the body and help you get into a relaxed state of mind. Avoid vigorous exercise as this tends to boost your energy levels, making it harder for you to fall asleep. Light exercise is better in terms of preparing your mind and body for bed and will definitely help to relieve some of that daytime stress for a restful sleep.

Listen To Music
Plugging in your earphones and listening to some relaxing music is a really good way to make yourself feel more sleepy. You could either use it to wind down before bed or have it as background noise while you fall asleep. If you're someone who tends to overthink at night, the music may be a nice way to distract yourself from your thoughts. 

Minimise Light
Rather than turning on the main light in your bedroom, use a bedside lamp or other smaller light source instead. If it provides a softer glow, it will be less likely to trick your mind into thinking it's daytime. For example, if you like to read before bed, use a book light instead of the ceiling light. Reading before bed is a really good habit to get in to however using the main light tends to make this calming activity a lot less effective. By limiting your exposure to light, you're sure to fall asleep a lot quicker/easier.

Switch Off Electronics
Disconnect from your devices at least an hour before you go to bed. If you know you'll be tempted by the notification bells and social media alerts, try switching your phone to silent mode or turning it off completely. As I mentioned before, you want to have very little contact with light as you're preparing for bed. The glow from your laptop or mobile screen is no different from any other light source in your bedroom. 

Check Quality of Mattress/Pillows
Comfortability plays a huge part in how well you sleep at night. If you find you're moving around a lot in your sleep, this may be the result of a worn mattress or unsupportive pillows. Mattresses have been said to last around 9-10 years so make sure yours hasn't exceeded this as this may be the root cause of your sleeping problem. Also, get pillows that are neither too hard nor too soft. You want your head to be propped up slightly but not an angle that strains your neck.

What's your favourite way to wind down at night?

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How to Get a Part-Time Job

Getting part-time work can be tough especially when you're starting out and looking for your first paid job. This is because most employers look for those who have been previously hired making it harder for those who've never been employed, to get work. In most cases, you need experience to get experience however getting a first job is definitely doable and with a little persistence, you'll soon find your way into the workplace.

Keep an Eye Out For Any Open Positions
Job vacancies are actually easier to find than you'd think. You just have to know where to look. Like with most other things, I'd turn to the internet first. Online sites are a great because they're able to narrow down your options for you, helping you find a job result that both interests you and works with your schedule. After online sites, I'd probably check social media as most companies post any open positions they have on their pages. Then if I still hadn't found a suitable job opening, I'd turn to the more traditional places such as newspapers and shop windows. 

Communication is Key
Don't be afraid to get in touch with businesses you'd really like to be a part of. Even if they haven't advertised an open position, it's never a bad idea to share your interest in employment with them. Though it's likely they will turn you down - which is understandable if they're not hiring at the moment - it doesn't hurt to leave your CV with them in case they need someone to help out in the future. While you can flick them a friendly email with you resume attached, sometimes going in and talking to them personally makes a really nice first impression.

Talk to Your Family And Friends
Get in touch with those who have already been through the job hunting process before. They're sure to have some good advice for you. And if you're keen to work at a company a friend or family member is part of, tell them. That way you'll be able to hear about possible job openings first hand. They may even be willing to recommend you to their employer themselves. As well as talking to the employees you know, talk to any business owners you know also. If you have a friend or relative that runs a company you think would be the ideal workplace for you, arrange a meet-up and let them know you're looking for part-time work. If you're really close to them, it's likely you won't have to worry too much about the interview/introduction process which definitely takes some of the pressure of you. 

I hope this post was helpful if you're still on the job hunt. Do you have a part-time job? If so, what is it?

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20 Random Acts of Kindness

For me, there's no better feeling than the one I get after doing something nice for someone else. It's amazing the way an unexpected act of kindness can instantly brighten a person's day. Here are 20 ways you can bring a smile to someone's face. Whether it's a stranger or loved one, your actions have the power to really work wonders on someone.  

1. Contact a relative you haven't spoken to in a long time

2. Sneak a nice little note into your friend's bag

3. Hold the door open for someone

4. Start up a conversation with someone you've never talked to before

5. Give your place in line to the person behind you

6. Gift someone a present, completely out of the blue

7. Shout your friend morning/afternoon tea

8. Write an uplifting message on a post it note and stick it in a public place

9. Compliment someone's work

10. Print out several inspirational quotes and leave them in mailboxes around your neighbourhood

11. Make a surprise visit to someone you haven't seen in a while

12. Give your change to a busker or street performer

13. On a busy bus or train, give your seat to a person standing

14. Leave a supermarket voucher in one of the trolleys

15. Tell your Mum and Dad just how much you appreciate everything they do for you

16. Bake something for someone special to you and leave it at their doorstep

17. Bring a sibling breakfast in bed

18. Smile at someone as you walk by them

19. Spend some time with an elderly person who may be lonely

20. Help someone who appears lost or in need of directions

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How to Stay on Top of Homework

Today's post is all about keeping up to date with school assignments outside of the classroom. Because of the subjects I take at school, I get little to no homework throughout the year and then an overwhelming amount at the end. While its not always possible to avoid homework stress, here are a few different ways you can make handling the workload a bit easier. Especially if you're like me and get all your assignments at once!

Keep a Planner to Record All Your Assignments And Their Due Dates
It's always good to keep a study planner with you so that the moment you receive homework, you can record it down straight away. When you know the deadlines for each of your assignments, it will help you to complete the work accordingly. People tend to gravitate towards the task they are most looking forward to doing however it's better to refer to due dates when deciding what assignment to work on first. Ordering your assignments by their deadline is the most effective way to get all your homework handed in on time and having a study planner will make sure you're prioritising the right task over another.

Set Yourself a Time Frame And Then Stick With it
Time management is essential when it comes to staying on top of your homework. Decide how long you want to spend on something and then follow it through, otherwise you can end up going overboard on just one task. This is especially important when you're given a lot of homework at once. If you focus too long on one assignment, the others lose out. Try and be consistent with your timeframes because then you're not working hours on one task only to work 15 minutes on the next.

Don't Leave Things to The Last Minute
It's understandable to set your homework aside when you have other chores and commitments to attend to but the best way to keep up your assignments is to get them out of the way as soon as you can. Don't wait until the night before to complete them. If you're really busy outside of the classroom,  make sure you're making the most of the down time you get inside of school such as lunch breaks and study periods. The amount of work you complete during that time is just less work you'll have to complete later on.

Know What Conditions You Study Best in
Find out when you're most switched on and where you feel most inspired, whether that's alone or with others, outdoors or indoors, morning or night. When it comes to studying, having a time and place that you can can rely on is really beneficial. Everybody's different so make sure you know what works best for you and you only.

Hope this was helpful in some way! Thanks for reading!

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Taking a Gap Year

I can't believe I'm in my final year of high school. There are so many decisions heading my way. It's all very overwhelming, especially for an indecisive person like me. I have to know what I want to study, where I want to study and even when I want study. I've been thinking a lot about whether or not I should take a year off between high school and Uni and have recently come to the conclusion that some time away from the classroom might do me some good. If there's one thing I know, it's that there's much more I need to know about myself before I can go on to make any life-changing choices. The only problem is, there's only so much you can learn about yourself while sitting at a desk. 

Like with any major decision, you have to weigh up the pros and cons. In terms of a gap year, there are obviously costs to consider and the fact that you'll be one year behind your friends when actually starting Uni, but I think that for what you'll take away from those 365 days, whether that's knowledge or memories, it'll be worth it. I think a gap year has the potential to be a real eye-opener. Even though I have a career path in mind, there's the possibility of that changing after spending some time away from school. A gap year would give me the chance to really experiment with different jobs and hobbies. If I really put myself out there, I might even discover a talent I never knew I had. Then I could turn that hidden passion into turn into the best future job I could have ever hoped for.

I think that if I do end up taking a gap year, I wouldn't regret it. In saying this though, I would make sure I used the time wisely. A gap year is the the perfect opportunity to grow as a person, to develop your strengths and overcome your weaknesses. You can become the best version of yourself that you can possibly be and for me, that's all I could ever want to get out of my year off. 

These are just my thoughts on taking a gap year. What do you think? Are you for or against?

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Ways to Earn Money (For Teens)

Today's list has something for everyone! Whether you like playing a musical instrument, being creative or working outdoors, there'll definitely be a job here to suit you and your personality. Making money is no easy task but I think if you choose something on this list that is similar to a hobby you enjoy, it won't even feel like a job at all! 

Babysit

Housesit for a neighbour

Busk with a group of friends

Do the paper round

Sell baking around school

Auction second-hand goods online

Get a part-time retail job

Work at a grocery store

Fill out paid surveys

Set up a car wash

Take on more jobs around the house

Mow lawns

Tutor

Sell crafts at a local market

Hold a yard sale

Assist an elderly person with their daily chores

Help out at a family business 

Coach a sports team

Sell your own homegrown fruits and veggies. 

Walk dogs

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Saying Sorry

I apologize A LOT and far too often for unnecessary things. Which means when I'm trying to give a heartfelt apology, it's harder to take me seriously. It's like the boy who cried wolf. If you do something over and over again without really meaning it, people can't always tell whether or not you're actually being sincere. I'm someone who just reacts with a "sorry". If somebody were to accidentally bump into me in passing, I'd apologize before I could even think the situation through. 

I've heard that apologizing too much can almost blur the line between something that is your fault and something that isn't. When I say "sorry", I'm accepting responsibility. But most of the time, I shouldn't really be taking the blame. Big errors are worthy of an apology, small matters aren't. There's a huge difference between apologising for something insignificant like not knowing the date and apologising for something on the other end of the spectrum, like hurting someone's feelings. I'm almost implying that all mistakes are the same and that really takes away from a serious apology. Before I sat down and really thought about how I was using the word "sorry", I considered my frequent apologies a good thing. A polite thing. But that's not true at all. Manners and words like "please" and "thank you" are polite. Throwing "sorry" around absentmindedly isn't. 

I've been trying to save my apologies for meaningful occasions only but I think there are times where a little slip up needs an apology too. It can be difficult to judge whether a situation needs an apology because there are always two sides to every story. You should think about how the other person may rate your mistake because sometimes what we consider harmless may be thought of differently by someone else. I always want to handle a situation in the right way and the last thing I want to do is come off dismissive.  

These are just my thoughts on the word "sorry" and what I've learnt about using the word. What do you think? Also, how do you approach apologies?

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