New Year's Resolutions - Progress Report #2

We're about two thirds of the way through the year which means it's time for progress report #2! I found it extremely beneficial reflecting on the first four months of having my 2018 goals so I didn't see why a second one shouldn't be just as useful. If you'd like to check out my first progress report, you can click this link here. I'm wondering whether I've continued moving forward with some of these goals or maybe taken a few steps back. This is what makes these update posts so interesting. You're able to monitor your progress so carefully. I'm looking forward to writing my final one at the end of this year. Hopefully everything is where it should be by then!

1. Drink More Water Throughout The Day
I've definitely recognised an improvement in this resolution. My drink bottle, which used to be still 3/4 full at the end of the day, is now completely empty by mid-day/the afternoon! I've really made a habit of bringing out my drink bottle as much as possible and now I can see that my efforts are paying off. 

2. Get my Restricted License
I've been driving quite a bit since I got my restricted. For some reason, I was a little hesitant to get back on the road after completing my test however my parents really encouraged me to keep up with my driving. And that's what I've been doing. Now I feel completely comfortable driving alone. It's a really great feeling to have. 


3. Commit to my Bullet Journal
This resolution has been going pretty well, like it was in progress report #1. As predicted, I've been able to stick with it all this time and on those rare occasions that I do miss a day or two, it doesn't take too long for me to get everything up to date again. 

4. Learn How to Cook
A little while ago, I had the opportunity to flat for a month with my friend. During this time, I learnt a lot about cooking/preparing meals. Each night, one of us would make something for the two of us. While my friend's meals were fairly advanced, I stuck with the basic pasta and rice dishes. For dinner one time, I found a mac and cheese recipe online and whipped it together in just under an hour. I was really proud of how it turned out. I feel like this resolution is definitely getting somewhere, for sure!

5. Time Manage my Blog Posts Better
In my last progress report, this resolution hadn't really been working out for me and I'm sad to say that the results haven't changed one bit. Here I am again, writing this post on the day it's supposed to be up. I feel like it's definitely starting to take a toll on the way I feel about blogging. If anyone has advice on how to time manage blog posts effectively, please leave it in the comment section below! It'd be much appreciated!  

6. Be More Active on Social Media
These past few weeks, I've been so busy with Uni that I haven't been as present on social media as I usually am. I still make a point of sharing my blog posts on Twitter and Instagram however checking these platforms is definitely not much of a priority these days. I think that once the mid semester break comes around, this resolution will be back on track once more.
  
Thanks for reading!

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4 Ways to Come up With Blog Post Ideas

Coming up with new blog content can prove difficult at times. Especially when life gets hectic and your brain is trying to juggle a million other things. I've been really busy recently which is why blog post ideas haven't been coming to me as often as normal. When this happens, there are a couple of things I like to do to get the ball rolling. If you're in a similar position to me and have a lot on your plate at the moment, here are 4 ways to come up with blog post ideas both quickly and easily. 

Watch YouTube 
YouTubers are getting more outrageous and creative with their content with every passing day. Because of this, it's a great platform to get inspiration from. While YouTubers and bloggers work in two very different ways, there is still that same purpose of wanting to produce fun/interesting content for their audience. Because of this, I still think it's possible to base a blog post off a YouTube video and still get a really similar outcome.  

Reflect on Your Week
If you want a more personal approach towards coming up with blog post ideas, use a weekly journal. Every day write a bullet pointed list of the things that happened to you. Consider each thing carefully and if something you put down really resonates with you then make the most of it and just run with it. It's always nice to write about something when the experience is fresh in your mind and this is a really great way to do so. 

Look at Past Content 
There are plenty of ways to make use of old blog posts. If you really enjoyed writing a particular post, make a 'Part Two' building on from what you've already written. If you wrote about something in the past that you completely disagree with now, talk about how your feelings towards this subject have changed. If you have a post that you think is really important to share and discuss but the information is slightly outdated, write a more recent version. Your blog archives are a great place to get inspired so definitely refer back to it when you can. 

Read Other People's Blogs
It's completely okay to want to write a certain type of post after reading it on another person's blog. If it's a topic that excites you or something that you feel like you could talk about for hours on end then there should be nothing stopping you from logging on to your blog and getting started. While copying word for word is completely unacceptable, offering your own ideas or opinions on the subject is perfectly fine. There should definitely be a level of respect when recreating another person's post on your own site. As long as you've put your own unique spin on things, then no harm's been done. 

Thanks for reading! What do you do if you're struggling to come up with blog post ideas? Let me know down below!

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What Welly Merck Watch Should You Buy? - Quiz

In my opinion, there's no other accessory quite like the watch. As well as being extremely useful, they're also very versatile and can work with pretty much any outfit. For today's quiz, I'm going to be focusing on a specific brand of watches. Welly Merck is a Switzerland based company with a very inspirational origin story. To Merck and his wife Welly, their watch line is a symbol of the hardships they overcame. The watches are all stunning in design and their unique features definitely make them stand out from the crowd. I'm excited to hear what Welly Merck watch you end up with! Definitely let me know your results down below! 

1. I want my watch to show I'm...
A) Fun.
B) Sophisticated. 
C) Professional. 
D) Approachable.

2. My favourite type of bracelet is the... 
A) Beaded bracelet.
B) Tennis bracelet.
C) Cuff bracelet. 
D) Charm bracelet. 

3. When I'm not at home, I spend a lot of time...
A) Outdoors. 
B) In the city. 
C) At work.
D) In a classroom. 

4. When it comes to accessorising, the _________ the better.
A) More outrageous
B) Sparklier 
C) More subtle 
D) Simpler

5. A majority of my jewellery is...
A) Stainless steel. 
B) Sterling silver. 
C) Yellow gold. 
D) Rose gold. 

6. The nail colour that I love wearing is...
A) Rose red. 
B) Milky white. 
C) Cocoa brown.
D) Bubblegum pink. 

7. I like a watch that...
A) Suits my personal style.  
B) Has a large watch face. 
C) Is comfortable to wear. 
D) Is very lightweight.

8. I keep all my jewellery...
A) On a jewellery tree. 
B) In my vanity draw. 
C) In my jewellery box.
D) On a trinket tray.

9. When it comes to the watch strap, I'd prefer it was...
A) Patterned. 
B) Mesh.
C) Thick.
D) Coloured.

10. The country I am most intrigued by is...
A) New Zealand.
B) America.
C) Netherlands.
D) Portugal. 


You Should Buy The _________ Watch.

(Mostly A's)
Classic Auckland


(Mostly B's)
Fighter New York


(Mostly C's)
Classic Amsterdam 


(Mostly D's)
Fighter Lisbon


Definitely check out Welly Merck's site if you'd like to take a closer look at any of the watches. I've only shown you a snippet of what's on offer. There's plenty more to discover on their website! For today's post, Welly Merck has kindly given me a discount code to share with you all! To get 15% off your order just type Annie-15 at the checkout. Thanks for taking the quiz!

* Welly Merck provided me with this affiliate code. All opinions are 100% my own. *

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My Favourite iPhone Apps/Games

In today's post, I'm going to be sharing my favourite iPhone apps, social media excluded. While Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are all apps I love, I thought it'd make this list a little more interesting if I were to leave them out. If you're on the lookout for some new apps/games for your phone, here are some that I'd highly recommend checking out.  

Notebook
I love note-taking apps and this one is no exception. I used to carry a physical journal with me everywhere however now I don't feel so bad if I forget one because the Notebook app does the job just as well. I love the fact that there are so many ways of customising your notes. It makes the whole note-taking process a lot more fun. 

Spotify
Since I've started driving by myself, I've been able to play the music that I like to listen to. I love using the Spotify app for this. Because I'm still getting used to driving alone, having music in the background makes me feel a lot more comfortable and at ease. My parents have a very different music taste to me so when I used to drive with them, it was a lot more difficult to play the music I liked.

UNUM
If you've seen my Instagram, you'll know that my feed is pretty much all pastels and flay lays. I definitely have to give credit to the photo planning app UNUM because I don't know if my Instagram would look the way it does without it. I've tried a couple of other photo planning apps in the past but this one definitely works best for me. If I'm trying to decide between two photos it makes it really easy to see which one fits the theme better. 

Heads Up
This is a great game to play with a big group of people. If you don't know how Heads Up works, it's basically where one person holds the phone to their head and the other people have to act out what's on the screen. It's very similar to Charades. There are many different themes to pick from and while you play, it records the people acting so you get some really funny videos at the end of it. 


Episode
I've had the Episode game for years now. I like to go on it whenever I'm procrastinating about school work or chores. I think the idea of interactive stories is really clever. You're in charge of what happens to your character. Sometimes your choices can have big repercussions, other times none at all. It's definitely one of those games that you can play for hours on end.


Webtoon
I've loved graphic novels from a young age so I was so excited when I first heard about this app. Webtoon has a whole library of digital comic books to pick and choose from. I think it's great that the app showcases people's digital illustration skills. Every time I go to read a new comic, I'm reminded of how amazingly talented these creators actually are.  

Thanks for reading! What are some of your favourite apps/games at the moment?

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How I Make my Photoshop Graphics

It's no secret that I love using Photoshop. Over the years, it's become a program that I feel really comfortable using. Having a blog has definitely given me an excuse to use the program on a more regular basis. Without Photoshop, I definitely wouldn't have the blog design I have today. For today's post, I thought it'd be fun to share how I make my Photoshop graphics. While I was taking the screenshots, I didn't realise how little steps were involved. It's definitely quite a straightforward process so if you were keen on making your own Photoshop graphics, hopefully it's easy to follow! 

1. First I upload an image of my choice into Photoshop. I like to lower the opacity percentage to between 30 and 40. This makes it easier for me to execute the next step. 

2. Next I select the pen tool and change it to stroke black, line weight 3pt. With my image for guidance, I'll trace around what will soon become the outline for my digital drawing. Once I've hid the image from the previous step, this is what I'm left with. 

3. When I'm happy with my outline, I move on to colouring. I add a base colour to all the main sections using the brush tool, while the more detailed sections - such as the flowers - are saved for a later step. 

4. The next thing I add to my digital drawing is tonal variation. The eyedropper tool really comes in handy for this step. It helps me find lighter and darker shades that are close to my base colour. I'll also refer back to my original image to make sure I'm adding tone in all the right places. 

5. In this final step, I finish up colouring anything I didn't complete beforehand. I also like to add a background colour to make the image really pop. 

Thanks for reading! 
*On a side note, what would you guys think if I were to start a "Draw my Followers" series on my blog? Let me know in the comment section below! 

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Tips For Organising Your Wardrobe

I've done so much shopping this past month and a bit, my closet has reached full capacity. There's literally no space for anything else and it's become a bit of a mess because of this. I've decided I need to do a massive tidy up but if there's one thing I've learnt from doing my big bedroom clean ups, it's that organising my wardrobe is no easy feat. If you're like me and really struggle with your wardrobe space, here are some easy ways to keep your fashion items in order. 

Categorise Your Clothes
A great way to organise your clothing is by category; dresses, tops, jackets, pants, etc. Not only does it make your job a whole lot easier when putting together an outfit for the day, it also makes your closet look that much tidier. By grouping similar garments together, the space will look a lot less cluttered/jumbled. An even better way to order these categories is by length. Depending on whether you want a downward or upward slope, start with the shortest or longest item then work your way along. 

Invest in a Shoe Rack
If you're someone with quite a lot of shoes, a shoe rack is definitely worth buying. Shoe racks are not only a great way to display your footwear, they also put your wardrobe's floor space to good use. While shoe shelves are another good storage option, they don't take advantage of floor space like shoe racks do. A good way to arrange your shoes is by use. Place the ones you wear frequently on the top level and then the ones you wear less often on the lower levels. That way your favourite shoes are more accessible to you.

Store Bags on Shelves
If you have shelves in your wardrobe, I'd recommend saving them for your bags. Bags are probably the most difficult to organise while making sure they're still visible. Depending on the number of shelves you have, you could sort a bag per shelf. By giving each bag its own compartment, they would be less likely to get distorted/squashed. This would also allow you to see each bag clearly making it easier for you to grab the one you want in a hurry. 

Hang Other Accessories on Wall Hooks
Belts, scarfs and hats are often overlooked in terms of having a home. Because of this, they tend to get lost quite easily. A quick and easy solution to this problem is wall hooks. You can either buy an over-the-door hook rack or DIY your own by attaching individual wall hooks to the inner side of your wardrobe door. If possible, try and make the most of your door space. With the right equipment, it can become a really great storage option.

Thanks for reading! Did you find this post helpful? Let me know down below!

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What's Your Pinterest Style? - Quiz

Pinterest is the home of every kind of inspiration possible. For a long time, my obsession with Pinterest revolved around pastels and flat lays. At the moment, however, my favourite board would definitely have to be my fashion one. I've been posting to it almost every day! For this month's quiz, I'm going to see if I can guess your Pinterest style or just your fashion style in general. Let me know if I got it right or if I got it completely wrong! 

1. My go-to outfit is a...
A) Sweater and jeans. 
B) Top and skirt.
C) T-shirt and shorts.
D) Dress and cardigan.  

2. One of my favourite materials to wear is...
A) Velvet.
B) Satin.
C) Denim.
D) Wool.

3. My fashion is very much inspired by...
A) Old school movies. 
B) Style magazines.
C) Celebrities and famous people.
D) Store mannequins. 

4. My wardrobe staple is...
A) A warm turtleneck. 
B) A pretty blouse. 
C) Worn-out overalls. 
D) A stripy sweater dress.

5. The season I buy most of my clothes in...
A) Autumn.
B) Spring.
C) Summer.
D) Winter. 

6. The shoes I like to wear on a daily basis are my...
A) Ankle boots. 
B) Ballet flats.
C) Sandals.
D) Sneakers.

7. When clothes shopping, I am instantly drawn to anything...
A) Patterned. 
B) Sparkly.
C) With tassels. 
D) With faux fur. 

8. My clothes are predominantly...
A) Orange and green.
B) White and pink.
C) Brown and red.
D) Grey and black.

9. My favourite way to accessorise an outfit is with...
A) A cute hat.
B) A dainty necklace and matching bracelet. 
C) Some statement earrings.
D) A large hand bag.  

10. I get almost all my clothes from...
A) My local op shop.
B) H&M.
C) Online stores.
D) Uniqlo.

Your Pinterest Style is Very.......

(Mostly A's)
Vintage



(Mostly B's)
Feminine



(Mostly C's)
Bohemian



(Mostly D's)
Casual



Thanks for taking the quiz! 

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8 Blog Posts That Are Special to me

I've written just over 70 blog posts since starting The AnnieChanie Blog and as much as I love each and every post I've published, there are just 8 out of the 73 that really stand out to me. 

1. My Favourite Pastel Coloured Fashion Items
I was really happy with the overall aesthetic of this post. All the colours and images came out just the way I wanted them to. My extreme love for pastels really shone through and there's no other blog post that showcases this more. 

2. Starting University 
This blog post was quite hard for me to publish. There were some things I didn't even realise I was feeling until I'd finished writing this post. I didn't need to put it out into the open but I'm still really proud of myself for doing so and the support and uplifting messages from readers made me value my decision even more. 

3. Room Tour 2018
I've always been an avid watcher of room tour videos on YouTube so being able to share one of my own was really special. My room means a lot to me so I found it really cool that I was able to dedicate an entire blog post to it. 

4. What I Bought on Holiday (Australia)
I've been really happy with my blog photos from the past month but my favourite still stands. The main flat lay from this haul post turned out so different to what I intended it to look. I think that's why I loved it so much. It was so unlike any other flat lay I'd ever taken and there's still no other photo of mine quite like it. 

5. Blog Anniversary Post (1 Year of Blogging)
I couldn't write a list of special blog posts without including my 1 year anniversary post. It was such an amazing thing to be able to say I'd been blogging for 12 months. I was really glad I was able to mark this milestone with a blog post. 

6. (Graceful Avenue) Mishka Mail Review
This review was my first ever collaboration with a brand/company. When I got the email about this post, I danced around my room for a solid 2 minutes. I'll never forget the euphoria I felt on that day. From working with the lovely Naira to actually receiving her personalised package in the mail, everything that went on behind the scenes was what made this blog post so very memorable. 

7. What Type of Blogger Are You - Quiz
This was my first ever monthly quiz and I had no idea how reader's would react to it. I had nothing to worry about though because, as always, the blogging community was very encouraging and positive. I was so grateful to everyone that took part.  

8. My Blog Journey so Far
I got my first ever blog comment on this post. I had no idea a stranger's words could mean so much to me. But Elizabeth's comment did. And what she wrote on my blog that day will stay with me forever. 

Thanks for reading! Do you have a blog post that's special to you? Let me know down below! 

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(Printiki) Why I Love Memory Keeping

In my room is a large box that holds all my treasured mementoes; old diaries from my primary school days, handmade gifts from family and friends and lots of other little things with special backstories or memories attached to them. I know that whatever I keep, my future self will be thankful for. Preserving my memories is a big deal to me which is why that memory box is the most precious thing in my entire room. If I had to evacuate my room in a hurry, you can bet my memory box would be the first thing I grab. 



Photographs play a huge role in my love for memory keeping. As a very visual person, I love having a photo to remember a special moment or occasion by. Photos are like little time machines. You can relive your favourite memories through them. Because of my love for memory keeping, physical copies are a must. I'm constantly paranoid about my phone or laptop crashing and losing all my photos in the process. This would destroy someone like me, who feels so passionately about items that carry sentimental value. I feel like photo printing isn't as common nowadays especially since photos are more easily shared online. Even though photo printing isn't as favoured as it used to be, I still think there's a magic to printed photos that you can't really get through a screen. Being able to physically hold a memory in your hand is a really amazing thing and I think we should all really take advantage of that.  

Netherlands company Printiki also believe in the concept of bringing your photos to life. With their online photo printing tool, I was able to print out some of my favourite moments from the year so far. I was really happy with the way my prints turned out. While I'm hoping to put a majority on display in my room, the rest will no doubt be put into my memory box for safe keeping. 

If you were wanting to print your photos, use the code 4CPSSSZN for free shipping on your order. Also be sure to check out Printiki's Instagram is you're unsure on what to do with your printed photos. Their feed is full of inspiration! 

Thanks for reading! Do you have a memory box? Do you like printing your photos? Let me know down below! 




* These prints were gifted to me. All opinions are 100% my own. *

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Podcasts For Bloggers

A month or two ago, I decided to listen to my first ever podcast. I'd heard the word "podcast" thrown around a couple of times but never got around to investigating them further so when my friend mentioned just how much she enjoyed listening to them, I decided to take action. Now I'm on the podcast app nearly every day. My favourite type of podcasts are the ones about/for online creators. If there's an episode interviewing a blogger, you can bet I've listened to it. Every time I listen to these interviews, it's impossible to not feel inspired or empowered afterwards. I absolutely love hearing about how people found blogging and why they decided to start their blog. I think it's great that no two blog journeys are the same and that every blogger has a different story to tell. In the beginning, I found it particularly tricky to find blog-related podcasts which is why I decided to put together this post. If you're a blogger and are interested in listening to podcasts, here is a list of some shows and episodes that I think you'll enjoy. 


One Girl Band 
(Ep 40) Kristabel Plummer // Carving and Growing Your Blogging Career


Made Online 
(Ep 9) Hannah Gale (Blogger Of The Year 2017, Mum-To-Be & Ex-Digital Magazine Editor)


At Home With...
(Ep 2) KATE JOHNSON - Blogger, Kate La Vie


Ctrl Alt Delete 
(Ep 39) Megan Gilbride (Blogger): The Business of Blogging, Brands & Body Image


The Creative Leap
(Ep 1) MEGAN ELLABY - Style Blogger


What She Said
(Ep 20) with Rosie Chappel // Cider with Rosie

Thanks for checking out this week's post! Do you listen to podcasts? What are your thoughts on them? Let me know down below! 

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Which Disney Princess Are You? - Quiz

I can't believe it's already halfway through the year! Where has the past 5 months gone to? Today's quiz is super exciting! I've been wanting to do a Disney related post for quite some time now and with the Royal Wedding just last month, I thought there wouldn't be a better time than now to do a "Which Princess Are You?" quiz! Hope you enjoy! 

1. I have a fear of...
A) Being stuck in the same place all my life. 
B) The unknown.
C) Disappointing the people that mean most to me. 
D) Needles. 

2. My dream dress is the colour...
A) Yellow.
B) Purple. 
C) Green.
D) Pink. 

3. A random talent of mine is that I can...
A) Get through multiple books in one day. 
B) Braid my hair without a mirror. 
C) Hold my breath underwater for a good couple of minutes. 
D) Sleep anywhere and everywhere. 

4. I feel safest when I'm...
A) Reading. 
B) At home. 
C) By the ocean. 
D) Surrounded by loved ones. 

5. When it comes to my hair, I like to...
A) Tie it up in a low ponytail.
B) Put it in a braid. 
C) Leave it out.
D) Curl it slightly at the ends. 

6. I get _______ very easily.
A) Bored
B) Worried
C) Curious
D) Tired

7. When I was younger, I always imagined living in...
A) A little village.
B) A tall tower.
C) An underwater city. 
D) A magnificent castle.

8. I think a princess should be...
A) Intelligent and open minded.
B) Fun and imaginative.
C) Strong willed and independent. 
D) Kind and gentle.

9. The Disney song that I can't help but sing along to is...
A) "Be Our Guest".
B) "When Will my Life Begin".
C) "Under The Sea".
D) "Once Upon a Dream".

10. As a child, my favourite fairytale was...
A) Beauty and the Beast.
B) Rapunzel.
C) The Little Mermaid.
D) Sleeping Beauty. 

You are.......

(Mostly A's)
Belle
You're smart, caring and fearless. Just like Belle! You love to travel and have adventures and experience new things. As well this, you're an avid reader of fictional novels and will spend a majority of your downtime with your nose in a book. 

(Mostly B's)
Rapunzel
Your friends love your playful and lively personality. You like to make the most of every day. Just like Rapunzel! You're a very creative person and enjoy making things. Baking, painting and sewing are a couple of your favourite hobbies. 

(Mostly C's)
Ariel
You like to appreciate the little things in life. Just like Ariel! You're always hungry for knowledge and have a passion for learning. Something that you really thrive in is meeting new people. You're confident, friendly and not afraid to approach others. 

(Mostly D's)
Aurora
You're a sweet and loyal person. Just like Aurora! You're also very respectful and polite and people really compliment you for that. You feel very passionately about your sleep and you like to take power naps every opportunity that you can. 

Thanks for taking the quiz! 

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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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