Basically I fell off the face of the planet

besides being sleepy and going to sleep soon...no reasons for this pic.

So the last time I posted was in July. Yikes. Here's a quick summary for you all....I went to Pittsburg/DC on a friend road trip (yippee), worked, packed, moved and started the craziest semester of my life. So although I could have been making time to blog I just haven't, I'm just lazy and lame like that sometimes. So here's the scoop, for now this isn't a good place for me in the big scheme of things. Classes are tough (Anatomy/Physiology, Phonetics, Communication Theories and lots of Feminist Theory) and I decided working would be a good idea too. Needless to say I'm swamped. I may soon find the need to come back here and share life but for now....I will miss you all! And now to bed!

Much love,

Sara

You start off...

...your week saying "wow, its going to be a chill week"! 

And you get all excited at the prospects of getting out into the winter air and taking actual clothing pics for your blog when suddenly you realize.... 

you have a test tuesday (haven't studied yet), office hours and meetings wednesday, more meetings, a poetry reading for a class, twilight part 2, and freezin' for a reason (sleeping in boxes all night for homelessness!) and the prospects of see the boyfriend on Friday plus study abroad stuff to get done along with that thing called school and there is your week. Booked to the max! 

Gosh! This always seems to happen....I need to become a better planner...though then I may be considered OCD. Oh well! Off I go to do a million things...study party at my place, all are welcome to join me! I'll make the tea! 

Anyone else feel like Monday hits and all hell breaks loose?

Much love,

Sara

De-stress

For many college students it is getting to be that time of the year where you start stressing extra due to finals coming up and life getting a whole lot busier. So here is my what to do when stressed to de-stress!

1.Make a cup of tea and sit, don't think, and just be.

2. I've gotten into running recently so sometimes I'll just go on a jog or walk around campus.

3.When really stressed I do some down dogs and child's pose. It's good to just walk away from homework.

4. I love pinterest and whenever I'm overwhelmed I go look at my boards or repin a few things.

5. Something I should be doing more...read for fun! Walk away from textbooks and such and read something enjoyable.

6. I love fashion and clothes. So I enjoy trying on outfits! It's fun and sometimes I figure out what to wear for tomorrow.

7. Sometimes a pretty hair style is what you need to relax. I enjoy curling and sometimes straightening my hair.

8. Sometimes I just get up from my desk and walk down our hallway and see if there is anyone around to socialize with for a bit.

9. Wander around. I get up, go to the bathroom, check my mail, etc. to get away from studying.

10. Dance! Move your body and shake all that stress out!

11. Coloring helps me focus on something that is not school and is chill! I love coloring.

What do you do to de-stress?!

Much love,

Sara

New home

So I moved into college yesterday and it was (and still is) a crazy, chaotic time! My roomie, Hannah (aka Nugget) and I have been busy organizing, decorating and getting to know the people on our floor. Here is a small collection of pics from the past 48 hours. More to come!

Spilled dirt due to falling blankets.

Entry wall area.

Sink area and roomie in the background.

My desk...lots of studying to be had. 

Nugget and I in our partially finished room.

Struggs... 

Much love,

Sara

Summer Rant

Sunflower friends have bloomed! Hooray!

Summer is seriously going by too fast at the moment. I go back to college in SIX days! I am pumped and excited (to see friends and get into a 'normal' routine) but sad and not ready (to do school and leave 'home' friends). I am going through some crazy emotions trying to prepare myself for the school that is to come and the people I am going to leave at home. 

So I have been on the go every minute since it hit me that college is soon and the only time to have summer is NOW. I have been cliff diving, Lost watching, friend seeing, restaurant trying, thrift shopping, clothes packing, mom hugging, nannying, reading, sitting, remembering, thinking, creating, laughing, relaxing...to name a few;)

So over the next week the posts will be random (as usual...though I tell myself that I am a pro-blogger and have 'planned' blog posts, ha) because I am trying to soak everything in. 

Oh goodness Sara. This basically turned into a rant about me being unprepared for school and dreaming of a never-ending summer. AH! I should be packing or answering the million emails I have... the life of a college student. 

Much love,

Sara

College Tips Part 2

So as summer comes to a close I decided I wanted to addressed some more of my college tips. I talked about my study/ school tips for college so, I decided to do some advice on the social, fun and crazy college part.

1) There will be moments when you are homesick.

I am in no way a crier but I did call my mom and cry a few times about how I missed her and Dad and my siblings and Bear. Just don't allow the homesickness take over your life. It helps to find people who care about you and distract you from any sad. 

2) There will be drama. 

As much as we all hope to get away from high school drama, I have learned it never really goes away. It changes form but is there. For some people it can be very minimal but for others everything can just blow up and be a psycho mess. But take it in strides and know that you will survive.

3) Everyone needs to do whats best for themselves.
You need to remember that you must do whats best for you. If you find a group of friends, thats awesome but you cannot function as a single entity... you are all individuals. This is not high school where you can be screwed if you don't have friends to back you up. You are at college for yourself. It sounds so selfish, like you should not help others but thats not what I'm saying. I'm saying make choices that help you and allow others to do the same for themselves.

4) Try not to take anything personally.
Just as in life, you must realize people will say things or do things that they don't mean. Those things you must let roll off your back and realize there are much bigger issues at hand.

5) Friends are ever-changing.
Just a simple reminder (mainly to myself...I suck at change) the friends come and go for all types of reasons. Just focus on the positive.

6) Do what makes you happy.
Don't go to parties if you don't want to and don't sit alone in your room if you don't want to. You have the power to change what you are doing. Only you know what can and will make you happy. And no one can make you do something you don't want to do. Be confident in yourself and know that it's your life.



7) Be outgoing.
I can/am be a introverted person who needs my down/chill time but the key to having a balanced life is getting involved. Meet people, making connections, having meaningful conversations and just being goofy. It will make your college experience so much more enjoyable.

8) Sign up for activities and go to events.
Even if your not a activities kind of person; it's a great way to meet people and figure out what you like and dislike and maybe even help you find what you want to do with your life.

9) Soak it all in.
Enjoy every moment of college. My first year went by in a flash! There were times when I wanted to rip my hair out but there were so many more moments of such joy that I don't want it to end.

10) Freedom.
There is so much more freedom in college. No one is telling you what to eat, when to sleep and where to go.  Enjoy it but realize that you are at college for a reason besides the social aspect. Balance is the key to life!

I hope this helps! If you all have any suggestions, please send them here! Oh and the pictures above are some of my best girls at college! I love and miss them dearly.

Much love,

Sara

College Study Tips

So summer is sadly coming to a close and school will be starting back up in a few weeks for most (25 days for me! AHHH!). I personally love going to class and learning but homework, studying, papers and tests no thank you! However, it must be done so I have compiled a list of the little things that got me through my first year of college last year with flying colors (if  I do say so my self;).

Each long term study session usually contain a sad picture to the boyfriend. Attractive, I know.

1)Planner, sticky notes and to do lists.

Half the battle is remembering what you still have to do after you have been up for 19 hours with 5 hours of sleep. So for me I wrote everything down in a planner and in addition sticky notes and I would also have a running to do list that would have everything written down that I have to do. That way when I crossed something off I felt like I have accomplished something..hooray! 

2)Allow yourself a day to sleep in once and awhile.

I believe sleep is SO important. I am one of those people that literally needs 10+ hours of sleep a night, which is not good in this fast pace world but I manage (with lots of caffeinated tea). So sleep in once and awhile its the only way your brain will be able to function properly and remember all the things you must do. 

3)Note cards are your best friend.

Though your hand may fall off from writing a million trillion note cards it will be worth it I promise. Though they seem old fashioned and dated they are a staple to any one of my study sessions. Though there a tons of online flashcard makers and apps to make them über convenient (I'm just a dork and love paper note cards).  

4)Though you should do this without me saying...GO TO CLASS!

That is the only way you will know anything, even if the teacher is bad and "doesn't teach". Though many teachers don't take attendance, they do notice when you are gone. Going to class helps the teacher recognize that you are serious about their class (even if its a dumb general).

5) Know your teacher and make sure they know you.

This goes hand in hand with going to class. If the teacher knows you have been going to class, working hard and turning in your homework then (I believe) that they will be more willing to allow you extra time, help and a bit more lenience with grades. However, this does not mean kiss up to the teacher, this means work hard and many teachers will notice and appreciate it.

The face of an angel. ;)

6) It will end and it will be worth it.

There will be class that will make you want to shave your head out of frustration. There will be classes you work your butt off and the best you get is a C. It sucks but know that it is only for a semester (or trimester or quarter). As my dad would always say " You can do anything for ____ amount of time." And if you work hard it will pay off and that could be the grade and/or knowledge that helps you get into your desired program.

7) Zone out.

Sometimes its good to just zone out, watch some TV, go on Facebook and hang out with friends to forget about school.

8)Find friends who care about school.

This is so helpful. If you are hanging out with people don't study, you may just do that to. But if you have some friends who are well balanced and study hard, get good grades and have tons of fun it is helpful. (Even though we all believe we make our own decisions, we are influenced by the people we surround ourselves with.) 

I was raised in a household that taught hard work will pay off, even if it's not now, someday it will. So work hard my friends because I want you all to be successful and to have all your dreams come true.

P.S. If anyone else has good study tips, send them my way!