Wednesday, 25 July 2018
5 things I wish someone had told me before I started University
'You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one' - Unknown
Where to begin? Are you going to university in September? Are you feeling stressed about it? Don't worry. I am here to offer you some, well-researched and well-experienced advice. The idea of moving away from home to study somewhere new is nothing less than daunting. But, I am hoping I can lighten that load a little by telling you five things that I really wish that I knew before I moved.
1. Halls/Dorms are gross
Okay, so for my first year of university, I lived in halls. This is common in the UK. Usually, if you are in the first year, you will be offered to live on campus so you can find your way around easily. And also, it helps you meet new people as well. However, what the university won't tell you is that halls are gross. I didn't enjoy my living situation that much in the first year, but I know a lot of people that loved living in halls. It just wasn't for me. However, halls are a bit disgusting. Face it, you are living with strangers who, for the most part, aren't going to be at the same level of cleanliness as you. People have different ideas of what clean is. But more than that, halls have been rented out to many students prior to you, therefore they aren't going to be the cleanest or the tidiest. There will be mould, there will be broken furniture and you will definitely have to call the university maintenance at some point. Although, I have met some of my best friends through either living with them in halls or being extremely accessible by being on campus. Halls are a good idea if you are just moving down but just have high expectations.
2. You do not to pack everything
During my first year, I had a rather small room. I already had a roundabout idea about size my room and what I would be able to fit in it, as I had already been to an open day and looked around the dorms. However, this didn't stop me from packing so much unnecessary stuff that I really didn't need. It left my room feeling crowded and although it was tidy most of the time, it always felt messy. So my advice, if you don't use it now, you won't use it when you leave.
3. A first aid kit is so important
In both my first year and my second year, I have always had a first aid kit handy and I have used it a number of times. I know this sounds like a super boring piece of advice, but during your first year of university, you will be drunk most of the time. Do you know how many times my first aid kit has helped me or anyone else for that matter? Honestly, I know it sounds boring, but those plasters and paracetamol will definitely come in handy.
*This is not my photo
4. Who you live within your Second Year/Third Year is key
In your second year, things begin to get serious. The first year is all about making friends and getting drunk. You merely need to pass to get into the next year (at least in England that's how it works). But the second year is when grades start to count and you get to choose who you live with. Although you may love the people you party and get drunk with, in my advice, it's always better to live with people who you work well with. Hanging out with people who are as serious about their degree as you are, are the right sort of people to live with.
5. Pre-drinks will save your wallet.
This is going to be short and sweet. Drink as much as you can at home. Drinks out are so expensive and you are a student now, you have rent, books and food to pay for you. Pre-drinks are the best.
I hope this helped you at least one worried fresher! I know the concept of University is scary, but you will be fine. You can do this!
What I was listening to whilst writing this: Ain't no mountain high enough - Marvin Gaye
'I simply didn't know how to make things better. I could not solve the puzzle of me' - Eleanor Oliphant
Hello, my little bookworms! I know it has been awhile since I have done a book review, but I simply haven't had much time to read because of all my university deadlines. If you want to read reviews of all the boring media theory books I have to scan all day, every day, then I would have written loads more reviews. Aside from that, I recently read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and to say I enjoyed it, is an understatement. I loved it. If you are on the fence about buying a copy or you have heard it's good and you still aren't sure if you want to read it, this is your sign, right here. Do it, buy it, read it.
This book was so good, that I actually leant it to my mum. I love sad books and my mum doesn't. My mum is forever searching for that book which is simply about happy things, which we are both convinced, doesn't exist. Although Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, is funny at times, it does have some dark undertones. But even my mum enjoyed it - and us both liking the same book says something!
So, I am not going to spoil this book because I really loved it and I want other people to experience the same suspense and endearment that I got from the story. But I am going to give you a brief summary of what the story is about - without the ending (obviously).
Although it's probably obvious from the title, the story centres around the main character, Eleanor Oliphant. She is an extremely different main character, who comes across as sensible and more than anything, lonely. She lives alone, eats alone and drinks (a lot) alone. But it isn't until she meets Raymond, someone who also works in the same office she works in, that her life begins to get more exciting. Raymond is the friend Eleanor really needs in her life and although her crazy life-story scares Raymond at times, he continues to stick around. Now, Eleanor didn't have a normal upbringing and there are some quite triggering images and family situation portrayed in this novel but I think it makes it all that much interesting. This book is really about kindness and about how friendships truly are fifty: fifty.
I loved this book so much, that I read it all in one day. I highly recommend adding this to your summer reading list. This book will make you smile and laugh, each and every character is completely different and they all develop through the story.
What I listened to whilst I wrote this post: Real Love Baby - Father John Misty
'May your coffee kick in before your reality does'
Happy Sunday my little coffee beans! I know what you are thinking...it's hot, it's sunny, why are you talking about a hot drink? Well for all my coffee enthusiasts, this post is for you.
For anyone that knows me, they would know that coffee is not only a necessity in my life but I can't actually function throughout the day without having my morning cup of coffee. I love coffee. I was sent some samples from Singl Coffee this week and I am completely in love, to say the least. So let's start with a little background information on this company.
Who are they?
Singl Coffee is all about selling coffee at affordable prices which is better quality than all the instant brands floating around at the moment. The owner of the company put a lot of thought into the actual beans and the bags which make up this product as many large companies (I won't name names) wouldn't give them any information about what they use to make their drinks, as it wasn't much better than the other, cheaper instant coffee. So they saw a gap in the market for some good quality, low-cost coffee which was simple to make. For seven bags of good, quality coffee it is only £7.50. That is so much cheaper than buying a coffee every day at your local Starbucks or Costa.
How To Make The Coffee
When I first heard about Singl Coffee, I thought it was going to be complicated to make. I thought I would need a brewing pot or a coffee press. But when I received the package, it came with handy instructions about how to simply make a cup of coffee using the handy, single bagged serving, hence the name 'Singl coffee'. The actual contents of the sachet is a bag full of coffee, very similar to a tea bag but bigger. You simply put it in your favourite mug, fill it with hot water and let it sit for about 3-4 minutes depending on how strong you would like it (I left it in for four minutes). It's super easy really!
My Thoughts On The Coffee
You may be thinking, your opinion is biased because you already love coffee. But it wasn't just me that tried it. I let my mum try it. And as all children know, their mum's opinion is the most valid. My mum does like coffee but nowhere near as much as I love it. She also only drinks decaf, luckily Singl Coffee was kind enough to include both decaf and regular so we could both try them!
First, I tried it. And as expected, I loved it. It smelt amazing. Currently, I tend to drink Nescafe when I am at university and when I am at home, my parents tend to buy Carte Noire. I live for the smell of fresh coffee in the morning and believe me, this coffee offers that! So in short, my mum loved it. Once the word was out in my house, that the Singl Coffee I had received was really, really good, everyone wanted to try it. My dad tried some and so did my best friend and to say the least, it was definitely a big hit in my household.
The only thing I will say is, this coffee is not for the faint-hearted. You can leave the bag in for less time to avoid it being strong, but even then it is quite a strong cup of co. I really enjoyed it and personally feel your money would be better spent at Singl Coffee compared too spending it at your local coffee shop every morning.
The only thing I will say is, this coffee is not for the faint-hearted. You can leave the bag in for less time to avoid it being strong, but even then it is quite a strong cup of co. I really enjoyed it and personally feel your money would be better spent at Singl Coffee compared too spending it at your local coffee shop every morning.
What I was listening to whilst I wrote this post: LA Devotee - Panic! At The Disco
Click here to check out their amazing store!
✶This is sponsored content but all opinions are my own.
Hello Hello...Do you have a Comfort Zone? I do.
It's summer and that calls for shorter shorts, smaller t-shirts and bikinis. And for some people, that might not be what they are comfortable with, me included.
I was talking to one of my friends recently about power colours and how hers is red (Hi Tam). I had never considered myself to have any power colours but since summer has rolled around, I found that actually maybe mine is black? I know that sounds strange and that black is not technically a colour (...it's a shade) but I always feel more powerful when I am wearing black.
There are a few reasons I like wearing black:
- I am extremely pale and I find that wearing all black minimizes that.
- From a young teenager, I was always told black was more slimming.
- It makes me feel more powerful in general
- I am super short and if I could feel a little more powerful, then I feel like it makes up for the height difference.
I went outside my comfort zone and wore orange and guess what...not black accessories. I have always had this idea that I look ill in bright colours like pink, orange and yellow. But recently, I have really enjoyed wearing those colours and actually have had some compliments from them.
I have plenty of other things I don't feel comfortable doing, but I am going to start working on them one by one. For example, at the beginning of taking my media and creative writing degree, I was really uncomfortable writing short stories. I found it difficult to fit everything I wanted to say in 800 words or less. But I kept working on it until I loved what I was writing. Because, spoiler, you set your own comfort zones. Yeah, I enjoy wearing black and only sticking to larger stories or poetry. But I don't have to do those things. I can change it up whenever I want and that's up to me.
Everyone has completely different comfort zones but you will forever be stuck in them if you don't work on them. But your job as a human is to respond nicely to people that are trying to work on them. So, this summer, wear what you want. Whatever colour, whatever body shape you are, do what you want. Step outside your comfort zone.
What song I was listening whilst writing this post: Shot Gun- George Ezra
*This is not my photo
Hello...My name is Asher-Lee Tulip Downer and I have been part of a fostering family for many years.
These are my younger brothers - and they are adopted.
Disclaimer: This post is going to be heavily opinionated but it's not sponsored.
Since a young age, my parents have been foster carers. And since moving to, what I consider a city, I have found that fewer and fewer people actually know what fostering is. Instead of explaining to the copious amounts of people who aren't aware of fostering, I usually just say 'you know Tracey Beaker? The Dumping Ground? Yeah, it's like that'. But to be honest, I am getting bored with that explanation. So here we go, here is why I think fostering and becoming part of a foster/adoption family, is important.
1. What is fostering?
The definition of 'foster' is to raise a child, not from birth, that is not your own. A lot of people that have heard of adoption but not fostering and let me tell you - the world is lacking foster carers.
2. Why not?
My favourite saying the world is 'love without hesitation' and I think that applies to every aspect of life. If you have the time, the money, the knowledge and the love, why would you not foster a child or children? There are always plenty of kids in need and there always will be. If you think that you can provide a home for some little lives, then why not?
3. Charity starts at home
According to The UK fact-checking charity, there are currently 128,000 children in temporary accommodation across Great Britain and if you could prevent even one of those children from having to wonder where their next meal came from, you would. My friends always say that I'm a 'walking advert for fostering' and I am proud to be that way. Children are so important and there are plenty of children across England who are in need of help, love and care.
4. My Brothers and adoption
Adoption definitely gets more limelight than fostering. Although it's hardly ever that I see an adoption advert, I definitely, definitely, definitely never see a fostering advert. My family fostered my brothers for a few years and after seeing how well they fit into my family, we decided that it was the best place for them. However, this doesn't always happen. Before my little brothers, we fostered a lot of other young adults and children. They all come with their own, separate problems and backstories. It isn't easy but the more time and attention you give an individual, the more their self-confidence builds and the more growth you see. Every person is important and every person is worth your time.
I am sorry for this rant of a post. But I hope you will take the time to consider your very own situation. Thank you to my parents who taught me to love without hesitation. For introducing me to wonderful new people and wonderful new ways to help every person I meet.
*this is not my photo
What song was I listening to whilst writing this: Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles
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