New Year, New Planner

I don't know about you guys but I love planners!! I love trying new systems and buying new brands. Now that the year is almost over, I have been looking into a new planner. This past year, I used a Moleskin Weekly Notebook (which I loved), but I want to try something new.

I began my search and found an entire planner community. There are girls who make amazing planner Youtube videos and it just inspired me to make something more of my planner! Most people in this planner community use filofaxes. I love the idea because you can truly make the planner yours and add sections for whatever you need. I have ordered mine (I went with the Kate Spade!) and thought I would share some of the planners I was looking into. 

I have already begun buying loads of planner supplies (which I will make a post on soon, along with a YT video). 

Let me know below if you are also a #planneraddict! 

Be Stubborn

I saw this quote and thought it perfectly sums up my life. 

As I've gotten older, the one thing I've realized is that things never go as planned, but things always turn out ok. I thought that I would attend my dream college, I would have a perfect GPA, and be on a straight path to medical school. I really thought I was going to be with my first boyfriend for the rest of my life, that I would be living in New York and everything would be just exactly how I wanted. 

Ha! Boy, did things change. Looking back however, not going to my dream school saved me tons of money. I am now attending an amazing graduate school that will get me into a great medical school. I am dating someone else who is even better the first! (Isn't it funny how we always think our first love will be our only love?) 

The one thing that didn't change were my goals. My goal of becoming a doctor and being happy. I think this quote is exactly right. You have to be flexible about your methods. You have to be willing to change because life likes to throw you off course. 

Never, ever change want you want in life, just be ready to change how you get there. 

My College Essentials

It's that time of year again! Back-to-school shopping! Am I the only one who loves school shopping? My brothers start school Monday, and I start grad school in two weeks, so I thought this is the perfect time for a back-to-school post! 

For all you starting college, I thought I would make a college essentials post. There are items that are a must for me, even as I head off the grad school. (These item don't cover everything you need of course!) 

Rain Gear || Walking to class in the rain is no fun -- better to be prepared!

Yellow Highlighters || These are my favorite! I highlight my textbook, notes, planner, basically everything!

Water Filter || Keep this in your fridge and fill it up with tap water! It will save you loads from buying the plastic bottles (not to mention it's better for the earth). 

USB Drive || Back up everything!! Trust me, your laptop will shut down on you when you are writing that essay. I always keep a copy on a USB drive just in case. It will also come in handy for group projects and presentations. 

Agenda || Life gets infinitely more complicated in college. You must stay organized! (this elephant pattern is also too cute!)

School Sweatshirt || Buy some school gear to feel a part of your school! I think a sweatshirt is best because the library can be cold on those long study nights. P.S. GO DAWGS!

Coffee Maker and Tumbler || Just yes. I started making my own coffee to take to class and to study. Saved me lots of money! 

Backpack || I'm definitely a backpack girl. I just had too much stuff to carry around to put it all in a tote. Get a cute one and you'll be set!

Headphones || Block out noise from roommates/loud students.

Shower Shoes || Just trust me on this one. 

ID Holder || I found this was the best way to carry around my wallet. My school ID was in easy reach along with my debit cards. I could just carry this with my phone if my friends wanted to grab lunch. It's perfect. 

Small Whiteboard || This saved me in organic chemistry. Writing all those mechanisms is perfect on a white board (no wasting paper). I also used it for drawing out diagrams for my physiology class. If you are a visual learner, I would really suggest studying with one of these. 

That's it! Good luck to everyone going back to school! 

My Christmas List!

As I have gotten older, my Christmas list has gotten smaller and much simpler. It used to be that I would watch commercials just to get ideas about all the toys I wanted, but now, I would be happy with a gift card to Amazon or Forever 21. 

The tradition of making Christmas lists still stands in my family. My mom every year asks for a list from me, my brother and my sister. One year she even sent out a poem asking for our lists.

My current list mainly just has a long list of movies but I have found some other little things that I'm hoping "Santa" will leave under the tree. 

Tea Cups - My days from studying abroad at Oxford are still sticking with me. I need my afternoon tea! And I love the heart shape!

Map Watch - Is this not the perfect gift for someone who loves to travel?? I may just buy it as gift to myself. 

Complete Series of Breaking Bad - Have you seen this? It is probably the best TV on DVD set ever. It comes with so many amazing goodies that every Breaking Bad fan needs!

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre Perfume - I am not a big perfume person but this scent is so perfectly light and sweet. 

Pure Heroine EP by Lorde - My new obsession. I think her album would be the perfect first vinyl for me to own.

Batman Case - In case you guys don't know, I LOVE BATMAN. 

Finals Tips

Here it is, the end of the year and what does that mean? Finals.

This semester my final schedule is pretty light! I only have two finals,  which means I have a little bit of free time to make a Finals Tips guide!

The first tip is to gather all of the materials you need. Get all of your notes, PowerPoint slides, books and ORGANIZE them! I have made a finals binder so that I only have to carry one thing with me as I travel from the library, to the coffee shop, and back home. I separated them into my two classes and put important papers in sheet protectors. 

Here, I have my final study guide in a sheet protector. I am then writing out important notes for each of the terms and concepts we need to know. 

My next tip is to SCHEDULE OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY. After all of your material is gathered, it is easier to see exactly how much information you need to study. I then break it down day-by-day. I like to print out a separate schedule from my agenda so that it is solely focused on finals. 

I usually separate my days by chapters but of course make your schedule so that it works best for you. 

My next tip is to take plenty of breaks! You don't want to get burnt out by time the final comes around. I like to use the Pomodoro Technique. It really does help in keeping me focused. I also notice that I study much longer and my brain doesn't become so tired after 3 or 4 hours of studying. 

The next few tips are ones that I'm sure you've heard plenty of times before

1. Get PLENTY of sleep

2. Drink LOTS of water

3. Don't over do it with energy drinks and caffeine! (This is probably the one I have the hardest time with)

Lastly, at least an hour before your test STOP studying! Your brain needs a break! I like to relax by watching Netflix or just listening to music. Know that you have been studying and you are ready for the final! 

I hope these tips were helpful! Now go study! :)