Putting Out Good

I don't have much to say, except that life works in unexpected ways day in and day out. I feel a whirlwind of emotions every single day, and I don't know how I'm doing it, but I'm staying positive. I'm trying to treat others better than they treat me and to make an effort to remember names, faces, and conversations.

Because after everything, I believe that the world is good and smart. It just needs a little help- but don't we all? So, here's to positivity and self-confidence and self-love!

College + Technology

Week one of Sophomore year is done and out of the way.
And, believe me, this semester is going to be insane. It's exciting to think that about how different my life is going to be in a matter of months: PUDM 2.0, going Greek, the most challenging semester of my life, the PCAT, and Pharmacy school admissions... This semester is equivalent to junior year of high school. Actually it's not at all like junior year of high school but that's the best comparison I could make. Hah!

Anyways, being the nerd that I am (and knowing what to expect for this semester) I took some time this summer to organize my thoughts and prepare myself. This included trying out multiple apps for success in school. And- okay, disclaimer- I know there are a billion and one posts about what apps to get for school. Trust me, because I looked at many of them to figure out how I could use technology to my benefit this semester. Now trust me when I say that 9/10 of the apps recommended were obviously not recommended by college students because I couldn't think of any reason to use many of them other than to take up space on my iPad. Not kidding. So, after days of searching I was able to add two, yes only two, actually useful apps to my "school" file. But those two apps are going to make all the difference, which is why I want to share them.

 I already had the Blackboard app, which is Purdue's program for every class. It's nothing too special, but it allows me to access all assignments, powerpoints, notifications, etc for my classes while I'm on the go. This app does cost, but it's worth the money to not have to take my laptop with me to class. Just my ipad, a notebook, and some pens do the trick- talk about lightening your load! I had this app last year but didn't have the supplemental apps necessary to make it fully functional. Now that I do, everything works together seamlessly and has made learning much simpler.

One thing that I did buy as an accessory to all of this was a nice stylus- the Adonit Jot Pro. It's a more substantial stylus but still pretty inexpensive, and it makes taking notes (keep reading) on my iPad much more enjoyable.

So, now for the apps that I use daily:

Notablility
I don't remember who recommended this app to me (I truly apologize because I'd like to give credit where credit is due) but it has been life-changing. It's like carrying 5 notebooks and their corresponding powerpoint slides, all in my iPad mini. The app integrates with Blackboard so that I can download my notes directly to the app and write on the slides. It's easy to insert images or blank pages for extra pages and references.

It's really the best because I don't have to carry multiple notebooks or worry about grabbing the wrong pages. No matter the class, I have the notes. And, if I forget to download the notes I can just hop on Blackboard once I get to class and send them to the app.

The way I work this is that I take the notes in class, then come back to my room and make flow charts of my personal reading notes, to vocabulary, and the class notes in a notebook. So, I'm not completely paperless. But last year I occasionally took notes on my laptop and it was so easy to open pages on the sides or even have a side-by-side view which wasn't a good use of my time in class... at all. The smaller iPad screen makes it less tempting to have other pages pulled up.

It's also been proven that typing isn't as beneficial to learning and memory as the writing motion. So being able to physically write the notes and pictures down, then repeat it again from memory and the notes once I'm back to my room, makes sure that I'm learning in different forms- audibly and tactually.

So far, I have 0 complaints about the way this app works. I'm sure there are other, more complex apps but this one does the job and it's cheap- $2.99 has made this year so much easier already.

Quizlet
The free app for any vocabulary-intensive course. This thing is going to be great, I can already tell. I can say goodbye to stacks and stacks... and stacks of index cards. So environmentally friendly! This app is really nice because it has games that help to learn the words, and it will read the words and definitions to you- that auditory learning thing again!

This is a pretty self-explanatory app, so I'll leave it at that.


I can't stress enough how important it is to find what works for you. These apps work for me, but maybe not for someone else. It takes some trial runs to figure it all out, but Iv'e found that less is more when it comes to technology and school. Unless you're a computer science major and know how to work with different platforms, finding something that does what you need it to- nothing more and nothing less- is really the most beneficial. It makes learning more fun and less stressful, which we could all use!

Sophomore Year... What?!

via Tumblr

...School is coming! 

I've been waiting since May 10th to get back to crazy West Lafayette but now that I'm here I feel so underprepared. Having 3+ months of summer really makes procrastination easy, and all the sudden it was time to move back in and get everything ready. But man is it good to be back!

Campus decided that the first week of fall semester was the right time to feel like summer- so we've got 90's and humidity to look forward to (read: nike shorts and messy buns every day). I'm staying in a dorm again but this time it's a suite that shared a bathroom with only one other room... instead of a whole floor! The location is about 50% closer to campus and there are tunnels underneath to help winter be not as brutal.

With that being said, the dorm is old and has this huge furniture, including big closets! It's nice to have the extra space, but it also makes having living space is a challenge with so much furniture taking up the room. Needless to say, my room is a work in progress. Am I going to loft my bed? Am I going to just live without a tv? I don't know right now but I'm just happy to be finally settled... for now.

I don't have much decor up at this point since I don't know the final positions of everything. Living in a small space is always unpredictable and what seems might work on move-in day is inevitably going to be changed, so I'm expecting rearrangements in the near future. But, once I'm settled into a routine and my classes I'll certainly post more detailed pictures of my little living space for this year! 

For anyone else starting classes this week, bonne chance! 

Lilly After Party Sale

Would I be a real Lilly girl if I didn't participate in the sale? 

(the answer is no)

If you don't know about the sale, Lilly hosts two huge sales each year in addition to their warehouse sale. I have never been to the warehouse, but I've bought from the sales before and I always leave wondering why I buy anything full price. 

okay, I know the answer to that. I like having things now and when they're new. ugh.

Anyways, this is a great chance to stock up on basics or to redeem yourself if you regret not buying a print/dress from a previous season- that was me yesterday. In short, this sale has items for up to 70% off. It can be hit-or-miss, but you'd be hard pressed to not like at least one item. 

Without further ado, here's what I bought:

my first Elsa top! 

Margurite Dress in Navy

Margurite Dress in Lulu

Murfee Scarf in Gold Metallic

Yes, I got two of the same dresses in different colors- I'm liking the drapey sleeves lately and regretted not getting a dress in Lulu this past spring. So I went for it! Unfortunately, all of these items are now sold out, but keep checking back for any new merchandise added to the sale- there are still two days! 

  

Happy Shopping!  

6 Tips for College Freshmen

In a matter of days I'll be heading my little self back up to glorious Purdue. It's been a crazy, busy summer but I am so ready to get back on campus. I'm ready for new roommates, recruitment, classes, and friends (and college football is pretty exciting, too!). I've seen quite a few articles and blogs floating around that are giving advice to incoming freshmen about what not to miss out on. 

Of course, I have my own two cents to add to the discussion. In fact, I have 6 points I'd like to mention that will be good advice to incoming freshmen and returning students alike. 

6. Get Involved (In Campus Ministry)

Every. Single. Post. I've seen has mentioned getting involved, which is no-doubt important. But I let Campus Ministry involvement slip from my freshman year, and I really regret it. The atmosphere will take hold of you quickly, so get plugged in- and fast! The first month will be full of callouts and different opportunities to visit youth groups. Visit one, visit 10. Keep trying until you find something that you like. It wasn't until the end on my freshman year that I really found a place that I liked... and by then I barely had time to get involved before it was time to leave for the summer. Huge regret of my freshman year was not taking advantage of campus ministries- so get in there and get plugged in. 

5. Don't Burn Bridges

There are going to be disagreements. There are going to be arguments, fights, falling outs. But the professional world can be very small and a bridge burned freshman year can and will come back to haunt you. I just talked to a few very established Pharmacists about this, both of who advised me to not burn bridges (they both brought it up without knowing the other had done so). Learning to deal with controversy in a professional way will take some time, but will certainly pay off in the long run. 

4. Take Advantage of the Gym

I was afraid of the gym until second semester- true story. But I can't help but wonder how much easier it would have been to stay in shape had I sucked it up and gone in during the first month. Most schools will have "welcome week" type of deals- free fitness classes, demos, etc. that are meant to draw students the the gyms. I didn't participate in any of that, but my friends that did were able to connect with people who were interested in the same sports and workouts and ended up playing intramurals with them. Even if you don't know what you're doing, don't let the big, buff guys scare you like they did me. You'll be thanking yourself when you go to get in shape for spring break and realize you don't really have that much to do.

3. Be Vulnerable

College is scary. I get it. You're in a new place; on your own. Embrace the fact that nobody knows who you were in high school. If you get into the mindset that everyone is in your same boat, the adjustment will be so much easier. During freshman orientation week, open up to your group members and leaders. Tell them the secrets that had been burdening you- cry. Do whatever you need to do to be vulnerable, and then carry that throughout your entire year. Open up to others and you'll be surprised at how people will open up to you. 

2. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Pretty much everything I've said has had to do with this, but I'm serious. There will be so many chances to do things that you'd never want to do, and that's okay. But suck it up and just go. I participated in some of the most ridiculous, spontaneous activities because someone asked if I wanted to go, and I said "sure." rather than stay in my comfort zone. Some things I loved, some I wouldn't choose to do again- but that's the fun of it all! 

1. ... But be True to Yourself

Trying new things is fun but be honest if you don't like it. If something isn't making you happy, you're under no obligation to stick around. This goes for extracurriculars, relationships, and your major. What you do these next 4-6 years will determine the path your life will go down, at least professionally if not more. It is ultimately your life and your future on the line here, so stay in and study when you need to, go to church, and make sure that future you would thank you for what present you is doing. 

Short and sweet is my advice right now... hopefully I can listen to myself this year :)

Summer Workout Playlist

I love working out about as much as I love chocolate.

... Scratch that. I work out because I love chocolate. :) Anyways, there's no motivation quite like having an awesome playlist to get you going. I don't listen to much pop or hip-hop music, so I save that for my workouts. It's refreshing and fun, and makes me feel so powerful and strong! 

The music this summer has been so fun that I actually am willing to get up early and get my run in before it gets too hot. I grab my ipod and head out the door... usually before 8 am! I thought I'd share my playlist and what gets me moving :)

Get Moving! 

Get out there and kick some bootay! 

Hiatus, Over

Let me preface this by saying that summer makes me L A Z Y. 

Not in the physical sense of the word, because it's the time that I'm most active. But without due dates or timelines, I tend to fully embrace my procrastinator's tendencies. "Why do today what can be put off tomorrow?" becomes my motto as I run from activity to activity... or let the next episode of Netflix play.

Since nothing and nobody was keeping me accountable for this blog, I just... stopped. My tumblr was kept very active, as I love looking there for inspiration. But writing and thinking up posts just started to seem more like a chore than an enjoyable activity, and taking/ editing pictures for tumblr was an easy, quick way to feel like I was doing something :)

This past week, I spent time with my family on the beautiful beaches of North Carolina and the topic of my blog came up. There's the accountability I was looking for! I guiltily said that I'd just... stopped. For no real reason and I wasn't sure if I wanted to pick it back up. Life is starting to get really overwhelming and will only continue to do so this coming semester- rush, classes, and applying to Pharmacy school. One of my cousins also keeps a blog (for work) and reminded my that regular writing not only cleanses the soul and offers an outlet for imagination, but it keeps my skills up to date. Especially in a science-heavy field, writing isn't the focus but is still a necessity.

I still have no clue what direction this is going to go in. Yes, I still love fashion and beauty and all that but I know there is more to life and more that I can bring to the "blogosphere". I feel like I'm having mental breakdowns/ crises more than not and I'm constantly trying to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. Luckily, my wise, wise cousin also told me that he always reminds the students taht he mentors this (and I'm paraphrasing here):

"Do not worry so much about the big picture. God has a plan for you and each small interest and step you take will lead to you to where He wants you to be. In deciding what your next step is, pray about it and then be honest with yourself- what are you feeling drawn to do next? And run with that. It's too much to think about what you want to do forever... in fact there may not be that one thing you're destined to do. Just focus on what you want to do next and you'll be amazed at where it might take you."

I don't know what my "Next" is, but I'll keep you updated :)