Thursday, 28 September 2017

5 Tips for Commuter Students

Commuting in Vancouver can be rough... its rough anywhere really. For those of us who live close enough to our respective colleges to not justify staying on campus, it can be an even longer trip. It takes me 2 buses and a train to get to school (which as horrifying as it sounds only works out to be about an hour and ten minutes.) and sometimes I feel like that is wasted study time. Here are some tips to help you maximize the time spent on transit

1. Do your reading
If your class requires you to read a textbook for homework do that on the train. It will kill the dead hours and allow you to get work done while still being productive. It also does not feel like you are doing homework as you are doing something else productive at the same time.

2. Cue Cards
I made cue cards for all of my classes and I carry them in bulldog clips around with me if I need to study. It is remarkably easy to pull them out and do some quick revision on your way to or from school. Here are some of the cue cards I use to study with !

3. Downtime
Sometimes I need to recharge and rest my brain between school and home. At home, I am tasked with the daily mountain of homework that awaits most college students and so often times I will use the train as a bit of a brain break. Relaxing and people watching so I can recharge and start my homework as soon as I get home.

4. Plan
Most time I will whip out my agenda and try and figure out what I need to do with the rest of my day allowing me to plan accordingly and remain organized.

5. Notes
I try and review my notes that I have taken during lectures that day. It allows me to maintain and retain information as well as be better equipped for the next class. However, if you take notes on your laptop this will not work. A notebook is much easier to review with and allows you to keep high-value things in your bag and away from prying eyes.allows your to keep high value things in your bag and away from prying eyes.

For other university woes check out my post on how to be sick in university as well as my post on some essentials that you may need to complete your spot secondary education.

Saturday, 23 September 2017

Fall Clothing Essentials

My favourite time of the year is here! Fall has arrived in Vancouver and I am enjoying every minute of it. The colours and warm feelings make me grateful for the change of seasons. In honour of the most awesome time of year (second only to Christmas) I have compiled a list of items that I have seen in my online shopping adventures that I think would be good investments this fall. Enjoy!

Coats
On the west coast it starts getting wool coat cold around October, this means everyone is running to the Bay to get some awesome deals. It also means that you could have the same coat as at least three people in your class. Through my travels, I have drummed up some nice ones that based on reviews and my excellent Canadian judgment seem like a good investment. 

This J.crew Trench Coat is a classic and always good for the mixed weather of autumn. Especially in rainy climates, it allows you to stay dry but still stylish. I have a friend who bought this coat this year and every time she wears it she gets tons of compliments
Wool Parka Coats are still styling without leaving you to the cold. Look for one with a hood as it will protect you from rain as well as your ears from the cold. This one from J.crew is really nice and seems to have really positive reviews. (plus tons of cute colours and size ranges)

Military chic seems to be really big this season. Coats inspired by this trend are a nice way to dress up your outfit and also keep you warm. This one from Ralph Lauren was in the Nordstrom every sale (and it also happens to be in my closet) and is super warm. A great investment as far as I am concerned.

Sweaters
Sweaters make up most of my winter wardrobe, to be honest. They are so easy to style and instantly class up your outfit. I especially like them during the school year when I may be a little more pressed for time in the morning. I can chuck one on with some jeans and boots and know that I look presentable and nice for class. Have a look at some cool ones I have run into during my online shopping travels

The turtleneck style allows for you to keep your neck warm but look chic at the same time. Turtlenecks look super cute tucked into a pair of jeans with a wool coat thrown over the top. Think HRH The Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) she rocks basic black turtlenecks like this one from Gap (which on sale at the time I am writing this) with a bright coat. If the Gap one is not to your liking H and M also offers a more oversized version. I would look super cute with some leggings and boots.

 A boatneck sweater is great if you're not one for a turtleneck but still want to rock some awesome knitwear.  This sweater from Zara is really cute. It plays into the oversized trend but still maintains a classy look.

Tops
Some cute blouses are really great for fall. On the days that it is too warm for a sweater I often find myself chucking on a blouse and a cardigan. This cute one from Old Navy is already in my closet, the embroidery and the rich navy mix well with the autumnal colours outside.

If you are looking for something a little dressier, this cute top I found on the Zara website should do the trick. tuck it into a skater skirt with some ballet flats or into a pair of jeans with cute booties and you will be set to jet.

Plaid shirts and fall go together like snow and Christmas. These ones from L.L.Bean are pretty famous and after a quick trip through the comments, I decided to purchase one myself!

Boots 
I feel like it is a given, you can not do fall without boots. They are a staple in my closest, easy to wear yet chic and sophisticated. Sometimes finding the right pair can be a bit of a challenge. My all-time favourite pair are by L.L.Bean, the Westport boots are comfy and classic and you can walk for miles in them Some other cool bots that I have found on the internet this fall are these ones form Roots, these really trendy ones sold at Hudsons Bay and basically anything on the Frye website.

This post is meant as guide to help amp up and give you more options for your fall wardrobe. Hope you enjoyed!
- Emma-Lynn

If the fall cold hit you as hard as it hit me check out my post about beating your cold in university




Saturday, 16 September 2017

How to be Sick in University

The glorious days of fall have returned, bringing pumpkin spice lattes and riding boots but also the uninvited fall cold. Now when I was in high school it was no big deal, take a couple of days off.  It will be easy catch-up... not so much for university. Taking two days off in university can cost you marks and put you seriously behind. Here are some of my tips to help elevate the damage a cold or sickness can do to your marks 

1. sleep 
You need at least 8 hours of sleep a night normally when your sick try and increase that. Being sick is enough there is no need to add tiredness on top of that. Extra sleep might actually help you heal better as well

2. take a walk outside 
This can help clear your sinus and relax you. It's a good way to spend your study break.

3. do all your readings 
Do all your readings to the best of your ability and try and stick to a schedule. Maintaining structure is important and some professors often will not take sickness as an excuse for your homework not being done 

4. go to class 
I get participation marks just for going to class. Go in, put your two cents in and try to pay attention. Even if you are not feeling well often time your bain will focus and distract you from it 

5. email your professor
Professors are human and like us, they do get sick.  If you have an assignment due and you don't think it will be up to snuff email and explain. The worst they can say to you is no to an extension.

Check out my university essentials list to get all the things you need to conquer the academic world