My Goals for Sophomore Year

Syllabus week is over and that means that it is definitely time to get back to the grind of college. I'm juggling six classes (17 credit hours) this semester. So I've decided to make a list of goals for this semester that I can keep looking back at throughout the semester to keep myself accountable. So here it goes:

1. Raise my GPA. (My GPA is sending out an SOS. Will I be kissing hopes of medical school goodbye? Possibly.) 
2. Get A's in at least four out of my six classes this semester.
3. Get B's in the other two classes. 
4. Keep building Hoosier State of Prep. (I swear I'm trying)
5. Balance sorority commitments and academic commitments.
6. Workout at least 4 times a week.
7. Hit 10,000 steps on my Fitbit every day. 
8. Actually seek help with classes when I need it. 
9. Go to office hours more. 
10. Be organized. 
11. Kiss test anxiety goodbye.
12. Say thanks to the bus driver.
13. Make some time for myself with either Netflix, a mani pedi, or Spotify. 
14. Stop procrastinating. 

What are your goals for the semester?

Back to School Playlist

Two days into school and I'm already ordering more clothes and making more Spotify playlists. I'm currently working on one for riding the bus to class and walking around campus. Check it out!

All Moved In

It's official: I'm all moved into the room in my sorority house!

 It took two cars, two trips to target, and a trip to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to get all settled in. Here are picture of the semi-finished room! One of my roommates hasn't moved in yet, but I decided to post this anyways to get a post up!

(Excuse the quality of iPhone pictures)

My corner of the room. Do you see a color theme?

 Our picture collage (still a work in progress)

#BloggerBTS: College Packing Organization

My number one piece of advice when it comes to packing for school is that you have to stay organized. It all starts with lists. For example, I just sat down tonight and started cranking out a To Do List, a To Pack List, and a To Purchase List.  Now when it comes to leaving for school next week, I'll have a leg up, which means that I'll have more free time. As an incoming college sophomore, I believe my freshman year helped me prepare for this last minute packing extravaganza that I'm about to begin.

My tips for organization lists:

1. Use your preferred paper source. I'm using printer paper because it allows me to add items into the listed categories without making the list seem too disorganized.
2. Make categories. Categories help with organization!
3. It's okay to use electronics for your to-do lists if you prefer just having it on your phone. I recommend using Pages, Reminders, or Notes on your iPhone for quick list tricks. Sorry Android users, I am oblivious to apps on your device. 
4. Stick to your lists! It's okay to add things, but really think about what you're adding, especially if you're talking about your to-pack list. You can only fit so much stuff in your cars and dorms!

To Do List: 
I recommend just randomly thinking of anything you think you need to complete.

To Pack List:
CATEGORIES. That is all I have to say. Period. Divide what you want to pack into categories so that everything on your list is in the same area of your room/closet/bathroom. It will make your packing seem less hazardous; your mom and dad will thank me.

To Purchase List:
Look at your To-Do Lists and To-Pack List and figure out what you need To Purchase. This will help you determine if you can get everything in town or if you have to go out of town to purchase something. Don't forget that there is shopping in the city that your school is in. (Unless you really do go to school in the middle of no where, then bless your heart).

If you're not a fan of printer paper, you can always use notebooks or custom to-do lists. Below, I've listed some adorable notebooks that are perfect for lists and other notes (like your upcoming blog posts).

*This post contains affiliate links.

Simple Summer Skirt

feat. Eric (photo creds also to Eric)

My Outfit: Skirt: Shop Lauren Berry | Shirt (J. Crew Factory) | Shoes | Bracelet | Watch

I love this skirt that I purchased from Shop Lauren Berry, an Etsy store belonging to Pointer Prep aka Lauren. It's very comfortable and is perfect for a sunny, summer day. Check out her Etsy store to see her array of skirt choices! I also purchased a seersucker one, but I haven't had a chance to style it yet!

This summer has been a great one. Hoosier State of Prep has grown this summer thanks to friends like Eric that are willing to take pictures for blog posts like this. I can't wait for what is to come for Hoosier State of Prep this fall and I'm definitely looking forward to this blog's first birthday (tune in during the month of October). 

This post contains affiliate/referral links.

College Series: The Do's and Don'ts of Classes

Do

Try to purchase all of your textbooks before your first week of classes so that you'll know that you have the textbook. You don't want be part of the outrageous number of students that are lined up at the bookstore waiting for books once classes start. Don't forget to pick them up before classes start to avoid the lines as well. I usually purchase most of my textbooks from a local TIS Bookstore because it's convenient at the end of the semester when I return them. I recommend purchasing your textbooks from Amazon or your local university bookstore.

Do

Purchase new books for classes that pertain to your major if you plan on going to graduate schools. These new textbooks may pay off in the future!

Do

Rent or by used books. I personally don't rent my textbooks, but purchasing used textbooks can save you a ton of money. Plus, you'll save money!

Don’t

Carry all of your textbooks around with you on campus. Two words: back problems. Usually you won't have to take your textbooks to class unless it's a lab or a foreign language class. I only carried my books around campus when I was headed to study for specific classes. Books are heavy!! (Especially if you take your laptop everywhere)

Don’t

Sit in the back of lecture halls. It will be harder to concentrate because you'll see all of the computer screens for the 200 people in front of you. Sit closer to the front to be more engaged with the class. The professor may even notice!

Do

Go to office hours. I didn't go to any office hours until second semester and I regret it. I lost all of my study habits and struggled. Your professors are your largest assets. Don't be afraid to go talk to one!

Do
Make friends with fellow students. They may have some study tips and you may have some great friends and the end of it! I made a lot of friends in my chemistry class so we all decided to take the same class, lab, and discussion classes this upcoming semester.

Don’t

Sit on your phone during class. Put your phone out of reach in your backpack with the sound turned off. I also turn the vibration off. Do not disturb is also a good option.

Do

Try out different study habits to see what works for you! My study habits completely changed in college.

Do
Keep on top of things! Keep an agenda that is updated with important due dates.

DIY Binder Covers

As school starts up again soon (excuse me while I silently sob), it's time to get schools supplies around again. I personally only use binders to keep papers organized for each class. I usually don't carry the binders around in my backpack, so they stay at my desk. I decided to spice up my binder covers this year, so shoutout to my friend Ashley for showing me these covers! 

Step 1: Choose your print. I got these from a blogger named Hope. 

Save them to your computer desktop or to a folder on your desktop .

Step 2: Open up a photo editor. I used picmonkey.com

Step 3: Add Text. Make sure to center it.

Step 4: Save to your desktop. 

Step 5: Print out!

Optional Step 6: The side of the binder. (Still using picmonkey.com)

Step 7: Have a transparent background. 

Step 8: Choose the rectangular overlay and switch how it lays.

Step 9: Add your text

Step 10: Save and print! 

Some other prints that would look great as binder covers: 

via

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