Back To University Goals Revisited

I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but tomorrow I start my final year of university. MY FINAL YEAR! I really don't know where the time has gone, and I just know this year is going to go just as fast, if not faster than the previous two years combined. This time last year I set myself a few goals for what I wanted to achieve over my second year, and seeing as I start back tomorrow I thought this be the perfect time to reflect on my progress and set myself some more goals for the year ahead. Last year the majority of my goals focused around being more prepared for assignments, and not spending all my money on ASOS. I can honestly say that I achieved all of last years goals (even if I wasn't as successful with the ASOS one); I started all my assignments in good time, I started revising for my exams months in advance, and I looked a lot less homeless and didn't turn up to any of my lecturers with sopping wet hair. As for this year, I want to set some serious goals because the level of my success determines whether I graduate with a First or with a 2:1. 

Keep organised // I mentioned last year that I wanted to be more organised and I'd really like to carry this through into this year. It's amazing how more productive you can be if you actually know what you're supposed to be doing. I've repurchased the Busy B academic diary, and I'm ridiculously excited to write in all my assignments and things as it helped keep me nice and organised last year! 

Take breaks // Remember at the start of this year when I took a break from blogging? Well that was all due to the stress caused from my first semester back last year. As the year went on I found ways to cope with my stress, and I've learnt the hard way that it is important to take regular breaks. I need to remember this for the year ahead as I have a feeling that this is going to be the most stressful year of my life! #bringiton

Remember the end goal // Since I was first introduced to the idea of going to university I have wanted to graduate with a First class degree. I managed to get through first year with a good 2:1 without even trying (ok there was some trying), and last year I averaged at 68.5% which was 4% higher than the year before. As long as I try my hardest this year and pull out all the stops, I am in with a serious chance of scraping through university with a First class honours degree!

Statistics // Last year I developed some sort of crazy understanding of statistics and it made my life so much easier (hello 95% in my statistics exam)! I hope to be able to keep this up because I'll need that knowledge for my major research project!! So my plan is to keep on top of all my recommended reading because I have definitely noticed the benefits to actually doing it. 

Eat well & exercise // My university geniusly added a Starbucks near the main entrance last year, and sometimes it was just too hard to resist a venti hot chocolate with cream. And although I usually workout most mornings before uni, I felt quite guilty for the amount of times I got a Starbucks just for the sake of getting one. So for this year I plan to carry on exercising regularly (once my ankle permits obvs), and to maybe get back on track with my 'diet'. 

Have you got any goals for the year ahead?

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A Beauty Detox Revisited

Around the same time last year I shared with you my tips on how to give your beauty collection a little clear out (here), and so many of you really seemed to relate to the post as I got tons of tweets telling me you were going to have a spring clean! When the winter season starts transitioning into spring, I religiously have a big clearout. My wardrobe has a big sort through, I clear out all unnecessary tat, I even review who I follow on social media as I simply don't have the time for annoying or negative people in my life (*goodbye to the girl who I spoke to for approximately 30 seconds during freshers week and have never seen again*) - I basically just like to take the time to declutter my entire life. SO! I thought I'd do a slightly updated version of what I told you last year and share with you some quick tips on how to declutter!

Pull everything out of one drawer/cupboard. The only way to assess the situation, is to take one drawer out at a time and empty the contents onto the floor. There is no point getting all of your possessions out at once as you will just get overwhelmed and give up before you've even started. The best thing to do is to have a little sort the things from the drawer and divide into three separate piles. One of things that should actually go in that particular drawer, one of things that belong in another places, and one of stuff to get rid of/donate/sell. Do a quick (or thorough if you have the time) clean of the drawer and put the things that should go in that particular drawer back in. 

Put a load in your car to take to charity/take rubbish outside. If you’ve bagged up a fair amount of stuff to go out, chances are it's starting to take over an area of your room. So take a couple of minutes to take the stuff out to the car so when you are next going out, you can drop it off and get rid of it. By doing this you will have more space to carry on clearing out, and it will stop you rummaging through stuff and changing your mind!

Pick up 10 things, and find a place for them. These should be things that you actually use, but that you just put down because you don't have the time to put them away properly. Like when you are doing your makeup on a morning and you leave your products tipped out on the bed because you have to dash off to catch the train. If you don’t actually have a place where these things belong, you have to find and designate a spot for them. Having a place for everything makes you much more likely to put something away after you've finished using it - trust me!

Clear everything off a surface. For example a bedside table, is there a mug from last night's cup of tea? Clear off everything possible, except maybe one or two essential things like a candle or your lamp - give the surface a quick clean, and arrange it nicely. While you're at it you can even give the ornaments a quick clean too!

Look at each item individually and decide whether or not you need it. Looking at each thing one at a time makes you more likely to make a better decision when deciding whether you want to keep it or not. With each item, ask yourself whether or not you actually need it - and if not give it away to charity or someone who will make proper use out of it!

Will you be having a spring clearout this year?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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