Advice For Starting College | Back To School

Recently it was suggested by one of my lovely readers that I should do an advice post on college. Seeing as most people are going back this week or next I thought I'd get this up to prepare anyone or give them peace of mind about their college experience.

There are lots of options when you leave school and lots of paths you can take, this could be sixth form, college, an apprenticeship or working full-time. As I've already mentioned here I will be focusing on college as that's where I went, however this could also cover sixth form too.

I remember a few years ago when I was coming to the end of high school wondering what the next step in my life would be. At the time I didn't want to go to college or uni so it was either work full-time or find an apprenticeship, but in my head finding a full-time job wasn't really an option for me. I spent ages looking for an apprenticeship during my last year of high school- I knew I wanted to work with children but finding an apprenticeship in my area was proven almost impossible. Instead I applied to college to do a course in Childcare and Education where as all my friends and most people in my year were doing A Levels at sixth form or college.

For some reason I was under the impression that doing a vocational course was a cop out as not many people in my year were doing them, it made me feel like I wasn't intelligent enough for A Levels or university. I have no idea why I felt like that but I was most definitely wrong. My course was equivalent to 3 or maybe even 4 A Levels, the level and amount of work was equivalent- not to scare you off. 

There are so many  benefits when doing a course, especially if its something you'd like to continue in the future. For example you're treated like an adult so you gain so much more independence which could prepare you for uni if you wanted to go. Usually the week is split by doing work placements which enables you to gather a real feel of what it's like to work when you qualify and you'll gain weeks and weeks worth of experience which employers will like!

Of course, college isn't for everyone but whatever you choose is best for you will still be beneficial. Do not choose something you don't enjoy just to be with your friends, it's likely that the majority of the time you'll have to work independently and you won't do as well if it's a subject you don't like. Also do not do something to please somebody else, if your parents/teachers want you to do A Levels or certain subjects but you're not keen- please yourself, not them!

If you've chosen to go to college to complete a course it is likely that you won't know anybody in your class. I know how daunting this feels as I was in the same boat but this is a great opportunity to make more friends aside from your school friends. My first day started with ice breaker sessions, you know the typical discuss yourself with a partner then feedback to the group about the other person. Just a warning, this is probably not a good time to spill about the celebrities you fan girl over as you might, just might sound a little weird. (Yes 16 year old self, I'm sure you'll marry Olly Murs one day...not!) 

Talk to people, just say hi! Do not do what I did on the first day and isolate yourself from others by sitting alone and texting your mother and friends about how much you hate college, already.

I must admit, for a week or two I dreaded going to college to the point where I would tear up whilst getting ready. I knew I had to stick it out a little longer to give myself chance to actually start to enjoy it so I did. However, if you really don't like the course or subjects you're doing then I know most colleges have a month or so period where you can change that(providing there are spaces in the other classes). Personally, I didn't like college not the course I was doing so I stuck it out and two years later I've came out a qualified Childcare Practitioner. 

I thought I'd share some next steps once qualified. You could either find full-time work relating to your course, work for agencies (supply work), go onto the next level of your course at college or going to uni. 

So like I said earlier, there are so many options and paths you could take to get to where you want to be so don't stress too much and enjoy being in education while you can!

♥   ♥   ♥

BUDGET BEAUTY | BACK TO SCHOOL!

As back to school is looming, I thought I'd join in with the Back To School blog posts and videos. Although I am not going back to school, college or uni this year, I still thought I would share with you some affordable pieces from the drugstore that you could wear to school when in a rush.










First up is this Botanics Beauty Balm. This has no colour to it like a lot of the others you will find in Boots or Superdrug but this is quick and easy to use when you're in a rush, it's laminating to make you look lit from within and awake. This would've been right up my street when I was in school as I found foundation was just too much of a hassle.








As I've mentioned foundation can be too much of a faff early morning when you're in a rush. So instead, the concealer will be giving the coverage you may need for pesky blemishes or those dark bags under your eyes from staying up too late. I love both these concealers as they're both high coverage so will cover pretty much anything on your face. The Collection Lasting Perfection concealer is probably easier to use as you can dab it straight on and it blends quickly, however you'll have to work at the Seventeen Phwoarr Paint a little more as it's a cream concealer. As I said I love both and they're both around the £4-5 mark, so you could use whichever you prefer.








Again, as we skipped foundation, I would use a bronzer to warm the face up a little more. This is actually an MUA Pressed Powder bought in a few shades darker than my skin tone to be used as a bronzer so it is actually matte. This will not only set your makeup in place but will give you a little more colour to avoid looking like a zombie, you know as you've probably just rolled out of bed 15 mins before school starts. 




Another product you could use to make you look more alive is blush. I've chosen the Sleek Blush in Rose Gold which is a gorgeous coral shade with flecks of shimmer. With a light hand this will give a lovely flush and also add radiance to the face seeing as it has a light shimmer running through.








Next is mascara. When I was at school and I couldn't be bothered to do the rest of my makeup, I'd give my lashes a quick flick of mascara to make me look much more awake and put together. Again, I've chosen two here. The Maybelline One By One is in Brownish Black which will look more natural for school. The Collection Lengthening Mascara is a little more affordable but both are amazing for creating length and I love fluttery lashes as they look so natural and pretty.








In Year 10 and 11 was when I started to do my eyebrows, and boy were they horrific. I wish I left them alone and just used something like this Maybelline Brow Drama to give them a little colour, set them in place and make my whole look more put together. This is around to £5 mark but instead you could use a clear mascara, although it won't add any colour it will set them in place all day and you can pick them up for about £2. 








To complete the look I'd opt for this Babylips in Pink Punch. I didn't understand the hype when these were raved about a few years back, but I think these would be ideal for school as they're moisturising and add a little colour to the lips. 




I forgot to take a picture of the complete look but this is super natural so I'm sure you'll be able to get away with it if you're not supposed to wear makeup to school. This only took me about five minutes so would be ideal for those mornings you've overslept and are rushing for school- we've all been there!




WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL BEAUTY ESSENTIALS?




♥   ♥   ♥

Stationary Haul | Back to School

Hello!
I've always loved stationary so there's no surprise that when shopping for 'Back to School' I got a little excited. Usually I would go a little crazy and purchase stationary that I didn't necessarily need but thought was cute so in the basket it went, but not this time! This time I picked up bits i'm almost certain i'll use, although I may need to go back for a few more bits as i'm not entirely sure what and how many files i'll need for the different areas within my course. So here's what I picked up...

I popped into Wilko as they usually have a good range of stationary, the basics and pretty ones at affordable prices. I wasn't overly impressed by the range of 'pretty' stationary as it just wasn't to my taste but I did pick up the basics which i'm more than delighted with the prices!

HERE

First up is this dark pink ring binder file, which i'm sure i'll use or it's just handy to have in case you may need a file when you least expect it. They had this file in a few colours, pink, white, black and I think blue, so will pretty much suit anybodies taste and at 50p you can't go wrong can you? This is the only file I purchased as I said, I'm not sure how many i'll need but i'll definitely be picking up some more of these. 

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I'm almost sure you can't go supplies shopping without picking up paper, unless your school provides it of course! So into my basket went this Wilko A5 Project Notebook, with 3 dividers for different subjects or areas of your work. I picked up this as it was a bargain at £1.85 and was handy to have to take down my own personal notes in college of what I think may help me, rather than what I've been asked to take down.

HERE

Now this wasn't from Wilko as I couldn't find it in there, but I bought an nu: Craze A4 Notebook from B&M bargains at £1.99. I picked this notebook in particular as it has good quality paper to write on. Does anyone else feel like they write better when the paper is of a better quality? Yeah, I definitely fit into that category of people! This will be used to take down the notes I am asked to that will go into one of my files or portfolio's. 

HERE

That pen though...

Of course, you need something to write with! So yes, I have a favourite pen that were on offer when I went stationary shopping, score! These Zebra Z-Grip Ballpoint pens were sold in a pack of 5 for only £1.25, they're so nice to write with and are comfortable too when making lengthy notes as they have the cushion grip, so at £1.25 into my basket they went! Also they're black, my preferred colour to write in.

HERE

The last item from Wilko is this rubber, yes it has a little dog on it- haha! I didn't pick this up for the dog, I was in need of a rubber for my pencil case and this was the cheapest at 35p and one of the biggest there. I must admit they had another one with a floral design which I would have preferred but this was cheaper so why not?

Last but not least were from a small shop that pretty much sold everything! Just a packet of 5x highlighters for £1, very affordable and perfect for highlighting important notes taken, i'm just hoping they won't run out too quickly but for only £1, I can't complain.

That's it for my stationary haul, like I said I didn't go as crazy as I usually would so here are just the essentials that I think are a need for anybody in the last years of secondary school or starting college. I'm sure that i'll be popping back to Wilko or a local supermarket when I have a full list of stationary that I actually do need once I start back at college. Like I said in my previous Back to School post, here- I hope all of you have a great start to the year whether you're starting high school, GCSE years, college or uni and enjoy what you're doing!

Until next time,

Amy X

Thoughts and Opinions | Back to School

Hello!

As much as I love Autumn, I think the very beginning is the worst time of the year, back to school.

It's that time of year again, that i'm sure the majority of students dread. Just like I am! With September just around the corner I thought i'd get up a couple of 'Back to School' related posts, here's the first on my thoughts on going back to college.

Here in the UK, well mostly England and Wales tend to go back during the first week of September- I go back on a Friday, what!? This will be for induction day. I'm slightly confused as to why being in my second year of college on the same course I have to have an induction, but i'm sure they've got their reasons. 

If you're starting college this year and are unsure what to expect from your induction day, i'm sure most colleges or sixth forms tend to do similar things including, meeting your tutor or lecturers for the subject or course you have chosen, meeting your course members which usually contains a 'get to know you' session. If this sounds very daunting(like it did to me) then believe me it will be absolutely fine, the majority of your class members will be in the same situation, not really knowing anybody and thinking what the blinkers can I say about myself!? Just be yourself, state your interests or something that you've done that has stood out in your life, believe you me, you can't do any worse than I did. I admitted to my class meeting Olly Murs twice and sounded like the ultimate stalker.. damn it! Although it didn't seem to affect people interacting with me, so don't worry! 

Anyway, onto the rest of what induction days tend to consist of, receiving your time table, going through the basics of the course including what to expect and what will be expected from you(e.g. the stationary and time you'll have to provide for yourself) and finally if you're new to the place of learning, a tour- the excitement of finding out where the fire exits and toilets are! I was thrilled by this, not..

There's one thing I should definitely point out to you, don't feel disheartened if you're first day doesn't go great or it's not what you expected- stick it out and things will get better through out the following weeks when you're more familiar with the course, the area and your class mates. This comes from experience as after the first day I was adamant I was not going back and in fact nearly left on the break, though I stuck it out as I knew it could only get better and I didn't want to disappoint myself or my parents. And that I was right, it did get better!

As I've mentioned, i'll be entering my second and may even be last year of college or education!? This is definitely more daunting than starting college for me as it means i'll have to really think seriously about what I want to do next. I am constantly questioning myself, do I really want to work with children? Should I try something different? Should I go to Uni and do I actually want to go to Uni? What about a gap year? Yet none of these have answers, just possibilities..
I'm constantly battling with 'going to Uni to improve my opportunities in the area of work I think I want to go into', 'Am I cut out for Uni, Intellectually, Emotionally and Physically(probably not)', 'Being stuck in a 9-5 or worse job for whats considered poor pay?' I really do not know. 

I am not going to turn this post into a rant, i'm just trying to get across that you should always give something a try, never give up, enjoy what you're doing and most importantly make sensible decisions, whether they're right or wrong just remember that they felt right at the time!

I'm sorry if this post got cut a little short, I was just unsure what to say without turning this into a rant or with no real direction of where I was going with this.

Anyway, enjoy(well as much as you can) your first day back at school, college, uni whatever! And Good Luck to those who are starting somewhere new in their education!

That's all for now,

Amy X

Source: here

Where I've Been | South Devon

Hello! 
You may have worked out from my previous posts that I've been away and my last 2 posts were scheduled. Here i'm going to tell you a little of what I got up to, i'll try to be short and sweet but we know I like to babble. Last Saturday I set off to where I thought we were staying in Plymouth, but actually we stayed near in Dawlish which was absolutely lovely and I'm so glad we did.

The first day was spent in Dawlish itself where we had breakfast, then visited the small independent shops and walked the beach, it was lovely and so was the weather- I was in my element! Sun, shopping and being near the beach.

Comfy travel outfit, with the pebbles beneath my feet.

Selfie with my mother who indeed doesn't look too impressed and sporting my double or rather triple chin.

Cute little boats.

The sea, glistening.

On the Sunday we decided to visit the town called Torquay, it was gorgeous but looked like such an expensive place to stay or live! We spent the day shopping, of course I spotted the Primark! I picked up a couple of items that I'll show in a future haul i'm sure. Next we set off to play pitch and putt, and i'll hold my hand up and admit it, I am definitely not a budding golfer.

Clearly displaying I know not a thing about golf.

Monday was more of a animal packed day, it would be an understatement to say I was excited as we were to be visiting Plymouth, the place where i'm thinking about going to Uni. We went to the National Aquarium, apparently the best within the UK, so that's a reason to get pretty excited right? Then followed by walking around the harbor side town and treating ourselves to the ice cream van, a typical British thing right?

A pretty fancy backdrop for a photo right?

Of course, I had to take a photo of the Nemo's!

A rather 'hipster' looking ice lolly.

We next traveled to Dartmoor Zoo which we in fact have visited before, the Zoo was fantastic the first time we went as we hadn't seen the animals before but this time was rather short as we had seen it all before, I did however manage to see the bear this time which was hiding last time!

Next was another day of my family being typical tourist's in Exeter. I fell in love with Exeter town, it had such amazing independent sellers as well as larger more national stores. Again I found the Primark, and other stores that I already have in my town but I couldn't resist not having a browse! We were getting a little peckish and found the coolest, oh gosh I do not sound cool saying that. But we found a Cafe that appealed to me a lot, vintage! I believe it was called 'The Real McCoy' but I can't be for sure, it was a cafe combined vintage store. I found the sofa and the fashion book to accompany my milkshake!

Ideal short break, music, chocolate milkshake(probably the best I've had) and a fashion book that I may have to purchase myself!

Wednesday was purely for my mothers love, donkeys! We traveled a little further than we usually would to see a load of Donkeys, I have to admit I didn't mind at all! They were so lovely, I even came away with my own(not a real one, I wish!) but a teddy and an adopted one! My father gifted my mum with a donkey, how sweet! It was a Poitou Donkey, with large ears a shaggy coat who likes to be cuddled called Aramis, adorable. 

Again we visited the beach, this was in Sidmouth and I found my favourite coloured beach huts!

I didn't take any photos on Thursday which i'm kind of gutted about as I loved this town so much too! Teignmouth! Teignmouth has amazing independent shops with such gorgeous furniture, every time I've been I've had to come away not purchasing any as it wouldn't fit in the car, weeping! Although I did get my palm read on an arcade machine which shoots cards out at random but I as always, I couldn't resist. 

The last day was Friday as we traveled back on the Saturday, I have holiday blues even though I wasn't abroad but just love Dawlish so much! Spontaneously we went for a little drive, we found a nature reserve which I was not too impressed by, although we walked for about 10 minutes with me complaining as we were surrounded by fields and cows, I regret it. We came out to such a lovely canal and little pub, we had a drink and noticed there was a boat we could catch to another town, on we hopped and spent about an hour or 2 in Topsham, although there was very little there it was a beautiful area to spend the last day!

Orangina in the sun! 

How very nautical for a boat ride.

The Exe Estuary boat trip to Topsham.

So there's the quickest round up possible for me to let you know where I've been and what I got up to, I loved Dawlish as always and definitely wouldn't hesitate to visit again although I do hope my next get away will be abroad! 
Look out for my next posts that'll be back to school related, or rather back to college related as i'm going into my final year at college!

See you next time,

Amy X