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!

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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

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