How to Prepare for Second Semester

Second semester is approaching and I'm really on the fence about wanting to go back or staying at home. Nevertheless, like any good collegiate should, it's time to start preparing for second semester. I have a few things that I like to do before I start a new semester or especially a new year. Here is what I like to do:

Relax// Before next semester relax and get as much rest beforehand as possible. We all know how college is, you say you're going to go to bed at midnight. But Netflix is saying "One more episode.." Or you have that 3-page paper that you've procrastinated on. Whatever it is, we know you're not going to be getting the full eight hours of sleep needed. So take the time now to

Pamper Yourself// Paint your nails, get your hair done, do your favorite face mask, shave your legs, have a spa day just before you go back to pamper yourself. You'll feel and look great and refreshed when you arrive back to school. I always like to do this and I feel so confident and refreshed right before going back to school. I've made a couple of posts on how to have the perfect back to school spa day linked below.

• How to Have the Perfect Spa Day Before You Go Back To School (2016)
• How to Have the Perfect Spa Day (2015)

Or follow me on Instagram stories and Twitter because I usually document my spa day. I'll be doing it this Sunday the 9th.

Clean Out Your Bookbag// This is kind of obvious, but clean out your book bag from last semester. All of your folders and binders need to be cleaned out and ready to go for next semester. Test all of your pens and highlighters also, because I'm sure there are many that don't work. And if you suffer from the "I had 37 pens and pencils before the semester started and now I only have a half of pencil" disease, replenish your book bag now so you're ready!

Set Up Your Computer Folders// As most of you already do or should, you have designated folders for each year, semester, and class. Make sure your folders are already set up for next semesters new projects, papers and of course syllabi.

Read and Print Syllabi// This one is also obvious. Make sure you know what you're getting yourself into when you walk into class on the first day. Most professors go over their syllabi on the first day anyway, but it's better to walk into class and know what's supposed to be happening.

Write in Your Planner// Before you head to school, probably Monday, I would write down test and assignment dates in your planner so when you head into Syllabus day when your professor goes over it, you can make notes or changes.

What do you do to get ready for the next semester?

How to Be Productive Over Winter Break from College

Finals for most people are over with and I know a lot of people are so thankful and ready to be done. I am definitely one of those people. After I finished my last final I went home and laid down for about a full day. But then the next day I got up and I got back to work. I had a ton of work for my freelance job to do and I wanted to post a blog post. As much as I wanted to just veg, I had to get things done to keep my life in order. It's so tempting to just not want to do anything over break and just watch Christmas movies and lay on the couch. But it's important not to do that and to keep being productive over winter break so that you can easily move back into the flow of things when second semester starts. How can you do that?

1 - Make a list// There are always things I want/need to do that I think of during the semester but I just don't time for. I need to create an Interior Design professional portfolio, update my resume, and clean out the closet in my office but I just have not had time. I'm going to start tackling these tasks during the break. If you have tasks like that, now is the time to get it done!

2 - Put the items on your list into your planner// Now that you know what you need to do, space these items out so that you can do them, but you're not feeling any stress trying to get them done.

3 - Write down fun things// This is the most wonderful time of the year! Go ice skating, go see the new Star Wars movie, go Christmas shopping for your loved ones. But do something that you love. You don't have to be all business all the time. If there are some Christmassy things you want to do, write them down too!

4 - Dedicate time every day to get things done// For me, it's in the morning/early afternoon. I have my cup of coffee and watch "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" in the morning on the couch and then I move into "my office" to get started on my freelance job, working on my blog and any other odds and ends. I do it in the morning so that I have the rest of the day to do yoga, workout, take Koda on a walk, hang out with Kayla, etc. What time is best for you?

5 - Take Time If You Need It// While it is smart to keep grinding even when you're not in school, if you feel like you're getting burned out, definitely take time if you need it. Don't keep pushing to get stuff done and check things off of your list if you feel that you can't do it.


How do you stay productive over break?

How to Manage School, Work, Exams and a Social Life During Finals

It's that time of the year. From this moment on, every single moment of my day (and I'm sure many people) is jam packed with so many things. I have my final tests this week, wrapping up my final project for Interior Design, never ending blog work and I work about 15-25 hours a week. It feels like I'm going not going to be able to get all of the necessary stuff done like exams and work. So how am I supposed to fit in showering, eating and washing clothes and dishes? I am going to show you how I manage to fit (almost) everything in my days.

Plan it out// Obviously. That's my advice for everything. Write everything down. Kayla laughs at me because I literally write "shower" down in my planner. And I plan during which part of my day I'm going to shower. If I don't write it down, chances are, it's probably not going to get done. I have a notebook just for to-do lists. I have everything written down by class that I need to do for each of my finals. It's about as detailed as I can get! 

Plan your day out the night before// This goes along with the first one. Before you go to bed at night, write your to-do list and schedule out the night before so when you wake up in the morning you can get right to it. You won't have to spend those extra seconds trying to think about what you need to do.

Take Breaks// I get in horrible, horrible habits where I think that taking breaks is a waste of time. It's not. My brain turns to mush when I focus on one task for too long. Or don't stop studying or doing whatever it is I'm doing after about an hour. So I like to take a minute to walk around, stretch, do some yoga, or most likely play on my phone.

Use study breaks for other productive tasks// If "shower" is on your to-do list use your study break as shower time. Or dish or laundry time. Is that the most fun way you can spend your few minutes of freedom? Probably not. But, you'll be able to check off your to-do list in no time!

Don't over do it// Get what you need to get done, and don't stress about the rest. You only have 24 hours in a day, and you don't want to spend 20 of them stressing over stuff that doesn't matter. Study for your tests, get your assignments done, and do your work. But you can only do so much and you need to realize that. A 4.0 GPA is not worth horrible mental and physical health.

Make it a group effort// Study and do work with your friends! My friends and I had SO much fun doing it together last year! We would spend hours in the study room with a ton of snacks and an insane amount of coffee or we would sit in the dining hall for endless snacks. It's the best way to get stuff done and still have fun while doing it.

What do you do to be able to manage everything? 

How to Juggle Work and School Effectively

Last year I really had to learn how to prioritize my time when I was working and going to school. It's not easy going to class, then working and getting off at 6pm to just go home and clean, study and do homework. However, it's important. Having a job is a necessity, and if you're in school it needs to be a huge priority as well.

Spend time planning
One of the biggest things that helped me was to spend 10-15 minutes in the morning planning out what I needed to do. I usually got to class early to be able to do this. In the morning I have a little more clarity on what exactly I need to do that day and what I can realistically do. I incorporate both the must dos and the things that are on my master list to fit what I can in my day. If you have a daily planner, it's a lot easier to do. You can write exactly when you're going to do what and you can block off time. However, if you don't have a daily planner, you can do similar things such as writing "1-1:50pm - class", "2-2:30pm  - ride bus", 3-4:30pm - rewrite notes and go over class materials" in your notebook or planner. If you plan your day out to the hour, it will be harder to avoid doing something.

I also recommend each night going over your planner and to do list to make sure you did everything you needed to do and get a clearer vision of what you need to do the next day.

Set aside time for studying
I was seriously terrible at this. For months I got off of work and I didn't want to do anything. I did what was absolutely necessary and nothing more. Not surprisingly, I got a little behind and I have my GPA to show for that. However, I plan on spending 2-3 hours each night going over class notes and studying to really get the grades I want.

Be honest with your employer
It might just be my boss, but I assume most employers would be understanding, but if I tell him I have a huge test, he will either let me go early or study at the store. He understands that school comes first and he wants me to get the education I deserve. So I recommend telling your boss that hey, I need an hour between class and when I go to work. Or I can't work on Sunday nights because that's when I get my best studying done. Also make sure that when it's exam time, you let your job know ahead of time that you can't work a day before or during that time.

Prioritize Relaxing Time
I went weeks and weeks without ever taking a moment for myself. Showers were rushed, meals were rushed, I didn't pick up a book for pleasure in months. I am making a promise to myself for that NOT to happen this year. I was unhappy all of the time and I really think taking some time out to do something that didn't feel like work (so not blogging) would have helped me be a little happier.

How do you juggle school and work?

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How to Organize Your Notes, Notebooks, Planners, Color Codes, and other Supplies You'll Need for College

Every Monday for the next few weeks I'm going to be talking about getting ready for school. This week, I'm going to be discussing the supplies that I always get for school and how I really organize my notes and supplies. After four semesters of college I've finally figured out a system of how I organize my stuff, take notes, and plan. Next week, I'll dive deeper into my planning system when I am in school. 

Notebook

I discovered these Staples' Access notebooks last year and I'm obsessed. Seriously everything is included and it's only $8 for a 5 subject notebook. In the front there is a folder for various things, I keep extra loose leaf paper in here sometimes. There's page tabs, a ruler and even a calendar! I keep important dates here so that if I'm in class I don't have to dig out my planner, it's all right in the notebook I'm already writing in. 

I got the five subject notebook because I have five classes. There's a folder for each section where I keep the syllabus and calendar for each class. On the first page of the section I write the subject in the color and put and page tab so I know exactly what class it is. 

Folders and Writing Utensils

My first semester/year for school I tried to use a binder with dividers because I read that was the best way to organize stuff. But, as the semester went on, some teachers wouldn't punch holes in their pages and I got super lazy and didn't want to do it myself. So I found out that folders are the best option. After I write my notes during class in my notebook, I rewrite them and put them in these folders. Also, any handouts go in here as well. 

Also as you can see, everything is super color coded. I have stickies that correspond to each class/job and when I have to make a note of something super quick I just write it on there, and either it goes in my planner or up on my wall with my calendar (below). 

I also have a highlighter, pen, and Stabilo (like a sharpie) pen for each class. Class notes will be written in black and for important items when I'm writing notes will be written with the color of the class' pen. The sharpie pen is used for my planner and when I rewrite my notes. 

Pencil Holder

I got this pencil holder at Target for $5! Seriously, $5! I keep everything in here, my highlighters, pens, pencils, index cards, page tabs and some stickies. It's convenient for class and studying and it's super cute. And these are the sharpie like pens that I use for my planner and for rewriting notes. 

Planning 

Like I said, next week I will dive deeper into how I plan during the school year, but here's some supplies to get you started. I am a little excessive when it comes to planning and to-do lists. I have a planner, a small notebook and a to-do list pad. In my planner I write an overview of what is going on that day, like 

• Class 11:00-11:50am
• Work 1-6pm
• Workout 7-8pm

And so on. I also write important things that I need to do like "work on paper" or Test @ 1pm. In the smaller notebook I write a complete to-do list for that day. I also have a running list of tasks that will need to happen throughout the week that don't necessarily have a due date but still need to be done on the to-do list pad. 

Extras

Here's some extra supplies I keep around either in my book bag or at my desk.

• Mini stapler
• Calculator
• Index cards
• Eraser
• Hand Sanitizer
• Glue
• Scissors

This is just some of the things that keep me going during the school year to keep me organized and alive. Plus about 6 cups of coffee a day.

How do you organize during the school year?

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Making a Clean Slate: Cleaning Before You Go Back To School

Yep, I'm still going to be talking about going back to school. I know you're probably wanting me to shut up so you can go back to enjoying your summer without thinking about going to back to school. But trust me, there's no better time to get ready for back to school. If you start getting ready right now, you won't be as stressed when it's like a week before. So today we're going to talk about cleaning before you go back to school. It's important. If you're like me, you haven't touched your backpack since last semester, and I totally don't blame you. I threw mine in a closet as soon as finals were done and I haven't looked at it since. But it's that time where you need to get everything together so that you can be organized for back to school!

Backpack
Like I said, getting your book-bag/backpack, whatever you call it, in order is going to save you a lot of time the day before or the morning of. Make sure to clean out all of the pockets and if necessary, take out a vacuum and vacuum the crumbs out! (Don't lie, I know you have some!) It will feel great getting all of those old to-do lists and scraps of paper out and restocking it with your new notebooks and folders!

Email
One of the things that is super important when you go back to school is email. This is where you get your first emails from your professors about the first day of class, with your syllabus' and where you get updates throughout the year. But one thing you should do is delete your old emails from last semester. If you don't feel comfortable completely deleting them, move them to a folder called "Old Emails" or something. You most likely won't need them and getting your inbox to 0 will be great! Also, unsubscribing to emails that you no longer want to receive is a good place to start.

House
Before I go back to school I have this whole list of things I want to clean. Because I know I'm not going to want to do anything once I start school. So before you go back spend a day cleaning everything in sight. Vacuum, sweep, wash your clothes, wipe down everything, make sure the dishes are done, and just get everything organized. You'll feel good and clean once it's done and you'll feel great once you come back from class and you have a clean house!

Your Mind
Most importantly, relax before you go back. Spend a day just doing whatever you want to do. Take a shower, read a book, paint your nails, get some feelings out in your journal. Do what will calm you down and make you feel relaxed. Whether it's go for a run or go do some shopping for new clothes, apartment or dorm decorations, and some school supplies. Get in the right state before you go back to school and you won't regret it!

What else do you think needs to get a clean state before you go back to school?

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How to Have Optimal Productivity Using Your Planner

One thing I'm really good at is planning and organizing. All of my friends are always telling me "Ally you're so organized". Which, I am. But I really work for it. At the beginning of the week I spend about 20-30 minutes going over the next week and making sure I know exactly what I have to do. Each day, usually in the morning, I spend about 10 minutes going into more detail and really figuring out what I need to do. During the school year I write when my breaks are, what I'm doing during my breaks, what homework I need to do when I go home and any of the other things that pop up throughout the day.

This summer, I've come up with a system that I really like, and that I will continue to use through the semester. I'll show you how I manage to work, go to school and have a social life, and how you can too.

The first thing you need to do is go out and buy a planner. But, I'm sure you already have one :) If you don't know what to get, a while back I wrote a post on the pros and cons of the Lilly planner (a weekly/monthly planner) vs. a Day Designer (a daily/monthly planner). I loved loved loved the Day Designer. I really did. I was super busy last semester, which I think I will be this semester as well. So I think I will miss having the hour-by-hour planning. However, I like the system I have set up because I can get really detailed.

Side note: you definitely need to color code. Each class, each job, each activity a different color. Sharpie has a pack of 10 highlighters for around $9. 

 

(White spaces are where I blocked out upcoming blog posts)

When you first get your planner and your syllabi (if you're still in school) write every test, every important date in your planner. No matter if you decide to get a daily or weekly planner, I recommend spending a few minutes each morning going over what you need to do and write it down. This is where you can write your class times and general things you need to do for the day. 

I have a separate little notebook where I have this. On one page I have some daily tasks that I want to do. If you have things that you want to do everyday but you have a hard time getting things done, for me it's take my medicine and wash my face, this is a great thing to do. Each week, you can make a new sheet. Another thing I do is write a list of goals or things I need to get done that week as well. That way I have a clear view of what I need to do. On the next few pages for the week, I write my to-do lists like above. This is where I get really detailed. Where in my planner I write "clean", here I write:

• Floors
• Counters
• Clutter
• Dishes

As far as school goes, in your planner write "Start on paper", however, on your separate to-do list you can write:

• Start paper
• Make outline 
• Do research 
• Write first two paragraphs 

I have found that when it comes to weekly planners, they can get filled up fast, this helps you get the best of both worlds, an overview and a detailed view. Plus, my planner is pretty big, about the size of a sheet of paper. The notebook for my to-do lists is a lot smaller and a lot easier to throw in my bag or travel with if I need to. 

This is what the wall on the left side of my desk looks like. I got this calendar at Target. This helps me get a good look for the month without having to get my planner out or turning the page if I'm looking at the week already. Below are sticky notes (color coded with my jobs, blog, etc.) of things I need to do and other lists I jotted down while working. Beside I have a sheet of my goals for the summer (going to be the semester) and a list of my color coding key.

All of this comes together so you can be as productive as possible. So that you can accomplish all that you need and want to accomplish. For me, I want to get through school (and this semester my goal is to bring my GPA back up after doing pretty horrible in Math both last semester and this summer) while spending time with Kayla and Koda.

What are your goals that you want to achieve and how are you going to get there? 

What are your tips to have the most productivity?

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Back to School - All the Information You Collegiate's Need

When I was going to college my freshman year. This is exactly the post I wish I would have seen. I actually even sent this post to my sister a couple of weeks ago because she asked me about school supplies. College is scary (until you get there). I've broken this post down into three parts; before you get there, once you're there, and studying tips. This is the ultimate guide to college. Whether you're a Freshman, or even a Senior, you will find something in here for you!

So I am about to throw SO MUCH information at you. Way more than you can probably even get through. But honestly, if you take the time to get through all of this information, you will NOT be sorry! I've pretty much covered almost every college related topic possible. And there's even more coming!

Before You Get There:
Before College Cleaning
Dorm Supplies
The Ultimate College Packing List
Pre-College Worries
Best College Advice From Bloggers
Starting Over
How To Prepare for Second Semester (or the first)
What I Learned My Freshman Year of College
What I Wish I Knew as a Freshman
Getting Ready for School
Making a Clean Slate: Cleaning Before You Go Back to School (NEW!!)

Once You're There:
Ten Minute Morning
My Dorm Room Freshman Year
My First Week In College
Tips for Yoga in Your Dorm Room
Elements for a Quick Morning
Relaxation Box
Things We Should Know Before Becoming Adults
How I Tame My Frizz
Freshman Year Bucket List
Sophomore Year Bucket List
How to Succeed in College
First Week Outfits
Easy Dorm Meals 
Dorm Room Sophomore Year
First Week Back
Walking to Class Playlist 
Tailgating Necessities

School, School Supplies and Finals:
Should You Write Or Type?
Cute Notebooks
Finals and Studying Tips
Perfect Studying Stations on Pandora
How I Study for Finals
Study Break Ideas
Office and School Supplies Favorites
Finals Cheat Sheet
Motivating Yourself For Finals
Organizing for Finals 
Healthy Study Snacks
Lilly Pulitzer vs. Day Designer Planners
The Happy Planner
How to Manage School, Work, Exams and a Social Life during Finals
5 Last Minute Tips to Help You Ace Your Finals
How to Have Optimal Productivity Using Your Planner (NEW!!)
How to Organize Your Notes, Notebooks, Planners, Color Codes and other Supplies You Need for College (NEW!!)
How to Use Planners and Notebooks for Your Planning Advantage in College (NEW!!)

I will be updating this post throughout August and the rest of the semester with all of the new college related blog posts! So, if you want, bookmark it so you can keep coming back to this post for more tips and tricks! *You will also be able to find this post under the "college category on my navigation!


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What do you think of all of this information?

Want little snippets of my college wisdom? Follow me on Twitter for random tips that you won't find anywhere else - even on my blog (@designallyblog). Follow me on Instagram for some study or work inspiration (@designallyblog) or on snapchat: allygagliardo. 

What It's Like Having a Puppy in College

I've been wanting to write this post for a while. Ever since Kayla and I adopted Koda in August our lives have been totally different. When we would usually sit inside and watch Netflix now we're taking walks on the trails, going to the dog park and letting Koda play in the river. But it's not all fun and games. It's realllllly not. I would not trade anything over having my sweet Koda! So what is it really like having a dog/puppy in college?

Accidents
Yep. Be prepared. We adopted Koda when she was 11 weeks old, and she had some accidents in the house. She was partially house trained when we adopted her, but we knew she would make a few accidents while trying to get used to the house and going to the back yard. She had a few accidents throughout the first week, but if you pick them up quickly and take them to where ever you're planning on letting them go to the bathroom (backyard, outside on a leash, etc.) they should pick it up pretty quickly. Try not to get frustrated, because it's going to happen. And invest in some pet odor spray!

Chewing
Wow Koda was bad at chewing! She chewed on EVERYTHING when she was a baby (and still does sometimes if we're not picking up our stuff well enough). She used to follow you around and bite at your feet (she wanted the socks). I would just stand there and cry cause her tiny baby teeth seriously hurt and I often couldn't get her off! Luckily she grew out of that pretty quickly, but she still does occasionally grab something that's not hers and start chewing. Make sure to buy plenty of chews to give your puppy! We have used rawhide chips, rolls and even some of the super big and hard ones from PetCo.

Expenses
Make sure you have a lot of money saved when you get a puppy. Koda had to get a few shots and get her checkup and rabies shot soon after we first got her. The shots themselves aren't too expensive, but the vet visit (each time) is $30-40 and that really adds up. Each month, you have to get dogs/puppies heart worm medicine. When Koda was a puppy (11 pounds) it was $10-12. Now that she's a monstrous 50 pounds, it's around $18 each month just for heart worm medicine. Also monthly you will have to get flea medicine/ topical. You can buy that pretty much everywhere but make sure you're getting a credible brand. And of course you'll need to by copeous amounts of food (German Shepard puppies eat 3 cups a day, not sure about other/smaller breeds), treats, chews, toys, a collar and leash. I would also recommend a harness. Koda is big, and hard to control on a leash and when I take her for long walks on the trail, I like to put her harness on to be able to walk her better. You will also, MOST DEFINITELY, need a crate. At night and when you're gone, puppies cannot be out. They'll chew and pee on everything.

Free Time
You won't have free time, most likely. Any time we went anywhere, we would have to be back within 2-3 hours because she would have to go potty. We couldn't go out and hang out with friends for hours at a time because she would have to go outside. Also, puppies have A LOT of energy! So it's important to get them out and exercising them. So a lot of my free time is spent taking her on a walk or to the dog park. You will also have to spend lots of time training puppies. When you adopt, most don't know sit, stay, shake, roll over, etc. You do have to teach that and it takes time. It's important to always keep working with your dog, even after they're puppies to teach them new tricks.

Tricks
So more on tricks. There are a few things that I love that Koda does, and things that I want to teach her. Koda knows sit, stay, shake, lay down and crawl, she does most of those before she gets a treat, chew or her food. And she actually taught herself to jump up on the back door when she needs to go outside, so I know when I hear 50 pounds of dog being thrown against the backdoor that she needs to go outside and potty. You could also use a bell for the same purpose, and there are many tutorials on online to show how to do that. She also knows "snuggle" so when I/we say "Koda come snuggle" she runs up onto the bed and slams her body into you. (if you haven't noticed, she's not very graceful and does not realize her size). We're about to start training her on an "emergency recall word". This means that when you say a specific word (now, stat, or something random like bananas) they know to come to your side NOW! It's a great thing for when they're running into the middle of the road (it can happen), there's a fight at the dog park (happens way too often) or some other emergency. But it's SUPER important that you ONLY use that word in an emergency or you risk loosing the importance with the dog.

Love
I'm a cat person. I have two cats at home which I love with my whole heart. But when I got Koda I was not prepared for the complete and unconditional love that we get from her. Sometimes she looks at us and you can tell that she loves us so much. She loves to snuggle and she's so sweet. Recently she's begun to get protective over me. When we're home alone and there's a noise she begins to growl, if it doesn't go away in half of a second she's up and she's running to the door barking her head off. (Mind you, she doesn't EVER bark in any other situation. She's seriously silent). I'm sure you've seen the saying: "A dog is only part of your life, but to him, you're his whole life." And it's true, I can see it when it's just us three hanging out. She hates when I'm in one room and Kayla is in the other because she hates having to pick who she wants to be with. It's so sweet. And, if you get a puppy, be prepared to cry a lot when you see how much they change. Sometimes I look at her and I literally cry because I can't believe that she has grown so much!

Overall, yes I would recommend getting a dog in college. I/we say pretty much everyday that getting her was the best decision we've made. She gets us up and going, she gives us so much love, and she's made us a little family. Make sure that you're ready and can handle it, though. Make sure you have enough money and free time to handle a dog, because it is a lot of work, but it is definitely worth it!

Tell me about your pets below! Tweet me pictures of your sweet babies - @designallyblog!

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Freelancing in College: Pros and Cons

As many of you know, I am like the pro of Freelance. I currently have three freelance jobs and I love all of them. I was thinking the other day, if I had to get rid of one or two, I seriously do not know which one I would pick! It's been the best thing for me since I'm a full time student, I have Koda (who needs so much attention), and I want to have a social life! I know a lot of people are skeptical of freelancing jobs, but there are some serious, serious benefits!

Pros
Choose Your Own Hours// This is by far my favorite part of Freelancing. I can work at 6am, 10pm, 12am or whenever. Since I'm in school, my schedule of classes is pretty set. I can't really do anything during those times except during my breaks. It's super helpful for me to be able to work for a few minutes here and a few minutes there.

Work Where You Want// I love this too! You can work on your couch, you can work during class, you can work on your bed. You can work while you're watching a movie. But make sure wherever you're working, you're paying attention and still getting your work done. For a while I took advantage of the freedom, but then I wasn't able to work without being in a quiet room at a desk.

You're Your Own Boss// Going with those posts above, you really are your own boss. Granted, you still have someone to tell you what to do, but most clients are generally laid back. They tell you what to do and you get it done in your own time, efficiently, quickly and perfectly. If you don't want to work one day, you usually can take the day off with no repercussions. And with that being said...

Perfect Amount of Work// With my jobs, I have the perfect amount of work. I usually edit a few blog posts, write a couple expense reports, go to a meeting or two and write some articles. That may sound like a lot, but it usually only takes about 10 hours a week. Which when I divide it up 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there, it doesn't feel like a lot. Most clients give you a few tasks a week (except for this one job I interviewed for, it was 8 hours a day!).


Cons
Inconsistent// With that being said, it's super inconsistent. One week I can make $5, the next a couple of hundred. It really all depends on what's going on with your clients. One week you won't even hear from them, the next you have so much to do it's crazy. But that's the nature of freelance work.

Difficult to Get// Quite honestly, it's sort of difficult to get these jobs. I would just sit down and apply to about 10 a day until I got these jobs. Some applications you won't even hear back, some you'll interview and then they give it to someone else. But if you really sit down an apply to the ones you have the most experiences in, your profile/resume will speak for yourself.

I get my Freelance work from Upwork. I have had great experiences so far!

Do you do any freelance work? Do you enjoy it?

Embrace Yourself: Stop the Over-scheduling

This is one of the things I really need to work on this year. I tend to schedule out my days until there is no time left. Go to class, work, blog stuff, take Koda for a walk and to the dog park, take a shower, study, do homework. That's what my day looks like every day. But sometimes I realize that I just need to take a break and not schedule something for once. I need a break from my planner and that is what I want to do this year. But how do you stop over-scheduling?

Creative Habits
In my field, Interior Design, I have to be super creative. Overall, I'm a creative person. I'm a writer, I am an Interior Design major, and I just got a coloring book for Christmas (thanks, Kayla!) that I'm loving to color in. The brain needs time to just wander and be creative. For me, that could mean writing in my journal, sketching out some designs, or coloring in my coloring book. It can be counter productive, and honestly the exact opposite of this post, but sometimes you need to schedule creative time. Schedule in free time and do whatever you want for that block, or for the rest of the night. I like to get all of my tasks done for the day before 8PM so I have the rest of the night to relax, hang out with friends, and just not think about anything!

Be Thankful 
I have this thing where I'm "go, go, go" all the time. I was watching a video or something the other day where this woman had nothing to do. So she began just cleaning, and fixing things around her house. And that is literally me. I could have NOTHING to do and I will still find SOMETHING to do. That one dish needs to be done? ON IT. That book is out of place? On it. Counter has a small spill? Go it. One of my goals, and should be yours too, to be thankful. Sit back and think about all that you have accomplished, all that you have and just be thankful. Take the time away from your planner and schedule to just appreciate your life.

Simplify Your Life and Schedule
There are many things in our day that takes up time that we really aren't using effectively, or minimally. While I do appreciate a clean house, tidying up things that don't need it is a waste of time. (YES ALLY, I'M TALKING TO YOU.) If your house is presentable and you feel comfortable, I think that book can be out of place for the night while you relax. Are you commuting too far? Driving significant distances takes up a lot of your schedule. If you have an hour commute to work or school, you could be using that time to cherish your cup of coffee in the morning or read a few pages of your book. Like I mentioned above, I like to cut myself off around 8-9PM to just do nothing. Maybe I schedule in a beauty hour for myself (shower, face mask, nails, etc.) or some yoga, maybe even a workout. But these things are healthy things that are scheduled.

Other things to consider:

• I can't emphasize this enough: SCHEDULE DOWN TIME. Do it. It may seem counterproductive. But if you're like me and you live by your planner, it will ultimately guide you and help you. 
• Use your money wisely. The more you buy, the more you're going to have to clean, wash or keep up with! 
• Give yourself, and others space. Kayla and I love to be together, we're practically together 24/7. But we each have our alone time. I have the mornings while she's still sleeping. I go to bed at the same time as a grandmother and Kayla was up until 5AM so that's her alone time. We also have a spare hour or two when we're just separated. Whether I'm working out, walking Koda or shopping, she may be taking Koda to the dog park, playing video games or running her own errands. You need ALONE TIME. 
• Go digitally dark for a day. Limit how much time you're surfing the internet! 
• Say no if you want to say no. Don't say yes just because you feel obligated. You deserve to say no and feel confident in that.
• Stop trying to be perfect (HELLOOOO, ALLY, ARE YOU LISTENING?). While it's hard for me sometimes, I know not everything has to be perfect. Kayla always makes fun of me because whenever our friend comes over I'm like a crazy person running around trying to make sure everything is clean and nice. I don't need to do that because I literally keep it spotless most of the time! 

I hope you enjoyed the second post in the "Embrace Yourself" series. Let me know what you thought in the comments below! 

What would you like to see from this series? Leave a comment!

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5 Last Minute Tips That Will Help You Ace Your Finals

This post is sponsored by Luvo Learn and Her Campus Media. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Preppy Little Lesbian possible!

It's here guys. It's Finals Week! But, if your school is like mine, it spans over two weeks instead of one. But never the less, it's here and we're all tired. My Freshman year I cried for the whole week straight. It wasn't fun. It was beyond stressful but, I'm here with some tips that I wish I would have known last year, and tips I'm using this year.

Take Breaks// I can't stress this enough. You will not retain the information if you don't take breaks, hydrate and fuel yourself with some snacks. It may feel counterproductive (I know I always feel that way) but it so much better for you to take frequent (once every hour or so) to just get your eyes away from that book.

Make Concise Study Guides// If your professor gives you a study guide, lucky you! A lot of professors don't do that, so I would definitely use that to your advantage. However, some professors can over do it on the study guides and tell you everything you need to know for the course - not the exam. So take a look through your notes and the study guide together to make sure you're really getting the key points of your course for the exam!

Luvo Learn// Luvo is a last minute study hack that I'm actually personally using! Luvo offers textbook outlines, lecture notes, flash cards and video tutorials! Live one-on-one tutoring is even available at the last minute. So, if you're struggling at 1AM, hop onto Luvo and get a live one-on-one session. I bought a Psych study guide/class notes and honestly, it's a life saver. I even used it for my last Econ test, and this person took better notes than I ever could have though to. Also, if you finish exams, you can upload your notes to possibly make some extra christmas money!

Go to a Quiet Place// I can't stress this enough. Going to the library or a study room in your dorm (like I did) is so so so so so helpful. I can try all I want to study in my room, but the TV is usually on and I just want to lay down in my bed. I always tell myself, the faster I get this done here in the library, the faster I can go home and sleep.

Starbucks has to know they're ruining my pictures when they spell my name wrong!

Study with Friends// Some people prefer to study alone, and that's totally okay. I honestly will do whatever. I'm always down for a study sesh with my friends. My Freshman year my friends and I spent hours and hours and hours in the study room of my dorm, and honestly, it was so much fun. We were all trying to studying, and I think we got a lot done. Just make sure you're not going to get too distracted.
What are your last minute finals tips?