New Year, New Me.. and all that jazz

I know. I've been missing for a while.... Miss me? If you don't I do not blame you.



Since I last posted I've been through the wringer with finals (I've only gotten three of my grades so far (I'm dying to receive the rest), had a lovely bubbly Christmas with my family and returned to good ol' Antiguan sun, seas, and sand.

Last year I am happy to say I completed my New Year's Resolution to be more confident and outgoing. The people I've met over the past year, I'm sure, wouldn't see the difference but family and friends have. I've ventured out of my makeup comfort zone to add new shades and styles (next, I shall make a resolution to declutter and spend less time browsing Sephora's website), I've found a "fashion" I'm comfortable with and I've made new friends along the way.

I've had a great experience on Tremr.com (hyperlinked image in the sidebar) and met great writers who inspire me to really explore the discipline. 

If a year ago I had told myself that I was going to be doing a writing internship I would've laughed at myself and returned to my miserable internships at banks and businesses. 

In 2014, I believe I finally found myself. I found my style, defined my likes and dislikes, and dare to say, found the adult I want to be (when I finally grow up of course).

Instead of controlling my life with an iron fist and trying to predict the world, I've finally calmed down and started to just take the opportunities thrown at me and go a long with whatever life throws my way.

2015 is going to be a great year. I'll travel a lot more ( more on that to come), be reunited with old friends, and be sure to make some new ones. I'll document it all here.

Happy New Year!

xx

-Anna

Keep Organised!

A lot of people have been asking me how I keep sane/organised.

I understand where they're coming from. I'm a full-time student taking seventeen credits, I have an internship that requires around 12 hours a week in-office as well as an e-board position on a society at my school. I even find time to write on this blog (semi-regularly).

To tell the truth, I've no idea why I'm still sane. I can never get a full eight hours a sleep and I'm always hustling to go to a prior engagement. However, I do have a tips and tricks I use to keep on top of my schedule, grades, and tasks.

1. Avoid Procrastination:
This is the most obvious one and I suppose that is why it's first. If you get something today, try to do it today or as soon as possible. If you leave it until later, many other things may pop up and you may forget about it altogether. You will thank yourself later for taking the stress off your future self.

2. Keep a whiteboard in plain sight:
I have a whiteboard on my bedroom wall right on my work desks. On that whiteboard, I  use markers to write a checklist  of my tasks for the week. Whenever I had a small notebook, I NEVER remembered to open it and whenever I put my task on electronic devices I always got distracted. Having that big reminder on my wall that I can see whether I want to or not lets me know exactly what I should finish by the end of the week or at the end of a fortnight. It also makes me more productive as I am driven to tick off each task.

My bad handwriting is for my eyes and my eyes only. Don't judge.

3. Turn of WiFi, 4G, or block social media websites whilst working:
When I'm typing a paper I have already researched for or am doing written homework I turn off the WiFi, turn off my cellular phone, and switch off the television. In other words, all electronic distractions cease to exist for that time. If I need the internet for research, then I block Facebook, Twitter, and the like for the duration of my work. This helps me to keep focused on the task at hand. A good website you could use to block social media sites is ColdTurkey.com.

4. Write notes in alternating colours of ink:
Yeah black and blue ink are fun, but sometimes when it’s three o’clock in the morning and you have that cumulative History final the next day, it can all mush together into an uninteresting mess. By writing important points such as definitions, formulae and NBs (Note Bene) in coloured ink, your eyes are captivated by the information and are less tempted to gloss over it. I also find it much more appealing to my eyes than highlighters.

5. Pack at night:
When my mum used harass me about packing my rucksack for school in the night I got annoyed and huffed and buffed. But now, I thank her for getting me into the habit. At night, you can take your time and pack leisurely, remembering what you need for the following day. In the morning you are hectic, watching the clock, and regretting sleeping for that extra half and hour. It saves you the time to have a calm sit-down breakfast then just pick up your back and go!

 

6. Utilise calendar apps:

Every cellular phone, computer and tablet nowadays comes with a stock calendar app. Even if you do not like the stock one there are many alternatives in the different app stores. Set the calendar to alert you two hours before your next appointment. That way, even if you forget, you've got time to get ready and leave for it.

7. Set your watch fifteen minutes ahead:

This is a habit my father got me into. When your watch is a quarter-hour fast, you will get anywhere fifteen minutes early (or if "late" then on time). When hurriedly checking your watch you will forget about it's prior settings an just work on the time you see.

These are the small things I do that help me keep organised and on top of things. I hope they help! Do you have any organisational tips and tricks? Feel free to comment below and share!

xx

Tips For Those of Us Who Have No Idea.

       Today, I was having a conversation with a close friend of mine who said that she does not know what she wants to do in life. She believes the fact that she is twenty and doesn't know makes her a "failure". I was utterly gobsmacked that she could think that way. My friend (let's call her Elissa) is a psychology major, who is doing her pre-med courses. She is doing medicine because it is what her parents have always pushed her to do, but she does not exactly enjoy it. However, she doesn't hate it either. It is just not her passion or what she perceives as her calling.
         I could not understand her point of view. From the age of fourteen, I always knew I would study Economics or Business (never Accounting, though bleh!). I love it as a subject and as a discipline. But, at the age of eighteen, I have no idea where my degree will take me; whether it will point me to journalism, accounting, business, etc. and I am okay with that. When I graduate, I will have a  marketable degree and so will she, but how are we, the unsure graduates supposed to find our calling? Well, here are five tips I've gathered from my own experience and advice from my parents and peers.

1. INTERN INTERN INTERN!

   Internships, even if unpaid, provide valuable experience and could even land you a full time job. I've interned at banks and law offices and through my intern experience, made judgements on the pros and cons of working in such an establishment. Internships give you a personal view that just reading a job description would not.

2. Join Clubs

As said before, I thought of using my Economics degree to dabble in Journalism. That's also the reason I started this blog, to try out writing and see how I can work. However, a blog alone can not get you a job. I joined the school newspaper and made friends who are all going to be New York Times bound, Pulitzer-Prize Winners in my mind. As someone who is interested in Journalism, the school paper is also a good way to gather clippings of articles for your portfolio (most Journalism internships and entry-level jobs require at least three "published" articles).

If you like Finance, join the Finance/ Investment Club. Acting? Join the Theatre group. You get the idea.

3. Read Up

So, you found out you want to be an Accounting, Economics, English or Psychology major. But, does that mean accountant, economist, teacher or phycologist/psychiatrist is all you can do? No! Your major/ minor can have so many applications in the real world. Visit websites and read journals for your specific field of study. They can offer insight into the myriad of jobs that require your major. Some may surprise you!

4.  Talk to professors

Many professors had professional jobs before going into academic work. Form a bond with a few and  use them as a career advisor. They could tell you about their professional life and how they might have got into  being a  professor (if that interests you). A lot even have side jobs or private practises into which they could hire you as an intern.  They could also have many friends or connections that could allow you to use them as a recommendation


5. Go to Career Fairs.

Many colleges and universities hold career fair every semester. These fairs a filled with companies trying to attract students and graduates. Look around all the booths and displays. Talk to recruiters and see what they are looking for. There is something there for everyone and you are bound to find something that fits.


All in all, my biggest tip to anyone is do not fret. Do not allow people to choose your career for you. It is your life and you have to live it.

Anna
xx

Decisions decisions...

So I've been thinking about what I want to do with my Economics degree. Do I want to work for the private sector? The government? Journalism? The Apple Store? (that would be one cool gig though...). One thing I do know is that I'm doing study abroad to England next spring. It promises to be fun and I'm looking forward to seeing my old friends as well as making new ones. I've already decided on what festivals or comedy gigs I want to see while I'm there too. I'm well chuffed with the possibility of being back home for a long period of time as an adult. I'll be there as a nineteen year old who can pub crawl. I haven't been back to England since I was about 13 and I was with my parents who were not as hipster as I am... NO FESTIVALS :(

I joined my university newspaper this week in an effort to try my hand and journalism. The editor and other interns seem to be really nice and a big happy family which I hope to join fully as they get used to me being there. My first article will be published on Wednesday and I can't bloody wait!

As I plan my I interview with the manager of a local eatery for my next article, I can't help but wonder if Journalism is what I want to do with my degree. I love economics to death but really have no idea what I'm going to do with this knowledge. Ah well I'm young and opportunities will come for me to take. I'll fake it 'til I make it! I'll persevere and work hard until I no longer have too look like I know what I'm doing, but rather actually know.

I wish you many great cups of tea and an abundance of hobnobs.

Anna
Xx

PS: It is a LOVELY Spring day :)

JOBS!!

I'M APPLYING FOR JOBS!!!

I always thought that as a college student I would be extremely busy and have no time to waste hours on Netflix, but due to my parent's overloading me with activities as a child (seriously.... five different dance classes,  two instruments and tutoring), I am extremely haunted when it comes to having to spend long times with inactivity. That, and the fact that college is expensive is leading me to apply for jobs. JOBS!

My two ideals are the Apple Store and Urban Outfitters but at this point I'd take any one that would have me.

Wish me luck....