Being a College Student

Tuesday: September 13th, 2016.

Hey blogger friends! I haven't been posting again lately, even though I have so many things I'd love to post about! But instead I've been a busy college student. So instead I decided to make a post explaining what has been keeping me so busy filled of fun, factual tips. Also I have now a school blog, that I have to post on for my design class, so if you ever miss my posts, you can check out my assignment posts as well, sometimes they may a little boring, but they can be fun as well.

But for starters is COLLEGE.

Before school starts, make sure you have your note books or whatever you will need for the amount of classes you have. Classes will start and they will tell you the basics for the class, mostly you just need some paper, folders, and pens or whatever writing utensil you choose to use. The basic school supplies are extremely simple once you get to college, unless you're in an art college and need a giant art kit plus your teacher makes you go out and get more supplies per a project that wasn't on the list. Then you find yourself throwing out tons of money in silly materials, when you're already putting out tons of money in tuition. It's like where did my tuition money go that I have to pay for everything myself, after already putting money in to attend here. Aka missing going to a high school where my taxes covered me to go for free and all my art materials and supplies were free from school since we borrowed and used what was there. 

Also for college you'll probably need a laptop or an ipad, or some sort of device that gets online, even a kindle or your smart phone. To be able to follow along with the teacher with different things. I plan on getting a new laptop or even an ipad for this reason.

Next, save for college text book money. I was lucky I only needed one text book which wasn't that high in costs, but I needed some little manual and book as well for my courses and then the essential 4 reading books for my writing/english class. My total was under $100, went on amazon, got everything within the week, wasn't bad. Especially compared to the money everyone else was putting out. So consider saving some extra money to cover your books for college, because the school ain't paying it for you, unless you have some financial aid deal, but most people don't. 

Also being organized is everything. I started off college commuting. Which was difficult, for a first year art student, with the messed up train situation. Where a bunch of trains are broken down, so they cut times and are running on a Saturday schedule, so the train is coming every hour instead of how it use to come, plus the trains are extra packed. I found myself standing a few times with tons of supplies. That was also rough. I was getting up at 6 am every day, getting ready in 10 mins to walk to the train to be there on time, having to take the 6:42 am train to be at class on time. Since you can't risk being late. My school is one of the school wheres you can't be absent more then twice or your letter grade drops, if you miss 4 classes then you have failed for the semester. Also, if you're late some teachers count that as half an absence. So my only option was that train, since the next one wasn't until 7:42 then I wouldn't be getting off until 8:30 which is the time my classes start, I would of been late. So being organized is everything. I set up timers every day, I have a planner where I write down my homework for the evening, as well as I write in the note pad in my phone for reminders through out the day. Knowing your schedule, when you have to be up, when your work is due, everything, stay organized. 

Time Management = Less Stress

Find away to stay organized and do it!

Also a big thing is to not procrastinate. I did that in high school, and now I know you can't. The work is harder, and graded harsher. Teachers do not play, especially mine. Most don't take late work, they will kick you out of class, it is either do your work or don't be at college at all. Especially with the amount of money people put out, be an adult, do your work and show up.

I ended up moving on campus over all after the fact. First year it is harder not to live on campus, versus other years. First year is the most work. My college is foundation year, with giant projects, things you can not carry on the train. I was spending my time to get to the train, be on the train, get off the train, making my way back from the train. Basically 4 hours out of my day commuting, and that cuts into work time. I realized it would be impossible to figure out doing my homework this way. You get exhausted, especially since I have 6 hour long classes. After working all day in class, then having to complete homework, but spending all your time traveling, making time to eat, it is hard. As well as carrying all your stuff when your walking and on the train. Moving on campus was great. I'm less then a block away, part of the meal plan, and I can leave stuff in my room, come back and get it for the class, and not have to worry. Don't have to go very far, and do my homework easily in my room, and i'm less exhausted. I'm waking up at 7:45am every morning, then having breakfast, makes my day go smoother. Honestly I never ate breakfast before college, and it has made me more energized. 

Definitely get some sleep! Without sleep you will not be able to function in class. Go to bed earlier, sleep as much as you can, drink coffee if you need too, eat breakfast, but sleep. Making sure your getting your meals, staying energized and healthy, eating, sleeping, all of it. Or you will not function which makes your work look poorer on your end by not getting the rest and things you need.

Remember you're going to school for you, so do what you need. Get your work done, worry about you and no one but yourself. Relationships save that for your free time, make friends if you can, but keep your school work a first priority, since your grades mean everything, to get that college degree, to get a real job and start your career!

Also don't forget to have a little fun! Join or start a club, get involved the best you can, if you can and have the time for it. I'm now apart of student government support, and next semester If I show up to the amount of meetings I'm suppose to, I will become a part of student government. I also started my own fashion club, I did it in high school as well, but now a fashion club for college for not just fashion majors but all majors. Those are my little things i'm getting involved with as well as staying active in my school work.

If your school has the choice to travel and you can finance it, take the opportunity and go! Part of the reason I chose Moore was the chance to study abroad in January for 2 whole weeks during my winter break. I have my break from like the 2nd week of December all the way to January 16th I start classes again. So i get my winter break in December, but then will be heading to Athens, Greece this January. It is a study abroad program, providing me with 3 college credits for art history in the spring, so I will not have to take that class in the spring. As well as have an awesome time in Greece with public speakers, museum tours, tours of different places, classes, trying greek food, making our own, our welcoming and closing parties, as well as Greece itself with free time of our own to do whatever! We even get to stay in nice apartments in the non tourist parts. I'm taking this opportunity, saving it and heading out to Greece this January. They say look up study abroad scholarships, try for it, save for it, if you have the chance too. Then go! And I hope other chances in my high school years I can attend other study abroad trips. If you can, then go for it as well.

I just wanted to share some insight on college, for people in college, not in college, could apply to high schoolers, people considering college, anyone. Things in here can apply to the average person, even just the average person working. Even with all the work, how expensive it is, I'm loving college more then high school or anything else.

If you like posts like this let me know, or have ideas for anything else. As well as new posts coming soon, including a new Ipsy glam bag this weekend for September. 

contact: jackiekensey@gmail.com

Love you guys! Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more.

Love always,

Jackie Kensey XX