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How to study efficiently and without distractions
As a university student, I know how hard it can be to study both efficiently and without getting distracted. The to-do list is never ending, assignments are overwhelming and there are never enough hours in the day. This is why today I’m sharing my top tips for studying effectively, many of which I have only discovered recently. Noise-cancelling headphones Although an expensive way of staying focused, noise-cancelling headphones have been life-changing for me. I have the SONY WH-XB910N bluetooth headphones and I would highly recommend, however there are also cheaper (and more expensive) options. I find these particularly useful when working in public spaces, which brings me onto my next…
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My updated skin-care routine (2023)
I feel like I’ve always been in a battle with my skin. From the age of around 15 I’ve suffered with acne and I feel like I’ve tried almost every skin care product there is out there. However, after years of trying to fight acne I feel like I’ve finally found a skin care routine that works for my skin and has kept my skin mostly clear. It’s been a long journey, but to have a solid routine with staple products is the best feeling. One book I would recommend to anyone is Skincare by Caroline Hirons. I give this book most of the credit for helping me find a…
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Amsterdam 2023: what we did and where we ate
In January 2019 Jonah and I went to Amsterdam for the first time. To kick off 2023 and to celebrate Jonah’s 22nd birthday we decided to return. We decided to go back for a number of reasons. 1. To explore more of the city and go with a more adult perspective, 2. it was a good price and 3. we loved it last time. We booked our trip through EasyJet holidays. I would recommend booking this way because it meant our flights and hotel (and luggage!) were all included. We stayed at the Urban Lodge Hotel, which was simple and met all our needs. Plus, it was only a 10…
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How to stay organised as a university student
University requires students to study independently, manage their time effectively and to turn up to lectures. Therefore, staying organised as a student is important, and with the right tools it can be easy. Here are my top tips for staying organised whilst at university (these tips can also apply to students at school/college). Use an academic planner My academic planner is from Papier and I use it every single day. I would be lost without it. Having an academic planner means you can plan your time to the hour, write down your deadlines and make to-do-lists. It’s also useful because you can carry it with you wherever you go, meaning…
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Life recently – November/December
It’s less than two weeks until Christmas so I’ve decided to do a recap of the last few months. I’ve been super busy recently and I feel very lucky that I’m surrounding with the people I am; this year has been one full of making memories and I hope to continue that in 2023. Let’s start with November… November started with Bonfire night – one of my favourites. This also included filming for a broadcast news package which I really enjoyed, with help from my brother! November for me mainly consisted of assignments. I wrote an article on the cost-of-living crisis and how it’s impacting local businesses. This meant I…
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The best places to eat and drink in Bournemouth
I feel very lucky to call Bournemouth my home; not only does it have a beautiful beach and so much to do, it also has a vast range of places to eat and drink. Since moving here last September I’ve built up a list of my favourite places to eat and drink in Bournemouth. Read: Tips for university students: money saving and general life! Places to eat Nuudle Bar 📍3-5 Lansdowne Rd, Bournemouth BH1 1RZ For all the noodle lovers out there – this one is for you. Not only is the food here delicious, the portion sizes are also huge; meaning there is usually enough to take home! The…
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Tips for university students: money saving, housing and general life
I have officially completed my first year at university; I have no idea where the time has gone, it feels like just yesterday I was moving into my room! I’ve really enjoyed my first year and I’m so glad I made the decision to go. I now feel like I’m able to give advice for those starting university in September, both for money saving and general day-to-day life. Moving to university is a huge change and I’ve learnt a lot since September, so hopefully someone reading this finds it useful! 1. Learn to cook I would say do this before you go to university so you arrive prepared. If you don’t know how to cook anything,…
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The Road Trip – Beth O’Leary (book review)
I’m slightly ashamed to admit that this is the first fiction book I’ve finished since early 2020. I’ve started a few but never managed to finish them, so finishing this felt like a huge achievement. The last time I wrote a book review was last August, so another book review felt long overdue. Overview of the plot Addie and her sister are about to embark on an epic road trip to a friend’s wedding in the north of Scotland. Not long after setting off, a car crashes into the back of theirs. The driver turns out to be Addie’s ex, Dylan, who she has avoided since their traumatic break-up two…
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My top five podcast recommendations
Over the past year I’ve started listening to podcasts more frequently. The train journeys to and from Bournemouth get tiresome very quickly, so having something to listen to other than music is always good. I also listen to podcasts when I’m walking somewhere/in the gym, as I find they help the time pass quicker and give me something else to focus on. Something about listening to someone speak is really comforting to me. In no particular order, here are the podcasts I’m loving at the moment. Diary of a CEO – Steven Bartlett Steven Bartlett is a new dragon on the TV show Dragon’s Den, and in each podcast he…
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A trip to Rhodes, Greece
Last week me and my friend Millie went to Rhodes for 5 days and I wanted to share what we got up to and the pictures I took. We went to Milan, Italy last month which was incredible, but this time we decided to go for a more relaxed holiday in the sun. I had the best time and would highly recommend Rhodes – it’s such a beautiful island. We booked through On The Beach and flew from Birmingham Airport. It was all very straightforward. Hotel: Avra Beach Hotel & Bungalow Resort, Ixia We loved the hotel we stayed at. It was in an ideal location, the food was great…