GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY: What should I pack and what should i leave behind!?

Hello blogworld,

I hope you are all well and enjoying the Easter weekend! I'm back with the second addition to my guide to university (finally)! If you missed the first post then click here to take a look. Firstly I'd just like to add a quick disclaimer as always, this guide to university series is compiled my thoughts, experiences and opinions. University is truly what you make of it so please bare that in mind and do not take these posts too literally and be mindful that these are just a little bit of guidance to help anyone who is thinking of going to university this year or in the future! With that said, thank you so much for reading my blog and i hope you enjoy the post!

 This weeks addition covers the moving process; what to take to uni and what to leave behind. The months between exams and results day are incredibly frustrating and the uncertainty of your future is quite hard to deal with, particularly if you are nervous about your results. I know first hand how many emotions are flowing in August when you go and collect essentially the ticket to your future. In most cases there are only a few weeks between results day and moving day so once you know you have your place on a course and accommodation sorted the panic kicks in and it is a bit of a mad rush picking up bits on pieces to take with you! I personally found it difficult to get excited about university before results day, I don't think the reality hits you until you get your course start date and information about freshers week. So for me, I was completely disorganised but that is fine; you could literally go out and buy most of the products the day you move in, but for those of you who like to have a bit of organisation in your life here's a few tips on what to bring!

Essentials for your bedroom:
Most university halls of residence are single beds due to the fact that they only provide single occupancy rooms. In halls of residence you should expect a basic room, some universities have worked to build newer more modern halls which are a lot more eye appealing but inevitably still basic and suitable for all.  You should expect a smallish room with a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, pin board and shelves; some halls will provide en-suite rooms and if you can I would advise getting that (Remember you are moving in with complete strangers). Below are pictures of the halls of residence at my university so you can get an idea of the space available.

Halls of residence bedroom.

Doorway and en-suite bathroom.

 With that said, (Obviously?) one of the main things you will need is bedding; I personally took a double quilt because I knew a lot of my friends and sisters would come to stay over and I like cosying up with lots of duvet. This proved to be useful because in second and third year student housing I did end up with a double bed so i didn't need to go out and buy a new duvet. If your room does not come with a lamp I would recommend that as an essential, I know in my experience when lightbulbs went in the room you could wait a few days before anybody came to fix it and lamps are just handy when you are working at a desk anyway. Other essentials i would recommend for the bedroom are storage boxes, as i said before the bedrooms are compact and even if you do not take a lot of stuff it will build up over the year so if you want to keep things organised I would take a few under bed storage boxes!

Bedroom Decor:
Getting your place at University and making the move is a massive life change and lots of people struggle with that transition. It is difficult to leave your family, friends, school and security at home and live in a completely new town where you may not know anyone. University can be very daunting and lonely at times, you will find yourself spending a lot of time sat in your bedroom particularly when your flat mates or close friends go home for the weekend or have a lot of work on. One of the best ways to deal with the challenges of university is to make sure that your room reflects you and feels homely. For most, nothing will compare to your spacious bedroom at home painted how you like but unfortunately  its part of university and something you have to learn to deal with. A great way to transform your university bedroom and give it some style is with decorative bed linen,pillows and throws; not only will they reveal your personality they also won't take up "space" in your room and will make your bed a lot more comfortable. When I moved to university I to go for chose a floral cath kidston esque theme and brought bedding, storage boxes and accessories that matched and it instantly transformed my bedroom! However, I strongly recommend leaving off buying little decorative bits as most university freshers weeks have poster sales and a freshers fayre where you can pick up some bits for your room once you have settled in. Another great item to take is picture frames, you will find you have a lot of shelf space that doesn't get used and its nice to have pictures of your friends and family around the room to cheer you up. A lot of people also use their pin boards to display photographs/memories and that is another good way to decorate the room and make it feel personal.

When shopping for home decor pieces i strongly recommend visiting bargain shops as you can get some really nice pieces for a fraction of the price. For most people your university room is always the "second home" and you must remember when you move back you will be left with a wealth of unwanted stuff so try to be realistic with your decor and don't buy lots of exspensive things you will later be afraid to throw away.

Shops i recommend:> B&M Bargains
> Dunelm Mill
> The Range
> Home Bargains
> Matalan
> wilkinsons

Top items to bring:> Photo frames
> Posters/canvas
> Storage boxes
> bed linen, pillows, throws.

- leave the rest till you have settled in, no what space is available and only buy things that you really like.

Momentos: 

As with the decor, personalizing your room is essential for avoiding home sickness. Bringing pictures of your family/friends is important for those times you feel a little bit lonely or are missing home. I used to keep momentos such as festival wristbands, concert tickets etc in a box and before uni i put them into a scrap book which I kept in my uni room and it was a lovely way of showing my new friends what my life back home was like and also just a nice nostalgic piece to cheer me up. When moving to university don't take every single memory attached item you own, like trophies or your childhood money box etc unless you have a significant attachment. It seems really harsh but honestly, theres no space and theres no need. Keep it practical!

Essentials Kitchen/Bathroom:

Usually en-suite accommodation is offered and as i said, i would highly recommend this. The bathrooms tend to be very compact but they do the job so don't be too disappointed if you get a tiny bathroom or even a wet room, in a few weeks you won't mind. If you are sharing a bathroom then take the basics off this list as a good-will gesture, most flats will agree to combine resources and share the costs in the coming weeks. However, If you are lucky enough to have your own bathroom then i would recommend collecting the following as you won't be able to borrow somebody elses:

Bathroom checklist:
> plenty of toilet roll
> possibly a toilet brush (if not provided)
> toilet bleach
> bathroom surface cleaner for the toilet, sink and shower.
> j cloths/cleaning cloths
> toiletry essentials such as toothpaste, toothbrush etc.
> bath towel, flannel, hand towel.

A lot of people make the mistake of buying a full set of knives, pans etc for the kitchen and end up never using it. When buying kitchen accessories I strongly recommend being rational about what you eat, what you will cook and therefore what you need. One of the main ways people make friends at university with their flat mates is sharing, everybody is in the same boat and everybody wants to be liked initially so people will agree to let you borrow things and if you are lucky you may decide to have a communal box of pans and trays for everyone to use. If you can make contact with your future flatmates before moving in, try to discuss buying when you arrive with them as this will be more effective in the long-run and you won't end up with 6 sets of pans in one flat (THERE IS NO ROOM!). In my flat we decided we wanted a toasty maker so we all chipped in and brought one later in the term, things like this are a good way of saving money and if you fancy taking on then try and suggest it when you get there and if nobody wants to chip in then go ahead and get one for yourself.

 Below are pictures of the kitchen in my university halls: 

In my halls you were provided with two cupboards each, baring in mind you need to put food in one there really is not a lot of space left. So i recommend taking the following to start with and then building to your collection as and when you need things:

Kitchen:
2x Glasses
2x mugs (if you drink hot drinks)

2x bowls

2x small side plates (for toast/sandwiches)

2x dinner plates

Cutlery set (B&M Bargains do 16 Piece for £3.99)
Small pan & frying pan.
Baking tray

Culinder/siv
Measuring jug
Sandwich bags/tin foil/cling film
Masher/Wooden spoon/whisks

Other things you may consider once your there:
Extra pans, toasty maker, smoothie maker, gridle pan, mixing bowl, set of good knives.

I apologise that this post is so lengthy but I really hope its helpful to anyone looking to move this September and a bit nervous about what to pack. As always if you have any questions please just let me know in the comments and i will respond or alternatively tweet me if you want to anything else about university!

NICOLEPOWNALLX

Why I love Johnson's skin care; Moisturising day cream & Make up be gone wipes review (rave!)

Hello Hello, I hope you are all well and enjoying the build up to Easter weekend!

 Firstly, I want to apologise to anyone who is expecting  the university related posts...I really need to take a few relevant pictures at university to spruce up my post and at the moment I am at home for Easter break so I probably won't post any for another week or so, *sorry*! 

However, Today's post is going to be a mini review of Johnson's Skin Care. Now that my friends are hitting the big 21 milestone, a few have asked me about skin care and what I use. For those who don't know me personally, I am a skin care fanatic! I love sun protection, moisturizers, serums, face masks, toners ... basically anything skin care and I am for it. As a result, I seem to be the go-to person for my friends who have not really thought about skin care before and now want to start. Reflecting on this I thought it would be a good idea to share my product thoughts with the blogworld and maybe help out a few people who are also interested in getting into skincare...If anyone wants to know my skin care routine just let me know by +1 or commenting :)

Johnson's Face Care: Daily essentials hydrating day cream (SPF 15)

For moisturiser my go-to product is the johnson's hydrating day cream; I have been using this moisturiser for about a year and a half and LOVE it. This particular one is for normal skin and I personally have normal-dry but I find it completely suitable, it's quite a universal moisturiser that would suit a variety of skin types. However, they do have skin type specific products so definitely go for the dry skin or oily skin ones if you can find them. The consistency is beautiful, not to thick but not to runny and it has a very slight smell that I would describe as "babyish" which may sound slightly confusing but Johnson's specialise in baby products and if you have ever smelt any of those it follow that same scent pattern, just a nice light pleasant smell. The main reason I went for Johnson's is because of their specialty in baby products, I have quite sensitive and fair skin so i was worried about break out or irritance but this product works nicely and does not irritate my skin whatsoever. I usually apply this product to my cheeks and nose (as this is where i suffer from dry spots) as soon as I wake up and it leaves my skin feeling soft, clean and hydrated. I must admit that it does take a little while to completely sink in and that is why I apply it as soon as I wake up. Finally, the product comes with SPF 15 which is helpful and beneficial to those lazy sun protectors. The only disappointing factor is the size, the jar is only 50ml and for someone who moisturises daily I would much prefer a larger size option rather than repetitive repurchasing. with that said, the product is completely inexpensive and can be picked up from superdrug for £3.99 but I get it from bodycare for £2.49 so definitely check your options! Overall, I think it's a great moisturiser for anyone who is just getting into skin care or shopping on a budget. 

Johnson's Face Care: Make up be gone refreshing wipes 

I thought it was worth also reviewing the make up wipes in this post due to their connection with the day cream. These wipes are simply amazing! I have used these religiously for as long as I can remember. The packet comes with 25 wipes and retail for £2.19 in Boots but can be picked up in home bargains in multi-packs as well, which i think is really reasonable. Similarly to the day cream these have that pleasant "babyish" smell which is nice and leaves your feeling fresh. Johnson's do make a range of wipes one is called pampering, this is called refreshing and there are two or three others but i personally always go back to this one as it genuinely does make your skin feel so refreshed, even when I am not wearing make up I like to use a face wipe in the morning/night just to clean my skin up and these leave you feeling so clean. In terms of make up removal these wipes do a good job, though you do need to use a cleanser and toner just to take of the last traces but I find that with most wipes and would naturally do that anyway. Overall, these are really nice make up wipes, they are affordable and they compliment the day cream beautifully.

I would absolutely recommend Johnson's skin care to everyone, particularly those starting out with skin care. You can find yourself spending a lot of money if you get into a routine and it is wise to start out with less-expensive products before indulging in high-end high-cost brands. I I do not deny that using expensive products can add an element of luxury and enjoyment to a skin care routine but if you start out with a high-end product you will end up repurchasing that and not really embracing the wonders of drugstore/budget brands! I hope you all enjoyed reading this review and let me know if any one wants to know my whole skin care routine from face wash to makeup removal and bedtime care.

Stay happy and safe

NICOLEPOWNALLX

GUIDE TO UNIVERSITY: Making the choice - is it worth it?

Hello blogworld, hope your all well,

As I mentioned previously the focus for my next few posts will be a "Guide to University" where i hope to basically cover all aspects of Uni and reflect on my experience! With that said it is important to note that these are my experiences and my views on university so do not take them as absolute fact because a) your university experience is what you make it and b) every course/uni/town is different and that greatly impacts upon uni life.

So, Today's post is going to cover the big decision of going to university which I think a lot of college/A-level students for this academic year will have already done by now (correct me if i am wrong); but if you are having a gap year or even still studying your a-levels then I hope this post will be of use.

Is university a worthwhile experience?
YES! However, I think it is really important to think the choice through thoroughly before making any final decisions. If you are going to university make sure above anything that it's what you want to do. I know lots of people who went to university as a result of pressure from sixth form/friends/family and it is increasingly the "done thing" but do not let that push you into going. I myself remember sitting through hundreds of assemblies where the head of sixth form would emphasize the glory of university and make it seem like the only option if you want to go somewhere in life but that is not true and there are lots of alternatives such as apprenticeships, training on the job and college courses! With that said i truly believe that university is such a valuable and life changing experience that will push you, excell you and challenge you; especially if you choose to move away from home where you have to quickly develop responsibility and independence. 

Picking the right course:
If you are certain that university is the path for you then picking the right course is a crucial. A lot of people make the mistake of assuming that all universities offer the same course, but in fact universities can offer completely different takes on what appears to be the same degree on paper. If you check the prospectus or course information they usually offer you a list of modules/course content and this is a good indicator of whether the course is going to be of interest to you. I had a friend who studied psychology at A-Level and loved it but went to a university where the modules did not cover her areas of interest and she ended up leaving. I strongly advise doing a bit of research to make sure the modules sound interesting because you will loose motivation to do work/attend lectures if you are not engaged in the content or interested in the module. Once you know which universities offer course content that you like the sound of its a good idea to visit them. When I decided that I wanted to go to university it was a bit last minute and lots of the open days had already taken place; luckily my degree required an interview so I was able to visit the university, tour the campus and check out the facilities during the interview days. I quickly realized that I preferred campus universities where everything was in one place and that narrowed down my options as two of my choices were city universities with the buildings scattered around. I would definitely recommend booking yourself onto a few university open days so that you can get a feel for campus life and the location. If you do this early in the year (before christmas) then that gives you plenty of time before you have to make your choices and send your application. Remember most courses are three years and you may find that the location and style of university affect how happy you are during the degree; if you enjoy nights out, shopping and city life then you want to pick a university that can offer you good links to the town or is based in the town, some universities are quite rural and the only nights out available are in the SU.

Move to university or stay local/commute?
This is highly dependent on your choice of university.  I would hugely recommend moving to a different town for university, I think this really adds to the adventure and makes university a new chapter in your life, where everything is new and fresh. For me, my home town and university town are in a reasonable distance (40 minutes) so I had a realistic option of commuting by car or train for lectures. I personally chose to live at university for the entirety of my degree but some of my friends that i lived with in second year decided to commute for the final year as the cost of living was a strain and the lecture hours were reduced. Even if you live locally i highly recommend living in student accommodation particularly in the first year! Living at university really does ice the cake and provide the full package; as well as the academic side of things a huge part of university is the social life and that covers partying, clubs, societies, sports and just generally socialising. Living at university gives you better access to a social life where you can enjoy the freedom and independence of living with friends and everyone is in the same boat. A lot of people publicly slate student living and I am not going to lie at times it can be quite poor but that is part of fun and you spend about 90% of the time enjoying your friendships, having a laugh and just being a care-free student and only about 10% of the time worried about a bit of mould in the bathroom so do not let that put you off! The key thing to remember is everyone there is in the same boat, away from home and looking to have a fantastic three years!



I hope this post was of help to anyone thinking about university in the future or still unsure about their choice to apply. I hugely recommend university and I genuinely think it is the best few years of your life.
My next post will be on the moving to university process, what to expect and what to take with you? So look out for that! 

NICOLEPOWNALLX