How do I know what the right university subject for me is?

Sometimes it feels like forever since I left uni, and sometimes it feels like just last week that I was moving into halls for the first time. University is such a massive change in your life, and it's terrifying to make all the decisions you need to: where to go, what to do, how to do it. 

5 ways to make some extra money at University

Uni is tough, and being super low on income makes it that bit harder. Yes, there are some students that have a good deal of money, and I had friends at uni that had more spare income then than I do now #notbitter. But, for most, things can get a little dire, especially towards the end of term. Here's a few things that I tried out that *might* help to make things easier, especially with Christmas on its way:
1.) Become a student ambassador. If your uni offers this, it's such a fab thing to get into. It looks good on your CV for post-uni if you didn't really join any societies, it pays, and the hours are short and relatively easy. You get to sign up to shifts that suit your skills, so you avoid the 'normal' job issue of having to work whilst you've got massive deadlines looming. I LOVED my time as a student ambassador: I met some fab people and I got to chat to new students about all the things they were nervous/excited for about coming to a new place to live.
2.) Help out with research. This is a bit of a niche one, but it's so easy to get into. You sign up to your university system for research students to get participants in their studies, and then can choose studies to attend. The pay on this really varies, but you can earn a nice bit of money. Plus, it's always nice to help someone else out.
3.) Become a tutor. This is another thing that feels nice to give back on. I *think* I worked through My Tutor. There are a few sites that make it easy to find tutor work through, and your university careers advisors should be able to let you know which is best for you. I chose the subjects and age ranges I wanted to teach, and you can set a fee according to your skill set. You can also set aside times for tutoring that are convenient to you. 
4.) Do some online surveys. It's pretty hard to earn good money on this, but if you really get into it, and spend a decent amount of time doing it, then it's definitely possible.
5.) Get a part time job. Yes, this is the most obvious one on the list, but sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Try for a job on campus if you don't want to stray too far away from where you're studying. 
I hope this was helpful! These are some of the things I did whilst I was studying to get a little extra income in and thankfully they worked.
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I didn't get a 'career' job after uni, and that's okay

I came so close to titling this 'I didn't get a proper job after uni, and that's okay', but I had to hold right up before I full on raged at myself. So let's get this out here in this post anyway: any kind of job is a real job or a proper job, okay? Just because someone doesn't work 9-5 or earns the minimum wage, doesn't make their job less valid than yours. 

Do you have to go to University? What other options are out there?

I've been thinking a lot recently about how much pressure there was in my last two years of school, especially at this time in my last year, to get everything ready to go to University. It was time to nail that perfect personal statement (the one that makes you seem like the best student, with top grades, three hundred hobbies and you-know, not full of yourself), finalise my uni choices and knuckle down to get the grades I needed. And I mean NEEDED because failure meant that I'd fall into a pit with no future, right?! 

7 reasons to get excited about the start of a new term

The start of a new term (be it at school or uni or college) can be hella daunting. It's something that can cause a lot of anxiety and even a bit of a mental health flare-up. But, if you're in need of a little pick-me-up this week as you go back to school/college or prepare for university, I've got a list of good things about a new term that *hopefully* will help ease some of the concern. 
1.) New stationery. Folders, pens, pencils, notebooks, the list goes on. There's SO much beautiful stationery out there to help get you motivated. Having a fresh start with a set of new things can really help to settle you into the idea that no matter what happened last year, you've got a fresh slate now.
2.) You get a routine back. It feels nice being away from having to do things in a set pattern every day, BUT, it means that you have to structure your own day, which can be quite draining. A new term means a new daily plan that you can stick to and keep your life in order.
3.) You're far away from exams. The beginning of an academic year = not having exams. You can take your time to adjust to the syllabus. Plus, the stress of examinations is not on top of you whilst you settle back in to an academic routine.
4.) It's a chance to start afresh academically. You've had a long break, and now it's time to get stuck in. Last year's results can always be improved upon, and you can leave them behind you. This is your year to shine.
5.) You've got your mentors back. Whether they're teachers, personal tutors, or members of a mental health team, you've got a support network back in place that you can see whenever you need them.
6.) Learning. I know, I know, this isn't *too* exciting, but if you're heading into your A-Levels or uni, you get to study subjects you love (and if you don't love them, you might need to think about what you're gaining from the experience). 
7.) If all else fails, it's not too long until half term/reading week. I went through periods of really hating and really loving being in education. Sometimes going through a whole day seemed too hard, and crossing it off on my calendar as I edged towards a break felt like such a weight off of my shoulders. If you are really struggling with the idea of going back, then talk to someone about it, and see what help you can get. 
What are you excited for?
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Mental Health Resources Available to you at University

It's that time of year again: kids are back in school, and students are getting ready to head back to uni, or go for the first time. University can be incredible daunting, and even if you're excited about going, it can have an impact on your mental health. 
I was ecstatic to be going to uni. I was ready to embrace my new-found freedom, study a subject I loved and create a whole new me. At the time, it seemed like it would only help my mental health problems, but in reality they got worse before they got better. The freedom I found allowed me to engage in more self-destructive behaviours, with no one who knew me to keep an eye on me. I really needed help, and thankfully I found a good set of friends to keep me in check, but I totally relied on the resources my uni offered to help keep me afloat.
So, if you're worried about losing your support network from home, or think you'll be struggling with your mental health when you start uni, here are some really important resources that may be available. Every institution is different, so I'll cover as much as possible, but just be aware that you might not have access to all of these.
1.) Nightline. This is one of the best services some universities offer IMO. Nightline is open at night, and trained students are there to talk through any problems with you. You can email them, text them, call them, or drop in to wherever your Nightline is. It's a completely safe space. If seeing or talking to someone out loud makes your anxiety flare up then this is a great option. It also means that if anything goes wrong on a night out, or you feel alone and concerned, there's always somewhere to go where you'll be looked after.
2.) GPs. They can be a bit hit and miss, granted, but student GPs tend to be more aware of mental health problems that being at uni can exacerbate. They can also refer you onto other services like CBT (read about my experiences with it here) and CRISIS teams.
3.) Student counselling. This is something I was too nervous and unstable to take up when I was at uni, but I wish I had. Most institutions offer some form of counselling, and often they have a variety of forms. There can be one on one, group and email counselling. Look into what your university offers to see what would fit your needs most.
4,) Talk to your personal tutor or resident tutor. If you feel unsafe, or think your MH is going to start affecting your ability to do work, then talk to a mentor. They can advise you on how to proceed, and, if you need it, authorise things like deadline extensions.
5.) Visit a MH drop in centre. These offer you the chance to head into a safe space a couple of times a week to talk confidentially about what's affecting your mental health. 
6.) Call the Samaritans or 111 if you're struggling and nothing else is available at that time. The Samaritans is an invaluable resource. They're able to answer emails as well as phone calls, and are all fully trained on how to deal with crisis situations. They're there 24/7 and no call is unimportant: if you feel unsafe with yourself and your mental state, then contacting them can be incredibly useful. Their number is 116 123.
I really hope this is helpful! 
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20 Things I Won't Miss About Living in a Student House

As of three days ago I officially left student housing for good and oh my word I could not be happier. I've spent four years altogether in various types of student accommodation, so this day couldn't come sooner for me. Now that I'm free (y'know free to pay council tax and become a responsible adult), I've made this list of all the things I will never miss about student housing. 
I've gathered a few pictures for you of my new abode as I can finally actually have nice things, and an official blogging and freelance space (wooo!). 
This is by no means a bitter attack on the people I have lived with in the past - I've loved sharing, but now I really feel is a time when I just need to be in a 'real' home. So, here's my top 20 things I won't miss about student living:
 1.) Endless washing up. In an 'every surface is covered and there are no forks left' kind of way.
2.) Stray hairs. Everywhere. In the bathtub, on the shower walls, on the floor, on the sofa, Like how much do we all really shed?!
3.) Having no space that is really 100% mine and off-limits to others.
4.) Waking up to random one-night stands of my housemate's in the morning.
5.) Having to worry about strangers touching, and possibly taking, my stuff.
6.) Being woken up at 3am by crying/angry/vomiting drunk housemates.
7.) Landlords unnecessarily being dicks aka having to live in houses that are just plain unsafe. 
8.) Never trusting anything you touch after predrinks because there's a 90% chance it WILL be sticky.
9.) Always having a tea towel shortage. Where do they even go?!
10.) Finding leftover pizza and housemates sprawled about everywhere all over the house after a night out.
11.) The general unwillingness of everyone (including myself) to replace light bulbs, because dollar.
12.) Because of that, having to spend most of your time in the dark.
13.) Clean glasses basically being a form of currency.
14.) Having really ugly (think: not-bloggable/instagrammable) furniture that was born at least 20 years ago.
15.) Never being able to bring family round because of the state of the place and your semi-nude housemates.
16.) Unwillingly 'sharing' food. I am by no means a sharer, so telling me you've eaten my last freddo but will replace it at some point is only going to spark rage and possibly tears.
17.) Constant bickering/bitchiness.
18.) Having apricot coloured walls with tinges of sick splashes/general dirt/furniture smudges/shoe prints/food/alcohol everywhere.
19.) Uncomfortable beds. With ominous stains from the previous tenant, of course.
20.) Recycle/bin mountain, aka when all housemates reach a stalemate over whose turn it is to take the bin out. This is usually followed by a collapse of the mountain, an end to this cold war, and a need for everyone to group together to clean up the mess.
However, despite all of these minor drawbacks, I'll miss not having to accept adult responsibility in my little student community. 
What would you add to the list?
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LUSH Haul | Final Year Skincare

BB Seaweed Facemask 

H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment

Angels on Bare Skin Facewash

Eau Roma Water Toner

I've been meaning to put this piece up since, well, New Years (hence the Christmas tree in the background of me and my mum with the facemask). We all know that I'm a bit of a LUSH fan, and when i got given some vouchers for Christmas I couldn't help but have a bit of a skincare splurge. I'm going to review them in a bit more detail at some point, but on the whole I'm really impressed with everything I bought. For once I actually headed in and got the advice of all the LUSH specialists and they gave me some really great ideas, including advising me to buy the Angels on Bare Skin facewash!

As it's final year now, my stress levels are probably at their peak - juggling two part time jobs, two blogs, an exec position on a journal, reading manuscripts for a publishing company and actually doing my degree work/attempting to keep the 4 boys I live with in line means I have hardly any time to breathe, and have to keep my energy levels up. Your skin is something which really shows the world when you're down on nutrition and energy levels - it can get grey, you start getting more spots and you lose any sense of it being toned. This is why these LUSH products have saved me over the past few months - using the BB Seaweed facemask once a week and Angels on Bare Skin + toner at least every other day means that my skin hasn't lost all of its vivacity.

What are your skincare secrets during busy/stressful times?

Love and Light,

Steph 

**All photos are property of Sophie Hartley**

Dealing with Final Year at University

So I thought I'd do a little bit of a different post today as I'm thinking of making the blog a little more personal! These pictures effectively sum up my first term as a final year English lit student at the University of Warwick. Having had a bit of a rocky first two years in terms of grades and overall happiness, I'm determined to make the most of this year. So, I joined the gym, have actually done nearly all of my prescribed reading (utter madness) and attended more social events than I ever have before in a term. 

As it's my last chance really to do a lot of things, I've been cramming in as much as possible. And if my sleep pattern is skewed, who cares! It's going to be an incredibly hectic time of my life and as long as every moment isn't crammed to the max, then I shouldn't get burned out. 

So, I achieved some pretty awesome goals, and had so many great experiences. The first of which, really, was celebrating being two years with my lovely boyfriend. But, aside from that, my achievements have largely been academia and work based. I secured two part time jobs at uni - the first of which was being a Fresher's Helper. If you get the chance to do this I would highly recommend it! It was so lovely telling all the little freshers and their parents information about the uni and making sure that the freshers fairs and society fairs were memorable and efficient. I'm now a Student Ambassador (again, something I would highly recommend),which means I'll get to do the same to prospective students and their parents on open days. I'm also the proud sub-editor of the Warwick Uncanny Journal, which you can check out here. Foolishly, I didn't really join any societies as a first year or second year, so haven't had much of a chance to be in an exec or really be socially involved in many clubs. Although it hasn't added to my social life, being part of this team actually makes me feel as though I'm making use of the opportunities we have at Warwick.

My final advice for final year would be to work hard and party hard. Don't hold back, because soon you'll be out in the "real" world, and everything will seem a lot harder to cram in!

Love and Light

Steph