10 things that made me happy in March

Image from Pixabay

1. Managing my work

This month, I've started feeling better about my final year workload. My dissertation is finally coming together, essay planning is underway and I'm looking forward to enjoying the last few months of uni. I've felt so stressed since Christmas, thinking that I'd never be able to complete my dissertation or have control of my work but I can see it starting to take shape.

2. Meeting new people

I love meeting new people and exploring new opportunities and this month has been full of them! I'm in contact with so many more bloggers, industry professionals and have enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know them.

3. It's finally Spring!

My favourite season is in full swing; longer days, brighter evenings, warmer weather and cooler drinks. The dull winter is long gone and it's looking more like Spring. People just seem so much happier when the sun's out and having the sun shining definitely helps when I'm trying to complete assignments.

4. I paid off my holiday

It's such a relief when you pay off a holiday and I've finally got round to doing it. This year's holiday is a pretty expensive one so I couldn't wait to pay it off, now I just want to go! I can use the extra money to buy plenty of holiday clothes now.

5. September can't come soon enough

I know it's only March and we've still got the summer to enjoy but I just can't wait to start teaching in September. This month, my timetable was sent out, along with a portfolio of how the year will run and how I'll be assessed and it's really made it all seem so much more exciting. Bring it on.

6. Catching up with friends

I really don't see my friends enough. When it comes to organised meals, nights out and shopping trips, it always seems as though dates don't work out or things get re-scheduled. This month, I caught up with some of my lovely friends and I can't wait to be able to see them a lot more after uni.

7. Graduation

Last week, I finally received my graduation date. Although it's not for another 8 months, I'm already looking forward to the day. Having graduation in mind has given me so much motivation to complete my work to the best of my ability and have a goal set in my mind.

8. Spoiling my Mum

I love buying gifts for my Mum and she definitely deserves a lot more than I can afford but I enjoyed spoiling her this Mother's Day. I also fought hard to find the perfect present for my Nan's birthday but finally settled on some summer essentials from her favourite shop.

9. My sister came home

My sister lives away at university and although I speak to her every day, I don't see her as much as I'd like. She came home for Mother's Day weekend to celebrate our Nan's birthday and see the family, which was lovely.

10. Work experience

I completed a weeks work experience at Gloucestershire Live and the Gloucestershire Echo at the start of March, which I really enjoyed. I spent the week talking to new people, interviewing shop owners, writing pieces for online and newspapers and having lot of laughs in the office. It was such a good week, made even better by having 5 published pieces in the paper.

What will 2017 bring?

Image from nstpictures.com

For me, the new year doesn't mean resolutions and becoming a 'better person', it's all about reflecting on good times and trying your best to make this year just as good as the last.

2016 was a brilliant year, full of personal achievements, holidays and realisations. I finally figured out what it is I want to do and how I want to do it, along with my plans for the end of 2017. Now that we're fully immersed into the new year, I thought I'd let you know what my plans are for this year, and why, for me, 2017 is going to be big.

So far, plans include:

• Final Semester - I want to finish my final year at UoG proud of what I have achieved and knowing that I have put 100% into every piece of work.

• 21st Birthday - Although I'll still be focusing on grades and my final assignment, my 21st in May kick starts the summer nicely and I'm sure to be celebrating in style.

• Mexico - A country I've always wanted and now I finally get to; I'm so glad we booked this last year. I can't wait to spend 2 weeks soaking up the sun and sipping on cocktails!

• Graduation - I can't wait for graduation. After 3 years of hard work and deadlines, graduating will definitely be my biggest achievement to date.

• Postgraduate course - I decided last year to apply for a postgraduate PGCE, and have since placed my firm choice with a lovely school in Pershore. The beginning of a new journey.

New Year ideas

Image from Pixabay

For me, last minute New Years plans are normal. It gets past Christmas and suddenly everyone is asking: "What are you doing for New Years?" and "Got any plans?" and I realise... I haven't even thought about it.

I love going out on New Years Eve but everywhere is so busy and pretty expensive and I definitely don't want to end up in Marilyns, (we're talking sticky dance floors and underage girls dancing to Nicki Minaj!), but I can never think of any alternatives!

So, for all of you in the same position as me, here's 8 ideas of how you can start 2017 with a bang...

1. Head to the Capital...

If you get the chance, head to London for a night of fun with so many events to choose from. My pick would be Kensington Roof Gardens, which host a circus themed evening; drinks, live entertainment, a huge fireworks display and plenty of surprises along the way.

https://www.designmynight.com/london/bars/kensington/the-roof-gardens/new-years-eve-at-the-roof-gardens-2016

2. Game on!

Grab all of your friends and have a night in. Lots of alcohol, drinking games and takeout food makes for the perfect New Years, with no worries about finding a taxi or spending it alone!

3. Go to the Races

Going to Cheltenham Races is one of the highlights of my year and their New Years Day event makes for the perfect excuse to go! Wrap up warm and grab yourself a few drinks while you're there... carrying on the party from NYE.

http://cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/

4. Host your own

Host your own New Years party with a fancy-dress event. Casino night, Hawaiian Luau or an 80's themed party will make the evening more fun, not that you'll be able to remember it the next morning!

5. Drink in Dublin

Dublin's New Years Festival last 3 days and has pretty much everything you can imagine; a light extravaganza, sky dance, poetry slam and not to mention their concert, which this year sees Walking on Cars headlining! All of this and plenty of drinking will make for a New Years to remember. 

http://nyfdublin.com/

6. Or head further...

NYE is the perfect time to take a holiday. Expensive, yes, but the atmosphere that you'll experience in cities such as New York, Hong Kong, Berlin or Rio will make it completely worthwhile.

7. A girly evening

If you like a more laid-back evening, grab your girlfriends and set up camp in your garden. Plenty of blankets, fairy lights, projector films and bottles of Prosecco will make your New Years unique.

8. Just enjoy it.

No matter where you're off to this New Years, make sure that you're spending it with your faves. And really, as long as plenty of food and drink is consumed, you're sure to have a good one!

A fresh start

I've been spending a lot of time reflecting recently and although I'm not one to usually regret anything or want to change anything about myself, there's been some situations and set-backs that have really got me thinking about what it is I want.

I want to be happy.

Although I believe that I am a positive person and try not to dwell on things too much, my anxiety occasionally comes to haunt me and leaves me overthinking, worrying and just generally creating thoughts that have no reason to even be there. I want to live in the moment and worry less about everything, so I've made some pretty big decisions. Here goes...

I've quit my job. It actually gives me so much pleasure in saying this as it's something that's dragged me down for quite a long time now. I started uni with a 25 hour job and it just piled on the pressure. Even after cutting my hours, with the workload I had to compete with at uni, I was worrying more and more about pleasing both my manager and my lecturers, forgetting about what actually matters. Me.

The pressure to do so much more overtime, get coursework and revision done and have a social life was something that I just about dealt with for the majority of time at uni. Now, heading into my third year with a 2:1, I want to make sure I keep my grades up and concentrate on my work, and now I get a lie in on the weekend!

I've also decided to apply for a postgraduate PGCE. This decision, if you know me, isn't that much of a shocker. I started my summer this year by volunteering in a primary school for two months, and it's made me realise what I really want. Yes, I love media and journalism has been the perfect degree for me to study. If a job comes up in the media industry or I want to do more work experience in newspapers, magazines or PR, then I might! But after being part of a primary school the final term of the year, it's really opened my eyes into what it is I want to do and made me think about what's best for me.

So, as my final year of uni approaches, I've made some big decisions that I'm hoping will reflect positively on my work and grades. I've also made smaller, everyday decisions; to be more organised, to take every chance I'm given and to think of the positive in every situation. Hopefully, this time next year, I'll be able to look back and realise that I chose the right path.

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My top tips on saving

If you know me, you'll know I'm a pretty good money saver. Whether it's trying to grab a bargain in the sales, selective buying or just storing my money for a rainy day - I'm pretty good at it.

As I get so many people asking me for tips, this post will hopefully help some of you who are looking at saving your money as well, even if it does give away my secrets of saving!

1. Promotional codes and student discount

I am a sucker for a good promotional code. I am that obsessed with them that when I buy anything online, I won't 'proceed to checkout' unless I have found a bargain. Whether it be 25% off student discount, free delivery or £5 off, it all makes a massive difference. Especially if it arrives and you find that it doesn't fit or isn't what you thought it was going to be.

2. Try to be organised

If you know you have something coming up, try to plan what you're going to buy in advance. If it's someone's birthday, you may find that what you want to buy them goes on offer or hits the sale, saving you money. For Christmas, I start as early as I can. Wanting to spoil family and friends and thinking of presents is difficult, so if you see something appropriate, even in September, buy it. It's always so typical that whenever you buy last minute, you can't find anything!

3. Shop the sales

Buy summer essentials in the autumn and winter favourites in the spring. Obviously, some things are only on-trend occasionally and you may find that impulse buying leaves you finding better, more on trend stuff the following year. However, coats, simple knits, denim shorts, bikinis and jeans will never go out of trend. Buying them in the sale will just save you money for when they come around again the following year!

4. Don't be afraid to splurge

I always fall in love with pricey pieces, even when it comes to looking for a new car or dreaming of future holidays. But it's all about compromising. Don't eat out as much, ask yourself if you really need so many underwear sets and put away some money each month. It's really not that difficult. Shopping sprees are a lot more fun when you've saved up money for them, rather than delving into your student overdraft.

5. Do you really need it?

Sometimes, you see an item you love and spend weeks longing for payday. But, even if you're not going to buy it there and then, try it on. It might not fit properly, be suitable or just not go with any other clothes you own! Or wait a week or two without impulse buying, you might not like it when you see it again...