Where Do We Go From Here?

So, I've disappeared. I've let college take over my life (like it is supposed to), with ABC (anything but clothes) and toga parties to attend, hours of Chemistry homework, studying for midterms, and overall trying to keep myself healthy and sane I've gone AWOL on this site.

I think it's pretty safe to say that the blog has to go on a break for a while. But first, I have a story to tell you.

I'm technically failing Chemistry. I got over 100% on the first two homework assignments (only reaching a grand total of 5% by the end of the semester though), but then my marks started to slip. I got a 56% on my first chemistry lab, and the next I handed in I am definitely not looking forward to seeing the mark. I failed my first test (23.5/50).
Now I'm trying to figure out what it is I have to do.
And in the mean time give you all some tips in case you do end up in the position I am currently in.

1. Do your homework - even if it is not worth marks.
This is probably the biggest mistake I've made. I put off my chemistry homework, not practicing the things I didn't understand and therefore didn't end up getting help. So I've dug myself into a deeper pit that could have been avoided.

2. Get help if you need it
This is something I'm having a bit of trouble with. The Student Academic Success Service doesn't offer tutoring here, and all the tutoring posters are for math or economics tutors. The only help I have found so far is a Friday afternoon study group, from 2:30-4:00pm. I don't know if this is going to help me in the ways I need it, especially since I haven't been keeping up with my homework.

3. Pay attention in class.
This is something I have been doing, but unfortunately my notes from the lecture are absolutely awful. I could blame the prof for speaking too fast, not emphasizing important topics, not providing enough examples, and not explaining thoroughly enough - but I won't even if all of the above are very, very true. Most people in my class suggest printing the lecture slides before class, but I don't learn that was so unfortunately, I never seem to be caught up.

4. Drop the class if you need to.
I didn't think I was going to need to drop this class, I got well over the average on my first two assignments. But then I got my chemistry lab back, a week after the drop out date - and the first thing that ran through my mind was "I am screwed." I'll talk more about why this is not a positive attitude to keep, but first I really must say I wish I had known that I wouldn't be doing too well a little sooner, so then I wouldn't be putting my GPA in jeopardy like I am right now.

5. Stay positive
One bad mark in a class does not mean you will definitely fail. Your mark can be saved! You just have to be willing to put the effort into it. Get the help you need, speak to the TAs and the prof, find a tutor, or join a study group. Work on the things you may have been slacking on. Keep trying!

That's the best advice I can give you and everyone else right now, hopefully the tips work for me.

Vlog

You really have to excuse the amaturity to this video. I was in the middle of getting ready to go out and did this on a whim.

No Excuses

I really have no more excuses on why I haven't been blogging. I fell a bit behind on my homework the first week of school, but now that I'm all caught up I've found myself with a bit of a lack of productive things to do.
Hence why my hiatus has abruptly ended.

When I was told I would probably make the best friends of my life in university I really didn't believe the people who told me so. I figured I'd be pretty lonely for the rest of my life, due to the fact that I am a bit different (not in a negative way of course, but other people may not agree). My social life during my first week here at the University of Ottawa was not the best, to say the least, and I pondered many a times if it would be best to try and rent my room to someone else and head back home for the rest of the year.

Then Friday happened. I finish class early on Fridays, leading me to have a fair amount of free time in the afternoon. Being sick of Facebook and Twitter, where no one else seemed to be on, I explored my floor's hallway to find a group of people from my floor headed to the liquor store. It sounds awful that I seem to have bonded with these people over the purchase of brain-cell reducing, liver scleroding beverages, but I've been pretty content ever since!

Take two seconds ago for example, I stopped blogging to go see who was talking in the hallway and began talking with them myself. After a quick fit of giggles I am now back in my dorm room (feeling lonely actually, I like the constant company that living in a dorm provides) writing about how I just went out into the hallway to speak to my floormates.

I don't know if other floors are like this, but I could definitely see myself being friends with these people for a very long time.

For all those seniors out there who are considering commuting to school next year, if it is not because of cost, go live in the dorms. It has so far been one of the best decisions of my life. The social atmosphere is only one of many beneficial things you will experience living on campus.

Brief Hiatus

Now that I'm all moved in and settled into university, as much as I'd like to share my experiences with you the only time I'm finding I have is late at night - time which will disappear in the next couple of days when I start class. So a brief hiatus is in order. I'll be back soon, once I get into the swing of things. Until then. check out some of the blogs I follow on bloglovin!

The Nerves Have Kicked In

Image courtesy of http://www.sandysknitting.com/

It is six days until I fill up my mother's 2004 Toyota Echo with my belongings, some new some long cherished items that I want with me at all times while settling in to a completely new location. I am one of those people who has never moved once, and the event of moving into my freshman dorm room is a pretty big deal, and not just in the "going to college milestone" way. For the first time in my life I will be leaving my hometown, meeting new people without the friends made in kindergarten around me, and going on with life without my parents by my side.

Truth be told, I'm scared to death.

The appeal of meeting possible friends for life and others, having an entirely clean slate (no more embarassing stories from grade school looming over my shoulder), and independence have surpassed my nervousness for the most part. Unfortunately, my mind has decided to make this week different. Gone are the ideas of late nights with my new best girlfriends, and come the terrors of feelings of homesickness and loneliness (something I know far too much about). I keep asking myself, where did my confidence go?

Image courtesy of http://www.lonelycomics.com/

I think the fear has come from the fact that after getting a letter informing me that I have switched floors I no longer was in contact with anyone where I'll be residing for the next 8 months (give or take a couple of weeks). The girls of floor 19 were eager to add me on Facebook and chat up a storm, where as the Co-eds of floor 15 . . . not so much. I also hear from friends who have already left for school that things have been less than perfect. This is bound to happen to anyone - but when you're already nervous about something the slightest hint of bad news can make you want to run to the hills. The fact that I like being 100% prepared, but I'm not even close to being finished my shopping and I have yet to start packing is making me nervous as well. Who knows what might come up this week that might leave me with little time to get ready to go?

I believe I'm starting to doubt in my mind college will be like what I want it to be like. My meticulous planning is no help here and I hate it, though I really shouldn't because honestly do the super perfect plans I make ever come out as perfectly as I planned? No. And have I survived? Yes. Going to college is just another thing I have to survive through, and hopefully enjoy myself along the way, right? My nervousness is entirely understandable, but I can't let it ruin what may be.

So, I'm making a promise to myself. Other than the plans for shopping, packing and moving in - plus buying my textbooks and meal plan once I get to campus, no other plans shall be made for college. This is one of those times when I need to go with the flow, and I am promising myself I will.

Reblog: 25 Reasons Why You Should Dress Up Every Day

This piece is exactly what the young women of the world need right now. I'm not going to say sweats aren't comfortable and often the easiest thing to throw on the in the morning, but I really think women out there need to start showing some pride in themselves. Dressing up is one way to do it, and Zephyr of CollegeFashion captures the reasons why PERFECTLY!

25 Reasons Why You Should Dress Up Every Day courtosy of CollegeFashion

A few weeks ago, a reader left a comment that made me think about the things we wear every day and why we wear them. She was asking for advice on what to do when people ask “why are YOU so dressed up?” As if wearing something cute that makes you feel good is a “strange” thing to do!

That comment got me thinking about dressing up and what that means.

Since when did it become an unusual thing to put effort into what you wear and have fun with fashion? Since when is anyone not wearing sweatpants and a hoodie breaking unwritten social rules? Why should “dressing up” be reserved for special occasions only?

I was immediately inspired to create this list. I firmly believe in “dressing up” every day of your life, and I think you should too!

So why dress up? Here are 25 good reasons.

• Because life’s too short to blend in. Don’t settle for average.
  
• Because you’re only young once. You’re way more gorgeous than you know; have a fabulous body you’ll one day look back on and wish you had! Take advantage now and show off how fabulous you can be.
  
• Because fashion is a method of self expression. What are you trying to say?
  
• Because you never know who you’ll run into. Brad Pitt at the grocery store? Hey, stranger things have happened.
  
• Because it obviously annoys some people (like the guy who asks why YOU are so dressed up). The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it.
  
• Because you never know, there’s always a chance you could get snapped by The Sartorialist (or maybe the girls over at Street Spotted)!
  
• Because you deserve to look your best at all times.
  
• Because you’ll never improve your sense of style if your default look is “I give up”. Yes, that was a Seinfeld reference. But it’s true!
  
• Because dressing up helps you weed out friends who don’t love you for you. If they have a problem with the way you dress, they’re not the kind of friends you want around.
  
• Because cute clothes and accessories are a great conversation starter. Wear something fabulous and people will ask you where you got it.
  
• Because parties aren’t the only time to celebrate.
  
• Because that fabulous party dress in your closet cost too much to only be worn once. Remember cost per wear?
  
• Because it’s fun!
  
• Because even if you live in an “unstylish” city & are scared to dress up, cities don’t become stylish without someone going first. I know it sounds cheesy, but be the change you want to see in the world. Everyone else can follow your fabulous lead.
  
• Because dressing up helps you make fashion mistakes and get past them. Mistakes happen to everyone and that’s how you learn what not to do – get them out of the way now!
  
• Because it’s a test of your confidence. Dressing unconventionally forces you to develop the self-assurance necessary to stand out from everyone else.
  
• Because fashion is one of the rare instances where art comes alive. What artistic statement do you want to make?
  
• Because if you’ve got it (great style, killer confidence, amazing legs), it’s just wrong not to flaunt it.
  
• Because someday when you have a 9-5 corporate job and are required to wear business suits, you’re going to miss the freedom of dress you had in college. Experiment now! There’s no better time.
  
• Because glamour isn’t only reserved for the rich and famous, even though maybe they’d like you to believe it is.
  
• Because if conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the world might end on 12/31/2012 – that’s only 1211 days from now! Even though we all worried about Y2K too, why not be on the safe side? Don’t spend the theoretical 1211 days you have left in sweats.
  
• Because Carrie Bradshaw would not approve of your sweatpants and UGG boots. You can do better than that. And deep down, you know I’m right.
  
• Because dressing well means you don’t have to do your hair at all – you’ll have that ultra fabulous, slightly disheveled Kate Moss look.
  
• Because nothing beats the rush you feel when you look in the mirror and LOVE what you see.
  
• Because you want to. That’s the only reason that matters.

Why do YOU dress up?
What do you think? Do you make an effort to dress up every day? What inspires you to put effort into your look? Tell me what you think by leaving a comment.

Welcome Home Holly!

Yesterday I entered Ottawa's new Apple Store, across from Dynamite and M.A.C and beside American Apparel, somewhere where it fits right in, at the famous Rideau Centre. It's really beautiful in there, but the amount of customers really ruins the experience - at least in my opinion, but it is nice to know that the store welcomes anyone and everyone to test and try out all their programs.

About thirty minutes later I exited with a 13-inch polycarbonate computer, a copy of iWork, and a free iPod touch. Yes, I have brought home my new MacBook.

Many of you may know that MacBook owers lovingly name thier new computers, and use a theme for the next succession of Mac computers ("Once you go Mac, you never go back!"). I have lovingly named my Macbook Holly, after one of the most memorable characters in literature and film alike, Holly Golightly from Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's. My theme is heroine's from literature and film. I'm not likely to run out of names with that any time soon.

But with the purchase of my school computer comes awareness. I just spent a gratuitious amount of money, with more spending to come of course once I pay my tuition, residence fees, buy textbooks etc. I've already discussed fees, but spending all this money has made me realize . . . I'm going to university! I move out in 11 days, start class in 2 weeks exactly. People I know have already packed up and left for their newest adventure. My friend Ilayda, who is at McGill has her own blog to share with the world her experiences - http://maplessmiss.blogspot.com/.

I can't wait to share my own adventures with you all!