MY SUNBED DISASTER

After finally getting a new digital camera, I'm back- and haven't forgotten about all you lovely people on blogger. The is the first time you'll have seen me on camera so SURPRISE! I hope you find this amusing, and learn from my mistakes! Leave a comment or tweet me, I'll always reply.

Liam :-)

Surviving Freshers and Settling In

The short-term absence of posts from my blog has been a consequence of me starting university, which has been the scariest and best time of my life.  Experiencing freshers has been crazy, and I feel like I'm now qualified enough to give you some advice on how to survive the manic first week and finally feel at home. Whether you're feeling a little homesick, or starting to feel the effects of the all-nighters, here's my personal tips for getting settled; 

Get Out There:

The only way to meet new people and introduce yourself to other students is to get out there and socialise.  You'll be surprised how many people are out there looking for new friendships- make them now before people get stuck into their studies later down the line!  I made it my plan to learn someone's name every where I went, so don't be too shy to jump into conversations and ask questions of your own.  It doesn't need to be awkward or formal at all, avoid cringe-worthy introductions at all costs. Just get chatting about nights out, university or moving out- everyone's in the same boat after all.

Pace Yourself:

It's no lie that there is a subliminal pressure to party, drink and go wild every night of freshers and I've tried my best to make the most of the cheap drinks and clubbing atmosphere. I think I've drank more wine this week than I ever have in my entire life, and when you're twerking to Anaconda by Nicki Minaj at 3am you know it's a good night. However, unless you're some kind of unstoppable party animal- the late nights will catch up with you and you'll need to allow yourself time to relax. One night midweek, my flat all went shopping and ordered a late night Domino's pizza- you can still have fun without downing a bottle of wine beforehand...  My advice would be: don't be afraid to get stuck in, but also know your limits.  I've ended up feeling a little run down and worse for wear but my week has been fantastic.

Plan Ahead:

On my first day of university talks I woke up at death's door. It's fair to say we all went a little far at the opening night, which was a beach themed party at the accommodation's central bar/club.  In light of this I'd advice you to plan ahead, and let loose only on nights where you're guaranteed a lie in the next morning. I'm not saying never have fun or drink ever again, there have been nights where my flatmates have been passed out with their head in the freezer door... but make sure you're prepared for what's to come the next day. The same rule will apply for the rest of your time at uni really, it's all just about thinking ahead and saving yourself the tortures of a lecture when you can't even see straight (trust me, it's not pretty). 

Relax:

My final tip is simply to relax and enjoy yourself.  There will be times when you have a little wobble, wishing you were at home in your own bed, and it's important to know that everyone is feeling it behind closed doors. If it all gets too much, confide in a friend and tell people how you feel- everyone in my flat has been so caring towards one-another it's almost too much to be believed.  I've been up at 5am unable to sleep, when I can see and hear drunken lads running around outside in their boxers, but it's all just part of the fun.  Relax and calm down, and if you can't beat them, join them. 

University Checklist / Preparation

If you're my age and going to univeristy, the next two weeks are probably going to be the busiest and most anxious as we prepare to move out of our family home and into halls of residence with a set of other students we have not yet met. In all honesty I'm very excited. I'm not viewing it as 'moving out' or leaving my entire life behind, but putting it into perspective- I'm merely going to uni! I'll probably be home every other weekend- I'm never more than a couple of hours from home. So no need to stress. 

What could be stressful though is preparing the colossal amount of things we need to take with us- from bedding to laptops; it can all get very confusing. Recently my parents and I had a visit to Asda Living, and there we filled four large baskets with homeware, bedroom decorations and kitchen utensils. These are the kind of expenses a student loan doesn't cover and the things we don't always think about when planning to go to uni- but these items really are essential. 

For the bedroom, you'll probably need a new duvet, quilt cover, pillows and bedding. Another item I'd highly recommend is a mattress topper- they're fairly inexpensive and ensure a comfortable and clean base- you never know who's been living in that room before you... ugh. Other than that, have you thought about storage? Maybe plastic boxes, laundry baskets and extra shelving would come in handy- I suppose it's all very personal to your requirements. To make my room cosy, I'm planning on buying a couple of soft cushions, maybe some fairy lights and photo frames to make everything feel warm and homely. The last thing I want is a cold shell of a room- it needs to feel like a place of my own. 

Aswell as all of that, there's the kitchen utensils to think about. I walked down the aisle and literally filled my basket- you'll be surprised how much there is and how much you'll need. Cutlery, bottle openers, tin openers, baking trays and tongues- my accomodation is self-catered so I'm planning on rustling up some (hopefully) impressive and affordable meals. I also picked up some glasses and mugs, plates and bowls. There's so much to remember! 

Electricals. Depending on your course, other items you'll need in your flat are a laptop, printer, small tv and even a desk lamp. These are things most of us have already, but I've had to buy a new laptop and tv. Moving to univeristy can be expensive, but look for the best deals and buy items that will last you the duration of your studies. I bought a white Samsung TV and Toshiba laptop in a matching colour, I'm so thrilled and think they look so pretty; I'm in love. 

After collecting an enormous pile of bits and bobs, I also began to prepare for other aspects of my time at univeristy.  The English department sent me a reading list- the names of 6 or 7 books I am expected to purchase (and in some cases read... argh) before I arrive. This is something to bear in mind, does your course require any kind of preparation? My department have even given me a few 'tasks' to complete before my induction... homework before I even get there! I suppose I've gotten lazy over summer and the thought of educational work intimidates me slightly! I'll soon get back into the rhythm of things once I move in- I'm looking forward to it. 

Hope some of you found this post useful and interesting, even if you're not going to univeristy and just fancied a nosey. Make sure you follow me on twitter, I'm always posting on there about univeristy plans and what I'm up to... What kind of posts would you like to see next, an insight into the items I bought, advice about moving away? Let me know in the comments below. 

How To: Flawless Skin

I occasionally get asked how I keep my skin so clear, and am always willing to tell people the steps I take to look after my complexion. The truth is, nobody is flawless- especially me, but I am lucky enough to have never suffered with acne or persistent blemishes. I have answered questions about my routine on twitter and instagram before, but I think writing it all here in one place is a simpler way to answer anyone who's interested in what products I use. Sometimes, the trick to looking flawless is good lighting and most certainly a healthy diet- but keeping your face clean and moisturised is equally important.

A product I use daily (as you can tell by my almost empty bottle!) is the Neutrogena Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit Gel Wash, an uplifting facial cleanser which is both gentle and refreshing.  I like this product because it is reasonably priced at less than £5, and the 200ml bottle seems to last forever. Unlike other gel washes I've used such as Clearasil, there are no harsh chemicals which could dry out or inflame the skin. Instead, the Neutrogena wash is gentle and calming, as well as smelling really fruity and fresh. The pseudoscience on the bottle tells me that 'MicroClear Technology' allows for deep cleansing of the pores and the elimination of blackheads etc. Works for me! If you fancy a nosey, it's available here. 

Aswell as my daily gel wash, I like to use the St. Ives Apricot Blemish Control Scrub in 'Naturally Clear' around three to four times a week. This scrub is oil-free and uses 100% natural ingredients, and I'd certainly argue it's worth the price of around £4 for 150ml. St. Ives is the best selling scrub brand in the UK, and you can find this product in most supermarkets as well as drugstores such as Boots and Superdrug on the high street. The cleansing scrub has a thick and creamy consistency, containing small beads which exfoliate the skin- removing dead skin cells that can lead to blackheads and spots. A natural product from a well respected brand, I highly recommend this Blemish Fighting Scrub- it's available here. 

Sudocrem is usually associated with young children, and is an essential part of most mums' cabinets. However, the antiseptic cream is also very useful for healing spots and scars on the face. If I ever have a troublesome patch of skin or recurring blemish, I typically apply a layer of Sudocrem to the affected area before bed- and in the morning I usually find it to be significantly calmer and less inflamed. It works very well in drying out blemishes, and is also effective on nappy rash, sunburn, minor burns, surface wounds or chilblains. It's a staple cream, and at around £2.50 per 125g, it's available here. 

Superdrug has recently introduced it's own range of mud masks, and according to some expert reviews I have read online, it can keep up with similar products from esteemed brands such as Origins. I use the Witch Hazel Mud Mask, which is purifying and calming on spot prone skin, and I really recommend this mask if you're looking for something fun and relatively inexpensive. Witch hazel and salicylic acid in the mask target blemishes, while Dead Sea mud absorbs excess oil- resulting in a clean and radiant complexion after repeated use. A pea sized amount of the mask covers the face, and after allowing ten minutes for the product to harden and set, it washes off easily in warm water or with a wet towel. I'd advice using this mask around twice a week for normal/combination skin, more frequent use for oily complexions. At £2.59 it's a must have! Available here. 

An important aspect of skin care not to overlook is moisturising, and I recommend Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream above all others if you're looking for an effective, cheaply priced product. I smother this cream on thickly every night and morning, and find it is quickly and deeply abosrbed into the skin. I cannot imagine how dry my skin could be if I didn't use it, and I feel like this product is perfect for blurring blemishes and giving a dewy complexion with regular use. With added Vitamin E and Jojoba Oil, this moisturiser is a great one and performs well: simple and proficient. On offer now for an amazing £1.24, you can pick up this one here. 

Using all of these products systematically in a routine helps me to maintain a clear complexion, and could work for you. These products are widely available, as well as competitively priced- it's a win/win. It's important to remember though that using products alone is not always enough to maintain a flawless finish on your skin. Eating healthily and drinking a lot of water is also fundamental in keeping your skin clear. Another tip is not to touch your face too often- resist the urge to pick and prod, and try to avoid touching your face throughout the day (you'll be surprised how often you catch yourself doing it!)  

I hope this post has been informative and helpful. Please let me know if you have used any of the products I've mentioned, or whether you swear by some I've not yet tried!  Thanks guys. 

Results Day - Experience and Advice

Results day is almost upon us, I think I've had the date etched on my brain for about 12 months. This Thursday (or next if your waiting for GCSE results) all will be revealed and we'll find out whether it was worth all the hard work. Looking back on the exam period, I realise it was probably the most serious, stressful and important two months of my life so far. It's so daunting to imagine how different my life could be depending on how hard I work now- and it's even crazier that our lives are shaped by these tests which are over within an hour and a half time slot.  Right now I'm feeling an uncomfortable combination of anxiety and impatience- everyone's in the same boat. 

Our results could go either way, and I really hope I'm the Beyoncé on the left! What I am confident in, is the fact that I worked myself into exhaustion back in May/June- I honestly feel like I couldn't have done anymore. I remember feeling tired, worn out, and irritated at the fact I couldn't just watch a film, or spend the day with friends. Most of my day was dedicated to revising, and even when I was resting, quotes and theories were swirling around my head. In other words, if my results are disappointing, that's just the way it's meant to be.

I remember my GCSE results day, when we were give a brown envelope with our final grades written down a tiny column inside. This year is different though, because my sixth form are sending our results via email at 7.30am. That means I'll read them blurry eyed from my bed, probably after limited sleep. In a way I wish we HAD to go into college, there's something about getting your results the old fashioned way and seeing them printed next to your name which feels more rewarding. Either way, I'll just be happy to finally know how I've done. 

I'm also preparing myself for results day as a whole. Searching through twitter to see how everyone else has done. Texting my friends and hopefully all being able to celebrate. Running though the house in the early hours announcing my grades to annoy and relieve my parents who are secretly more nervous than me. 

I've thought of a few general tips for the day myself- 

1) Don't boast; nobody likes a show off. This doesn't mean however, that you can't be proud of yourself. You've worked for it, you're allowed to be happy. Make sure your facebook status sounds more relieved than obnoxious, but also avoid mock modesty such as "I don't know how I did it... maybe the examiner got my papers mixed up with someone else's!" Just tell it how it is, people will be happy for you nonetheless.

2) Don't wallow in self pity. If it hasn't gone to plan, do not freak out. It isn't the end of the world as we know it, there are so many opportunities for you. Academic study is not for everyone, I can assure you. No matter how patronising it sounds, you probably are suited to something different that you haven't tried yet. You're a teenager, not 55- you don't have to find your way in life just yet. If you end up going to a different university, or even not going at all- this could be the best thing that's ever happened to you.

3) Talk to your friends and family. You've gone though it all together, and it's important not to forget about the people close to you. If someone you know doesn't give a clear answer to what they've got though, don't push them. Not everyone wants to publish their life and story online, some things are private and personal- let it go. Be supportive and tactful no matter what the outcome. 

4) CELEBRATE! We definitely deserve to let our hair down after months of panic and stress. Remember all those restless nights worrying about exams and revision, it's all over and it's finally time to let loose. See your friends, go out for a meal with your family, do whatever it is that you love. I'll probably be doing all of the above, results day should be a day of celebrating all of the hard work you've put in no matter the outcome of the exam. 

Good luck in your results and remember, what's done is done. There's nothing we can do to alter our results now... hope everything goes to plan for you! 

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(shamless self promo) On another note, thankyou to everyone who's read my blog so far and is retweeting my links etc. If you have a gmail account, please follow my blog- I've enabled members down in the side bar!