Back to school Tips & Tricks

Hey guys,

It's back to School season that no one loves, but it's fun nonetheless. Shopping for school supplies is a blast for me, not the actual studying, so I'll try to help you get an A+ on your next exam, and how to not fall behind at school.

Studying facts:

According to www.quora.com the best time to study is: 8 am - 10 am.

Brain function 100%: 6 am - 10 am.

Brain function 50%: 10 am - 7:30 pm.

Brain function 20%: Night time.

How to not fall behind at school?

 1. Don't skip classes... This is the easiest step and the key to success.

2. Prepare in advance... To avoid the shock of new info, simply reading through the chapter the night before can be very helpful.

3. Soak in new info in class... While everything is still fresh in your memory soak it all in.

4. Ask questions right away... Before the teacher moves on, while you still remember what you don't get.

5. Study a bit after class.... To help the new material settle in your head, study in chunks and avoid cramming before tests.

How to start studying (Tips)?

Step 1: Put on comfortable cloths.
Step 2: Clean your desk and through away unnecessary papers.
Step 3: Get your books.
Step 4: Get a notebook.
Step 5: Grab some pens and colorful postit notes.
Step 6: Turn off all distractions.
Step 7: Look for a playlist.
Step 8:Get a healthy snack and  a bottle of water.
Step 9: Take breaks.
Step 10: Get cracking.

How to highligh?

- Don't use one single-colored highlighter.
- Try use several different colors.
- Assign each color a specific purpose.
-This creates a color coding system.
Therefore making your material easier to understand and learn.

Example of a system:

Pink:Titles and headlines.
Blue: Terminology and vocab.
Green: Definitions and explanations of terminology. (Green explains Blue).
Orange: Examples of the terms.
Yellow: Other things, Misc.  

How to study:

1. For essay based subjects:

-Make Note.
-Make flashcard.
-Make mind maps.

2. For Science/ Maths:

-Practice using textbook & pat paper.
- Understand the course as you're learning it.
-Don't wait until the exam to seek for help 
-Highlight your text books.
-Make notes.

3. Revise in short 30 minutes burst then take 5 minutes break. (Scientifically proven to be effective)

4. Eat a balanced diet, hydrate and exercise.

5. Make studying fun setting goals and rewarding yourself when you've reached them.

6. Don't just MEMORIZE content, UNDERSTAND content.

How to stay motivated while studying?

- Change pens.
- Use sticky notes.
-Take 15 minutes breaks.
-Use colorful pens and highlighters.
-Use videos to study.
-Chat with friends about studying.
-Read instead of writing, and write instead of reading.
-Change study position.
- Make a checklist and tick it off.

How to get an A+?

1. Prepare your classes, read your assign reading before class.
2. In class write notes, pay attention and ask questions.
3. After class study your class, make sure to read your notes and make a studying guide.
4. Review, the weekend after class review your week's study.
5. Prep your tests, mark them on your calendar, divide your days for each exam and decide when and what are you studying on each day.

Here you go guys, these were my tips and tricks on how to study and be great at it.

please leave your feedback down below and don't forget t share.

How to organize your life?

Hey guys,

It's the start of the new financial year plus it's back to school season...

So why not start fresh with an organized life, new beginning new start, I'll give you my top 5 skills you need to develop in order to organize your life and stay organized throughout the year.

5 Skills you need to learn to organize your life:

1. Time Management Skills:

So Time management is key to an organized life, you only have 24 hours per day, we spend 8 hours sleeping, 8 hours working and we end up with 8 hours to work around to get our life together, so time management is key.

You'll find some tips on How work smarter not harder? here.

Tips to help you manage your time:

1. Make a schedule, Planners are amazing. Use a journal to track what you do        everyday, and how much time you spend on each task. Schedule more time than you think you need for meetings to build in a natural buffer.

             Personal planner.

      

 2. Make weekly goals to keep yourself accountable.

      

 3.Prioritize. Write down 3 - 5 must - do priorities each morning and knock them out early in the day. The task Priority Sheet  is the way to go. Spend more time on your priorities, time is highly elastic and will stretch to accommodate what we choose to put into it.

 4. Don't be a time waster.

5. Take breaks when you start to lose steam.

2. Filling Skills:

Keep all your bills, documents, receipts and other important paper in folders for each month out of the year for easy access just more organization. For expenses you can always divide them into IN and OUT folders.

Free printable are your friend. 

House Cleaning Checklists - Room by Room

Free printable office cleaning checklist.

Grocery and inventory Tracking.

Weekly Meal Planner.

3. Decluttering:

Having a clean space is the number one inspiring method to get things done. When you have less stuff to stumble on when working will make focus more on the job and less on the clutter around you.

You will my tips on Decluttering very helpful, check them out.

4. DIY Skills:

The most affordable way to organize your space is by recycling items you already have to serve a different purpose that what they're meant to.

1.  Use a cloths hanger to organize scarfs.

2. Use a food stand to display your most worn jewelry.

3. Use a mug holder to display your necklaces.

DIY Organization Ideas from Pinterest.

5. Labeling Skills:

Labels are used so we can find stuff more easily, so use plenty of them .

1. Use washi tape to label electric cords.

Roll out washi tape on a hard surface and write the name of each item.

Wrap washi tape around the cords and stick washi tape to washi tape.

Trim out triangle to create a flag shape and place in your power strip.

2. Use nail polish to label your keys.

you can write on them and once the ink is dried seal it with a clear top coat.

3. Label your pantry jars and spices to make it easier to find everything.

Labels 6

Labels 5

Labels 4

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Labels 2

Labels 1

I hope you found these tips useful to have a more organized life free of clutter.

Please comment and share with your friends cause I worked extra hard on this post.

Family Gathering

Hey guys,

Summer is here, and what a nicer way to spend it than family quality time, I guess we're a lucky family where everyone can get along easily with each other, unlike other families where they have to put an extra effort to get along.

We have a lot in common, the youngster play together, the elderly talk to one another and a lot happens in between.

So my Mom and Dad hosted a family gathering at their home, and it was fabulous, I would love to share some of those moments that were captured with you.

I hope you'll enjoy them, and please don't forget to leave me a comment about your favorite family gathering game!!

Tips and tricks on How to pack? How to save money and space on traveling?

Hey guys,

It's finally SUMMER, time of traveling and having fun.

Packing and traveling is not easy, and forgetting something behind is a party pooper, so what is the solution to an easy breezy packing experience?

I'll share my packing, traveling and booking airplane tickets top tips and tricks, hacks that were very helpful to me personally when I'm travelling.

The topics I'll be discussing in today's post are as follow:

1. Traveling Tips (What to do before and during your flight?).
2. Airport hacks.
3. What to take with you in your carry on?
4. How to pack?
5. What to pack?
6. Packing hacks.
7. Outfit journal.
8. Outfit ideas.

1. Traveling Tips:

Fact: Airlines make more money by knowing our buying habits.

So when to buy airline tickets? 

• The best time to buy your ticket is 6 weeks out.
• Shop early but don't buy early. Airlines start offering cheaper seats about 4 months before departure, 5 months for international.
• Prices change up to 3 times/day, sign up for email alerts for prices.
• Sunday is the most expensive day to fly- Holiday travel is an exception, buy those tickets as soon as possible.

Things to consider:

• Prices rise quickly the week of the flight. You'll pay about 40% more for ticket the day of.
• Most discounts and sales are offered early in the week.
• Consider nearby airports. Some cities have several airports, and the airfare can vary dramatically between them.

Before your flight:

1. Stick to a routine: Choose a flight that fits your sleeping schedule, if not stick to your bedtime routine before the flight, to fall asleep easier on the plane.
2. Dress for success: Wear sweatpants or workout cloths will keep you comfortable. Don't forget the thick socks to keep your feet warm.
3. Choose your side: Book your seat according to the side you sleep on if possible.
4. Tire yourself: The night before the flight, try to get a little less sleep.
5. Limber up: Stretch your body or do some yoga before your flight.

During your flight:

1. Flip your neck pillow: When you doze off, your head will be supported.
2. Use a foot rest: Use your carry on luggage as a foot rest.
3. Stay away from the light: Block out light, close the blinds, if you're setting next to a window, if not wear an eye mask.
4. Listen to white noise: Drown out any distracting sounds.
5. Avoid the snack trolley: Avoid drinks that are full of sugar and caffeine and alcohol, try to have carb-rich snacks like cereal one hour before dozing off.

Choose your sleeping position:

1. The window-gazer: Using a pillow prop your head against the window.
2. The headbanger: Pull down your seat tray and lean on top of it.
3. The lovebirds: Rest your head on the shoulder of the person next to you.
4. The crab: Ideal for isle seats, bring your legs to your hips and over the armrest (Watch out for the trolley).
5. The traditionalist: Push your seat back and enjoy the extra space.
6. The VIP: What are the odds? Just like sleeping in your bed, when you're alone in the raw, you can sprawl across the seats with a blanket and a pillow.

2. Airport Hacks:

• Check in online.
• Stay close to the business boarding, They occasionally show mercy and take people in from the queue.
• If you get thirsty, bring an empty water bottle through security,then fill it later.
• Know the rules, no sharp objects, liquids in sealed bags.
• Empty your pocket before you go through security.
• Offline survival, download your online boarding, Maps and passes, in case the unthinkable happens.
• Instead of storming the gate, wait out the rush and get some work done, the plane won't take off before 40 minutes.
• Use headphone for noise cancellation, not music, this way you won't miss any important announcements.
• Expect the unexpected, your luggage may be lost,so keep on an extra outfit and the essentials in your carry on.
• Board last for a free upgrade. If the plane is not full, you'll get to pick your seat, maybe even in first class.

What to take on your carry on?

1. Super important:

• Passport/ID.
• Copies of flight itinerary and address of where you're staying.
• Boarding pass.
• Proof of payment of any visas, hotels, flights. etc.

2. Entertainment:

• Tablet.
• Chargers.
• Headphones, Noise cancellation headphones.
• Knitting supplies. Knitting needles are allowed on the plane.

3. Snacks:

• Almonds.
• Beef jerky.
• Empty water bottle, you can fill it in the airplane.
• Granola.
• Apple pie, feel free to bring that pie yo baked last night.

4.Hygiene:

• One quart - size bag of liquids per flyer - that's it. Liquids must be 3.4 Oz or less deppending on the airlines.

3.4 Oz hand sanitizer.

3.4 Oz lotion.

Eye contact solution + Glasses

5. Just in case:

• Change of underwear.
• Pillow case.
• Anti wrinkle shirt.
• Pliers. 7 inches tools or less are allowed on the plane.
• Expensive electronics.
• Sleeping mask.
• Blanket or a big scarf.
• travel pillow.
• Anything you hate to lose like Jewelry, be careful if the ring resemble a brass rings it may get taken away. 

4. How to pack?

1. Know your destination, check the temperature, the climate, the culture, etc...
2. Trip duration, how many days, you can make your suitcase as light or as heavy as it needs to be. If your traveling just for the weekend it's better to pack your stuff in your carry on.
3. Make a check list to prevent forgetting anything. A complete checklists will be provided. Beach Packing List, Makeup and Toiletries Packing List, Vacation Packing List. 
4. Choose a color pallet. It's best to choose all nature colors with a few pieces of colored items like accessories or shoes.
5. Weigh your luggage at home so that you don't have to go through trouble at the airport, taking out your items from the suitcase in case of an over weight.

5. What to pack for a 5 day get away:

So Packing is not an easy task, but if you followed the 5 steps of how to pack it'll be so much easier.

1. Check the climate and culture.
2. Gather the basics.
3. Add key color pallet items.
4. Rationalize shoes, A pair of nude wedges to go with everything, flip flops, sneakers and heels for romantic dinners.
5. Complete with accessories, a cross body bag, a tote that can be used as a beach bag too, a clutch, belts and statement necklaces.

Pack light with the 5, 4, 3, 2 ,1 Rule:

5 Tops        4 Bottoms        3 Pairs of shoes       2 bags      1 Swimsuit

Black high neck (B.H.N)    Black Mesh (B.M)    White (W)     Mint  (M)      Kemono (K)

Black Pants (B)        Jeans (J)         Coral jeans (C)      Shorts (Sh)

White Wedges (W.W)    Sneakers (S)   Flipflops (F)

Black crossbody bag (Cross)      Nine west bag (Nine  L(long strap) / Sh (short strap))

For example: B.H.N + B + W.W + Nine Sh

                      W + K + J + W.W + Nine L

 

6. Packing Hacks:

• Put necklaces through straws.
• Put earrings through buttons holes.
• Put plastic wrap to close the bottles of toiletries (double wrap).
• Put cotton balls in compact powders to save them from breaking.
• Use cloths pins to make you toothbrush stand up right on the sink's top.
• put your money, credit cards and important papers in a maxi pad wrap, no one will ever touch it.

Cloths packing and organization tips:

• Roll clothes to fit the uneven bottom of a suitcase.
• Add pants and trousers.
• Roll clothes again.
• Put outerwear.
• Wrap pants and trousers.
• Insert accessories / shoe to corners (put socks inside shoes before hand).

Folding tips: 

Jeans:

Anti-wrinkle t-shirts:

7. Outfit Journal:

Keep a journal to document every outfit idea you get, do it on Microsoft Excel, or on physical paper, whatever suits you so you don't forget.

Take photos with your phone and keep them in a separate folder for easy access.

I do it on Excel sheets, its easier for me to find it on my laptop, plus I upload it on dropbox for the convince of finding it on my phone.

Here you'll find a free printable of my outfit journal, plus a Microsoft Excel version so you can customize it to your needs.

The photo above is an example of my journal for reference.

8. Outfit ideas:

Finally I hope you liked this blog post, I've spend a massive effort on covering so many aspects of travelling, please share it with your friends and family, and leave me a comment telling me about your secret traveling hack.