// 18 WAYS YOU KNOW YOU'RE A UNI STUDENT //

1. The day you move into halls you will spend the day feeling like you're going to poop your pants with excitement/nervousness until you get a vodka mixer down your neck.. then you won't care and everyone will be your best friend despite this being the first day you know them.

2. Freshers photos. The most mortifying photos to look back on but at the time you thought you were hilarious and wanted to show everyone from home just how much fun you are having in your new city. Ooh drinking. Ooh predrinks. Ooh 'I love uni'. Such fun. 

drinking from a smart price lemonade bottle in the street while waiting for the bus to our freshers ball? classy one i am.

3. You blew your student loan in the first few weeks due to going out every night for two weeks and 'needing' a new outfit for each night.. cause yknow, who wants to be seen in the same outfit twice?

4.You are constantly being told off by the little library minions who are insistent that you must follow every single tiny little rule in your university's policy and have the most un-enjoyable time in the library as possible, even if you have done nothing wrong. I'm not bitter at all...

5. You eat supernoodles at least twice a week, from the saucepan, with whatever utensil you can find, or failing that, your hands. 

6. "I'll do it later" is a frequent excuse for everything. Washing up? Tidying your room? That assignment that is due next week? Yep, there's plenty of time for that.

7. "I'll just come for prinks" or "I'll go out but I wont drink much". You know this is the biggest lie but you undoubtedly tell yourself this to make yourself feel better and to convince yourself that you can control how much you drink. Wrong. Once prinks are underway, it is just too tempting not to join in. You'll work through the hangover anyway, right?

8. You think back to first year and cringe with all the embarrassing things you said/did and when you walk past that one guy that you kissed or that girl who you pissed off that one night you will forever be haunted by the memories of alcohol induced stupidity. Why oh why.

9. 9am lecture? Yeah, not a chance you'll be making it to that. Even if you set 10 alarms. Or leave your door unlocked for the flatmate who is practically nocturnal to waltz in and wake you up. Tried and tested, it doesn't work. *slaps self on wrist*

10. You have said at least twice "40% will do" or "first year doesn't count anyway" when you don't do as well as expected. Yeah, we've all been there. Expectations dramatically lowered, oops, sorry mum.

11. You go all out with cheap, yet cheerful halloween costumes. £2.50 white primark tee slashed and stained with fake blood? Yes please!

12. You take rivalry with the other uni's in your city very seriously and any frolicking with the 'enemy' is seen as strictly forbidden. *cue chants of stating that your uni is great and the others are words that can't possibly be said when not intoxicated* oooh naughty. 

13. You know how you said you were going to go to university and learn how to cook? Yeah, that didn't happen did it? Yay for Domino's two for Tuesdays and oven chips. Yum.

14. You spent over £300 on books that you have only looked at a handful of times... why when they are in the library for loan? Yeah, I have no idea either. 

15. You love baths. And you didn't know this until you moved into halls and could't have one. Such sadness. 

16. You hate the guy that invented Harvard referencing and truly believe that he did so just to spite anyone trying to get a qualification. 

17. The impending 10,000 word dissertation haunts your awake and sleeping mind. Ugh. Effort.

And finally, 18. You realise that you sleep more than a new born baby. But this is normal... because you're a student it's okay. Right?

lessons learnt in my fresher year.

As I write this I'm currently donning fluffy socks, a glass of Archers and lemonade and watching the intense Wimbledon final. Relaxing Sundays are the one.

This year has been a huge whirlwind and so much has changed in my life, the majority for the better. Your fresher year at university is most definitely a learning curve, you'll make lots of mistakes; not only academically but also with your life choices, so here is my reflection on what I've learnt throughout the year. 

You'll do a stupid amount of stupid things when you're drunk // 

If you drink, or even if you don't, you are guaranteed to make rushed or peer influenced decisions which you will live to regret. Fact. Whether it's having that extra sambuca shot, kissing that person or leaving your essay to the last minute, it's gonna happen. But don't let it get to you, you're young and at university, if that's not an excuse for your silly mistakes then what is?! It's a learning curve, embrace it. But do  remember that although you may have erased it from your memory, others may have not...

Although you'll deny it at first, the library will become your "favourite" place // 

It seems daunting at first, especially if you miss the library induction due to a hangover, like someone I know *hides face in shame*, but the library really is an invaluable resource. I know, who'd have thought it?!?! You'll need it to find the endless list of books you need for essays or presentations and you'll spend hours in there wishing you hadn't left your essay or revision to the last minute. My advice would be: take snacks, a friend and your headphones. They're your best weapons to surviving it. 

You will miss home more than you expect // 

Before leaving, I knew I would miss home, but I thought I'd be too busy to really think about it, which is true to an extent. When you're out partying, meeting new people and attending lectures, you'll rarely have time to think about what you're missing. But it is when you feel down, or are low on money or have had back a result you aren't pleased with, that you'll really start to miss your home comforts and family life. Sometimes the only thing that will make thins better is a mummy cuddle.

You can't please everyone // 

Although I tried super hard in first year to get along with everyone I came across, in reality, it just doesn't happen. But instead of moping around and wondering why, just accept that it's the real world. You can't be great friends with everyone you meet, they may not like you, you might not like them. Just forget it and concentrate on the people who you are friends with, cause they're the only ones that matter. 

Lecturers will give you better marks if they like you // 

It's not fair to anyone, but it undoubtedly happens. It's hard not to see it when, for example, this year I completed 4 essays as part of my four modules and in them I received two 2:1's and two 3rds. Coincidently, the thirds came from the lecturers who disagree with everything I say in seminars. Of course their opinion is valid, but so is mine and I feel it is extremely harsh to mark a student down simply because you do not agree with the points they made. As long as they have accurately backed them up with evidence, they should get credit. But of course this is not the case, it's not fair, but it's life. 

You will return home with half the kitchen stuff you came with //

I spent hundreds of pounds buying ample kitchen equipment and crockery only to have to re-buy lots for second year. Partly due to my clumsiness but also due to other people thinking it's okay to claim it for their own. If you live in halls for first year, in shared flats, you will definitely experience this. Not only with equipment but with food, certain people have no morals and therefore if they see, it they'll nab it. Not a lot you can do because you don't want to go round confronting people (even if you know exactly who the culprit is...) because it just creates unwanted tension which will make you uncomfortable for the rest of the year. 

You'll meet people you never thought you would // 

There are thousands of students at university (duh...) so you'll meet and possibly become friends with people you never thought you would, which will in turn open up your ideas about the world and the people in it. It's a wonderful thing because you can learn so much in so little time, not just academically but about the world we live in. 

Make the most of societies and clubs // 

This year I failed to join any clubs or societies and made the excuse of  "I just don't have time" when really, I was just lazy. It's a great way to meet new people and learn new skills, university is a time to develop yourself as a person as well as becoming more qualified in your field of choice. Make the most of your time there and learn as much as you can! 

Everyday Skin Care

Bonjour mes amis!

I was doing my little skin care regime last night and then I all of a sudden knew what this weeks blog post could be! This has pretty much been my staple for the past few months now and I don't have any plans to change it any time soon. 

So, in a morning when showering I use 'Clean and Clear Exfoliating Daily Wash' (£2.99 - but on offer in Boots for £2 at the minute!) on a make up-free face and massage in.

 I like that this wash has teeny-tiny beads in which exfoliate the face without being too harsh to use everyday. The wash foams up and is easily massaged into the face and is quickly rinsed leaving my face feeling squeaky clean and soft too. 

After I get out the shower I go straight in with the 'Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Mattifying Moisturiser' which is targeted for oily skin like mine. 

It retails at £12.99 in Boots, but again is a 1/3 off at the minute so you can pick it up for just £8.66 - I'll definitely be popping into Boots this week to pick one up in advance!

It's what you would expect a normal moisturiser to do and ticks all the boxes for me. It sinks in fast, smells fresh and leaves my skin soft and as a good base for my makeup.

When it comes to taking off my makeup I've been using the 'L'oreal Paris Skin Perfection' range in either:

• The Cleansing and Perfecting Milk (£4.99)
• 3 in 1 Purifying Miceller Solution (£4.99)

And I personally prefer the Solution rather than the Milk as it's lighter on the skin and you don't feel like you're smushing a cream around your face to then have to get a clean cotton pad to wipe it all off. With the Solution you get the same effect, no gunky eyes and use less cotton pads which is a winner for me. Plus then you feel like your moisturiser is actually sinking in and not just sitting on top of cleansing milk mixed with makeup cause that's just gross! 

For moisturising at night time, I use the same moisturiser as in the morning because I know it does a good job and will work while I sleep. But if I were to find an intense moisturiser which is better for using at night then I'd use that - I'm open to suggestions please!

Once a week I use the 'Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask' (£8.99 - but also on offer) which is a clay mask which you just leave on for 15 minutes and then remove with warm water. It's easy as pie! It just a nice way to get 15 minutes peace (or longer) and to chill rather than be rushing around all the time! I then just use the matching moisturiser and my skin feels all pampered and lovely. 

So that's it! All high street products and all reasonably priced and they have lasted me so well especially during freshers week where I was doing my makeup twice a day for daytime and evening and my skin didn't suffer because of these staple products. 

So I hope you enjoy and maybe try out some of my recommendations, please let me know what else you want to see and I'll see you soon.

Toodlepip! x