Classic RockStar: Winter Date Look for Under $100!

Winter is a time to love to fall in love. Everyone wants to spend the holidays with that special someone. Once the holiday’s pass that feeling doesn’t go away it lasts all winter

The look I put together is just under $100 for the whole ensemble! That’s less than one pair of designer jeans. All of the pieces are classics so you won’t have to worry about them going out of style.  

When I was looking for inspiration for the date night look I thought well about how you want to present yourself. On a date you want to show you have a sweet side, but also have a little edge. I picked colors that would portray just that. I picked nude/tan color for the soft neutral and the obvious staple and edgy color, black.

The main purpose of this article for me is to show you don’t have to spend a million dollars to look like a million bucks. I set the budget under $100, and though it came close at $97.76 I can assure you for the classic pieces you’re getting would be a steal. The key is to not get the exact pieces it’s to take the ideas I’ve styled and make them your own. Individuality is important for a classy co-ed.

For my look I selected all my pieces from two stores, H&M and Forever 21. These two stores as most money-saving fashion-lovers know are the best for getting designer inspired looks for much less.

First, I started with the tank from H&M, it flows and in the tan/nude color I chose. I also love the saying I think it shows you have a fun side with cute sayings on a shirt, and best of all, it’s $13 for H&M!

Second, I found the perfect skirt to match with the edgy thick stripes. The skirt is $5.26 from H&M as well. I found leggings to go underneath for $6.50 from Forever 21, a little less than the H&M price of $13 dollars.

Next I added a faux-leather jacket because it’s leather and I think it gives the outfit a little less soft and prevents it from being too girly.

To me a date night essential is accessories. Heels are always a nice touch for a date; the elongate your legs and make you stand straighter with more confidence. If heels aren’t your style, nude flats or booties work well for winter too. My must have accessory for this winter is a scarf I found this great nude-toned knit scarf for $8 from Forever 21. Scarves are great investment pieces, especially if you live in a cold climate, they are a must. My last essential for a date is a clutch. The one I chose is nude and black with a flower detail. It is also important to bring a clutch as you’re emergency kit with all your must have items. Also, Just because it’s winter that doesn’t mean you can’t still embrace floral prints and details.

Have fun in the winter season. Let yourself not be afraid to try new things and look great in the process.

Alex Lomicka is a freshman at Kent State University with a double major in Magazine Journalism and Fashion Merchandising. She loves putting together looks, and has always loved fashion.

CL’s Guide to Finding an Internship!

As a classy co-ed, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the internship speech a hundred times over. Parents and professors are constantly telling us the importance of finding an internship in college. While these speeches can get repetitive, they do have a point. Internships are the best way to get experience in a field you are interested in. And while they look great on a resume, they also teach you how to be a good employee, manage your time, and be a go-getter. The process of internship hunting can be a daunting task, but fear not, co-eds! CL is here to help you every step of the way!

To help you begin your search, here are CL’s suggestions on where to look for internships:

1. Your school’s career center: This suggestion may be obvious, but you’d be surprised how many co-eds never set foot in their school’s career center! Career centers exist for the sole purpose of helping students find internships and jobs, so take advantage! Meet with a career counselor and discuss your future plans. In addition to helping you find an internship, a counselor can help you with resume and cover letter writing and even set up mock-interviews for you to practice before you do the real thing! Many career centers also have online job boards where they post internship opportunities for students. Be sure to see if your school has one!

2. Internqueen.com- Intern Queen Lauren Berger had 15(!) internships in college. She now runs her own website that helps college students find  internships. Her website features internship postings from all over the country and a variety of different fields. Also, she recently wrote a book that gives advice on everything related to internships. Check out CL’s review of her book “All Work, No Pay”.

3. Internships.com- This website features internships from all geographic areas and disciplines. You can type in what field you are interested in as well as your location, and they will give you internships that match your criteria.

4. SimplyHired.com-This awesome site also allows you to search by geographic area, field, or even company. You can also get daily e-mail alerts when internships that match your criteria are posted.

5. Career Fairs- Does your school have any career fairs this semester? If so, go to them! Put on your best professional outfit, print copies of your resume, and go impress those company representatives!

6. Networking- As a classy co-ed, you are sure to learn the importance of networking if you haven’t already! Network with your professors, friends, family, and anyone else you can think of! Does your dad have a friend who works at a company you are interested in? Ask him to introduce you! Another great group of people to network with is your school alumni! Seek out alumni who work in your chosen field and ask them for advice. They went to your school, so you already have something in common! Also, most alums love to help kind, ambitious students in any way can.

7. The CL Internship and Job Bank- That’s right, College Lifestyles is now also a great place to look for internships and jobs! The CL Job Bank will be up and running by the end of February. It will contain positions for all disciplines. Be sure to check back next month to see if there are any positions you are interested in!

I hope these resources help you in your internship hunt! Find opportunities that catch your eye, then go wow those potential employers! Don’t be afraid to apply for positions that are known to be competitive. Put your best foot forward and always remember, you are amazing!

 

 

Rachel Osman is a sophomore journalism major at Indiana University. She hopes to get a magazine internship in New York City this summer. 

Blogging Socialite: CL Interviews the Jasmine Brand

While we are sound asleep, Jasmine  is busy working on her acclaimed entertainment and lifestyle blog theJASMINE.BRAND. Writing from the Nation’s Capital, Jasmine is one of the most authentic and truthful leaders in the celebrity blogging arena. It’s rare today to find stories about the Obama’s vacation and Kim Kardashian’s business wardrobe on the same website, but Jasmine accomplishes it. She is the epitome of ‘keeping it classy’ and is a master multi-tasker. Jasmine gave College Lifestyles her exclusive tips on how to break into the industry, what radio life is like, and the latest fashion scoop.

CL: What sets theJASMINEBRAND apart from other celebrity/lifestyle blogs and websites out there today? 

TJB: I practice responsible blogging, meaning I’m particular about what I report, where the information came from, my own sources, etc. I don’t take credit for others work and source as much as I can. I have a unique perspective and corny sense of humor that my readers get (thankfully). I also try not to shove my opinion down my readers throat because they’re bright and see things much different from me (lots of times) and I appreciate that. Besides, people don’t come to the Jasmine Brand to get my two cents, they come to get celebrity news (in an entertaining, yet polite way-I hope) and decide on their own if they’re a fan or not of what’s being discussed. And believe me, they are very vocal and I LOVE it!

CL: You have a unique and bold style (which College Lifestyles absolutely loves!). What are some affordable designers or stores that you like, where co-eds can snag the latest fashions? Do you follow any trends?

TJB: This is a tough one because I kind of do my own weird thing with my style. I like putting things together that really aren’t supposed to exist at one time. I’m not really a label girl (although I have a few things here and there). I like everything from Target, Neiman’s, Zara’s, Urban Outfitters (I like their rompers), American Apparel and yes, Forever 21. Trends? I try to stay away from them, because they’re hard to keep up with. I have an obsession with earrings and nail polish. The bigger the earring, the better. Nail polish is so cool, in general. If I was to die and had to come back as an object—POLISH all day! (P.S. I was gonna say a condom as a second option but that was a joke…like seriously.)

CL: We love your motto “You Sleep. I Blog.” Since you have to stay connected, how many tech gadgets do use everyday? What device(s) can you not live without?

TJB: I really only have two phones (I lost one) and a laptop. I can NOT live without my laptop. It’s like my boyfriend and sleeps w/ me every night. Like literally, it’s in bed with me while I sleep, hence me sleeping at weird times.

CL: Your work gives you amazing opportunities to interview celebrities on the red carpet at award shows and album release signings, host events in Washington, D.C., and meet/greet some of the most influential people in the industry. Could you give any tips or advice to journalism or communications students who aspire to have a career like yours?

TJB: I would say, think about the ‘why’ in terms of why you’d like to do this. It can be a thank-less job, so you want to make sure your heart is in the right place. Trust your instincts. Trust your gut. Work on your writing non-stop. Don’t be afraid to have your own ‘voice’ when you write. If you’re interested in interviewing celebrities, be over-prepared with what you know about them and what you want to ask. Be confident and remember they’re regular people and aren’t as fascinating when you actually meet them. Believe me, you’re probably more interesting than they are LOL.

CL: Do you ever get nervous or shy when interviewing certain celebrities?

TJB: I do get nervous and more so because I’m thinking, “Crap, what if they read something that I said about them that wasn’t the most positive.” I also get nervous because you usually have a short period of time to ask a gazillion questions that you want to get answered. Oftentimes, you’ll be interviewing them in a room-full of people, with their handlers kind of standing around (making sure you don’t ask them anything crazy) in the most awkward times. Maybe you catch them right after they’ve gone on stage, or while they’re shopping (if it’s a phone interview). One rapper, who shall remain nameless, lit a blunt while I interviewed him. So you have to just be flexible and roll with it (no pun intended).

CL: You are also a radio host for Elite DC Radio and speak at area conferences/events. How do you manage to juggle such a busy schedule?

TJB: I do short celebrity segments for Elite DC Radio, which is easier for my schedule, but overall, I have no idea, really! I get up early, prioritize, make a list and just kind of go for it. I really believe in only one speed, “Go!”

CL: Could you give us a glimpse of what your typical day is like?

TJB: It isn’t that exciting really. I get up by let’s say 4 or 5 a.m., hop online check emails, see what I missed while I was sleeping. I listen to a ton of radio and TV in the morning and some music while I get my morning content up. I talk to my best friend every morning, for like 5 minutes (boring, right?) and kind of work non-stop until 10a or so. My team checks in with me via email in the morning (or text message if they can’t get in touch with me). I handle some of the business end of the Jasmine Brand after 11 a.m. I see what’s on TV, sort of make my schedule for the rest of the day. I do celebrity interviews in the afternoon, so I’ll usually prep for those. I usually eat in between stuff. Once a week, I’ll make myself go somewhere during the day like the movies or I’ll take a lunch meeting. I usually have like two calls a day, but I won’t schedule anything more than that. I break in the evenings for a bit and take a nap and get back up around 9 p.m. or so. Long story short, I work all day But it’s fun and I absolutely love it.

CL: Where do you see theJASMINEBRAND in five years?

TJB: I’m superstitious, so I don’t really want to say. I have some things in the works now, but just expect to see more of me…outside of DC

You’ll instantly become hooked to theJasmineBrand when you follow her on Twitter! & check out her YouTube

Amber Ferguson is a fashion/health intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s obsessed with reality TV & loves traveling. Follow her on Twitter @Ms_AmberDawn.

Senior Job Search

Calling all SENIORS! NOW is a good time to start looking ahead to your future, and for some of you, this might mean looking for a job. Here are 10 things that YOU can do RIGHT NOW to start your job search!

Decide what matters to YOU. Your parents may have dreams of you becoming the next CEO of company XYZ, but that might not be what you want. So take the time to sit down and make a list of things that that YOU want to do, companies that YOU want to work for.

Find your strengths. Make a list of your skills and talents. This will not only help you write your resume, but also give you something to think about when researching companies.

Find your weaknesses. Also make a list of things that you aren’t good it. That way, if you see more than one of those skills listed for a particular job, you can scratch that job off your list. Or, if you see maybe one or two of your weaknesses listed, mark that job and come back to it. Call and ask someone in HR how much those skills are involved in the job, and ask how the company could help you to develop those skills.

Do your research. Researching a company helps you in several ways: first, and most importantly, you will learn what they do and why they do it. That way you won’t have to ask those questions during your interview, and if they ask you about their company, you’ll have the answers. And, using your strengths and weaknesses lists, doing research will help you figure out if the job is the right fit for you.

Perfect your resume. Take your resume to family members, professors and anyone else you can think of and ask them if they would hire you. Resumes take time, drafts, and a whole lot of editing to perfect.

Go to your campus’s career services office. Career counselors are there to help you figure out exactly what YOU want to do – so go talk to them. They are professionals and will do whatever it takes to help you find the job that’s right for you.

Do some practice interviews. Interviews can be scary, especially the first, oh, one or five times. See if your career center has someone who can practice with you. You can also practice with professors and family members.

Network online. Facebook. Twitter. LinkedIn. See who you’re connected to and who they work for. You especially want to reach out to your school and your sorority’s alum and ask if their companies are hiring.

Go to career fairs. Career fairs are great places to network, find internships and find jobs. Don’t forget to bring your resume and remember your interviewing skills – you could be asked for an interview on the spot!

Reach out to professors. Chances are the professors who teach in your major have had several jobs in that field. See if they know of anyone hiring. Also, if a job requires recommendations, ask a few professors if they’d be willing to write/call in recommendations for you.

Debra Schreiber, a senior CL writer, is a senior journalism and Spanish double major at Duquesne University. She loves Duquesne University’s Career Services, and credits her career counselor, Coralyn McCauley, for teaching her how to look for a job. 

Superstar Student: CL Interview’s Ariana Pierce creator of Hollywood’s Hottest Nail Line

It’s pretty incredible when Hollywood stars like Lauren Conrad, Eva Longoria, and Selena Gomez are wearing your products and you haven’t even graduated college yet. Michigan State University senior, Ariana Pierce, is the creator of the eco-friendly Superstar Nail Lacquer, an actress, author, blogger, and motivational speaker for young adults. Her nail polish line has been featured in Glamour Magazine, on B.E.T., and InStyle Magazine. Ari’s first company The Billion Heir Club, is a website where young ladies can gain insight on how to be successful and also includes a t-shirt and jewelry line. This business student has been able to take small ideas (f.y.i Ari created her nail line after wanted a nail polish to dry quickly so she could make it to class on time) and turn them into revenue making successes. How was Ariana able to run two businesses, write six books, and attend college full-time? College Lifestyles has the answers for you!                                                                    

CL: You are a businesswoman, author, actress, national speaker, and full-time student at Michigan State University. How do you manage it all? Is there any advice/tips that you could give to co-eds who need to organize a busy schedule?

AP: I manage my business and school career by planning everything. I live by my calendar and agenda. School is very important to me, so I make sure to complete my schoolwork during the week so I can travel, speak, and do my business on the weekends. My advice to those dealing with a busy schedule is to write things down, keep an agenda, and plan ahead so you are never caught off guard.

CL: In a radio interview you called “Superstar Nail Lacquer”, your nail polish line, “a fashionable company.” What are some current nail trends for the winter and spring season? How can we choose nail polishes that compliment our outfit without being too matchy-matchy?

AP: Some current nail trends that are hot for the season are the stiletto nails. The have been spotted on celebs like Rihanna. I recently launched a nail line called Superstar U. It is a line of polish with colors supporting various college sports teams. We are currently in basketball season, so girls are rocking their teams colors. Mine would be Go Green for Michigan State. These colors can be found at styleshoppe.com.

The key to choosing a polish that compliments your outfit without being too matchy is finding a color that goes with your overall color scheme. I wear a lot of neutrals, so colors like black, gray, blue, orange look great. I like to switch it up and be creative. So I will wear a bright pink also. I really don’t worry too much about what I’m going to wear, I just somehow make the polish and outfit work.

CL: Online you’re known as ‘Ari the Heiress’, and regularly update your blog. How can college girls create a positive social media image, web site, and blog?

AP: Girls can create a positive social media image by being positive in their postings. When you post negative things, you are going to attract negative results. If you want to be respected, you have to put out information that is respectable.

CL: In your audio book, 30 Days to Making It!, you give people tips on how to kick-start their passions into reality. Could you share with College Lifestyles a few tips on how you became such a young success?

AP: I decided in my mind that I wanted to be a success. I knew that it would take hard work, especially with me being in school, but I was determined. I also followed other successful people in my industry. Mentors are so important because they help guide you in the right direction. Even if you don’t know anyone personally that is successful in your field, find a mentor by reading books. My mother always says successful people leave clues! Because not everyone has a personal mentor I was inspired to create the 30 Days To Making It Kit to answer questions and give personal advice on succeeding in your business and career. It can be found on my site at arianapierce.com.

CL: Do you have any new projects in the works that we should look out for?

AP: My mom and I host a business conference every year. I love sharing business and success advice with other young people. The conference will be held in Orlando, FL July 12-14. This conference is life changing and I would love to see everyone there! More info will be posted on my site at arianapierce.com.

To chat with Ari be sure to follow her on Twitter

 

Amber Ferguson is a fashion/health intern at College Lifestyles (TM). She is a sophomore at Prince George’s Community College studying English. She’s obsessed with reality TV & loves traveling. Follow her on Twitter @Ms_AmberDawn.

Klassy Kardashian Style For Less: Steal Kim’s Look

Have you ever watched Keep Up With Kardashians? Chances are unless you haven’t turned on a television in years, you have. Kim Kardashian is a starlet known for scandal, beauty, a crazy family, and her STYLE. Recently, she has taken her fashion love to the next level. She has released a clothing line exclusively with Sears alongside her sisters, creatively titled the Kardashian Kollection. If you have wanted to steal Kim’s expensive designer wardrobe, I’m going to show you how. The best part is, both outfits fit within a classy college co-ed’s budget.

The first look is an everyday look with Kim strutting around town. This look will turn heads in any place. It could work for school, lunch with the girls, or a trip to the mall. Kim rocks a striped white and red shirt, an army green skirt, nude heels, and a designer bag. This look had cost Kim’s hundreds, not counting the bag worth thousands! First, the shirt, I found striped top from yesstyle.com for a steal of $22! It is what seems to be an exact replica of Kim’s! Next is the army green skirt. It’s on sale at yesstyle.com for only $24! The one that is featured even has extra flare with button details down the sides. Kim’s doesn’t have this detail, but it is important when getting inspired from a look to make it your own. Lastly, what Kardashian look would be complete without some killer heels and a fabulous bag? When looking for shoes my go-to place is always DSW, and like always they didn’t disappoint. Kim’s strappy heels easily cost hundreds, but these from DSW are a much less budget-breaking $50. Without doubt the hardest to match was the bag. After some research I found a good match from piperlime.gap.com

  My second look is an evening look. Kim loves to go out and have a good time, and often she sports a figure-flattering bodycon dress. It has become her signature. I found this photo of Kim taken very recently in a white-jeweled bodycon dress. It was taken after she had gotten her new ‘do, as she is now framing her beautiful face with blunt bangs. Kim’s dress is Gucci, and while all girl would kill for a designer dress, that dress in particular cost more than most people’s entire wardrobe!  I found a very similar party dress from nastygal.com with metal accents for $48! I am a fan of the replica dress because the mesh and the sweetheart neckline and mesh on top make it more age-appropriate and edgy.  Also in Kim’s look she pairs the dress with closed-toe glitter heels. I found similar stilettos at heels.com for $50. The final pieces to the look are the set of bangles and hoop earrings. Ever since I was ten years old my non-stop-shop for accessories for accessories for Claire’s and that hasn’t changed. I found the bracelets for $13, close to the price of this fashionista’s cup of coffee. Joking. But all kidding aside, they are an amazing deal. The earrings I found at American Apparel, a company for both the famous and everyday fabulous co-eds alike.

I hope these looks inspire you to try something new and not be afraid to copy your favorite stars. It’s not as hard to “keep up with the Kardashians” as you may have thought.

For more info on these looks go to http://alexlovesyou92.polyvore.com/

Alex Lomicka is a freshman at Kent State University. She is striving to receive a dual degree in Magazine Journalism and Fashion Merchandising. She loves music fashion , and reality TV…including Keeping Up With The Kardashians! This is her first semester interning for College Lifestyles TM! 

All Work, No Pay: CL Reviews The Intern Queen’s New Book

If you’re in college, you’ve probably heard of Intern Queen, a website that helps you find internships and blogs helpful internship tips (including some from our very own CEO!). The Intern Queen herself is Lauren Berger, so nicknamed because she had  a whopping 15 internships in college. Early this month, Berger came out with a book, All Work, No Pay: Finding An Internship, Building Your Resume, Making Connections, and Gaining Job Experience. So now the big question is – should you buy it?

Pros:
Internship Focus.
There are countless career books, but a book focused solely on internships? Now that’s new. The Intern Queen brings her expertise to the table and spares you the advice that might be useful later but is totally unnecessary now.

Organizational Tools.
When a girl lands 15 internships in college, you know she’s organized. Berger gives the reader the Intern Queen Dream List, a spreadsheet used to keep track of all your applications. But if, like me, you bought this book on an E-Reader, you’ll have to make it yourself. Not that it’s complicated, but hey, I’m in college. I’m lazy!

Tone. Despite all that she’s accomplished, Berger is only 25 years old. Her age shows in her work, which is a good thing. Berger avoids the stuffy tone of many career advisors, and her book is both packed with information and easy to read. Many of her examples stem from her own personal experience or that of her contacts, which serve as a source of inspiration.

Legal Advice. All Work, No Pay has a chapter devoted to the legal issues surrounding internships, and Berger herself deems it “one of the most important chapters.” Berger breaks down the Fair Labor Standards Act from the US Department of Labor, providing a list of the intern’s rights at chapter’s end. It’s the kind of thing that you could and should do on your own, but you know you won’t, so this chapter is incredibly helpful.

Chapter Essentials. At the end of each chapter, Berger provides a bulleted list of its most important points. Not having to go through every single page of the book to find one piece of advice is a major plus.

Cons:
Basic. All Work, No Pay is geared towards newbie interns. So if you’ve been interning a while, or if your school has an excellent career center, much of this information will be repetitive.

Verdict:
Even if you already know the information, it’s nice having it all organized in one place. And if you’re new to internships, this book is indispensable. Buy it.

Already have an internship? Check out the Top 10 Intern Fashion Must-Haves or Ways to Plan Out Your Day: Clutter Free.

Sasha Graffagna is a junior Journalism and Comparative Literature major at New York University. She is currently on exchange at La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

‘The newest CL intern – Katie O’Brien ’

 College: University of Michigan

 Year: Sophomore

 Major: English and Communications

Favorite things: Ann Arbor, Michigan football Saturdays, Free People clothes, chocolate chip cookies, the ocean, and thunder storms

Favorite books: The Great Gatsby, The Pact, and The House of the Spirits

Favorite television shows: Friends and How I Met Your Mother

Other Activities: A member of the literature team for SHEI magazine, K-Grams pen pal club, and Alpha Chi Omega.

Dream Career: To work in the television or magazine industries.

Position in CL: Health, fashion, apartment, and professional Writer

 

3 Comfy, Cozy, and Classy Looks To Rock This Winter

Everyone has his or her own opinion of winter. Some love it, others despise it, and many are in the middle. Personally, I’m not a fan of the cold, but it gives me excuse to bring out all of my warm and comfy clothes, including my favorite, Ugg boots! For my three fashion choices I decided to pick items that are flattering for everyone and that you can get almost anywhere for a good price.

My first outfit incorporates items from my favorite store, Victoria’s Secret! Their Pink collection is perfect for college students. It allows you to feel comfortable all day from class to class without feeling like you woke up late and threw your outfit together last minute. In particular, the sweatshirt and sweatpants combo I chose is in a bright color reflects girly and fun style. In addition, I like the store is that they hold sales and specials all the time! Since I live in chilly Ohio, I paired the ensemble  with the staple in every ‘northern and Midwest’ co-ed’s closet, Uggs may be expensive, but they are an investment piece that will last a long time!

My second outfit has what I consider to be one of the smartest fashion developments in recent years, jeggings, aka jean leggings. They resemble jeans and are as comfortable as your favorite pair of sweatpants.  From plain, to pockets, to buttons, jeggings offer selections for all. I paired it with a North Face pullover hoodie. When recreating this outfit the hoodie can be any one you choose. I personally like North Face, and unlike the jackets and fleece coats they sell this hoodie is only $40! That is still a splurge, but considering the brand it’s a steal. I paired the outfit with Nikes because I think the bright colors show a little edge compared to a plain sneaker.

My last outfit was probably the most daring. My biggest dilemma,  what to pair with the star leggings? An oversized hoodie of course!  The fantastic star leggings so cool, you would never think of just paring them with an oversized hoodie. Patterned tights are one of the biggest trends right now and better yet, they are only $12! They are perfect for any young fashion risk taker. The oversized sweatshirt gives the outfit a cool ‘80s vibe. I paired it with look-a-like Ugg yarn boots, showing you don’t always have to splurge. In the yarn material especially, similar boots are easy to find.

Winter is all about snuggling up, drinking hot chocolate, sleeping in, and giving you a break. Choosing to look presentable and stylish does not always mean comfort goes out the window. It’s about finding a happy medium. My hope for this article is that it allows you to expand your winter wardrobe, and let’s be honest, what girl doesn’t want an excuse to shop?

 

Forever & always a fashionista,

 

Fashion items featured in this article:

Outfit 1: Sweatshirt ($30) – Victoria’s Secret, Sweatpants ($30)- Victoria’s Secret, Ugg boots (about $150) – Nordstrom’s

Outfit 2: Hoodie ($40) – Dick’s Sporting Goods Store, Jeggings ($58) Abercrombie, Nike sneakers ($85) – DSW

Outfit 3: Nike sweatshirt ($50) – Nike, Leggings ($12) – yesstyle.com, Yarn boots ($50) – DSW

 

For more help finding the clothes used in this article CLICK HERE!

Ways to Plan Out Your Day: Clutter Free

Many of you have headed back to school this week anticipating the long study hours and “sleepless nights”. This spring semester is a new opportunity to stop the bad habit of  procrastination. Procrastination comes in many forms with excuses ranging from what others know to be procrastination, to what you have programmed in your mind to think about yourself. The number one cure for procrastination is planning out your time and being organized. Allow me to assist you!

It is not difficult to keep a to-do-list or planner of tasks, responsibilities and personal goals, but it can be difficult if they are not used as should. In order to see the effectiveness of your to-do-list, consider these steps:

The first tip is to keep three planners with attached calendars. Did your eyes stretch wide when you read that last sentence? I had the same response when I realized how three planners helped me to achieve my important goals. As an organized young professional, it is important to know what duties lay ahead and keep to them. A planner should be kept for every huge sector of your life.

Planner number one should be kept for all school work. For all of your classes this semester, look through the syllabus and transfer all of the information from the syllabus onto the calendar. This should include exam dates, and due homework assignments. Make sure to specify what class the work is for. For example, One of my classes are entitled “China Today”. In my school planner you would find on the date of February 20, 2012 “China Today: Midterm exam 1”. If the class title is too long, make a shorter name.  Organizing your school work is giving you a head start on breaking procrastination. With this organized school calendar, you can see the due assignments with a flip of the calendar booklet.

With planner one, school work, do not fail to make a to-do-list. If the calendar organizer you brought has paper for a to-do-list to be attached, this is great! Your to-do-list should be composed of weekly tasks. Keep in mind that this to-do-list is only for school. DO NOT mix in any extra curricular activities. We will get to that later in the article. An example of the to-do-list will be the following:

To-Do-List

Read chapters 1-3 for China Today (2)

Watch Assigned Youtube Videos for International Wealth and Power (3)

Pick group topic for Wednesday’s class- American Foreign Policy (1)

This is just an example. You can also mark, next to the items on your to-do-list, what items you will complete first. I have shown you in the above to-do-list example.

Planner number two should keep all work/intern responsibilities. For this calendar include your work schedule and/ or intern due dates for particular assignments. This keeps me very organized while interning for College Lifestyles!  Also include a to-list-do to go with this calendar of work/intern responsibilities. The to-do-list should be the same  as the to-do-list used in the school work planner. It should be composed of weekly assignments numbered the way they will be completed. Again, do not mix other information that does not have to do with your work and/or internship into this to-do-list or calendar. If you do not have an internship, please stay tuned for latter articles I post.

Planner number three should be used for clubs and organizations. As a young professional, being involved on campus is the prime way to network and to be noticed by other young professionals. In this calendar include meeting times, locations, and  be specific on what organization the meeting is for. Do not fail to include a to-do-list. This is important especially if office positions are held. As an officer of an organization, staying organized is the best thing to do. This planner for organizations can also be mixed with personal tasks. Personal tasks can include going to your sister’s baby shower, getting your nails done, or making a specific date to go grocery shopping. A to-do-list for something like this might include a personal facial time!

Lastly, keep important times entered into your phone to remind you of important events that require time notice. If your sister’s baby shower starts at three in the afternoon, do not plan to meet up with someone at two in the afternoon for something totally different. Although you are learning how to be more organized this semester with separating different sectors of life, it is pivotal to also learn that it is okay to have gaps in your schedule. Use those gaps for study time or my personal favorite, “Me Time”!

This article gives great ways to stay organized. Remaining structured is the key to ending procrastination as a bad habit. Through experience, I have learned that separating sectors of my life is the best way to remain organized and I am sure you will find comfort in this technique. I never try to mix personal with business, and through this I have remained healthy relationships with those who I would have risked it with being too consumed on one sector of my life. Be more organized, and find yourself having more time! <3

Said with love,

Charlene Alexander is a Professional and Relationships Writer, Social Media, and Special Events Intern at College Lifestyles ™. Charlene is a Mass Communications Undergraduate at University of South Florida. Miss Alexander is an analogue girl in a digital world who enjoys writing.

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