Michael Kors Access Crosby Activity Tracker | Review

I've never really been into sports and fitness before, but I knew that in the new year that was something I wanted to change. I felt like I needed to make more of a conscious effort to exercise and just generally get off my bum and move more. Activity trackers and smart watches seem to be everywhere at the moment, with all sorts of brands bringing out their own version of the trend. I've heard such good things about how these trackers can really help to motivate you and track your progress, so I thought that getting myself one might be a good place to start.

The face isn't cracked, it's just awkwardly catching the light...

As amazing as I know that FitBits are, they just don't look good! Now, I know that sounds really vain, but I do also work in a jewellers, so I didn't want to have my lovely watch and bracelets on one arm and this great chunky looking fitness tracker on the other. I also didn't feel like I needed all of the functions that come with a FitBit, as like I said before, I'm only just starting to exercise more and really just wanted something minimal and easy to use. So after a bit of research, I found that the Michael Kors Access Crosby activity tracker looked perfect for me; not only is it super pretty to look at, but it is also really simple and easy to use.

I put the tracker straight onto my Christmas list and was very kindly gifted it by my parents. The tracker was really easy to use right away as it is powered by a lithium battery that was actually included in the box. I think this is a great feature as I wouldn't like to constantly have to charge my watch after every days use. I also got my one in grey and rose gold, but they do come in other colours such as pink or black.

"Track your steps, sleep and goals with our cool new Activity Tracker. Designed with a faceted silicone band and stylish hardware accents, the Crosby bracelet will help you keep your life on track and look great doing it." - Michael Kors website.

The watch's primary use is for tracking your daily step count, but it also tracks how much sleep you get at night and can be set up to track a variety of your different goals too by using the Michael Kors Access app. This means you can see how well your doing at different points throughout the day just by checking your phone. I have my daily goal set to track how much water I'm drinking as this is something I need to work on, which I do by tapping the face of the watch three times. This then registers with the watch that I have had one glass of water and will register my progress in the app.

   

I do actually really like this watch and so far I'm really enjoying tracking my daily step count. I feel like it motivates me to try harder every day as I don't want to ruin my streak of meeting my goal. I defintely think this watch is only really useful for beginners however, as it is pretty basic and probably wouldn't offer very much for someone looking to get more from their fitness tracker. I've had quite a lot of compliments on the watch too, as most people seem to look at it and think that it's just a bracelet, so I'm happy about that.

Have you got a fitness tracker that you love to use? Is this one too basic for you or just what you need to get yourself started?

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Monthly Goals | February

This year I want to start being more productive and challenging myself. I want to be able to look back at my year and feel like I've made the most of it, so I've decided to start setting myself goals at the start of every month that I want to try and achieve. That way, I can track my progress at the end of the month and see what I need to work harder at. By putting them up on my blog, I'm hoping it will also give me the motivation to stick to them and not give up so easily.

Keep going to the gym!

My main goal for 2017 was to try and lead a healthier lifestyle by exercising more. Going to the gym has never been something that I've enjoyed, as I've always found it really boring. This usually leads me just giving up, however, over the past few weeks I've been trying to go as often as possible, and now I've finally started to look forward to my work outs! I'm still not entirely sure what 90% of the machines in the gym are actually for, but I'm enjoying how much happier I've started to feel since I've  been going to the gym on a regular basis, so my goal for February is to keep this up.

Cut down on chocolate!

I think this is something I will probably struggle with. Chocolate is something that I always seem to crave, and I don't really know why. I'm definitely what you'd call a chocoholic! But it's also full of sugar, which I know that I need to cut down on, so I'm going to try really hard this month to just eat less of it. Especially with summer not too far around the corner, I should probably start working towards my summer body at some point!

Stay on top of my uni work!

So far this semester I've been really good at attending my lectures and keeping on top of all of my reading, but I know that I'm easily distracted and will probably start slacking at some point. So I'm going to try really hard to stay focused over the next few weeks and do as well as I can!

Spend more time with my family!

Since moving into my own flat back in August, I haven't really been back home to see my family all that often. This is mainly because I don't have a lot of spare time between university and my job, and the train fare can get a bit expensive. But I have the new few Sundays off from work, so I'm going to try and use that free time to see my family a bit more, as I do really miss them and I feel like I'm missing out on a lot of family experiences.

I'm hoping that my goals for this month are realistic enough for me to achieve them. I'm going to try really hard to stick with them, and hopefully at the start of March I can report back that I've done really well. Have you got any goals for the month ahead? I would love to hear them!

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My Goals For 2017

One of my favourite things about the start of a new year is the push that we all get to make a few changes and try to better ourselves. It always gives me that extra push of motivation that I need to set myself new goals and challenges for the year ahead. All of my goals for this year are extremely achievable if I just put in that little bit of extra effort that I've previously been lacking.

2016 was quite a crazy year. I had a lot of new experiences, realised I have some amazing friends, and I also feel like my self-confidence finally soared. But I also faced quite a few tougher times that I struggled to overcome. Overall, 2016 was a bit overwhelming, so I'm hoping that by setting myself some goals to work towards, it will help me make the most of my 2017.

Image source: Pinterest

One of my favourite things to do in life is travel to new places and go exploring. Last year, I didn't do half as much travelling as I would've liked too, so this year, that is my goal. Of course, being a student means I don't have the money to go jet-setting across the world in my spare time. But there's so many amazing places in Scotland that I've never visited before that I would really love to go and see. This year I want to explore as many new places as I can.

This kind of leads me into my second goal, which is to try and take more photographs. I'm so guilty of doing something fun or going somewhere new, and then forgetting to take any photos. Which I always majorly regret afterwards. I recently bought myself the Olympus Pen E-PL8 and I love it, so I defintely need to get into the habit of always carrying it around with me. I want to be able to look back at all of my photos and remember all of the good times that I had.

For as long as I can remember, I've always been extremely critical of my appearance. It's just something I've never been completely happy with. Towards the end of 2016 I decided to join the gym, and I've actually been enjoying going. So my goal for 2017 is simply to exercise more, as whenever I do it always makes a huge difference to my confidence and mental health. Whenever I exercise, I know that I'm doing something positive for myself, which ultimately makes me feel happier in myself. My aim is try and go at least three times a week.

Between work and university, during the semester I don't actually have a lot of time off to myself. But on the days that I do have off, I'm very guilty of just spending the day in my pyjamas and not actually doing an awful lot with my time. So this year, I really want to make the most of every day and do more with my spare time. I need to be more outgoing and start saying 'yes' to making plans and trying new things, as I want this year to be memorable for all of the right reasons.

My final goal is just to try really hard at university this year. Last semester, I definitely didn't try as hard as I could have done. Even though I still managed to pass all of my coursework, I definitely could've done so much better if I'd put more effort into my work. I'm also extremely guilty of skipping lectures, so this year I'm determined to stop doing this.

I'm actually really looking forward to seeing what 2017 has in store for me. I have lots of exciting things to look forward too, such as being a bridesmaid at my Uncle's wedding and possibly moving in with one of my best friends. So here's hoping 2017 will be a very good year!

Do you have any goals or resolutions for the year ahead?

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Things I've Learnt in 2016

I can't believe it is already the first day of 2017! Time just seems to be flying by, and this past year has certainly been an eventful one. Looking back at what my life was like a year ago, it's quite crazy to see just how different things are simply one year later. A lot changed in 2016, including myself, but I genuinely feel like it was a good year overall. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but I'm thankful for all of the support from my amazing friends and family.

I definitely feel like I learnt a lot of important life lessons last year. From moving out and getting my own flat, to having people walk in and out of my life, to even just starting my second year of university, I've definitely had a lot of growing up to do. However, I feel like everything I've experienced over the last 12 months has made me a much stronger and better person overall, and I can't wait to see what 2017 will have in store for me.

1. Being an adult is extremely confusing and expensive! 
 Now I understand where my parents were coming from when they told me to enjoy my youth and not take things for granted.

2. Not everyone will like you, and that's okay! Know your worth.
No matter what you do, you just can't please some people. There's no point trying to change who you are because, in the long run, it probably won't be worth it.

3. My parents are usually right. 
It might have taken me almost 20 years to realise this, but it's definitely true. I'm not sure how they do it, but they always know the right things to do and say, and I don't know how I'd have coped this year without them.

4. Heartbreak is a real thing. 

5. Self-confidence is important.
Cue the cliché; but one of the most important things I've learnt this year is that in order for other people to believe in you, you must first believe in yourself. This is something that I still struggle with, but I think I'm definitely getting better.

6. Everything happens for a reason.
This one was more of a harsh reality than a lesson to be honest. However, I now truly believe that everything happens the way that it does in order to lead us on to the next stage in our lives.

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Home Sweet Home

The past two weeks have been extremely hectic for me. What with finishing the semester at university, studying for exams and then working crazy hours at work, I haven't had an awful lot of time for myself. I'd been counting down the days until Christmas Eve, but not for the same reason as most people! It was simply because I couldn't wait to finish work and spend a few well needed days at home with my family. The last time I was home for longer than one night was back in September, so I've defintely missed all of my old home comforts.

One of my favourite things about Christmas and this time of year is having all of my family together. It's not very often that I get to see my extended family as they all live in England, so Christmas means we all get to see each other and spend some quality time together. My Grandad had also come to stay with us for a few days, so it was lovely to spend some time with him as I really don't get to see him as often as I'd like too.

One of the things I miss the most about living at home has to be my mum's cooking. I definitely think I took it for granted before, my own cooking just doesn't even compare to hers! Being home for Christmas meant one thing - the Christmas dinner! And my mum certainly went to town, making wayyy to much food and having enough left over to feed another small family. I've eaten more food over the last few days than I even want to comprehend, but I suppose it's only Christmas once a year. The thought of going back to Stirling and having to cook for myself again is actually making me quite sad!

My Mum is definitely my best friend, so I was looking forward to spending some quality time together. The last few weeks have left me feeling pretty stressed out, so phone calls from my Mum have been one of the only things that have kept me feeling relatively sane. My head has been a little bit all over the place too recently, so it's been nice to offload and hear her advice about things. It's taken me over nineteen years, but now I understand what people mean when they say Mum's know best!

My family really do mean the world to me, and it's at times like these that I feel really lucky to have them. One of the things that I've learnt over the past couple of years is to fully appreciate the moment and everyone around you, as you never know when things might change. This Christmas has been one of my favourites, simply because of how relaxed and chilled it's been, and I now feel ready to face everything that I have coming up over the next few weeks.

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The Christmas Tag

It's taken a while, but I think I'm finally starting to get into the Christmas spirit! I've put up my Christmas tree, hung up my fairy lights and started wrapping all of my presents. As my exams are almost over, it means I can finally get excited and start celebrating the festive season. I'm really excited to visit the Christmas market this year, and I also can't wait to give everyone the presents that I've bought for them. My friends and family have defintely helped me through a lot this year, so I'm hoping they all love their presents! As my blog is yet to feature any sort of festive post, I thought The Christmas Tag would be the perfect place to start!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?

One of my favourite things to do in December is get all snuggled up on the sofa with plenty of blankets and snacks, and spend the day watching Christmas films. I think my ultimate favourite Christmas film has to be Love Actually. There's just something so charming about following all the different characters and their lives. Hugh Grant as Prime Minister is defintely my favourite storyline, his dance scene never fails to make me laugh. I would say that I watch this film at least four or five times over the Christmas period. Some of my other favourites are The Holiday, Home Alone, and of course, Elf.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

I've always opened my presents on Christmas morning. Opening them on Christmas Eve would just feel weird to me. It's a tradition in my house to open our stocking presents in bed once everyone is awake, and then go downstairs as a family and open all of our presents together.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

I don't think I have one specific favourite memory, but I used to love waking up on Christmas morning and rushing into my parent's room ready to open my stocking. I also used to love going downstairs and seeing all the mess that "Santa" had made in the kitchen. My parents would always make it look like Santa had left footprints and crumbs in the kitchen, and I used to get so excited thinking about Santa eating cookies in my kitchen.

4. Favourite festive food?

My favourite festive food, of course, has to be the Christmas dinner. I have so many fond memories of my Grandma's amazing Christmas dinners with copious amounts of trimmings. My Mum now makes an amazing Christmas dinner too. But I couldn't survive the festive period with chocolate. Terry's chocolate orange is definitely one of my favourites, but I also love the golden Lindt reindeers.

5. Favourite Christmas gift?

I had to think really hard about this one as presents were all so exciting when I was little, no matter how big or small they were. But the present I seem to remember the most was a pink Barbie trampoline. It was quite a small one, (although it seemed huge to me) so I could use it in the living room, but I absolutely loved it. I actually remember running downstairs and getting so excited when I saw the giant box.

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Christmas is definitely my favourite time of year when it comes to scents. I love the smell of cinnamon at Christmas time, and another of my favourites is gingerbread. My mum is obsessed with candles, so there's always some sort of festive smell filling our house. But I absolutely love the smell of real Christmas trees. We've had a real Christmas tree for the past few years now. I just love the way that it makes our living room smell so festive.

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

I don't really have any traditions anymore as I usually have to work Christmas Eve. The perks of retail! But my Mum usually buys my little brother and I a new pair of pyjamas each to wear on Christmas eve, and we usually just watch a Christmas film if there's one on TV. I feel like the excitement of Christmas definitely isn't the same now that I'm older, so it's nice that my brother is still young enough to believe in Santa.

8. What tops your tree?

We usually just have a simple glittery star topping our tree. My family Christmas tree is probably the most colourful thing you'll ever see. We've never been one for a themed tree. However, since having my own Christmas tree, I like to give it a colour theme as I think it looks really festive. 

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I'm honestly not sure about this one. My parents always used to try their best to get me what I'd put on my Christmas list, but I don't think I ever asked for anything too extravagant. I used to really want a cat but my mum would never let me have one, so that's probably the only thing.

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?

The best part of Christmas for me is probably the lead up to Christmas. I love Christmas day and spending it with my family, but there's so much build up for it and it's over so quickly. The festive period is defintely my favourite as I love watching Christmas films, decorating the tree, buying presents, baking festive treats and going to Christmas markets. It's just such a happy time of year.

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What are some of your favourite Christmas traditions? I love hearing about the different ways everyone celebrates Christmas!

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Pick 'n' Melt Christmas Gift Set

On a cold winter's evening, there is nothing I love more than putting on my cosiest pyjamas, getting all snuggled up on the sofa with a blanket, and burning a candle or two to make my flat smell all Christmassy. So I'm sure you can imagine how excited I was when Pick 'n' Melt very generously asked me if I would like to try out their new Christmas gift set. Of course I said yes, and a few days later the very exciting package arrived on my doorstep.

Pick 'n' Melt sell a whole variety of luxury scented candles and wax melts, which would make perfect gifts for this time of year. After having a quick nosey at their twitter, I really liked how fun all of Pick 'n' Melt's packaging looked. Everything looks like it should be in a sweet shop, and they have over 250 scents in total to choose from. I wouldn't even know what to try first! But I also really liked that they use soy wax as it's a lot more eco-friendly and is also non-toxic.

Their Christmas gift set includes a white porcelain wax warmer and comes with sixteen various Christmassy scented soy wax melts. The wax melts come in little bags and contain 6 different coloured squares of wax, looking an awful lot like colourful sweets. I really liked the style of the wax warmer as it is a really good size, but because it is also so simple, you wouldn't have to worry about it clashing with anyones decor. Some of the scents included in the set are 'Christmas Spice', 'Mistletoe and Wine' and 'Frankincense and Myrrh'.

It took me quite a while to decide which one to burn first, but I finally settled for the one called 'Cocoa and Log Fire'. I loved burning this one as it wasn't overly Christmassy, but it filled my room with a really warm and cosy scent. I could smell it before I'd even taken it out of the packet. As the wax melts are made up of different coloured squares, they look really beautiful as they start to melt as they all start to swirl and merge into one.

The scent completely filled my room, and I was really impressed at how strongly scented the tiny wax melts actually were. I was also pleased at how long the scent lasted. Even after blowing out the candle underneath, the scent continued to fill the room and lingered for a fairly long time afterwards.

Their Christmas gift set retails for only £12, which I think is amazing value considering you get the wax warmer itself, as well as 16 different scented wax melts. It would definitely be the perfect present for anyone you know that loves to burn and buy candles. Of course, you can also buy the wax melts separately and try out any of their 250 different scents. Pick 'n' Melt also offer a monthly subscription, so if you really felt like going a bit crazy, you can get up to thirty wax melts a month delivered right to your front door.

You can find out more information about their gift sets and subscription services here.

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Disclaimer: these products were kindly sent to me for review, however, all opinions are honest and completely my own.

My Pamper Evening Essentials

At the end of a long day, there is nothing I love more than treating myself to a little pamper evening to recharge and refresh myself. In my experience, there is just something so much more relaxing about giving yourself a pamper from the comfort of your own home. As a student, I don't have lots of money to spend on expensive products or spa days, so here's how I have the perfect night in without spending lots of money.

Bath

First things first, I run myself a nice hot bath and get something to read. I'm one of those people that likes the bath at an abnormally hot temperature, so I like to use a bath bomb whilst I'm waiting for it to cool slightly. My all time favourite bath bomb is 'Twilight' from Lush. It turns the water a beautiful deep purple colour, and has a really subtle lavender fragrance, which of course is perfect for relaxation and calming.

When I decide to have a pamper night, I don't tend to be as lazy as usual, so I like to properly cleanse and moisturise when I get out the bath. I don't use anything particularly fancy, just whatever I have to hand at the time. However, I recently bought 'Fairy Dust' from Lush which I love to use after I've had a bath. It has the same scent as their famous 'Snow Fairy' collection and leaves a lovely sparkle on the skin. Perfect for Christmas nights out! I usually dust it along my arms and collarbones to give them a bit of a subtle sparkle and to leave them feeling soft, but I also read that it can be sprinkled on your bed sheets to leave them smelling nice and fresh. 

Facemask

I always get really dry skin at this time of year, so I like to use a face mask when having a pamper night. I've heard so many people talking about the Garnier 'Moisture Bomb' tissue masks recently, and I have to say, I can totally see why. I have fairly sensitive skin, so I have to be careful with products that I use on my face, but this mask left my skin feeling super soft and rehydrated. I simply leave the mask on for fifteen minutes, and then once it's off I rub any of the excess formula into my skin with a cotton pad. At only 99p per mask, they're perfect for when you're on a budget too. 

Netflix and Nails
Next up, Netlfix! No cosy night in would be complete without binge watching Gossip Girl and eating plenty of chocolatey snacks. I usually do my nails at this point too, but as my nails usually chip really easily at work, I tend to just use some glue on ones. My favourite false nails are the Primark ones! They always last at least a week on my nails, and at only £1 per box, you really can't go wrong.

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So, there you have it! Those are my pamper evening essentials for when I just need a cosy night in to relax. But now it's your turn, what do you like to do to relax in an evening?

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Six Things To Do When You're Feeling Down

I think everyone has those days where you just want to lie in bed all day and ignore the outside world. You know you have a million and one things on your to-do list, but just don't have the motivation to do them. Everyone has bad days from time to time - I know I do - but sometimes, all we really need is a just day to ourselves to relax and focus on ourselves. So what you can you do to make yourself feel better? Whether your "bad day" lasts for a couple of hours or an entire week, here are some of the things I like to do to cheer myself up a bit:

1. Have a movie day
I'm not a really a "movie person", but I do have a selection of films that I never tire of watching. So one of my favourite things to do when I'm having a bad day is just to stay in bed and put on a good film on my laptop. Try to pick a film that you know will make you laugh, too, as this will hopefully lift your spirits a bit. This is one of my favourite ways to relax.

2. Run yourself a bath
I think the thing I've missed the most since leaving home is having a bath. Whenever I feel stressed or down, I love to run myself a really hot and pop in a bath bomb. Lush bath bombs are always my go-to as they always look and smell incredible. If you want something soothing to help you relax, try and get a bath bomb with a lavender scent.

3. Talk to someone
It's easy to bottle things up when you're feeling down and pretend that everything is okay, often because we're afraid of looking weak. But I believe that talking to someone you trust about what is bothering you can really make you feel better. Sometimes we just need to off-load on someone and let out all our frustrations. Asking for help when you need it doesn't make you weak, it just means you need a little bit of support.

4. Do something you enjoy
Even when you have a busy schedule, it's really important to take some time out for yourself. It can be easy to get caught up in our busy lives when we have hundreds of responsibilities, but it's really important to schedule some "you" time as well. Try and set aside even just one hour a day to do something that you genuinely enjoy, and I swear it'll lift your spirits. Whether that's going to the gym, going our for dinner with friends or even just watching Netflix in bed.

5. Treat Yourself
Been eyeing up a top in a River Island? Been lusting after a new lipstick? Need an upgrade on your phone? Everyone needs a little pick me up from time to time, so treat yourself! Sometimes it's little self treats that really life our mood. Nothing wrong with rewarding yourself if you've been working hard recently.

6. Have an Early Night
I don't know about you, but when I don't get enough sleep at night, it's probably best to avoid me the next day. I definitely don't function well on little sleep. The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night to function at their best. So if you're a bit of a night owl and frequently have late nights, that could be the reason why. Try going to bed an hour earlier than usual and perhaps read a book or do something calming to help send yourself to sleep. Your body will probably thank you for it.

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Twelve Tips for University Freshers

I'd like to start by saying congratulations to everyone who got the results they needed and are now off to university! I remember filling in my UCAS form, wondering how on earth I would get the grades to get into uni. Surprisingly, I got an unconditional for my top choice and I'm so grateful that I'm able to attend an amazing university. Starting university can be extremely daunting, even more so if you're moving to a new city and leaving home. I can't quite believe how fast my first year of university went by, as here I am, already waiting to start my second year. 

I know from experience that moving into halls and starting university can be quite scary to think about. You've no idea who anyone is, and the thought of meeting new people can be quite daunting for some people. However, you'll quickly learn how to cope on your own, and as cliché as it sounds, you're university experiences will be unlike anything else. For this post, I thought I would put together a few tips on how to make the most of your freshers week, and how to make your first year of university a little bit easier.

1. Take advantage of Freshers Fairs

During Freshers week, there will be so many events happening to help you meet new people and find out more about your chosen university. I loved visiting my freshers fair last year! There were so many different stalls, most offering a variety of freebies, such as Dominos pizza or vouchers for Nandos. There's also a sports fair and another one for clubs and societies. These are to let you know all about the different sports teams you can join, or to help you find like-minded people by joining a society.

2. If you're staying in university accommodation, make your room as homely as possible

Leaving home at 17/18 can be a scary thought, especially if you're moving to a completely different city. If you're moving into university accommodation, my main tip would be to try and decorate your bedroom, and make it feel as homely as possible. This will help you feel comfortable in your new room, and will hopefully make you feel a little bit less homesick. The best way to do this is to take plenty of photos of friends and family with you to put up around your room.

3. You do not need to buy every book on your reading list

At the start of the semester, you will be a given a list of recommended reading for each of your modules. Your first instinct will probably be to buy every book on the lists, but you really don't need too. A lot of books nowadays are online, so you can often download them as a PDF straight onto your laptop. Another option is to buy them second hand. Textbooks can cost upwards of around £30, so when you have to buy at least 12, that can become pretty pricey. Amazon always sell both new and old copies of textbooks, and your university's book shop probably do the same. My favourite site to buy textbooks last year was from abebooks.co.uk. They sell textbooks really cheap, and all of the ones that I ordered were in really good condition.

4. Check what is included in your rent/accommodation so that you don't overpack

As soon as I found out I was moving into halls, I could wait to go shopping for my new room. A lot of halls nowadays are furnished, for example, my kitchen already had all of the appliances we needed (like a toaster, kettle, etc) and my bedroom came with a duvet and pillows. Of course, you can always buy and take your own, but moving out and just university in general can be extremely expensive, so it's best to save money where you can.

5. Register with the medical centre

No matter how much of a hassle filling out the extensive questionnaire may seem, it's definitely best to register for your local medical centre. I was reluctant when I first moved to university, but I'm so glad I did. No matter how healthy you were at home, you will definitely get freshers flu if you are staying in halls. Being around so many new people, your body is bound to catch something, so it's best to be on the safe side just incase you ever need an emergency appointment.

6. You won't necessarily get along with everyone

This is even more true if you are staying in halls. When you are forced to live with various other strangers, it is pretty much a given that your personality will clash with at least one other persons. Especially when sharing your living space. But there are so many places to make new friends and meet new people at university, so if you don't get along with your flatmates, or you don't particularly like the people in one of your seminars, it's not the end of the world. Make sure you try to meet new people when you first start at university, as you never know who you'll become really good friends with.

7. Never feel pressured to like something just because everyone else seems too

When you mention freshers week, most people will automatically think of getting drunk and going out every night. For some people, that is what fresher's week really is like. But there are so many other things to do, that if drinking is not for you, you don't have to feel pressured into doing it. It wasn't later in the year that I realised I don't particularly like night clubs or drinking, and I felt like by not liking those things, I was isolating myself. But you should never make that a reason to do something you don't like. There will be so many people at university that feel the same way you do about things. Most of my friends at university don't really go out much either, but it wasn't until my second semester that I felt I had made true friends.

8. If possible, do your food shopping online

During my first year, I absolutely swore by home delivery when it came to my food shopping. When you do your food shop online, you are more likely to get the essentials and the things you know that you need. Whereas when you go walking around Tesco with a trolley, you're much more likely to buy extras just because they're on offer, or you were hungry at the time, or because they looked enticing. By shopping online, you'll probably find that you spend around £10 less than you do when you actually go to the shop. Another bonus of online shopping is the home delivery. Whenever I used to go to Tesco, I would end up struggling to get on the bus with my bags, and I used to have to walk over a bridge, which became a real pain when my bags were heavy. This way they are delivered to your door, and you only have to take them directly to your kitchen!

9. Don't be afraid to do things on your own

At university, you really do develop a true sense of independence that you probably didn't have before. There are so many opportunities at university, but not all of them will appeal to everyone. You have to get used to doing things on your own and going places by yourself, because a lot of the time, no one is going to be there to go with you. Don't be afraid to try new things and put yourself out there.

10. Don't be that person that leaves week old dirty dishes by the sink

For the sake of everyone else in your flat, please just wash your dishes. Leaving your breakfast dishes is fair enough if you're going to clean them later that day, but leaving food stuck to your plate for over a week isn't just unhygienic, it's also rude to your other flatmates. It will make your kitchen smell disgusting, and illnesses in halls are frequent enough, without your bacteria ridden week old food sitting on the side waiting to infect someone. No-one wants to be labelled the messy flatmate that everyone gets a bit frustrated with.

11. Don't leave your work until the last minute

We're all guilty of procrastinating and putting things off until later. But when you rush to finish an assignment the night before its due, it's probably not going to be as good as it could. And your marker will defintely know you've rushed it. Set yourself time aside to study and work on your essays or assignments, but also schedule yourself time off and give yourself something to look forward too. That way you'll be able to balance both university and your social life.

12. Attend your lectures

I, for one, know how it easy is to skip a 9am lecture because you'd rather have an extra hour in bed. But it's really not a good idea to miss them. A lot of universities now upload recordings of their lectures online, which makes them even easier to skip. But at the end of the day, you won't be concentrating as much if you just have your lecture playing in the background as you scroll through Facebook. Also, university is really expensive, so its better to attend your lectures and make the most of whats on offer to help you.

If you're starting university in September, good luck! Hopefully some of these tips will help you or help to give you an idea of what to expect. Your first year will fly by, and before you know it, it'll be summer again, so make sure you make the most of it!

Hey, before you go, are we friends on Bloglovin?

Why I'm Okay About Living On My Own

Yesterday morning, at 11am, I got the keys to my first ever flat. This is a huge step for me, but I'm so excited about it! Thankfully, my parents have been super supportive, and yesterday helped me heave all of my belongings up three fights of winding stairs. They're a lot fitter than me, that's for sure! But ever since I started telling people about my plans, and how I'll be living on my own, they always question my decision. Of course, I realise that its not necessarily the norm for an 18 year old student to choose to live by herself, but that's what people don't seem to understand. It's been entirely my choice.

I lived in halls of residence last year, and I really did enjoy the experience. But that's also when I realised that sharing my living space with numerous other people isn't really for me. I loved my flatmates, but I definitely need my own space. If you were having a bad day, everyone would know about it, and being a private person, that isn't something I enjoyed. The only personal space that I had was in my own room, but sometimes I felt a bit trapped. Which is one of the main reasons that I wanted my own flat.

Whilst living in halls, I learnt an awful lot about myself and the way that I feel about certain things. One thing that I learnt, is that I'm extremely independent. I enjoy making my own decisions and thinking for myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an unsociable person. I'll definitely have my friends and family over most evenings. 

Another perk of living on my own, is that everything will be mine, and will always look exactly how I left it. The thing that I hated the most about living in uni accommodation, was the constant mess. No matter how many times the kitchen was cleaned, it would only take a matter of hours before you could barely see the sink again. That's not something I can cope with again. Call me a clean freak, but I like knowing my tabletops aren't crawling with bacteria. It'll be nice to only have to clean up after myself for once.

But most of all, I'm excited for the responsibility that comes with having my independence. It might sound silly, but I've been truly enjoying setting everything up and buying my own homeware etc. Living alone can definitely be a struggle, especially financially, but I've got a great job that I love, which alongside my student loan, will definitely be enough to get me by. So hopefully this post has shown the people that think I'm too young to live by myself, that I really am capable of doing so, and that it's entirely my own choice.

Hey, before you go, are we friends on Bloglovin?