How to: Save money

Being a university student is quite tough when it comes to spending and saving money. You want to go out all the time with friends but you also need to stay in and study or you simply cannot afford to go out all the time. This is just a quick blog post on how I decide to save money.

First of all, nights out: If you like going out to Sparrows 2-3 times a week then start pre-drinking at home first, it saves you so much money it’s unreal. Although drinks are only £2 at Sparrows, you can get so much more for your money if you drink at home.

Another thing which might not interest some people is not drinking alcohol at all, you can have just as much fun if you don’t drink at all. This is great for your liver and your body. If you’re with fun people, you’ll have a fun time.

Necessities: You don’t really need that £45 dress from Topshop in another colour, do you? No, so put it back. Primark, New Look, H&M etc, are just as great shops but are so much cheaper. Additionally, Charity Shops offer so many decent clothes right now. You can get a really nice dress from charity shops for like £4! Bargain! Also, out of all the supermarkets, you can get really cheap food, cleaning products from places like Lidl’s, Tescos, ASDA etc!

Cheerleading Competition: Saturday Night Fever

So the weekend just gone was my first ever cheerleading competition and it was

amazing! It was in Bath so it took just over 3 hours to get there but in the end it was so worth it. I get really bad travel sickness so being on a coach for that long was difficult but as soon as we got there and checked into our hotel, the nerves hit me. On the Saturday it was the dancers turn and they were amazing. Their timing was fantastic and they all looked really good. After this we had some free time so a few of the other cheerleaders and I decided to go check out the local mall and have a meal together, this was really fun and we got to know so much more about one another. Which is another reason why we compete, it’s great of a night as we can all chill in each other’s hotel rooms and have a laugh together.

So Sunday came along really quickly and I, as well as the others from Level 1, were competing second of the day. Well, this was the plan at first but the first team were late so we ended up having to go on and perform first! I was so nervous, but as we were waiting to go on, we heard all the other cheerleaders screaming “G-G-GRE” so it got us all pumped! The performance went sooooo well and we were all buzzing as we left the stage. All our stunts went up perfectly and a flyer wasn’t dropped (Number 1 rule: NEVER drop a flyer!!!). After this we waited around and watched the other teams and they were all amazing as well.

Then it was Level 2’s turn and they were just as awesome! Their timing was so good and their cheer faces were on point! We all had so much fun and I can’t wait to compete again in May! Now my first competition is out the way I know exactly what to expect and how it’s going to be. I’m so excited for May and I’m going to try and fly this time round.

Wish me luck!!

IT’S A NEW YEAR - WORK HARD.

Hello everyone and Happy New Year! I’m not sure why but I have a great feeling about 2014 and hopefully I'm not wrong. When I entered my second year at university in September 2013, I told myself I was going to push myself and try much harder than I did in my first year. Media and Communications just wasn't my thing. I was getting low grades (my lowest being 40 – I barely scraped through, I almost cried!) and I just wasn't enjoying university life like I should have been. Since I have changed to Film Studies which is more up my street and I haven't looked back. I've been getting high 2.1’s (and all have been a few marks away from a first, which is majorly annoying!!!) and have genuinely been enjoying the work I've been getting (what isn't to love about watching films and drawing storyboards!?).

This is my second year now so it actually means something and I’m going to work hard to get it!

Seeing as it’s the New Year I thought I would share some of my New Year Resolutions with you all.

Say ‘Yes’ more.

Saying Yes more opens up loads of opportunities.

Work harder.

Like I've been saying above, I plan to work very hard this year and get the grades to prove it!

Get fit.

This one isn't uni related but there’s no harm in wanting to be healthy, is there? I’m not sure how long this one would last though... I’m a big fan of chocolate!

Keep on Bloggin’!

I also have another blog which I like to post on regularly. It’s a beauty/fashion blog. If you want to give it a read, the web address is: britishheartsxo.blogspot.com

Smile more.

This is going to make me sound like a right grumpy gills but smiling has been proven to lift your mood! I do smile a lot but just a tad more won’t hurt!

What are your New Year resolutions?

JANUARY BLUES. – REFRESHERS.

First of all, how was your Christmas? Did you eat way too much like I did? I just can’t resist the Quality Street! I’ve had a really relaxing Christmas holiday and I’ve loved lounging around with my family and seeing my closest friends. Now it’s time to get back to the hustle and bustle of university and work life!

If you've got the January blues (like me) and do not want to go back to school/sixth form/ work/ university then the University of Greenwich has something to make you want you to come back! At the club Sparrows which is located at the Avery Hill campus they have a few events which I'm sure will be great! 

In January they have a something called Refreshers to welcome you back into university. There’s a back to school disco (classic!) and also a Neon night which I’ve been to before and it’s always loads of fun! You get glow sticks, neon bracelets and necklaces and so many more free goodies! (Although, I’m not sure you'll want to keep them as you may get hit by some UV paint) They also play some of the best music (I may be a tad biased there!) and it’s generally a great atmosphere in there.

In my first year I wasn't much of a Sparrows gal, I went to university and came home and preferred to go to the clubs around me. I think it was mainly because I didn't have many university friends that necessarily wanted to go to Sparrows with me – yes you can bring a few friends along as guests (they pay a bit more) but I was content with not going. This was until I joined the Greenwich Mermaids (cheerleading – I go on about it enough!). Since I joined the Mermaids I’m going out all the time to Sparrows with them and I can't believe I didn’t go before! Like I said above, it’s a great atmosphere and the drinks are soooo cheap (£2 – can’t get much better than that!!!!) Plus, the other good thing is that because it’s on the university campus, it’s really safe because only students (and some guests) are allowed in there so it’s a really fun and safe environment. I’d definitely recommend going to Sparrows if you haven't already!

December Deadlines: How to Keep Calm and Get a 1st!

So you’re stressed to the max, you’ve never had to deal with this much work before and you feel like hiding in your cupboard until January. Sound familiar? That, my friends, is the beauty of December Deadlines! Now, you haven’t got to be stressed – it’s not healthy. I know it’s difficult not to stress over this but I’ve come up with a few remedies to help you relax!

• First up, a bubble bath. These bad boys will leave you feeling so humble and tranquil it’s unreal. You can even light a few candles to create a nice relaxing atmosphere. Grab a bottle of Radox Stress Relief (£1) and pour some in to have a stress-free bath.

• Plan. There’s no going about this, you need to plan your essays. If you do an essay outline of what you’re going to put into your essay then a huge weight will lift off your shoulders. It’s easier and quicker to write an essay with an essay plan. It doesn’t need to be long, but once you know briefly what you’re going to talk about in each paragraph, writing it will be so easy!

• Get a good night’s sleep. There are so many remedies out now for a good night’s sleep. This Works has a pillow spray that you spray on before you go to sleep to sleep all the way through. They also have a balm which you rub on your wrists to inhale the scent for a Stress Free night. I don’t know about you but whenever I’m stressed about something. I wake up about 3 times throughout the night where I’m so worried. If you’re not sure about the price of the Pillow Spray then you can always buy herbal night tablets (Boots.com do some Nytol Herbal tablets for only £3.79).

• Spend time with family/friends. This never fails to cheer me up. If you live in halls then plan a night in with movies and food to cheer yourself up a bit. Even better than this, you could plan an essay planning night with people from the same course as you. This is a perfect opportunity to find out your fellow classmates ideas and this builds on a better essay and also team bonding.

So those are just a few tips to help you get through December Deadlines. Just keep thinking that it’s almost Christmas soon and you can stuff your face full of Quality Street and turkey and spend loads of time with your families! Hope everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas Presents for a student under £10!

Being a student isn’t easy. We don’t have a lot of money, and to get money we have to work basically every hour of every day. And don’t even get me started about the amount of time we spend in the library just to find a book to get one quote from for an essay! As Christmas is fast approaching, we daydream about the days of lounging around in our festive PJ’s and eating as much as we can. May as well make the most of it!

So here’s a cheap Christmas gift guide, from everyone to your little brother to your girlfriend! Hope this helps…

Mum:

If she loves lounging:

• Primark do a great selection of PJ’s and slippers that Mum would love.
• How about a snuggie? They’re super cosy and you have access to your arms! (via eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/200668739424?limghlpsr=true&lpid=102&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=102&ff19=0)

If she loves cooking:

• Dunelm Mill offer tons and tons of cheap essentials which are the perfect pressie (http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/cook/kitchen-utensils/)

Dad:

If he loves lounging:

• You guessed it; Primark once again has hit the nail on the head and have tons to offer!

If he loves football:

• A shirt of his favourite team
• A calender of his favourite team

Boyfriend/Girlfriend:

• Nothing shows that you love them more than a handmade gift. Get crafty!
• A cute teddy
• A picture of the two of you together (cringy but sweet!)

Sister:

If she loves makeup:

• MUA have extremely cheap make-up (all around the £1 mark!!!)
• Make-up brushes (these can be found anywhere, Superdrug, Poundland, Boots - etc)

If she loves Justin Bieber or One Direction:

• A poster
• Calenders of their favourite artist/band

Brother:

If he loves Games:

• CEX sell second hand games all at reasonable prices
• Check eBay to see if they have any cheaper games!

If he loves football:

• Same as Dad’s above!

Assignments

Assignments have never really bothered me, maybe it’s because I enjoy the course I’m doing so much I’m eager to learn more, but this year, I feel the work is getting a little harder (but hey, what else do you expect?). 

I know some people feel that Film Studies is an easy subject, but there is so much to learn. All the shot types, angles, genres, mise-en-scene, the reasons behind filming (the list just goes on and on!). The difference between last year and this year, is that this year really means something. 

I’m so eager to do really well, trying my hardest with my assignments (my last one got a high 2:1 (yesssss!) I’m just hoping to keep this up!). I’ve just finished creating my own storyboard and have two more essays due in before we pack up for the Christmas holidays! But like I said, I enjoy Film Studies so much that I enjoy watching the films and testing my knowledge.

If you’re ever stuck during an assignment, never be too scared to ask your lecturer or personal tutor for help. They will look over your work and point you in the right direction. In the second year, you can also go to someone to help get work on your essays. They will also look over your work and help you with any issues that you might have with it.

I wouldn’t say that the work is extremely hard, it’s all about if you’re enjoying the course and whether you initially want to know more. I can safely say I’m not one of those people that don’t enjoy their course. Film studies is so much fun, I recommend this course!

Right, I’m going to stop rambling now and get back to my essays! Until next time, bye! :)

CHEERLEADING

Cheerleading for some reason, was something I always wanted to do. Whenever you see them in the movies they look amazing and it looks like so much fun. So, this year I decided to pluck up the courage and finally join after a year of debating!

Now, cheerleading is not as easy as it looks. You have to put hard work in regardless of what you’re doing. There are competitions and everyone wants to do well! However, having said that.. I absolutely love it. I was a bit iffy at first because I can’t do any tumbling (cartwheels, handstands etc) but after being reassured by the head coach that it wasn’t all about that, I quickly put my name down.

The first taster session was so much fun, learning all about the cheerleading jumps and how to do stunts (I’m base which means another person and I lift up the flyer). I’m enjoying it so much and our first competition is on December 8th. Unfortunately, us newbies aren’t in this one as there is still so much to learn, but I can’t wait to go and watch the returners do their thang! They’re so good, they will definitely (touch wood) bring home a trophy!!

At the last training session, we got together in our newly formed stunt groups and started learning new stunts to perform. I have some amazing people in my stunt group, they’re all so lovely! That was another thing I was nervous about starting cheerleading, meeting all the new people (there are over 50 of us!!). However, they are all such amazing, lovely people. They are the nicest girls you can think of. I’m gutted I didn’t join a year ago!

I would definitely recommend joining the cheerleading group (hello, why would you not want to own pom-poms!?), you get your uniform (which I cannot wait for, I have just been measured!) and matching jackets with your names on and you get to cheer on the American Football team at games (which is a perfect opportunity to get to know everyone!). Besides that there are loads of socials which is again the perfect opportunity to get to know everyone. Cheerleading isn’t all girls either, our team is slowly getting new guys to join the team (which is good because they’re stronger bases!)

So if you’re starting uni at Greenwich in September then definitely come along and join! You won’t regret it!