List

Study Abroad Series: Money

8:30:00 AM


Let's talk money. 
If you're thinking about going abroad to study, make sure you look at all of your options. 
And then you have to look at your bank account.


Money Down Under

Because, let's face it, studying abroad is expensive.
My program runs at about thirteen-thousand USD, and that's without the extra traveling that I've paid for and am still going to be paying for.

Travel


So here are a few tips on saving up that extra cash!


1. Work. A L O T. If you don't "feel" like getting out of bed and clocking in, then just know that the money you're giving up would probably pay for that trip to a magical destination in a far off land.
Werk Gif


2. Half & Half. Put half of your paycheck into a savings account, and keep half of it for spending it on life pre-study abroad.

Money

3. Raise money. Sell cookies to your neighbors, start mowing peoples lawns. They'll all love you for it, and you'll thank them while sipping on a latte outside of a cafe somewhere in Paris.
Cookie Monster
Now I'm craving cookies!! 

4. Apply for Aid. Most schools have scholarships that you can apply for that will give you a nice little chunk of money in your pocket when you need it!

5. Cut down on spending. Know how much you spend each week, while you're at home or at uni and pay attention to what you're spending on. Share rides with friends, you don't need to buy that clothing item because there will probably be one even better overseas (and you can say where it's from once you're back!)

Map

This list is pretty short, I worked a lot this past summer, and will until I leave. It also helps that I do not like spending money. It actually hurt to spend money on a trip to Ireland, but it will be all worth it in the end!
How do you raise money? Any tips and tricks that I missed?
Which countries should I visit while I'm over there?
xx 

Busy

Getting through a busy week

8:30:00 AM


This semester has left me with little time for leisure and a big pile of homework. Time feels like it's moving all too fast. Constantly writing things to do in my planner and actually getting them done feels really satisfying. I haven't been doing anything too exciting other than homework and coloring in my coloring book for me to blog about but I hope you enjoy the rest of this post! 



Here are some tips, and helpful words to help you get through your busy weeks! 


1. Write out your day. I usually use my note section on my phone, as well as a real planner to write out my assignments for the day. If something has to be done by the next day, make sure you do that first. 

2. Take a 10 minute break. Stressing out for seven hours straight cannot be good for you. Taking a ten minute break and just sitting down before moving onto your next task can be really helpful. 

3. Color. I mentioned my adult coloring book before, and you've seen it on this instagram post! I love it (I got a new one for Easter). It's relaxing and really calming. You can get one for $4 at your local WalMart. 

4. Watch YouTube. Yes you might be procrastinating, but again, taking time to just watch a funny video can be relaxing and revamp you to keep up your work!
5. Take a deep breath. YOU CAN DO IT! Each minute that passes is one more minute to Friday which is nearly Saturday anyway!

6. Plan for the next week. Planning meals takes a lot of stress away right there, and planning chores on whatever days you need to get stuff done can keep you right on track. You're doing amazing. 

7. 

8. 

9. Pack your favorite snack. Sometimes it's the little things that can make your day even a little better and that's all that counts. 

10. Treat Yourself. I know you're probably trying to stick to those New Years Resolutions but if you've had an extremely bad day, just splurge on that ice cream, or that chocolate cake. It's okay. take a deep breath and start over tomorrow. 


Sometimes looking forward to things and creating a timeline makes the week go faster. That's all that's helping me as I inch closer and closer to the end of the semester. If it's been a bad week, or a bad day I really like to work it off or color, or drink tea, or sit and watch YouTube. 

What do you like to do? How do you plan for a busy week and stay relaxed? I love reading your comments! Make sure to tell me if you liked this type of post! 
xx

Clean Eating

College Eats: Staying Healthy

8:30:00 AM



The freshman fifteen. Yea that's a thing. Eating healthy when you're away from home when you have no one to tell you that "maybe that giant monster cookie isn't such a good idea for lunch or dinner." can be really difficult. I really love eating healthy, I have for a really long time. I thought I would share some tips!


Clean Eating

Tips: 
1. If your school has a salad bar, use it. I get 99% of my food from my schools salad bar. Occasionally I'll have a soup, but only if there are no animal products. My school has a wide variety of toppings, and greens to choose from that make switching up salads fun and exciting. 
Salad Bar


2. Eat breakfast in your room. This is easy. Taking time to make breakfast in your room is consistently stated on so many sites as a healthier way to start the day. Oatmeal is my favorite! 
Organic Oatmeal


3. Read the labels! This is for anyone, even if you're not in school. If a product has ingredients that you can't pronounce, you probably shouldn't put that into your body. Standing in the aisle for 2 minutes extra to look before throwing it into your shopping cart might save you. 

4. Pre-pack meals. This might be hard if you're like me and live in the dorms. While I'm running around on lower campus, I like to have a pre-packed snack in my bag to take out anytime I get hungry. I snack a lot. 
Apples with Cinnamon are my favorite!

5. Look up some good YouTube workout videos! My favorite channels are Shayloss and Train with Monica. Since I did something funky to my knee I can't do legs as often, so my abs are going to look great. Probably. 

*Bonus Tip: Even though Organic food might be more expensive, you can always buy in bulk and freeze stuff. My mom freezes a lot of food and it's completely fine when we take it out later on. Also, coupons=best friends. 



breakfast

Holiday Brunching

1:53:00 PM


While my first semester of my junior year of college appears in the horizon, I broke out from under the pile of essays and projects that are all due at various times throughout this week and decided to go Christmas shopping.
 There is just something nice about shopping for someone and watching them wonder what it is you could have gotten them! I love it. The day was beautiful, (a bit out of the ordinary for December). The sun was shining, and there still hasn't been snow. It's fantastic. I bought so many gifts, my wallet has never felt thinner.

Wrapping Paper
I definitely was shopping on a budget, and thought I would share a few tips and tricks with you guys! 
  1. DIY gifts are great. If you can find something around your house, or something for under $10 at the craft store, then you are on it. I did something simple last year for Christmas, and being away from home I was a bit nervous that I wouldn't get to put something together. But I have!
  2. Dollar sections should be your first stop. I had to walk past a whole slew of really great looking gifts on shelves, until I came to the dollar section in my local Target. They're holiday themed, and a lot of the things can be add-ons for those co-workers or friends or even family members
  3. Remind yourself. While in Target, there were also small children in the dollar section who were grabbing gifts they wanted to play with. The mother spoke up saying "We're buying for others, not ourselves." I thought this was a good reminder, and I walked away from the nice stickers. 
  4. Bring a friend. If you're as indecisive as I am, it's probably a really good idea to bring a pal that can give you some good ideas for gifts and remind you what you have yet to shop for and what you already have. 
I finished up my shopping, feeling a bit hungry and went to one of my absolute favorite restaurants with my friend for brunch. Who doesn't want made-from-scratch waffles? The meal started out with a chai tea for myself, and a cup of hot chocolate for her, that seemed to almost be taking breaths. 
Chai LatteWaffles and Bacon
The last time I ate at this particular shop, I ordered way more than I needed, so I kept it at one waffle and 3 slices of bacon. It was delicious, and a perfect ending to a day out in the beautiful weather.
When I got back to my dorm room, I was so excited to start wrapping my Christmas gifts that I bought. I bought the gold wrapping paper from the dollar store, and it's lovely! I have more wrapping paper than presents, but that's alright. I got really into it, listening to holiday music and didn't even mind the fact that I had not even 2 minutes in, gotten a paper-cut.  
Christmas basket

I'm looking at all of the gifts that sit in bags on the floor of my dorm and excitement starts to build within me. I can't wait to see everything under the tree, relax with a cup of tea or dark hot chocolate when I get home, and be done writing these essays! I should get back to that. 
If your exams are coming up, good luck! I hope you do well! I have two next week Thursday then I'm free! 
 Have you done all of your Christmas shopping? Written any cards? (those are all done too!) I hope you're getting excited!  
 See you next time! 
 xx
Kenzie





Instagram