Choosing The Right College

by In Uncategorized Tagged ASU, choosing a college, choosing the right college, , , college blog, college blogging, college decision, , FSU, picking a college, picking a collegecollege, USC

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Wowzers, where has the time gone? You’re finally applying to colleges or maybe you’ve finished your applications and now it’s finally time to make one of your biggest decisions to date. What college will you attend for the next four years? Maybe you want a small school, maybe you want to go to the same school as your friend/sibling/parents? Wherever you decide, make sure you take a step back and look at all the things the school has to offer and decide for yourself if it will be the right college for you. Here are a few things you’ll want to look at when making your final decision.

  1. Location. Where are the schools located that you’re looking at? Big cities, rural areas, states away from home or just down the road? Make sure to discuss this with your parents to make sure they are okay with your decision.
  2. Cost of Attendance. If you’ll be paying for college yourself  you’ll definitely want to take this into consideration when choosing. A private school may be more on the expensive side or even an out of state school, so make sure to pay close attention.
  3. Campus Size. Are you someone who wants the big school feel? Than maybe look towards larger state schools like FSU, ASU, USC, etc. If you’re not quite into that many people than smaller schools are a better fit.
  4. Athletics. Are you interested in playing sports in college? Maybe you want to go to a big basketball and football school because you like the whole school spirit atmosphere.
  5. What is there to do around the school? Is it in a city with good food, shopping, and concerts? Maybe it’s in the mountain with trails, hiking, and sight seeing.
  6. Does it have your major? Make sure it has 1-3 majors you might be interested in choosing that way if one fails you always have a backup plan.
  7. Are the professors good? Using ratemyprofessor.com is a great way to find this out. You don’t want a school with teachers that just plain suck, otherwise your classes will be ten times harder than need be.
  8. Resources on campus. Does your school offer numerous resources from counseling, career advice, writing help centers, tutoring, and more? Make sure you’re choosing schools that are clear that they want their students to succeed.
  9. Living Situations. Will you be living on or off campus? Either way make sure the living situations are up to your par. You want to feel as comfortable and at home at school as possible.
  10. Campus Safety. Does your school put safety of it’s students first? Make sure that you feel safe attending the school.
  11. Organizations and getting involved. Are there several ways and options for getting involved in things on campus? Are there organizations you’re interested in joining? Are you interested in greek life? Make sure your school has it!

 

Hopefully these 11 points will help make your college decision making a little easier. Make sure to visit schools you’re hoping to attend several times to really get a feel for the campus and it’s students. You want to make sure you’re choosing a school you can see yourself flourishing, growing, and excelling in.

Make sure to check out my channel on YouTube for more college advice!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Getting Sick In College: What To Do

by In Advice Tagged being healthy, being sick, being sick in college, , health, health in college, healthy, healthy in college, how to get over being sick, stop sickness

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As if college couldn’t get any more stressful, you’ve come down with the flu, a cold, a cough, or some kind of sickness. Oh, but wait! You’ve got classes you can’t miss, tests you need to take, and meetings you need to be at, so what do you do?! Being sick while at college is not only annoying but stressful, but there are easy ways to take care of your matters and get back to being healthy so you can get back to having fun (AKA work).

  1. Inform Teachers. If you know you’re coming down with a cold go ahead and shoot your professors an e-mail saying you’ve come down with something and will be missing class. Don’t forget to let those in charge of your organizations and/or clubs know as well!
  2. Get To The Health Center. Most teachers won’t take your word to excuse you from from so go to the doctor and really get checked out, don’t forget to ask for a note. This will also better help you understand how to get back to being healthy!
  3. Inform Your Roomie. Bugs and sickness travel fast so give your roommate a heads up that you’ve caught something so they can be extra cautionary.
  4. REST. Don’t over exert yourself, get extra sleep, try to stay in bed, skip the gym for a few days, now is the perfect time to catch up on your Netflix binging.
  5. Do Work. Yeah I know I just said watch Netflix, but don’t forget that you probably still have assignments to do and turn in so make sure you’re not missing those too.
  6. Eat Healthy/Take Medicine. Now is not the time to indulge in Mcdonalds, Chick-Fil-A and Dominos pizza, grab some fruit, veggies, pasta, and healthy food to get your health back on track. Take an prescribed medicine from the doctor to get back on your way to being better again!

Being sick is no fun, I get it, but it happens to the best of us. Especially those of us in dorms, close quarters are breeding grounds for germs! To make sure you aren’t getting sick over and over again wash your hands, eat healthy, take your vitamins, and stay away from others that may be sick! Hopefully you’ll be back on your way to a healthy mind and body so you can focus back in on school!

Have more tips for being sick at college? Leave them in the comments below!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Surviving Your First College Party

by In Advice Tagged , , college and drinking, college party, drinking, drinking in college, party, surviving a college party

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So you’ve been invited to your first ever college party. You’re at a lost, you’ve never been to one and all you have to go off of is your friends stories or those awful movies that portray college parties in the worst way. Well I’m here to say it probably won’t be just like the movies. It’ll more than likely be in a house, dorm, or apartment with lots of other students your age and most but not all will be consuming alcohol. No not everyone will be so drunk they can’t function, most people know their limits. So back to how to prepare, I’m going to share with you how to survive your first college party with 9 simple tips.

  1. BUDDY SYSTEM. Don’t go anywhere alone, it’s not safe, it’s not fun, and frankly it’s just weird. Take a big group of friends, that way you’ve always got someone around in case something does happen to go wrong.
  2. Charge Your Phone. I always charge my phone before going out for the night. It’s great for emergencies or just snap chatting your friends or taking cute pics.
  3. Plan Your Rides. Before going out sit down with your group of friends that you’re going out with and plan your rides out. Have a set designated driver to and from the party, this person SHOULD NEVER DRINK under any circumstances, it’s not safe please don’t do it.
  4. Bring Your ID and Cash. You’ll want you ID on you for typical reasons and for emergencies, carry cash for things like parking fees, party charges, drinks, cookout afterwards, anything! Cash is best because if it’s lost you won’t have to worry about canceling a credit card, etc.
  5. Set Limits For Yourself. If you know you don’t want to drink a lot of alcohol set a limit! If you only want to be out for 2 hours, plan for that! You know yourself better than anyone else so think smart about what you want to do.
  6. Don’t Mix Alcohol. Chances are if you mix your alcohol you’ll end up with an upset stomach and a hangover the next day. So save your self the headache and just choose one.
  7. Don’t Take Drinks From Strangers. If someone tries to give you a drink that you didn’t see them pour, don’t take it. Make yourself a drink so you know exactly how much alcohol is in it and know that nothing else is going in. Be weary of things like drugs being slipped into drinks. It’s always a safe idea to keep your drink near by and never out of your sight. You can never be too safe.
  8. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE. NEVER under ANY circumstances drink and drive or drive under the influence not only are you putting yourself at risk, but also everyone else on the roads. Be smart and don’t do it.
  9. HAVE FUN! Yes that’s right go have fun! Don’t worry so much. Let loose, dance a little, socialize and meet new  people. Play some games, sing a song at the top of your lungs and take some cute pictures to remember the awesome night you will have had.

College parties don’t have to be these huge daunting things. They are a great way to meet new people and let out some stress. Just remember to keep these tips in mind when going out and to use your common sense and stay safe! Have a fun time!

Have more questions about college parties or college in general? Let me know in the comments or e-mail me at [email protected]

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

How Not To Look Like A Freshman

by In Advice Tagged advice for freshmen, , , , freshman, how not to look like a freshman, tips for college, tips for freshmen

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They’re easy to spot, they are scared, nervous, running around with campus maps pressed to their noses and their backpacks are stuffed to the brim with fresh school supplies and over priced textbooks. That’s right it’s the freshmen. Nothing is worse than looking like the new kid on the block, you want everyone to think you’ve been doing this for years and you know exactly how this college thing works. Well have no fear, I have the perfect tips and tricks so that you know how not to look like a freshman.

  1. Get rid of the lanyard. The easiest way to spot a freshman is a lanyard, yes they may be easy to keep your dorm keys and student ID on, but trust me it’s just as easy to keep these things in a pocket on your backpack.
  2. Walking around with a campus map. I get it your campus is new and seems HUGE compared to your high school, but don’t fret. Switch to using an online map on your phone, it’s more discrete. Also, walk around a few days before your classes to figure out where they are and how to get there the quickest.
  3. Don’t wear shirts from high school. We know you loved your high school years and you have tons of t-shirts and gear to show for it. Ditch em’. Head to the school bookstore and pick up a few school spirit items and wear those instead, it’s your new school after all!
  4. Don’t go over board at parties. Know your limits when it comes to things like parties. Don’t do something just to look “cool” or old, because trust me it’ll just make you look silly. Stick to your morals and don’t get too crazy!

Transitioning from high school to college and be pretty tough, trust me I’ve been there! So take these four simple tips and you’ll be on your way to looking like a skilled upperclassman. Don’t forget to check out my youtube channel for more college related videos every week!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

How To Wear Bean Boots

by In Fashion Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

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Ah yes, bean boots. This seasons hottest shoe and everyone is itching to get their hands on them. I myself was lucky enough to snag a pair from a close friend who bought them a size too big. Since having them I find myself pairing them with every outfit I put on in the morning. Their comfort, look, and fit are to die for, making them my new go-to shoe.

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After purchasing their first pair of bean boots many people are left confused on how to style, tie, wear, etc. their new shoes. Well I’ve decided to save you some time and break it down for you.

Tips When Buying Bean Boots

  1. Buy them at least a size down, they run incredibly big. I wear a size 10 shoe normally and fit comfortably in an 8 in bean boots.
  2. Order them in the Spring or Summer, during the winter they are usually on back order till Spring.
  3. You’ll want to pick up a few pairs of tall socks to wear with your new bean boots too! These help you jeans or pants stay tucked in.

How To Wear Them

  1. Tall socks are your best friends when it comes to these puppies, without out them your jeans or pants will be coming untucked all day long and trust me it’s obnoxious.
  2. For girls I suggest always tucking your leggings or pants in, for men untucked or sloppy tends to still look nice for them.

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Laces

  1. As you can see in the pictures this is usually how I have mine laced up, I like to tie them in a bow at the top loosely just so the strings aren’t everywhere.
  2. Loose ties are great for a relaxed effortless look, simply loosen all the strings and your feet will still be secure.
  3. There are several tutorials on YouTube on how to tie/knot your bean boots in different or cool ways so if you’re interested in different looks I suggest searching there first.

Outfits To Wear With Them

  1. Blouse/flowy tops, skinny jeans tucked in, Jcrew thermal socks, bean boots. Add a cute scarf and a few accessories to finish off the look.
  2. Big t-shirt, leggings, thermal socks, bean boots for a more casual look.
  3. Bundle up in a sweater, coat, jeans, thermal socks, and boots for a cozy winter look.

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So you’ve wanted to bean boots for a while but just didn’t know if they’d work for you? Well now you know it all from sizing, styling, and tying. So why not head on over to LLBean and pick up your first pair. From dressing up to dressing down this new shoe is the perfect trend for winter and even transitioning into Spring. So grab your pair and lace up!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Study Essentials

by In Advice Tagged , , college grades, , , , exam tips, final studying, finals study tips, my study tips, study essentials

StudyEssentials

Well, it’s that time of year again. Yep, finals. Currently I’m sitting in the library writing this blog post, procrastinating from studying Spanish, but hey it’s a study break right? Well at least that’s what I’m telling myself. While sitting here though it ran through my mind that what better post to post than my study essentials, to maybe motivate y’all to get to studying or at least survive your finals!

  1. Textbooks, I mean this should be obvious, yes? You won’t get very far without these.
  2. Hot Chocolate, yeah not coffee because I’m a baby and don’t like the taste of any coffee. So I enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate and make myself look cool like all of the other coffee drinkers in the library.
  3. Water, just to balance out my liquids and keep myself hydrated.
  4. Flashcards, a must have for basic classes like Spanish or History.
  5. Headphones, I can’t focus in the library without a set of headphones and my favorite songs on Spotify.
  6. SNACKS, surprise surprise I have to have food with me at all times. I get hungry and when I’m hungry things just go down hill from there.
  7. Hair Ties, because nothing bothers me more than my hair in my face while I’m hunched over my textbooks for hours.
  8. Last but not least, my favorite pens and pencils. I’m a hoarder of nice pens and pencils and I have my favorites that just make studying more fun.

Those these things may seem basic, I like to keep things simple when it comes to studying. I pack it all up and hike to the library where I stake out a table on the greek floor of the library (yeah it’s a thing) and crash for hours trying to get the most work done that I can. To all of you out there with exams, good luck and may the force be with you as you try to survive finals week this year.

What are some of your study essentials? Let me know in the comments, because it might help someone else!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

What’s In My Everyday Makeup Bag

by In Advice Tagged , college makeup, everyday, everyday makeup, everyday makeup bag, , makeup blogger, , , , preppy makeup, whats in my everyday makeup bag

whatsinmyeverydaymakeupbag

Ah makeup, one of my true loves. There is just something so relaxing about sitting down on my floor in front of my big mirror, pulling out my favorite makeup bag filled to the brim with an array of cosmetics from numerous brands. I enjoy sitting down and taking my time to carefully choose which products and colors I’d like to use for the day. Let’s take a peek inside my everyday makeup bag and what some of my favorite makeup products are.

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First let’s begin with the ever so lovely bag that houses all of my lovely cosmetics and beauty tools. This beautiful cosmetic case is from KyiStitches and is the perfect size for housing all of the products I could ever want to use. I’m a sucker for seersucker and monograms so it’s no surprise I love using this bag to keep everything contained in one place.

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Let’s talk foundation. Now I’m not someone who likes a lot of coverage and heavy foundation which is why I typically reach for the perfect products. From left to right we have Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation by Benefit, Benefit Erase Paste, and Smashbox Photo Ready BB Cream. I typically use the Hello Flawless foundation from day to day to get the perfect amount of coverage while still having that light weight feeling. For any blemishes and hard to cover spots I use Erase Paste. Lastly I usually grab for my Smashbox BB Cream during the warmer months or when I just need a bit more moisture in my coverage.

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Now let’s talk face. As you can see my products in this area have been deeply loved. Once I find the perfect face product I’m hooked and it’s hard to break that obsession. So let’s give y’all a run down of my favorites. From left to right we have the Anastasia Contour palette, MAC blush in Sunbasque, and Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. My typical makeup routine consists of using the middle contour color on the bottom row to contour my cheeks, jawline, and forehead. When I’m heading out for the night I like to focus on a little heavier contouring and adding highlighting as well. My adored MAC blush in Sunbasque gives the perfect rosy color to my cheeks and I use it every day. Lastly to keep my face matte all day I use my Rimmel powder all over my face.

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Now for the eyes. Color choices range from day to day, however there are few I use rigorously each day to complete my look. Starting from left to right we have the first Urban Decay Naked Palette, NYX liquid eyeliner, Maybelline pencil liner, Benefit They’re real Mascara, and ELF Eyebrow Kit. My go to eyeshadows are always in my Naked palette, with so many color options it’s easy to create any look. My color choices change from day to day, but I typically like to smudge the color Buck under my lower lashes. Speak of liner, I typically use my Maybelline pencil liner for my water line. If I’m going out that night I like to use my NYX liquid liner for a darker look. My favorite mascara is Benefit’s They’re Real because it gives my lashes perfect length and volume. Lastly when I want my look to be all pulled together I reach for my ELF eyebrow kit. It has a great gel color and and powder to get the perfect brows.

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My latest obsession, lips. Though I really only reach for these two staple lip items, I’ve been itching to try a few darker lip colors for this winter. Now for the perfect duo I have here, Too Faced La Creme in Nude Beach and Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipliner in Liberated. Combining these two colors gives the perfect everyday nude lip color. I can’t get enough of it.

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Lastly the tools. Just as important as the actual makeup. Though I’m not usually one to spend a lot of money on my tools, I still have my favorites. Starting on the left I have my Real Techniques brush that is perfect for contouring my face. We then have a nice buffer brush from It Cosmetics that is perfect for powdering my face and setting my foundation. Next is my ELF blush brush, it’s perfect for getting the right amount of color on my cheeks. The next two brushes are the only ones I use when it comes to eyes. A flat shader, crease, and smudge brush are perfect for my everyday looks. Last but not least is my eye lash curler, curling your lashes gives such a polished and awake look to anyone which is why I always use it.

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Makeup, for me it’s a relaxing way to start my day, taking my time to careful choose the colors and textures for my look. I encourage all of you to take a little extra time out of your day to really focus on what you’re doing with your every day makeup. You don’t have to be a makeup artist to be into makeup. Trust me when I say a nice face of makeup can really have an effect on how your day goes. You’ll be more confident and excited to show off your new expertise.

What are some of your makeup must haves?

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Fall Fashion Favorites

by In Fashion Tagged , college outfits, fall, fall clothes, fall fashion, fall fashion favorites, fall fashion ideas, fall fashion outfits, fall outfits, fashion favorites, fashion outfits, , , preppy fashion, ,

 

 

 

 

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Vest | Hat | Scarf | Black Knee High Boots | Poncho | Booties | Cross Body Bag

Ah fall, it’s here. The leaves are changing, falling, and the temperature is quickly dropping. It’s time to drag out the coats, sweaters, and cardigans and dust off our boots. There is nothing I’ve been loving more than a few good layering pieces this fall which is why I chose the lovely army green vest and the beige poncho. Both pieces are great for layering for added warmth without dying from heat. Accessories in the fall are some of my all time favorites, it must be something about the dark hues and rich textures. These two beautiful pairs of shoes are my go to style for fall and winter, the boots keep you warm all while still being stylish. Lastly adding an adorable bag and hat to an outfit complete the look. These brimmed hats are my all time new favorite accessory, they look so chic and pull together any outfit. And let’s not forget the trusty cross body bag that despite it’s small size can hold everything I need for the day.

What fall trends are you falling for this year?

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

Time Management Tips for College Students

by In Advice Tagged , , college girl, , , , doing well in college, doing well in school, , , school advice, school tips, , , , , , , time management, time management tips

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Classes, organizations, work, friends, sleep, and working out?! How does one balance all of these things, it seems almost impossible to get everything done in a day with so much going on. Take it from me when I say time management is essential to any college student. It will help you manage your time efficiently by getting the most done in one day.

Here are my tips I use to keep myself organized and hopefully will help you as well.

 

  1. Actually use your planner. Anyone can have a planner and write down dates and times for events but unless you’re looking back at it and editing things and referring to it, then it won’t be of any use. I live for my planner and without it lord knows how many things I’d miss.
  2. Use an efficiency calendar. Something new I’ve been using to keep myself on track and getting the most out of my days is my efficiency calendar. I do this weekly and sit down and plan out my week hour by hour. Of course some things change, but for the most part it remains. This is a great way to see when you have extra hours in your day where you could fit in extra studying, working out, catching up with a friend, etc. Here is a peek at my week.

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As you can see I schedule every hour of my day to include something important. There are days where I don’t have as much to do, which is fine because I do like to have some free time to do things that make me happy like Netflix, pampering nights, etc.

I also schedule in everything from blogging, classes, studying, meals, sorority events, etc.

3. Color Code. Even if you don’t use an efficiency calendar I suggest color coding your planner so that you know what events are for what class, organization, etc.

4. Sync your calendars on all mobile devices. It’s great to have you calendar updated on your computer and your phone so that at a glance you can see and remind yourself of any events that are coming up that may be very important to you.

 

Time management doesn’t have to be some huge task to get yourself organized, but choosing one or two of these tips and implementing them into your life could help organize yourself and your time. Then you’ll be on your way to being a more productive and time efficient person.

Make sure to check out my YouTube for frequent videos!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle

How To Survive Early Classes In College

by In Advice Tagged 8am class, , , , , , having a positive morning, morning classes, morning routine, , , surviving 8am college classes

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So you’ve been blessed with an early morning class while you’re at college, but let me guess you aren’t a morning person by any means? Yeah I thought so, because I’m the same way! Since coming to college I’ve gotten into the routine of staying up late and sleeping in until noon. However I have this dreaded 8 am class twice a week which requires me to be up bright and early, and be ready to pay attention! So, I’ve managed to collect a few tips along the way to help y’all have a smooth sailing morning that’ll have you wide and awake for your morning class!

  1. Wake up at least an hour before you have to leave. You’ll want to give yourself time to get ready and time to do a few extra things to get you awake and ready for class.
  2. Set your phone just out of reach so it requires you to get out of bed to turn your alarm off. Once you’re up you’ll start to feel more awake.
  3. Take 5-10 to just stretch out all of your muscles, doesn’t have to be yoga or anything to intense I just like to stretch out my legs and arms and neck to really loosen up my body.
  4. Rinse your face with cold water. This should help your eyes and face feel more awake and it’ll get any excess oil and dirt off that was collected from your pillows! (Wash those frequently)
  5. Have your clothes laid out the night before so no thinking has to go into what you’re wearing!
  6. Head to the kitchen for some breakfast! This is incredibly important to staying awake and having energy. I usually eat instant oatmeal because it’s quick, yummy, and filling!
  7. Don’t forget to brush your teeth!
  8. Have your bag ready and packed the night before so the rest of your morning you’re not running around like a chicken with their head cut off.
  9. Enjoy your morning! Do what you like to do whether it be watching your favorite netflix show, reading the news, meditating, reviewing last nights homework, or catching up on Instagram.

Welcome to the world of morning people! You can now wake up feeling refreshed, positive, and productive because you’ve taken that extra step in the morning to feel ready and calm for your day. Having an easy morning routine like this makes you ready for your day ahead and you’ll be on your A-game in your morning class! Don’t forget to pack a big bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated and focused during your class!

Have you checked out my Youtube channel yet? NO?! Head on over there today for new videos every week!

Have another tip that might be helpful for early mornings? Leave it in the comments below!

Lauren | Simple Southern Belle