Morning Routine : Autumn/School Edition

I'm not a morning person. There's no way that anyone can enjoy pulling themselves out from under a warm, snug duvet into the frigid cold that is an unheated house. But alas, it must be done, so I'm going to tell you guys a few of my little tips and tricks that I have incorporated into my school morning routine to help you through the cold autumn mornings.

First thing's first; set more than one alarm 'cause honey, you're going to need it.

I usually set 3 alarms 15 minutes apart when trying to wake myself up, as it gives a little time to doze in between, but you're not able to completely fall back into a deep sleep. Also, when choosing a song/sound for your alarm, don't choose your favourite song, or any song really, because you will start hating it so much you'll probably end up with some form of PTSD when you hear it on the radio. Instead, pick a sound that starts of quietly and gradually gets louder to prevent any rude awakenings from those sweet dreams.

Next, throw on a dressing gown and some fluffy socks to keep all that heat in your body. Theses are a must for cold mornings.

After that, I would usually make a beeline for the bathroom where I brush my teeth. I know some of you might find it weird that I brush my teeth before eating breakfast, but I do it again after (I promise), I just really hate that morning breath taste. I'm currently using, and loving, Colgate MaxFresh.

Before leaving the bathroom I will exfoliate and moisturise my face. This is probably the part of the routine that wakes me up the most and makes me feel the most refreshed. To exfoliate, I use the Clinique Sparkle Skin and for moisturiser I'm loving Clinique Moisture Surge.


Now it's time for breakfast. Do not skip breakfast. Ever. None of this "oh but I can't eat in the morning" crap, 'cause you can. Grab something, anything; an apple, a yogurt, a piece of toast with jam. You don't have to eat it seconds after you get up, but as you get ready it's always good to have something to munch on, just make sure you eat. (Also, drink coffee because coffee.)


The next thing I would do is probably my make up for school. I don't usually wear a lot of make up to school because frankly, I can't really be bothered, however when I'm feeling in the mood I'll put on some foundation and concealer with a bit of eyeliner and mascara. I can't go too OTT because my school is quite strict about makeup, but now that I'm in the senior school they're a bit more lenient. If you want me to do a full school morning routine post, leave a comment below.

Finally, I get dressed into my uniform and so any homework I didn't get done the night before (ATTENTION : I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. BAD IDEA. ABORT. ABORT.) and hop on in the car and off we go!

I hope you enjoyed this little post, and if so please leave a comment and give it a share, it would be much appreciated!

Song of the day : 'A Certain Romance' - Arctic Monkeys
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUGzWETn1HQ

N x

A Level Study Tips

For those of you who don't know what A levels are, count yourself lucky. For those of us who do... you'll know what I mean.
Here in the UK, A levels are what we study in the last two years of school, ready to sit exams in either 3 or 4 subjects at the end of Year 13 and Year 14 to get into Uni. I have just started Year 13 and when people tell you there's going to be a running jump up from your previous year, believe them. I've been back at school 3 weeks and I've already handed in two 35 mark essays, completed an entire topic and have had a test. This is not GCSE. This is Hell.
So I've decided to compile a list of study tips to help keep on top of homework, independent study and class exams, whichever year you're in, before you slowly get the urge to eat glass or gauge your own eyes out or do both at the same time.

1. Do Your Homeworks The Day You Get Them, Not The Night Before It's Due 
This will help you more than you know. There is nothing worse than leaving an essay to the day before and soon realising that you will be working into the wee hours of the morning. This will inevitably make your writing worse and just lower your overall opinion of the subject it was for. Instead, try and at least begin your homework when you get it, either in a study period or for half an hour at home, to lighten your work load. Believe me, it helps.

2. Begin Studying For Exams Now
I know this sounds absolutely ridiculous, but it helps. If your school is anything like mine and you don't get study leave before exams during this year, you will thank yourself so much. It's not as hard as it sounds either. Simply write good notes, draw a spider diagram, make a mind-map every time you have a test in school or an end of topic test. Eventually these will build up your database and save you from wasting time on making notes just days before your exams.

3. Make Yourself A Clean, Organised Working Environment
As the saying goes, a tidy space makes a tidy mind, and it's so very very true. Spend time making your desk beautiful and practical, take pride in making little motivational posters, don't be afraid to spend money to make it perfect. The end result will be a cute, unique little space that you will be happy to go to at the end of the day to begin homework or study and you'll want to spend as much time there as you can.

4. Find Out What Works Best For You
Whether it be making flashcards or lists, mind-maps or diagrams, pictures or words, it's never too early to find out which way your mind works best and accommodate to it's needs. Figure out if you need silence or music to study to, and if so what type of music you need. My personal favourite music to listen to whilst studying is film scores and orchestral music (link to my study playlist at the end of the post).

5. Take Breaks
Do not try and do everything at once. I repeat do not try and do everything at once. This will only drive you to insanity and stress you to the max. Break down your study time into manageable blocks, usually between an hour to an hour and a half, and allow for breaks for half an hour to an hour. Make yourself a snack, take a shower, go for a drive, watch some TV, do anything to take your mind off your work. This will allow you to wind down and have a breath before returning with a fresh mind and new perspective as to what you were working on.

So that's that! I hope I have given you some ideas as to how to make your life a little more manageable, and I wish you luck in all your school/work/homework/life and I'll talk to you again soon!

Link to 'Study : A Playlist' - http://sweetlyundefined.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/study-playlist.html

Song of the day : 'Something Good Can Work' - Two Door Cinema Club
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hjjFoId30

N x

Study : A Playlist

School.
That long monotonous cycle of sitting down, (barely) listening to the teacher, writing notes and being released by the bell only to move onto your next class and repeating the same process over and over again until that final bell rings and you rush from that damned building only to realise you have more work waiting for you when you get home. It's shit.
So to make that dreaded homework just a little less shit, I've taken the time to compile some of my favourite soundtracks and film scores together into one playlist to help pass the time. From racing dragons to tipping the Black Pearl, dancing fireside with Oz and discovering the secrets of Hogwarts with Harry, this playlist is sure to make you smile through the pain and give you that little extra nudge through the final battle just before the freedom.
I recommend you play this playlist through earphones as it heightens the experience entirely and blocks out the rest of the world so it's just you and your fight songs.

Available from the link below or through the Spotify button on my homescreen.
https://open.spotify.com/user/sweetlyundefined/playlist/29AaBfTUwsNYiwwVthZVFK

Song of the day : 'Let's Dance To Joy Division' - The Wombats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayuooyWPEUc

N x

TMI

As I'm new to the whole blogging thing, and because one day I hope at least one person will find my page full of ramblings and take the time to sit and read what I have to say, I guess you'd probably like to know a little about me.

Yes, I know that I am one of the last people to participate in this tag, but really, I've never had much use for it before. But now I'm here and I'd like to share a little about myself...

1. What are you wearing? My school uniform and a hoodie because the house is freezing and I'm only home

2. Have you ever been in love? No, but hopefully I will be one day

3. Have you ever had a terrible break up? That would be hard because I've never actually been on a date with anyone

4. How tall are you? 5ft7"

5. How much do you weigh? That's TMI even for me 

6. Any tattoos? No, but I hope to get one next year

7. Any piercings?  Nope, piercings never appealed to me

8. OTP? Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood

9. What is your favorite show? Don't get me started... Right now, probably Game of Thrones

10. Who are your favorite bands? The Kooks, The Wombats, The Fratellis, Two Door Cinema Club ect.

11. Something someone you miss? John

12. Favorite song?  Wonderwall - Oasis (original I know)

13. How old are you? 17

14. Zodiac sign? Cancer

15. Quality you look for in a partner? Trust

16. What is your favorite quote? "I was within and without, simultaneously enchanted and repelled by the inexhaustible variety of life" - F. Scott Fitzgerald

17. Who is your favorite actor? Benedict Cumberbatch

18. Favorite color? Purple

19. Loud music or soft? Both

20. Where do you go when you’re sad? Under my duvet

21. How long does it take you to shower? 10-30 mins depending entirely upon the shittiness of the day.

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? 30 mins

23. Have you ever been in a physical fight? I've been floored by a rugby ball if that counts?

24. Turn on’s? Good music/literature taste

25. Turn off’s? Obnoxiousness 

26. The reason I joined blogger? To be heard, I guess

27. What are your fears? Frickin' spiders. Creepy little buggers with all those eyes...

28. Last thing that made you cry? All The Bight Places - Jennifer Niven 

29. Last time you said you loved someone? To my best friend in school earlier

30. Meaning behind your blog name? I'm yet to be defined as a person.

31. Last book you read? Shatter Me - Tahereh Mafi

32. The book you’re currently reading? Unravel Me - Tahereh Mafi

33. Last show you watched? New Tricks

34. Last person you talked to? My mum

35. The relationship between you and the last person you texted? Grandparent

36. What is your favorite food? Ice cream

37. Place you want to visit? NYC

38. Last place you were? An ice cream parlour

39. Do you have a crush? Yes

40. Last time you kissed someone?  Last year I think? But technically they kissed me.

41. Last time you were insulted? Idk I block out the haters

42. Favorite flavor of sweet? Blackcurrant 

43. What instruments do you play? Piano

44. Favorite piece of jewelry? An opal necklace

45. Last sport you played? Badminton

46. Last song you sang? I made similar noises to that from'This Is Berk' from HTTDY

47. Favorite pick up line? Haven't a clue

48. Have you ever used it? I've never used any pick up line

49. Last time you hung out with anyone? Last period during school today

50. Who should answer these questions next? Anyone who feels like it

That was a very basic cover of random things I'm into or experiences I've had, but I'll probably reveal more about myself in other pieces a write. It's inevitable.

Song of the day : 'Wonderwall' - Oasis 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DvRCykzHy4

N x

Welcome to School (Hell)

It's been longer than I would have liked between my first and now second post, but between reading and working and TV (I know, not the best excuse) summer just ran away leaving me in it's wake with a fresh bunch of exam results and a lot of new stationary.
Classes have started again, and new faces have started appearing both in the form of first years and new classmates, whether permanent or temporary, in among my old classmates. And He's back.
Before I go on I should probably explain Him. He is a boy (obviously) who suddenly appeared on my radar Christmas last year. He sang and played bass at a school concert and I started noticing. Simple. Only not really because I'm utterly, utterly confused.
He's my type, I think, seeing as I've never actually dated anyone in my entire 17 years of existence. I've not even technically kissed anyone, as the first time was an accident (and with my female best friend (not that way inclined)) and the second time was not my decision and was instead made by my drunk friend (?) who decided to shove his tongue down my throat before I could stop him. But if I do happen to have a type it would be tall, thin, blonde and musical.
I smile at him between classes and in the sixth form room, He's caught me looking a few times before I could turn away, and I've caught him looking too, but we've never spoken, and he's not in any of my classes because He's the year above me in school. I think I like him (again I don't know because I've never liked anyone before) and I've imagined kissing him and it always makes me smile. But I just don't know.
Basically, I've returned to a very confusing environment with a mixture of new and old faces, new and old subjects, and new and old feelings and I don't know if I should feel excited or nervous.

Song of the day : 'School Uniforms' - The Wombats
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QlGEfvkB8s

N x