ORGANISATION | FINAL SEMESTER (EVER!)

And so it begins... albeit a day late due to the snow but I'm back into work mode and ready to DO THIS.

I've got my hefty timetable with a ridiculous four contact hours at university a week with a delightful minimum of 30 hours independent study time per week. I've also included essential cat naps.

If you find where my life has gone can you point it back in my direction please? Thanks.

Hi library (aka NEW BEST FRIEND).

If you would like your own handy 8am-8pm timetable for Monday to Sunday then feel free to download your  very own version for free HERE.

You can download it and fill it in on a computer and then print it off or you can print off blank copies and choose to fill them in by hand.

My TOP TIPS for a SUCCESSFUL TIMETABLE:

1.  When making a timetable it is important to remember that it can be as loose or as rigid as you feel it needs to be.

2.  Include your university contact hours, appointments and personal commitments.

3.  Allow time for enough play alongside work, but realistically schedule in time for independent learning (aim for at least 2 hours a day if possible).

4.   Have a copy of your timetable saved on your laptop, that way you can update it on a weekly basis with any new personal commitments or appointments that may arise). 

5.  Set yourself personal goals and deadlines to keep yourself motivated and more organised with your workload. If you struggle with time-keeping and getting all your work done last minute then this can be a life-saver.

6.  Allow for procrastination time. If you know you are going to want to check facebook, watch TV, make a cup of tea or like me, nap, then allow for this in your timetable. If you do, that way you account for it and are less likely to feel guilty for doing that. Schedule your workload to fit around distractions, it is only normal.

If this is up for your street and you'd like to find out more ideas on how to keep on top of work then check out my article for the Leeds Student 'Get Organised: How to Have a Sussed Semester' HERE.

LIFESTYLE | SATURDAY MORNINGS

To me, Saturday mornings are for lazing, strong coffee, and catching up on blogs and the world this week.

A good brunch doesn't go amiss either.

To me, Saturday mornings are rather inspiring.

They give me a chance to reflect on the ideas that I have had throughout the week.

I can go through my notebook full of random thoughts and ideas (which would make no sense to the common eye...and sometime's not even mine!) and then formulate them into concrete tasks/creations/actions.

P R O D U C T I V I T Y .

Image: Elv's

ORGANISATION | GETTING BACK INTO A ROUTINE

It's absolutely disgusting outside.

It's definitely rather grim up North.

The rain just won't stop pouring and the wind is whistling it's way through my draughty windows.

University has started back up again and I've concocted a 7am-10pm weekly schedule to keep my studies in check. It allows for some flexibility so I hopefully won't become a robot. Hopefully.

With only four measly contact hours a week it's probably wise though.

Final year is underway and I'm going to kick it's butt.

HI ROUTINE!

7am.

Porridge.

Strong Coffee.

Radio 4.

I'M STILL ALIVE. JUST ABOUT...

 Highlights of my 
M  U  N  D  A  N  E 
life as of late...

# 1  I bought a JULIENNE PEELER!

Off eBay. £1 (Okay...£1.70 with p&p if you want to get specific).
Inspiration came from THIS post over at Oh She Glow's (a lovely vegan blog).
You can make veggie spaghetti, noodles, etc...the possibilities are endless!

(Photo: Ohsheglows)

# 2  I made yet ANOTHER courgette cake.

A mixture of the first and second cakes I previously posted as this was a lime and coconut loaf.
No frosting though but we shall not divulge into that right now...
*Note to self: Fat-free cream cheese does NOT make good frosting.

# 3  I have now pretty much COMPLETED RESEARCH FOR MY DISSERTATION.

And this is probably COMPLETELY pointless as I still havn't really thought of a solid title, been assigned a tutor or even been contacted about my department regarding anything dissertation-related. Nice one. Ah well.
Oh, and I also made labels for my dissertation/module folders for this term...

# 4  I've been making DIY POLAROIDS!

Using my snazzy new Kodak Printer, some freebie photo paper and this swanky little free programme called Poladroid which you can download HERE.

# 5  ...and I've entered a whole new level with my love for ORGANISING.

I had a little clean up and sorted out my main diary (which in case you wanted to know is THIS trusty personal sized chameleon Filofax).

Things-to-do list from A Pair of Pears blog (you can download it HERE) and a very unprofessional homemade calendar courtesty of Microsoft Publisher.

...and last but not least.
Recycling egg boxes into jewellery holders.

DIY | TO-DO-LIST BUNTING

Another week has passed me by. I have now been back from Krakow for just over six weeks and my mind has turned into a complete jelly. My memory is terrible and I have nothing...literally NOTHING to keep me busy since my job fell through. BOO.

If my life was a recipe it would look something a little like this...

'Alice's Current Life' (AKA a summer spent in Berkhamsted)

Ingredients:

500g of hermit life.

250g of cabin fever.

300g of getting way too excited over DIY and baking.

100ml of life laundry.

75g of ebay addiction.

250g of dissertation pro-activity taken to the next level.

2 tbsp of “Why am I in The Crown again?”

*Optional garnish of being chatted up by the council guy who cuts the grass on the canal.

So to make myself feel like I do actually have a life... I intend to take on many DIY projects this Summer!

My first project is an easy one. A nice gentle break-in if you will. The idea spurred from my obsession with lists and being organised.

On top of my TWO diaries, I will usually always have at least THREE notebooks going at one time...one in a draw, one in my bag and one by my bedside table.

Combining notes/memos/to-do-lists from all of these can get a little bit confusing so I created this:

To make TO-DO-LIST BUNTING, you will need the following items:

String  /  Scissors  /  Drawing Pins  /  Pegs  /  Paper  /  Pen

#1   Cut the string to your required length and then tie a small loop knot at each end of the string.

#2   Secure the string to the wall with the drawing pins.

#3   Get pegging!