Any Ole Miss student can tell you that there is nothing quite like the Grove. As a senior, some of my fondest memories have taken place at the Grove. One of my favorite things about Ole Miss is definitely the incredible school spirit. It feels like just yesterday that I was a freshman, experiencing my very first tailgate before a game! Yesterday was my ‘last first game day’, and it was very bittersweet.
I had so much fun cheering on the Rebs yesterday with my friends & snapping photos in the Grove. For a last-minute game day outfit, I wore my new favorite white top with printed shorts and fringed booties! It was SO hot yesterday, so I was very glad that I was wearing shorts & a breezy top. I can’t wait for next week’s game- Bama!
Last fall, I started my ‘internship hunt’. After reading the book “All Work, No Pay” by Lauren Berger (aka the ‘intern queen‘), I felt inspired. I knew the journey ahead of me wasn’t going to be easy, but I knew it would be one of the most important things for my career and my post-college job hunt.
Hi friends & happy Monday! Today is my first day of school, and I have seven classes left before I graduate college (!!!). Time seriously goes by so quickly. It feels like just yesterday I was a freshman- walking into the wrong classes and getting completely (key word: COMPLETELY) lost on campus. Senior year is something so bittersweet.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve gotten so many requests to do a back to school/what’s in my backpack post. I recently picked up some new school goodies like this amazing floral planner. Going back to school shopping always gets me started to begin a new semester. I hope you can find this post helpful! Let me know what you keep in your backpack.
[P.S. My college apartment room tour will be up soon this week! I am so excited to share my new apartment.]
I’ve always had the biggest love/hate relationship with going back to school at the end of every summer. However, the biggest ‘love’ aspect for me has definitely been getting to go ‘back to school shopping’. I remember in high school, picking out a first day of school outfit was always something that got me super excited to wrap up summer!
Struggling to find the perfect ‘first day of school outfit’? You can’t go wrong with an easy summer-to-fall transition look. I paired this breezy, boho dress with a denim vest and booties- just to add a touch of fall to this summery frock. As a college student, I love to add dresses to my wardrobe. They make for the perfect go-to piece for gamedays, dinners, and anything in between. You can totally take your favorite summer dresses into fall by layering. I personally love denim jackets, denim vests, and crochet cardigansas key layering pieces. If your style is more on the casual and comfy side, graphic tees are a must. I fell in love with this sassy ‘gimmie the guac’ tee (any other HUGE guac fans up in here?), and I just couldn’t resist picking it up. I paired it with flowy black shorts and flatforms, but you could totally pair it with jeans + sandals for an easy, but cute look!
Let me know what you are looking forward to this school year!
xoxo,
Mackenzie
P.S. Here are a few more ‘back to school’ pieces from AE that I loovvee:
Hello, Hello! Finals week is almost over for me, and Christmas is just 14 days away! The only thing getting me through these stressful five days of cumulative exams is the fact that I will be on the beach in Maui this upcoming Monday! Maui is my favorite place in the entire world, and I’m beyond excited to have a relaxing getaway with my family.
I apologize that I have not been posting as frequently as I would like to. However, I have some really exciting things coming up on the blog soon! This post has been requested so many times over the past month on my Tumblr, and I decided to finally answer it in a more visual post. I did make a list earlier this week of ‘25 gifts under $25‘ which you can check out here! One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the shopping. I absolutely love shopping and picking out gifts for my friends and family. Shopping for your best friend is always especially fun! In addition to the ideas above, I’ve listed some additional gift ideas at the bottom of this post as well.
Back in high school, grades were just never a priority for me. It wasn’t until I got to college that I realized my education and my grades were indeed important. Four years ago I struggled making a 3.0, and now as a junior in college, I have never had my GPA slip below a 3.5. I also got accepted to my university’s Honors College this past summer, and I got accepted to my dream school, the London School of Economics. Making good grades and studying definitely take discipline and hard work. They don’t always just fall into your lap. I get asked all the time about tips for school/studying and what I do to study for exams in college! Here is what has worked for me over the past two years:
1.) Get organized
Anyone that knows me knows that I am a complete, disorganized mess. For years I have blamed this habit on the fact that I am ‘artistic’. It’s taken so much discipline for me to get organized and keep my things neat, but it has really paid off. When your space is cluttered, it can be really difficult to feel calm and collected. Keeping an agenda really helps me organize my life because I can pencil in when things are due, when to clean my room, and specific tasks for the day.
2.) Find a quiet environment
Some people have no problem studying anywhere, but for me, I need complete silence to really focus. I use to study in my bed, but I would find myself falling asleep or pulling up netflix. I’ve learned during my time in college that I need to go to the library or a studious environment to really get work done and to focus on the material. Find your perfect study place whether it’s a park, library, or empty classroom on campus. Though the library is usually a great place to study, it can often be loud, especially during finals week. When I can’t find anywhere quiet to go, I put in my headphones and listen to ‘white noise’. It sounds totally weird, but for me, it really helps me focus and tune out the rest of the world. When I listen to real music, I get distracted and end up singing along or focusing on the lyrics. White noise and other study music resources really help me concentrate. This one below is my go-to:
3.) Study groups
It can be really helpful to find friends in your classes to study with. For me, it really helps to talk about the topics and concepts out loud. I also like writing practice tests for my friends as it helps me learn by coming up with questions, and it helps them as well. Starbucks and other coffee shops are always great places to meet and study with classmates. If you’re ever confused on a topic or due date, you have someone you can ask!
4.) Make time to study
This is a hard one. With our busy schedules it can be hard to find time to study and get schoolwork done. I try to find time everyday to go to the library and study. Having a planner/agenda really helps you find time in your packed day to sit down and review your notes. Also, find which time of day works best for you. I have a very, very hard time studying at night because by the end of the day I am very exhausted and my brain is dead. However, I have tons of friends that can only study late at night. For me personally, I love to wake up bright and early to study!
5.) Don’t skip class
This seems like a no brainer, but skipping class is a very bad habit that a lot of college students struggle with. Even missing one class can really, really get you behind in the material, especially if your professor doesn’t post the notes online. Do your very best to always show up to class. If you attend class daily and on time, you will form good habits that you will carry with you for the rest of the semester. On a side note, it can also help to sit at the front of the class. There have been studies that prove where you sit in the class can actually highly affect your grade. When I sit near the front of the class room, I feel more inclined to pay attention to the professor, and I can see the notes on the screen better.
6.) Don’t be afraid to ask for help
It’s 100% okay to not understand a topic or concept in class. It’s completely normal, and I can promise you that you will not understand everything that you learn in college. It’s okay to go to your professor for help. Office hours are incredibly helpful and are a good time to get all of your questions answered, get help on tricky topics, and get to know your professor better. You can also email your professor with questions about specific topics or concepts that you are having trouble with. If it can not be explained over email, they can help arrange a time to meet with you! Professors in college are typically very, very helpful and want to do their best to help students that put in the effort.
7.) Find the study method that works best for you
We all have different ways that we study and learn. I have tried so many methods over the years to find what works best for me. Some people love flashcards, some love studying their handwritten notes- there are so many options out there. For me, I personally like typing my notes on my computer because I have terrible handwriting. I then print them and put them in plastic sheet protectors in a binder. I re-write the notes in a notebook just because it’s been proven that writing things down (not typing) helps you remember things better. I continue to study the notes in the sheet protectors. On the morning of the test, I extra-cram. I will take the notes out of the sheet protectors and highlight, staple them, and then write all over them. I usually write myself a little practice test the week before as well, which really, really helps! There are some pictures at the bottom of this post of how I like to organize my notes and my school materials.
8.) Cut out distractions
I have serious ‘screen addiction’, and I know I am not the only one. It can be difficult not to reach for our phones every five seconds or to casually just check our facebooks and instagrams. My best advice is to turn off your cell phone when you study and turn off your wifi on the computer so you aren’t tempted to surf the web. Technology can be really helpful, but it can also be a huge, huge distraction.
I recently discovered a super cool app called ‘Pocket Points’ that I use here in Oxford. You get ‘points’ when you put your phone on lock during class. You can use these ‘points’ to get rewards around your campus like free chips/salsa and discounts at bars, restaurants, clothing stores, tanning beds, and much more! Putting away your phone in class will help you take better notes and will help you soak in so much more information.
9.) Don’t cram
Procrastinating is something us college kids do best, but it isn’t a good habit to have. It’s best to break up your studying into sessions and do a little bit each day. It can be overwhelming to pull out your notes the morning of the exam only to realize you know none of the material. Try to study a little bit every day the week before the exam instead of putting it all off to the night before! It’s important to get a good night’s sleep the night before a big test.
10.) Your grades don’t define you
This one is so hard for me and has been my biggest struggle in college. I had a very hard time with letting my grades define me this past year. I became obsessed with my GPA, and I let every single grade I made determine my happiness, which isn’t healthy. I would make these completely unrealistic academic goals for myself that would make me miserable trying to achieve. I had to realize that it’s important to aim for progress – not perfection. Do the best you can and always learn from your mistakes. If we do not reach every single one of our goals, that’s okay. It doesn’t make us any less important or valuable. It makes us simply human. Somethings just are also out of our control, and we have to realize that as well. I had a professor last semester that really helped me with my problem. He compared my GPA obsession to the stock markets. They go up and down, but we can’t obsess over them and watch them every hour. We have to look at them as a ‘big picture’ over a time span and see improvement instead of torturing ourselves over every ‘bump in the road’. Perfection in any form is not attainable, and if that’s all we yearn for, we will always, always be miserable. From looking at things as a ‘big picture’ of life, I was able to realize that I am still proud of who I am and how far I’ve come over the past two years. I never could have imagined back in high school that I would be where I am now academically. I have to just appreciate every step of improvement and growth, and enjoy life for what it is.
Here are some pictures of how I like to study and organize my academic work:
I hope these tips could help! Let me know what your top study tips are. Hope you all are having a wonderful Labor Day!
Now that August is over, it’s time to share my favorites from the past month with y’all! August was such a busy month between moving out of my dorm in London, to moving back to Texas, to finally moving back to the sorority house at college. I am so glad life is starting to finally slow down a little, and that I am getting into the routine of things once more. Here are some things I have been loving this past month:
I picked up this gorgeous coral blush back in London. I purchased it previously a few years ago, and I remember really loving it. It’s that perfect blush for the end of summer because it looks nice with a tan. When I saw that Too Faced released a new eyeshadow palette called ‘Star Dust’, I ordered it right away (and even picked up one for my sister as well). The color selection is just stunning and the shadows are so pigmented and easy to blend. The palette is only sold on the Too Faced site and on Ulta. It also comes with a small size of their popular ‘Better Than Sex‘ mascara, which I’ve been using and loving. Another favorite eye product of the month has been the Jumbo Eye Pencils by NYX. I now have three, and I really enjoy using them as an eyeshadow base. My current favorite is ‘Pure Gold’ as I find it looks beautiful layered under gold and bronze powder eyeshadows. I also repurchased another La Creme lipstick in the shade ‘Naughty Nude’. I’ve always struggled with finding that perfect nude lip shade that won’t wash me out, but I finally discovered this holy grail product at Sephora last fall. I also ordered the lipstick in another shade called ‘Juicy Melons’, and I am super excited to try it out. As for skincare, I have been obsessed with this Clinique moisturizer gel. My skin has been very dry and angry because of my topical acne creams, but this gel based lotion has really helped clear up all of my dry patches without breaking out my skin. It can also be used as a moisture mask, which I think is really interesting. I will definitely repurchase another bottle when I run out!
The Fashion Faves:
I am in love with the brand Show Me Your Mumu, which I’m sure is not a surprise to y’all. I recently purchased one of their tunics in this gorgeous map print called ‘A Whole MU World’, and it such a unique piece (with a super cute name). The print couldn’t be any more perfect especially because I love travel! I usually pair this bold tunic with white shorts, but I think it will look awesome paired with white jeans and denim when it starts to get a little more chilly. I also picked up some more shorts and a co-ord set recently because they had an online sale- I just couldn’t resist! As for shoes, I have been living in these super tall, metallic wedges. I get so many compliments every time I wear them (and they are only $30!). I’ve also been loving my rockstud sunglasses. My mom found them at Nordstrom Rack a few months ago and gave them to me. They are super sassy, and I really like the cat eye frame! Speaking of sassy- I recently got some white tassel earrings that I’ve been wearing all the time. They are on the heavy side, but they are perfect for any nice occasion, gameday, or night out with the girls. My final fashion favorite for the month of August has been my Daniel Wellington watch. I love the classic look of this watch and the great quality. It matches any outfit! Y’all can also use the code ‘MACKENZIEKENN’ to get 15% off any Daniel Wellington product (but only for the first 50 customers)! If you’re looking for that perfect, classic watch, definitely check out DW.
The Random Faves:
Now that school has started again, I’ve been loving my new backpack and my planner. In the past I’ve always had Lilly Pulitzer and Kate Spade agendas. While I did love them a ton, I was dying to try something new. I discovered the Day Designer earlier this summer and knew it was ‘the one’. Target also sells the Day Designer, which is super exciting and affordable! It’s perfect because I can plan out every single hour of my day, and it helps me make my goals and stay on task. A school related post will be up later this week featuring my new planner, so keep your eyes out for that!
Honorable mentions:
For the month of August, I’ve been obsessed with the show True Detective. I finished the first season earlier this summer, and I am now on the second. It’s definitely a ‘must watch!’. I also recently finished Sex and the City, and I can’t remember the last time I loved a show so much. I know it’s a little late, but I’ve been reading the Lauren Conrad Beauty Book that my friend, Miranda, gave me to borrow. Lauren Conrad is one of my hugest inspirations, and I love everything that she does.
Now that I am back in the states, I have been trying to get back in to working out. I’ve been doing yoga for the past four to five years, and it has always been my passion. I took a break from yoga due to a hip problem, but now I am back doing what I love most. When I was in high school, I went to Sunstone Yoga Studio and loved it. Lots of the other members there used these yoga mat towels called ‘Yogitoes‘, and I always thought they looked super cool. They are quite pricey, so I always hesitated splurging. But I finally decided to buy one, and I really, really love it. They also come in such a fun variety of patterns and colors. I would highly recommend the Yogitoe towel mats for any yogis that love hot yoga.
Thank you so much for checking out my blog. Let me know what your August favorites were!
Hello hello! I have finally moved into my dorm, and I absolutely love it. All of the rooms for my dorm are singles, so I do not have a roommate. However, we do have a community bathroom/kitchen. I have finally moved everything in (though I could use some more decorations/color in my room). Our room came with pillows, linens, and towels, which was very nice. I actually just ordered new bedding and pillows for my room in the sorority house this fall, and I can’t wait to post pictures as soon as I get those in the mail. For this fall, I’ve decided to do a solid colored bedspread with fun & bright pillows!
As a lot of y’all know, I actually spent yesterday in the emergency room. Two nights ago, I woke up around 3:00 am with the worst pains in my right side. They were so excruciating that I could not stop screaming. I went down to the front desk of the dorm, and I collapsed on the floor. The staff at the front desk called the ambulance, which came almost three hours later. When I arrived at the hospital, they had to hook me up to morphine, which still didn’t completely fix the pain. After several blood tests, they found out I had a very severe stomach infection/bug that I most likely picked up in Tanzania. I had to miss my first day of classes yesterday, which honestly was a bummer. I hate getting behind in school and missing assignments. I was able to make it to class this morning, but I still don’t entirely feel like myself yet. I hope I start feeling better so I can start enjoying my time here at LSE. Sorry if this post was a little bit of a downer, but I just wanted to let you all know what’s been going on in my life! I am just very fortunate that I am recovering and that I don’t have to surgery or anything crazy like that. Things could have definitely been worse, and I know I will appreciate my good health in the future. But thank you all so, so much for your love and support on tumblr. Y’all’s encouraging messages made my day!
I went to Lush Oxford Street again a few days ago, so I will be posting about my mini haul later today (or possibly tomorrow).
Thank you for checking out my blog! Hope you all are having an awesome, awesome week!
[/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]
