Thursday 24 December 2015

Christmas Festivities

Although term has ended, and Christmas is here, I'm still finding myself thinking about my uni to do list and the studying I could be doing in my now very free time! However I've told myself that I will get some work done after Christmas and not before. I'm currently preparing some blog posts for next year, so i thought as I have definitely earned some time off, I'd write a post about the Christmas festivities I've crammed into this week.

1. Visiting friends
Life can get pretty hectic when you're spending all day working/attending lectures and then probably spending the evenings studying and working on assignments etc. So this week I've got in touch with people I haven't seen for a while; friends who have been busy working as well as friends who are home from uni for christmas themselves. Make some time to catch up with those nearest and dearest to you, after all that's what Christmas is all about right?

2. Decorating my flat
I actually started this at the beginning of December, we've got a Christmas tree and we've got festive candles. We've got christmas bed sheets, and christmas pillows. We're ready for Santa.

3. Watching Christmas films
As I write this, I am sat on the sofa underneath the cosiest blanket watching Elf. There's nothing better, is there? I've also watched The Grinch. And after this I'll probably watch, Love Actually. And then when I've run out of Christmas DVDs I will pray that there are some good ones on TV.

4. Listening to Christmas music
Last night I went on a very late night run to the supermarket for last minute christmas eve dinner bits. On the way home we blasted Michael Buble's christmas album and sang along. It was great. It also reminded me that I haven't made a Christmas playlist yet this year, so that's now on my list of things to do. It's essential for present opening in the morning!!

5. Taking the time to remember how lucky we are 
This is something I've spent quite a bit of time doing. As I'm sure is the case for most people - as I've got older, Christmas has become less about the presents and more about the people. I am so lucky to have my family, and friends around. Lucky to have a bed to sleep in and food to eat. Lucky to have presents to open on Christmas morning. There are many people who aren't as lucky as me, and I'm definitely not taking that for granted this year. 

What have you spent your holiday doing? If you have any requests for blog posts in the new year, I'd love some suggestions! Email me at siobhanlittleforducas@gmail.com !! I'm aiming to post a lot more regularly in the new year... One of my new year resolutions! 

I hope you all have a lovely day with the people you love, eating yummy food and being happy! 

Sunday 20 December 2015

Happy Holidays

The first term has come to an end... and as much as I've been counting down to it, I can't quite believe it. Looking back to September when I first began, it is amazing to think of all the things I have accomplished in the last three months. I have given my first presentation, and actually been pleased with my grade and the feedback. I have submitted my first piece of work to be graded. I have made some great friends. And without sounding like a giant cliche, I have learnt a lot about myself this term. So I'm going to enjoy my time off, and spend it doing all the things I haven't had time to do while I've been juggling study and work.

So having said this, this is just a little post to say Merry Christmas :) Enjoy some down time, God knows we've all earned it!!

Tuesday 1 December 2015

A busy life isn't a bad thing

Life is really hectic at the moment, and this is about the 6th post I've started in the last fortnight....
Hand in dates are looming and I've come to the realisation that I've left myself fall way behind with work. So life is about to become even more hectic... But a hectic life isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes it's good to be busy. With this in mind, there are a few things I've learnt over the last couple of weeks.

1. It's okay to take some time out for yourself
Yes, you might have 5 pieces of work due in two weeks but it's okay to take some time out from studying to socialise with friends, watch a movie, read a book or whatever it is you like to do to chill out. Last weekend was my birthday, and I decided that I wouldn't do any uni work all weekend. Now with deadlines coming up this was a pretty brave move, but it allowed me to fully enjoy my weekend and now I'm well rested and ready to crack on!

2. Stay organised
It's so easy for deadlines to creep up - I feel like only yesterday my deadline was a month away and now all of a sudden it's less than two weeks. I took my eye off the ball and now I'm feeling really behind. Despite my deadlines being in my planner, weeks tend to go very fast and all of a sudden you find yourself at the end of the term!! So keep an eye on your calendar, your diary or wherever you keep a note of your deadlines. I think I'll be adding a weekly count down for my next deadline.

3. Don't force yourself to work
I'm the Queen of Procrastination and I have recently found myself trying to force myself to work. This does not work at all for me. I've learnt that if I'm not motivated to work then there's just no point. It won't be my best work and chances are I'm just wasting my time. I know I'm a night owl and I work best in the evening. When I am motivated to work, I make the most of it.

4. Don't take your stress out on those around you
It's just not fair. They've done nothing, and chances are that if you're in halls or living in a student house, you're all in the same boat at some point or another. It's not their fault, don't snap at them when they ask you how you are or how it's going.

I've also been thinking a lot about the things I do to keep myself calm when I'm feeling under pressure, so I might do a follow up to this post - they seem to go hand in hand. What do you do when you're feeling stressed?

Siobhan xo

Sunday 15 November 2015

Getting ready for the week ahead

Having spent a good majority of my day doing uni work and thinking about all the things I'll need to do this evening to prepare for the week ahead, I realised there are a few things I do every Sunday without fail. 

Fill out my weekly desk pad
I find it really helpful to look at my week, write down all my commitments for each day. This is really useful when trying to decide when is the best time for uni work. It also serves as a quick reminder of all the things I'm doing this week.

Catch up on work
One of my favourite tasks on a Sunday is reading back through my handouts and making sure my notes in my notebooks are up to date. I'm not sure why but Sundays are one of my productive days and I actually get quite a few bits and pieces done.

Take some time to chill
Now this could be absolutely anything; reading a book, listening to music, cooking a meal...whatever it may be, I always make time to chill on a Sunday evening. Today's chosen chill activity? Watching Bean on TV.

Pack your bag
This is a little easier for me, as I only have lectures once a week so I can pack my bag once and be done with it. But I make sure to check my lecture schedule and pack the notebooks I need.

So, there are the things I do every Sunday to prepare myself for the week ahead. I'd be really interested to hear your essential getting ready for the week tasks, so feel free to leave them in the comments!

But now, I'm going to go and finish watching Bean and drink a cup of tea!

~S

Friday 13 November 2015

Introducing Me

Hi, I'm Siobhan.
I'm not your average university student. I'm almost 25 and I'm studying for a degree in Children's Development and Learning alongside working full time. 

Here are 5 things you should probably know about me