Changes | Zafira

Hi!

It feels like forever since the last time I blogged but I'm back and better than ever!

A couple of days ago, I finished college. It's crazy that these past two years have flown past. I can't even fathom how quickly time has gone by. There were times where days felt like years, especially over the past couple of months with exams but to think I start Uni in September is insane.

I have to say in all my years in education, college has most definitely been the best and worst two years of life. I had never been under so much pressure or stress to complete deadlines and work but alongside all of this, I developed as a person and found myself coming more and more out of my shell.

And that's all down to everyone I've met or became friends with at college. When starting, you don't realise how many new people you will meet. I think I got put into so many classes where people didn't come from my high school so I had no choice but to make new friends and I'm so glad that I did. I love that I had this opportunity to meet so many different people with so many different personalities and characteristics which has not only helped me embrace who I am but helped me make friends that I know I'll be friends with for many years to come.

I'd love to say I loved every moment of college but I didn't. There were so many moments where I felt as if it all got too much and I just didn't want to be there anymore and I think this is something that everyone at college can relate with. Sometimes the amount of pressure put on you is unmanageable but I'm glad that I stayed throughout the course of two years. I found that this helped so much with building my tolerance for stress and most importantly, patience with myself.

And now it's all over. Two years of memories and chaos all built up to two weeks straight of exams and now I'm done and I've become a free woman. I'm more than ready to see what the future holds. I think change has always been perceived as something uncomfortable and scary and yes it is those things. But I think change is mostly good, without it everyone would be so bored of their lives. I know I definitely would be. I can't wait to see what Uni has to offer and what sort of person I grow in to.

To anyone who is reading this from college, thank you for making the last two years very very very liveable, exciting and just overall amazing.

Lots of love,

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How to Stay Organised | Zafira

Hello!

The most difficult thing I find about being at college is definitely trying to stay organised. It can get pretty messy with the work load and trying to manage some sort of system that helps you get everything done. But I'm in my second year of college and I've finally found a few tips that have really helped me stay on track!

1. Move out of your soft office.

We all love our beds. I love mine dearly and I think I spend the majority of my life in my bed. However, when you're working, the last thing you want to be is chill and sleepy. Separate your bed from your work life, it'll make your bed more of the sanctuary and place of rest that it's supposed to be rather than a place of work. It's a really hard move to make but it will definitely help you stay focused whilst working.

2. Make sure your work place is clean, minimal and tidy.

I have only just started to use my desk properly this year and I wish I would have used it sooner. I used to use it as a place to dump all my crap such as books but this year I though I'd tidy it up and make it a decent place to work. Wherever you're working should be clean and tidy, try and move things that are distracting away from your work area and keep it as minimal as possible. As they say 'tidy desk, tidy mind' and it's 100% true.

3. Pack your bag the night before.

I used to pack my bag the morning of school but ever since I've started college, I've been doing it the night before and it's saved me so so so much time in the morning. Give yourself about 15 minutes the night before school, college or uni to pack all your essentials just so you're completely ready for the day. This bag is from River Island btw and I think I've been using it for like 4 years now. I'm very surprised it's even lasted this long. 

5. Plan your outfits the night before.

This is sort of on the same lines as packing your bag the night before. It will save you so much more time in the morning to fully prepare yourself for a day in hell but at least this way you'll be looking extra cute even though you're in pain. This jumper is from Bershka and is the comfiest thing I own. It isn't available anymore but you can buy a very very similar one here:

https://www.zaful.com/lantern-sleeve-mock-neck-sweater-p_379337.html

6. Keep a copy of your timetable at home & a calendar to fill in for the month.

Keeping a copy of your timetable at home is pretty useful especially when it comes to knowing what lessons you have, when work is due and what to pack for the day. On my timetable, I've colour coordinated my lessons so when I fill in my diary/planner or my to do list, I use that certain colour so I know it's associated with that certain subject. Usually I'd just make my own on Word but this time I just printed a couple off Google Images, there's a lot of different cute ones. Calendar wise, print one that has boxes for everyday of the month so you can fill in what work is due and important dates. The most satisfying thing to do at the end of the day is to put a nice big red 'x' through that day's box.

7. Get a diary/planner.

A planner or diary for the year is a necessity. Not only do they help keep you organised but they're so much fun to shop for since they come in so many different styles, designs and structures. I got mine from TK Maxx and it's A6 sized so it's so easy to take with me everyday. I fill in everything in here, whether it's homework, university associated stuff or even appointments. I love cats.

8. Make lists of everything you need to do.

My friend Cherie bought me a couple of these cute notebooks whilst she was on holiday and they've been amazingly handy. I like making lists. Whatever the situation is, I'll most likely make a list whether it's a pro or cons or a list of stuff to take on holiday or in this case, a list of work I need to do. Usually I'll make one for the week and one for the weekend. This notebook is quite handy since at the top it has little section to fill in the date so you know what you're on but just any notebook will do or you can even get yourself a to do list pad.

9. Post stick notes are your best friends.

I don't think I would have even survived my first year without these. I stick these e v e r y w h e r e. I am an organised person because of these. I use them to write down important work that's due, to highlight sections I need to revise in books, important areas in books, the list is honestly endless. They will be your saviour for the rest of your life in education.

I hope this gave you a few ideas on how to get your life somehow together, don't worry if it isn't perfectly organised, mine isn't and I can assure you that no one else's is 100% organised either 😏

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The End As We Know It & Update | Zafira

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

Me!

Hi, it's been a while since I've done a blog post but if you've read my previous post that I did in February, you'll know that I've been preparing and doing my GCSE exams. But, they finally finished on Friday which means it's time to chill and start working on this blog as well as producing some really cool photographs! Before I get into the real purpose of this post, I just wanted to update you on a few cool things that are happening and some changes too! As you can see, my layout has changed and I'm not sure whether the layout at the moment will be permanent so a couple of changes will happen throughout the next couple of weeks. I have also decided to sell a couple of my prints this summer so keep a look out in the next few weeks as they should be available soon! I'm not 100% sure what my uploading schedule will be like this summer but I want to post as frequently as I can. If you have any suggestions for any blog posts that you would like see then comment them below or my Instagram. That's about it so enjoy today's blog post!

I wanted to do today's post on something life changing that happened to me a couple of days ago. After 5 seemingly short years of high school, I finally finished. It's very strange as to how the past 5 years have gone so fast. Each year felt like it had dragged but by the time I had reached Year 11, my final year, time flew past within a blink of an eye. The teachers had all said that this year would go fast but I didn't believe them because I thought it would have been like every other year but it wasn't. It was weird how quickly it became exam season and even weirder how fast it went. It felt like my exams had lasted no longer than a couple of days but in reality they were two very stressful months. High school is always something I'll remember, from the students to the teachers and to the building itself. I experienced so much within 5 years. I just want to say the biggest thank you to my friends, teachers and classmates for making the past 5 years great and good luck in the future. I'll see most of you at prom! Here's a couple of pictures of me and my friends, they're a strange bunch of kiddiwinks. There's a bunch more over on my Instagram! The link is at the end of this post or you can click the tab at the top of this blog.

the famous HSM pose

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