I'm Back and Blogging!

Good morning everyone! If you frequently read my blog, or follow me on one of my social networks, you've probably been wondering what I've been up to considering I haven't blogged in ONE WEEK! Eeep! I know it's very unlike me to go that long without blogging but I have a very justifiable reason..... I started school again! For those of you who don't know me from Adam, I am (technically a sophomore in college but since all of my credits didn't transfer) a freshman in college. I do not dorm or live on campus because I am only about 20 minutes away from the beautiful and amazing college that I attend. 

So, what does school have to do with me blogging? Good question. I've been super busy! I had my first week of classes and I'm just trying to get settled in and enjoy my college experience without overwhelming myself. I took Sept 2nd and 3rd off from work to get some school shopping done and prepare myself physically and mentally for the loads of school work that I was expecting to be thrown at me. If you're looking for copybooks or school supplies I got mine from Wal-Mart, they're really cute and super cheap.

Mead Five Star 1-Subject Notebook, Two Pockets, College Rule, 100 Sheets
 - $3.12 ea.

Superb Student Discounts (Part 2)

Good morning! Yesterday, I wrote a post on some great student discounts from your favorite retail stores. As I was researching and writing the list, I wondered if retail stores were the only places to offer student discounts. After an hour or so of searching and typing, I got a great list together of hang out and food spots that offer amazing student discounts. Let's start saving money!

Cultural Experiences and Entertainment

• AMC Theatres: student discounted movie tickets every Thursday

• The Art Institute of Chicago: $50 annual student membership, plus other various discounts within the Art Institute

• Broadway in Chicago: Ticket prices as low as $14.50 for select performances

Superb Student Discounts!

Most people are not too excited about the start of another school year but I am overly excited because the start of school means the start of student discounts! Back to school is a huge deal for most retailers and it tends to bring a lot of money into their stores. Parents take their children out (or the children just go alone) and start to stock up on some fresh clothes for the school year. If you're in the mall and you're torn between two stores and one is offering a student discount, which would you shop at? The one with the discount of course! Student discounts are a great feeling because you work very hard in school all year long and deserve the discount awarded to you by your favorite retailer.

Retailers that offer student discounts:

1. Urban Outfitters - 10% off (on select dates only)

2. Topshop - 10% off

3. Shoebuy.com - 10% off

4. Ralph Lauren Rugby - 15% off

5. The Limited - 15% off

The Benefits of Failure

Good afternoon! So, yet another week that I will not get to post a video blog because the internet connection in my house has been down for TWO weeks now; which is extremely disappointing. I am currently sitting at a coffee shop near my house just so I can upload this blog post. If you can't tell, I'm pretty upset that I haven't posted a video yet, I put an immense amount of my time and effort into this blog. Whenever I get a free moment, I'm either writing up a draft on my phone or jotting down potential blog post ideas for the future. I'm not complaining at all because I choose to write and it's something I love to do, its just frustrating that something as small as an internet connection is standing in the way of me upgrading the stature of my blog with videos; but enough sad talk! I have a great, absolutely remarkable, video that I would like to share with you today. It tops ANY video that I could ever post.

Anyone who knows me, knows I admire J.K. Rowling more than just about anyone else on this earth. (And I am also undeniably obsessed with the Harry Potter novels) This video is J.K. Rowling giving a speech at Harvard college's 2008 graduation ceremony.

Attention All College Freshman!

A few days ago, I got asked to write a blog on college essentials and advise for incoming freshman; which is such a great idea! Why didn't I think of that?

I decided that I would start with the advise part of the blog since it would consist of a lot of writing.

I had a ton of questions that I wish I would've asked before leaving for college and I faced a lot of things that I wasn't prepared for. I'm not going to lie, I was TERRIFIED to start college. I was also a little frustrated because I was already a freshman in high school and now I had to start all over as a freshman again; however, college is very different than high school. For example, you're living on your own, completely on your own. You will have to cook, clean and decide when you want to do your homework and study because there will not be anyone breathing down your neck telling you to do those things.

Starting with food, I would definitely learn some quick recipes that you can whip together before or after class. When I was going away to school I didn't even think about cooking, it didn't cross my mind, I just figured I would eat whatever I could find and whatever was quick; which is something you DO NOT want to do. Take a day to sit with your parents, or Google some easy recipes, and learn learn learn. You will ruin your body if you do not eat healthy. You will gain weight and all of the unhealthy food will run your body down and make you extremely tired; which isn't good because you need all the energy you can get in college!

Another important thing