How to Prepare for a New Semester

How was last semester for you? 

Did you easily breeze through, flitting from class to class, turning in perfectly completed assignments that your professors praised profusely, all with perfect makeup and a manicure? 

OR 

Did you feel so overwhelmed that you rushed from class to class, looking like a drowned, harassed rat, somehow managing to type up and print out assignments just as they were due, all while driving around in a car that hasn't had an oil change in 9 months with half of your closet in the backseat? #nojudgment

Oh, you want to know how my fall semester went? It would be that second one. 

Starting a new job at a new school in a new school system had me completely overwhelmed. So overwhelmed, in fact, that it reminded me of my first semester of college:

My first semester of college went a little like this: I was super excited about the first day of class, then the semester started and I don't remember anything else until Christmas. 

My first semester of teaching in public school went a little like this: I was super excited about the first day of class, then the semester started and I don't remember anything else until Christmas. 

(I told you they were similar).

So, THIS is the time to set ourselves up for success over the next semester! We know what to expect, we have a general idea of how long things take and the general expectations that we're held to. It's time to prepare for a kick-butt spring semester! Are you ready?! 

Let�s get started, shall we?

First, always, always, always start with a goal! 

Your goal will guide everything you do. Keep your focus on that goal and you will take intentional steps to achieve it! Organized Charm is literally filled with posts about goal-setting, from how to determine them, to how to write them, to how to follow through with them!

How to Get More Done Everyday

Second, as they say, a goal without a plan is just a wish. 

So get yourself a beautiful new planner! I just happen to know of a great one ;) Everyone is different and different types of planners work for different people. Really do your research before committing to one and make sure it works best for YOU!

Printable Daily To-Do Pages

Third, what left you feeling overwhelmed last semester? 

For me, I kind of hated how messy I let my home get. I hated it that I sacrificed workout time for my work schedule (as in, I literally have not worked out since Daylight Savings Time ended). And I really hated it that I spent less time with my husband than I used to. So, for the new semester, I�m working on ways to not let those parts of my life get pushed aside. Remind yourself that school/work is only a PART of your life. It isn�t your life.

5 Quick Ways to Deal with Stress

Fourth, take action now! 

If you know that something will be challenging to do once school has started, then get it done now! Once the new semester starts, I won�t have time to get my oil changed or go to the dentist, so those are tasks that I can cover over the break. Of course, enjoy your break, but also deal with stuff that will stress you out once you�re back in school!

5 Time Management Tips for College

Fifth, designate checkpoints! 

I don�t know how it�s possible but semesters seem to simultaneously fly by AND drag on at the same time. When you�re in the middle of it, it can feel really overwhelming, so set some checkpoints to keep you motivated! They can be short-term goals or little motivational reminders on your phone or in your planner! Anything to remind you that you�re on the right track, even when you feel like you aren�t making any progress.

PROJECT: Get Your Time Back

The best way to prepare for the new semester is just to do as much planning as possible! For every minute you spend planning, you save yourself 11 minutes in the future! 

And in the midst of the chaos of a new semester, those 11 minutes will be gold! :) 

Follow Organized Charm on Pinterest for daily inspiration! 

More about → How to Prepare for a New Semester

4 Tips for Organizing Your Finances in College

Over the past few weeks, I have received FOUR requests for tips on budgeting in college! If you requested this post (or if you're just trying to get your financial life together) this post is for you! If you're feeling a little overwhelmed or underprepared to deal with finances, let me assure you that you are most definitely not alone! 

In fact, read these statistics from a recent survey of college students: 

• 47% are concerned about their financial situation

• 50% say that the cost of impacted their choice of college/university

• 75% wish there was more helpful financial information available to them

• 80% report they were unprepared and do not have a plan to pay for college

Let me tell you that in grad school, I definitely fell under each of these statistics. It was my first time paying for school by myself and there was a LOT that I had to learn in a short period of time. Here are 4 of the most helpful pieces of advice that I can give!

1 | Don't be afraid of smart debt. 

I kind of grew up being terrified of debt and assuming that it was all bad. I paid cash for everything in high school and college. My parents gave me a credit card for "emergencies" but I really only used it when I was out of cash and it was my turn to buy the next round of drinks needed something important. The word "debt" just sounds scary, doesn't it? No one wants to be in debt! 

It wasn't until I got married and saw how my husband handles his credit that my fear of "being in debt" went away. It's pretty necessary to understand and be comfortable with credit and debt in adult-world and we need to learn how to navigate our way through it confidently. Our unofficial rule is that any acquired debt should have a long term benefit. For example, 

Student Loan = College Education = Job Opportunities = Long Term Benefit = Smart Debt

Cute Dress = Gets Worn Out = Gets Given Away = Short Term Benefit = Not Smart Debt

(Side Note: College means saying "not right now" to a lot of cute dresses but that's ok because it will all pay off!)

If you're looking for student loans, check out College Ave Student Loans! They simplify the student loan process that you can spend your time preparing for your bright future! In fact, their sole focus is student loans... which means that they'll break things down and make this as simple as possible for you! 

There are several different plans and College Ave will help you find the one that's best for YOU! Not only that, they have more repayment options than anyone else, so you're sure to find one that fits your needs! 

Click here to find out more: http://www.collegeavestudentloans.com/

2 | Use an app to help you maintain your budget

There are tons of financial apps out there! My favorite is Mint because it allows you to create your own budget (and adjust it at any time). Not only that, it sends you alerts when it thinks your account balance is low, or when you've had *ahem* "high spending" in a particular category (stop judging me, Mint). I like the fact that I can link my bank accounts to it also so it gives me up-to-the minute information. 

But your bank app will also work just fine for updating you! And what if you want to apply for a student loan? Oh, there's a mobile friendly application for that, too! Just head over to the College Ave app, fill in the 4 questions it asks, and you'll get an answer in about 3 minutes! That's pretty painless, right? I bet you have 3 minutes right now! Not surprisingly, this is the fastest and easiest app in the student loan industry!

3| Set up a savings plan (and don't touch what you save!)

A plan?! Yes, please! The one I use is SO easy! Through my banking app, I set up a thing (yes, that's official term) where it automatically transfers $20 each month from my checking to savings account. That's such a small, harmless amount to part with each month, but it still adds up over time. Find an amount that works well for you. 

Once that money's in savings, pretend like it doesn't even exist! If you do this amount throughout 4 years of college, you'll graduate with $1,000! And that's enough to buy some real furniture for your first post-grad apartment, to keep stashed away as an emergency fund, or to put toward the payoff of your student loan! 

If you're curious about student loans but don't want to commit to anything yet, check out the Credit Pre-Qualification Tool & Student Loan Calculator from College Ave! This will give you an idea of what to expect if you actually get a loan (and I am all about knowing what to expect)! 

By using this simple tool, you'll have a clearer idea of your budget for the school year and make better money-saving choices! YAY! It also makes the whole student loan process a little easier to understand by showing you the total cost over the life of the loan and what would be the best payment plan for you! 

4| Pay as much as you can as often as you can

I never, ever, ever make minimum payments. Not on my student loans. Not on my credit card bill. Not on my phone bill. Never. Of course, paying your complete credit card balance every month is ideal and will skyrocket your credit score like crazy. But that's not always doable, especially in college. 

I try to pay a little more than what's required when it comes to credit and loans. Even just $30 more than the required amount will help you out in the future! This is what I did on every student loan payment that I made. And it made a HUGE difference on the balance over time! Additionally, if you get paid twice a month, pay as much as you can twice a month. 

I promise, it's worth skipping a Target trip for! Additionally, College Avenue gives rewards for making in-school payments! That's right, if you choose to start paying your loans while you're still in school (highly suggested), then you'll have a lower interest rate than people who wait till they graduate! And there is no penalty for paying early (a huge plus)! 

You can just get as much as you need to help pay your college expenses! College Ave covers up to 100% of school-certified expenses. But if you can pay most of your own expenses and just need $2,000 to get started, they can cover that, too! Check out the low rates, use the tools, and decide what you need to help you succeed! 





Okay! Are you ready for an Instagram contest? 

Of course you are! Head over to Instagram right now and share your college goals by using the hashtag, you guessed it, #CollegeGoals! :D

Do this anytime between NOW and June 30th and you can win prizes, including a $50 Chegg textbook credit and a $5,000 college scholarship! 

Head to Chegg for more details:  http://blog.chegg.com/collegegoals/

A huge thank you to College Ave Student Loans and Her Campus Media for partnering on this post!

More about → 4 Tips for Organizing Your Finances in College

Dream On Wakeup Routine

I get asked pretty frequently about my different routines. So I thought I'd start sharing little rundowns of the different ones that I do throughout the days. Starting with (you guessed it) waking up! 

Oh, what's that? You hate mornings?

Believe me, I know how tough they can be! But I've also learned that the way to deal with their tough-ness is with a good, old fashioned routine!

5 Ways to Make Yourself Start a New Routine Today 

Don't believe me? Just adapt this �Dream On� wakeup routine to fit your own schedule, try it for a few days, and see if it helps! 

From my experience, structure in the morning really has a positive impact on the rest of the day!

If I wake up late, wander around aimlessly for a couple of hours, blah, blah, blah� it�s hard for me to stay going or feel that productivity vibe later on in the day.

Why You Should Be Writing Down Your Routines

Have you had a similar experience?

So, here's a quick run through of my morning routine! 

1 | Wake up with alarm: This is a big one! Waking up on time can make or break your productivity! When the alarm goes off, just jump up before you even have time to think about hitting snooze. I immediately start the coffee!

2 | Make coffee / Brush teeth / Wash face: These are super self-explanatory. On a good morning, I'll do squats or leg lifts while I brush my teeth to make the time go by faster! On a rough morning, I'll sit on the floor and try not to fall back asleep. 

3 | Drink coffee: Please. Just try to stop us.

4 | Read Jesus Calling: I have struggled and struggled to find a way to do a morning devotional. It can be tough to focus in the morning and that's why this book is SO perfect! Each day is only 2 paragraphs and 2 verses... Yes, I CAN do that at 6 AM!

5 | Meditate: I either do 2, 5, or 10 minutes, depending on how much time I have. The Happify app is a great guide through the meditation process, if you're just starting! Ashley Turner (my favorite!) also has one now, too! (Giam I think?)

6 | Happify Activity: So, that brings me to my next activity. The Happify app has tons of fast and free activities and they're the perfect way to start out in a good mood! 1-2 minutes and you're done!

7 | Read The Skimm & Eat Breakfast: The Skimm is just the best! Working with tiny children all day can make it difficult to keep up with news and current events. However, when they're skimmed for me, wittily paraphrased, and sent straight to my inbox, I can catch up in the time it takes me to eat breakfast (which is always greek yogurt and honey, btw)!

So that's how I start my mornings! You can screenshot and use this routine� adapt it into one of your own. Or just laugh at it.

How do you start your day? Is there anything you would like to add or improve about your own routine? What tricks do you use to get going in the morning? 

More about → Dream On Wakeup Routine

Guest Post: Jumpstart Your Day in 15 Minutes!

Mornings are tough. Can I get an Amen? But they're also a completely undeniable part of adult life (and college life. Sorry.) so ANYTIME that I hear some good advice on how to get going in the mornings, I listen intently! Recently, Kiki (aka my mom) shared her routine.

( Learn more about her and her crazy ways here: 10 Things I Learned from My Mom )

As she rambled through this routine while we sipped mimosas on Beale before a Memphis Tiger game, I was so impressed with just how much of a habit this was for her. She didn't once have to stop to think about what came next. 

This was so much a part of her daily life that she almost seemed bored as she explained it to me. So, now she's here to share it with you! Take what you can from it, adapt it to work for you and your morning and start trying to build your own morning habit!  

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By Michelle, Pen & Hive

You know how your morning gets away from youand by the time you get to school or work or the kids wake up it's just on for the rest of the day? Well, a few years ago I created a solution for that. It's a 15 minute morning routine that helps me feel that no matter what else happens I've done some really good stuff for myself before I even sit down for coffee. 


The reason for this little routine is that just as bad things like smoking or drinking diet soda are bad for you over time (the key word is cumulative) good things in small doses over a long period are also going to pay off.


Here's the 15 minute breakdown:


- I have dogs so the minute my feet hit the floor I go into the kitchen and feed them.

- While they eat I brush my teeth, wash my face, and moisturize. Use a moisturizer with a sunscreen. 30 years from now you'll be so glad you did!


- Back to the kitchen to let them out, then I drink 16 oz.of filtered water and take my daily vitamins.


- I start the coffee maker (doing it before now or having it ready when I get up means I might skip the next step).


- While the coffee is brewing (notice I set myself up to be hanging around waiting for the coffee) I do a 7 minute yoga/stretch routine that I've developed over the years. The point of it is to stretch out all the big muscle groups and flood my body with oxygen which helps me wake up.


- While stretching and breathing I do not think about my day. I take deep breaths and think how grateful I am that I can move. 

- Now the coffee is done. I let the dogs in, pour my coffee and head to a cozy chair to work a quick crossword puzzle to wake up my brain and read something spiritual to get centered for the day. 


- I don't finish the puzzle or the reading within the 15 minutes but the point is to get there. Once you are there with your coffee or tea and a few quiet minutes to yourself you can spend as much or as little time as you need. 

(You can also use this time to pray, meditate, say your affirmations or whatever makes you feel centered.)


By the time you finish your coffee or tea you are hydrated, oxygenated, energized, and ready to face your day! 


I do this every single day.  A couple of years ago I got a chance to test it during a difficult time. Because it was a habit I did this routine on autopilot once I got up. Some days hold exciting and fun things you look forward to. You'll be in a better frame of mind to enjoy them if you jump-start your day. Make your routine a habit and all you have to do is put your feet on the floor. Then you find yourself doing the next thing and the next thing and so on.


You may not be able to face your whole day but you can face the first 15 minutes. It's much easier if you have a plan in place. After this you are ready to go about your morning by having breakfast, checking your calendar, and getting ready. And just preparing to be fabulous and amazing for the rest of the day!

Do you have a morning routine? Have you developed a way to feel focused (instead of flustered) in the mornings? If you�re having trouble getting started in the mornings, do you think that any of these tips could help YOU?

More about → Guest Post: Jumpstart Your Day in 15 Minutes!

5 Quick Ways to Deal with Stress

Let me first just say that y'all are really killing it with these post requests! Every time a new one that comes in, I'm just like, "Oh, yeah! That's an awesome idea!"

So thank you for being so amazing! 

Secondly, let's get started on some requests, okay?! 

One topic I've noticed that y'all are really interested in is stress! How to manage stress, how to handle stress, how to make stress go away, how to not have a screaming fit in your car when someone cuts you off and you were already on the verge of tears because you literally could not handle one more thing. I get it. We all do a lot. People want us where they want us, when they want us there, looking how they think we should look, acting how they think we should act, and doing what they think we should do. 

Our smartphones make us constantly available to them. And it can get very overwhelming. I am certainly no de-stressing wizard. I freak out Jessie Spano-style from time to time just like everyone else (There's never enough ti-i-i-i-ime!). And this morning, I read on Happify that money and stress are the 2 things that people complain about the most (followed by relationships and health). We don't want to be the kind of people who complain about being stressed out, right?! Let's jump into some quick ways to solve it! 

Exercise

I know. I know. This is on every list and you skip past it because there is not enough time to exercise. I have literally said this a hundred trillion times. BUT last year, I was having SUCH a hard time dealing with all of the stress in my life that I just had to try something different. I started making time to do some type of physical activity everyday. 

Here's a whole post I wrote on how exercise helps us study better! 

It doesn't have to be insanely strenuous. Even just a 10-15 minute walk at the park makes a difference. Our bodies are meant to be active. They are not meant to sit stationary in a chair all day long staring at a screen. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed, get rid of some of that nervous energy through exercise! 

Freeze and Name 10 Things You're Thankful For 

This is something that I do pretty frequently and it's also something that I boss invite coworkers/friends etc. to do when they're feeling overwhelmed as well! This is a really helpful idea because it immediately shifts your thought process! When things seem to be going wrong, we love to sink way down into that "bad" feeling and focus on everything that's going wrong. 

We call it a "bad day" at noon and completely give up on the possibility of anything going right (aka, the way that WE think it should go). BUT when you switch your perspective around and start to focus on the good things, you kind of get a better grasp on reality. So maybe you thought something was off of your to-do list, but you just found out there is something else you have to do. (me with every single step pertaining to my teaching certification)

Acknowledge that what you're dealing with is annoying. It's totally fine to be frustrated by something that just can't seem to get done the right way! Next, name 10 things that ARE working out (a job, a compliment, a good grade, a car that works, a coat to wear, a place to live...). Then just move on! And if you're so distraught that you feel like you have nothing to be thankful for, check out these 3 links!

Here's a list of 60 things to get you started

Here's a post that will remind you how good you've got it

And here's a quiz that will put it all in perspective

Start saying "no"

You want to make people happy. I want to make people happy. We all want to make people happy. HOWEVER, when you spend too much time doing what others want you to do, you forget to do what YOU want to do. This is a big thing that we all have to learn because it's hard. If you're already feeling overwhelmed by your schoolwork and someone asks you to cover their shift at work, you've got to say no. Don't justify it. Don't explain it. Just say it: "No, thank you.". 

Also, along these lines, don't be afraid to back out of something if you have too many things going on! People would rather have you 100% engaged and focused in their activity than to have your brain in a million different places. If you are trying to do your schoolwork at your internship or trying to secretly write a blog post during a sorority meeting, that may be an indication that you have too many things going on. Trim your life down to about 5 major activities and organize your time so that you can do all 5 very well! 

Write about it

I really got into writing in 2009. I lived by myself in a studio apartment with no TV. As a way to kind of deal with boredom and manage my emotions, I started writing every night when I got home from work. I would write about things that upset me, things that made me angry/sad/happy. What's the biggest thing that I learned from that process? 

I learned that my problems are absolutely nothing. And I mean that. When I went back to read what I wrote, sometimes I would just laugh and thank God that nobody else could read how bratty I sounded. I have too much schoolwork due? At least I live in a country where I have the opportunity to go to school. 

I have something scheduled every minute of this weekend? At least I have friends who want to hang out with me. My closet is too messy? At least I can afford to buy clothes. I have too many bills/expenses? That means I'm living a really privileged life. This past semester, I actually filled an entire page complaining about my professor using "excessive punctuation" when he graded. #diva 

Identify the (real) source of your stress

This is super helpful for me to do. If I'm feeling like an emotional wreck on the surface, there is always, always something going on deeper... like a "heart" problem. Maybe something is going on in your family or relationship that you need to deal with. Maybe you could be more grateful or a nicer human. Maybe you've been taking in a little too much negativity from the news. 

Dealing with stressful life events us unavoidable. Take this science-backed quiz to find out your current stress score. This website also has tons of information on how to help you deal with that stress! Once you've identified the underlying reason or the REAL reason, you'll be able to take steps to calm yourself down and focus on the right parts of your life! 

I'm feeling a little better already! Aren't you? :) 

Further Reading: 

Dealing with Stress - Ten Tips

Stress Management - How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress

The Upside of Stress

What are some ways that you deal with stress? Do you think any of these links could help you manage your stress levels better? 

...OR stop right now and list 10 things you're grateful for! 

More about → 5 Quick Ways to Deal with Stress

PROJECT: Get Your Time Back

So, I received this e-mail from the sweetest girl the other day:

I am a Junior in college and I have been feeling so discouraged when it comes to studying, this semester just started but I feel as if my study techniques are not efficient.

I have always been a flashcard, color coding girl, but lately that technique is not working for me. It doesn't help that I had 3 exams all in one week. I was just wondering if I could get advice from you on how to manage my time better! I work two jobs and go to school full time.

Sound familiar to anyone else? 

I totally identified with this immediately. Junior year of undergrad was a really hard year for me, too! I also worked 2 jobs... One of which involved traveling and went to school full time. And I was completely overwhelmed (and broke) all of the time. 

First of all, if you're also in this boat right now, remember that things WILL calm down and get better! I promise! 

Here is how I would suggest getting your time back:

In addition to your planner, get a small notebook to carry around. This is what I've done in the past when finals week seemed unbearable or I was way too stressed out (plus, it's a great excuse to buy a cute notebook)! Then just "download" all of the crazy things swirling around in your head into it. Specifically, the things that make you want to sit in the floor and cry because it seems like it's just too much to do in the amount of time you have.

This saves you time because you immediately start working on what needs to be done. 

Dedicate 1 page to each day. Write out the times on the left side and what you HOPE to do during those times. This keeps you focused *only* on what needs to be done today. If you're already feeling super overwhelmed by what to do today, worrying about some new thing from next week is not going to make you feel better. By all means, stay aware of upcoming projects, but prioritize by due date. Get through this then you can get through that.

This saves you time because you are working high-priority to low-priority. 

Make this your new mantra: "One thing at a time. One day at a time." Post it on your wall. Repeat it in your head. Say it out loud. Write it down. Remember that, despite what all you have to do, at the end of the day, this is really all you can do. Focus on this thing. On this day. In this moment. Then the next thing. Then the next thing. You will get it done. Anxiety comes from anticipating things that aren't even here yet. Don't let yourself fall into that trap! 

This saves you time because you skip the part where you stress over any and everything. 

As you go through your day, use a different color pen/pencil/marker to write notes about what you *actually* accomplished out to the right side. For me, when I write out what I DO instead of what I NEED to do, it calms me down and shows me I am progressing. It also helps you see where you could replace less important activities with important ones and it also helps you see that you're accomplishing more than you feel like you're accomplishing.

This saves you time because you hold yourself accountable; and you want to succeed. 

I once read that we can balance about 5 different things really well. After that, we get stressed out and start to do a poorer job. College is super demanding because we are expected to do a TON of things all at once! If you've got too many things going on (work, school, barre, more work, planning parties, sorority commitments, a boyfriend, volunteering, church, an internship, a study group) don't be afraid to politely step out of an activity or two. People will understand.

This saves you time because you are working on a manageable amount of tasks at a time. 

Finally (and this is the hardest one for me), let go of perfection. Every class doesn't have to end in an A. There is nothing wrong with a B or a C! Your future employer will care IF you graduated, not how quickly you finished or what your GPA was. Set a time limit for doing projects. Set a time limit for editing/proofreading/revising projects. Then turn them in and move on to the next thing! No one else's paper is perfect either!

This saves you time because perfectionism is the sneaky enemy of productivity! 

You're always doing better than you think you are. :) 

Are you in a similar situation? Do you have any advice to add to this? Is there a time management tip that you can add to this list? 

More about → PROJECT: Get Your Time Back