My university experience

I've done it! I've passed my degree and I'm graduating. With a 2:1!!

 I found out last week and I still can't believe it, but I've actually managed it. 

Three years ago I packed up my parents car, got on the ferry and moved across the Irish Sea to start the biggest part of my life so far: university. Now that I've reached the end I thought it would be the best time to write a post giving advice to the soon to be freshers out there. 

1) do what you love, regardless of what others tell you. 

You might get advice at school or 6th form where they might tell you to do specific course because they have better employability or something, but honestly, three years is a much longer time than you think, especially if you're stuck on a course that you hate. 

Doing something you love really helps make the work seem easier and slightly less stressful. 

2) you might not meet your best friend on the first day.

And that's ok. I was lucky that the first person I spoke to at uni is still now, one of my best friends, but apart from that one person, it actually took me until 2nd year to find the people I now consider to be my closest friends. 

3) get a part-time job. Even if you don't need the money. 

Even if you're one of these people who gets a healthy loan that they can survive off easily (lucky you!) getting a part time job can do so many things for you. Weekends at uni can be very boring, so it's nice to have something to do that's giving you a bit extra in the bank too! I've also met some amazing people in my job who I hope to be friends with for a long time, and it's a whole other group of people to socialise with. The possibilities really are endless. 

4) Experience is key. 

Even if your grades aren't the highest in the class, there are ways of impressing future employers by gaining experience in other areas. I've done work experience at several big magazines, and even though I don't currently have a job, my CV looks quite impressive and this gives me confidence when applying. 

5) if you aren't happy don't feel like you have to stick it out. 

If you get accepted onto a course you've always wanted to do, in a city and uni you dreamed about, but then get there and realise it's actually the last place you want to be, that's ok. 

We all suffer from thinking that the grass is greener somewhere else, and then we get there only to find that we were much happier before. Talk about it with someone and don't suffer in silence. It will only make everything harder to deal with. It's most important to be happy, an despite what you think, no one is going to think that you've failed. I had a few moments in second year where homesickness almost got the better of me and I nearly packed my bags for the next flight back to Ireland, but after some long ready phonecalls with my mum or my sister I realised I was exactly where I needed to be. 

6) Network. Network. Network. 

You never know who knows the right person to get your foot in an important door. The right email from the right person can be all it takes to set you on the right path. 

7) Be prepared to make the best memories of your life. 

As cliched as this sounds, some of the funniest moments ever have happened at uni with the friends I've made for the rest of my life. 

8) Party a little too!

This is the one time of your life that you can enjoy midweek drinking and not have to be up early the next day. Embrace it! I mean, if the price of a drink when you're a student isn't enough to convince you then I don't know what will!

9) Take advantage of being a student while you can!

Student discounts, interest free overdrafts, cheap rent with no council tax and long holidays. I'm starting to ask myself why I want to graduate so badly! 

Oh how I wish I was a fresher again! 

Summed up

                         

                         

                         

Top- Primark// Skirt- H&M// Necklace- Accessorize//Boots- H&M

Today I had uni all day and I pretty much feel like I live there at the moment. But in between lessons I was helping Melody film a video for Fashion North, the new website we're part of for uni, and so I took the opportunity to get Nancy to take a few cheeky pics as I hadn't done an outfit post in a really long time.

I slept in this morning and so very little thought was put into this outfit, other than, "is this clean? does this match? Good enough!" but I managed to get a few compliments on it so it seemed to work out okay. Most of this is super old and super cheap, (perfect for a uni budget really) The top is on its last legs at this point and that makes me really sad because it matches so many things so I need to replace it asap really.

I even included a shot of me laughing, because I always think I look like a moody cow on my outfit snaps! The rest of this week is going to be spent doing yet more uni work and partying on behalf of halloween, which will be a nice break from the books! 

Recent purchases

Black Shirt-Warehouse//White Shirt-H&M//Trousers-Topshop

These are some of the things I've purchased lately, The black shirt and the trousers were both sale bargains, while the white shirt was just one of those items that I saw and thought "I must have it!". I've been looking for a nice white shirt for ages and this one is the first I've found that doesn't look like part of a school uniform! 

This is my first post of the new year, so I hope everyone enjoyed theirs, and that you all have less horrendous things than me to do, as I currently slave away at the revision. 

Galaxy Print

Dress- Missguided

Necklace- New Look

So this week was Reading week, and instead of going home I decided to head to Glasgow for a few days to visit my friend as she has just started uni there. This is what I wore when we went out last night. I wasn't going to post an outfit pic, but quite a few people were asking me where the dress was from so  I thought I'd put it on here with a link.

I got this at freshers week this year, so I didn't think it would still be there but it is, also, I borrowed the necklace from my friend, but now I really want one! 

Weekly Wishlist #2

Well, that week went by very quickly! I lost track of time and didn't post at all! apologies for that, and hello to all my new followers I believe I've gained three of you since I was last here.

1. Warehouse Dress - £55
There is nothing I don't love about this dress, I love the Colour and the pattern, but I definitely am in love with the shape, as I just think it would be flattering on pretty much everyone.

2. Topshop Holdall -£42
I think this is such a unique bag, and I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything like it before. I might treat myself to it so I can use it for trips home, having nice luggage really helps me deal with stressful airports.

3. Topshop Top -£40
This is a bit different from the things I usually buy, but I like the embellishment on this top and I just think it would really well with a nice pair of skinny Jeans and my favourite Zara Blazer.

4. Leather Skirt - Various prices
This leather skirt is from ebay, and I love leather skirts at the moment, but what I love most about this one is the simple studded waistband and also the lovely shape. And of course, Black goes with everything, right?

Graduation Fashion!

Black dress: bought at a local boutique

My Dress: Oasis
My shoes: Topshop
Aveen's Shoes: Dune
Cap and Gown Optional!

On Saturday, my big sister graduated from drama school, and became a qualified actress. I kept promising her I'll blog about her, so I decided the best present would be a feature on my blog!
Congratulations Aveen, and to all my readers, you should prepare to see her on a screen or stage near you soon! take a note of that face and remember where you saw her first! we had such an amazing day and weekend, and spent most of it in a daze of champagne and wine, and it was generally just a nice, relaxing weekend. Now I just need to work hard and get my own degree.

Summer Days (And Nights...)

Tourqouise Sheer Maxi: Awear

Bike Necklace: Accesorize

Handbag: Aldo

I bought this Maxi dress a few weeks ago and have been dying for an excuse to break it out! Last night I attended a talk from Liz Walker as part of Newcastle Fashion Week, and as the weather was so lovely, and it was our last night all together for three whole months, me and two friends decided to go for a meal and a few cocktails at Revolution before hand so I thought the dress would be perfect the occasion and the weather. Of course everything had to match well with my beautiful sun tan burn!

Strawberry Woo Woo's, the perfect addition to a summer day!

Instagram Pictures #3

Amazingly nice bubblegum, what I'm reading at the moment, New phone cases, Watching the Muppet movie, Strawberry Woo Woo's, Flowery Nails, Fish Necklace, Matching my nails to my phone case, Combining A level English literature to fashion modules at uni, Day at the beach, Random texts from my sister, Night out with friends, Blogging in my Bridgewater, Night out in Huddersfield, Summery Days, Assignment Writing, Lusting after vintage Dior, New Dress for my sister's Graduation.

Everything Changes.

I'm sitting here in my university room, that has been my home for the last 9 months and I'm feeling slightly sad. I have a love/hate relationship with this flat, (Mostly Hate) but the last few weeks have been so nice that I'm truly getting sad to leave. as I sit here, there are three of us left, and the other two people that live here are the two I get along with very well, so we've been wrapping up the year and getting sentimental.
Sunny weather has helped MASSIVELY. had a lovely little beach trip and went for a sunbathing session on a roof. burnt my face. Love being ginger.

I'm very excited about moving into a house next year with six of my friends, and having a bigger, nice room. so many things about halls are good, but there are so many things that annoy us all! For example the scuffle I had with two tumble dryers yesterday, that managed to make my clothes wetter than they had originally been! I'm also looking forward to not seeing an ugly naked guy every time I look out my window next year. (Think famous ugly naked guy from friends- except worse!!)

All that aside though, I honestly have had the best year of my life and I can only hope uni continues to get better and better. Living it up next year may not be as fun though, because lets face it, you're only a fresher once! I'm going to stop now before I make you all cry! #SoppyBlogPost

These are a few little pictures of my uni room, in a very tidy state (sort of). Yes, that is fruit you spy on my dresser, my kitchen cupboards not big enough. Before you gasp at my Nail varnish shelf, dont lie, we've all got one and if you dont, you wish you did!

The Pretty View from my window. A car park. looking forward to a better view next year!

Big big apologies.

I am here to apologise big time for the lack of posts, and in advance for how little there will be for a while.
I have a big list in my notebook of posts I was planning, but this is the last week of uni and I have assingments to do and portfolios to sort out, and also, sad times, my beloved little Laptop has broken. Its only a year and a half old and shouldn't be broke, but there you have it! have left it in to get repaired and I wont have it for a week and a half, big time annoyance as I have my entire life on it! Hopefully they wont have to wipe my hard drive or I have a few sleepless nights of rewriting assingments ahead!! living in the library until i have it back to do work.

Sorry in advance,and I promise I have loads of posts ready when my laptop and my life are mine again.

Loan Day Lovelies!

Tomorrow is the day all you students out there have been waiting for. After (barely) surviving Easter break on your overdraft and parental handouts (and in my case, birthday money) You are all officially rich again. This calls for one thing, a Shopping Spree! Naughty me, well, lets just call it research.

1. Striped Maxi Skirt: £75.00- Miss Selfridge
This is my Ideal summer piece. Maxi Skirts are my favourite thing ever! this material and design is so feminine!

2. Glitter Sole Sandals: £50.00- Topshop
I am a self-confessed Flatform Hater! and although I have been told by Victoria that these aren't really flatforms, I do believe they are the closest thing to a pair that I have actually liked. they are everything I usually dislike in a shoe, but they are SO CUTE!

3. Bird Print Shorts: £18.99- Missguided
Printed shorts are one of the items that I find myself reaching for every summer. I love a bit of bird print too. and lets be honest, even if it wasn't loan day, the price tag wont have us passing out in shock!

4. Blue Stone Ring: £8.91- Etsy
I am constantly on the lookout for quirky jewellery, and this ring is different, without being too flashy. Also, what a BARGAIN!

5. White Cutout Dress: £37.00- Miss Selfridge
This dress ticks so many trend boxes this season, White, girly, and a hint of lace. Perfect!

6.Blue Flower Print Dress: 65.00- Oasis
Another girly dress. I like girly dresses and I think everyone should own one this season!

7. Patent Bow Pumps: £35.00- Oasis
Nude shoes are my go-to, match-everything piece. These Pumps have an extra cute white bow added.

I feel I have just supplied you all with cuteness-sickening-girly-overload. Apologies.

Happy Easter! OOTD

Dress: Religion 

Blazer: H&M 

Bag: Next 

Shoes:Oasis

Jewellery: Argento,H&M,Citizen.

Happy Easter everyone! Hope everyone had a nice day and got lots of easter eggs! I went to a hotel with my family for dinner and took these pictures outside it because it was gorgeous. I would've got more but it started to rain, the Joys of Irish weather!!!

I got this dress in religion on Brick Lane when I went to London last weekend, and had to have it! I wish that I had taken these shoes home with me to wear with it instead of the brogues I am wearing but that's one of the issues of Student Life and airline baggage allowances! 

Got my hair cut yesterday too, and although its not VERY short, I feel like I've cut it all off because it had finally got so long! It grows quickly enough though, so hopefully it will be back to what it was soon enough! 

Student Fashion Show.

Last week was Sunderland fashion week and the Bridges shopping centre held various fashion related events every day.
on Friday the Fashion Product and Promotion students from University of Sunderland held a fashion show. they designed and made all of the clothes themselves, and I was very impressed with the fact they made all the handbags themselves!
These students may well be the future of fashion design and this proves that they are likely to succeed.
These are some of my favourite outfits from the show!