What Every College Girl Should Know

A few pieces of advice I've collected, for college women, throughout my time spent in college. 

1. You may not like your roommate, which is fine.  All you need to do is learn how to live with her.
2. Nobody really cares where you went to high school, what clique you were in, or how many awards you won.
3. Chances are high that you will change your major. I promise you it won't destroy your college experience.
4. It's okay to not get straight A's.
5. Sometimes that paper you think deserves and A+ will get a B, and it's okay life will go on.
6. Tutoring is something that everyone uses, even the smart kids on campus.
7. Your first semester is one of the most difficult adjustment periods you will experience, in college.
8. You're definitely not going to stay in touch with all of your friends from high school.
9. Speaking of high school, you might miss it sometimes and that's okay.  It's all part of the transition process. However, don't let yourself dwell on the pass and miss out on the here and now.
10. There's a lot more to college than frat parties and football games.
11. You don't have to drink to be social.
12. First impressions are important, but your first thoughts about people aren't always correct.
13. It doesn't how well you know "that girl at the party", if she's too drunk help her! After all,  if by chance that was you, your friend, or your sibling you would want someone to help you.
14. Always charge your phone before going out. 
15. Never go out alone.
16. Create a budget, it's easy to spend too much.
17. Don't send a snapchat that you wouldn't want someone to screen shot.
18. Don't post anything on social media that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see.
19. Sometimes you have to cry to feel better.
20. 95% of the time crop tops are not a good look. 
21. Have self respect.
22. Don't change your morals because they don't match someone else's.
23. Get dressed for class. It makes you more alert and leaves a good impression on your peers and professor.
24. Talk to your parents! They can provide great advice and support.
25. Take lots of pictures (You don't need to post every picture you take)!
26. Unless you are 21, don't post pictures with alcohol in them. 
27. Red cups are not a good look for social media posts.
28. Get involved! 
29. Use an agenda. They help a lot.
30. Go to class. 
31. Spark Notes is not going to get you too far in college. Shocker, you have to actually do your own work!
32. Take advantage of all the opportunities your campus has.
33. Failure is a part of life, but remember to learn from it.
34. Try something new.
35. It's okay to have a late night snack every once in awhile just don't make it a habit.
36. Add the number for your campus public safety into your phone.
37. Leggings can be worn as pants, but not for every single occasion.
38. Pinterest is a great resource for just about everything!
39. Stand up for what you believe in. It's okay if you have to stand alone sometimes.
40. Splurge on something for yourself every once in awhile.
41. A little retail therapy won't kill you.
42. Be sure to eat a balanced diet.
43. Be active, it's good for your physical and mental health.
44. Balance work and play.
45. Don't go home every weekend.
46. Step outside your comfort zone.
47. Take time for yourself. Your mental health is important.
48. Take some time for reflection. It is important to realize what is and is not working for you.
49. Be kind to everyone without letting them walk all over you.
50. Have fun!

XOXO

Twas the Night Before Senior Year

Happy Monday! 

The night before school, I spent some time putting this post together, so that it would actually be the night before school starts. I wanted to share with you a realistic depiction of what my night actually was like.   Today is the start of my senior year of college. It is insane how quickly my time in college has gone by. Luckily for me, I get to have a second senior fall semester since I will be student teaching this time next year.  The summer has come and gone so quickly, and I cannot believe that it is time to start classes again. While I have been preparing by purchasing school supplies and decorating my apartment, I just am still not prepared to be in classes again. This semester is going to be a busy one filled with studying, sorority activities, and preparing for the real world. So what did the night before my first day of senior year look like?

1:00- 3:00 pm Attend a Greek Presidents' meeting to discuss the community and our upcoming semester.

3:15 pm Purchase a course packet at the bookstore. Buying professor's slides pains me, but it's what I have to do to be successful in the class.

3:20 pm Print PowerPoints and syllabus.

4:00 pm Unpack the rest of my clothes that I brought from home.

4:30 pm Go grocery shopping with friends.

5:00 pm Finish unpacking and get organized.

6:00 pm Eat dinner with friends.

7:00 pm Get school stuff together and hangout with roommates.

7:30 pm Take care of Presidential items.

9:00 pm Watch Tv and have a snack with the roommates.

10:30 pm Think about what to wear tomorrow and what my day will look like.

10:45 pm Bed!

For my first day of classes, I wore an older Lilly shift dress with a pair of jacks!

Here's to a fun-filled busy semester! Best of luck to you!

XOXO

Weekend Reads: Starting College

Beginning your freshman year of college can be quite intimidating.  I can remember moving in four years ago feeling a little uneasy not knowing what exactly college would be like.  Below are some articles that will help guid you through your first few weeks of college! 

11 Things I Wish I Knew as an Incoming Freshman 

10 Life Changing Tips for College Freshmen

9 Questions to Ask Yourself When You're Thinking About Continuing Your Relationship in College

8 People You Should Prepare to Meet in College

7 Healthy College Breakfast Recipes

6 Money Lessons You Should Have Learned Before College

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Rely Solely on Your Academic Advisor

XOXO

Don't Label Me Basic

Over the past year a term, basic bitch, has become an increasingly popular way to refer to women.  Today I am here to share with you why I am not basic nor a bitch. Yes, I enjoy my Starbucks, vests, leggings, spirit jerseys, sorority, Lilly Pulitzer, pinterest, essie nail polish, boots, Instagram, twitter, taking pictures of food, monograms, and brunch.  Apparently enjoying these things classifies me to be a basic bitch, but I disagree! 

For starters, a bitch is technically another term for a female dog. Last time I checked, I don't fall into that category.  So now that we have that cleared up, let's talk about this whole concept of being basic. In the past few years, the term basic bitch has been used to describe any female who enjoys things viewed as "mainstream". This makes women feel as though they are supposed to be ashamed for enjoying these things because it makes them too ordinary. What you consume does not define who you are as a person.  By no means can consumption determine character. Today's society is filled with consumption, which is fine but we cannot let that define us. Both men and women contribute to the consumer society. This basic society is described by several different media outlets here, here, and here. Essentially consumption is personal preference and shouldn't be anything more than that.

However, I am proud to like all of these things, which are all part of what makes me who I am.  I am not ashamed because while I like these things I am also a woman looking to defy gender roles and stereotypes. I am strong, I am intelligent, I am hard working, and I seek to be my own person. I like the things I like without needing others' stamped approval. This term is just another way for society to shame on women.

For instance, there is not such thing as a basic man.  The man that loves watching sports, drinks beer, indulges on a burger, and is a sports center addict. Society primarily crowns women with these lovely terms. 

The definition of Basic Bitch Courtesy of Urban Dictionary. 

What are your thoughts on the term?

XOXO

Summer Detox

Back in June, my mom and I did a detox together. This time we created it ourselves. It was pretty much free sugar, dairy, and red meat. Our meals were filled with greens and protein.  The meal plan consisted of clean eating for five days.  I finally completed a five day cleanse.  This was a great way to jump-start the summer. While I did not lose more than a few pounds, I loved the way I felt when the week was over. I felt like I hit the reset button and freed my body from all the junk and toxins.

So what did I eat?

Every morning I drank water with lemon juice in it.

Every day I drank 90 ounces of water

Monday:

            Breakfast:Oatmeal “cookie”

            Lunch: Veggie burger and grilled squash

            Dinner: Fish tacos with coleslaw and beans

Tuesday:

            Breakfast: Oatmeal “cookie”

            Lunch: Tuna, half an avocado, tomatoes and greens with honey mustard

            Dinner: Chicken with steamed kale, carrots, and hummus

Wednesday:

            Breakfast: Steel cut oats

            Lunch: Tuna, half an avocado, tomatoes and greens with honey mustard

            Dinner: Chicken, spinach, black beans, and coleslaw

Thursday:

            Breakfast: Steel cut oats

            Lunch: Turkey, avocado, tomato, and hummus

            Snack: Smoothie 

            Dinner: steamed kale with salmon

Friday:

            Breakfast: Oatmeal “cookie”

            Lunch: Turkey, avocado, tomato, and hummus

            Dinner: California roll (sushi)

XOXO

Summer Snacks

The summer heat and humidity decrease my appetite. I usually eat two meals a day and a snack in between.  So what are my go to summer snacks?

Yogurt with granola and fresh berries

Homemade popcorn

Kale chips

Fresh fruit

Banana and peanut butter

Mixed nuts

Pretzels

Crackers and cheese

A fruit smoothie

Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

Popsicles

Chips and Salsa

Green or red pepper with dressing

Veggies or crackers with hummus

A rice cake with peanut butter or hummus

Guacamole and chips

Toast with cheese

Gummy snacks

Breaded eggplant or zucchini with marinara

What are your go to summer snacks?

XOXO

Saving Money While in College

One of the things on my 101 in 1001 days list is to complete a yearly savings plan.  This is something that is difficult to accomplish when you do not have a steady income year round.  I am fortunate to only work in the summer. My parents support me during the school year as they think it is important to spend your time in college being involved and studying rather than working.  This is the yearly savings plan I would like to complete, if I had a steady job. While I may not be able to complete this plan, I have created another method to save some money.

The dollar Jar! I had an empty mason jar lying around, so I decided to use it to help me save my money. At the end of each week, I empty my wallet out of any five-dollar bills, one-dollar bills, and change.  This method seems silly, but over the course of a school year I managed to collect over $150.  It’s true that every penny counts!

What do you do to save your money?

XOXO

The Essentials to a College Girl's Wardrobe

Happy Friday!

Today I'm here to share with y'all my first post in the Bloggers Back to School linkup series. Nicole of Empire Styles and Cathleen of Classy Cathleen have collaborated to create this  wonderful link up.  I was thrilled to have been invited to join them as they talk about Bloggers going back to school {#BloggersBTS}. I talked about it a little bit earlier this week {see here!}, but here is a little bit more information on it.  Every week in the month of August there will be a theme that is some how related to going back to school.  If this is the first time you are reading about the link up, don't worry because it's not too late to join. Just contact Nicole {empirestylesblog@gmail.com} and Cathleen {classycathleen@gmail.com} via email and they will add you to the list! The link up is great because you can post at your leisure throughout the week. Without further ado, I'll present to you some of my recommendations on college fashion. 

*This week's topic is Fashion*

Obviously I am missing a lot of items, but these are some of the essentials to my college wardrobe.  These are pieces that I use in both Fall and Spring semester. 

Riding Boots: These come in a variety of colors. You can dress them up or down, wear them to class or out and about, and are great for late Fall semester/early to mid spring semester. I have riding boots in chocolate, black and brown, and tan. In case you couldn't tell I am a huge fan of boots.

Bean Boots: Going to school in the North East means we get winter weather. Bean boots are great for  winter weather and fall festivities too. These can be paired with leggings and a sweater, a dress, or your favorite pair of jeans with a tee.

Sneakers: Most colleges require a lot of walking. It's great to have a pair of sneakers that you can wear to class, gym, and play intramural sports in.

Ballet Flats: These are definitely a must have.  They can be paired with a casual outfit for class or used to dress up for a fancier occasion.  Trust me, flats are the better choice when it comes to attending formals.

Flip Flops: These are great for the beginning of Fall semester and the end of Spring semester. I like to pair them with many different outfits.

Rain Boots: These come in handy frequently.  There's nothing worse than walking around campus with soaking wet shoes.  You can even add a liner to these and use them when it snows. I recommend purchasing a pair of bright colored rain boots because they brighten up a dreary day.

Printed and Solid Shorts: These are a great staple to have in your college wardrobe. They are versatile and can be paired with various tops to create a look that is perfect for (almost) any event.

Norts (Nike shorts): These are my go to for a comfortable outfit.  I like to pair these with a monogram shirt, sorority tee, or a workout top. You can wear them to the gym, class, hanging out with friends, or just lounging around.

Vest: It's good to have a vest in your college wardrobe.  Vests can be used in both semesters. They are stylish but also keep you warm. J.Crew always has a decent selection in the Fall and winter.

Monogram Tees: Long sleeve or short sleeve, I can promise you either way you will get a lot of wear out of these. This shirt can be paired with shorts, jeans, or leggings to make a cute and comfortable outfit for class.

Leggings and Jeans: These are both staples for me.  In the winter I wear these all the time. Leggings are great because depending what they are paired with, they can be dressed up or down. Jeans are always a must have because there's always an event you can wear jeans to.

Oversized Sweater: I have several of these that I wear year round. I usually purchase them when GAP is having a sale.  This can be worn with shorts on a chilly night, with jeans and a basic tee, or with sandals and jeans. I recommend purchasing a neutral color like gray, oatmeal, cream, or brown.

Little Black Dress: There are numerous opportunities to get dressed up during college. It's always good to have a little black dress in your closet.  For a conservative look, you can pair it with a sweater and flats. You can also pair it with some pumps for a dressier look too!

Rain Coat: See my thoughts above regarding rain boots. I have the same thoughts regarding a rain coat.  When it rains, I prefer to use a raincoat rather than an umbrella.

Sunglasses: I pair these with just about every outfit in both semesters. When it is sunny out these are a big help. You can wear these to a sporting event, walking to class, or when you are out and about on the weekends.

Stud earrings: Earrings are one thing that I don't leave the house without. I feel naked without them.  My go to earrings are a pair of pearls. It's great to have a pair of timeless earrings that can be used for all occasions.

Hat: This is a great item to have.  Those mornings when you hit snooze too many times, you can just throw on a hat and hide your messy hair underneath.

Tote: I use a gray Longchamp bag for my go to tote. I use a tote as my every day bag and sometimes I take it to class too.

Backpack: Some days I take more items to class with me than others. Days when I have to bring my laptop I usually use my backpack.  I think the reasoning for having this item is fairly self explanatory.

XOXO

Coming Soon!

The past month I have been working hard to increase the number of posts that are published from my little corner of the internet. I have been brainstorming and asking some of my regular readers what are some things that they would like to read about. After doing some self evaluating on the blog and talking to readers, I have some exciting things to share with y'all! In the near future you will be able to find the following via The Shore Life According to M:

Shore Life According to M's Guide to College:

Over the past few years I have given out tons of advice on college life. People have asked me about my organizational tips, decorating dorm rooms, questions about greek life, being a college athlete, and more. I have finally created a tab on my page where you can find all the links to posts related to college. I will also be adding to the collection of posts, in the upcoming weeks, too. 

Organize Me:

In case you haven't been able to tell by now, I love for things to be organized. I love taking the time to ensure everything is neat and organized. I love color coding. I love creating organizational systems, and I do a lot of organizing. I am constantly being asked how I stay organized, so I have added another tab to the blog where you can access all my organizational tips.  As the semester progresses, I will be adding more to this page. 

LINK UP #BloggersBTS

Bloggers back to school is a link up series hosted by Empire Styles and Classy Cathleen. Over the course of the next few weeks I will be participating in this series by posting about many different topics related to going back to school including: clothing, office supplies, DIY, desks, organization, and so much more! 

Guest Blogging: Sisterhood Redefined

In the upcoming months I will be writing posts for a blog called Sisterhood Redefined. This site works to provide readers with a realistic depiction of what life as a sorority woman is actually like.  My first post will be all about recruitment workshops and why we spend so many hours doing them! Check out Sisterhood Redefined and look out for my upcoming post!

I hope y'all are just excited for these new additions as I am!

XOXO