October 30, 2014

Plan it out! Student Planners and Time Management

     An agenda is your best friend when it comes to managing your time and school work. That is, if you use it consistently. Today I would like to share with you a few tips for effectively using a student planner.


     Proper time management is important for academic success. While it may be tempting to procrastinate your school work in order to binge watch that new series on Netflix, the resulting stress when you are frantically trying to finish a project the night before it is due is not worth it.

     Instead, use your planner to schedule both your study time and your free time. Then, stick to the schedule you have established. Look at your planner daily and include weekly goals and master to-do lists.

Time Blocking 

In order to have a good visual of your day, color in block of time according to activities. As you can see from my agenda, I use a highlighter to block out the time frame for study sessions and work shifts. This way I can quickly access how busy my day is and how much free time I have available.

Color Coding 

By color coding your planner, you can quickly see important dates and what type of engagements you have for the week.
  • Write down and highlight all of your assignment due dates and exam dates. 
  • Next, use a different color to record appointments, meetings, and work shifts. 
  • Using a third pen color, write down any personal commitments.

What to Look for in a Planner 

Academic Year vs. Calendar Year:  

As a student, I prefer academic year, that way I have one planner for the entire school year.

Daily vs. Weekly vs. Monthly: 

I don't like the monthly planners. For one, most daily and weekly planners also include a monthly overview. Secondly, it doesn't give me enough room for detailed planning.

     Personally, I think that weekly planners are the way to go. I am able to see an overview of my entire week, plus a daily breakdown. Because daily planners only have two visible days on a page, I find that it can be more difficult to plan ahead.

Size: 

I suggest considering how often you will be carrying it with you. If you just plan to take it to class, then a larger planner will work great. However, if you want more portability, you might want to consider a smaller size.

 My current planner is small enough that it fits into my purse, yet large enough that I am able to write everything down in.

Visual Appeal 

When purchasing a planner, don't forget to consider looks in addition to functionality. By picking a planner with a visually appealing design, you may find yourself more inclined to use it often.

I currently have my eye on these planners for next year:


October 21, 2014

TUL Liquid Highlighter Review



My most recent office supply purchase is this 5-pack of TUL Liquid Highlighters. In my opinion, highlighters are essential tools for taking notes and studying.

Note: this is not a sponsored post, I receive no compensation for this post, and all opinions are entirely my own.


The cap design is both visually pleasing and functional. The loops are useful for putting the highlighters into the rings of binders. 
They could also be used to attaching them to a lanyard.
I don't use pen clips, but I know a lot of people find them useful.

The chisel tip is convenient for underlining and writing.

Here is what the highlighters look like in action:

notes


Overall, I really love these highlighters. Their slim design makes them comfortable to use. The ink dries quickly and the colors are bright. I also really like the transparent barrel, which allows you to easily see the ink levels.

Favorite Features:

  • slim design
  • comfortable to use
  • chisel tip
  • quick drying
  • bright, fluorescent colors
  • visible ink supply
  • no strong odors 
Have you used TUL liquid highlighters? What did you think of them? If not, do you have a favorite set of highlighters?


October 6, 2014

Let's Talk About Pens: Write Dudes Ultra Glide Gel Pen Review

 I'll admit it, I am a writing utensil addict. I might be on the verge of pen hoarding.
But, finding a good pen isn't always easy. Different tasks warrant different pens, and sometimes it can be difficult to find the right pen for the job. (Or am I just making excuses in order to justify my pen obsession?)

Today, I would like to share with you my most frequently used pen set.



Note: this is not a sponsored post, I receive no compensation for this post, and all opinions are entirely my own.

I decided to pick up a pack of Write Dudes Ultra Glide Roller Gel pens two semesters ago and have been using them for my lecture notes ever since.


I really enjoy this ink. It is bright, colorful, and writes smoothly. I especially like the blue and pink colors.

Based on the pen cap color, I was worried the green was going to be a light yellow-green. I was pleased when I discovered it is actually a nice dark green color.

Below is an example of writing on both sides of standard notebook paper.
As you can see, there is some bleed-through, but it isn't too terrible.

Favorite Features:

  • Smooth writing.
  • 0.5mm tip for fine writing.
  • Brightly colored ink.
  • Inexpensive.

Room for Improvement:

  • Can't easily see ink levels.
       - I wish that either the pen body was clear or there were a window.
  • Grip could be wider, offering more comfort.
  • There is some bleed through, but that is to be expected with rollerball pens.
Have you used these pens before? If so, what did you think of them?

October 2, 2014

First Post

I am pleased to announce the launch of Curiosity and Charm!

     This week has been intense. Honestly, I'm not sure what I was thinking when I decided midterm week was the week to take on the project of creating a blog. But here I am. I met my deadlines, had marathon study sessions, feel confident about my test performance, and didn't go crazy.

    I look forward to sharing my tips for studying, note taking, and time management. In addition, I will also include tidbits on fashion and home decor. I am excited to begin my blogging journey, which I believe will be a path for my own personal growth and discovery, and hopefully I can inspire you along my way.