Surviving Freshman Year

Being a freshman, i completely understand the struggles and problems that a college freshman has to face. Of course, most of us has been a freshman sometime or the other in our lives. But the point is, to survive this year. Actually, not just survive but also to live and face the new difficulties with a brave face.

So here are some tips and advises that i found to be useful by searching all over the internet. Have a look-

#1 Start studying early-

 Do not believe in the saying- "We'll study on the night before the exam." because it can also fail. And specially for super anxious and nervous people like me, this is the WORST idea ever. Start studying early and do not rely on last minute preparations.

#2 About the books- 

I've found that most of the books we need for studying in college, are very expensive. And we only need these for about 6 months (or even less). So, it is useless to buy them. Rent them or sit in the library and make notes whenever you can. Also, start reading them as soon as you could. Because it gets hard to study so much just before the exam.



#3 Plan your clothes- 

This is specially for the girls. Plan what you're going to wear the next day. This will save you time and you can spend it on your makeup and hair.



#4 Participate-

 Participate in whatever you would like to. Try something new. Chances are, they will teach you how to do it. Or at least go and give the auditions for the clubs you would like to join. This way you wont regret of not trying. Whats the worst that could happen? You wont be selected. That"s it. You'll only learn that this is not you cup of tea and that you should try something else.





#5 Be yourself-

 Don't give in to peer pressure. If you don't like to smoke or drink and everybody else is doing it, its ok to not join them. Just do what you like to do. 




#6 Let go of negativity-

 This has happened to me. And trust me, it does wonders. Let go of all that is holding you back. And its going to be scary and hard. But in order to move forward you'll just have to do it.







#7 Make coffee your new best friend-

 You'll want to sleep every time, everywhere. The only solution to this is COFFEE. Drink it, but in a healthy way.

And most of all, make new friends and welcome the new opportunities with open arms.
All the best!

                                                                    XOXO
                                                                     Jaya

The Hobbit: Book Review

Being an Indian, I never got to read such amazing fantasy books as a child as I had no idea about books other than our ncerts. Though I watched the LOTR trilogy and The Hobbit movies. So, now that I have time to read all the books I actually want to, I decided to start with The Hobbit and LOTR series. So far, I think I made the right decision. I fall in love with this series with every page I read. So, here is a little book review of it.

The book starts on a very happy note in the Shire. I loved the way J.R. Tolkien explains the places, especially the Shire. The description of the hobbits that he writes makes me want to travel back in time and be a hobbit myself.

The dwarves, I found very bumbling and honorable. The story revolves around these dwarves and all of them (Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, Ori and the leader of the company Thorin Oakenshield) were given a proper identity and at the end of the book, it felt as if we knew each of them individually. 

The elves, I found very lovable. They're my favorite. The way Tolkien has explained them would make anybody fall in love with them. Their love for music, their sweet voice, the shining like the starlight, everything that describes them, makes me want to visit Erebor.

All the other characters- the goblins, Beorn, Stone giants, Trolls, Gollum, the spiders, Bard, the eagles were just perfect. Gollum sent a chill down my spine.

Also, my favorite was when Tolkien captured the mercy shown by Bilbo Baggins on Gollum. It brought out a really special quality of the character of Bilbo Baggins. 

There is one thing that I would like to point out here. Kili was my favorite dwarf of all. And I nearly shed a tear when I read that he died along with his brother Fili defending Thorin. And, though i wasn't happy with the ending of the book, i was more sad or, rather shocked when i saw the movie (Desolation of Smaug) because of the introduction of the female elf Tauriel. It was really weird watching a romantic-something blooming between Tauriel and Kili. I just never saw Kili as a romantic kind of dwarf. Also, there was no character of Tauriel in the book.

Although, I don't think the book and the movie should be compared as these are two different forms of arts. But, changing the story altogether in the movie was really heartbreaking for the book readers.

There are any things that I'm missing here like the description of Smaug, the bravery of Bilbo, Gandalf and many other things, but I'm gonna have to leave it here. 

Feel free to comment your views on the book and my post.

Thanks :)

                                                           XO                                                                                                          Jaya

Celebrity Street Style

Celebrating Hollywood!

Some of my favorite celebrity street style in the past one month.

                                                

Angelina Jolie rocked this "black on black" look with those nude heels and no make up look. I cant think of anything to change in her except for those beautiful brown locks, which, according to me should have been styled up in a bun or something.

Eva Mendes looks perfect in that floral overall and white blazer. And those heels go perfectly with them. Her hair are perfectly done and her handbag is to die for. Its a ten on ten from my side.

Nina Dobrev rocked the denim jacket. Her bag being the highlight for me, scores a ten. The flats, wayfarers, scarf just perfect. Although, the jeans cold have been better if it were blue.

Olivia Palermo's layering is absolutely flawless. Specially, those funky, colourful loafers go perfectly with those long sleeved mesh top and skinny jeans.

Hilary Duff looks extremely stylish and cute in this denim overall. The colour of this is just perf for a sunny hot day. Her red lips and shades add to the hippy look of this. Loafers or sneakers could have also gone with this, but the boots are fine too.

It isn't easy to sport a bright red coloured trousers. But Hilary Duff sure makes this look like an easy job. Here she gives you four looks to go with these trousers. And there is nothing I would like to change in this. 

Julianne Hough gives a whole new meaning to spring. The colour of this outfit is my favourite thing. It gives a bright, sunny, happy-ish feeling. The flats, bag and her smile- very cute.

Vanessa Hudgens goes for shopping in this cute floral print sundress. The platform heels, leather bag perfectly goes with it. Adding some accessories to it could have made it better though.

Resee Witherspoon looks absolutely flawless in the classic black tee and blue jeans. The chick ray ban wayfarers and hat makes this look even more cuter. A little layering and accessorising could have done wonders for this.

To get some of these look in an affordable price, visit http://studentrate.com/.

XO

Jaya

Transform the rusty shoe stand into a multi purpose rack!

I found an old shoe stand at the terrace of my house. And I wanted a little something in my room to keep my nail paints and novels on. So, I decided that this is it! I transformed the old rusty shoe stand into a beautiful multi purpose shelf for my room!

Here's the tutorial-

Things needed-

• Sand Paper

• Paint Colours

• Paint Brushes

• Cardboard

• Glaze Paper

Process-

• Start with removing the rust of the stand by the sand paper. Remember, you don't have to put your full strength in this, just do as much as you can, as the paint will hide all the rust afterwards.

• Start painting it. It will be better if you start with the white paint as a base. It will make the colour you choose better looking and shining.

• After you're finished with the base, start painting it with the colour you chose (I chose blue). You can always mix 2 or 3 colours to make a new one. I had blue and white, so I mixed the two to form a beautiful light blue colour.

• You will need at least 2 to 3 coats of the colour. So you will have to leave the stand once you've coloured it. Start with the next coating the next day.

• If you want extra shine, you can also use the enamel after you're finished with the painting.

• Now, measure the racks of the stand and cut the cardboard of the same size.

• Cover the cardboard with glaze paper. I chose grey and blue coloured glaze papers.

• If you want, you can also stick the cardboard on the shelves of the stand. I didn't find it necessary, so I didn't.

• Viola! There, you have a great looking brand new multi purpose shelf for your room!

You can use the shelf for nail paints, jewellery, or other small things for which you can't find place to keep.

Lastly, keep trying new things and experimenting! 

Comment below for further questions or queries.

Also, make sure to visit http://studentrate.com/ for some amazing discounts on shoes and winter wear!

Thanks. Cheers!

                                                    XO
                                                   Jaya