Amanda Alvarado

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love slow mornings. If I am rushed in the morning, my whole day just feels off. Because of this, I enjoy a good, solid morning routine. I also think having a morning routine to get your day started is so important!

Sunday mornings are probably my favorite. Sunday is the first day of the week, so I like to keep it slow and peaceful, but productive! When I have a good Sunday, I tend to have a good week!

So, I don’t set an alarm on the weekends, but I’m usually up by 8 am. Just like the weekdays, I get up, open my blinds, brush my teeth and do my skincare routine, and drink lemon water. I do that every single morning and it literally takes maybe 8 minutes. After that, I meditate.

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I’m very new to meditation, but it has changed my life. I find myself less stressed and when I am stressed, I can manage it easier. If you haven’t meditated before, seriously… try it. Get the Headspace app or find the playlist on Spotify and do it. It is so amazing to have a moment to be still to start my day.

After I meditate, I’ll make my bed, but then I get back in it with my throw blanket! Like I said, I love slow mornings! Depending on the time, I’ll watch some Food Network (I absolutely love Pioneer Woman!!) or livestream a church service.

It doesn’t take that long for me to get hungry, so I’ll head to the kitchen. I love my veggie egg scramble that I do pretty much every morning Monday through Friday, but on the weekends, I love to switch it up! Some of my favorites are green smoothies, homemade blueberry muffins, or a full breakfast with eggs, bacon, and fruit!

I don’t do a workout, but I like to get in a few minutes of stretching or yoga. Again, I’m all about having a slow and relaxing morning. It’s my last day of doing absolutely nothing until Saturday, so I like to take my time and just do whatever I want.

As you can tell, I love slow, quiet mornings! My favorite part of my morning is probably..... meditation or sipping on my cup of coffee. What about you?

xo,

Amanda

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Okay guys. I’m not sure if you know this, but let me tell you a little story about my skin.

I had pretty clear skin for a while. Seriously, I had the occasional pimple and blackhead, but my skin was pretty good during my teen years and I didn’t do much to it. Then, I turned 20 and all hell broke loose on my face. No joke.

Suddenly, I started getting acne – which I’m pretty sure is hormonal acne – and pretty oily skin. I’m 23 now, so I’ve been dealing with it for about three years. I washed my face every morning, but that was pretty much it and when it didn’t clear up, I just accepted that the acne was here to stay. I even tried cutting out dairy and that didn’t really do much. I eat pretty healthy, striving to stick to whole, natural foods and lots of plant-based food, but my skin still sucked.

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I stumbled upon The Skinny Confidential site by Lauryn Evarts, who I’ve followed on Instagram for years and somehow never decided to check out her blog and podcast until recently. If you haven’t checked out either of these, you are MISSING OUT!

As I was browsing her site and listening to her podcast, I heard over and over how crazy (in the best way possible) about skincare and a good skincare routine. Her skin looks amazing, so I knew I had to find a good skincare routine of my own. I did some research and started trying out some products and I’ve finally found a routine that is working for me! I'm sharing the exact products I currently use and there are a few affiliate links.

Like I said earlier, I struggle with hormonal acne and have oily skin and these are products that so far, have worked for me. You’ve got to find out what works for you. We’ve all got different skin!

I have two different routines I do – one in the morning, one in the evening – but this is my morning routine! I’ll share my evening skincare in a later post!

First, I start by washing my face. I use African Black Soap. Specifically, mine is from Shea Moisture. I received it in a promotional box a few months ago and never realized that it works wonders on the skin. I just use the bar soap.

After I wash my face, I dry it of course and use a toner. I’ve used really harsh toners before which just irritated and burned my super sensitive skin. I was afraid to try another toner, but I’m so glad I did! I’ve been using The Body Shop’s Hydrating Vitamin E Toner. This stuff smells great, feels refreshing, and doesn’t burn your skin! How great is that? This has helped control breakouts, hydrate my skin, and even out my skin tone.

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Lastly, I use a face sunscreen! I’ve been using AustralianGold’s Botanical Mineral Tinted Sunscreen. This is designed for sensitive skin and is rich with vitamins and antioxidants. I love that it’s a mineral sunscreen because so many sunscreens are packed with nasty chemicals. SPF is so important, especially for preventing wrinkles!

Along with those three products, I also drinks tons of water and keep my lifestyle as natural as possible. Yes, I splurge with a cheeseburger now and then, but I love fueling my body with beautiful, healthy food and when I do this, my skin also thanks me for it!

I’ve been dying to try Exfoli-Kate by Kate Somerville, so that is on my To-Buy list. Is that a thing?

Tell me… what’s your favorite skincare product right now or a product that you can’t wait to try?

Taking care of your skin is really important and if you don’t know where to start, ask or just do some research! I had zero idea where to start and I took Ulta’s Skin Care quiz and also just did lots of research! For me, sticking to products with as few chemicals as possible is important. You’ve just to find what works for you. It’s all trial and error!

xo,

Amanda

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I am finally going on a vacation! Okay, it is only a quick weekend trip, but still. I am so excited to have a day at the beach. My heart is so, so happy! What is something that is making you happy lately?

I’ve shared what days in my life look like as a gal working in media (specifically radio) and I’m giving you a little more insight today, but I’m sharing what a day looks like when I get to attend a concert or event for work! My everyday work schedule is pretty consistent, but when I get to go to an event or concert, that changes up my day just a bit. This industry is crazy, but in the best way possible.

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The concert I was working was on a military base, which was really exciting for me. My brother is in the military, so whenever I get the opportunity to support our troops, I am all for it! The concert, featuring Thompson Square and Easton Corbin, was also in the evening, so I didn’t have to go into work until that afternoon.

Morning

I slept in just a bit – 7:30am instead of 6:30am. I woke up naturally and tried to go back to sleep, because it would be a long day, but my body was ready to get moving! I opened my blinds and headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and start my morning skincare routine. I’ve only been doing this routine for like a week and my skin is already looking better than it has in years. I'll share my morning skincare routine on Thursday!

After I did all that, I went to the kitchen, slice some lemon and put it in a glass of water with Pink Himalayan salt. It is so important to hydrate in the morning and the lemon and Pink Himalayan salt is an added health bonus! Thanks Lauryn Evarts from The Skinny Confidential for the tip! I took that to my room, sat on my bed, and meditated for 10 minutes using the app Headspace. This is a must every single morning.

After meditated, I made my bed and started my workout. On Fridays, I just run a mile and then do about 15 minutes of lower body strength training. I keep my workouts pretty quick.

Usually, after this, I start getting ready, but because I had time before I had to leave, I went to the kitchen to make some breakfast! I made a green smoothie and veggie scramble. It was delicious! As I ate my breakfast, I worked on some things for work and the blog while I watched The Kardashians. Anyone else love that show?

Afternoon

A few hours later, I got ready, packed up my bag, and ate a quick lunch. I had leftover shrimp, vegetables, and rice from the night before. Yum! I started my hour and half commute to work and listened to Don’t Blame Me podcast by Meghan Rienks. She is HILARIOUS. Oh, and of course I stopped by Starbucks for two shots of espresso over ice. I needed some caffeine!

Evening

When I got to work, I did some preparation for the concert and did some on-air work. That took up a good chunk of time before the concert. Before I knew it, it was time to head over to the base.

At the base, I set up our tent and put out all the t-shirts and tickets to give away to people who came up and said hey! Everyone was so nice. I love getting to connect with our listeners! It’s the best thing ever. I took lots of pictures and videos. I also got to meet Easton Corbin! He was so nice! I missed Thompson Square’s meet and greet, but their performance was awesome!

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By the time I packed up and got back to the station, it was about 9pm. I was so hungry, so I stopped by Chick-fil-a for a small, late-night dinner. I got home around 11pm and was in bed by midnight. I slept so good and either turned my alarm off in my sleep or it just didn’t go off because I woke up at 10am Saturday morning with 30 minutes to get ready and come back to work for another event!

There’s an example of busier day in my life! Anyone else have super busy days, but your job makes it totally worth it? What do you do? Comment below!

xo,

Amanda

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If you've been following me for a while, you probably know that I joined a sorority in college and loved every second of it. My best and closest friends are also my sorority sisters. Being in a sorority helped me become the best version of myself.

I am a sister of Alpha Omicron Pi (Gamma Sigma chapter at Georgia State University) and while I first went through sorority recruitment just to meet people and make friends, I never expected to fall in love with AOII and Greek life as much as I did. Being in a sorority has changed my life for the better and going through recruitment is something that I recommend to every young woman in college because even if you end up not joining a sorority, you walk away from the experience meeting many people and even a few new friends. If you realize that sorority life is for you, you walk away with a sisterhood and bond that you might have never realized you wanted.

I know many of you are going through recruitment and have so many questions, so I’m sharing some advice with you! This post contains a few affiliate links.

First, let's get the basic terms out of the way. There are many terms that you are going to hear and if you're like I was, you will be confused. Sorority Sugar has a great guide to all the terms.

Now, let's get to some tips and advice for going through sorority recruitment.

It Is Okay To Be Nervous

I almost did not go to recruitment. I woke up the morning of the first day of recruitment and was so nervous. It is okay to be nervous, but don't let that stop you from going through recruitment. Have fun. Be yourself.

Do Your Research

Sure, you can get on Instagram and follow all of the sororities at your school, but also go on to their official websites to get to know what the sorority as a whole stands for. Another super important thing is to research what each day of recruitment is like for your school so you get a feel for it. Also, do some research on what to wear on the different days. You want to have your outfits planned out before so that you aren't rushing to get ready every day.

side note.. Nordstrom, Francesca's, Lilly Pulitzer, and Forever 21 have cute options for recruitment outfits

Keep An Open Mind

When I went into recruitment, I did NOT want to be in AOII. I had two other sororities that were my top choices, but I walked into AOII and immediately felt at home. I felt like I could take off my dress and throw on shorts and t-shirt and just hang out with the girl I was talking to. Be open to every sorority and give them all a chance. If you are just interested in partying... listen. There are girls in most every sorority who enjoy parties, but beyond those parties, it is the sisterhood that is forever. Get a feel for that and see where you fit best. Even if you're a legacy or your best friend is already in one, you might find your home in the sorority you never expected.

Related: Advice For Incoming College Freshmen

Be Yourself

You want to join a sorority where no matter if you're dressed up or just in a t-shirt, you'll feel comfortable. Don't try and be different to impress anyone. Brush your hair, put on a cute outfit, put on some makeup (just a little mascara is okay if you aren't a makeup person) and put your best foot forward, but still be yourself.

Take Notes

After every house, jot down a few notes about who you spoke to, what you talked about, and how you felt with that sorority. This will help you so much when you begin eliminating and ranking sororities.

Stay Positive

Like I said earlier, I did not want to be in AOII, but that changed the first day. AOII then became my first choice and obviously I came back, but my second choice dropped me the next day, which bothered me. Even if your top house drops you, stay positive. Everything works out.

Get Rest

Recruitment is exhausting. During recruitment, don't go out. Don't stay up late and binge-watch a season of Friends. Stay in and get rest. You'll be so glad you did.

Don't Talk About Boys, Partying, Alcohol..

You will probably be told this, but do not ever ever ever talk about boys, alcohol, drugs, or parties.

Be Selfish

This is your decision and the sorority you join will be your sisterhood forever. Don't join a sorority just because your friend is in it. Don't join a sorority just because your roommate wants to be in that sorority. Don't join a sorority just because you are a legacy if you don't feel that is where you belong. If you feel confused, upset, or need to talk, go to your recruitment counselor (these are called many different things depending on where you go to school.. we called them Pi Chis). Do not talk to your friends or other people going through recruitment. Those girls are there to help you, but make the right decisions for you.

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What other questions do you have about sorority recruitment? Let me help you! Comment below. If you have recruitment advice, leave that in a comment and let me know what sorority you're in!

xo,

Amanda

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If you know me, you know that organization is my thing. I actually enjoy it. If you give me a messy closet or cabinet, I will have that thing organized for you so well, you’ll wonder how you managed before. Maybe, I should start doing that as a little side job?

Aside from organizing closets, kitchens, rooms, etc., I really like having my life organized. Yes, my life. You know, like schedules, to-do lists, goal planning… all that jazz. When I was a kid, I would schedule my entire day… down to the minute. I’m not kidding. It looked like this:

6:30am Wake up

6:35am Go to the bathroom to get ready

6:36am Brush teeth

6:38am Wash face

You get the idea. Did anyone else do this or was (am) I just absolutely crazy?

I feel like I probably go a little extreme sometimes, but there is definitely a happy medium when it comes to getting your life organized. All it takes is a little planning and you’ll find that you’re prepared, less forgetful, and for the most part, have a pretty good grasp on your life.

Here are a few things that I recommend doing to get your life organized. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Create a routine

I absolutely love a routine. I’ve found that some of the most successful people are creatures of habit, so with that said, I recommend creating a routine for yourself. When you have a routine, getting your day started will be easier because you’ll have habits set. I’ve got a pretty solid routine that I stick to for the most part - of course weekends, holidays, and other things come up where my routine changes a bit, but I mean, my morning routine, evening routine, and night routine is pretty solid. The app Fabulous is really great if you’re trying to create new habits and a routine.

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Get a good planner

I am such an agenda gal. I had a Lilly Pulitzer agenda for a while, but I recently switched to DayDesigner this past year and I absolutely love it! I love that I can schedule out my entire day and even have a to-do list. With the DayDesigner, you get a full page for each day, which is so incredible. I thought it would be too much, but once I started using it, I realized how great the layout is. There are so many other great agendas you can get, I just love DayDesigner!

Create a to-do list

I have my day planned out, but I also have a to-do list. Not everything on my to-do list has to be done at a certain time, but it definitely has to be done by the end of the day. You can also create a to-do list for the week or month for bigger projects. Being able to cross things off your to-do list is also really satisfying.

Set goals

If you haven’t, be sure to grab my Goal Setting Worksheet! It’s free! I love writing out my goals and making an plan of action for each goal I have. Write your goals out with my worksheet and then create a vision board or a Pinterest board that visualizes what reaching your goals looks like for you. When you set goals and create a clear plan of action, it gives you clarity and will help you get your life organized. You’ll know exactly where you want to go.

Clean your space

Yeah, this is honestly where you want to start. You’ve got to get your space clean and organized. Hang up your clothes. Make your bed. Clean out your drawers. Take a day and deep clean your place. You’ll feel so much better with a clean space.

Have you gotten your Goal Setting Worksheet yet? I created it after a few people reached out and asked about how I accomplished what I did in college and then got a job soon after graduation. I think it will definitely help you organize your life, reach your goals, and live the life of your dreams! Are you ready?

xo,

Amanda

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David and I have been dating for about 6 and a half years. We met about 8 years ago (if you want the story of that, let me know) and well... the rest is history.

Love is amazing, but you know what? It isn’t always easy. I mean, nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes and that makes life difficult sometimes.

In a partnership, it takes two people working together. You won’t always agree. You’re going to get upset. You are going to let each other down. The beautiful thing is that despite all that, you choose to keep each other accountable, build each other up, and go through life together.

Even with all of that though, here’s the thing to remember… you can only control yourself. I can’t stop control every decision David makes, but I can decide on my reaction, how I love, and how selfless I can be. The same goes for David… he can’t control when I forget to pick up my messes, but he can control how he reacts, how he loves, and how selfless he can be.

When it comes to being in a relationship, there is also so much pressure, especially as women. There’s so much pressure on us to be the perfect girlfriend/fiance/wife and be perfect in all of the other roles we are expected to fill. Wanting to meet all these exceptions can put so much pressure and stress on us, but listen… put aside any negative feelings and focus on what you can do to love your man in the best way possible.

I’m going to share a few things that I’ve learned and how you can be a better partner today. I know this post is kind of targeted for us ladies, but I think the guys can benefit from this, too!

Put Your Phone Down

I am so guilty of this, but we spend so much time on our phones and we’re just so busy in general, but remember to take some time and focus on your man. Instagram can wait. You can clean the bathroom later. The Crown will still be on Netflix in an hour. Give him your attention. Talk. Cuddle. Watch something together. Just be present.

Ask For His Advice

I’ll be the first to admit that I am definitely a strong, independent woman. My mom and grandma are both very independent and always made sure that I knew my value wasn’t in a man and that I didn’t need a man to complete me. At the same time, they are incredible wives. With that being said, sometimes, I just do things on my own without asking for David’s thoughts or advice on something.

Redecorating? You man might have an idea. Is something broken? He might know someone who can fix it or maybe he knows how to fix it. Not sure where to go on vacation? I’m sure he has some ideas! Asking for his input doesn’t mean you have to do what he says all the time, but you’ll learn how to be collaborative and he’ll feel valued.

Take Time To Do Something He Enjoys

Truth is, a lot of the time, things that David and I do are probably mostly what I enjoy. I’ve tried to do some things with him that he also enjoys. I am the most girly-girl you might ever meet and David likes to do, well, “man” and “outdoor-sy” things. This isn’t always my cup of tea, but I’ve learned that what I love is just spending time with him.

Put yourself into his world for a bit. Go to a store he likes, help (or attempt) him on a project he’s working on, go fishing… whatever it is that he likes, ask to go with him! He will appreciate it and you’ll probably learn some new things!

Greet Him With A Smile

This one is simple, but I definitely don’t do it enough! When you see each other, whether it has been months or just a few hours, greet him with a smile and enthusiasm.

Support And Appreciate Him

You got to make sure your man knows that you stand behind him. Whatever those goals are that he is working towards, tell him you believe in him. Support and love him.

Do you love the shirt he’s wearing? Did he make you the best margarita? Did you feel loved when he got flowers sent to your office? Are you proud of his big accomplishment? Tell him! Oh, and don’t just tell him what you love about him when it’s just you two. Compliment him in front of friends and family. Don’t be afraid to compliment him publicly.

Let him know that you have his back and appreciate him.

Give Him Personal Space

As much as I absolutely love doing things with David, guess what? We have our own interests. He has his music. I have my blog. Sometimes, I go out with the girls and he hangs with his guy friends. We watch different shows. We run errands alone.

We have separate interests and hobbies and that is totally okay! Your lives don’t have to be merged completely into one. You are still individuals, so doing your own thing sometimes is totally cool!

You know what? After doing my own thing, I am always so excited to see David again.

Think Before You Speak

I can say really mean things when I’m mad. David will hug me and walk away when we’re arguing, but no, not me. I get angry and I don’t think before I speak. I’ve said some pretty hurtful things because I was angry. I’m working on this.

No matter who is at fault, take a moment to collect your thoughts and just think, but also let him know that you love him and you just need a minute.

Proverbs 15:1 says that, “a calm answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger,” and I always remember this when I’m angry.

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I’m know that I’m no expert, but I’m just a twenty-something girl trying to navigate life and love and relationships is such a big part of life. I hope that you can use this advice to help your relationship and just be the best girlfriend/fiancé/wife you can be! Remember that every one is different and that means every relationship is different, so don’t let anyone tell you how you should be, but do what works for you, girl!

xo,

Amanda

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I know Mondays get a bad rap, but honestly, I love Mondays! Anyone else? Maybe I’m just weird and the only one.

God has really been speaking to me and working in my life, lately, He always does, I guess, but I’ve actually been listening and spending time with Him this time. I struggle with anxiety, worrying about my future, stressing about money, and just not trusting God to handle everything. Yeah, I have a super hard time trusting God.

Over the past few months, I’ve really changed up my quiet time with Him. In the mornings, I use an app called First Five, which gives me a quick little devotional each day. It’s a great way to start the day. In the evenings, I spend a little bit more time with Him. I’m currently reading the Lipstick Gospel Devotional and also the book of Mark. I also spend my time journaling and talking to God a little bit more. I’m constantly saying things like…

“God, thanks for a good hair day.”

“Thank you for getting me to work safely.”

“Help me to work hard and do my best work today.”

“Oh, thank you for this free coffee coupon.”

“Jesus, I’m really anxious today and I feel like I’m going to cry. Please help me.”

I tell Jesus everything. We’re talking all day long, but at night, I take the time to really thank God for all the blessings, pray for those around me, and just talk to God with a little more intention if that makes sense.

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With all that said, I’m going to share how I spend my quiet time and study the Bible. I’m no “expert” or anything, this is just what I’ve found works well for me. Everyone is different, so I’d love to know how you study the Bible and spend time with Jesus! Drop it in a comment!

So, I typically start off my quiet time with a little prayer. I just ask God to help me understand what His word says and how I can apply that in my own life. After that, I open whatever devotional I’m reading for the day. I really like devotionals because they help me understand the Bible a little more. Again, right now, I’m reading the Lipstick Gospel. Sometimes, I’ll use the She Reads Truth app. I’ll open my journal and jot down the verses I’m reading and notes so I can always refer back to it if needed. In these notes, it is just like what I’ve learned from those verses. I’ll also underline them and sometimes jot down a note or two in my Bible. I don’t have a study Bible, so there isn’t too much room, but I like to jot down a few key notes if needed.

After that, I read a little bit of whatever book of the Bible I’m reading through. This is something new! I used to just do the devotional, but I decided that I wanted to do a little more. I was craving more of His word. I’m currently reading through Mark. I only do about a chapter or two each day so I can really focus on what I’m reading.

Once I’ve read my Bible, this is where I write down what I want to pray about. Everything from my boyfriend and our relationship, my mom and dad, my siblings, other family members, my friends, current situations happening in the world, this blog, my job, my future, my fears, what is bothering me, what I’m thankful for, what I don’t understand, and really just anything and everything. I like to write all this down so I don’t get side tracked and also so I can look back and see how God worked in every situation. Once I get it all jotted down in my journal, I pray.

That’s how I spend time with Jesus. Like I said, I am by no means an expert on the Bible, but I do know that spending time with Him is so important, so this is what works for me. Maybe this will work for you. Maybe it won’t. Maybe only part of this will and that is totally okay! Jesus just wants us to spend time with Him. He wants us to get to know Him. That’s all that matters.

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Right now, God is teaching me to trust Him. He’s saying, “hey, you don’t have to have your whole life planned out. Walk with me and I will guide you.”

What is He teaching you?

xo,

Amanda

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Sometimes, I can’t believe that I’m a college graduate.

College was such a great experience and I had so much fun, but also learned so much. I left college without a single regret. I think that is so important.

If you’re going to be a freshman in college, this post is for you! If you’re still in college, I hope to share some advice with you, too. If you know someone going to college, they might find this advice helpful!

College is an interesting time in your life. There are so many changes - being on your own for the first time, new city, new people, intense classes. College is a great part of your life. With all the changes, comes so much fun and new opportunities.

I was excited for college, but absolutely scared at the same time. I went to college knowing just my boyfriend, David. It was nice, but we both knew that we had to make some new friends.

Friends make college ten times better.

Here are some questions I've been asked and I'm sharing my advice with you! This post contains affiliate links for some products I recommend.

How can I make friends in college?

There are SO many answers, but first… keep your door open. If you’re just hanging out in your dorm room, keep the door open. Your hall mates will pop in and say hello. Invite them to the dining hall with you. Talk about your majors, what clubs you want to join, and your hometowns.

Another great way to make friends is get involved. Most college have organization fairs where you can check out all the clubs and organizations on campus. I was involved in a few clubs, including Her Campus, which as a journalism major, was super beneficial! I started as a staff writer, then social media coordinator, and then senior editor! I met so many great friends this way.

Getting involved in Greek Life is also a great way to meet friends! I am an AOII and honestly, I am so grateful for my sorority. It has shaped and changed my life in so many ways. I get emotional talking about it. There are a few different Greek councils and each do things a little differently, so if you’re unfamiliar with Greek life, definitely do some research about what councils, sororities, and fraternities your college has.

Is class attendance important?

I’m going to be real honest with you all here. I am a stickler for attendance. I pretty much always went to class, especially since for most of my classes, attendance was a grade. I also just knew I would miss a lot if I didn’t go, but there was an exception. In my economics class (yay for core classes), I had a terrible professor. I couldn’t understand how he taught and just nothing made sense. One day, I skipped class to go through the book and I found that I was able to teach myself the material, so… I only went to class on test days. The professor didn’t track attendance and I got a B in that class, so I mean, I guess I did something right. Do I recommend this? NO! Go to class. If you’ve got an issue, talk to your professor. I give you this example to tell you that I’m not perfect and you know, maybe you might find yourself in this situation and that’s okay.

Attendance is super important when it comes to your major classes, though. Hopefully, when you start taking courses related to your major, your professors have worked in that field before they started teaching. All my professors worked in media (most of them CNN and ABC News. My sports journalism professor is actually VP of Sports over at CNN currently) so not only did I enjoy these classes, I knew that these professors knew what they were talking about. I was always early to class, only missed if it was necessary and always gave them a heads up first.

Professors do take notice when you aren’t in class, so just go.

How will I balance classes, social life, and extracurriculars activities?

This will come with time, but first of all... a planner is your friend.

You won’t figure this out in the first week, but it so important to stick to some kind of schedule. Make classes a priority, but also make time for friends, fun, and any organizations or clubs you decide to join. You’ll learn that you can’t say yes to everyone and everything and that’s okay. You’ll learn that sometimes, you just need to put off writing that paper and spend an hour or two grabbing pizza and going on a Target run with your friends. Everyone has a different balance that works for them and you will figure this out with time.

What are some things I’ll need for college that I might not think of?

When it comes to college, bring all the necessities but also don’t bring too much. You will definitely want to have a bathrobe, especially if you’re living in the dorms. Having a bathrobe is so much better than just wrapping yourself in a towel. A good pair of headphones or earbuds is also super important for walking to class, working out, or chilling in the library or a coffee shop. Also, always keep an umbrella in your backpack. I watched so many people run through downtown Atlanta in the pouring rain after class because they left their umbrellas in their dorm room. Don’t underestimate the value of a good mattress pad. My mattress pad actually made my college bed so much more comfortable than my bed at home.

When should I buy my textbooks?

I would wait until after the first day of classes and you figure out if you’ll actually need it. Also, sometimes, I would buy the book before the first day of class and then find out that the professor changed the book last minute. That’s the worst. Also, I used the website TextSurf to find the cheapest price for all my textbooks! That website saved me so much money!

What if I get homesick?

You probably will get homesick and that’s okay, but I would avoid going home during the first six weeks of the semester. Stay in your new city. Explore your campus. Make new friends. I went home so many weekends during my first semester and I honestly missed out on so much! Call your parents a couple times a week, but just stay at school for the first six weeks. Soon, your college town will feel like home, too!

I’m so excited for you to start your college experience! If you have any other questions, ask away! I’d love to post some more advice for you.

I majored in journalism and film media. What are you majoring in? Comment below!

xo,

Amanda

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It’s been a bit of a stressful week for me and I would appreciate prayers, good vibes, whatever it is you believe it. Just being super honest with you all.

Now, to the real point of this post: resumes. Resumes are super important, even if you aren’t actively on the hunt for a job. I do a check of my resume about once a month just to make sure that everything is accurate and is up to date. My resume needs to accurately represent me because when I am applying for jobs, that is probably the thing that gives off the first impression about me.

I had a professor in college who made us all turn in a resume as part of our final grade. Many people thought it was kind of odd, but I took this opportunity to learn from her. She worked as a reporter for ABC News, specifically 20/20, and even CNN, so I wanted to know what she thought was important to have. I used office hours to soak up her advice on resumes and so much more about the industry I now work in.

Because of that professor, I am really proud of the way my resume looks and receive compliments all the time about it.

I’ve learned a few things that I want to share with you today. Welcome to Resume Building 101. Can we call it that?

1. Format is IMPORTANT

As much as it sucks, truth is that usually, your resume doesn’t thoroughly get read the first time. If your resume is hard to read, then in the 20-ish seconds your resume is scanned, the important stuff probably won’t be seen.

When creating your resume, use clean type, a good format, and clear headings. Microsoft Word has so many templates. Canva also has great templates, too!

The use of italic and bold type can help guide the reader’s eye. Bullet points are also great to use on your resume.

2. List your accomplishment, not only job descriptions

It is important to know what you did at your job, not just what your job was. Use a line or two to put your job description, but then list some accomplishments. Also, most resumes are scanned through software, so a human might never even see it. Keywords are important here.

3. Cater your resume for the industry

I worked concession in high school and throughout college. I also worked as a nanny, but you won’t find this on my resume or even my LinkedIn. Why? Because it isn’t relevant to the media industry. Also, this is where the look of your resume is important. If you’re looking to get into graphic design, then you should definitely have a creative design and layout on your resume. If you’re going into engineering, then an elaborate design probably isn’t necessary.

4. Ditch the objective

This was the first thing my professor crossed off on my resume when I brought it to her and I’ve heard this advice so many times since. The objective really doesn’t tell the hiring manager anything. If you want to replace this section, replace it with a career summary. This gives a brief overview and who you are and what you do. Think of it as your elevator pitch almost.

5. The most important things go at the top

The top third of your resume is the most valuable so make it count. Use this space for name and contact info (phone, email, LinkedIn URL), skills, and experience.

Ready to step up your resume game?

Related: How To Get Your Dream Internship

If you need any examples, you can go to my portfolio and I’ve got a link to my resume on there! There are also so many great examples on Google! Seriously. The internet has EVERYTHING!

Happy resume building!

xo,

Amanda

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Do you want to know one of my favorite things in the world? You’re going to think I’m so lame, and that’s okay because quite honestly, I am. Haha!

Sleep. Good sleep is one of my favorite things in the world. I absolutely love being in bed and just relaxing and then going to sleep at a reasonable hour. Like, I’m asleep by 10 p.m. most nights. The other night, I was asleep by 9:15 p.m.

A night out and getting back at like 5 a.m. is fun sometimes, but this girl likes her sleep. Can you relate?

A good night’s sleep always makes my day so much better, you know? I love waking up and feeling super refreshed and ready to tackle my day.

Maybe a good night’s sleep feels so far and few between for you. Maybe a good night’s sleep seems like a dream, but it shouldn’t be. You can get better sleep tonight and I’m going to share some of my tips to a good night’s sleep that should have you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day!

1. Use a sleep cycle clock

Even if you got 9 hours of sleep, if you wake up in the middle of your REM cycle, you’ll wake up feeling groggy and it’ll probably last all day. I use the app Sleep Cycle that wakes me up in the lightest stage of my sleep and it is wonderful. Try it!

2. Keep your room dark and cool

Even the smallest bit of light can disturb your sleep. Turn out the lights and if you have a digital clock, set the light to the dimmest setting. This is also where a sleep mask is also super helpful! I’m on the hunt for one, so if you have any suggestions, let me know!

Temperature is also important! I can’t sleep if I’m too hot or too cold. According to Dr. Christopher Winter, M.D.., the best temperature for sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees.

3. Put away all devices about an hour before bed

Because I like to be asleep by 10 p.m., all the electronics are put away by 9 p.m. I even have my phone set to be on “Do Not Disturb” mode from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. This way, I can just plug it up and leave it alone. Side note: I’ve also turned off all notifications except for calls, texts, and Facetimes and I check my phone a whole lot less. It is incredible.

4. Ditch your afternoon coffee

I love love love coffee. Seriously, I love it. I am all about a good cup of coffee, but I try to lay off caffeine by 2 p.m. each day. Caffeine can sometimes make it harder to fall asleep.

5. Don’t nap too long

I love naps. One thing I miss about college is the naps. With my schedule now, I can’t really sneak in a quick nap. On days that I can nap, I don’t do it too close to bedtime and I don’t nap any longer until 30 minutes. Naps are good for you, just nap wisely.

Popular: 12 Tips For Living Eco-Friendly

Are you ready for a good night’s sleep? Good sleep can really make your day so much better.

Like I said earlier, I’m typically asleep by 10 p.m. What about you?

Oh, before I go, quick update! I'm changing the blog schedule a little bit, so expect posts every Monday and Thursday from now on! Hope you don't mind. And if you haven't yet, become an official member of the fam here. I'd love to have you join and I give you a free gift to say hello!

xo,

Amanda

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