Finals have crept up on us here at FBG - cue a few minor breakdowns, several pleas for graduation to hurry up, and a lot of coffee. If you're also trying to hang on to that GPA, no worries. We've got you covered with a few of our study tips. We wish you ladies luck with finals!

RACHEL
Unplug
     Studying is such a personal venture that nothing is a universal solution. However, I have found that avoiding unnecessary contact with the computer or cell is hugely beneficial. I am always for an occasional break from texts, tweets, etc. - but it becomes especially important whilst I'm studying. The last thing I want to do by the end of the semester is write a research paper, so distractions automatically become more alluring. Try doing as much work as possible without a computer. Use the 'Do Not Disturb' mode on your phone. Do a little preliminary research for your essay and then log off to write an outline by hand.  Then you can return to the computer with a clear idea of what you want to write, so you're more likely to stay focused. Need to nail a final? Print off a hard copy of your study guide (definitely make one if it's not provided for you) and keep it with you to get in a little studying whenever you can. I quite like to do this, and then give myself a break. I'll watch television, and on commercial breaks mute the TV and read through my study guide. This is also helpful if you have any downtime at work or between classes, since you won't need access to a computer or heavy books on hand.

TESSA
Take a Break
      
       Seems that I'm taking the opposite route of Rachel a bit here, but to me, nothing is worse than the looming endless studying I have. The biggest thing I've found that helps me is to just take a break and walk away. At some point, you can only cram so much, and there's no use in stressing out more. Not to say that you shouldn't study at all, but taking a break can be hugely beneficial. Even if it's just taking 20 minutes to do a quick work out, or go grab froyo with a friend, or catch a few minutes of a game, it's well worth it to keep your sanity. This is really helpful if the subject you're studying for is one you're absolutely dreading (for me, abnormal psychology) or you're really stressing out over it. So take a deep breath, and take a couple minutes for yourself. At the end of the day, it's just a test, not life or death.

JENNY
Get out of your house/apartment
       
       Many people are able to study in their apartment or house. I was even able to last semester on a consistent basis. However, last finals and this entire semester I've taken a different route and basically lived at the library. Last semester, my friends and I camped out at a table on one of the quiet floors of the library and buckled down for twelve hours at a time. Granted, this method isn't optimum for those who can't study for longer periods of time but we would often take breaks to get food or go home for a quick nap (emphasis on quick). The best part about having your friends there is that they motivate you to get work done because everyone absolutely has to study. Also, when you want to go home for a nap or to grab a quick bite, you don't have to pack up all your stuff! Bonus.

     Oh, the Ides of March are upon us and with them arrives midterms. So it's only natural that we here at FBG are more frantic than usual. During all our scrambling to finish papers and complete exams, there is a much needed time for a break. Be it music, food, or what have you - this is how we wind down when life just needs to not (insert sassy talk to the hand emoji).

rachel
April Come She Will - Simon & Garfunkel
     I know you get a large enough dose of my music taste via On Repeat, but I couldn't not mention this. It is possibly the most cliche choice ever for laid back music, but whatever. Any time life, school, or functioning in general gets old, I tend to pop on my noise cancelling headphones (lifesaving) and have a listen. It's quite a short song, so an easy way to take a quick break from studying. Not to mention it made an appearance in Parks & Rec and I CANNOT resist an Andy/April reference.
tessa
Netflix
Well I'm going to join every college student ever here and pick Netflix. It's easily my favorite distraction from life on a regular basis (and biggest procrastination tool - because I just HAVE to fit in one more episode before I start homework). Anyway, lately I've been hooked on the Once Upon a Time series, which I'm approximately 5,000 years behind on, but whatever. I saw a preview that they were tying Wicked in this season and thus made it my mission to catch up. Another favorite go-to, especially when I'm studying, is any Disney movie. I've seen them all so many times that I don't have to actually pay attention to it, but it's nice background noise and I enjoy my fair share of sing-a-longs.


tori
The Princess Bride
I know I just talked about this movie in February, but I mean, it's The Princess Bride. This movie (along with Pride & Prejudice) have been so engrained in my memory that I don't need to fully pay attention to know exactly what part of the movie is on. That being said, this movie is great to have on as background noise or just to take a break. By break I mean once you start watching a movie, you're probably not going back to studying, so good luck.

If you're anything like me there are some things you just can't be without (my watch, my phone). This is no different when I venture on to campus (ugh). And in full spirit of getting back into routine, I thought I'd share my campus essentials.

BEAUTY

• Lotion (Nivea Extended Moisture): Since Kansas has decided to be an absolute gem this winter, my hands have been ridiculously dehydrated and I'm always feeling the need to apply lotion. I got a sample size of this a while back and threw it into my bag. It's not my favorite, but it'll work until I get my hands (haha, I'm not Rachel I promise) on another Soap & Glory Hand Food travel size.
• Body Spray (Bath & Body Works, Be Enchanted): I don't use this all that often, but it's nice to have. I really should update the scent, since this one has been in my bag since August, but it's almost spring again — okay, maybe not but close enough? — so it'll probably stay.
• Hand Sanitizer (Bath & Body Works, Island Margarita): I wish they had this scent year round because it's my favorite ever, and yes, I fully plan on stocking up on the candle. Anyway, if you don't carry hand sanitizer on campus, you're crazy. It's pretty self explanatory.
• Chapstick (Maybelline Baby Lips in Melon): Another self explanatory product. Do I ever leave the house without a Baby Lips and/or EOS? The answer is no.

Well, everyone else has done their resolutions for 2014. Why am I not surprised that I procrastinated making resolutions? Sometimes I astound myself with my mastery of procrastination. Anyway, I've split up my resolutions into three categories: beauty, school, and personal. Here goes!

beauty

1. Wear eyeshadow more often. I have a serious obsession with lip products so I tend to keep my eyelids bare using Painterly from MAC. This year, I want to really delve into my eyeshadow palettes and create some new looks because otherwise they're mostly just sitting in my collection! No bueno
2. Master my brows. I'm still a little unsure of how to do my brows. I tend to just wing it and sometimes it looks normal and sometimes I look.... not normal. This year I need to get on top of them!
3. Set up a complete skincare regimen. This resolution has already begun. I invested in a PTR toner and am going to pick up the Murad Clarifying Cleanser soon as well. Makeup will look even better if you have a clean canvas!

Hey guys! So in the last post I mentioned how I was starting school and work, so I made a video about how that's going (ew. all time low motivation levels). Anywho, I sort of rambled about my hectic schedule and my goals for the semester. So go watch that video over here!

And as always, feel free to leave a comment on posts/ videos you would like to see the girls and I film.

See you guys next week!
xxTori