New Year, New Site!

This blogging thing has really taken off for me! I love posting on topics I find important or fun.

The link to my new blog is: http://joelyatchison.wix.com/collegegirlspearls

After posting to social media about updating my old blog page, my sweet cousin Megan asked if she could help and make a new site for me. Of course I accepted and she created the page you see before you! I am in LOVE with the new look and could not be happier that it has come at the perfect time, a NEW year and that I will be able to start on my Wednesday posting dates again.

I will work hard to post weekly, but I am a college student first so I may miss a few posts or be late. However, I am doing my best to keep things up and be super organized. That was in fact one of my goals for the year, organization.

Quick update on what is happening: 

I am starting my Spring semester at UF today and am stoked about my courses. I have Biology for Non-Majors, Popular Music in American History, Statistics, and Spanish. I actually like all the subjects and can not wait to start. Also, I am happily still at Ulta. I got to take 2 weeks off to spend the holidays with my favorite group of people in the world, my family, but am so happy to be back. I love my job!

I also used one of my favorite Christmas gifts for the first time last night, my crockpot!! I made monkey bread from a recipe I found on Pinterest. It was super simple and I made it in the wee hours of the morning, since I am always up at 3 am and it was done for breakfast this morning. And just incase you were wondering it goes great with coffee! The perfect way to statr off this chilly morning in Gainesville.

Here is the link to the reciepe for anyone interested: 

http://www.tammileetips.com/2013/03/crock-pot-monkey-bread/

Hope you all love the new site as much as I do, and let me know if there is anything you would like to see posted about!

xoxo, 

Joels

Cheers to a New Year!

Happy New Year!!! 2016 is going to be an amazing year.

Recapping 2015, I realized it was such a growing year for me. I turned 18, graduated high school, started college at my dream school, and have kept and made many life long friendships. I moved away from my hometown and family, which made me grow as an individual and learn to deal with different people. 

In 2016 I don't want to make resolutions that I know I will later break; instead I am going to set goals to work towards. My 2016 goals are:

-Pass all my classes with A's and B's

-Learn more cooking skills

-Expand my vocabulary

-Start working out more

-Improve my organization

-Try more new things

-Go on different adventures

-Work on doing more things outside of my comfort zone

-Find an apartment

-Find a new church in Gainesville

-Have my faith grow

-Post to my blog more often

I hope you all reach your goals in 2016 as well!!!

Cheers to 2016!

Christmas is Coming to Town!

Hey y'all! 

Sorry for being MIA the past 2 months. I have been go, go, going for class, work, finals and of course the holidays. 

As Thanksgiving passed I had a moment to reflect on all I have to be thankful for this year. I was able to graduate in the top of my high school class, begin college at The University of Florida, the continuous strong connection my family has, and all the other blessings the Lord has given me. Of course there were low points, but they have made me stronger and really focus on what is important to me. All the other distractions are just outside noise. I am so very thankful as well for my parents. They have supported me through my time in high school and continue to support and fund my continued education at the school of my dreams. Thank you both ( I know you read these) I love you so much!!

While Christmas approaches, faith and family traditions have been on my mind. The true meaning of the season is the birth of Jesus Christ and how he came to save us. I feel so blessed and comforted by knowing that the Lord would send Jesus for us, and that my family believes in His beautiful gift of grace as well. 

Family traditions are some of my favorite things about the Christmas season as well. Some of my family's traditions include: going Christmas lights looking while drinking milkshakes (because let's face it, this is FL and a cold Christmas is rare), baking and decorating cookies, talking with my brothers asking what we each know the others are getting, going to my Granny and Papa's Christmas Eve, and snowman pancakes (decorated with candy) Christmas morning after my younger brother insists on waking us up at the crack of dawn.

Wishing you all the Merriest Christmas and Happy New Year!

xoxo,

Joels

Keep Going!

Motivation is something not all college kids seem to have, especially since it is coming to the end of the semester. However, it is crucial to keep pushing through the moments of fatigue, insecurity, and exhaustion.  Here are some of the quotes I find helpful to keep me positive, and keep me going!

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."- Philippians 4:13

Mistakes are proof that you are trying.

When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.

Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you will lad among the stars.

Drink some coffee. Put some gangster rap on. And handle it.

" You have brains in your head. You have feet in you shoes. You cans steer yourself any direction you chose."- Dr. Seuss

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says I'm possible.

Let go and let God.

"Don't worry about being successful but work towards being significant and the success will naturally follow."- Opera Winfrey

Last but not least:

Skin Care Tips

A few weeks ago I posted about all the make up I wear on a pretty regular basis. However, I am also a huge fan of proper skin care. Let's face it being in college there isn't enough time to deeply clean your skin daily, or enough money in your wallet to get a facial as often as recommended. There are some quick things you can do to keep your skin healthy though.

1. Remove your makeup daily- This is uber important because if you don't it will clog your pores and can cause breakouts.

2. Pore strips- I use pore strips about once a week to just get all the extra gunck out. I put mine on right after a shower when the steam has my pores open already. Leave it on for 10-15 mins and then remove and rinse off the excess pore strip residue that is left behind.

3. Wash your face daily- I use a face washing brush to get it deeply clean.

4. Use facial masks- I use face masks about 1-3 times a week. There are so many different ones out there. I like the ones that clean pores, brighten skin, and moisturize it. Use the ones that work the best, not just the ones that smell the best.

5. Moisturize- Moisturize your skin daily! That's all I have to say about that!

6. Go without makeup once in a while- It is healthy to go a day without make up. I usually do once a week. I don't have classes on Tuesdays so I usually choose that day or Sunday's when I clean.

7. The No- Makeup Tutorial- I stubbled upon this beauty of a YouTube video while looking on http://thehautemess.com/. I have tried it and love it!! I think I use it at least 2 times a week when I don't have a lot of time to get ready for class. Check it out with the link below:
No Makeup Tutorial

Better Together

This week has been full of studying! Midterms and exam galore here at UF.

Over the summer I wrote a post about studying and how it can be beneficial to study either in a group or by yourself. I focused mainly on self study habits, but now want to touch upon group studying and its benefits.

Recently classes have been getting tougher and everyone is getting that burned out feel. However, now is not the time to slack off and take it easy. Now is the time to buckle down and focus on your academics, but you may need some reinforcements. When making study groups be mindful to:

1. Get in a group with people you like- Studying with people you know can be a plus because they are easier to talk to and easier to keep in contact with.

2. Plan when to meet before hand- Nothing is worse than a really last minute study group plan when only 1/2 the group actually shows. Make a group text, friend each other on Facebook, or pick a person who is in charge of letting everyone know what the plans are. Pick a spot and time that works for everyone, or at least a majority of the group.

3. Stay focused- Studying with a group can be dangerous in the sense that you all want to share and can go off topic at the drop of a hat. By relating back to the topic constantly you can prevent wasted time.

4. Talk through terms and concepts by making examples- Relate what you are talking about to what you know. For example, my study group for social psychology relates the terms to  fraternity examples because it is something we are all familiar with, and can remember easier than possible examples form the book or a lengthy definition.

5. Make flash cards- Quizzing each other on terms can be a quick and fun way to learn material or review old material quickly.

6. Take it seriously, but not too seriously- You want to make sure that you are getting the material down, but don't freak out if you start talking about weekend plans. These are your friends so sidde conversations are bound to come up.

Press Play

Music is something I can control in my crazy life. I can change my playlist at the drop of a hat, or make a new one to fit my mood. I have also been told I make some pretty interesting playlists!

As far as music streaming goes, I personally love Spotify. You can create a free account where you can make as many playlists as you want and save as many songs as you desire, but you have ads and limited skipping abilities. There is also the premium membership where you can make as many playlist and save as many songs as you need, but you do not get interrupted, can skip as much as you want, and have the option to download your songs and playlists to your phone, tablet, or laptop and listen to them offline (without wifi). The premium membership is usually free for 1 week, then can be $0.99 per month for 3 months then increases in price to $9.99 per month. However, if you are a college student you can get premium for $4.99 a month if you sign up with your college email. I use the student discount so I can have my music at all times and skip as often as I feel fit. Since I use the app basically all day this is the best option for me, but the free membership is awesome as well.

There are SO many different playlists to create! I have made several which are my go-to's.

1. Roadtrip- This one I fill with upbeat songs that will make the drives from UF to my home town more fun and amusing. Throw some throwbacks in so that you can really get into the driving spirit. Don't add too many that you HAVE to dance to, be mindful you will be driving! Also, make sure that you make it as long as the trip takes. Add some buffer songs too incase you get stuck in traffic or make a few pit stops.

2. Throwback- It is always fun to listen to oldies but goodies. Put some of your favorites from middle and high school along with some 80's and 90's songs. My personal favorites include the Backstreet Boys, Pat Benatar, The Cranberries, Michelle Branch, and of course a few Jonas Brothers songs, because why not?

3. Studying- While studying I find that instrumental music works best. When I am reading and studying for a test it can be distracting to be listening to the lyrics of a song. Also make this one for a few hours so that you don't have to listen to the same song over and over again.

4. In the feels- Whenever you don't feel like a bubbly ball of sunshine this one will help you work through all those feelings. Sam Smith can help a lot when you are down in the dumps.

5. Randomness- My personal favorite! I love this because I put a little bit of everything in there. Upbeat Top 40 hits? Got it. Country? Got it. Oldies? Got it. Calm music? Got it. Hard core rock? Got it. Awesome Christian/ worship songs? Got them. I go to this one the most because when placed on shuffle you never know what you are going to get and they are all your favorite songs!

6. Discover Weekly- Spotify makes a weekly playlist for you with songs they think you make like based on prior saved songs. It can help you discover new artists or find that one song you forgot you loved.

7. Books- Audio books are amazing!! I love being able to listen to the books as I clean, cook, or drive. Spotify offers different genres and even learning languages books.

There are so many other playlist options and each is different and amazing. Another thing to brag on about Spotify is that you can share and steal playlists with your friends who have Spotify accounts. I love to take a look and see what my friends listen to and take songs here and there or entire playlists.

Happy playlist making and music jamming!