to do lists

To do lists. Do they make you more or less productive?

I appreciate the irony of being sat here with a massive to do list of revision for my big exam Friday - whilst procrastinating for half an hour playing around on my computer. It's hardly making me productive. However whether that's the to do list to blame or the length of time I've spent revising is anyone's guess...

I seem to be finding myself focusing far more on my Easter holiday plans and 'to do' list than my impending exam. There is something very satisfying about writing it all down neatly (especially in coloured pens!) and then crossing them off when you've achieved it.

However, it seems that I spend more time making the to do lists than I do actually doing the items on them. Hmmm. There's a concept I've heard about called bullet journalling - which is all about to do lists and plans at speed, so you can quickly and objectively look at what you have and haven't done, and move items around when necessary. I think I might try this in my holiday!

2 sleeps until my break - and I really can't wait!

switching off.

Med school. From the moment we get here, the necessity of a good work-life balance is drummed into us. It's the hope that the scales will align, that our schedules will be juggled sufficiently enough to prevent the pressures of the course causing nervous breakdowns before we even enter the medical profession.

Like most things, however, it is easier said than done. Whilst juggling impending exams & deadlines, attempts at a healthy lifestyle and a social life can become a little...weak. And with all the time spent hunched over textbooks and your laptop, trying to figure out what yet another acronym means, mental breaks can get few and far between.

I'm definitely not the best person to be preaching this, but I definitely believe that sometimes, you do just need to disconnect. It's definitely easier said than done, but sometimes all you need is to take a day to yourself. Whether you spend it with friends, or glued to a book - or even just doing nothing at all, thinking about something other than your education can do wonders to recharge your batteries.

I'm a firm advocate of organisation being the key to success; both academically and emotionally. It enables you to juggle far more than you thought you were capable of, and can help you to plan a healthier lifestyle. But it's important not to compartmentalise every minute of your day. In doing this, your life becomes separate segments - not the integrated complexity weaved together that you are. The fibres of your being are infinitely weaker separated out than they are knitted together.

I'm not quite sure of the purpose of this post. Call it intense procrastination - whatever. But sometimes, I think it's important to stop being a student, and just be. We all need to forget about work every once in a while. And who knows - maybe the work-life balance will follow. 

musings

I seem to hit bursts of creativity in life. From songs to stories, thoughts flutter around my head and they seem impossible - like butterflies - to snatch out of the air and put down on paper. As soon as I attempt to do so, they dissolve and leave me grasping at nothing.

I love the idea of blogging - a record of my life, my thoughts and feelings as I progress through life. More cohesive than a diary, but it somehow seems less personal too. However I seem to get too caught up in the 'perfection' and the visuality of it - not wanting it to go up until it looks 'right', and often failing to achieve this. Maybe I should work on getting my thoughts down, and working on its look second. To just write, and let my brain whir.

So I guess this is a post. Not so much a promise, or a commitment. But an idea. I hope that maybe, I'll be able to kick myself into gear (although how soon I am unsure - exams and deadlines are looming). Maybe I'll work on the concepts before the aesthetics. But we'll see.

Brighton Pride

As I'm sure you may know, this weekend was Brighton Pride. It's a festival celebrating LGBT culture, and features a parade with floats from many local organisations and companies, as well as street parties, a festival and music. Pride celebrates equality and it was such an enjoyable experience to see such a diverse range of people enjoying the day! 

A friend from uni was staying and we drove down for a few hours, along with my younger brother. We watched the parade from by St Peter's Church, then grabbed some food from the street vans and sat out in the sun for lunch. After that we had a wander down to the beach - the weather was amazing, and I can honestly say that I've never seen the sky so clear. 

Although I'm incredibly sunburnt now (ouch), it was a lovely day, and I was in awe of the sheer number of people all enjoying the festival. My friend took a few photos (I think I took the last one in this selection), and I thought I'd share them here.

we'll always have Paris

Paris. the most magical city in the world, where high fashion mixes almost seamlessly with the fakes and tat hawked by the street sellers on every corner. where islands exist right in the heart of the city, and even the pigeons seem classier than those in England.

I was lucky enough to be there for two short days including la fete nationale last year, and on searching through my old camera roll, stumbled across a few of my favourites. It took me right back to breakfast on a street cafe on the enchanting Saint Louis-en Isle, and climbing the arc de triomphe, and I had to share.

1 year

Hello internet! I must say, it's been a while...

Although it feels as though I may be shouting into the void a little here, I just wanted to touch base on where I'm at in life. And, as of today 18th June 2016, I am all moved out of university halls, so I guess life as a fresher is pretty much over. All being well regarding my final exam, I've finished my first year at medical school - and what a year it's been!

There's definitely been ups and downs, with low points including having a nervous breakdown over at the recycling bin, but the ups have by far superseded the downs. It's been a fab year with a great bunch of people, and every day I spend here reminds me how lucky I am to be working towards my dream!

I've learnt so much this year; not only in a medical situation but about myself as well. University is more than just getting a degree; it's learning how to live independently. It's been a bit of a learning curve, but I think I'm getting there!

Of course I've discovered some pretty cool medical related things as well! From understanding the naming behind an epi-pen, to being able to spout causes of steatosis, my knowledge has expanded more than I realised was possible, and I'm simultaneously thrilled and terrified at the prospect of another four or five years of this. Witnessing healthcare from a student perspective has also been fascinating, and I can't wait for another year of clinical placements in hospitals and GP surgeries! 

So that's me. One year down: older, somewhat wiser, and definitely a whole lot wearier. All for the better though - I cannot wait to see what the next year brings! 

Prom 2015

So, last night marked my final event as a member of my school: our sixth form leavers prom. It was a great night; the school looked so beautiful and it was lovely to see everybody so dressed up. The free bar, buffet & music all set up for an amazing evening dancing and socialising, although I was definitely yawning my way through work today!

I thought I'd do a quick outfit, hair & make up post just explaining how I achieved my look - hopefully you'll agree with me that it was simple but elegant. 

My dress itself was this green number from Phase Eight. As you can see from the photo, it had a cut away skirt and the bottom was sheer, so it was simultaneously short and long, which I loved. To me, it felt very Grecian so I teamed it with gold sandals from New Look and this long golden pearl necklace. I wanted to keep it simple, so I wore small gold earrings that had been a christmas present.

My hairstyle

Close up of the front of the dress, and my make up

In keeping with the Grecian style, I did a mid-placement bun, separating out a segment of hair on each side of the bun. I then french-plaited these back, and wrapped them around the bun. This photo was quickly taken by my mum to show me the back, so we made sure to hide the pins after this!

I then used Half-Baked from the Naked 2 palette all over my eyelids, and used a thin layer of black liquid eyeliner to create the illusion of thicker lashes. I had hoped to do more of a golden smokey eye for a more dramatic effect, but unfortunately I ran out of time. I still liked the end result though! My brows were defined using the Nars brow mascara in mid brown. I always feel vaguely clownish in even the most subtle of lipsticks, as knowing me it will inevitably end up halfway across my face. So, I settled for my Nars 'Anita' lipstick, which is a natural looking pinkish nude. 

To finish off, I just thought I'd show you a couple more photos from the night. The first is my twin brother and I (my shoes failed to make any appearances after ten o'clock...ahem), and the second is a group photo with my friends! It was such a lovely evening and I am so excited to share these photos!

Has anyone else been to a prom this year, or maybe their graduation? I'd love to see some photos! I'm off to Prague soon, so keep an eye on my blog for a travel diary from my visit.

Helena x