Tag: Class

5 Ways to Boost Your Mood This Semester

A new year means new trends, new friends, and a fresh start for most people. But let’s not kid ourselves, by October you can find students weeping over a burrito bowl wearing the same sweatshirt they’ve worn for the last two days and a to-do list that’s a mile long. Trying to keep up with academic, financial, and social responsibilities can leave us feeling overwhelmed and undervalued. Over the years, I’ve established some go-to tactics to shake off the stress.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

1—Sweat It Out!

We just established that you have a million things to do, so how will you have time to hit the gym? Relax. Going for a slow jog around the block, doing some yoga on your porch, or even going on a bike ride with a friend will release endorphins to boost your mood.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

2—Treat Yo’ Self

Tom Haverford had it right. Don’t be so hard on yourself! Once a week, take the time to do something just for yourself. It could be ordering in your favorite takeout, making yourself an utterly enchanting bubble bath, or buying the pair of cute booties you’ve been eyeballing since July. Even taking just a little time to focus on something other than your projects will make you feel much better.

3—Say Goodnight.

Getting enough sleep during the school year is a challenge all on its own. But going to bed at a reasonable hour is a major key. Have you ever had a day filled with brain farts where you could never focus on a task or struggle finding the right words when you’re having conversations? Just like your MacBook when you have 1,987 tabs open, your brain gets overworked. And when it does, you’re more irritable, less focused, and in turn more stressed. Have some warm tea, listen to your favorite John Mayer song, and hit the lights.

PHOTO: Anna Coke

4—Reprioritize and Organize.

I used to hate that my mother made me organize my room and my schedule religiously, but because of that I did well in school and was able to tackle a heavy schedule. Taking the time to organize your private space really does wonders for your stress. An open, easy-to-navigate environment (with maybe a nice candle or two) is proven to boost your mood. Figure out what tasks are most important and what things you can wait to accomplish so you can allocate your time more wisely.

PHOTO: Emily Truong

5—Tune it out.

Music is such a great way to lighten the mood and boost productivity. Spotify has loads of great playlists perfect for any occasion. I could listen to John Legend and no matter how moody I am, I’ll feel a million times better. Build a playlist for your study sessions or even just to listen to around campus. Listen to new artists and don’t be afraid to experience new genres.

What are your favorite mood-boosting tips? Share with us in the comments below or on social media by tagging @CFashionista.

Dreading Your Early Morning Class? Try These 3 Outfit Hacks

Oh, the joys of an early morning class. I was such a morning person before I came to college. It was no problem to wake up at 6 a.m. and get ready for school. But when I came to college, it was a whole different ballgame. It was not as easy as walking downstairs to eat breakfast and driving to school. You have to walk to the dining hall, and then still walk across campus to class—basically waking up 30 minutes earlier.

PHOTO: Michelle Szczech

My first semester, I did not willingly take an 8 a.m. class—I had a mandatory University Perspectives class. As if it wasn’t hard enough getting up and getting dressed, it was also an eight-week class that started in the middle of the semester. But don’t worry: I learned that you can still wake up early and dress cute and comfortably. Here are a few outfits even you can throw on at 7 a.m.!

1—Athleisure. This is my favorite trend. The athleisure style is when you dress like you’re going to the gym, but you don’t actually go. Nice, right? All you need is a pair of leggings and some tennis shoes. By now, almost every major store carries some type of athleisure attire.

2—Mom jeans Mom jeans got their name because you got them from the best store—your mom’s closet! These are my favorite kind of jeans because they aren’t super tight. You can wear these all day without dying to take them off. I love mom jeans because they give me more mobility than skinny jeans, but they are nicer than leggings. These high-waisted jeans were popular in the ’90s.

3—Boyfriend jeans. Boyfriend jeans are similar to mom jeans in that they are looser than skinny jeans. However, in some cases, they are tighter than mom jeans. They first came on the scene in the ’60s. They’re very baggy and they are usually made with a harder type of denim.

Leave your super tight leather pants at home, because chances are you’ll opt for something more comfortable on those early mornings before class.

What do you like wearing to class? Show us on social media, and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

The Back-to-School Bucket List You Need This Fall

School is officially back in session and fall is right around the corner. I couldn’t be more excited for the leaves to start changing colors, the return of football, and the fresh start that a new season brings. However, I know that getting into the swing of things can be extremely difficult, especially in college. That’s why I like to make a back to school bucket list each fall so that I can start the year ready to conquer whatever may lie ahead. It’s also a good way to make the most out of every experience! Whether you’re a new freshman, a graduating senior, or anywhere in between, you will want to make your own back to school bucket list. Here are the top three items on my bucket list.

1—Get a planner you’ll actually use

This may sound like a no-brainer, but I’m a firm believer that there are two types of planner users: those who use them systematically and those who don’t use them at all. I don’t know about you guys, but I tend to fall in the latter. I can’t bring myself to keep it updated as often as I need to or I don’t have “that much” going on a certain week, so I lose track, etc. Whatever the reason, I can never stick with it for an entire year. However, this year I intend to change that. I spent a long time choosing a planner I loved, and I’ve challenged myself to keep up with it and stay organized.

PHOTO: Anna Buckman

2—Try a class outside of your comfort zone

I am a communication studies major, who pretty much only takes communication classes. However, that’s not getting the full college experience, so I like to challenge myself to take a class I wouldn’t normally take. These have ranged from criminal justice to theater to psychology classes. Take advantage of all your school has to offer!

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

3—Participate in a school function

I don’t know your school’s level of spirit, but at the University of Alabama, we pretty much live and breathe the Crimson Tide. Maybe you don’t have football, therefore, I encourage you to try something else. Last year, I participated in the Alabama Dance Marathon where we danced for 12 hours straight to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network! I grew closer to my city and my school and that’s something I think everyone should experience!

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

Overall, the biggest item on my list every year is to make as many memories as I can and enjoy every single moment. College flies by in the blink of an eye; I remember thinking this even my freshman year. These four years are truly some of the most challenging, fulfilling, and life-changing. While they may not be “the best four years,” in my opinion, they come pretty dang close.

Do you have your own back to school bucket list? Share it with us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The September “Rally” Moodboard is Here!

September hits and suddenly the reality sets in: summer is o-v-e-r. How can it be? Your bucket list isn’t complete. The temperature is still in the 80s. Heck, your tan hasn’t even faded. How, then, can you possibly come to terms with the fact that it’s time to head back to school?

This month is full of opportunities to rally in every sense of the word. Sure, summer might be over, but that doesn’t mean your world is. It’s the start of the school year; beginning of a new season. Pull yourself up and use these fresh starts as opportunities to step outside your comfort zone, embrace everything around you, and rise to the occasion.

The concept of rally also means coming together. In this moment and political climate, we can all use an excuse for an everyday “pep rally.” Show support for teams, causes, and people in your life that you are passionate about. Laugh. Cheer. Celebrate your friendships. Enjoy all that college life has to offer.

Let’s bask in the memories of summer, but not sulk or mourn them. Prepare and commit to making this the best school year yet, knowing that we’re all rallying behind you.

To kick-off this month, check out our September Mood Board on Pinterest to get you in the playful mood!

What to Wear to Your First Day of Class

Every semester I make a goal to dress nicely for class. It lasts for a good two days before I fall prey to my comfy leggings and a tank top. As I embark on my junior year, I am determined to finally achieve my goal of looking presentable for class. So, I have put together a good outfit that would be great for the first day of class or any ordinary day.

For my first day of class, I paired my high-rise slim boyfriend jeans with a button-down. Rather than just wearing my button-down as it is, I tied the bottom. I unbuttoned the bottom two buttons and double knotted it so it would stay put the entire day. By tying the bottom, it turns your simple button down, into a cropped, low key top. You can still look presentable by also looking casual just by tying your button down or flannel. For shoes, I chose a comfortable, but cute sandal. Comfort is key when choosing a shoe for class since you walk all over campus.

Now to accessorize, I chose a simple, gold necklace that has my first initial on it. Simpler is better for a casual look for class. I also chose my tote instead of my backpack because the tote completes the outfit. Pick a big enough bag that can hold your laptop, notebooks, and, of course, your favorite snack for when you get hungry during class. As much as I love my backpack, it does not fit the theme of the outfit. Save your backpack for an athleisure outfit.

You can also do many more outfits for class than just this one. You can wear a peplum short sleeve top with jeans, pair your jeans with a T-shirt and sneakers, etc. The options are endless.

What do you wear to your first day of class? Let us know on social media by tagging @CFashionista.

Back-to-School Outfit Inspo From the Coolest Girls on Campus

Created with Topshop

Between scary professors, the guy across the hall, and hundreds of new classmates, the first day back to school is not without its pressure. Yet while the first day back used to be the time to go all out, every cool girl has come to learn over the years that it’s the kiss of death to look like you tried too hard to look good—and who has time, anyway? You have syllabi to review and reunions to host.

Fortunately, we got the chance to catch up with the coolest girls we know to check out their style essentials and back-to-school basics. Keep scrolling for some seriously effortless inspiration on how to style key pieces to impress on your first day back.

“When you go to school in NYC, it’s easy to blend in with the millions of people
roaming the streets. Instead of choosing muted colors this fall, I wanted to pick
statement patterns like these attention-grabbing stripes to help me stand out. Plus,
the cream color warms up the top and makes it a great autumn take on nautical
stripes!” – Kiki Murphy, Style Guru at NYU

“I’m in an all-girl rock band and I like to add a touch of grunge to all my outfits. I love Topshop’s MOTO line since the pieces are both flattering and badass. I can totally see myself rocking their MOTO Lace Up Denim Mini Skirt both on campus and on stage.” – Tigerlily Cooley, Style Guru at Fordham University

“We all have those days when we can’t figure out what to wear for class, which is why
it’s good to own wardrobe staples that are easy to throw on. I like that I can rely on
Topshop for those basics, as well as strong statement pieces for when I want to spice
up those everyday looks. It’s definitely my go-to destination for back-to-school
shopping!” – Jade Sayson, Style Guru at Columbia College Chicago

The first week of school is all about creating a solid foundation for the semester—so why not do it with your wardrobe, too? Instead of going all out with statement pieces and over-the-top looks, create a vibe that’s simple but strong. Feeling inspired, but lacking the basics your wardrobe needs?

Be sure to check out Topshop for 10 percent off everything for all students—because it’s possible to look great and actually still afford all the textbooks you need to pass your classes.

Studying Style

If you’re like me, you either just have been or might still be cramming for a statistics final…or pulling an all-nighter in hopes of finishing a class strong. It’s been a busy time of year for all college students, but that doesn’t mean your fashion should suffer for it! Here’s a look I love that’s fashion-forward, comfortable, and perfect for a study date.

I love the look pictured because it can be easily dressed up with a statement necklace and a cute pair of wedges, or dressed down with a cardigan and a comfy pair of flats. In the spirit of finals week, I chose to dress down. I paired my favorite pair of boyfriend jeans with a layered, loose-fittibg tank top. I love this combination because it’s fashionable, super comfortable, and practical for all things academia without having to resort to sweatpants and a hoodie. I also added a gray ruffled cardigan (just in case, to keep me warm on a rainy day). To finish the look, I went with silver glitter boat shoes—they’re studious, and they add the topping-off-touch of sparkle to bring some brilliance to the look.

During the time of year when you’re limited on time, this cool-but-casual look is, in my opinion, the perfect outfit. A simple, comfortable, trendy outfit may be just the outfit you need to make it through finals week, or any study session!

Any other stylin’ studying ideas you’d suggest? Post a comment below or a social media post and tag @CFashionista and show of your studying style inspo!

WHAT TO WEAR: En Route to Finals

It is finally that time again that we all dread but, yet are excited for because once finals are all over, that means summer is in full swing. The end of a semester can be an exciting time for some due to graduation or summer internships starting, but before all this excitement can happen, finals week must occur and we all know finals week can be a drag. However, just because it is finals week doesn’t mean you can’t dress cute, am I right?

I spotted this Fashionista just outside Kent State University’s very own Rockwell Hall (clearly coming from a fashion class). She is ready to take on finals in style. This Fashionista added three simple pieces to create a statement look. There are many ways to wear a slip dress as daytime casual, especially for class. Pairing a little slip dress with a T-shirt underneath has been a huge trend lately. Tank tops are also being worn over short sleeved T-shirts, too. This Fashionista could add a simple belt and remove the short sleeve T-shirt and have a completely new look. Slip dresses can be so fun to style and so easy to throw on for the day.

She is rocking the trend for class and even threw on a military jacket to finish of her look. This floral slip dress from American Eagle Outfitters is a super cute transition piece for any college girl’s wardrobe. By pairing it with the short sleeve top and a pair of Steve Madden’s tan leather slip-ons, she dressed down the slip dress for class.

Sometimes it is hard to get dressed and ready for a final considering you spent the whole night cramming in the library. Don’t be discouraged because you are not the only one who feels that way, but I personally feel that if I look good, then I have more confidence in myself when taking the exam. If you get ready for the exam then you feel more confident and put together than you would if you rolled out of bed 10 minutes before your exam starts. Everyone has a different routine for final exam week when it comes to studying, but being prepared for your exam is your biggest priority. If you can take your exam in style then you are sure to feel better about it. Now this Fashionista is ready to take on her finals in style!

WHAT TO WEAR: Cool and Collected for Class

Before this post, I had always wanted to feature an article on a Fashionisto I noticed on campus. Menswear is often difficult to stand out in because of the limited variation made available for men to wear. Most guys I see are able to pass off a decent outfit in jeans and a T-shirt. Regardless, although looking different is difficult to accomplish in the male fashion industry, pulling it off is that much more rewarding!

This month’s feature includes a Fashionisto I noticed on his way to class. It has often occurred to me that many college students rarely put effort into what they are wearing to class. Many of us would rather roll out of bed and show up to lecture in sweats. This is all the more reason why I pay the most attention toward potential fashion-goers on my way to class, which explains how I came across this Fashionisto! What struck my attention was his need to cater to street style, but mix it with the acknowledgement of being in an education setting, where street fashion meets a hint of business casual!

This Fashionisto pairs knee-slit black jeans with a navy and white colored baseball styled T-shirt. Layered on top is a black, water-resistant, Stussy jacket, which seems to be the staple piece of this fit. The outfit is tied together with a black baseball cap, worn backwards, which helps contrast the outfit from business casual to street wear. Additionally, the hat was colored black, similar to the most of the outfit, which helped maintain consistency in the look. The shoes, which indicated the most variation in this outfit, were brogues, carefully detailed along the corners of the shoes. These shoes are often spotted in formal settings, which is why this outfit is a smart example for class when you want to look fashionable, but also, professional enough for class. To finish the outfit off, this Fashionisto is wearing a classic, gold Timex watch, which is yet another staple piece for many street fashion followers!

WHAT TO WEAR: Cute and Comfy for Campus

We’ve all been there—the daily struggle of rummaging through our closets, telling ourselves we’ll look nice for class that day and end up opting for the hoodie and leggings. It’s easy, obviously comfortable, and effortless. I’m definitely one of the biggest culprits when it comes to this, but a few classmates always catch my attention when they don’t fall into this trap. Between having classes with this Fashionista and seeing her almost every day, I’ve seen firsthand from her that it’s possible to be both super comfy and fashionable for a regular class day.

She paired super basic pieces together that everyone has in their closets—a basic white top, jeans, a necklace, and sneakers. Each of these have small accents that add to the outfit, making it stand out from the basic white T-shirt and jeans look. The hem and sleeves on her top have lettuce edging, giving it a girly vibe and just a little something extra. Her jeans are ripped at the knees and have some distressing throughout them, which helps balance out the girly vibe with a bit of grunge. She finishes the look with a pair of white Adidas sneakers and adds a dainty necklace with a little pop of color. This kind of outfit is timeless and is able to be worn at any time throughout the year and can be adjusted for any climate.

This Fashionista has personally given me some inspiration for my everyday wardrobe and I hope that she has done the same for you all!