Everyone has a bad day and sometimes it can be hard to make a better day out of all the bad things happening. Whether you just got a bad grade, a flat tire, you and your significant other got into a fight, or maybe Mcdonald's ice cream was down and you drove all the way there to get a snack size mcflurry. (Mcdonald's get it together..) Anyways, you get my point. There are so many causes for a bad day, but there are so many ways to turn those bad days around and make it better. It is so important that we don't get caught up in the negativity in the things that life throws at us. We have to be optimistic and try to find SOMETHING to appreciate each and every day.

Find something to look forward to
      Ok, so maybe you went to bed in a bad mood and you wake up still in a bad mood or worrying about yesterday. Instead of doing this, go to bed looking at tomorrow as a new day! People sometimes take their days for granted and worry about things that aren't worth fretting about. On some occasions, we might worry about things that are just a part of life and cannot be avoided. In this case, you can still find positivity behind that situation. Don't let the little things get to you and make way for a bad day. Wake up with a fresh start to your day! Look forward to a yummy breakfast, or eating lunch, or getting a new lipstick later at Ulta. Make a plan to do something fun to get your mind off of things.

Be optimistic
      Bringing positivity into your life and being optimistic about things can really change your mindset and play a role in your every day life. We can't always avoid things that happen to us because life throws many curve balls and headships at us, and that's just reality. BUT.. we can look for positive things in our life to help us get through tough times. Made a bad grade on a test? How about looking at it as, "I tried my best and there are many more opportunities for me to improve". Didn't get the job you wanted? Look at it as, "Maybe that job just wasn't for ME and there is a better opportunity that is waiting for me". Y'all, positivity is EVERYTHING. I'm tellin' you! (.. in my Southern accent)

Surround yourself with family or friends
      You're probably thinking to yourself "surround myself with family and friends? Why would I want to be bothered with ANYONE when I am having a bad day??" That's where you have to think differently. Sure there are times when you just need that time for yourself, but don't sit in your room hiding in the corner for hours and hours. It's important to surround yourself with people who are there for you! Now some people might not have family near them where they can just drive down the street, or maybe you moved to a new city and haven't met a lot of people yet... I'll get to that in the next tip! Back to family and friends... When I am feeling down, I like to go home sometimes and be around my parents and brother. My mom is my mother and best friend and I can talk to her about anything. Even if I don't want to talk about things, she is still there to comfort me. Sometimes we sit on the couch and watch our favorite shows together, or a movie. I also like to hang out with my boyfriend and make cookies and watch a movie. We love to watch movies! Call up your girlfriend(s) and hangout with them! Eat some popcorn, have a dinner night, etc. There are so many things you can do with your family and friends.

Get Out!
      No, I'm not talking about the movie. Like I mentioned in the previous tip, some people don't have family or friends near them because they are in a different city. Hey, that's ok though! You can still get out and do something. This still applies to people who have family and friends near them. Make plans to stop by a new store, a new coffee shop, museum, or any other place in your town that you haven't been. There are some new places that have been added downtown in my city and this would be a great thing for me to do on a bad day. I could go downtown, walk around, and see the establishments and art that have been added.

There are so many ways to turn a bad day around. Find things that fit your interest! Just be optimistic and remember that every day is a NEW day.

Choosing your classes can sometimes be overwhelming if you're an incoming freshman or a returning student. When picking your classes for the semester be sure to follow some of these steps to ensure that you get the classes that fit you and your needs. 

Tip 1: Rate My Professor

      Rate My Professor is such a great website to give insight on what you're getting yourself into. Rate My Professor will help see ratings of professors and also see feedback from previous students. Sometimes you can see whether you will need a book a book or not, the type of assignments that will be expected, and sometimes the teaching style of the professor. These are all important because everyone learns differently and I like to know what kind of assignments I will be having. Some classes might have a pop quiz every class, or the class might only have 3 tests and a final, etc. It is good to know what you're getting yourself into before registering for a course. I will look at the classes that I need to take, look at the classes and professors offered at my university, and then look each professor up on Rate My Professor that would best fit in my schedule with my other classes. 

Tip 2: University's Grade Distribution 

      Some universities offer grade distributions online. This shows the different percentages of grades that students received from professors from the previous semester. It will have a chart and have grades A-F, below that will be the percentage that students got for each grade category. This is another helpful tool in figuring out what type of class and professor you will have. Now, if 85% of the class got an A in the class you can't expect the same if you're not putting in the work for it. This just shows that the class is not super impossible to obtain an A. This goes for Rate My Professor also. 

Tip 3: Scheduling Classes 

      Scheduling your classes are very important. 15 credit hours is about the normal amount of credits students take each semester. Some have to take more or less depending on the number of classes that they need. If you are a student who is taking 6 to 7 classes in a semester, it would be best to break your classes up and not take them back to back. Here's why... If you are taking classes back to back you will burn out, have no time to study, or grab some lunch. Classes usually have a 15-minute break in between and if you're walking around campus to different buildings it can be impossible to do anything but walk to class. I like to break up my classes if I can so I can have time to sit down and study some more before a test, finish an assignment, to eat some lunch, or to just relax. Also, space out your classes each day if your schedule allows it. Instead of taking four classes in one day back to back, try and take three on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and three on Tuesdays and Thursdays. (Ya see what I'm sayin'?) 

Tip 4: Take Classes That Interest You 

      There are so many classes that you can take within your major. With that being said, find classes that stick out to you that you would enjoy taking. Not only will the course satisfy that credit that you need, it will also be something that you look forward to learning. When I sign up for classes I will look at the descriptions of the courses that are provided on the registration site and see what interests me the most. I will also ask other people in my major if they have taken it to see if I can get a better idea of what the course is like. 

Don't let registering for classes overwhelm you. Just be smart when choosing your classes and do your research! Hope these tips help. If you have any other questions about choosing college classes send me an email or message me on my social media :) 

I love scrolling through my Spotify playlists seeing all the new songs, and boy! There are A LOT! If you want to see what songs I am loving at the moment then just keep scrolling down. 

  1. Strip That Down - Liam Payne ft. Quavo

  2. Feels - Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean

  3. Crying in the Club - Camila Cabello 

  4. Wild Thoughts - DJ Khaled, Rihanna, Bryson Tiller

  5. Rollin - Calvin Harris, Future, Khalid 

  6. Thunder - Imagine Dragons

  7. Signs - Drake

  8. Down - Fifth Harmony, Gucci Mane

  9. Know No Better - Major Lazer, Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, Quavo

10. Redbone - Childish Gambino 

11. Now Or Never - Halsey 

12. Young Dumb & Broke - Khalid 

13. Butterfly Effect - Travis Scott 

14. To the Max - DJ Khale, Drake

15. Bad At Love - Halsey 

16. Crew - GoldLink, Brent Faiyaz, Shy Glizzy

17. Magnolia - Playboi Carti 

18. No Complaint - Metro Boomin, Offset, Drake

19. Heebiejeebies - Animé, Kehlani

20. Unwind - Healy 

                  

                     what are some of your favorite songs?

Okay, let's face it. We all get a little lazy, especially during the summer time. For most of us, we see summer as a relief from all things related to school (which can be a lot). Even though it's summer, don't waste your time laying around or missing out on opportunites!

1. Wake up at a decent time

      You're probably thinking, what?? It's summer why can't I just sleep my life away? During the summer we might have jobs, summer classes, etc. If you have more time in the mornings before work or class, take the initiative to wake up a little early so you can have time for yourself before jumping out of bed to go get ready for work or class. I love waking up early because I feel like I can make more time to catch up on a book I am reading, work towards any goals, or just enjoy the morning beauty. 

2. Use a planner or some sort of to-do list

Even though I don't have loads of work to do over the summer, I still like to make a to-do list or write down anything in my planner that I need to plan out for the week. I think it is important to do this so you have some sort of tasks to tackle for the day. The tasks don't have to be big every day, it could be as little as "clean bathroom", or "wash clothes", etc. I love making to-do lists because I can visualize a list of what I need to do for the day and if I need to get a lot of stuff done then I can plan my day better. 

3. Get out of the house

Use the time that you have during the summer to get out and go places with friends, family, etc. Visit places that you've never been. I like to visit new restaurants, shops, etc. One thing that I want to do before the summer is over is go hiking at this place near my school. Just find things to do throughout the week whenever you have some free time so you can enjoy life and all of its experiences that it brings. Don't sit in the house all day binge watching Netflix, and scrolling through your Instagram feed for 2 hours over and over. You will look back and see how much time you wasted over the summer. 

4. Work on goals 

So this is a biggie. During the regular semesters, we spend so much time studying, going to class, and juggling so many other things. Last semester I was taking 16 credits (I had a 1 credit class that legit felt like a 4 credit class with the amount of work I had to do), and working during the times that I didn't have class. When I got off from work I would go straight to class. I had no time to really sit down and think of ways to achieve any goals that I had. I was just taking everything day-by-day. Now that summer has rolled around, I have really sat down and made time for blogging. I wanted to do this so bad last semester but time just wouldn't allow. Now that I have gotten into the habit of writing and posting, I know that I will make time for it during the fall semester. Another goal of mine that I have been working on is reading. I used to LOVE to read until reading became an obligation and I was forced to read books that I didn't like. I gave myself a goal to read a book or two every month. This gives me something to do in my free time that is enjoyable. So, work on any goals that you didn't have time for during the regular school semesters. Don't keep pushing them to the side. 

5. Get fit

In reality, we all want to workout and get fit but sometimes our schedules just don't allow it. Summer is a great time to get in the habit of working out and to make it a priority. Summer is a great time to start a habit for the future. If you know you are going to have earlier morning classes this upcoming semester, try waking up early to get your body used to getting up and going to the gym. When the semester comes around, you will be used to waking up early and it will be easier for you to make that trip to the gym. 

Struggling with transitioning?

Curls not coming out the way you want them to?

Are your curls dry and frizzy?

      Well, I am guessing that you can relate to one of these things if you're clicking on this post. Or, maybe you just want some curly hair tips. Either way, these tips will be useful to you. I am starting this new series called #ForTheLoveOfCurls that will be everything on curly hair. Let me start out by giving you a little background story of my hair...

      Growing up, my mom always had my hair done. She would do pigtails with the little hair holders that had the balls on the end.. She would slick my hair back in a half-up, half-down hairdo so tight that it would feel like I was a 6 year that just got botox. Not even kidding. I would go to the salon and get my hair blow dried and straightened. Then one day, we tried a perm on my hair. dun dun DUUUN.... Mind you I was in like 4th grade. Yeah, you can probably guess how that went. Although it only sizzled off edges into little stubble (I still had a hairline, don't worry), my hair was still pretty curly. The relaxer only softened the kinkiness of my curls by only a little bit. This is where I went wrong..

      I kept getting relaxers and my hair became very dry and the curl pattern was very uneven. I would have the relaxed hair at the bottom, kinky curly new growth sprouting out of my scalp. LOVELY! I would look at my hair thinking, "What am I going to do with this??" I would straighten my hair to try and cover up the unevenness of the curls, only damaging my hair more from the heat. In 6th grade I cut my hair into a bob. (Let me remind you, my hair is naturally curly. I got my hair cut into a bob while straightened. We all know what curls do, SHRINK!) So here I am approaching 7th grade with a curly fro basically. My hair was SO short. My 7th grade year of middle school I stopped getting relaxers and never looked back.

      After I stopped getting relaxers, I focused on trying to take better care of my hair. I still used heat on my hair up until about 11th grade of high school. Before that, I was coloring my hair excessively and straightening it (still trying to cover up that unevenness). Back to 11th grade.. I started trimming my hair more often and took better care of my hair. I learned to embrace my curls more than what I used to. I have always had a lot of hair and it gets so big and curly once it is dried. I took more time to focus on my hair and watch what I was putting in it, and what I was doing to it. This meant no more color, minimal heat, better hair products, and styling my hair in protective styles. Transitioning or even restoring your hair is not an overnight process. It takes patience and consistency. I have had all types of damaged and dry hair so I know how it goes. 

On with the tips! 

1. Be gentle

      When it comes to dealing with our curls, we have to be gentle. We can't tug on our hair and be rough with it. Curls get very tangled, very easily. When you're in the shower washing your hair, try running your hair under the water (and even add some conditioner throughout your hair to help soften it). Separate your curls, starting from the bottom, with your fingers. Your fingers are the best tools because you can feel your curls and know how gentle you need to be with them, rather than raking a comb through them. After gently separating your curls, go in with a wide tooth comb and comb out the rest of your curls (again starting from the bottom and working your way up to the top). Out of the shower do the same thing. Gently separate your hair with your fingers and finger detangle.


2. Products

      Now products are important, no matter what anyone says. I am not saying go out and buy a $20 shampoo and conditioner, and a $30 deep conditioner, etc. There are so many drugstore brands that work great for various hair types. You just have to find what works for you! I watch YouTube videos all the time on people's curly hair routines and there are so many different products that I see. I lean towards videos where the individual has a similar curl pattern and texture as me. So if you are unsure of what products to try out, then I would recommend finding someone who has a similar hair type and texture to you so you can get an idea how the product might work in your hair.
      As I have gained more knowledge of what can be good and bad for hair, I spend more time looking at products that do not have sulfates, and parabens, and use natural ingredients. I will typically go to Walmart and Ulta for my hair products, but you can get great affordable hair products anywhere! Below will be links to all the products that I like to use in my 3C hair.

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo-13 oz

  I love the Shea Moisture line because they are not too expensive and for the money the products last a good while. In the shower I like to use the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Retention Shampoo. This is a small bottle compared to most drugstore shampoos BUT this bottle goes a long way. I have A LOT of hair so trust me!


Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Shampoo, 13 Ounce ; Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner, 13 Ounce

  I recently purchased some products from the Maui line and I think they work great, and they are more around drugstore price in comparison to Shea Moisture. They have various shampoos, conditioners, creams, and oils depending on your hair type and needs. I picked up a shampoo and conditioner from them and I have been liking them so far.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream, 10.2 Fl. Oz.

  The first product I like to use out of the shower when styling my hair is this leave-in. Y'all! If you have not tried this in your hair, you are missing out girl! This stuff smells UH-MAY-ZING. I use this leave-in conditioner everyday when I style my hair because it smells so good and helps to really moisturize my hair before I even put in my other products. It helps my curls look so shiny and soft, too. I like to run this through my hair from roots to tips making sure that the product is combed through my curls. I highly recommend using this product in your hair first.


Shea Moisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie, 12 oz. ; Maui Moisture Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie, 12 Ounce

   I have been using the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie since high school people, high school! I am now 21 years old. This is my *sings* right hand, its my go-to! I do not use any gel so the Curl Enhancing Smoothie is what I like to use after my leave-in because it moisturizes my hair and helps hold my curls while still keeping them soft. This bottle usually will last me a few months because it is such a thick styler that I do not need to use a lot. I also recently bought the Maui Moisture Quench & Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie after running out of my Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, and I am loving it! The only difference between the two is that the Shea Moisture product is thicker and has a stronger hold on my curls. The Maui is cheaper than the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie so it is a great alternative if you are interested in this type of styler.


3. Deep Condition

Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deeeeep Liquid Conditioner - 8 oz. ; Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol 20 oz ; Garden of Life Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Unrefined Cold Pressed Coconut Oil for Hair, Skin and Cooking, 14 Ounce

  The three products above are products that I like to use to deep condition. They are affordable and easy to use. Like the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, I have been using the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle since high school and I love it! I usually get a bottle for about $4-$5 at Walmart. In the shower, I will use this product after shampooing. I run it through my hair and just let it soak in as I continue showering. I still use regular conditioner afterwards. The Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol is a very thick cream that I like to use in my hair in the shower also. If I do not have the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle or if my hair is just SUPER dry, I will use this instead. I will do the same thing by putting this all throughout my hair and letting it soak in. It might sound and look weird, but this stuff is GREAT and it smells good too. Coconut oil is also a great product to use because you can use this everyday in your hair if you need some extra moisturizing or use it on days that you need to deep condition. I like to massage this into my scalp for about 10 minutes or more. I will then let it sit in my hair while I do things around the house. Sometimes I even sleep in it! I will wash it out really good with shampoo and conditioner and it leaves my hair shiny and moisturized.

      
4. Moisturize
       Make sure that you are moisturizing your hair EVERY DAY even if you're putting your hair up. I always moisturize my hair no matter what style I am doing. It is important to keep your hair moisturized to help prevent breakage, especially in the hot summer and cold winter. I will just use a spray bottle with water, my leave-in, and my styling cream to moisturize my hair.


5. Cut out that heat, girl!
  
      This is one of the biggest tips that I have for curly haired chicas! YOU HAVE TO CUT OUT THAT HEAT. I never realized how damaging heat was until I actually stopped using it as much and saw my hair growing in curlier. It is really hard to revert back from heat damage so it is important to give your hair a break every once in awhile. Some people will say to cut out damage completely, but as long as you use heat in moderation you will be good. I straighten my hair about 2-3 times a year and I usually have it straight for a week. So that is three weeks out the year. Once you get comfortable with your natural hair and want to get those curls back, you will not want to put heat on it.


6. Say goodbye to those dead ends
      
      This is the second biggest tip that I can give. You cannot keep holding on to those dead, split ends. You have to let those things go girl! I always tell people don't do a big chop if it is not needed. Now, if that is what you want to do then go ahead but I know most people want to try and keep the length that they have. I suggest slowly cutting off any color or damage if possible. For me, the color that I have is what I am trying to cut off to help make my curls healthier than what they are. Every few months I will trim off about an inch or an inch and a half. I find this method to be good because I do not want to chop all of my hair off (that would be a lot because of where my color begins), but it still helps my hair to be healthy and get rid of some of those dead ends.

Those are my top 6 tips that I have for you all that will help you get those curls back! Our curls are so delicate and need attention so make sure you're not neglecting them. I hope that you guys enjoyed these tips and if you have any questions just leave me a comment or message me!

FTC: This post contains referral links through Amazon. All opinions are mine.

So.. Lately I have been making more time for reading since it is summer. During the semesters at college, it is sometimes hard to find time to sit down and make time for reading, along with all the other assignments lingering. 

I decided to start this new series on my blog called "Book of the Month" so I can share with you all what books I am reading and loving. After reading this book this month I have realized just how much I enjoy reading (when it is not an assigned reading from my professors; can I get an AMEN!) Now off to this awesome book...

     Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely 

The past couple of months I had seen different people posting about how good this book was and boy were they RIGHT! At first, I kept contemplating on whether to get it or not because sometimes people give more hype to things than what it should get. I finally told myself to just get it and see how I like it. I AM SO GLAD I DID. This book is filled with amazing words of wisdom and encouragement. Lysa TerKeurst used great scriptures, words, and quotes that make you want to keep reading. I could pretty much relate to every chapter somehow, someway.

Summary:

The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than.

In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences of rejection--from the perceived judgment of the perfectly toned woman one elliptical over to the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father. She leans in to honestly examine the roots of rejection, as well as rejection's ability to poison relationships from the inside out, including our relationship with God.

With biblical depth, gut-honest vulnerability, and refreshing wit, Lysa will help you:

• Stop feeling left out by believing that even when you are overlooked by others you are handpicked by God.

• Change your tendency to either fall apart or control the actions of others by embracing God-honoring ways to process your hurt.

• Know exactly what to pray for the next ten days to steady your soul and restore your confidence in the midst of rejection.

• Overcome the two core fears that feed your insecurities by understanding the secret of belonging.

 Everyone feels like they are less than, left out, and lonely at some point in their life no matter who you are. She talks about friendships, relationships, failures, and how to get through tough times when it seems like there is no hope for anything good in the future. 

I wrote in one of my previous posts about trusting God and this book instilled that even more in me. Often times we look to others for happiness, we feel this hurt from being rejected, or we simply don't see the good in the bad. This book is a must read for anyone! You will learn so much from this book and it will really help you see things from a different perspective. 

There is so much greatness to this book! You all should check it out. If you do, let me know if you enjoyed it :)

What are is your favorite book at the moment?


FTC: This post contains referral links through Amazon. All opinions are mine.

Hey all! Just uploaded a video on my Youtube all about what is in my purse. Go check it out! :)