The university checklist

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Well, you have only gone and done it and got a place at university.

Congratulations.

Now the partying is over, it’s time to get down to business, book your accommodation, buy those books and pack your stuff.

Whether you a moving into halls, a student flat or shared house, you will want to take your creature comforts as well as essentials with you, so we have put together a checklist to get you started.

Documents
Before you leave home, have these documents with you, as well as getting copies and emailing it to yourself and your parents:
University and course acceptance letter plus exam certificates
Accommodation contract and insurance documents
Student loan documents
Bank account details, card and cheque book
Driving license and passport as well as up NHS number and National Insurance card

Gadgets
You will be so used to having everything under one roof, you might forget that you won’t be just a gadget away when you aren’t at home. This might seem like a big list, but it is worth having:
Laptop plus charger, USB stick and an ethernet cable
Mobile phone and charger
Headphones
Power extension cable with surge protection
Printer with ink

Kitchen
Yes, you could eat out all the time, but it makes more sense to do cook for yourself and to do this you will need:
A frying pan or a wok and a sauce pan
A cutlery set, sharp knife, scissors and spare teaspoons
Two glasses, mugs, plates and bowls
A baking tray and mixing bowl
A water bottle – buying endless bottles of mineral water on campus soon adds up
Tea towels, cloths, kitchen roll, soap and washing up liquid
A box of basic groceries with cereal, bread, milk, jam, tea, coffee, pasta, ketchup and an emergency bottle of vodka to break the ice with your neighbours

Your bedroom
Your bedroom will be your sanctuary so make it as comfortable as you can and take:
Two sheets, two duvet covers and pillow cases as well as a decent duvet and pillows
Mattress protector – take our word for it on this one
Clothes and coat hangers
Photos of friends & family as well as posters and Blue Tac
A lamp and lampshade
A mirror
Contraception

Bathroom
We can’t promise you will get an en-suite at uni so be prepared to share a bathroom and take this little lot with you so you, and your surroundings, are clean and fresh.
Several towels
Medication and a basic first aid kit with plasters, paracetamol, antiseptic cream and wipes
Febreeze and washing powder
A toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, shop, shower gel, bubble bath and any other home comforts
Toilet roll

Of course, you won’t be far from a Tesco or Boots, so you can shop when you arrive but this little should help to get you started and can probably be paid for by the bank of mum and dad before you leave.

Good luck!

Team Pure-Beauty

Exam stress busters

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best, breath, classmates, cleanse, coffee, daily gratitude journal, early, exam, film, fizzy drinks, friends, healthy, junk food, meditation, paper, revise, risk, swimming, talk, teacher, test, timetable, tone, tone and moisturise morning and evening, understand, yoga

As well as the Euro 16 and referendum debates, we are currently in the grips of the exam season which for many is a time of anxiety and stress.

Whether it is GCSEs, A Levels, degrees or PHDs, exams are hard work and can be daunting and even those with nerves of steel can have the odd wobble.

From excessive worry and the fear of failure, to peer pressure and time running out, the mind can run away with itself and make everything ten times worse than it is.

There is no doubt that exam stress can take over and ultimately scupper chances of success. This isn’t due to a lack of preparation, hard work or dedication but simply because fear can be paralysing and impact performance.

We aren’t saying this time will be plain sailing, but there are things you can do to make the next few weeks just that little bit easier.

Believe in yourself
If you’ve worked hard and have prepared, there is no real reason to worry. No one, other than yourself maybe, says you have to be perfect. Give your things your best shot, know you are working to your full potential and be positive about your achievements.

Plan your time
If you have too much to do in too little time, you will feel anxious. Forget last minute cramming, the key to being the best you can, when it comes to exams, is to plan your time properly.

Create a timetable that includes all areas you need to work on as well as regular breaks and leisure time.

Write notes on cards and stick them on the fridge, bathroom door and on your mirror.

If you have a part time job or other commitments, try to change your schedule to fit with your revision so you don’t get overwhelmed.

By putting these measures in place, it will be easier for you to retain information in a relaxed way, keep on track and gain confidence whilst avoiding burnout and panic.

Don’t panic
Easy to say we know, but if you get stuck or don’t understand something, ask for help. Getting stressed won’t help the situation, it will probably simply make it worse. Address the problem talking to your teachers or classmates and go back to it once you feel you have a handle on the issue.

Meditation, yoga and even a daily gratitude journal can all help keep your grounded and focussed on the bigger picture.

Keep healthy
Whilst reaching for junk food and staying up late might seem the only way to get thought your schedule, what you really need to do is keep fit and healthy.

• Exercise is really important. Go for a run, swim or play tennis with a friend but try not to talk about your exams.
• Eat a good, well balanced diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables plus good protiens and fats.
• It is also vital to keep hydrated as this will keep your brain ticking over. Go for at least eight glasses of water a day and keep a bottle on your table when you are in an exam.
• Go easy on tea, coffee and fizzy drinks. Yes they might give you boost to start with but too much caffeine can set you on edge and stop you from relaxing and sleeping.
• Working into the early hours, or pulling and ‘all-nighter’, might be tempting, but don’t do it. You need to a decent night’s sleep so you wake refreshed and ready to work again or face and exam.
• Look after your skin and make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and evening.

One the day
When you have exams scheduled, make sure you arrive early as the last thing you want to do is be late and risk not being able to take the paper or flapping. Be fully prepared, take deep breaths, don’t get involved in revision discussions.

During each exam keep calm, read the questions once to start with and then begin to answer them. If you start to panic, sit back for a moment and take control of your of breathing. Take deep breathes in and out through the nose, counting to five each way and then relax. Start the exam again when you feel better, answer what you can and keep as calm as possible.

Post-exam
Once an exam is over don’t spend time going over the questions and answers in your head. Try not to discuss it too much with friends and resist looking at online forums. It’s done and dusted, you did your best so move on. Whether it is watching a film, going out for a coffee or having a win, always treat yourself after an exam and smile – you did it!

At the end of the day, exams can be taken again, so do your best and we think you will surprise yourself.

Good luck.

A banana isn’t just yellow

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banana skin, bananas, bites, blood pressure, calm, constipation, cure, depression, energy, exam, exercise, fibre, hangover, heartburn, mood, morning sickness, mothers, PMS, smooth, ulcers, vitamin b, workout

We all have them sitting in the fruit bowl, calling out to be eaten as they get a little browner everyday.

Bananas, the fruit we all love.

Bananas gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy thanks to a combination of three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose as well as a hit of fibre.

Two provide enough energy for a 90-minute workout and this yellow wonder fruit has 4 times the protein, vitamin A and iron of an apple, twice the carbohydrates and three times the phosphorus and is super rich in potassium.

Wow!

We tend to say an apple a day keeps the doctor away but maybe it has been the banana all along?

Anaemia
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and can help ease anaemia.

Bites
Rather than going for strong creams when you’re bitten by an insect, try rubbing the bite with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation and less toxic than over the counter products.

Blood Pressure
Bananas are high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to help keep blood pressure levels healthy.

Body Temperature
Many cultures use the simple banana as a ‘cooling’ fruit to lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. Bet you didn’t know that?

Constipation
Not an obvious but because bananas are high in fibre they can help ensure you have regular bowel movements if included in a healthy diet.

Depression
Bananas contain tryptophan, a protein that the body converts into serotonin which is known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS
Swap pills for bananas if you want a healthier way to deal with PMS. The Vitamin B6 found in the fruit regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood so eat bananas as you relax with a hot water bottle and you will feel more cheery in no time.

Hangover Cure
One of the quickest ways to cure a hangover is by blending a banana with milk, ice and honey. The banana calms the stomach, the honey evens out your blood sugar levels and the milk soothes and re-hydrates you.

Heartburn
Bananas offer a natural antacid effect and can help sooth heartburn.

Morning Sickness
We know many people rave about ginger being good for morning sickness, but so are bananas. They help keep blood sugar levels stable and because they are low in fat so make a great, healthy on the go snack.

Stress
Bananas are high in B vitamins which are excellent at helping to keep us calm, so before an exam or big meeting, munch on a bunch and keep your cool.

Stomach Ulcers
Bananas can really help deal with intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases and it also neutralises acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

What are you waiting for, peel one today and feel tip top.