Author: Amelia Smith

Lying in bed and not being able to sleep is probably one of the most annoying things that happens in daily life. All you want to do is drift away, but your brain just won’t switch off. This article suggests some of the things you could do when you simply can’t get to sleep, and some may even help you calm down enough to get a bit of shut-eye. Write a to-do list for tomorrow. This is a great place to start. It’s productive and clears your mind of things you may be worrying about. Colouring in. This may…

If you’re looking for some handy tips to help you save money and survive as a student, Save the Student is probably the best place you can go. They have a website and several social media accounts that update students on the latest deals and discounts we can use. These can be found online at https://www.savethestudent.org/, and @savethestudent on both Twitter and Instagram. If you subscribe to their email, you will get weekly updates on the amazing offers they find, but if you follow them on social media you’ll get more frequent updates, so it’s really up to you how…

Searching for student accommodation outside of halls can be a frustrating and difficult experience, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are some things to think about while searching, and a little bit of information about the different places you can go to find student houses or apartments to live in while you’re at university. Things to think about when looking for accommodation: Can you afford it? Think about when you receive your student loan and when you’d have to pay rent. What’s included in the rent? All bills included is a great option for houses with several people…

The Peer Writing Mentor role is run by the university’s Study Skills department. It is a part-time job that involves helping students develop their writing, work on assignments and plan their time. Shannon is a PhD student at Bangor university, studying Welsh History, focussing on the history of female Welsh Gypsies in Wales. I asked her some questions about her experience of being a Peer Writing Mentor. How did you hear about this job? I was researching jobs on the Bangor University Jobs page when I came across the mentoring position. One requirement of my role was to be able…

With exam season looming, this article aims to arm you with a few tips and tricks to get prepared for your final assessments of the year, and to keep you on top of your notes. Writing lists This sounds simple enough, but it can be a really effective activity. Sometimes we get so caught up in our work that we feel overwhelmed and things can’t be put into perspective. A simple list can help! If you feel like you have loads to do, write it all down. Break it up, and write down a few things you want to…

If you have a part-time office job or work in an office when you go home for breaks, this article hopes to offer you some useful, quick tips to do it right! First things first, you sit most of the day, so make sure your chair is adjusted properly. If you don’t, you can become uncomfortable and fidgety which reduces your productivity. You could get back pain and aching shoulders, which can eventually lead to worse problems, so from the get-go, please make sure your chair is suited to you! More often, places of work are offering the option to…

From the beginning of our existence, according to evolutionary theory, every species consistently engages in a competitive struggle for life on Earth. Competition is part of our DNA, and it is part of our everyday lives. Being competitive keeps you motivated and keeps you looking forward. You should be satisfied with what you have achieved so far, but you can always improve on the past! This is not a bad thing at all. You can use failure to motivate you to do better next time. But you can also use the great things you have already accomplished, and believe that…

I think it is true to say that a lot of young people, especially students, decide the best thing for them when they are worn out or feeling low is to take a nap. This article is here to give you the advantages and disadvantages of napping, and it’s got some top tips on the best ways to take a nap! Napping isn’t for everyone. Some people find it impossible to sleep during the day. Some people can’t sleep anywhere but their own beds, which napping sometimes requires. But, for those who can, napping can be calming and energising. Below…

Don’t overlook the opportunities that lie within your clubs and societies! Volunteering or having a part-time job are both very likely to help you get a job, but other extra-curricular activities can make you seem more attractive to employers. Check out these tips to get the most out of your work experience!  Make a good first impression This is a piece of advice we hear all the time, and there’s a reason why! If you show you are friendly, reliable and competent from the start, it’s more likely that opportunities will be offered to you.  Be organised Always listen…

A large number of people use their devices all day long, and then electronic media to help relax at night. If you’re a nighttime technology-user, this article is here to help you realize the extent to which electrical devices can make it harder to settle down for sleep. Using your phone or laptop, for example, before bedtime can be stimulating, both physiologically and psychologically, in ways that can negatively affect your sleep. Practice ignoring notifications for 15 minutes. Then 30 minutes, and so on. Don’t check your phone every time it goes off. You should tell your family, friends, and…

I have often found that anti-ageing skincare is directed to us as a method of repair, but how about we look after our skin earlier in life through alternative methods? There are so many products for sale that present themselves as the answer to old, wrinkled and damaged skin, that it can be quite daunting to find what’s right for you. Let’s maintain our skin, instead of one day realising your skin is not as young, fresh and vibrant as it used to be. Your lifestyle is the biggest contributor to the appearance of your skin. Ensuring you have a…

Unfortunately, during their university years, it is not uncommon that young people can put on a few pounds. This can be because of drinking, a bad diet or just not getting enough exercise. This article aims to offer students some advice on keeping fit whilst at university. In Bangor, most of the university buildings are close together, so we walk nearly everywhere. We are blessed with a few lovely hills, and even though this may not seem like much, walking around is a great starting point when looking to get fitter.  Another big part of staying healthy is…

Volunteering can provide many benefits to both your mental and physical health and is a method widely used to combat depression. Helping others has actually been proven to benefit your mental health, partly because it can counteract the effects of stress, anger and anxiety while improving your emotional wellbeing! A valuable experience, it can give you confidence and it’s a great addition to your CV. Last year I carried out a beach clean with a friend of mine that was incredibly satisfying. Not only was I helping clear our wonderful beaches from plastic and rubbish, but I was exercising,…

At university, whether you’re living in halls or private accommodation, your room can feel temporary and impersonal. Below are some useful tips to help you feel more at home and organised. Classic Fairy Lights: An obvious choice, some might say, but fairy lights are an inexpensive way of changing the lighting in your room, and sometimes they can even make your space a bit magical! They can easily outline a notice board or your photos on a wall. You can find them on the high street in places like Poundland, or check around in some charity shops. Alternatively, you can…