Suddenly Type A

Does anyone else have an obsession with lists, planning and labeling? I have a color coordinated planner for July 2012-December 2013. Yes, I've already written in when classes start in the Fall, when my meetings are, when special events are for my organizations, and such (well the things I know already, of course there are more to come). I write to do lists on an almost daily basis, even if I don't accomplish half the things on the list for weeks. I wasn't always organized, it's a rather recent development, mainly the last two years. It started slowly my freshman year of college with a little tiny planner I purchased from Michael's (the arts and craft store) from the dollar bin. I took that little orange thing everywhere. I wrote down assignments, meeting times, events, work schedules, and anything else I could think to record. Except the days I lost it temporarily, and would then proceed to have minor break downs. These days my planner is a little bigger, and the one I'm using now is a PlanAhead planner from Target, and then the one from July 2012 on is same company, 5*7, and was purchased on clearance for less than $5 in a Walgreens. I like myself a good bargain, being on that broke college student status and all.
There's a side of me that is just obsessed with office and art supplies. I constantly buy pens and cool little thinks that I will use but not necessarily need (like the recent purchase of the Sharpie gel highlighters, when I have regular ones. I'm not convinced they work that great, they always looked more effective when I saw other people use them.) I'm loving colored index cards, binder clips, small notebooks, colored pens, and post it flag type things to keep organization to the maximum.
Are you a type A in the making like myself, one by nature, or are you lacking completely in that department? I always find it so interesting how we all have various different learning styles. I am a very visual person. I like writing things out, seeing how things fit, and if anything is numbers based, I'm able to memorize it without trying (dates, and phone numbers, that sort of thing, I have an almost photographic memory for, too bad it doesn't work once you add letters in...) What's your favorite office supply? I have a hard time picking just one- I think for now though, I will say gel pens- I love the smooth look of the writing when I use them. As a lefty, my handwriting isn't great most of the time, and it looks so much prettier when I use gel ink!
Lately my organization has also been going digital... That will have to be for another post though- I have a great app I use on my phone and computer that I want to write a full post on, because  I love it that much. In fact, I've been using it for at least 2 years, though I didn't get the mobile version till I got my Windows Phone at the end of last year!
Have you switched your calenders to be all digital or are you like me, and still like having a physical planner? Though that said, I do sometimes use the Google calender on my phone synced to my school email address and my Facebook account! Any tips for studying? What are your favorite tools? Let me know in the comments!

On Mother's Day without Mom

Today is the last day of my summer vacation before beginning summer classes and research and all the PCAT preparation my brain can handle. Today, the internet has been filled with loads of tweets, Facebook statuses, and blog posts wishing moms, especially the respective writers' own mothers a happy mother's day. This is my first mother's day without my mom alive, though she wasn't quite around for any since 2007, and I don't even remember what we did that day. I think I was studying for an AP exam... If anything, I've learned that you should treasure each day you have with the people you love, because we are not invincible. People die, and we are never actually ready to say goodbye, though knowing they lived a nice full life provides some reassurance. In my mom's case, there was no such reassurance. 

I know I'm not the only college girl with a missing parent. Many of my friends lost their dads at a young age. I can't think off hand of one with a mom gone, but these things happen. That doesn't make them any better, or any easier. I don't relish in the mutual suffering of others. I would never wish such a loss on anyone. This Mother's day, I want to let mom know that I love her, even if she can't hear me anymore, and that I'm trying my best to make her proud, by facing my fears one by one and conquering them. That I'm growing up, that I'm in love, that I'm safe and sound.  I'd love to be able to share wisdom about moving on, but honestly I have none. She was simply gone too soon for me. I am never going to get over that, and I will never forget her. She'll always be more than distant memories. I see her every time I look in the mirror. We have much in common.

Share these moments. If you can, get away from the computer, enjoy your day. Do something with a loved one. 

Signing off,

Elle

Catching that Summer Job

The past few months have challenged me to step out and be more than I’ve ever been before. Stepping out into leadership in ways I have never been able to before have forced me to grow up and take charge. I’ve been told that in order to get back up after a failure, one has to do more than just the ordinary, and well above the bare minimum.  I took a step back from blogging, and then I attempted to start a healthy living vegetarian blog, and while I did a fairly good job of cutting back on the junk food during April, the blog never took off, and I ended up abandoning it. After months of lurking, but not commenting on everyone’s lovely blogs, I decided I miss it so much I wanted to start over here at Elle Enchanted. I’ve removed all my old posts, mostly because this isn’t going to be that blog. It will be different. Same girl, same name, different blog.

I have a strategy planned for my next year at school, and now all I have to do is execute it. The next challenge I face is finding a new job for the summer. My current job isn’t taking students for the summer so I won’t have any hours till the end of August, which of course leaves a big gaping hole in my wallet.

This dilemma faces thousands of college students every year. Finding that coveted summer job (or more than just a summer job for that matter- a steady part time gig is great as well). It is no easy feat. Last year I sent in over thirty applications before getting a single interview, and luckily for me it landed me a job. I don’t know what this summer holds yet, and I will also be juggling three summer classes (though I start with just two, the  third is only 6 weeks long), ~16 hours a week of unpaid lab research for academic credit, and volunteering at a local hospital, and potentially shadowing a pharmacist. It’s a busy schedule but my classes meet only three days a week, and I am willing to delegate time. I also have a lot of planning to do for the fall semester in my new leadership role in a student organization.

My strategy or key to finding that summer job is to apply anywhere you can. I’ve been submitting a steady stream of applications to various stores in the last two weeks since finishing a difficult set of final exams (yay for passing every bit of those 17 credits, including Organic Chemistry 2, my long-time nemesis!). I suggest looking into places that get more business in the summer (local froyo and ice cream shops), food places, office supply stores, and clothing stores. Also local offices may be looking for an assistant, and as someone who’s first paying job besides babysitting was in an office, I have to say it’s a really nice setting to work in- a lot more laid back than retail, but retail definitely offers more hours.

When you get an interview, keep in mind what you’ve done inside and outside of work experience that is relevant to the task at hand. This will also come in handy when looking for a full-time job after graduation. If you have leadership skills beyond what can be seen on your resume, try using a curriculum vitae instead. Good luck! (And wish me luck too.) I’ll let you all know how the search turns out, and if you have any suggestions, leave them below in the comment box!