Study tips-

I don't know about y'all, but getting back to school after summer or Christmas break is tough.

Sometimes I think I've forgotten everything I've learned. 

So I've decided to share with y'all some of my best study tips for school.

1. Write everything down. 

Yep, everything. Things like vocabulary words and definitions, plus things you might need to know for tests.

2. Ask questions. 

This has been so helpful for me, asking questions about anything I might have doubts about. Sometimes I have questions that I write down and take home and ask my parents. Super duper helpful to get insight on things that you might have doubts about!

3. Flash cards!! 

Sounds elementary, but it's so helpful!! I write terms down on one side and definitions on the other. Drilling myself after school is very helpful.

4. Label everything. 

I mean EVERYTHING. Using folders to keep your homework in is great, so you don't have to dig through your backpack to find it in your stray pieces of paper (come on, it happens to all of us). 

5. Give yourself a break. 

Seriously. Feel burnt out? Go outside for a couple minutes, take your dog for a quick walk or listen to some music. Just 5 minutes is all it takes.

6. Have a snack. 

This is the fun part. While your taking a short break whip up a smoothie, or make some pizza bites. Studying on an empty stomach is no fun. ;)

7. Go to bed earlier.

 This is a given, but it works. Charge your phone in another room so your not tempted to be on Instagram or twitter until 3am. If you use it as an alarm set it on the other side of the room so you have to get up and get it in order to shut your alarm off.

8. Download the free Focus@Will app on your phone. 

It has study music that is incredibly calming and helpful. Listen while you study, or to prepare you.

9. Study with friends.

I find that I study better by myself, but if working in a group suits you, go for it. One or two close study partners can be really helpful.

10. Find out how you learn best.

Are you a hands on learner? Then get out the clay and start making a model of the cell, complete with chromosomes and lysosomes. 

Do you learn best reading? Try flash cards.

Maybe listening is for you? Record yourself reading your book aloud and listen to it before you go to bed, or YouTube 'parts of a cell' or whatever you happen to be learning. YouTube has some amazing in-class lessons which are taught phenomenally. 

I hope this helped you. Some of the stuff in here may not be for everybody, but it works for me! :)

Xo,

Johanna

How to make time for Jesus in school:

School can be demanding, let alone making time for Jesus in your busy schedule.
Waking up at 6:30am to get ready to go at 7:30, coming home at 3:30pm just to run off to guitar lessons or whatever else you have to do that Afternoon. Of course homework and friends are two more things you have to juggle, as well a family and church. Sometimes I think I hardly have time to eat, So making time for a good devotions and prayer time can be hard. Here are some ways to fit it in to your busy schedule.

1. Find out what time is best for you for your devotions.
Morning can sometimes be the worst time, when your trying to get ready, and sometimes you only have time for a quick prayer on the bus. Evening can be easiest for me, since I finally have a couple minutes to myself. Sometimes I pull out my bible just before I crawl under the covers to read a few chapters and pray.

2. Pray during the day.
It's great to have someone to talk to, and I find that The Lord is the best person I could ever pour out my troubles to. say quick prayer for an English test before You head into class and thank The Lord for your lunch.

3. Keep a prayer & spiritual walk journal.
Prayer journals really help to sort out all the things I need to pray for. I also have a spiritual walk journal for things like answered prayers and church activities. These notepads are also very handy for defining what your faith means to you, and writing down something that's bothering you or weighing heavily on your mind.
Plus, it's great to look back at this later and see the amazing things that the lords done in your heart and life.

4. Create a Pinterest board for times you need a faith boost or something to cheer you up.

5. Start a bible study with your girlfriends. This can be something during lunch break or recess at your school, or something after school. You can help each other out by sharing prayer requests, encouraging one another, and sharing verses of scripture that mean a lot to you.

6. Make use of sticky notes and old lipsticks that you don't using anymore by writing messages to yourself On Your bathroom mirror. It could be anything from, "pray without ceasing" to "the joy of The Lord is your strength."

I hope these ideas helped you out. These are a huge help even to me as I strive to be more like Christ during the school season.

Y'all have a great day!!
Xo,
Johanna

Monday Fashion- Color Crave

Today I wanted something casual, but sophisticated.
As I rummaged through my closet I found this black top with lace edging the neckline, and a fun, blocky pencil skirt.
I threw on a denim jacket and a yellow belt, and there you have it. :)
Excuse the cheesy "bathroom mirror" pics! Lol.

My sister Sharon gave me the skirt, and it's her jacket too. :P

The top was just $3 at Walmart (it's sleeveless) and the belt came  with another dress that maybe one day I'll wear! Lol.

 Hope ya'll have an awesome week!

Wounded Warrior Project- Thanksgiving for the Soldiers

Hey, ya'll!
This year my family decided to do a project with the wounded warriors on Ft. Bragg. Cook a Thanksgiving meal!

How did we do this? Well, we've been working with the Fisher House on Ft. Bragg for some time now. The Fisher House houses wounded warriors and their families, and helps and comforts them.
They asked us if we would cook a thanksgiving meal for the soldiers and their families since they wouldn't be home during this time. We agreed.

Why did we do this? It wasn't easy, especially for my mom cooking two or three thanksgiving dinners. We did it as an outreach. Something to help these people out in these tough times in their lives.

My brother, dad and I had to leave pretty early to cook everything at the Fisher  house.
When we got there, my dad was immediately and unexpectedly swept away to be interviewed by a reporter, so I got started. It took about 5 hours for everything to get done.
We made mashed potatoes, gravy, a turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese casserole, stuffing, pies, cranberry sauce, rolls, tea, etc. etc.
we decided to do pretty much everything we would have at our own meal.

As my dad told the reporter, "We are so thankful for this opportunity to serve." It's such a blessing to do little things that will do big things to change people's lives.

xo,
Johanna

Happy Saturday!

Happy Friday (yay, the weekend!)!
And I just happen to have some amazing pictures from a photobooth we did recently (so much fun) at a friend's wedding! 

 

Hope these gave you a good laugh! ;P

xo,
Johanna

Friday's Five

Five things I'm thankful for this Friday...

My A.M.A.Z.I.N.G family. Like seriously.
You guys are the best. The craziest and the funnest. 
The only people I can dance in Sweet Frog with. ;P

My Salvation. Thank you Lord!

My church. Check out our facebook page and website! You guys are 'da best!

Friends! Like all you guys out there are awesome. Yes, you.

Sisters. All of you guys are the best fashion experts, counselors, and partners and crime. ;)

What are five things you're thankful for today?

xo,
Johanna

Babysitting :)

I have the CUTEST nephews, like oh my soul you don't even know!!
Having been a babysitter for quite a while, I still think they're the funnest to babysit. Yes, I know I'm biased. ;)

 

Who can resist such adorable smiling faces??? They've even grown cuter since these pictures (if it humanly could be imagined possible).

However, today I'll be taking a break from babysitting and am planning an exciting day out in a nearby city for some time with my family and to meet up with some friends tonight! 

Have a great Wednesday, my peeps!

xo,
Johanna

What are you planning for today? Anything exciting or just a lazy day at work?