Life Hacks!

Hey guys! So we have a surprise for you! It's our video to show you some of the life hacks we have covered! Each of us from llllifehacks have demonstrated some things that are daily struggles and we have some ways to help! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osrlfxO81-E&feature=youtu.be Staring in video: Alex Ford Catherine Chuah Oliver Boydell Tiarni Wiersma Filming done by: Tiarni Wiersma Edited by: Tiarni Wiersma using Wondershare Filmora

Hey guys! Are you as lazy as me and sometimes just want to get away with the bare minimum before going out? Well then I have some great news for you! Here are my top tips on how to get away with the bare minimum on those lazy days 1. If you’re feeling extra tired because you didn’t get enough sleep from all the Netflix binging or even partying- that of course your friends dragged you out to – use a white eyeliner to make you seem more awake! Just add some on the waterline in the bottom of your lid for a fresh and awake look. 2. If you’re feeling too lazy to take your makeup off after a night out and just want to sleep when you get home, make sure to keep some makeup remover wipes and a glass of water by your bed, the makeup wipes are to make sure you don’t clog your pores and the water is so you love yourself in the morning instead of having to get out of that warm and comfy bed! 3. If you are like me and love makeup but find it tedious to look at reviews and go into s...

Hey guys, Today I am going to be discussing something different to my past life hacks, food! More specifically though, summer themed, to help you survive the 40-degree weather that is on its way. Some summer themed hacks can be more complex than others, but today I’ll only be focusing on some of the basic ones. The first one is a great tip given we are starting to get into the warmer months of the year. For a quick slushy that does require all the effort of crushing ice, you can simply put fruit juice poppers into the freezer. Once you’re ready to take a break from the heat, take one of these, hit it on a hard surface a few times (to ensure it’s not a solid brick), cut the top off and then you’re ready to go! Up next is a useful tip to keep your hands mess-free when eating ice blocks or ice creams. Nothing is worse than having these drip all over your hand when you’re trying to cool down, and this hassle can be solved quickly and easily, just by adding a cupcake wrapper. Cutting ...

Hey guys, Today I wanted finish up on Google Chrome with some individual tricks that can be very useful. These aren’t really related to one specific topic, but are great tricks to remember. The first trick is using alt+left arrow and alt+right arrow to go backwards and forwards a page respectively. This is extremely useful as it allows you to quickly navigate through pages and maximise your time, especially for research tasks where this is vital. The second trick is the use of ctrl+k or ctrl+e , which allows for you to perform a Google search from any webpage. This is great as you can quickly access new information if you are unsure of something whilst researching, shopping online, or just casually browsing the internet. Using ctrl+k will achieve a similar result by selecting all of what is in the URL bar. The final trick is related to the second one, in that it allows you to quickly search for websites. The use of ctrl+enter will automatically finish the web address for y...

These note-taking tips are really helpful when listening to lectures/readings when making notes. Develop or use symbols and abbreviations. I would recommend keeping a key, such as the example below at the beginning of your book just in case you forget what the symbols mean. Image from: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/66/78/0b66783e9dcf8a93bc6f50a7ad214991.jpg Another tip to use the Cornell Note-taking method. Simply divide your notes into 3 sections.  -           The right column is the general notes area. The notes area is where you keep the most important ideas the teacher covered. Try to summarise this as much as possible. -           The left column is the cues area. This is where you write notes in the margins to help you understand the main ideas. -           The bottom section is the summary . This is where you ...

It's getting to that time of year where exams are right around the corner and its about time to prep and study for that dreaded test. Using some of the suggestions I explained in a previous post and some new ones, I'll explain the best way to retain and remember information for the big day.  1. Giving yourself enough time We all know how easy it is to procrastinate before every test, but its crucial for exams that you leave yourself with enough time to get prepared while also allowing yourself adequate study time.  There's no point studying the day before and expecting perfect results.   - The earlier the better  - Study time is based very much around personal ability and commitment, each persons studying ability varies Image taken from: http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/DesignWithinReach/PD_1353_MAIN?$tile$ 2. Splitting up your work/Taking enough breaks Studying for most people is not a particularly enjoyabl...

Hey guys! So normally I come with beauty hacks every week but I thought i'd change it up! Today is all about the small hacks you can use in your car to make every trip 100x easier! Here's my list of simple car hacks anyone can use 1. Starting off small, use cupcake holders in your cup holders to store little things and make sure that your cup holder doesn't get dirty from all the use 2. At night park your car facing the east - towards the sun - so that the morning sun can defrost your car 3. If you have a small dent in your car, you can use a plunger to get that dent out!  4. Don't have a usb port in your car like me? Buy an adaptor that has either a USB port or your specific charger cord at the end that you can plug into the cigarette lighter 5. You can use toothpaste to help clean those headlights! 6. If you're ever unsure if you should replace the spark plugs or any small part on your car yet, check the users manual and it will let...

Connecting ideas allows you to see how the main connect, allowing you to see the whole picture. Take a puzzle for instance, it is pretty hard telling what the picture is from one individual puzzle piece. By putting the puzzle pieces together, you are able to see how the pieces connect, giving you the whole picture. Image created in: https://www.dailyjigsawpuzzles.net/html5/make-your-own-puzzle.html Photo from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubik%27s_Cube#/media/File:Rubik%27s_cube.svg A useful way to see the whole picture is by using a Mind Map.  A Mind Map allows you to: Connect ideas Provides a visual overview Use keywords and phrases to jog your memory Luckily for you, there are options on how you can do it. You can use a traditional pen and paper to do your Mind Maps or you can use Coggle. Now, Coggle requires you to sign in with a Google account, and it allows you to create a Mind Map. It also allows you to add website links, i...

Hey guys, Today I wanted to continue to share some really easy and extremely useful tips to keep in mind when using Google Chrome. Today I will be focusing navigating through tabs and windows. Firstly, a useful trick is to use ctrl+tab to cycle through tabs. This cycles through your tabs left to right and allows you to quickly alternate between tabs, allowing for effective multitasking. Alternatively, you can use ctrl+shift+tab to cycle right to left. Continuing on, a similar effect can be achieved for windows/programs. This can be done through alt+tab (left to right) or alt+shift+tab (right to left), and can greatly improve overall productivity by allowing for even greater multitasking ability. A final trick is to use alt+home , which will take you to your browsers homepage. If you have your homepage set to a functional and relevant site/tool, such as Google, then this shortcut allows the user to quickly reset their page and improve their productivity. Hopeful...

Notes, regardless of whether they're on a computer or not, they can easily get lost or mixed up. Here's a few tips to help you organise them into an easy-to-read layout. Use 'Microsoft OneNote' OneNote is an application that allows you to open multiple pages under a similar heading, thus being able to split your pages up e.g. Lectures and Tutorials as headings then individual pages for each different lecture or tutorial. This allows for a well organised easy-to-read selection of your notes, allowing you to go straight to the required information. Students also get cheap/free access to this program, so download it now to help you organise your notes! Binders Use a Binder with sticky notes for individual topics or each lecture so you can quickly flick to each lecture or topic. Can also be good to organise class handouts and allows you to document your information by topic e.g. volcanoes within Geography. Pairing this method up with earlier tips (highl...

Some classes in university can be full of definitions you need to memorise and it can often seem daunting. We can often feel like Piglet at times. Gif from:  https://tenor.com/search/pooh-and-piglet-gifs   But, do not worry Life Squad! There are plenty of apps and websites that can help us create digital flashcards, particularly useful for those definitions or quick bullet points you need to remember. Quizlet is an app and website that allows you to create flashcards. You can insert a term and definition, as well as include an image or voice recording to help you remember. There are games that you can play to help you study such as flashcards, write, spell, test and match. Here is a screenshot of how I have used it from my IT class.  Screenshot from: my own Quizlet account Use it for revision on the go!  Catherine

Hey life squad! So most of the time I've talked about beauty tips and makeup which is great but it's been aimed at girls. Now its time for me to give you guys out there some advice and even you girls because everyone has skin and its time to learn about how to take care of it! a big tip is: MOISTURISE!! It is extremely important for everyone to moisturise because it brightens your look. You may have a great outfit but the moment you pair it with dry scaly skin, it puts you in a worse off position. When you have dry skin, it increases the look of lines, wrinkles and pores which ages you (and not in a good way!). Another good tip, don't make it look like you haven't washed your hair in days. I get it, when going out you want to style your hair and make it look great but if you put too much product in, it just makes it look wet and greasy which does the exact opposite of what you want. Use cologne! You guys may think it's not all that great but a key to a gi...

Waking up knowing you have to head to university tends to be the least enjoyable part of the day for most of us. With these few tips it might just ensure you both make it there on time and with all the correct necessities in your bag. Alarms: Its no surprise most people use alarms to help them get up at a specific time, however that temptation for us to get up, turn it off and get straight back into bed, can sometimes be overwhelming. Heres a list of small things you can change that might help! - Put your phone/alarm in a non reachable spot from   your bed so you physically have to get up and out of bed - Put your phone/alarm into a jar or something to amplify the sound image from: http://sarcasmlol.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/phonespeaker.jpg Prepare the night before: This 10 minutes you spend before bed every night can save you time and sleep in the morning Things such as - Food prepping - Going through the checklist of things to bring to cla...

Mnemonic devices are actually really useful tricks to have up your sleeve. Now, you may have heard of this technique, but could not remember or spell the word! So, what is it? It is using a pattern of letters or ideas which assist you in remembering something. It does work! Well, I still remember the taxonomy hierarchy (learnt in Year 8) from this simple phrase: K ind p eople c an o ften f ind g reen s hoes. K ingdom, P hylum, C lass, O rder, F amily, G enus and S pecies.  photo from:  https://www.polyvore.com/converse_canvas_allstar_hi_kids/thing?id=89651940 Perhaps you remember a more common mnemonic in Maths. For instance, when you had to do Order of Operations when using BODMAS or PEDMAS .  photo from:  https://literaryterms.net/mnemonic/ You can use a rhyme, or use it to make it into a word! Why not give it a go! What are you going to try and memorise?   Catherine

Hey life hacks squad! So last week I covered the basics of how to get ready in a rush and what to focus on so this week I thought i'd cover little tips and tricks to improve your makeup game so everyone in the room will be envious! First make sure you start with a moisturised face and apply primer! Depending on the primer you get, it can drastically help minimise pores or the look of redness on skin which can make a huge difference in application. Another big tip is invest in good brushes! If your brush or sponge can barely apply paint evenly, what makes anyone thing it would even do a decent job applying it on a face. I personally recommend the beauty blender which you can buy online or from a Sephora store as well as brushes from Morphe, Sigma, Bare Minerals, Nude by Nature, Real Techniques, or even Artis brushes. All of those recommendations I have provided range in prices so if you don't want to bust the bank there's still some for you! Next, colour correct! If ...

Budgets Whether your a university student or not, budgeting is a important life skill to have. If your a university student reading this, you know the struggles when i comes to balancing work, University, social life and money. Sometimes the bank account has to take a hit in order for you to get that next assessment done or you end up working instead of getting that time with friends or family. This is when a budget/plan comes in. It helps you manage your finances by planning ahead based on what you might spend or what you might be saving up for. Documenting your expenses The first step towards a budget is working out how much you earn vs how much you spend. This means displaying your set expenses (rent, phone bill, insurance etc) + what you might spend on average per month. Then offsetting that by working out how much you earn on average a month (fortnightly also is a great option). This helps you calculate whether at the end of a typical month your making a profit or a l...

Often in universities, you may enter lectures or classes swamped by laptops and iPads, which have taken over traditional methods of note-taking. Whichever method you prefer, colour-code your notes! Here are some of the benefits: Allows you to find information quickly. Helps you to organise information – such as headings and sub-headings. Make links between ideas such as making timelines for important dates. Now, I wouldn’t say go too crazy with the colours. You don’t need to buy an 8 pack of highlighters from your local stationery shop, as too many colours can be overwhelming. Pick a few colours, create a key and use it!  Photo from: https://crazylittlerowling.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/testophobia-fear-of-exams-and-how-to-overcome-it-what-straight-a-students-are-following-and-they-arent-telling-you/24abc4bc28727d2c327c2463b1189ef1/ Catherine

Hey guys Today I wanted to share with you some of the ins and outs of Google Chrome, the most popular web browser. These tricks will massively increase the speed at which you perform tasks on the internet,  primarily through easy to remember shortcuts. First off, regarding the usage of windows and tabs, most people will know that ctrl+t will open a new tab, ctrl+n will open a new window, and ctrl+w will close the current page, but most people won't know that they can close an entire window through ctrl+shift+w . Also, if you accidentally close a tab that you didn't mean to you can use ctrl+shift+t to open the last page you closed, and can be used up to 10 times! Picture from:http://www.freecomputermaintenance.com/windows-tips-2/common-windows-7-keyboard-shortcuts/ This next trick is extremely useful when browsing the internet for tasks such as research or shopping, where you generally want to look at multiple sources or products. By using ctrl+left cl...

Hey guys! So you planned to catch up with some friends but got distracted and let the time get away by binge watching the latest episodes on netflix? Don't worry I've been there too! Which is why I've come up with some tips to skip the full makeup routine and focus on essentials. Firstly, don't forget your brows, you don't need a full face of makeup but if you're going to do one thing, it's mascara and brows! They instantly lift your look and who doesn't love a good eyebrow game! Photo from: https://au.pinterest.com/pin/387450374166533282 Another handy tip, you'll need to make sure you look awake and refreshed so don't skimp out on the hydration. Drink plenty of water especially when you wake up and use a cooling moisturiser to reduce the look of tired puffy eyes.  Lastly, you've got to make sure you look presentable right? So make sure you pick something that doesn't have stains or wrinkles. Going for a neutral or ...

Many of us have issues with studying at university, let alone studying at home with all the distractions e.g. parents, Facebook Heres some quick tips to help you maximise your study time at home - Eliminate as many distractions as possible         - Turn off Laptops/phones if not needed         - Find a secluded quiet space to work         - Make your parents aware your not to be disturbed         - Wear comfortable clothing - Make a Plan/Set goals         - Make a schedule that focuses on different subjects at different times, so your time is spread               appropriately         - Plan what days your going to study and which days will be your days off         - Set goals for that given time of work whether its time or quantity related         - Put this schedule up on your ...