Life Hacks!

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...

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

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

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...

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 ...

It's Tiarni, Catherine, Oliver and Alex and we all wish to welcome you to our blog! We are creating this blog to give you all great life hacks that you can use in everyday life including aspects like beauty, cars, study tips and computers.  You may not know much about us yet but here's an introduction to each member. Tiarni Hey guys! I'm Tiarni as noted above and a random fact about me is that i'm only 4'9", i know, it's short. That fact may not have been a life hack but its a getting to know you process where I would now tell you about what i enjoy. I have a love for beauty and makeup so of course you will see some great posts about ways to make your everyday makeup journey a lot faster if you can get lazy or run out of time just like I do! My time management may be poor but I know how to throw on some makeup in a couple minutes because of it!! I also am greatly interested in cars and so if you don't see Al...