Some things Psychology students want you to know.

I've just finished my first undergraduate degree. I will have a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences under my belt, with many more years of study to go. However, one thing I have learnt while studying, and also working in retail, is that many people have a lot of preconceptions and stereotypes about what it's like to study psychology.

So hear is a list of things that have come up when I talk to others about what I'm studying at uni.

1. "Can you read my mind?" ... No. I can't. Repeat, I can not read your mind. Just because I know a little bit about how the brain works, and understand some human behaviour, does not mean I can automatically see into your brain, and understand exactly how it works. Even the most highly trained psychologists and psychiatrists can't read minds... So save that one for the sci-fi movies.
2. "What condition does (insert name here) have?"  Firstly, one of the most important things we are taught when studying psychology, is that, if we have any ideas about what condition(s) someone we know might have, we are not to diagnose them, because it can create stigmas and make them feel worse, and it might be wrong, and that isn't helpful for anyone. Secondly, even though I now have an undergraduate degree, I am nowhere close to being a psychologist, it takes many more years before you can even start practicing and treating people yourself.
3. "You should treat me for free!" If you knew how much debt I'm going to be in when I finish university, you would not be asking me to treat you for free, that's for sure.
4. "Students these days are never at university. You're always on holidays!" Yes, university does have a long break over the summer, but the rest of the time we work hard. And yes, I may only have two or three days at uni a week,  but that doesn't mean I don't do anything in the downtime. Most students I know work numerous jobs, and study a lot (weekly readings, lectures, assignments...), and try to balance other life things, so you telling us that we're lazy, just puts even more pressure on.
5. "Do you have a real job yet?" You have no idea how much I want to have my qualification already and be working in my dream job, but university takes time. To get into the industry you want, you need a qualification and experience, and that takes a lot of time. So yes, I will still be working at this supermarket for a few years longer to keep myself ticking by.

Being a student isn't all it's cracked up to be! So keep that in mind!

What are the stereotypes that people have of your field?

Beth. x 

The repurchase list.

I've noticed lately, that many of the products I reach for on a daily basis are ones I couldn't live without, they're products that I have a back-up of a back-up because I love them that much.
So here is my 'Repurchase List,' the products that are always on my shopping list to buy again, because they're that good.

First up is Bioderma. As a person who has incredibly sensitive skin, this stuff is perfect for removing all makeup (and cleansing if you're lazy), without any irritation, and without any oily residue. It is slightly on the pricier side, but it is worth every penny.

Next on the list are a few fragrances.  I'm pretty picky about which perfumes I like, so when I find one that I do like, it's instantly on my shopping list again. My favourite perfume of the moment is 'Fancy' by Jessica Simpson. It has warm tones of vanilla and caramel, but also fruity tones of pear and apricot. I'm also guilty of buying 'Princess' by Vera Wang more than once too. This one is slightly more floral and musky. And finally on the fragrance front, is a body spray. Impulse 'Tease' is my favourite body spray of all time, and I freaked out when I thought it was discontinued. This one smells fruity like pineapple, with a woody side to it as well.

I love a good lip product, and I have far too many for one person, but these three are the best of the best in my opinion.
The Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella is my staple dark red, it's so easy to apply and it lasts and lasts. The Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in 107 is my favourite darker burgundy, and this line of lipsticks are an awesome budget buy... I may or may not have five shades in the range...
I also have a favourite lip balm. This is the Carmex Moisture Plus, it's not exactly the most exciting lip product, but it does what is says on the tin.

This year I also discovered some face products I wouldn't be without. The first two come from Arbonne, which is a vegan brand. I use the Perfecting Liquid Foundation and the Arbonne Intelligence CC Cream. And while these products are slightly pricey, they last really well on the skin, and last a long time in general, because you don't have to use too much product. 

A slightly more budget friendly option that I use every time I put makeup on, is the Rimmel Stay Matte Translucent  Powder. This powder makes whatever you put on your skin last all day, and helps to keep the oiliness at bay.

And last but not least are my favourite tools of the trade. I love most of the Real Techniques brushes if I'm honest (as you can see in this post), but the powder brush and the setting brush are the ones I wouldn't be able to cope without. They wash really well too, which is an added bonus. The setting brush especially is useful for setting foundation/concealer (surprise surprise!), blending in concealer under the eyes, and blending out eyeshadow too.

What are the products on your repurchase list?
I'd love to know!

Beth. x

It's the small things.

As New Empire's song 'Imagination' goes: "Simply put I like all the simple things." And that is so true; sometimes it's the smallest things that will brighten up your day.

Here are some things, that make me instantly happy, because clearly I'm:

Small things that make a big difference:

• Compliments from strangers.

• When someone requests the song that you wanted to hear on the radio.

• When a musician makes eye contact with you through the crowd at a gig... And no, you're not just imagining it.

• When people actually help you in a (slightly scary) festival crowd.

• Pretty coloured sunrises and sunsets.

• The smell of rain.

• Looking at the price-tag of something, and seeing that it's reduced.

• A hot shower after a freezing day.

• The moodiness of the sky during a storm.

• When you get every green light when you're driving along.

Sometimes you've just got to sidestep the big picture for a moment, and seek joy in the most ordinary things.  Take time to appreciate the little joys in life, and then get back to the important stuff.

Things I Just Don't Understand.

Now, I like to think I'm a fairly intelligent individual - I know how to spell definitely, I can differentiate a quadratic equation if the need arises, and I can change a tyre if I have to - but sometimes life just throws things at you and you're left thinking "What just happened?" and shaking your head in disbelief.  So here is a small list of things that utterly confuse/irk me, by no means is this list exhaustive... But it's a start.

Beth's list of things that leave her utterly confused/mildly frustrated #1:

1. When people post pictures with a caption such as "I'm ugly" or "#nomakeup."  Firstly, if you aren't happy with how you look in the picture, you don't have to click the upload button.  Simple as that.  With the whole "no make-up" thing... People have eyes, I'm pretty sure they would be able to tell if you're wearing make-up or not.  It just seems people who upload photos like this are fishing for compliments or reassurance - whether they know it or not - and it just confuses me that people are asking people they don't know that well (facebook friends, instagram followers etc.) for reassurance.  
2. When people won't commit to something because they're waiting for the "better offer."  I mean, if you get invited somewhere and you say yes, bailing at the last minute because you got a better offer IS NOT ok.  At least give the first person the decency of giving them at least some notice that you can't come... Hours before the event, is a definite no no.  This actually happened to a friend of mine quite recently.  They had planned a whole birthday night out with a group of friends, and at least a third of the group said they couldn't make it ON THE DAY... No explanation  no "I'm so sorry," no "I'll get so-and-so to bring your card," nothing.  I just don't understand...
3. When someone overtakes you when you're doing the speed limit. I mean I could understand if I was going slowly... Fair enough, but when I'm doing the speed limit... Well you're just impatient.  What confuses me even more is if I'm stuck behind someone who's going slowly and I'm being patient, waiting for the right moment to overtake, and someone who is behind me overtakes me and squishes themselves into the "safe gap" that I was leaving. Just, why?  You're not going to get there any quicker.  I just can't understand that.
4. And last but not least, when people just talk AT you.  You can be avoiding all eye contact, not responding at all, not looking even remotely interested and they still continue to force their stories/views onto you.  It happens to me all the time... I must look like I care about often racist/sexist/unpopular views?

So there's a few of the things that just leave me shaking my head in confusion... I'm probably just being petty, but these things just get to me.