Tag Archives: winter break

Productivity During Break

Hello Guys,

That’s a wrap! The semester has come to a close and the holidays are just around the corner. Soon, we will be ringing in the new year! While everyone should take this time over break to unwind and well… take a break, it is never a bad idea to be productive either.

The first thing on my list during the break (and after the holiday madness) is to work on personal projects. During the semester, a lot of my time working and creating is spent on in class assignments or portfolio building. The break allows for the perfect time to experiment with different personal projects. This winter break, I plan to spend time painting some scenes from my study abroad trip to Florence from last summer! School projects are a great opportunity for portfolio pieces and growing as an artist. However, it is certainly important to experiment with your own interests and style.

Break is also great for practice; as they say, practice makes perfect! I always like to take the extra time I have to work in a new sketch book. One of my professors always said that you should do a drawing a day in order to improve and grow as an artist. That concept has always stuck by me. I try to draw from life when I can because, not only is it therapeutic, but I can better my skill set!

Last, and certainly not least, I use break to relax! A strong work ethic is so important, but so is giving yourself some time to rest! How do you like to spend your freetime/breaks? Until next time, enjoy the holidays!

Warm wishes,
Annmarie x

Here’s to My Last Semester:

This is it— next semester is my final semester. My last hoorah. My last time to enjoy the city as a student. I can’t believe my time here is almost up. Your last semester of college is totally not the end, even though it may feel like it at times. Good news is there’s tons of ways to make your last semester memorable and productive, just like I’m going to make mine!

1. EMBRACE THE LAST MOMENTS

It’s crazy to think the “best four years of your life” (or three in my case, lol) are just about over. As scary as that may sound, there is so much to look forward to. The most interesting feeling as a senior is the nostalgia you feel about the past.

2. DO SOMETHING

It’s never too late to get involved. Join that organization you “never had time for” before. Plus, it makes for a great resume builder…or just take on an intensive internship!

3. POLISH YOUR RESUME AND PERFECT COVER LETTERS

Speaking of resumes, now is the time to perfect them. Make sure everything is up to date and practice writing cover letters.

4. SOAK UP WHAT FIT HAS TO OFFER

The real world will not be as forgiving as FIT…who am I kidding, we all know FIT is intense. If they haven’t already, mommy and daddy won’t be paying for things anymore. Appreciate the free food around campus, going to an organizational meeting and having financial aid.

5. STAY ORGANIZED

Chances are you’re going to be applying to at least 40+ jobs (unfortunately, finding jobs after graduation isn’t as easy as your humanities elective). Create a spreadsheet to organize where and when you applied, what position and the location of the job.

6. KEEP UP

Let’s be honest, you mentally checked out of college as soon as winter break started. But skipping class and missing homework assignments won’t help you graduate. Buy a planner and stay up to date with all your deadlines. Each assignment you turn in leaves you one step closer to graduation.

7. NETWORKING NEVER FELT SO GOOD

By this point you should know what exactly you want to get into, and the only way to get into it is by making those connections. Keep in touch with your old internship supervisor and network whenever you can—these are going to be useful relationships to have. Mingle like you’re desperate, but in this case, for a job, not for a relationship.

8. CLEAN UP YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

You know that picture of you holding a red cup in your bathing suit during spring break? It’s got to go. Potential employers are going to be checking your Facebook and other social media sites during the hiring process. The last thing you want is to not get a job because you were photographed doing something inappropriate!

9. DO IT ALL

Now is not the time to be afraid of what you want. You’ve made it this far and the only thing stopping you from reaching your goals are your fears. You can do anything you set your mind too…times ticking!

10. ENJOY IT

After all is said and done, this is your last year of college. You’re not going to have the free time you have now once you sell your soul to the real world. Stay out ‘til 4 a.m., or go on a spontaneous adventure. These however many years won’t happen again!

Mariano

Dealing with Snow in the Big Apple:

We all dream of a white Christmas, however, snow in the Big Apple makes life a little crazier. Just a few inches of snow brings out the snow boots and over-sized coats. Here are a few tips to get through the winter while at school:

■ Dress in Layers: Let’s be honest, layers rule during the winter. Loose fitting clothing trap the body’s natural warmth, and do it best with an insulating inner layer and an outer layer resistant to wind and water. The less body area exposed, the warmer you’ll be.

■ Monitor Your Health: Stay well hydrated and well nourished, and wash your hands often. Prevent serious infections by getting an annual flu shot. Keep your skin glowing by staying moisturized.

■ Prepare Your Room: When it’s cold out, the dorms stay warm. A/C is switched to warmer air, and depending on how your room is set up some parts of your room may be a different temperature. Keep throw blankets and comforters on hand!

■ Stay ahead of classes: With unpredictable weather, sometimes the snow gets the best of the city. Snow days are inevitable, so stay on top of your class work just in the worst case scenario things get moved up/back that are unexpected!

Out-of-state School Break Tips!

It’s that time of the year! The semester is ending, and preparations for the journey back home (if you dorm) are underway! Coming from the suburbs of Southern California, here are some helpful tips I take in consideration getting ready for winter break!

First of all, make sure to pack wisely! – nuff said! Overweight luggage give you unwanted fees! Most airlines have a limit of 50 lbs. per checked bag, and don’t worry, your belongings are safe to be left in your room!
Make sure you are at the airport/train station/bus terminal early and prepared to board! Major airports can have lines that take up to an hour to go through, so don’t miss your flight by arriving 2 hours before your departure!
Find the best deals for you! – As we all know, traveling can be expensive. By researching thousands of websites out there that are touting the lowest rates. I personally use Google Flights, which monitors pricing and gives you real-time statistics. SUPER helpful!

Holiday Window Displays 2017:

It’s that time of year again! Before the turkeys are on dinner tables, window displays at iconic New York City department stores are already bringing in Christmas cheer. New York City is known for jaw-dropping holiday visuals, and here are a few I think are worthy of checking out this holiday season!

Bergdorf Goodman, Fifth Avenue –

The display pays homage to seven of New York City’s well-know cultural institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, The New York Botanical Gardens, and the New-York Historical Society. It captures the city’s appreciation for art, history, music, and film with their presentation entitled, “To New York With Love”. As onlookers peruse the windows, they can expect to see displays featuring bejeweled dinosaurs, a large-screen montage of black-and-white films clips, soft-sculpture plant life, neon musical instruments, papier-mâché portraits and sculptures, and signature glass objects.

Macy’s, 34th Street –

Despite tough times for department-store chains, Macy’s has once again shown what it can do when it comes to the magic of the holidays. This year’s window theme is “The Perfect Gift Brings People Together.” The department store has six holiday windows on Broadway and 18 other windows, including the perennial “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” which has had a place of honor for the last 10 years. One window features a Christmas tree as the centerpiece at home Another captures the busy city with an ice skating rink. A third has Santa as a theater conductor during a holiday show.

Lord & Taylor, Fifth Avenue –

Features five animated windows along with fashion windows and an additional 13 smaller windows filled with holiday flair at Lord & Taylor. Each incorporates snow globes to help tell the story. The windows depict a circus scene, polar bears playing in the Arctic and Santa’s workshop. The Lord & Taylor windows are built off-site and take six months to create starting from the vision to the final production. Up to 75 different skilled tradespeople work to put the windows including carpenters, electricians, and skilled painters.

Saks Fifth Avenue –

Saks Fifth Avenue celebrates the 80th year of Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with its 14 animated holiday window displays along Fifth Avenue this year. Each window features a different scene from the popular fairy tale, including Snow White dancing with the woodland creatures, the Seven Dwarfs coming home from the diamond caves and the Wicked Queen and the poisonous red apple.