Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Arts Entertainment

How To Glow Up in The Last Stretch of Summer

Your last-minute guide to not only looking but also FEELING great before classes start back up.

Sasha Geyfman

Aug 22, 2018

University of Pittsburgh National Writers Society

5356

How To Glow Up in The Last Stretch of Summer

https://pxhere.com/en/photo/912897

1. Try out a new skincare routine

https://www.freeimages.com/search/girl-smile-face

Get in the habit of washing your face before you go to bed and when you wake up in the morning if you don't already. Maybe go ahead and buy a new boujee night-moisturizer or face wash that you've been thinking about getting or research what would work best for your skin. Your skin in the summer might be very different than what it is in the colder months so your same skin routine from December might not be what's best for you now. If you're seriously struggling with skin issues as a result of the sun, pollen in the air, or anything else, pay one last visit to your dermatologist while you can so they can recommend a regimen that would work for you in the upcoming months. Invest in a facial! while they may seem like a waste of money they really do wonders for your skin; a huge bonus to prepare you for the new school year and the impending stress that it'll bring with it.

2. Fix your sleep schedule now!

https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1427909

If you're anything like me, your summer nights have been filled with anything but sleep. However, in just a few weeks you'll have to completely flip your schedule and be able to wake up before noon for your morning classes. Get a head on your sleep schedule, even if it means going to bed and waking up just an hour or two earlier. Not only will this make the transition into the school year easier, but your body will thank you for it now too!

3. Catch your final rays of summer

https://pixabay.com/en/blonde-girl-backlight-happy-summer-677779/

Even if your skin is super sensitive to the sun, now is your last opportunity to feel the warm breezes of summer before you're stuck indoors for nine months. The sun not only bronzes your skin to the Gods, but also has been proven to clear up blemishes and imperfections leaving your face and body looking fabulous and breakout free. So go make use of any poolside you can while you still have the opportunity.

4. Splurge on some cute new clothes that fit the style you want to achieve

https://pixabay.com/en/photos/shopping/

We all know that as fun as summer is, it's also the season of astronomically high spending. Between lunch dates, concerts, and excessive gas money, you may not think that you have the spare cash to spend on a whole new wardrobe. However, if you cut down on some unnecessary expenses for the rest of the month and put some summer-job money aside to spend on just a few new tops or maybe an expensive pair of leggings you've been keeping your eyes on, you'll definitely thank yourself for it later. Try to get just a few little things for yourself that are bold statement pieces, not another tank top you have in three other colors. This summer, trying buying something that isn't exactly your everyday outfit but rather that style you want but have always thought you can't rock, you could surprise yourself.

5. Try to replace your dependency on soda and caffeine with water

https://pixabay.com/en/thirsty-man-drink-drinking-water-937395/

Especially if you're in college, you know that your blood stream becomes overrun by coffee by the time exams roll around. Knowing this, try to cut down on your caffeine intake now so it can help you when you really need it. Think twice before sipping down a large iced caramel coffee with extra cream and sugar or getting a second coke refill with lunch and consider replacing it with water or a lemonade instead. You'll thank yourself in a few months and maybe even drop a few pounds in the process.

6. Do something wild!!!

https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/girls?mediatype=photography&phrase=girls

It's the end of summer and although it's been fun, what's better than one last hurrah to get you ready for the school year ahead? Do one last spontaneous thing: go on a weekend adventure with some friends, get a cool piercing you've always wanted but have been hesitant to get, cut or dye your hair and rock a different style, or try a bold new makeup look you haven't been ballsy enough to wear out! If you've been looking for a sign, this is it. Doing something like this will boost your self-confidence and will have you starting your first day filled with reminders to embody the spontaneity of summer.

7. Try to do at least five minutes of physical activity every day

https://www.maxpixel.net/Woman-Vital-Fitness-Yoga-Healthy-Fit-Style-Life-1456950

I'm not saying it's time to hit the gym, but studies have shown that taking a mere five minutes a day to get your blood pumping is super good for your mental health and wellbeing. Even if this means just taking a few minutes to stretch out tight muscles when you wake up in the morning or going on a short walk, physical excersise is the perfect way to get your day started or to destress after work. It's easy to say you're going to do this and much harder to actually motivate yourself enough to go through with it but I promise, your body and your mind will really thank you for it.

8. Have a personal care day

https://people.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/1754858/

The upcoming school year brings with it promises to leave you very busy and very stressed. Before going into this, consider taking a night off from friends to take care of YOU. Do a face mask, take a relaxing bath with bubbles or a bath bomb, exfoliate your body, catch up on music you've been meaning to listen to, or read a book. There is no better way to get you into a ~good vibes~ mindset before starting school than the care and keeping of you!

From Your Site Articles

Anticipating The End Of Your First Semester, As Told By April Ludgate

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

National Writers Society

NBC Universal

Everyone who is in college right now, or has ever been, knows the struggle of pulling in the strings at the last second. It seems impossible, and you have to do a LOT of things in order to assure your future for the next semester.

April Ludgate, historically, is a very annoyed person, and she doesn't hide it. Of all the times that I binged and re-binged "Parks and Rec," her attitude relates more and more to me.

Keep Reading...Show less

april ludgate

Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

University of Florida

313

Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less

rainy days

Recommended for you

How To Glow Up in The Last Stretch of Summer

Your last-minute guide to not only looking but also FEELING great before classes start back up.

In This Article:

1. Try out a new skincare routine

2. Fix your sleep schedule now!

3. Catch your final rays of summer

4. Splurge on some cute new clothes that fit the style you want to achieve

5. Try to replace your dependency on soda and caffeine with water

6. Do something wild!!!

7. Try to do at least five minutes of physical activity every day

8. Have a personal care day

Subscribe to our Newsletter

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

We all have that "I don't care" attitude.

1. Most students just take life day by day.

2. That means procrastinating, one day at a time.

3. College students don't mind dressing like crap sometimes.

4. In fact, dressing nice feels weird.

5. College students get so stressed that they contemplate dropping on a daily basis.

6. But most find another solution to deal with that stress.

7. And that solution can be pretty cheap. Anything over $5 is expensive.

8. One of the only things college students will spend money on is coffee.

9. College is just really expensive and you never forget how expensive it is.

10. But hey, we're getting a somewhat high-quality education, right?

11. We all really just want to pet dogs all day.

12. And eat pizza for every meal.

13. And stab the next person who asks us what we want to do with our life.

14. However, despite the stress and student loans, college is amazing and there's plenty of reasons to smile.

Thank you, April, for inspiring us with your wicked relatability.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Arts Entertainment

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter