Livescribe 3 Pro Edition Smart Pen Review

Here is a review of what I think about the Livescribe 3 Pro Smart Pen

It cost around $200, and can be purchased here

I also buy the three subject notebooks tear the paper out and put it in a binder. This allows me to organize my notes.

The only unsatisfactory thing I have to say is the app for the pen can be very slow.

Here is the link to my review of the Livescribe Pen

Hope you enjoy! Any questions let me know! 

College Supply Organizer: Using JanSport Digital Pouch

Of course I'm doing another College related post, but hey going to College consumes 85% of my life. This semester, being the first semester I'm at a actual University I will be spending a lot of time there. So I need to make sure I have everything I'll need through out the day. 

This is the JanSport Digital Pouch or as the tag says "Pixel Pouch Gryrbbitsylvd" online as "Pixel Accessory Pouch". I bought mine at Academy for $14.99 online at Jansport.com its $18.
This is the front side

This is the back side with a zipper pocket. 

The inside comes with three stretch mesh pockets, a mesh zipper pocket, expandable pocket, and pen pocket in the center. 

This is everything I hope to get in it. 

1. My ear plugs that came with my iPhone 6 in an cool case.

2. Different sizes of post it notes.

3. A mini stapler

4. Paper clips (I ended up only using the big paper clip. 

5. iPad charger

6. My Livescribe 3 Smartpen Pro Edition which you can look at here. I'll be doing a review over this soon. Although I will point out because I'll be taking most of my notes with this pen, the other pens I have are limited. 

7. A flash drive from my community college I went to.

8. I have the Sharpie Clear View Highlighters, you can get here.

I have a regular sharpie.

Pilot G-2 Retractable Gel-Ink Pens, I couldn't find the ones with the cool design but these are the same type. 

And last, my Zebra Pen, this is the BEST pen. It writes amazing. You can get it here. 

9. I have Bic Whiteout Tape 

10. My Zebra Pencil, lead, and a Pentel Clic Eraser. 

Here it is full of everything. I didn't put the black Pilot pen or the regular paper clips.
I found I didn't need them. But everything fits pretty well.

The side pocket holds my highlighters, pen, pencil, and eraser. 

This is with everything in it and zipped up. Its a little bulky but it holds everything I'll need for supplies. 

So how do you organize or carry your school supplies? 

Leave any questions you may have...

Thanks! 

Preparing For a New Semester Of School

Being on vacation from work, and having a break off school. I still have a lot to do before I'm ready for the new Fall 2015 semester at college.

So here are the TOP things I always do to prepare for a new semester....

1. Clean out the computer
- I delete things I don't need anymore
- put documents in the right folders
- get everything organized to begin a new school year

2. Still living at my parents house, I always deep clean my room. I sweep, mop, and dust. I go through my closet, desk, dresser, vanity, and old drawers. I love cleaning so this really does help me get everything in place. I also clean my bathroom and car out to just get rid of clutter.

3. My favorite thing is to go and look through all my old school supplies. To figure out what I need for the new semester. Lucky this year I only had to buy new highlighters ( I really wanted the see through ones), one pencil (for my planner), one notebook (50 cents I plan on using it for studying), white out tape (the liquid wasn't doing the job). While everything else I already had including a file system, pens, folders, binders and loose leaf paper (I have a 2 inch binder FILLED with paper).

However, this year my mom bought me a Livescribe 3 Smartpen Pro Edition so I plan on using this to take notes. I'll do a review on this once I have started using it.

4. I clean all my bedding and jackets. I clean my bedding every two weeks, so the Sunday before I start school I'll clean my bedding again. I wash all my jackets because they've been hanging round my house through the summer. During Christmas break I wash them again before the Spring semester starts.

5. I pamper myself, I get a facial, my nails done, a haircut, go shopping for new clothes. I do this because what women doesn't love pampering themselves.

6. I get my planner cute, clean, and ready for the Fall. I make sure I've wrote in all the dates from the school calendar. Then for the Plum Paper Planner I have I write in my classes. I also make a note card of my class schedule with the room number.

What do you do to get ready for a new semester of school?

How I Organize my Desk For Studying

I've been in college for four years, I've changed my desk around plenty of times. But I've FINALLY got it the way I want it.

So I have a before picture of my desk which I like to call a "Organized Mess"...

Nothing really had a place, I just put stuff where ever it fit. I bought the Desk at Office Max for around $250 I believe. 

Now.... 

I put everything in its own little place. I'm a very organized person, so to get the place I spend about 85% of my time during school clean was a must. I used stuff I had laying around in storage to help get it to work for me. 

1. My Wall Calendar..

I bought this at Hobby Lobby for around $11 (with a 40% off coupon). 

I write down all my due dates for school, doctors appointments, days I work. I then cross it off when I'm done. I will eventually take those clips and write down #1, #2 for things I need to do in what order. 

Heres the calendar filled out with my school things. 

2. Shelf organization.. 

This is my favorite thing about this desk.

The first shelf (to the left)... has all my bill, college, and a small random notebooks and folders. 

The middle one has my binder I plan on using for this Fall, along with a clipboard. 

Last one has my wedding binder, an my 5 subject notebook I use to write random stuff in. 

The top shelf has receipts, one of my books for the Fall, and my iPad. The bottom shelf has all my school books for this Fall. 

I also have an assignment book where I keep track of all my homework (bottom right corner). 

3. The drawer on this desk is honestly a POS. But I really don't open it a lot so I deal with it. 

4. My Filofax sit here so their easy to grab. The small one is my Budget/ Finance keeper. The big red one is well my everyday planner. 

I also have a coaster, so my drinks don't cause a ring on the desk. 

5. Since I don't use my drawer a lot I have this desk organized (I got it from Target). I put my everyday things here; scissors, pens, pencils, glue, post-its, stapler, tape, highlighters, etc. Then I have my post it organizer I got from Big Lots. I also have my Staedtler Pens, which I must say, are the BEST pens ever. Kind of in the picture I have my cuticle oil and hand lotion. 

6. This index card holder of course holds all my index cards. I study with them, so I have a TON! Also bought from Target. 

7. The desk has four of these shelves, the top one pictured has all my Filofax/planner items in it. Such as stickers, my sticker maker, all my avery labels, etc. The bottom one (sorry I thought I had a better picture) has all my extra notebooks and folders, along with my paper cutter, and hole punch. The drawers I bought from Michaels a long time ago. The two shelves not picture hold my DVD player and child books. 

I love having this new desk I can spread all my homework out, and I just feel more productive with everything organized. 

If you have any questions, just ask. 

Five Ways I Take Notes in College

Starting my fourth year of college (I graduated with two associates degrees in May 2015) I've wrote notes in almost every way possible.

The way I write notes really depends on the class (duh). 

In my Social Psychology class, I wrote in 4 different ways until I figured out what was best. 

Types of Lecture I've had:

1. Goes along with Powerpoint

2. Just rambles 

3. Writes random stuff all over the white boards

4. Makes you write your own book notes then goes over stuff later in class. 

Hand Writing:

1. I bought a Cornell note book (here) when on sale these are the best deal. Original price is around $8. I use the same pen when I write in this notebook, because it writes fine and is really smooth (here is the type of pen).

I have a key when I write notes: 

Definitions have bullet points in the cue column

and arrows in the note section.

They are also highlighted yellowed if on a test, then blue if on final.

Powerful words have a circle around them 

~ Are the studies done

< Title of Powerpoint Page > 

I only do this for the Cornell System. However I plan on doing this, this coming Fall for notes also. 

 * I don't always use the summary part 

2. I also take notes by hand on normal college rule.. these notes are following a powerpoint so for this...

1. I < title the powerpoint slide> if the same slide goes on for three more slides, I don't rewrite it I just keep going under that titles. 

2. I number each slide and skip a line between each slide. 

3. I use different colored pens for definition, studies, and then just the rest of the writing. 

Having so much paper left over I've decided to do this type of note taking for my Fall 2015 semester. I will only change, one thing, I plan on incorporating the Key I use for the Cornell system.

3. Note taking from the BOOK....

I write my own notes going along with the book, leaving space in-between. Then when I get in class I write in whatever the Professor talks about. 

                    

Using Technology 

1.  I have an iPad that I use to follow along with Powerpoint during class. I only take my Macbook Air when I have projects. I hardly ever type my notes, you learn better if you have to physically write them.

I took these notes because I missed a day, lucky another student in the class had the notes and emailed them to me and I just added on to his.

* I recommend becoming friends or hope that a person who types notes will share them with you if you miss a day. 

I used my iPad when I took online classes, I haven't used my iPad for note in along time. But I might pick it up again this semester. 

Extra Way:

I once had a Professor who gave us the Powerpoint online. We had so many Powerpoint's (I filled a 3 inch ring binder FULL with all of them) I just decided to print them out in outline format and wrote my notes in. I ONLY used this for this one class. 

Then during my education class the Chapters were so short, my Professor printed out the Powerpoint's and gave them to use to write in whatever we wanted. 

Over all the type of note style I do depends. I usually go through each type of note taking, during the first week till I figure out which one will work best. Although, the Fall 2015 semester I plan on sticking with hand written while using my Key. I find I learn best using this method. 

Hope you enjoyed. Leave your own advice in the comments. 

College Help: Tips to get you through your first semester

When it came to my first semester of college I was terrified, I thought I was going to get lost, get over my head, or worst even drop out. 

But, I made it, I'm getting ready to start my 6th semester of college and I've learned a lot about how to stay organized, stay calm, and get a 3.8 GPA! 

So what are my tips well…

1. Go check out the school you'll be going to. Whether that be a tour, or just going to walk around on open house. Getting to see where all your classes are will help calm your nervous.

-If the school website offers a map print it out and use that (when I go to my university I'll probably do that) 

2. Invest in a good backpack, you'll be carrying a lot around and you don't want your back to be hurting. This site is a great place to hunt down the perfect backpack for you. 

3. Get a laptop or tablet, I can't begin to tell you how important this is. Some colleges do have computer rooms but not all are always available. Heck some even let you rent a laptop or tablet for the semester. Buying a laptop or tablet really depends on the your personal perspective. I use this one and I love it. 

4. Always have your computer set up with the right software such as 

    a. Microsoft Word  this lets you make PowerPoint, word documents, and excel all that you'll need for    college classes 

    b. At least two kind of search engines (safari, Google chrome, etc) I don't no if this will work for none Mac computers, but I say this because some of my power points and word documents wouldn't open on certain search engines. 

    c. Evernote this has been a life saver for me in college. I can scan my notes into my computer into my Evernote account and search my notes. Yes, you read right search my notes. It's incredible. Also I just got a email this morning, saying you can buy a pen to write with on your iPad/iPhone and it syncs to your Evernote account. I'm thinking save some trees and go this direction.  

   

5. Get a good planner one that has everything you need. These are really good one 

• PlumPaperDesign Here you can pick your front cover, add your name and whether you want the classes inserted in or blank. This is my personal planner and I love it each class has it's own box and it's so organized.

• 

  I love this design so much 

  

  This is what the blank classes look like I do recommend this because college classes change every semester.

  
   
• Erin Condren Life Planner a little on the expensive side but well worth it. The only reason I picked the PlumPaper was because of the classes. But Erin Condren Planners have a pencil couch, stickers and really awesome accessories. 
• Target also has really cute planners 

6. My favorite part school supplies, in college its really all about how organized you are. Now I know everyone has their own way of doing things, but this is the way I've found works well for me. 

• Have a separate notebook for every class (I am actually combining two classes in a 5 subject notebook this semester) I like this method because I no all my notes/ homework are in one place. 
• Have a "Home" for everything. I use Flex fives star folders (I recommend the 2 inch one) they have individual pockets. I use my label maker and each class has their own tab so now I have a place for Homework, Important and just to store all that extra paperwork. 

• Use something to hold all your pencils and post it etc. I use this and love it, its holds all my things post it, pens, white out, stapler, pens, pencils. 

• But I also found in a YouTube video that, you buy this and put it throw the flex folder (the rings open up) and store everything here. I myself am going to try this, this semester and see how much I like it. 
  

• Have something to store everything in after the semester is over. I use three ring binders and have them organized into subject, but I'm getting close to ten of those. So I'll probably go to a normal plastic bin.
• Find a good pen to take notes with I use two

 
I love these pens. The Bic one has four colors light colors the other one has dark colors. I love these because it's easier to change up your color coding when taking notes.
The Sharpie pens write amazing there smooth and don't bleed through the paper. I honestly can say the Sharpie pens are my favorite.

• The best notebooks are the five star ones I can't find a better one. 

7. The number one thing every college student needs to master is, Note Taking Skills  This part is very important because it's how you study (most of the time). My tips are mainly to write with good hand writing, use color coding, highlighters, and use the Cornell system it just has a good layout to find things later. 

http://we-get-shit-done.tumblr.com

*Honestly every class I take notes differently: If they have notes up on the board I write in the Cornell, if its just lecture I literally just write and hope to stay caught up, or I read the chapter ahead of time and t write my own notes (in the Cornell) and when I get to class I add to the notes as the teacher talks. The read chapter before has really worked for me.

8. Now, for the most important things I could share with you as a first time college student is simply.

1. Don't stress- there is simply no reason to (I no its easier said then done) but if you take good notes study at least 45 minutes a day prier to the big test you'll be fine.
2. DON'T CRAM: Your in college, therefore; everything you're reading/ studying will come back to help you. Especially if it's your major class. Actually study what your reading. 
3. Get a tutor. I plan on getting one this semester because I'm going into a harder math class and I HATE MATH!   
4. Keep everything I no seems a little over board but it really does help. I've gone and looked at my old papers to help me remember the layout. I've even used my old assignments to help me with others. 
5. Keep your major classes, I'm a elementary education major so all of my elementary classes I've kept everything. 
6. Take time in-between studying. Don't just study for a solid hour without a break you'll probably burn yourself out and you still have another five hours of studying to do. What I do is study for about 45 minute then get up and walk around.
7. Don't get on social site, YouTube, or Pinterest in-between your breaks you'll get side tracked and forget to study. 
8. Be organized.
9. Have a certain spot to study, my first semester I studied on my bed and it was a bad decision. At night I couldn't go to sleep, my mind was constantly running. So I bought a desk and now I sleep way better because my bed is for sleeping not for studying.
10. You'll change your mind, not even kidding. When you get to college some people know what their going for others not at all. So if you get two semester or even years in and change your mind, that's fine change it. It's whats best for you. I was going to college for Physical Therapy then I got one semester in and changed my major to Elementary Education. I can tell you I'm a lot happier with my decision to change and my family thought it was a better choice also. Update: I've actually changed my major again, I'm doing child psychology. And I'm really excited. But I'm one semester away from graduating with my associates in teaching so I'm cramming my last semester and I'll be graduating with two associate degrees in May 2015. I'M VERY EXCITED! 

Well, I hope my advice helps I'm not an expert at all but I have had my share of college struggles. So keep your head up, study hard and make some friends. 

Have extra advice then leave a comment. 

Organizing Your College School Binder

I'm getting ready to start my 4th semester of College, and you could say I've tired every kind of organization tick out there to keep me on set ahead of homework. And I have finally found something I really like and I hope you do to. 

Reason's why I like this system.
1. EVERYTHING is with me at all times. (I have time in between classes each day so this allows me to work on other homework instead of just that days)
2. I can keep better track of everything, instead of having stuff in all different kinds of notebooks or folders.

Well now lets get started to achieve this Organization Binder 
Supplies Needed
1. 3 inch Ring Binder
2. Four Pocket Hole Folders (I have 4 classes, but wanted another one for extra papers)

3. I have a 5 subject notebook (I use college rule) for all my education classes, and a assignment notebook (I bought mine at Wal-Mart for like $3, I can't fine this one anywhere now) I would just trade out of the other single notebooks for that day. 

*If I new I had homework in math but it wasn't math day I would just simply take that math notebook with me to school to do it during my breaks. 

4. Notebook Paper, I use college rule

 5. Flag/ Tabs (I bought the ones in picture at Wal-Mart, I can't find them online they were about $4-7 and you can get big or small tabs I have the big ones here, but the one linked would work also, and a Fine Point Sharpie

Now to Get Started 

           First I decorated my 3 Inch Ring Binder to do this I get out my craft suit case and get my paper     cutter, paper, and Elmer's Craft Bond Glue 

I used my scrap book paper and picked some of my favorite papers

These are the ones I liked

After measuring and cutting I have this as the finish product. 

Of course I added some picture. 

The side of it


The back of the binder is the same yellow bumble bee color as the front 

Then I have The Finished Inside Product 

              1st. I have my class Schedule (upper left hand corner, I actually have a printed copy now)

2nd. I have the Red Assignment Book

  I love this assignment book, because you can write down the class- assignment- when its due- and it even has a place to √ it off when you've completed that homework                       

3rd. I have Notebook Paper, this is just to jot down anything last minute 

 

4th. Each class has a folder one side of the folder says HOMEWORK the other say Paperwork

Just a close up of the tabs I have Biology, Math, Education, Geography, and then an extra folder to keep misc stuff in. I also have the class in order for which day of the week they come.

To make these tabs I just wrote the name of the class, then I paper clip it to the folder and use clear tape, to tape the BIG part of the paper clip inside the folder, so the tab doesn't fall off. 

And last I'm a Education Major and this 5 subject notebook has all my education classes in it. I keep this in my binder at all times, because I like having it with me. You could use a 5 subject notebook for all subjects if you'd like. But I like having a separate notebook for each class itself (besides education of course) 

And thats it, I love this binder system because I no longer have to hunt for anything anymore. I'm a very organized person and this just gets me excited about learning because in college I believe its very important to get EVERYTHING.