Today I am sharing my experience at my VERY FIRST EVER Iowa Football game! This was such an awesome day, and it really gives you a glimpse into what game day is like here on campus :) I hope you like it! GO HAWKS!!!
On this blog, I’ve been talking a lot about the university in relation to academics, so I thought I’d switch it up and give you a glimpse into my favorite places in Iowa City!
To Study/Get Coffee:
Dash Coffee Roasters: Dash is by far my go-to place when it comes to studying or going to get coffee with a friend. It is a place that a lot of students on campus don’t really know about because it is in a sort of hidden location. I love it because it is the closest coffee shop to the dorms. It’s just down the street from Catlett and Burge! If you are a plant lover or are super into aesthetic, cute places this is definitely someplace to try. I would recommend getting a latte and the pesto grilled cheese.
Java House: This place is VERY popular on campus. It was one of the first places I went when I got to campus first semester. It’s always tricky to find a seat, so make sure to get there early :) I tend to prefer the atmosphere at Dash a little more, just because during busier times, Java can get loud, so it makes it a little more challenging to study. If you go, definitely get a breakfast sandwich; my favorite is the Spicy Southwest.
Breakfast Date
The Dandy Lion: The best breakfast restaurant in Iowa City (in my opinion). It reminds me of a hometown diner, one where every employee knows every customer. It’s a very unique restaurant when it comes to style, vibe, and meals. The last time I was in, they had some very delicious sounding desserts on the menu, but I always find that the food is so good that I eat it all and never have enough time for dessert :( So, if you have any good desserts after your meal, please let me know.
Bring the Parents:
Pullman Diner: This is by far my favorite restaurant in Iowa City, and has now become my parents’ favorite as well. The most special aspect of the restaurant is that it was designed based on the Pullman Train Car. You can’t go wrong with going to Pullman for brunch, lunch, or dinner!
Vue Rooftop: You don’t have to be staying in the hotel to eat at the restaurant! But, make sure to schedule a reservation because it fills up very quickly, especially with COVID. The best part is the view you get of Iowa City; it’s so beautiful to look over the skyline, especially as the sun is setting :)
Shop:
Pitaya: I LOVE THIS STORE. I honestly think it has become my favorite store of all time just because the clothing is so cute, appropriate, and trendy! This is definitely a popular store for girls who are in sororities because there are some great clothing items for the different events they have. But, it’s also a nice place to shop for different holidays, and if you just want to treat yourself to a nice outfit :)
Iowa Book: If you go to Iowa…so does your family. This store has so many different options when it comes to clothes for parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. There’s tons of Iowa gear, nic-nacs, and academic supplies. They also have lots of really great sales!
Alright, everyone! I hope you enjoyed hearing about a few of my favorite places in Iowa City. Don’t get me wrong, I love every place in the city, but these are places where I am a very frequent customer :) These are definitely places to go whether you are touring the campus, or are a current student and have never tried them!
I am going to share with you some tips and strategies that I do daily which have allowed me to be productive and organized while living a meaningful day!
Tip #1: The most important part of having a worthwhile day is understanding what’s going to keep you from it. If I don’t have a very productive day, it’s because I spent a lot of time wondering what was on my social media. I recommend downloading the app “Forest” if you struggle with something similar. :)
Tip #2: Your mindset is EVERYTHING, make sure it’s POSITIVE. Some days, you won’t want to feel like doing anything…and that’s okay; it means you need a break. But, you do have to make sure that you’re on top of everything most of the time :) Find ways to keep yourself motivated and accountable. Write down everything that is due for the week in your planner, and then delegate specific tasks to every day to make sure everything gets done. Also, write down anything socially that you are hoping to do for the week. I really enjoy watching shows every week on TV (The Bachelor, Chicago Shows, etc.); to keep myself motivated, I make sure all of my work for the day is done by the time those shows are on so I can relax and enjoy!
Tip #3: Fuel yourself! Make sure to drink lots of water and eat healthier meals to keep your mind functioning the way it should. Throw in a coffee if you need to wake up a little. :)
Tip #4: The atmosphere you are in throughout the day is so important. Make sure it’s clean, cozy, happy, and partly technology-free (no turning on the TV or looking at your phone constantly). Straighten up anything throughout the day to make sure your work area/room stays consistently clean.
Tip #5: Start your productive day by not doing actual work. For me, this means having a daily routine that I follow. I will make sure I get all of my morning tasks done before I start any school work. If I don’t stick to my routine, and I’m somewhat lazy when I get up, I won’t continue my day being productive.
Tip #6: Take breaks. You shouldn’t be go-go-go all day because then you will tire
yourself out and won’t be able to stay motivated to complete all of your tasks. I recommend taking thorough breaks for at least a half-hour when you have your meals to give yourself some time to reboot. For shorter breaks, talk to one of your family members, get in a workout, or go to Starbucks!
Tip #7: Wake up on the earlier side during the week, and sleep in on weekends. I’m not saying get up at 5am, but I would say to make sure you are crawling out of bed by 8am during the week to have a productive day. Get your much-needed rest on the weekends and leave only a few assignments to complete. :)
Thanks for reading! Have a beautiful rest of your day. :)
Quote of the day: “Always deliver more than expected” ~ Larry Page
Prior to choosing Iowa, I was always searching for a video on what college students experienced on their first day of school. With a new semester just beginning, things are looking different for me when it comes to my class structure. Here is a little glimpse into what my first day of second semester looked like.
Thanks for watching! Have a beautiful rest of your day :)
Quote of the day: “Everything you do now is for your future”~Unknown
With the new semester approaching, I wanted to provide you all insight on how I am getting ready to return back to campus. I have begun a series of YouTube videos about my preparation for beginning school again. This first video is about getting ready for online classes! Throughout the video, there’s information regarding scheduling classes, customizing your technology, and more! Other videos you will see in this series will be on shopping for all of the goodies I need to move back in, packing, and moving in! I hope you all enjoy.
Have a beautiful rest of your day :)
Quote of the day: “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation” ~Robert H. Schuller