Going Back to School & Handmade College Supplies

As most of you know, I've been talking about going back to school for years now.  You see, I tried going to college when I was 19 or 20 and failed horribly.  Mostly I believe it was because I was working 60 hour work weeks at minimum wage and also trying to take 12-16 credit hours... About half way through the school year the stress of all of that hit me really hard and I just gave up on school and stopped going.  A year or two later I decided to try again, still working 60 hour weeks but only limiting myself to 12 credit hours and no more; same result.  Leaving myself with thousands of dollars in student loan debt and nothing to show for it. The fear of failing again has kept me from applying to school.  I worry about failing again, or how long it's going to take to get a degree going to school part-time and working full-time, or the costs... etc.

On a whim last week I decided that enough is enough.  I can't believe I've been working for a company for over 3 years now that will reimburse my tuition if I go and have not been taking advantage of that.  I applied at the local community college for Fall 2013 semester (which starts in just over 2 weeks!) and filled out a FAFSA.  It was done.  I was accepted.  I had Orientation last night, and after that a placement test, and registering for classes.  Most of them are full, so I guess I'll just be taking what I can get into this Semester.

So in the spirit of Back-to-School Shopping, which was always so fun as a kid, here are a few items I think will make life easier for going back to school and which are really cute & fun!

1 // I am in big-time love with this Dark Teal Canvas Double Strap Bag.  It looks like the perfect bag to work as a school bag and purse (so I don't have to carry both) and it looks like it'll fit any books I may need plus my laptop and other supplies!  My only concern is that it's made in Malaysia, but her feedback is really good-I'm just not sure when it'll get here if I order it!

2 // Isn't this pink elephants zippered pencil case just adorable?  Such a cute pattern!

3 // This little pear notebook looks fashionable and practical!

4 // If I'm going to be putting my laptop in a bag, it needs a sleeve! This handmade padded Macbook Pro sleeve with pockets looks perfect! This pattern is alarm clocks, but I might like her others more.

5 // I LOVE the messages on this 6 pack of pencils.  The creator also has a bunch of really different colors and and sayings, as well as fan-girl pencils for Mean Girls, Gossip Girl, Sherlock, Big Bang, and more!  It's fantastic!

6 // Organization is key to surviving College, and these Take Action Notepads not only inspire you to make things happen, but have little checklists on them to keep your to-do lists together! Love!

7 // So I completely adore my Plum Paper Planner (as seen HERE) and think it would be perfect for staying organized during school.  This is the one I have, but with my name instead.

8 // Again with the organizational loves here-this 18 Month Wall Calendar seems so clean-cut!

9 // For those days when it all seems so hard, a little inspiration hanging on the wall can help remind you what you're fighting for, and this Get Up and Try Print would do the trick I think!

10 // Shabby Chic Union Jack Laptop Sleeve?  Adorable!

11 // I love these little library card notebooks!  They seem perfect for carrying around!

12 // This Tree-Rings Duffle Bag is practical, and very cool looking!  Perfectly unisex!

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