How to Better Manage Your Time

How does 24 hours go by so fast?

Listen to my story! When I wake up I sometimes wake up with goals that I want to accomplish throughout the day, but as I start to get dressed and brush my teeth and take a shower and eat I realize that it took me 2 hours just to do all of that. Does this happen to you? It shouldn't take that long to do a few things but it always does, why? Even doing the simplest task sometimes I have to put it off to the next day just to make sure that it gets done right. Why? Why couldn't there be more time in the day.

Depending on what your doing throughout the day, you may feel like time has disappeared or that you wasted it without you knowing that you did. Constantly thinking about what to do and whether you should get it done today or hang out with friends can be a time consumer.

They say time is of the essence but we sure don't get enough of it or do we not know how to spend it? People are in constant debt paying back loans that they shouldn't have taken out or paying for material objects that they should've never bought. So maybe , just maybe this relates to time. How can you spend your time right if you don't even know how to spend or save a dollar and not waste money on stupid things like food and coffee. For those of youth drink coffee think of how much money you waste a day. Is it really necessary to wake you up? No. People just drink it because i is the easiest and fastest way to get that boost of energy that you need in the morning before you go to your 9 to 5.

Maybe if we took the concept of spending and management , we can develop better habits to use our time wisely. My time management isn't that great but it has been a lot better because I make realistic goals and I don't pile things up and wait to the last minute anymore. But Im not that good with measuring time because I have waited to the last minute for this blog. (By the way, it was supposed to be done 5 hours ago).

If we were to discipline ourselves to not spend money on Uber rides and instead walk, we can develop better habits that will benefit the mind, body, and soul altogether. This correlates to time because if we can do things that we have to do but is also at a beneficial time we can accomplish many goals at once.

I took this idea into consideration and thought about all of these aspects. My teacher once said "work smarter not harder."

If we can turn this idea into time and use it wisely and in a  way that makes sense we won't be struggling to accomplish goals at the end of the day and they will already be done.

What is a good solution to recover lost time?

Time can never be recovered but it can be salvaged. We can take what we already did and build off of it. Lets say for an exam if you highlighted all of the notes during class, when you get home you can use the time it took to highlight to study and you won't have to worry about doing it at home because you already did it in class.

Time management is extremely important in our active lives so it would be convenient for someone to highlight the notes during the class so when they get to their dorm or home they can take the next step and study directly from the highlighted notes.

Using your time wisely like this can help  you accomplish your goals faster and set you on the right track towards success. Something as little as the example that I just provided is how I was able to grasp my time and put it to great use. I no longer procrastinate and when I do which is every once in a while I tend to only do it when it comes to hobbies like blogging and never something as important as studying for a final.

Time can be saved by planning and implementing. Plan what you do for the day but make sure that there isn't any conflicts with what you have to do and nothing pops up at the last minute.

• Keep a planner handy
• Right down realizing goals
• Set days to accomplish your goals

Next is to implement. Put your plan into effect

• Start your plan as soon as possible
• Give yourself reminder throughout the day

If you follow these goals time will be yours and you will be able to control your life!

Transitioning from Spring Semester to Summer

Some of my goals for the summer in New York is to get my license, continue blogging, save money for my school tuition to pay for my fall semester, and to gain skills that is relevant to the career that I want to do in college.





I will not be vacationing or traveling the world like some of you but I will be working towards my future. For those of you who don't know, I am a healthcare management major. One of the best decisions that I ever made in college was switching my major from Biology to Healthcare Management. Some people are like why would you ever switch your major Biology is such a good field to get into because it is broad and you can make a lot of money being a doctor.


Well, most people don't know about Biology is that Biology is one of the hardest subjects offered at any school or university in the United States. In fact in my school, there is a 50% dropout rate for students who major in Biology in their first year. This is a significant number, but it is true because I declined to go any further in a major of Biology. There are many reasons why I didn't want to continue and I hope that those of you who are in college can learn from the mistakes that I made and learn from them like I have. Taking Biology and wasting my money is a mistake that Ive made in college.


One of the reasons why I decided to switch majors most importantly because my grades were suffering. I was always a A, B student who had an occasional C every once in a while. I thought I was good at certain subjects such as Math. The fact of the matter was when I went to college in my freshman year I found out pretty early that math isn't my strong suit. The first math class that I had to take was College Algebra.





The professor that I had was a foreigner from another country and he had a very strong accent. I didn't sit in the front or middle section of the class like I usually did, which had an effect on how my grades were. Needless to say I ended up passing with a D in the class, which I am not proud of but I am not scared to say to all of you because it happens. When I took General Biology I found that there was a lot of definitions to study and my study habits weren't that good too.


There are many things I could have done differently such as take more efficient notes, sit in the front of the class, visit office hours of the teacher, participate a lot and not just a little every class, and do work right after class when it is still fresh in your brain. These tips have made me become to the A, B honor student that I am today. Hopefully if I continue going not he track that I am today I can graduate realistically with a 3.6 GPA.











My summer is full of hopes and my main focus is to continue to do better in school and work and save money. By the end of the 2019 when I graduate college I hope to have my own car, have paid for my tuition in full, and be looking for my own apartment. Everybody has their goals and some have to work harder than others and that is just what I have to do.  My advice to you is to have a goal that you always been wanting to do, that will better yourself or others, and that you are really passionate about, because in the end when that goal is accomplished that you have been longing for, you will feel on top of the world.

The Rhythm of My Heartbeat

What is music to me?

            By: Dominique Dalton

Music is so important to me because without it, I feel like I wouldn't be able to get through life.

Music has the power to make you feel happy, it can be motivational, it can make you dance, it has the power to help you when your down, it can make you cry, you can relate to it in some way, and music can do other things for you.

Music has a different meaning for everybody, but music has the power to change your life.  

There are so many genres of music and million of artists out there who are already discovered and/or waiting to be discovered and through music it gives them the outlet to be heard but different populations.

Music can be complicated and expressive because it can tell a story.

Also Music can be pointless and not say anything, but can have such a great feeling to it that it raises your mood.

Music is a form of poetry.

Music can be a positive and negative influence to people because through music you can obtain knowledge about events that are happening among your society and it can be negative because it can introduce drugs and violence.

Music can be addictive.

Music can cause a person to act out violently or out of character.

But Music can also speak to a person struggles.

Music can help a person concentrate when they are doing work.

Music has the power to bring nations and people together through concerts and different venues.

Music drives people to success.

In fact Music is what I was listening to when I was writing this poem.

Music brings out the creativity in people.

But Music can bring out the pain in people. 

Music can be a factor in your religion.

Music can bring the best out of people and the worse.

Music is a form of art to some people and is praised and critiqued among other art forms.

Music can cure depression. 

Music is what drove me to start this particular blog post.

Music is universal.

Music can touch people spiritually through a church and a choir.

Music is what brings people together on holidays and social gatherings such as Christmas, Birthdays, Barbecues, Family Reunions, etc. 

Music is created by extraordinary/gifted people but anybody can make music with a few beats and words.

Music can be a form of communication. 

Rock and Roll,

Hip Hop,

R&B,

Jazz,

Pop,

Country,

Reggae,

and Electronic Dance Music, are just a few types of Music that we listen to.

Music most of all to me is life. It is the beat to my heart and without it I wouldn't be here right now.

Music Is Life and Nobody's Perfect Not Even Music Itself.

Comment below and tell me what music means to you?

  

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly in NYC?

New York City is one of the best places to live in the world. Lies. New York City is home to overcrowded streets, garbage filled alleyways, old and crumbled buildings, train traffic, cold and horrible weather, and a tremendous homeless population.

           According to Coalition for the Homeless, "Over the course of City fiscal year 2016, more than 127,652 different homeless men, women, and children slept in the New York City municipal shelter system. This includes over 45,000 different homeless New York City children." This is an extremely large amount people who are homeless in one city and I bet that there is more people not even accounted for. Now don't get me wrong, New York City is filled with opportunities to meet new people, network, vacation for the summer, try new activities that you my not be able to try in the country(helicopter rides, club scene), and other things, but what people don't realize is that living in New York comes with a lot of hardships.

Cons 

As a New Yorker I know everything this city has to offer but everyday I learn something new. Some things that I dislike about New York City is 

• Train traffic/delays
• Invasion of personal space
• Dirty streets
• High subway fares

For those of you who don't live in New York these things can get in the way and make your experience living in the city worse. Riding the train isn't all that great but taking a taxi isn't either. There is constant traffic and people everywhere. Yes it is one of the biggest cities in the world, but I feel like theres always someone around you. This goes into the invasion of personal space. Even when Im at home I feel like this is still a problem. Living in a apartment you have to share with other occupants and this can result in loud noise, disturbances, an d undated visitors. 

Trains are really high and it is very sad for the people who may not be able to afford the train. Five dollars and fifty cents may not be a lot for a 2-way ride but it does add up. I think that the train should be free for those in a secondary school or up to the age of 21 to make it accessible and more affordable for college students who travel almost everyday using the subway.

There are some pros to living in New York City. 

Pros

First of all you meet new people everyday. I love waking up and going outside to see new people and do new activities. Activities that I have done living in New York City for three years include...

• Bike Riding in Central Park
• Sightseeing at the Empire State Building
• Sightseeing at Times Square
• Walking through the Promenade
• Various shopping centers
• Walking through the Village
• Seeing the Barclays Center
• Going to the Met Museum and many more

I have learned a lot bout the history of this city too in the last couple of years which is very cool to see. Even though New York City isn't somewhere that I would continue living I think its great for anyone who enjoys the city life. 

Also anyone who likes to live in a fast paced life because that is exactly what New York is. I have lived in the suburbs for most of my life and this was my first experience living in a big city. Overall I would rather live in the suburbs. 

Even though I didn't enjoy my experience here doesn't mean that you will. New York City is still a wonderful place to travel with your family or friends and they do have a lot of breathtaking views and photo opportunities. 

How Do You Get Rid of Acne?

What causes acne and my experience with it?

Have you ever been to a dermatologist for acne or other skin related problems and they prescribed you with medicine and that medicine failed to cure or stop your skin related problems? Well thats me. I lived with acne for most of my childhood which affected the quality of life that I had and the things that I did. Many of you who have acne currently or have had acne in the past will most likely blame it on puberty but that isn't a good excuse because acne can happen when you are an adult too. Also, many of you that have or had acne have probably seen commercials or ads for different ways to get clear skin. But the thing is what advertisers fail to tell you is that there is a lot more than just using facial applicators to get good skin. Well, you have to eat healthy, exercise, drink plenty of water, and exfoliate which is the key step to how I am currently living an acne free life. Like they say what you put into your body is what makes you, you!

What is acne?

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases,

Acne is a disease that affects the skin's oil glands. The small holes in your skin(pores) connect to oil glands under the skin. These glands make an oily substance called sebum. The pores connect to the glands by a canal called a follicle. Inside the follicles, oil carries dead skin cells to the surface of the skin. A thin air also grows through the follicle and out to the skin. When the follicle of a skin gland clogs up, a pimple grows.

What techniques really work to get rid of acne and other skin complications?

          1. Eating a oil free diet

• Believe me when I tell you that this is one of the most important steps to follow. 
• If you have oily skin eating foods such as fried chicken, salty potato chips, and all fast foods will clog your pores.
• Stay away from fast food restaurants and start cooking at home with fresh produce.
• eating fruits and vegetables is always a good idea to get clear skin.

           2. Exfoliating your skin

• Using natural scrubs with honey and sugar can scrub all of the dead skin from your cells that will clog your pores.
• Most likely you are getting acne from your pores not been cleaned out all the way.
• Green tea scrubs and other natural scrubs will help the skin not fight it.
• Exfoliate your skin at least twice a week, but don't over do it because it can cause your skin to flare up.

           3. Don't use products with a strong scent

• If you had acne like me using strong scent soaps can do more damage to your face and mess up your face natural pH balance. 
• Never use body washes on your face or hand soaps. 
• Toothpaste can be fine to use on pimples but remember don't do it everyday because the fluoride in toothpaste can do damage your skin also and cause it to burn your skin also.

           4. Using Products high in Acidity Can be Good For Pimples Too

• Apple Cider Vinegar is great for black heads and dark spots from acne and can work as a natural bleacher.
• Lemon juice can neutralize the acne on your face and help your pH balance for your face.
• Applying the lemon juice or apple cider vinegar with a cotton swab is an easy way to apply it to your face.

           5. Drink Plenty of Water!

• Always drink at least 5 cups of water per day.
• Make sure that you are cleaning your face at least twice a day with warm water and not hot water.

Remember that getting rid of acne is a long process and it took me a long time to figure out what I needed to do. I promise that everything that I mentioned works because I am living proof that changing your eating habits and products that you put on your face will help your acne go away.

Who Am I?

Hi, my name is Dominique Dalton and I'm a first generation blogger!

Your probably like what is that, LOL. A first generation blogger is someone who is the first in their immediate family to blog. My purpose for my blog is to relate amongst a group of people and to connect with them and give good advice. Whether your a teenager who is on track to start college or an adult who wants to indulge in some great conversation my blog is right for you. 

Starting a blog is not easy let me tell you...... Like, I literally have sat here on a Sunday afternoon for 3 to 4 hours staring at my laptop, searching blogs on google, and I just realized that nobody's blog is perfect, but this is a start.

Being almost 20 years old and a college student, I am transitioning from adolescence to adulthood and I have so many ideas and adventures that I want to try out in my 20s. I have a wide range of interests from different types of music from artists such as...

• Kendrick Lamar and The Chainsmokers 

To favorite movies such as...

• Harry Potter 
• The Hunger Games
• Marvel movies like Spiderman, Logan, Iron Man, and Deadpool
• and love stories like Twilight 

Also favorite TV Shows/Netflix Series that you guys may know such as... 

• Orange is the New Black 
• American Horror Story 
• The Walking Dead
• Empire
• Dancing With the Stars
• Keeping Up with The Kardashians
• The Challenge
• The Bachelorette
• Love & Hip-Hop
• Black Inc Crew and many more.

You'll find by reading my blog through the next couple of weeks that some of you may have the same interests in me involving movies, television shows, fashion icons, fashion do's and dont's, books, fitness workouts, career interests, bucket list ideas or adventurous outings, college struggles, and many more!

That is why you should continue reading my blogs in the future.

I want to make a platform where we can share ideas about the not so easy topics to talk about such as health and mental illness....

....or how hard it is to get a job these days. Trust me you won't be let down!

With so many topics to talk about, I encourage you guys to chime in and comment to make this a open conversation. If there are any questions or thoughts or just interests that you have or advice or ideas for me or whatever else that you guys need, feel free to leave a comment. "Every good conversation starts with good listening."-Anonymous