10 Student Blogging Benefits.

This time last month I was feeling seriously guilty. My final week of the Spring term had filled up with work and birthdays and general uni stuff and blogging had taken a serious back seat. So naturally when I got home, I caught up with everything the only way I knew how - by blogging it. The post, '10 Problems All Student Bloggers Will Understand', was a really fun and cathartic post to write just because a lot of the 'problems' I encountered seemed really solvable once I'd written them down. Note to self: bulk buy batteries on special offer and take photos before you leave for lectures in the morning. Done!
Now that I'm back at uni and in my final weeks of First Year (Eeek!), I got to thinking... there are a lot of upsides to being a Student Blogger. Here are my Top Ten Benefits:

1. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

University life isn't like being at school or having a full time job. Most students have a flexible schedule which is seriously handy when you're feeling inspired. Usually, I tend to write blog posts when I'm in a 'writing mood' - if I try and force it, everything comes out kinda odd sounding and you can absolutely tell that I'm rushing through a post. As an English Literature student, I have the luxury of structuring my day around when I'm feeling inspired to write as long as I still get my work done. Generally speaking, I function best when I work in the morning and blog in the afternoon/evening - it means I get to take my time knowing I've done all the necessary uni reading.

2. ONLY BUYING THE PRODUCTS YOU REALLY WANT

Being strapped for cash is a blessing in disguise. Hear me out on this one! When you simply don't have the funds to go grab every latest beauty release or the latest must-have dress in Topshop, it makes you want it more, right? But you learn to prioritise this way. If you're still lusting after that lipstick a couple months later (and the blogger's hype has died down a bit) then it might be something worth saving up for.

3. STRUCTURE

I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of person who needs structure. If I don't have anything to do in the morning, chances are I won't get out of the bed. Sad but true! But if I have blog posts to write that day, I tend to be way more motivated and productive. Who said blogging was a distraction?

4. BECOMING SPENDING SAVVY

As a beauty blogger, I'm pretty good at knowing where to save and where to splurge. It seems like I spend all my time reading reviews of drugstore and high-end products so I can spend my money wisely. I can't imagine how much the bloggersphere has saved me the past year.

5. A LITTLE INTERNET ESCAPE TO CALL YOUR OWN

I've said it a million times but LydiaLulu is my creative outlet. I technically do a degree in reading and writing essays. So sometimes it's nice to write about my favourite nail polish and not worry about whether it'll get me a first. Who cares if people think it's superficial? As my life guru, Taylor Swift would say, 'haters gonna hate, hate, hate.'

6. BLOGGING AND STUDYING

I've loved all things beauty and fashion for as long as I've loved Literature. Between my blog and my degree, it's a tie. Blogging at university allows me to pursue my two greatest loves at the same time. #winning

7. IMPROVES WRITING

Blogging has made me a better writer. Simple as. If you're writing even the shortest posts nearly everyday, your writing style will naturally improve. You become more confident and your voice shines through... at least I like to think so! I personally find it really hard to write an essay if I've been out of practice for a while. Creating content for LydiaLulu (despite the vast differences in subject matter!) has helped me perfect my writing style.

8. CREATE MORE ORIGINAL CONTENT

Another upside to being broke. This 'problem' featured in my '10 Problems All Student Bloggers Will Understand' post but it's definitely a double-sided one. Yes, we all struggle with inspiration sometimes, especially when you can't afford to do a foolproof Boots Haul. Sigh.
You sort through the depths of your make-up bag looking for something - anything - to write about. You're just about ready to bang your head against the wall and call it a day. For me, these moments are as frustrating as they are integral to the creative process. They challenge you to think of fresh ideas and create original content because you can't depend on your latest purchases, etc. I have an exciting new series coming up in the next few months which I popped into my head when I was scrolling through my Bloglovin' feed. Inspiration tends to strike when you're not desperately trying to think of ideas - reading other people's blogs never fails to inspire me.

9. PERMANENCE OF BLOGGING

My degree is incredibly essay-based, you've only just finished piece of writing when you're already thinking ahead to the next. Once it's done and marked, the last essay is pretty much forgotten about. Which is why I love blogging. Old posts are always there if you're ever in need of a read - or a chuckle in my case, I often wonder what I was thinking in those early days. There's a comforting permanence to blogging... a point that's not exclusive to students, obvs.

10. THE LITTLE MILESTONES

The satisfaction of a post being well received or hitting a milestone number of page visits/followers feels like getting a first. A first in blogging! Of course it's not all about the numbers but a milestone is a milestone. It reassures you that you're doing something right. Blogging while you're a student isn't easy, there's a lot to balance. But these moments make those late nights seem all the more worth it.

See? I'm not all moan and groan. I've got some really exciting things lined up over the next few weeks for my little corner of the internet. Hey, being a student blogger has its benefits...