Image Credit: Evie Maslen-Lines

September is the most “meh” time of the year (apologies to all Virgos). For most of us, it means the dreaded return to school, college, or uni—and even for those with careers, September feels daunting as you enter the final quarter. The increasingly dreary weather casts a shadow on everyone’s mood. But fear not! This year, we’re using what remains of summer to ensure we don’t succumb to the September slump.

1. Vision board it – manifestation in its finest form

Put the crystals and incense away—this is just light browsing on Pinterest. Find anything that resonates with you and what you want to achieve in September: books you’re eager to read, films you want to see, or financial and academic goals. Whatever your aspirations, find inspiring images and create a vision board.

Place these boards somewhere visible. I print the pictures out and display them on a board by my dressing table. This way, my goals are always in my eyeline, making me consciously aware of what I’m trying to achieve.

2. One girl’s trash = another’s treasure

Old clothes are like exes that won’t leave—they take up space and make you feel rubbish. Be brutal. If you haven’t worn it recently, send it to its new home.

Girl math suggests you’ll profit from this endeavour. My Vinted account hates to see summer holidays coming—I cannot help myself, always getting rid of clothes I was desperately holding onto four months ago. Using sites like this has taught me to stop buying cheap clothes just because they’re trendy.

3. Find your signature scent

Being told you smell good is one of my favourite compliments. Even better is having a signature scent people recognise as “yours”. The easiest way to find this is discovering a perfume you truly love (it doesn’t need to be designer) and identifying the notes you’re drawn to. Do you prefer warm and cosy scents? Or stronger, more androgynous ones? Once you know what notes appeal to you, research to find your perfect signature scent.

Designer and niche perfumes can be expensive. I recommend checking out companies that create perfumes inspired by luxury brands: Noted Aromas, The Essence Vault, and even Zara.

4. Get one item of clothing that screams “new era”

While we talked about parting ways with old clothes, I’m now suggesting you purchase one new item that will inspire your new era. This could be anything—new jeans, a top, jacket, or shoes. The only rule? It must make you feel amazing. Don’t buy something just because it’s trendy. Instead, invest in pieces you’ll reach for repeatedly. For me, this was my long wool coat—an A/W staple that defined my rebrand last year.

Even better if you can find this item secondhand (Vinted, eBay, Depop). This saves money and reduces waste from the fast fashion industry. If it’s made to last, it will still look good with plenty of care, regardless of whether you paid full price.

5. Get organised

Nothing is more chic than someone who stays organised with all their commitments. I use both a physical diary alongside Google and Apple Calendar to track my schedule.

I am not falling for the propaganda that you need to spend £20+ on a planner! While brands like Papier and The Productivity Method look lovely and offer customisation, a calendar is just a calendar. I got mine at TKMaxx for around £3, and I use it constantly. The most attractive feature of my planner is my colour-coding system: blue for work, purple for birthdays and important dates, yellow for personal events, and green for uni-related tasks.

I fluctuate between being extremely organised and completely scattered, so don’t feel bad if you can’t stick to a schedule every day. This system simply helps me navigate transitions from summer break.

6. Self-care is the best care

I believe a good shower can solve anything. Feeling tired? Shower. Had a rough day? Shower it off. Need a refresh? Shower. Here are my shower must-haves:

1. A good playlist – my mum and housemates know when I’m showering by the music blaring through the walls.
2. Products – this ties in with having a signature scent. I love anything that smells and layers well with my moisturiser—the classic Sol De Janeiro Cheirosa 62 Bum Bum Cream. If you love this scent but not the price tag, try the Treacle Moon Brazilian Love range (£2 for shower gel, £3 for scrub). You can get all the shower products you need to smell and feel fresh for a reasonable price.
3. Skincare – I’ve struggled with acne since year 9, and the appearance of a pimple can ruin my day if I’m in the wrong mood. Some favourite products safe for sensitive, acne-prone skin:

• Garnier Vitamin C infused SPF – currently £9 in Boots
• Bubble Slam Dunk Hydrating Moisturiser – currently £10 in Boots
• Bioderma Sensitive Facewash – currently £11.20 in Boots

7. Find a new podcast

Finding a podcast that isn’t boring felt tedious, but I’ve compiled a list of approved podcasts that are entertaining and educational:

• Working Hard, Hardly Working – hosted by Grace Beverley
• Call Her Daddy – hosted by Alex Cooper
• Confessions by Anastazia – hosted by Anastazia Dupe
• The Girls Bathroom – hosted by Sophia and Cinzia

These podcasts are on constant repeat in my Spotify and have become the soundtrack to most mornings. One resolution last September was to stop reaching for my phone immediately after waking up. My solution was simple: get up, play a podcast, and be productive for that episode’s duration. This small change helped me feel accomplished at the start of each day—even if I lounged at home afterward.

8. Hair, hair, hair

As a certified hair girl, everyone needs a change. Whether getting a trim to maintain healthy hair, completely changing your look, or trying new hairstyles, a refresh works wonders. I’m constantly on Pinterest looking for hairstyle inspiration, especially options for greasy hair days beyond the plain slick back. Here are favourite, low-effort hairstyles:

1. Claw clips – You can do practically anything: half-ups, French twists, ponytails. They also double as cute accessories that elevate your outfit.
2. Plaits – Timeless and relatively easy once you master them. I love the look of a slightly tousled French plait, or multiple plaits coming out of a ponytail for added flair.
3. Buns – Simple yet polished. Make them interesting with variations like multiple buns, a ’90s style spiky bun, or a plaited bun. If you opt for a slick back, limit how often you wear this style. To protect your hairline, use a hair mask or oil instead of harsh products like gel and hairspray.

9. Engage in a new piece of literature

Read that book sitting on your bedside table for months. Explore the buy one, get one half price in Waterstones. Invest in a Kindle (you can buy them secondhand to save money). Knowledge is power and we absorb most knowledge through reading. Sit yourself down in a quiet environment and allow yourself time to get into your chosen book.

Some favourite books include:

• We Were Liars, E. Lockhart
• The Hunting Party, Lucy Foley
• Verity, Colleen Hoover
• Intermezzo, Sally Rooney
• A Little Life, Hunya Yanagihara

10. Just breathe

It’s all well and good giving tips on how to rebrand yourself for the new term, but it would be disingenuous to say I’ll be following every single one. Remember, this isn’t about creating an entirely new personality (unless Gone Girl is your favourite film—you do you), it’s about finding new ways to freshen up your routine and make you feel better about yourself going into the new academic year/final quarter. These tips are designed to help you, so take what works and leave what doesn’t.