Hi guys! If you're currently looking into universities, you'l know that most open days are coming up in June/July. Most universities hold two open days in the summer, and another one or two in September, and booking is already open for most summer open days. I think that open days are the most important part of the decision-making process, so it's integral to be prepared before going. To book your open day place (plus any talks/tours you want to go on), go to the university website and find the open days page. I recommend going to about 6 open days to keep your options open, but there is absolutely no upper or lower limit, just do what's right for you. At the end of this post is a comprehensive list of all the Russell Group universities and some non-Russell Groups along with links to their Summer open day pages. Please note that open days are taking place in September/October and later on for nearly all of these unis, but I have not included these dates on the list.
What to do pre-open day
- do your research
Know the facts about the uni; know what subjects you'd be studying, know if it's an old/new building, know the entry requirements (A Level results, GCSE results, and/or specific subjects at A Level or equivalent).
- book!
For most universities, you'll need to book your place (and your guests' places) for scheduled talks and tours. For some universities, you'll need to book to even enter the open day. Make sure to book ASAP, because places disappear quickly.
- transport
Decide how to get to the uni. Car, train, or park and ride are normally the best options, but make sure you know how and when you need to get there so you don't have to panic on the day. Also, make sure you're aware of how and where to park (by car) or if you need to make a booking (for park and ride).
- look around online and compare unis
University websites are generally very helpful, with almost all the essential information on them. Branch out, and check out unis that you may not be interested in going to. I personally prefer to see all the doors in front of me and close them one by one as opposed to just searching for the one right door, if you understand my analogy. Go to at least one campus uni and one off-campus city uni if you can, no matter whether you feel you've decided to be on or off campus. Who knows, you might change our mind.
- make a schedule
Allow time to get there, plus allow about 15/20 minutes to get to each talk/tour/college (more time if someone in your party has a mobility disability). Know exactly when you have to be exactly where, to save stress on the actual day. Remember to leave time for lunch!
What to take on the day
- laptop and/or paper and pens
Especially if you're attending talks, you may want to make notes so that when you come to decide on where to apply, you'll remember the good and bad points of each uni.
- your booking info
Talks and times, parking/park and ride information, and tickets to get in, plus any other documents you'll be requiring.
- a list of questions
After the talks, there'll usually be a time of Q&A with course leaders/current students, so make sure to make a list of anything you want to ask, and (even more importantly) make sure you listen to other people's questions and their answers, as you may want to know something but didn't think of it straight away.
- info about the uni
Do they do a year out? Is it a campus university? Do they even do the subject(s) you want? Do they do combined honours? These are questions that you could ask someone on the day, but are easily found out by a little bit of research that could end up saving both you and the people at the uni precious time. Write down the key points of each uni and take them on the day, for easy access to vital information.
- an open mind
Ugh, that was cringey. Sorry. Seriously though, if you go to a uni thinking that you'll hate it, then you will hate it. Come with a mind that is open to discovering hidden gems, or on the flip side, don't overlook the bad points of your favourite uni. You'll be spending at least 3 years there, so you don't want to make the decision on a misconception.
- the essentials
Money (food, possibly parking, gifts etc), phone, keys, parent(s) and/or guardian(s), directions (both to and within the uni) and/or google maps, etc.
Helpful Links (all open in a new window)
Open Days pages
Russell Group
Birmingham (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June)
Bristol (Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June)
Cambridge (Thursday 6 and Friday 7 July)
Cardiff (Friday 7 July)
Durham (Monday 26 June and Saturday 1 July)
Edinburgh (Friday 9 June)
Exeter (Friday 2 and Saturday 3 June)
Glasgow (Thursday 15 June and Wednesday 30 August)
Imperial College London (Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June) (Taster Courses (Tuesday 11 and Tuesday 25 July))
King's College London (Guy's Campus Saturday 10 June and Saturday 8 July, Strand Campus Saturday 24 June)
Leeds (Saturday 17, Thursday 22, and Friday 23 June)
Liverpool (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June)
LSE (Thursday 6 July) (Taster Courses (Tuesday 13 June))
Manchester (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June)
Newcastle (Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July)
Nottingham (Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July)
Oxford (Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 June)
Queen Mary University of London (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June)
Queen's University Belfast (none in Summer, closest is Thursday 7 September)
Sheffield (Wednesday 21 June and Saturday 8 July)
Southampton (Saturday 8 July)
University College London (Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July)
Warwick (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 June)
York (Friday 30 June and Sunday 2 July *RECENTLY CHANGED FROM SAT 1ST TO SUN 2ND*)
Non-Russell Group
St Andrews (none in Summer, closest is Wednesday 27 September)
Loughborough (Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July)
Bath (Thursday 15, and Friday 16 June)
Reading (Friday 16 and Saturday 17 June)
Surrey (Friday 30 June and Saturday 1 July)
Leicester (Friday 7 July)
Nottingham Trent (Tuesday 11 July)
Lancaster (Friday 14 and Saturday 15 July)
Royal Holloway (Wednesday 14 and Saturday 17 June)
SOAS (Wednesday 14 June)
Sussex (Saturday 24 June)
Kent (Medway Campus Saturday 17 June, Canterbury Campus Saturday 1 July
Other Helpful Links
Russell Group
UCAS
I hope this has been helpful, and please let me know if any of the links stop working! <3
Seventeen year old English girl devoted to art, faith, and life. Read on to discover more about my thoughts, hopes, and creations.
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Sunday, 9 April 2017
FAQ Of Me
Good morning! Today's post will hopefully be kinda fun. I asked friends and strangers to ask me questions, and I also wrote down the questions that I'm most commonly asked.
Is it difficult?
Again, at the beginning yes, but not anymore. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t vegan so that it was easier to eat at restaurants etc, but I so don’t regret my choice.
Christianity
When did you become a Christian?
Summer 2016. The changes inside me were happening from a lot earlier than that, but Summer was when I really kind of accepted those changes, and allowed myself to label myself.
Why?
Well, that’s a very long story, but if you’re close enough to me and we have enough time I’ll gladly tell it to you. The gist is that I wasn't a very nice person pre-‘conversion’, and I realised that if I was someone else, I wouldn’t want to be friends with me. Therefore, I started to change my attitude and my actions, and as a result my inner feelings and spirituality started to change too. Months passed until I finally realised ‘hey, I believe in a God…??’ and that was the start of the new me (must be said v sarcastically).
What does that mean for your daily life?
Well, on Sunday mornings I go to church, on Wednesday evenings I practice Worship at church (Worship is essentially praising God through singing and playing instruments), on Thursdays I go to Youth Group, I pray everyday, I read some of the Bible everyday, and my outlook has changed.
What denomination are you?
I don’t actually label myself as any denomination, because I haven’t yet found one that defines me correctly. If I do find one eventually, that’d be great; but for now I’m fine with solely being a Christian.
Aren’t all Christians homophobic?
Nope. As probability and population suggest, there are a whole bunch of gay Christians, who obviously won’t be homophobic. Some Christians are, but there are a lot who may not necessarily be pro-gay but they certainly aren't homophobic.
Aren’t all Christians anti-abortion?
Again, nope. I am pro-life (although every case must be treated subjectively) because of my beliefs but there are a lot of Christians who (especially in certain circumstances) will condone abortion.
Aren’t all Christians creationists?Nooooo. There are so many different interpretations of Genesis (where the Adam and Eve story is) and many of them align with evolution and the Big Bang and everything else scientific. I personally don’t know where I stand on the literality/symbolism debate of Adam and Eve, but again I’m not stressing too much over finding an answer quickly. I know I’ll find my answer soon enough, be it correct or not.
Do you just sing hymns all the time?
Seriously, no. Listen to Hillsong/Bethel/Jesus Culture. They are some of the best Worship bands of all time.
Education
You do dossy subjects - aren’t you smart, though?
I do do dossy subjects (Drama and Film), and I am sort of smart. I chose to do subjects I enjoy at college, and those aren’t Maths or Science based. Sorry?
Your GCSE results were amazing - why are you worrying about A Levels?
(For context, I achieved 7A*s and 5As at GCSE.) Because they are SO MUCH HARDER! Seriously, I’m getting Cs and Bs, having never got anything lower than an A pre-college.
What do you want to do at university?
I want to study Theology and Religious Studies. Basically, I want to learn more about different religions and what they believe and their histories, and maybe learn a Biblical language alongside it.
So you want to become a vicar? A nun?
No. That’s the first thing my mum asked me when I told her I wanted to do Theology. Honestly, it’d be a blast to be a nun, but that’s not my calling.
What do you want to be?
Ultimately, an actress. And yes, I know that no one makes it, and I know it’s all down to who you know, and I know it probably won’t happen. But, I’m gonna give it a go anyway.
Are you pressured by your family?
This is the most interesting question I was asked. I’d say that I am, but by the pressure I put on myself to live up to their expectations, not by something they actually do themselves. I want to live up to the examples set by my brothers, and I want to make my parents proud. That’s pressure enough, I guess.
Lifestyle
What’s your favourite… Book?
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It’s actually recently been made into a Netflix TV show! (Which is really well-done, btw.)
Film?
Zero Day (2003) dir. Ben Coccio. I’ve already talked about how much I adore this movie and it’s characters, and I’ll link the post here.
Musician?
Oh I have no idea… I always love Green Day and the Smashing Pumpkins, but at the moment I’m getting back into Van Halen and Aerosmith.
Author?
I hate to be all stereotypical-white-girl-tumblr but John Green is an absolute mastermind.
TV Show?
I’ve almost finished the first season of American Horror Story and I’m LOVING it. Also, the Pretty Little Liars final season is airing soon, and I am so so so excited!!
Actor?
Martin Freeman is so talented, and so is Andrew Scott. A very Sherlockian theme to this question but the cast of BBC Sherlock is just too fantastic to not be mentioned!
Musical?
Les Miserables… Closely followed by Miss Saigon. Yep, I’m into the sad ones.
Song?
My all-time favourite has to be Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas but at the moment I’m really loving How Far I’ll Go by Auli’i Cravalho from Moana and Misconceptions 3 by Lecrae feat John Gives, Jgivens, and Jackie Hill Perry.
What song got you into singing?
This is such a tough question! I guess I’ve always loved singing and performing, but my passion really began when I heard On My Own from Les Mis for the first time. What a song.
What Hogwarts house are you?
SLYTHERIN PRIDE. Always have been, always will be. Although, if I could choose a hybrid house it'd be Slytherdor. I used to be kinda Ravenclaw-esque but now I'm a whole lot braver, plus I am very short-tempered.
Do you have any pets?
Aw this was such a cute question. Yep! At the moment I have one cat called Indy, as well as a bunch of pond critters. I used to have another two cats (Ozzie and Freddie), a rabbit (Lady), and three guinea-pigs (Stripe, Chip, and Scruffy) but sadly they are no longer with us.
Veganism
When did you become vegan?
June 2015 - almost 2 years ago! I started off only having one or two vegan meals a day, but I’ve been completely vegan for a long time now. :)
Why?
Well, the short-term cause was that I saw a video on how animals in factories are treated, and it disgusted me so much that I stopped eating meat straight away.
Long-term though, I explain a lot of the positive effects of veganism in this post.
What do you actually eat?
CARBS. So many carbs. Basically, I eat what you eat, but without the stuff I don’t eat, and with substitutes instead. (Linda McCartney is the BEST for meat subs, btw.)
Do you miss any foods?
Not really. At the start I did miss foods, especially cheese, but now I’m so accustomed to not eating them and I'm so much more aware of the negative effects of eating animal products.
June 2015 - almost 2 years ago! I started off only having one or two vegan meals a day, but I’ve been completely vegan for a long time now. :)
Why?
Well, the short-term cause was that I saw a video on how animals in factories are treated, and it disgusted me so much that I stopped eating meat straight away.
Long-term though, I explain a lot of the positive effects of veganism in this post.
What do you actually eat?
CARBS. So many carbs. Basically, I eat what you eat, but without the stuff I don’t eat, and with substitutes instead. (Linda McCartney is the BEST for meat subs, btw.)
Do you miss any foods?
Not really. At the start I did miss foods, especially cheese, but now I’m so accustomed to not eating them and I'm so much more aware of the negative effects of eating animal products.
Is it difficult?
Again, at the beginning yes, but not anymore. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t vegan so that it was easier to eat at restaurants etc, but I so don’t regret my choice.
Christianity
When did you become a Christian?
Summer 2016. The changes inside me were happening from a lot earlier than that, but Summer was when I really kind of accepted those changes, and allowed myself to label myself.
Why?
Well, that’s a very long story, but if you’re close enough to me and we have enough time I’ll gladly tell it to you. The gist is that I wasn't a very nice person pre-‘conversion’, and I realised that if I was someone else, I wouldn’t want to be friends with me. Therefore, I started to change my attitude and my actions, and as a result my inner feelings and spirituality started to change too. Months passed until I finally realised ‘hey, I believe in a God…??’ and that was the start of the new me (must be said v sarcastically).
What does that mean for your daily life?
Well, on Sunday mornings I go to church, on Wednesday evenings I practice Worship at church (Worship is essentially praising God through singing and playing instruments), on Thursdays I go to Youth Group, I pray everyday, I read some of the Bible everyday, and my outlook has changed.
What denomination are you?
I don’t actually label myself as any denomination, because I haven’t yet found one that defines me correctly. If I do find one eventually, that’d be great; but for now I’m fine with solely being a Christian.
Aren’t all Christians homophobic?
Nope. As probability and population suggest, there are a whole bunch of gay Christians, who obviously won’t be homophobic. Some Christians are, but there are a lot who may not necessarily be pro-gay but they certainly aren't homophobic.
Aren’t all Christians anti-abortion?
Again, nope. I am pro-life (although every case must be treated subjectively) because of my beliefs but there are a lot of Christians who (especially in certain circumstances) will condone abortion.
Aren’t all Christians creationists?Nooooo. There are so many different interpretations of Genesis (where the Adam and Eve story is) and many of them align with evolution and the Big Bang and everything else scientific. I personally don’t know where I stand on the literality/symbolism debate of Adam and Eve, but again I’m not stressing too much over finding an answer quickly. I know I’ll find my answer soon enough, be it correct or not.
Do you just sing hymns all the time?
Seriously, no. Listen to Hillsong/Bethel/Jesus Culture. They are some of the best Worship bands of all time.
Education
You do dossy subjects - aren’t you smart, though?
I do do dossy subjects (Drama and Film), and I am sort of smart. I chose to do subjects I enjoy at college, and those aren’t Maths or Science based. Sorry?
Your GCSE results were amazing - why are you worrying about A Levels?
(For context, I achieved 7A*s and 5As at GCSE.) Because they are SO MUCH HARDER! Seriously, I’m getting Cs and Bs, having never got anything lower than an A pre-college.
What do you want to do at university?
I want to study Theology and Religious Studies. Basically, I want to learn more about different religions and what they believe and their histories, and maybe learn a Biblical language alongside it.
So you want to become a vicar? A nun?
No. That’s the first thing my mum asked me when I told her I wanted to do Theology. Honestly, it’d be a blast to be a nun, but that’s not my calling.
What do you want to be?
Ultimately, an actress. And yes, I know that no one makes it, and I know it’s all down to who you know, and I know it probably won’t happen. But, I’m gonna give it a go anyway.
Are you pressured by your family?
This is the most interesting question I was asked. I’d say that I am, but by the pressure I put on myself to live up to their expectations, not by something they actually do themselves. I want to live up to the examples set by my brothers, and I want to make my parents proud. That’s pressure enough, I guess.
Lifestyle
What’s your favourite… Book?
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. It’s actually recently been made into a Netflix TV show! (Which is really well-done, btw.)
Film?
Zero Day (2003) dir. Ben Coccio. I’ve already talked about how much I adore this movie and it’s characters, and I’ll link the post here.
Musician?
Oh I have no idea… I always love Green Day and the Smashing Pumpkins, but at the moment I’m getting back into Van Halen and Aerosmith.
Author?
I hate to be all stereotypical-white-girl-tumblr but John Green is an absolute mastermind.
TV Show?
I’ve almost finished the first season of American Horror Story and I’m LOVING it. Also, the Pretty Little Liars final season is airing soon, and I am so so so excited!!
Actor?
Martin Freeman is so talented, and so is Andrew Scott. A very Sherlockian theme to this question but the cast of BBC Sherlock is just too fantastic to not be mentioned!
Musical?
Les Miserables… Closely followed by Miss Saigon. Yep, I’m into the sad ones.
Song?
My all-time favourite has to be Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas but at the moment I’m really loving How Far I’ll Go by Auli’i Cravalho from Moana and Misconceptions 3 by Lecrae feat John Gives, Jgivens, and Jackie Hill Perry.
What song got you into singing?
This is such a tough question! I guess I’ve always loved singing and performing, but my passion really began when I heard On My Own from Les Mis for the first time. What a song.
What Hogwarts house are you?
SLYTHERIN PRIDE. Always have been, always will be. Although, if I could choose a hybrid house it'd be Slytherdor. I used to be kinda Ravenclaw-esque but now I'm a whole lot braver, plus I am very short-tempered.
Do you have any pets?
Aw this was such a cute question. Yep! At the moment I have one cat called Indy, as well as a bunch of pond critters. I used to have another two cats (Ozzie and Freddie), a rabbit (Lady), and three guinea-pigs (Stripe, Chip, and Scruffy) but sadly they are no longer with us.
Wednesday, 15 February 2017
Choices: A University and Course(s)
Happy Wednesday!
Here's another instalment of TPYPF Choices series.
If you're in year 11, 12, or 13, you're probably thinking about what comes after college. Granted, university is by no means the only option available, but it's the one that I know most about, so that's what I'll be focussing on today. I'm currently looking into university myself, so I don't have as much knowledge on the actual life side of uni, but with regards to making plans, I'm pretty informed.
So, when begging in to look into further education, there's two routes you can go; courses by your favourite unis, or which unis do your favourite courses. Both are viable options, and I'm currently doing both. If you're interested, I'm looking into Theology/RS/Philosophy, and Drama. (so, very different subjects). The best ways I've found to narrow down my options is to only look at the Russel Group universities for the more academic subjects, and for specialised subjects like Drama, to simple google which are the best further education places for it. With Drama, you can go to uni, or a conservatoire, or a drama school, so it's little more complex than academic subjects.
If you're gonna go the subject choice then uni choice route, googling the top unis for your subject(s) is probably one of the best methods of narrowing down. Or if you're looking into a particular field, find successful people in that field and see where they went to uni. If you're heading for the other route, be prepared for some disappointments, because what seems to be the uni of your dreams may let you down when it comes to what courses are offered.
Other things to consider when looking into universities are:
Here's another instalment of TPYPF Choices series.
If you're in year 11, 12, or 13, you're probably thinking about what comes after college. Granted, university is by no means the only option available, but it's the one that I know most about, so that's what I'll be focussing on today. I'm currently looking into university myself, so I don't have as much knowledge on the actual life side of uni, but with regards to making plans, I'm pretty informed.
So, when begging in to look into further education, there's two routes you can go; courses by your favourite unis, or which unis do your favourite courses. Both are viable options, and I'm currently doing both. If you're interested, I'm looking into Theology/RS/Philosophy, and Drama. (so, very different subjects). The best ways I've found to narrow down my options is to only look at the Russel Group universities for the more academic subjects, and for specialised subjects like Drama, to simple google which are the best further education places for it. With Drama, you can go to uni, or a conservatoire, or a drama school, so it's little more complex than academic subjects.
If you're gonna go the subject choice then uni choice route, googling the top unis for your subject(s) is probably one of the best methods of narrowing down. Or if you're looking into a particular field, find successful people in that field and see where they went to uni. If you're heading for the other route, be prepared for some disappointments, because what seems to be the uni of your dreams may let you down when it comes to what courses are offered.
Other things to consider when looking into universities are:
- You don't have to only study one subject - you can do a 50/50 degree, or a 25/75 degree, or study one subject but do extra-curricular things in a totally different area - you needn't limit yourself
- Your country (whether that be England or not) isn't the only country! Although places like America and Canada are a lot more expensive when it come to tuition fees (especially for international students), they boast some of the best unis in the world, and have unique connections worldwide, in particular MIT, Yale, and CalTech - but remember, England's unis are pretty incredible too!
- Some further education providers don't work through UCAS, like conservatoires/drama schools/dance schools/non-UK unis/etc
- This is advantageous, because you can apply to more than just the 5 places allocated on your UCAS form
- This can be a bigger hassle, because you have potentially more rejection (let's not be pessimistic but still), and you have to spend more time applying directly
- Social life, including lodging - do you want to live on campus? what about catering? how many people do you want to share a bathroom/kitchen with?
- Where abouts you go - do you get homesick easily? Living closer to home might help if you need to come home for every holiday and give your parents a load of washing after each term
University Finder is a useful tool which can help you find universities which offer the course(s) you want and are aimed at your UCAS points range (which you can also calculate on the site).
UCAS also offer a similar service which is v v useful.
Good luck, and as always please feel free to contact me if you need any advice/help!
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Choices: A College and Courses
Happy Wednesday! Here’s the second instalment of the Choosing series. This week we’ll be focusing in on choosing the right college for you, and making sure you do the right courses at said college. So, if you’re current year 11 or 10 and thinking about college, this is the post for you. As always, if anyone who’s already in college disagrees with me or knows I’ve given misinformation, please contact me and I’ll be happy to put it right!
So, the first step to finding the right college for you is to do your research. Choose 5 or 6 colleges that are relatively close by and acquire a prospectus from each of them - either from a careers day at your school, or by emailing/the website of the colleges. Go through each prospectus of courses and highlight the courses that sound a little interesting to you - create a list of options.
Once you have a relative idea of what you want to do, research more into each subject; if you know someone who’s done it or something similar then talk to them! Also, if you’re looking into a Humanities or a Science, I recommend checking out the posts on Another Ranting Reader and Not A Typical Teenager for advice and clearing up misconceptions. If you can’t find anyone who’s experienced the subjects you’re looking into, then don’t worry! Current students will be on hand at Open Evenings for precisely this purpose. (Also, if you’re looking into studying History/Film/Drama/Language then feel free to let me know, and I’ll help you out!)
On that note, make sure you attend Open Evenings! They’re a unique chance to see the college building, meet the teachers, and speak to current students who are in the exact same situation you will be in soon. Come prepared, with a list of queries or questions about the subjects/teachers/college life. And be confident - the students aren’t that scary!
After the Open Evenings, you should have a rough idea of what you want to do and where you want to go. I only applied to one college, but you can apply to as many as you want, if you’re looking to keep your options open. The application process is very simple: online form(s), interview, acceptance. Some colleges’ process may differ, but this is the standard. Again, if you’re feeling worried for any reason then feel free to contact me and I’ll do whatever I can to help.
Once you’ve been through the application process, all that’s left is to get your results. (Don’t worry about this either - worrying won’t make results better or worse, it’ll just cause you grief.
So, the first step to finding the right college for you is to do your research. Choose 5 or 6 colleges that are relatively close by and acquire a prospectus from each of them - either from a careers day at your school, or by emailing/the website of the colleges. Go through each prospectus of courses and highlight the courses that sound a little interesting to you - create a list of options.
Once you have a relative idea of what you want to do, research more into each subject; if you know someone who’s done it or something similar then talk to them! Also, if you’re looking into a Humanities or a Science, I recommend checking out the posts on Another Ranting Reader and Not A Typical Teenager for advice and clearing up misconceptions. If you can’t find anyone who’s experienced the subjects you’re looking into, then don’t worry! Current students will be on hand at Open Evenings for precisely this purpose. (Also, if you’re looking into studying History/Film/Drama/Language then feel free to let me know, and I’ll help you out!)
On that note, make sure you attend Open Evenings! They’re a unique chance to see the college building, meet the teachers, and speak to current students who are in the exact same situation you will be in soon. Come prepared, with a list of queries or questions about the subjects/teachers/college life. And be confident - the students aren’t that scary!
After the Open Evenings, you should have a rough idea of what you want to do and where you want to go. I only applied to one college, but you can apply to as many as you want, if you’re looking to keep your options open. The application process is very simple: online form(s), interview, acceptance. Some colleges’ process may differ, but this is the standard. Again, if you’re feeling worried for any reason then feel free to contact me and I’ll do whatever I can to help.
Once you’ve been through the application process, all that’s left is to get your results. (Don’t worry about this either - worrying won’t make results better or worse, it’ll just cause you grief.
Some final tips:
Take into account which college your friends are going to, but don’t think about which courses they’re taking. The courses you choose to do matter so much more than which college you go to.
If none of your friends are going to the same college as you, don’t worry! Trust me, you’ll make so many new friends and a few weeks in you won’t have any inkling left of that worry.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; to me, to former/current students, via email to the college, or if I don’t do any subjects you’re interested in, I’ll be more than happy to pass on your questions to my friends who do do the subject(s).
Finally, just don’t fret! I was so so terrified about starting college, but genuinely it’s so much better than school, and it’s not at al like I thought it’d be.
Tune in on Sunday for a summary of 7 reasons to believe in God, and next Wednesday for help on choosing a university and university course(s)!
Take into account which college your friends are going to, but don’t think about which courses they’re taking. The courses you choose to do matter so much more than which college you go to.
If none of your friends are going to the same college as you, don’t worry! Trust me, you’ll make so many new friends and a few weeks in you won’t have any inkling left of that worry.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; to me, to former/current students, via email to the college, or if I don’t do any subjects you’re interested in, I’ll be more than happy to pass on your questions to my friends who do do the subject(s).
Finally, just don’t fret! I was so so terrified about starting college, but genuinely it’s so much better than school, and it’s not at al like I thought it’d be.
Tune in on Sunday for a summary of 7 reasons to believe in God, and next Wednesday for help on choosing a university and university course(s)!
Sunday, 5 February 2017
Choices: GCSE Options
Happy February! New month; new series. Or is it? This month I’ll be continuing October’s series (The Pressures Young People Face) but with a twist: this month I’ll be focussing on the decisions a young person has to make. Each week will be a new stage in a young person’s life, and a new choice that they have to make.
Today’s choice is GCSE options. This choice is one you make normally in year 9, but it can be earlier or later. I made the choice in year 9, and I chose to do Spanish, Music, and History. At my school, everyone had to do a humanity (Geography, History, or RE) but in most schools this isn’t the case.
If you’re in the midst of choosing which subjects to carry forward to GCSE here is my advice; choose subjects that you enjoy. Don’t focus on what you’re good at, because as long as you get 5 A*-Cs then you may as well enjoy your time at secondary school too. Choose subjects that you will hate the least when you’re cramming the night before an exam, and that you won’t groan too much at when you see it on a revision timetable. I’m gonna be a little controversial here and say that if you want to, take into account what your friends are gonna study too. You shouldn’t do this for college or uni, but those are two whole other posts. For GCSE, I think it’s more important to have a little fun and still get decent grades than to get slightly better grades but hate every day of learning.
Choosing a language is always a good idea; if you’re a natural linguist then you won’t even have to try, and if you have a good memory then the exams are pretty darn easy (you just have to worry about the Reading and Listening).
I really really really recommend taking a humanities subject (even if your school doesn’t require it), because they give you such unique life and exam skills like essay writing and general knowledge of the world, in addition to a highly regarded qualification and a newfound love for said subject.
If you’re arty or somewhat interested in art, then by all means take an art! Either classic Art, Textiles, Music, Drama, or any other creative subject can really balance out an academically-based set of exams, and is really useful as proof that you’re more than just scores on a page. However, if you don’t enjoy arty subjects, then don’t take them. It’s really that simple. Having a creative subject is a help, but not having one isn’t a hindrance.
I was selected to do Triple Science (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) in my school, as opposed to the normal Double Science (Science and Additional Science). When I discovered this, I was very very opposed to the idea. (Like, I literally cried to the Head of Science. How embarrassing). But that was not a justified feeling. I revised a lot for Science, and ended up getting results that I was very proud of. Triple Science is a workload, granted, but if your school thinks you’re a hard enough worker, then go for it! As long as you apply yourself you’ll do fine, trust me. On that note, take any chances that you’re given to do extra GCSEs, or any extra qualifications at all, one day they might come in handy. And if not, then you’ll still have learned something!
I hope this has helped you if you’re currently in this situation, and if you ever need any help with revision prep, revision, or exam help then let me know! I’ll be more than happy to try and help you. Also, if you’ve already been through GCSEs and disagree with anything I’ve said, then please shoot me a message! All my contact details are on this page, or you could just drop a comment below.
Thanks, and good luck!
Sunday, 29 January 2017
Pre-University Advice
If you're in year 12, like me, you're probably thinking about your plans after college. If you're considering further education, then there are a few things you can do right now to get you prepped and ahead of the game for applying to universities. As a disclaimer, because I am only in year 12, I haven't been to university yet. I'm hoping to after college, but I am therefore not an expert in university life. All I know is learned from my college careers advisors and my own research.
For example, Summer schools are a great way of experiencing both university life as well as lectures on the subject(s) of your choice. UNIQ has finished accepting applicants for this Summer, but you can still apply for future years when you are in year 12 (or the equivalent). UNIQ offers students a unique (funny) insight into life at Oxford university, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Sutton Trust is another very prestigious giver of Summer school opportunities. Applications for this year are still open, and give you the chance to study for a week at many different universities, including Cambridge, Warwick, Nottingham, and Imperial.
BOTH UNIQ AND SUTTON TRUST ARE COMPLETELY FREE!
Another option Summer school-wise if you already have an idea of where you'd like to go to uni, check out the uni's website, and see if they offer any Summer schools or courses. Many are free, but don't assume that they are unless they say so. You don't want to be landed with a massive unexpected fee!
If you aren't available for a Summer school (or would just like to do something extra) then look into taking courses or other extra-curricular things that relate to what you want to study. Universities are always looking for ways to select students that show a real enthusiasm for their subject and have genuine interest in it. This can't be shown by grades (which, don't get me wrong, are still very important), but instead is seen in things that you take upon yourself to do outside of school/college. This could be amateur dramatics if you want to study drama, going to lectures, playing a sport for a long time (this also shows commitment) if you want to study anything sport-related, attending daytime courses in your specified area, or anything else that could better your understanding and interest in your subject(s). Courses can be found on university websites, as well as venues that relate to your subject of choice.
Personal statements are sometimes needed to apply for Summer schools, but they needn't be daunting! Focus on showing your passion for your subject (but make sure to actually show it, don't just say 'I have a passion for this subject') and your commitment to studying and living it. Detail your academic success, but don't just list your qualifications; they'll have a list of them already. I'm not an expert, but I'd be more than happy to look over anyone's personal statement (or mini statement, as is usually asked of a Summer school) and offer my advice if you're feeling unconfident.
Good luck, and happy applying!
For example, Summer schools are a great way of experiencing both university life as well as lectures on the subject(s) of your choice. UNIQ has finished accepting applicants for this Summer, but you can still apply for future years when you are in year 12 (or the equivalent). UNIQ offers students a unique (funny) insight into life at Oxford university, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Sutton Trust is another very prestigious giver of Summer school opportunities. Applications for this year are still open, and give you the chance to study for a week at many different universities, including Cambridge, Warwick, Nottingham, and Imperial.
BOTH UNIQ AND SUTTON TRUST ARE COMPLETELY FREE!
Another option Summer school-wise if you already have an idea of where you'd like to go to uni, check out the uni's website, and see if they offer any Summer schools or courses. Many are free, but don't assume that they are unless they say so. You don't want to be landed with a massive unexpected fee!
If you aren't available for a Summer school (or would just like to do something extra) then look into taking courses or other extra-curricular things that relate to what you want to study. Universities are always looking for ways to select students that show a real enthusiasm for their subject and have genuine interest in it. This can't be shown by grades (which, don't get me wrong, are still very important), but instead is seen in things that you take upon yourself to do outside of school/college. This could be amateur dramatics if you want to study drama, going to lectures, playing a sport for a long time (this also shows commitment) if you want to study anything sport-related, attending daytime courses in your specified area, or anything else that could better your understanding and interest in your subject(s). Courses can be found on university websites, as well as venues that relate to your subject of choice.
Personal statements are sometimes needed to apply for Summer schools, but they needn't be daunting! Focus on showing your passion for your subject (but make sure to actually show it, don't just say 'I have a passion for this subject') and your commitment to studying and living it. Detail your academic success, but don't just list your qualifications; they'll have a list of them already. I'm not an expert, but I'd be more than happy to look over anyone's personal statement (or mini statement, as is usually asked of a Summer school) and offer my advice if you're feeling unconfident.
Good luck, and happy applying!
Monday, 9 January 2017
Exam Stress!
Recently at college, my year has been in the midst of *gulp* mock exams.
The pressures of revising, taking exams, and even waiting for the results, are honestly harrowing to even think about. But they can be somewhat conquered, I promise!
My aim is for this post to be your mini exam survival kit, and I hope that it'll help at least a little, in preparation for your next exam, whenever that may be.
Firstly, revision.
You need to prepare. Sit down for half an hour or so, and make a schedule, You don't have to do hours at once, or even do some every day (although it does help). All you have to do is a little at a time, and regularly. Look at the subject(s) or topic(s) you struggle with most, and dedicate more time to them than those which you're more comfortable with. There's no point in spending hours going over things you already know just to make yourself feel better. Once you have a schedule, stick to it! This is probably the hardest part, but you have to do it. However you can convince yourself, you should do it. While revising, try out different things to find what works for you. This means revision methods, like mindmaps/flash cards/quizzes/reading/etc. as well as having the TV on/silence/music/etc. I, personally, find it a lot easier to concentrate if I have some kind of background noice; I prefer instrumental piano music, so then I don't get distracted by lyrics.
Secondly, taking the exam. Before it, make sure you have everything you need; a bottle of water, pens, pencils, ruler, rubber, maths equipment, highlighters, any books/papers you need, etc. Get your bag packed the night before, so you don't have another worry on exam day. Make sure you know the structure of the paper too, so you know how much time you have for each section. Then once in the hall, lay out your materials how you want them, and take some time to calm yourself down and prepare. When the clock starts, know how much time you have for each section and keep yourself o that schedule, Don't get overwhelmed and if you feel like you are, stop and take a minute for yourself.
Finally, once the exam is over (thank goodness), you can't change anything. So there's no point worrying about it! This is easy to say, but not so easy to put into practice. However, once you realise this, you lose your worries post-exam because if you feel you've done your best, then there isn't anything to fear.
Exams don't have to be the beast they appear to be. The key is preparation and a calm, level head.
Good luck!
The pressures of revising, taking exams, and even waiting for the results, are honestly harrowing to even think about. But they can be somewhat conquered, I promise!
My aim is for this post to be your mini exam survival kit, and I hope that it'll help at least a little, in preparation for your next exam, whenever that may be.
Firstly, revision.
You need to prepare. Sit down for half an hour or so, and make a schedule, You don't have to do hours at once, or even do some every day (although it does help). All you have to do is a little at a time, and regularly. Look at the subject(s) or topic(s) you struggle with most, and dedicate more time to them than those which you're more comfortable with. There's no point in spending hours going over things you already know just to make yourself feel better. Once you have a schedule, stick to it! This is probably the hardest part, but you have to do it. However you can convince yourself, you should do it. While revising, try out different things to find what works for you. This means revision methods, like mindmaps/flash cards/quizzes/reading/etc. as well as having the TV on/silence/music/etc. I, personally, find it a lot easier to concentrate if I have some kind of background noice; I prefer instrumental piano music, so then I don't get distracted by lyrics.
Secondly, taking the exam. Before it, make sure you have everything you need; a bottle of water, pens, pencils, ruler, rubber, maths equipment, highlighters, any books/papers you need, etc. Get your bag packed the night before, so you don't have another worry on exam day. Make sure you know the structure of the paper too, so you know how much time you have for each section. Then once in the hall, lay out your materials how you want them, and take some time to calm yourself down and prepare. When the clock starts, know how much time you have for each section and keep yourself o that schedule, Don't get overwhelmed and if you feel like you are, stop and take a minute for yourself.
Finally, once the exam is over (thank goodness), you can't change anything. So there's no point worrying about it! This is easy to say, but not so easy to put into practice. However, once you realise this, you lose your worries post-exam because if you feel you've done your best, then there isn't anything to fear.
Exams don't have to be the beast they appear to be. The key is preparation and a calm, level head.
Good luck!
Sunday, 25 December 2016
A Day In The Life
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
As today is a very special day, I decided to post what would happen in my life on a very unspecial day. Therefore, here is a run-down of my typical day.
5:20 - Alarm number 1 goes off. I do not get up.
5:40 - Alarm number 2 goes off. I still do not get up. Instead, I fall back to sleep. (oops)
6:40 - My mum runs into my room and shouts at me for not being ready to go. My bus leaves in 23 minutes. I glare out the window at the dark sky. Far too early to be awake. I get up, changed, makeuped, breakfasted, teeth brushed, and bag ready as I rush to do my snapchat streaks before I lose Wi-Fi. I get a lift to the bus station and an accompanying lecture on how I am late, again.
7:04 - I arrive at the bus station. The bus should have been here and gone again by now, although thankfully it is (as always) late.
7:07 - The bus arrives. I get on and sit down (top deck, back row, left corner) and greet my friends as they arrive on the bus. After about 5 minutes, I pick a victim from my friends and sleep. (on them).
8:05 - Arriving at college, I am groggily jarred awake, makeup half gone (sorry to the jacket of whomever I decided to sleep on) and hair astray.
8:10 - COFFEE AND 25p HASH BROWNS (yes I have already had breakfast, don't judge me).
8:45-12:00 - Lessons. Ew. Unless I have a free, in which case the time will be spent sleeping. Also probably more coffee.
12:00 - THE SWEET RELEASE OF LUNCH. AND COLLEGE WEDGES.
12:45-16:00 - See 8:45-12:00.
16:00 - Bus again, new friend to sleep on, sweet sweet sleep.
17:00 - Bus arrives at my bus stop once again. A lovely cold walk in the dark!
17:30 - HOME. HOME. SWEET, SWEET HOME.
17:30-21:00 - Honestly who knows. I don't even know what I do in this time. Sick memes? Wish my life away? Waste time on social media? All of the above I reckon.
21:00 - The late panicky realisation of the sheer volume of homework I have due for tomorrow. I still don't do any of it.
22:30 - I realise I probably should do that homework, after all. I cry. WHY is French grammar so hard?!?!?!?!
00:30- That French homework is FINALLY over, and I resolve that from now on I shall do all other homework I get the day that I get it. I don't, but the thought is always there. I vow to do the other million pieces of homework I have for tomorrow on the bus in the morning. I won't do that either, but oh well. Sorry to all my teachers (and my parents, guess I won't be getting good grades again, goodbye Oxbridge!).
00:31 - The sweet, sweet release of temporary unconsciousness.
AND repeat.
As today is a very special day, I decided to post what would happen in my life on a very unspecial day. Therefore, here is a run-down of my typical day.
5:20 - Alarm number 1 goes off. I do not get up.
5:40 - Alarm number 2 goes off. I still do not get up. Instead, I fall back to sleep. (oops)
6:40 - My mum runs into my room and shouts at me for not being ready to go. My bus leaves in 23 minutes. I glare out the window at the dark sky. Far too early to be awake. I get up, changed, makeuped, breakfasted, teeth brushed, and bag ready as I rush to do my snapchat streaks before I lose Wi-Fi. I get a lift to the bus station and an accompanying lecture on how I am late, again.
7:04 - I arrive at the bus station. The bus should have been here and gone again by now, although thankfully it is (as always) late.
7:07 - The bus arrives. I get on and sit down (top deck, back row, left corner) and greet my friends as they arrive on the bus. After about 5 minutes, I pick a victim from my friends and sleep. (on them).
8:05 - Arriving at college, I am groggily jarred awake, makeup half gone (sorry to the jacket of whomever I decided to sleep on) and hair astray.
8:10 - COFFEE AND 25p HASH BROWNS (yes I have already had breakfast, don't judge me).
8:45-12:00 - Lessons. Ew. Unless I have a free, in which case the time will be spent sleeping. Also probably more coffee.
12:00 - THE SWEET RELEASE OF LUNCH. AND COLLEGE WEDGES.
12:45-16:00 - See 8:45-12:00.
16:00 - Bus again, new friend to sleep on, sweet sweet sleep.
17:00 - Bus arrives at my bus stop once again. A lovely cold walk in the dark!
17:30 - HOME. HOME. SWEET, SWEET HOME.
17:30-21:00 - Honestly who knows. I don't even know what I do in this time. Sick memes? Wish my life away? Waste time on social media? All of the above I reckon.
21:00 - The late panicky realisation of the sheer volume of homework I have due for tomorrow. I still don't do any of it.
22:30 - I realise I probably should do that homework, after all. I cry. WHY is French grammar so hard?!?!?!?!
00:30- That French homework is FINALLY over, and I resolve that from now on I shall do all other homework I get the day that I get it. I don't, but the thought is always there. I vow to do the other million pieces of homework I have for tomorrow on the bus in the morning. I won't do that either, but oh well. Sorry to all my teachers (and my parents, guess I won't be getting good grades again, goodbye Oxbridge!).
00:31 - The sweet, sweet release of temporary unconsciousness.
AND repeat.
Wednesday, 9 November 2016
I Am... 17! (and other big news)
So today, I turned the ripe old age of 17! And as it's Wednesday, I decided to incorporate this special (well at least it's special for me) day into the series! Before I begin, I'd just like to thank Jemima for the inspiration for this post, which she titled Me At 17. Also, I'd like to wish my friend (and birthday twin) Anna a very happy birthday, again! Without further ado, on with I Am... 17!
So, who am I at seventeen?
Well, book-wise I still love my classics - Harry Potter, the Hunger Games, the Maze Runner, Cat Patrick, Jay Asher, and John Green to name but a few. However, I've also become a lot more interested in poetry. I really love Walt Whitman, Lord Byron, Sylvia Plath, and Erin Hanson. I've also started writing a lot more poetry, as you can see from this blog! Clearly, I started a blog too, which has made it much more simple for me to lay out my points of view and organise my thoughts.
Film-wise I'm again still loving the classics, but have become more interested in older films and other genres, mainly thanks to my friends and my Film class. I've also tried to make my first short film; Warning Sign. Furthermore, I'm very excited to see the next instalment of the Harry Potter franchise: Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, which is out in the UK on November 18th, and the Miss Saigon 25th anniversary show, which will hopefully be as good as it's Les Miserables counterpart!
In general, I've changed a heck of a lot. I consider myself a Christian (for roughly 9 months now), a vegan (for a year and five months!), a feminist, a Labour supporter, a humanitarian, a Democrat (if I was American), and much more open to others' views, opinions, and prejudices (as a reminder, my aim is always to educate and increase love and tolerance, never to slander or make others feel like their views are unimportant). I've become much more politically educated, aware, and active, and feel more connected to both my local society and the world, as well as everything in between. I'm hoping that this interest will carry on, as I believe it's absolutely imperative to take responsibility for your country, and humans as a whole.
That's why I'm going to somewhat hijack this post, as today a decision was made that will affect the world; Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States. I honestly can't believe those words are coming out of my mouth (or at least from my fingers). I'm still kind of coming to terms with it, but that doesn't mean that we can't be ready for anything, and be hopeful for the future. Although I may not have wanted him to have access to the power he will soon yield, I still must accept him as the leader of the free world, and pray that his decisions won't harm too many people too badly.
If you're an American reading this, especially if you're a minority, please do not be afraid. America is still your country, you are still a human being, you still have your rights. Mr. Trump cannot and will not take that away from you, we will not let him. But I'll be completely honest with you; I am worried for everyone in America who is not white, or straight, or a Christian, or a man, or American-born, or is for some other reason on Mr. Trump's hitlist, if you can call it such.
Muslim women, to you I quote a tweet: if you feel the need to not wear your hijab for safety, Allah will understand and forgive you. Please don't put yourself in danger for reasons that could be avoided. Then again, please don't be afraid of expressing yourself and your religion. I'm not afraid of wearing a cross, so you shouldn't have to be afraid of wearing a hijab, or a niqab, or a burkha.
The LGBT+ community, stay strong. Pence will not break you. He cannot 'fix' you because you are not broken. Conversion therapy is not therapy at all, it is torture. Be safe, and hold on to who you truly are. Your real friends and family will accept you for who you are, even if that's not who they want you to be.
Women, and young girls especially, you can do whatever a man can do. You must reach for the moon, reach just as high as men. Your simple anatomy does not define your limitations, your attitude and mindset does. Please, do not be discouraged from dreaming big. Dream bigger than you ever have before, and encourage both your female and male friends to do the same. We cannot be equal if we do not first truly believe we are equal.
POC, we stand with you. History will not be allowed to repeat itself. Our differences make us who we are, and that is never a bad thing, until we start using our differences to hurt one another. Your skin colour does not define your worth. Neither does your gender. Nor your sexuality. Nor your religion. Your actions do.
Please, act right.
From a straight white Christian, we are not all the same.
I detest making my political view so apparent and admittedly biased, but I have tried to see the good in Mr. Trump, and I have come up empty-handed.
Please be safe and trust yourself and your fellow countrymen. We can make this work as an Earth, together.
Sunday, 6 November 2016
The Importance Of Friendship
All too often, and particularly by the older generation, friendships are overlooked as trivial and unimportant, whereas truly they are so much more than that. I've been through a time when I had very little, if any, friendship in my life, and I'm sure that either you or someone you know has had the same. If so, then you'll agree that a life without friends is a very tough one indeed. Friends aren't there solely to make you laugh (although that's also extremely important in life), but also to pick you up when you're down, and spend those not-so-funny times with you.
When you're sad, a good friend will be there to cheer you up, just as you will have done when they were upset. When you're happy, a good friend will be there to share the joy with you - this, in essence, is the reward of friendship, if you can analogise it to a game of sorts. If you are truly someone's friend, your heart will lift when you see them smiling, and you will feel their joy as they do.
About a year and a half ago, I was essentially friendless. I was unhappy, of course, but also my physical and mental health were at their worst, and I only left my house to go to school. In contrast, now, my life is full of friendship and happiness and health, and I couldn't be more overjoyed that I have found people whom I am more than proud to call my friends.
Friendship isn't just about happiness, though. A friend is there to talk, to listen, to cry to, and to help you, almost to be your second brain. A one-way friendship will never succeed, as you shouldn't receive without giving, especially not something as precious and personal as friendship. If a friend is seriously ill, you should be there for them, and you should trust that they will be there for you. Even though this oath of trust is so integral to forming a uniting friendship, you still shouldn't blame your friends if they do something wrong, or for a moment have skewed priorities. They are, after all, only human, just as you and I are. we must al remember that everyone makes mistakes, and that's alright as long as we learn from them.
A friend is a brother or sister, a family member, but one that you choose: 'the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'. Society has twisted this phrase, and I bet most of you know it only as 'blood is thicker than water', meaning that blood connection are more important than relationships which you have chosen for yourself, but this is not true. That's also not to say that family bonds are unimportant, as I love my family to pieces, but for people who haven't had the rosy experience of family which I have been so lucky to have, I feel that this saying is demeaning and belittles their feelings. The true saying, however, is different but I don't believe it must be opposite. The 'blood of the covenant' means bonds made by choice, which could be either friendships or familial relationships, even though the 'water of the womb' clearly refers only to family.
Please take from this one thing; cherish your relationships with family and friends. A union formed by choice is always important, regardless of whether your DNA is similar or not! A friend can become family, as to me, family doesn't mean related.
It means love.
Saturday, 29 October 2016
Trapped By Stress
First of all, sorry that this post is so late! It was supposed to go up on Wednesday, but because of a family emergency I haven't had a chance to sit down and write until today. Once again, I am very, very sorry. Also, this week marks the last Wednesday of October, meaning that this is also the last week of The Pressures Young People Face. For November (as it's my birth month) the series will be called I Am... . Each Wednesday there will be a post entitled I Am ............ (a word that defines me), and will document my reasons for and against being ............, why I became ............, etc. Let me know if you have any ideas for what December's series should be! Anyway, on with the final post of October's series!
Throughout this series, I've spoken of multiple concerns that young people face daily. Somehow though, I haven't even mentioned exams. Exams, whether they be A Levels, GCSEs, SATs, or even a termly recap, are stressful. There's no doubt about that. Exam stress on top of regular daily teen stresses can be exhausting, demoralising, and can be 'the straw that broke the camel's back', to emulate my mother.
However, exams don't need to be this looming monster that they seem to be. Older people's tales of horrors in exam rooms needn't be true for you. If you're feeling stressed about exams, you have to comprehend why. Have you revised? Have you asked your teacher/peers for help? Have you made sacrifices to cope with the extra work? If the answer to all of these questions is 'no', then it's clear that your attitude is the problem.
But maybe, you've revised every day, you've asked for all the help that you can, and you've given up a little bit of social life to focus more on school work. And still, its not working. You may just need to take a break. This might sound like contrasting advice, but exams affect people differently, and therefore the stresses of exams are conquered differently. In essence, work hard, but not so hard that you're creating even more stress for yourself.
Exams aren't the only stressful thing in a young person's life, though. Many young people have extra stresses both inside and outside of school/college that they have to deal with. In some cases, they may be young carers, or be living off a single-parent income, or have extra responsibilities such as looking after a child (their own or a sibling), or having to work multiple part-time jobs to provide for their families. These young people carry an even larger burden that you or I, so if you ever feel lik the stress is too much, or you think a friend is feeling like this, take some time out of your day to just
Be.
Relax.
Appreciate the world and all it's wonders.
It helps me to take a step back and just breathe, and remind myself that I'm not the most stressed person in the world, and that I can cope. With the right guidance, we all can. Please don't be afraid to ask for help, either from a teacher, a friend, or from me! I'm more than happy to listen to you rant, and to try and give my advice, as I'm sure all of your teachers, and a good portion of your friends will be! If you're seeking my help, visit my Talk To Me! page and follow any of the links there. I must admit my expertise is limited, but I've already experienced SATs and GCSEs and have come out the other side smiling, but I'm more than happy to help you learn or research whatever you need, or to just talk!
If you remember one thing from this post, please let it be that you can cope with anything with the right help, and you're definitely not alone.
You're with me.
Throughout this series, I've spoken of multiple concerns that young people face daily. Somehow though, I haven't even mentioned exams. Exams, whether they be A Levels, GCSEs, SATs, or even a termly recap, are stressful. There's no doubt about that. Exam stress on top of regular daily teen stresses can be exhausting, demoralising, and can be 'the straw that broke the camel's back', to emulate my mother.
However, exams don't need to be this looming monster that they seem to be. Older people's tales of horrors in exam rooms needn't be true for you. If you're feeling stressed about exams, you have to comprehend why. Have you revised? Have you asked your teacher/peers for help? Have you made sacrifices to cope with the extra work? If the answer to all of these questions is 'no', then it's clear that your attitude is the problem.
But maybe, you've revised every day, you've asked for all the help that you can, and you've given up a little bit of social life to focus more on school work. And still, its not working. You may just need to take a break. This might sound like contrasting advice, but exams affect people differently, and therefore the stresses of exams are conquered differently. In essence, work hard, but not so hard that you're creating even more stress for yourself.
Exams aren't the only stressful thing in a young person's life, though. Many young people have extra stresses both inside and outside of school/college that they have to deal with. In some cases, they may be young carers, or be living off a single-parent income, or have extra responsibilities such as looking after a child (their own or a sibling), or having to work multiple part-time jobs to provide for their families. These young people carry an even larger burden that you or I, so if you ever feel lik the stress is too much, or you think a friend is feeling like this, take some time out of your day to just
Be.
Relax.
Appreciate the world and all it's wonders.
It helps me to take a step back and just breathe, and remind myself that I'm not the most stressed person in the world, and that I can cope. With the right guidance, we all can. Please don't be afraid to ask for help, either from a teacher, a friend, or from me! I'm more than happy to listen to you rant, and to try and give my advice, as I'm sure all of your teachers, and a good portion of your friends will be! If you're seeking my help, visit my Talk To Me! page and follow any of the links there. I must admit my expertise is limited, but I've already experienced SATs and GCSEs and have come out the other side smiling, but I'm more than happy to help you learn or research whatever you need, or to just talk!
If you remember one thing from this post, please let it be that you can cope with anything with the right help, and you're definitely not alone.
You're with me.
Wednesday, 19 October 2016
The Mirror As An Enemy
But what we should be measuring ourselves by is our compassion, our dreams, our kindness to others. These qualities are the things that are really important, and that we should strive to better ourselves by increasing. But society doesn't teach teenagers to love others, or even to love themselves. In order to blossom and express your love for others, I feel you must first learn to love yourself, and to feel comfortable in your own skin.
When I was at secondary school, I was constantly worrying about my makeup, my clothes, and my weight. From the age of eleven, I was dieting on and off, which was ridiculous. An eleven-year-old stressing over their figure, before they even had a figure. Society, huh? Once I got to college, where you wear your own clothes as opposed to a uniform, I thought that the judgement and ridicule would only get worse. I thought that people would be excluded from friendship groups if they didn't wear the 'right' clothes, and would be looked upon as a lesser human for the material in which they clothed their body.
I was wrong.
At college, there is so much more unity and acceptance than I have seen elsewhere in the world in my (admittedly short) existence. Yes, there are cliques - it would be impossible for there not to be. But the people I have met are all so unique and simply acquiescent. I no longer feel worried about what I wear, or if I have a bad hair day. It doesn't matter any more. The things I should be concerned with are (admittedly) my grades, but more importantly, my relationships with other people and with the world, and the way I feel about myself.
Even as a child, girls are taught that to be beautiful, they must wear mountains of makeup (but mustn't be fake), be a size zero with eye-popping curves (but mustn't obsess about their weight), be model height (but mustn't be too tall), and all this whilst maintaining perfect grades and a kind, funny personality. Plus, they have to have a multitude of hobbies; be an elegant dancer, a gifted singer, an outstanding athlete, and an endless list of other positive adjectives and talent-based nouns. This incessant need for perfection poisons a child's mind, causing them both stress and distress, and in many cases unfortunately leads to mental diseases like anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, depression, and dysphoria.
How this longing for physical attractiveness is planted into a child's head I don't know, but what I do know is that it must change. I refuse to allow myself to be morphed into the brainwashed barbie that I am told I must become. I refuse to allow my child to suffer the feelings of imperfection and inadequacy that have become so commonplace in our society. We, as a generation, need to stop this detrimental emotional state that has somehow found a home in the mind of every young person. We must not let it's squirming tentacles worm their way into the lives of our daughters and our sons. We can stop this pandemic of self-hate, leading to the eradication of all hate, leaving love. Always love.
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
Living In A Shadow
In daily life, children, preteens, and teenagers face a number of pressures: appearance, grades, social life, to name but a few. All of these stresses are detrimental to the young person’s wellbeing and all deserve their own post in order to be discussed and eradicated by receiving the attention the problems deserve. The pressure that I’d like to flag up today, however, is the pressure of living up to other’s successes.
In my family, my mother has a maths degree, my brother has a maths degree, and my other brother went to Oxford to study (you guessed it) maths. Both of my brothers (me being the youngest sibling) studied Maths and Further Maths at college, in addition to Physics/Law/other supremely academic subject. I chose to not follow the path set by my older brothers and am studying Drama, Film, History, and French (the latter two more acceptable to my family). I’ll admit it to you; I was scared to make these choices, because as a child I had always followed in my brothers’ and my parents’ footsteps, and my parents assumed that I’d be heading for university, aiming for Oxbridge as my brothers did. However, I dislike studying Maths and Science, I am disinterested in most academic subjects. I am not trying to belittle them or negate their importance in life, on the contrary! I fully admire people who have chosen to study subjects that I have neither the drive nor the work ethic to study, I envy them in a way. But I adore my chosen subjects, and instead of following my parents’ dream of going to university to study Maths, I’d much rather study Acting or Film Production.
The attached photo showcases just a few of my brothers’ Excellence awards from our secondary school. These awards were given to the top two students in each year for a subject, every year. For our family (I guess you could call us a ‘smart’ family) this meant bringing home a yearly bundle of certificates, in every subject, both academic and not-so. Don’t get me wrong, I also received some of these awards during my time at secondary school, but not nearly so many. From year seven, I felt less accomplished than my brothers. This was further highlighted when I took my GCSEs. The more exam-inclined of my brothers (the Oxford one) managed to achieve 9 A*s and 4 As at GCSE; an incredible feat. But at the time, 12-year-old me wasn’t congratulating him, I had but one thing on my mind: beating him. When I took my GCSEs four years later, I achieved 7 A*s and 5 As. Now, I am ecstatic with my results, as I know I tried my hardest and have achieved what I need to further my education. At the time though, I was devastated. I hadn’t beaten my brother. But in academics, there is no winning and losing. Winning is gaining knowledge, the only loss you can achieve is letting that knowledge fly past you. I know that now, but I was too focused on the data and the numbers to be proud of myself, and that sucks. Royally.
So for me, the pressure of living up to other people’s intelligence came from (and still comes from) my family. However, for a lot of students, this feeling originates from their peers. If you’re a student, take a moment to think of the ‘smart kid’ in one of your classes. Yep, that one (there’s always one). Think of how many times you’ve sneaked a peek at their grade, or heard them complaining about how they ‘only got an A’ when they were hoping for an A*. Think about how that made you feel, looking at your A/B/C/D grade. Young people nowadays all seem to compare themselves to their friends and peers, putting themselves down because of that one test that their friend did better on.
Conversely, think of how the ‘smart kid’ felt when (s)he got an answer wrong in class, and were openly mocked for ‘losing their smart kid status’. An already awkward moment easily turns into one of embarrassment, self-doubt, and self-loathing for a child who, their whole life, has been told that they’re above average. It’s difficult to consider yourself above-average, to be conditioned into thinking that you’re above everybody else, then to be told you’re the same as your peers. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being ‘average’. But there is something wrong with teaching children that they must always be top of the class, or else they have failed. It may seem like you’re just boosting the child’s confidence, but in reality you’re setting that child up for a crash of failure when they find out that maybe they’re not so perfect after all.
Similarly, do not teach an average child that they will never accomplish what the 'smart kid' can. This will also set the child up for failure, crushing their dreams and ambitions even earlier than those of the 'smart kid'. Teachers; I beg of you, do not segregate and label your children as 'smart' and 'average'. This kind of class society is detrimental to everyone involved, though you may not see it at the time. Students; hard as it may be, do not compare yourself to anyone. Focus on improving yourself and growing in your knowledge, not whether you've 'beaten' the person next to you or not. If that's what you're thinking, then no matter your grade, you haven't beaten them at all. Most of all, be your own person, follow your own passions, and live in nobodies shadow!
In my family, my mother has a maths degree, my brother has a maths degree, and my other brother went to Oxford to study (you guessed it) maths. Both of my brothers (me being the youngest sibling) studied Maths and Further Maths at college, in addition to Physics/Law/other supremely academic subject. I chose to not follow the path set by my older brothers and am studying Drama, Film, History, and French (the latter two more acceptable to my family). I’ll admit it to you; I was scared to make these choices, because as a child I had always followed in my brothers’ and my parents’ footsteps, and my parents assumed that I’d be heading for university, aiming for Oxbridge as my brothers did. However, I dislike studying Maths and Science, I am disinterested in most academic subjects. I am not trying to belittle them or negate their importance in life, on the contrary! I fully admire people who have chosen to study subjects that I have neither the drive nor the work ethic to study, I envy them in a way. But I adore my chosen subjects, and instead of following my parents’ dream of going to university to study Maths, I’d much rather study Acting or Film Production.
The attached photo showcases just a few of my brothers’ Excellence awards from our secondary school. These awards were given to the top two students in each year for a subject, every year. For our family (I guess you could call us a ‘smart’ family) this meant bringing home a yearly bundle of certificates, in every subject, both academic and not-so. Don’t get me wrong, I also received some of these awards during my time at secondary school, but not nearly so many. From year seven, I felt less accomplished than my brothers. This was further highlighted when I took my GCSEs. The more exam-inclined of my brothers (the Oxford one) managed to achieve 9 A*s and 4 As at GCSE; an incredible feat. But at the time, 12-year-old me wasn’t congratulating him, I had but one thing on my mind: beating him. When I took my GCSEs four years later, I achieved 7 A*s and 5 As. Now, I am ecstatic with my results, as I know I tried my hardest and have achieved what I need to further my education. At the time though, I was devastated. I hadn’t beaten my brother. But in academics, there is no winning and losing. Winning is gaining knowledge, the only loss you can achieve is letting that knowledge fly past you. I know that now, but I was too focused on the data and the numbers to be proud of myself, and that sucks. Royally.
So for me, the pressure of living up to other people’s intelligence came from (and still comes from) my family. However, for a lot of students, this feeling originates from their peers. If you’re a student, take a moment to think of the ‘smart kid’ in one of your classes. Yep, that one (there’s always one). Think of how many times you’ve sneaked a peek at their grade, or heard them complaining about how they ‘only got an A’ when they were hoping for an A*. Think about how that made you feel, looking at your A/B/C/D grade. Young people nowadays all seem to compare themselves to their friends and peers, putting themselves down because of that one test that their friend did better on.
Conversely, think of how the ‘smart kid’ felt when (s)he got an answer wrong in class, and were openly mocked for ‘losing their smart kid status’. An already awkward moment easily turns into one of embarrassment, self-doubt, and self-loathing for a child who, their whole life, has been told that they’re above average. It’s difficult to consider yourself above-average, to be conditioned into thinking that you’re above everybody else, then to be told you’re the same as your peers. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being ‘average’. But there is something wrong with teaching children that they must always be top of the class, or else they have failed. It may seem like you’re just boosting the child’s confidence, but in reality you’re setting that child up for a crash of failure when they find out that maybe they’re not so perfect after all.
Similarly, do not teach an average child that they will never accomplish what the 'smart kid' can. This will also set the child up for failure, crushing their dreams and ambitions even earlier than those of the 'smart kid'. Teachers; I beg of you, do not segregate and label your children as 'smart' and 'average'. This kind of class society is detrimental to everyone involved, though you may not see it at the time. Students; hard as it may be, do not compare yourself to anyone. Focus on improving yourself and growing in your knowledge, not whether you've 'beaten' the person next to you or not. If that's what you're thinking, then no matter your grade, you haven't beaten them at all. Most of all, be your own person, follow your own passions, and live in nobodies shadow!
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