Hi guys! Sorry this is going up today instead of yesterday, but yesterday I was surprised with free tickets to see Cliff Richard in concert that night! Crazy times... Anyways, today's post is about why is it so so so important to overshare.
Now, oversharing, by definition, is:
revealing an inappropriate amount of detail about one's personal life.
However, I don't think that oversharing is inappropriate at all! (For clarity, I am referring to oversharing within family groups, or groups of friends. NOT with colleagues/strangers/your boss.) I overshare massively with my friends, and they do with me. When one of us has awful cramps, or is worried about a spot on her boob, or isn't sure whether something she does is normal or not, we're all there to help her out. Without oversharing about your issues, how are you going to know how to solve them? I mean, of course, there's the internet, but it's a lot easier and more reliable to get the info directly from your friends. Plus, in the case of cramps, she'll probably give you some ibuprofen which she wouldn't have known you needed if you didn't overshare.
Secondly, oversharing is so essential to friend groups because it's important to know what's going on in one another's lives, and if you can help them out. If someone is going through a hard time with their friend/partner/parent/sibling/life, then knowing that will make you as a friend more wary of their feelings, and you won't be shocked and not know what's going on if they suddenly break down and cry.
Thirdly, almost every single person in the world worries that they aren't 'normal', especially in regards to the parts of us that we can't easily check. You know if your arm or your face is 'abnormal', because you can always see everyone else's and compare them, but when it comes to more intimate areas we don't have that luxury. Plus, when you're an insecure teenager (or adult, for that matter), you don't want to go to the doctor and see if everything's okay because what if they accidentally embarrass you? What if nothing's wrong and you're making a fuss? What if something is wrong? But, when you overshare with friends (preferably of the same gender for this one), you realise that you aren't the only one worrying about tiny things. Most likely, you're totally 'normal', but sometimes it's nice to be able to talk about the same issues without the prying ears of someone you wouldn't be comfortable talking about it with. Plus, if your problem is not suffered by at least one of your friends, maybe that's a sign to go to the doctor when you otherwise wouldn't have. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
In conclusion, not only does oversharing bring you closer to yourself and your friends, it could also save a life one day.
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 advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Monday, 19 June 2017
Monday, 5 June 2017
10 Father's Day Gifts
Hiya!! Father's Day this year is on Sunday 18 June for both the USA and UK, which is next Sunday (not this Sunday, don't panic).
Finding an affordable yet decent present is always difficult, so I thought I’d help you guys out by compiling a lil list of easily-gotten presents for the man/men in your life.
1. Hobby-Related Items
Is he into cooking? Golf? Gardening? Ge him a new recipe book, a personalised club bag, a beautiful plant. Personalise the gift(s) and prove you know him well by thinking about what he likes to do on the weekends.
2. Jewellery or Clothing
This is a little tougher than other gifts, because if it’s clothing then you have to make sure you get the right size, and with either option there’s always a chance that he won’t like it. Personal taste is especially prevalent when it comes to clothing and other wearable items, so don’t be disheartened if he doesn’t seem totally thrilled with the gift (and only go for jewellery if he's a man-jewellery kinda guy). Nevertheless, if you feel confident that you know his style (and size), then go for it! Pick a style or colour of clothing he seems to wear a lot, and keep the receipt! That way, if worse comes to worse then he can swap it for something else, and he’ll still appreciate the thought that’s gone into it.
3. Books
Does he have a favourite series? Favourite author? Favourite genre? If so, the newest book in the series/by the author is always a good shout. Plus, this is a little more personal than more generic (but still loved) gifts, which will show him that you’re thinking about him.
4. CDs
As with books, if he has a favourite genre of music/artist/band then their newest CD is always appreciated. Although us youths don’t tend to use physical music media anymore, drifting more towards online media like Spotify or Apple Music, the older generation are more prone to sticking by their guns and preferring to use music that they can hold, like CDs. Just make sure to check the CD shelf so you know he doesn’t already have it.
5. Tickets
Whether it be a sporting event, a concert, a play/musical, or anything else, buying your father tickets to a day out for the two of you will always be a hit, just make sure that the tickets are for something he wants to do, not just what you want to do. Tickets are an easy way of dragging out the celebrations over more than one day, giving him something to look forward to, and bringing a really personal touch to a gift. (Although admittedly they aren’t too fun to unwrap.)
6. Meal
Booking a table at his favourite café/restaurant (and saying you’ll pay) is, like tickets, a way of making a gift more personal. Although, this could get expensive, depending on his taste! Once again, it’s gotta be his favourite restaurant for this to be effective. Plus, you could make a day of it, and do something fun before/after!
7. Art
If you’re really struggling for money, then use your talent(s) to make him a present! Whether it be a poem, a song, a portrait, a dance, or anything else you can put your creative-ness into, then I’m sure he’ll be touched that you put so much effort into a present for him! After all, where gifts are concerned, the thought is so much more important than the expenses.
8. Photo
If you have a really nice photo of you and your dad, then printing, framing, and hanging it can be an incredibly touching and thoughtful gift. (PSA: Boots print photos very inexpensively and at a v good quality.) Surprise him on Father’s Day morning with the photo on the wall/his desk/the mantelpiece.
9. Star
Naming a star after him is not only AWESOME, but actually a lot cheaper than you might think. Go to Star Name Registry to find out more! I personally am OBSESSED with the stars, and if anyone did this for me I think I’d cry. Scratch that, I’d definitely cry. And possibly marry them on the spot (were they not my dad).
10. Gift Card
When all else fails, a gift card is the perfect present. If you’ve spent hours trawling through his favourite shop, and come out to no avail, then simply let him choose his own present by getting him a gift card. These can normally be found at the counter of the shop in question, or more general gift cards can be found literally almost anywhere, most notably in supermarkets.
If nothing takes your fancy, make sure you check out Not On The High Street for personalised gifts the are, as the name implies, not on the typical high street!
Good luck my friends.
Finding an affordable yet decent present is always difficult, so I thought I’d help you guys out by compiling a lil list of easily-gotten presents for the man/men in your life.
1. Hobby-Related Items
Is he into cooking? Golf? Gardening? Ge him a new recipe book, a personalised club bag, a beautiful plant. Personalise the gift(s) and prove you know him well by thinking about what he likes to do on the weekends.
2. Jewellery or Clothing
This is a little tougher than other gifts, because if it’s clothing then you have to make sure you get the right size, and with either option there’s always a chance that he won’t like it. Personal taste is especially prevalent when it comes to clothing and other wearable items, so don’t be disheartened if he doesn’t seem totally thrilled with the gift (and only go for jewellery if he's a man-jewellery kinda guy). Nevertheless, if you feel confident that you know his style (and size), then go for it! Pick a style or colour of clothing he seems to wear a lot, and keep the receipt! That way, if worse comes to worse then he can swap it for something else, and he’ll still appreciate the thought that’s gone into it.
3. Books
Does he have a favourite series? Favourite author? Favourite genre? If so, the newest book in the series/by the author is always a good shout. Plus, this is a little more personal than more generic (but still loved) gifts, which will show him that you’re thinking about him.
4. CDs
As with books, if he has a favourite genre of music/artist/band then their newest CD is always appreciated. Although us youths don’t tend to use physical music media anymore, drifting more towards online media like Spotify or Apple Music, the older generation are more prone to sticking by their guns and preferring to use music that they can hold, like CDs. Just make sure to check the CD shelf so you know he doesn’t already have it.
5. Tickets
Whether it be a sporting event, a concert, a play/musical, or anything else, buying your father tickets to a day out for the two of you will always be a hit, just make sure that the tickets are for something he wants to do, not just what you want to do. Tickets are an easy way of dragging out the celebrations over more than one day, giving him something to look forward to, and bringing a really personal touch to a gift. (Although admittedly they aren’t too fun to unwrap.)
6. Meal
Booking a table at his favourite café/restaurant (and saying you’ll pay) is, like tickets, a way of making a gift more personal. Although, this could get expensive, depending on his taste! Once again, it’s gotta be his favourite restaurant for this to be effective. Plus, you could make a day of it, and do something fun before/after!
7. Art
If you’re really struggling for money, then use your talent(s) to make him a present! Whether it be a poem, a song, a portrait, a dance, or anything else you can put your creative-ness into, then I’m sure he’ll be touched that you put so much effort into a present for him! After all, where gifts are concerned, the thought is so much more important than the expenses.
8. Photo
If you have a really nice photo of you and your dad, then printing, framing, and hanging it can be an incredibly touching and thoughtful gift. (PSA: Boots print photos very inexpensively and at a v good quality.) Surprise him on Father’s Day morning with the photo on the wall/his desk/the mantelpiece.
9. Star
Naming a star after him is not only AWESOME, but actually a lot cheaper than you might think. Go to Star Name Registry to find out more! I personally am OBSESSED with the stars, and if anyone did this for me I think I’d cry. Scratch that, I’d definitely cry. And possibly marry them on the spot (were they not my dad).
10. Gift Card
When all else fails, a gift card is the perfect present. If you’ve spent hours trawling through his favourite shop, and come out to no avail, then simply let him choose his own present by getting him a gift card. These can normally be found at the counter of the shop in question, or more general gift cards can be found literally almost anywhere, most notably in supermarkets.
If nothing takes your fancy, make sure you check out Not On The High Street for personalised gifts the are, as the name implies, not on the typical high street!
Good luck my friends.
Sunday, 21 May 2017
2017 Guide to Uni Open Days
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
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
Sunday, 5 March 2017
10 Mother's Day Gifts
Hi guys!!!
I hope you’ve had an amazing week.
I’m not sure if you’re aware (I certainly wasn’t until recently) but it’s Mother’s Day on the10th of March (that’s THIS Friday. As in, in 10 days).
CORRECTION: I have just been reliably informed (thank you Jemima) that Mother's Day in the USA is indeed this Friday, however in the UK it's not until the 26th. Don't worry, my British pals!! Back to the post.
Finding an affordable yet decent present is always difficult, so I thought I’d help you guys out by compiling a lil list of easily-gotten presents for the woman/women in your life. (Also, before we start, can I just let y’all know that I’m writing this in a Nando’s. Meaning, I am alone in a Nando’s. With a laptop as my only friend. #sad.)
I hope you’ve had an amazing week.
I’m not sure if you’re aware (I certainly wasn’t until recently) but it’s Mother’s Day on the
CORRECTION: I have just been reliably informed (thank you Jemima) that Mother's Day in the USA is indeed this Friday, however in the UK it's not until the 26th. Don't worry, my British pals!! Back to the post.
Finding an affordable yet decent present is always difficult, so I thought I’d help you guys out by compiling a lil list of easily-gotten presents for the woman/women in your life. (Also, before we start, can I just let y’all know that I’m writing this in a Nando’s. Meaning, I am alone in a Nando’s. With a laptop as my only friend. #sad.)
1. Candles
Candles are always a go-to present for the females in my life. They’re affordable, useful, and each smell is almost unique. You could go for a big Yankee-style candle, or what I tend to do is get a selection of the little (just bigger than tea light sized) Yankee candles, which are normally about £10 for 10. With this method, you can choose a variety of different smells, which I personally prefer.
2. Jewellery or Clothing
This is a little tougher than other gifts, because if it’s clothing then you have to make sure you get the right size, and with either option there’s always a chance that she won’t like it. Personal taste is especially prevalent when it comes to clothing and other wearable items, so don’t be disheartened if she doesn’t seem totally thrilled with the gift. Nevertheless, if you feel confident that you know her style (and size), then go for it! Pick a style or colour of clothing she seems to wear a lot, and keep the receipt! That way, if worse comes to worse then she can swap it for something else, and she’ll still appreciate the thought that’s gone into it.
3. Books
Does she have a favourite series? Favourite author? Favourite genre? If so, the newest book in the series/by the author is always a good shout. Plus, this is a little more personal than more generic (but still loved) gifts, which will show her that you’re thinking about her.
4. CDs
As with books, if she has a favourite genre of music/artist/band then their newest CD is always appreciated. Although us youths don’t tend to use physical music media anymore, drifting more towards online media like Spotify or Apple Music, the older generation are more prone to sticking by their guns and preferring to use music that they can hold, like CDs. Just make sure to check the CD shelf so you know she doesn’t already have it.
5. Tickets
Whether it be a sporting event, a concert, a play/musical, or anything else, buying your mother tickets to a day out for the two of you will always be a hit, just make sure that the tickets are for something she wants to do, not just what you want to do. Tickets are an easy way of dragging out the celebrations over more than one day, giving her something to look forward to, and bringing a really personal touch to a gift. (Although admittedly they aren’t too fun to unwrap.)
6. Meal
Booking a table at her favourite café/restaurant (and saying you’ll pay) is, like tickets, a way of making a gift more personal. Although, this could get expensive, depending on her taste! Once again, it’s gotta be her favourite restaurant for this to be effective. Plus, you could make a day of it, and do something fun before/after! My take on this was to book an Afternoon Tea for my mum and I, as it’s something we don’t often get to do, and it’s something she loves!
7. Art
If you’re really struggling for money, then use your talent(s) to make her a present! Whether it be a poem, a song, a portrait, a dance, or anything else you can put your creative-ness into, then I’m sure she’ll be touched that you put so much effort into a present for her! After all, where gifts are concerned, the thought is so much more important than the expenses.
8. Photo
If you have a really nice photo of you and your mum, then printing, framing, and hanging it can be an incredibly touching and thoughtful gift. (PSA: Boots print photos very inexpensively and at a v good quality.) Surprise her on Mother’s Day morning with the photo on the wall/her desk/the mantelpiece.
9. Star
Naming a star after her is not only AWESOME, but actually a lot cheaper than you might think. Go to Star Name Registry to find out more! I personally am OBSESSED with the stars, and if anyone did this for me I think I’d cry. Scratch that, I’d definitely cry. And possibly marry them on the spot (were they not my mum).
10. Gift Card
When all else fails, a gift card is the perfect present. If you’ve spent hours trawling through her favourite shop, and come out to no avail, then simply let her choose her own present by getting her a gift card. These can normally be found at the counter of the shop in question, or more general gift cards can be found literally almost anywhere, most notably in supermarkets.
If nothing takes your fancy, make sure you check out Not On The High Street for personalised gifts the are, as the name implies, not on the typical high street!
Good luck my friends.
Candles are always a go-to present for the females in my life. They’re affordable, useful, and each smell is almost unique. You could go for a big Yankee-style candle, or what I tend to do is get a selection of the little (just bigger than tea light sized) Yankee candles, which are normally about £10 for 10. With this method, you can choose a variety of different smells, which I personally prefer.
2. Jewellery or Clothing
This is a little tougher than other gifts, because if it’s clothing then you have to make sure you get the right size, and with either option there’s always a chance that she won’t like it. Personal taste is especially prevalent when it comes to clothing and other wearable items, so don’t be disheartened if she doesn’t seem totally thrilled with the gift. Nevertheless, if you feel confident that you know her style (and size), then go for it! Pick a style or colour of clothing she seems to wear a lot, and keep the receipt! That way, if worse comes to worse then she can swap it for something else, and she’ll still appreciate the thought that’s gone into it.
3. Books
Does she have a favourite series? Favourite author? Favourite genre? If so, the newest book in the series/by the author is always a good shout. Plus, this is a little more personal than more generic (but still loved) gifts, which will show her that you’re thinking about her.
4. CDs
As with books, if she has a favourite genre of music/artist/band then their newest CD is always appreciated. Although us youths don’t tend to use physical music media anymore, drifting more towards online media like Spotify or Apple Music, the older generation are more prone to sticking by their guns and preferring to use music that they can hold, like CDs. Just make sure to check the CD shelf so you know she doesn’t already have it.
5. Tickets
Whether it be a sporting event, a concert, a play/musical, or anything else, buying your mother tickets to a day out for the two of you will always be a hit, just make sure that the tickets are for something she wants to do, not just what you want to do. Tickets are an easy way of dragging out the celebrations over more than one day, giving her something to look forward to, and bringing a really personal touch to a gift. (Although admittedly they aren’t too fun to unwrap.)
6. Meal
Booking a table at her favourite café/restaurant (and saying you’ll pay) is, like tickets, a way of making a gift more personal. Although, this could get expensive, depending on her taste! Once again, it’s gotta be her favourite restaurant for this to be effective. Plus, you could make a day of it, and do something fun before/after! My take on this was to book an Afternoon Tea for my mum and I, as it’s something we don’t often get to do, and it’s something she loves!
7. Art
If you’re really struggling for money, then use your talent(s) to make her a present! Whether it be a poem, a song, a portrait, a dance, or anything else you can put your creative-ness into, then I’m sure she’ll be touched that you put so much effort into a present for her! After all, where gifts are concerned, the thought is so much more important than the expenses.
8. Photo
If you have a really nice photo of you and your mum, then printing, framing, and hanging it can be an incredibly touching and thoughtful gift. (PSA: Boots print photos very inexpensively and at a v good quality.) Surprise her on Mother’s Day morning with the photo on the wall/her desk/the mantelpiece.
9. Star
Naming a star after her is not only AWESOME, but actually a lot cheaper than you might think. Go to Star Name Registry to find out more! I personally am OBSESSED with the stars, and if anyone did this for me I think I’d cry. Scratch that, I’d definitely cry. And possibly marry them on the spot (were they not my mum).
10. Gift Card
When all else fails, a gift card is the perfect present. If you’ve spent hours trawling through her favourite shop, and come out to no avail, then simply let her choose her own present by getting her a gift card. These can normally be found at the counter of the shop in question, or more general gift cards can be found literally almost anywhere, most notably in supermarkets.
If nothing takes your fancy, make sure you check out Not On The High Street for personalised gifts the are, as the name implies, not on the typical high street!
Good luck my friends.
Wednesday, 1 March 2017
Choices: Influences
Happy St David's Day! (Confession: I thought that February had 29 days this year as opposed to only 28, so I scheduled today's post as being the final Wednesday of Feb's series... Sorry!!! However, [spoiler alert] March's series, which'll start next Wednesday, is called Meet The United Kingdom (Plus Ireland). Each week I'll do a profile of one country in the UK+Ireland, as it's both St David's Day (Wales) and St Patrick's Day (Ireland) this month.)
Anyways, ignoring my poor counting/planning, on with February's final post! Today's is all about choosing influences in your life.
Rachel's Challenge (which I've mentioned a few times before) is a set of five personal 'challenges' for you to undertake. My favourite of these is number three: Choose Positive Influences. In our lives, we are influenced by an endless list of things; news, friends, the internet, social conventions, etc to name just a few. We don't choose whether or not we see some of these things in our lives, but we can choose how they affect us.
I personally think that taking time to reflect on your life and the things that make it up is essential. We need to analyse what's going on in your lives so that we can keep the good stuff, and better/remove the bad. One big aspect of this which can be very difficult is friendships. Some friendships are harmful and toxic, and may be changing you for the worse or withholding you from being the best you can be. It's a cliché, I know, but there's a reason for that - it's true. If you have someone in your life who you don't wanting your life, then remove yourself from them. If they're holding you back or changing you into something you don't want to be, then your'e under no obligation to keep spending time with them.
My personal influences that I choose everyday are Rachel herself, my best friends, and God. I take inspiration and instruction from the people who I keep myself around, and sources that I trust and have been proven to be what I want them to be. These choices help to form my ethics and moral code, as well as guide me in dictating how I live every single day. They've helped me more than I can express, and I've changed so much as a person over the past few months that I'm hard recognisable - and I couldn't be happier. Imagine yourself trading places with your current idol - whether that be a celebrity, a friend, or an image you have of yourself. Are you happy? Happier than you are now? Happier than you would be without those influences? Are you making other people happy? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you may want to rethink your idols.
My challenge to you is to consider your personal influences, and if you feel you should, then change them. Remove yourself from the lives of people who put you down. Reach out to people you want to help, or can help you. Stop doing that one thing you hate about yourself. Start doing something productive, something constructive, something good. And be proud of yourself.
Anyways, ignoring my poor counting/planning, on with February's final post! Today's is all about choosing influences in your life.
Rachel's Challenge (which I've mentioned a few times before) is a set of five personal 'challenges' for you to undertake. My favourite of these is number three: Choose Positive Influences. In our lives, we are influenced by an endless list of things; news, friends, the internet, social conventions, etc to name just a few. We don't choose whether or not we see some of these things in our lives, but we can choose how they affect us.
My personal influences that I choose everyday are Rachel herself, my best friends, and God. I take inspiration and instruction from the people who I keep myself around, and sources that I trust and have been proven to be what I want them to be. These choices help to form my ethics and moral code, as well as guide me in dictating how I live every single day. They've helped me more than I can express, and I've changed so much as a person over the past few months that I'm hard recognisable - and I couldn't be happier. Imagine yourself trading places with your current idol - whether that be a celebrity, a friend, or an image you have of yourself. Are you happy? Happier than you are now? Happier than you would be without those influences? Are you making other people happy? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then you may want to rethink your idols.
My challenge to you is to consider your personal influences, and if you feel you should, then change them. Remove yourself from the lives of people who put you down. Reach out to people you want to help, or can help you. Stop doing that one thing you hate about yourself. Start doing something productive, something constructive, something good. And be proud of yourself.
Monday, 20 February 2017
Update On Psychotic Depression
If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you might remember this post, in which I explained how someone close to me had Psychotic Depression, and how it affected both his and my family’s lives. I’d now like to give you an update on how things are going, because a lot’s changed since I posted the last post. When I wrote the last post, things were very early on in the course of the illness, and therefore I wasn’t as informed about it as I am now. I’d like to share the benefits of this enlarged knowledge in order to inform, aid, and encourage everyone (in particular anyone who has struggled/is struggling/will struggle with illness of a similar ilk).
Firstly, the basics. He is no longer suffering nearly as much as he was in October - he was given the wrong dose of medicine which led to him unnecessarily deteriorating, but once this was sorted everything started going uphill again. The lesson from this is to always query something that you think is incorrect. My mum was the one who noticed the incorrect dosage, not any doctors. If she hadn’t done this, then I’m almost positive that his current situation would be different.
Secondly, my family is now a lot closer. This part of my life has made me realise that it is so so so important to work through issues with other people, as opposed to trying to solve everything by yourself. When tragedy strikes in the form of an illness (either physical or mental), sometimes it seems like you have to take it all on alone, especially if you’re the one who is ill. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Working together as a cohesive team is imperative in aiding both the sick person’s welfare and that of everyone else.
Thirdly, it is almost just as important to talk to other people about such issues. Whether those people be few or many, friends or counsellors or therapists or teachers or anybody else. When the problem first arose, I spoke to the counsellor at my college. If you’re considering counselling or any kind of therapy, don’t be afraid! These people are like qualified listeners. Their job is to help you, so believe me they won’t ever be inherently against you or your cause. The counsellor advised me to confide in one of my friends about my problem, which until then hadn’t even crossed my mind (I was still in the previously mentioned mindset; that I had to face everything on my own). You know what? I think that telling my friend helped me more than anything else did. We didn’t ever speak about it in person, it was solely one message that explained what was going on and why I was telling her. If you’re ever struggling with anything of the same ilk, I really do advise you to tell a friend. Or, if you can’t face that, tell me! Like I always say, my messages are always open.
Fourthly, I am now majorly more aware of mental illness in today’s society. It still seems to be abnormally glossed over and stigmatised more than any other form of sickness, but I’ve noticed that at my college there is a much bigger focus than there was at my secondary school, which I see as a huge improvement. The only way to prevent mental illness and to help people dealing with mental illness is education! If people don’t know what mental illness is, then how are they supposed to help someone who is suffering?
Finally, I am now so much better off from having this bad experience, which seems a really odd thing to say, yet still makes sense to me. I know what to do if this happens to my family again, and I know how to help if somebody I know starts to suffer from the same or a similar situation. And if you yourself or a friend is worried about anything I’ve mentioned today, or anything at all, once again please do not be afraid to contact me and I’ll do my absolute best to either help you myself or refer you to a helpful person/site. Thank you, and be safe!
Secondly, my family is now a lot closer. This part of my life has made me realise that it is so so so important to work through issues with other people, as opposed to trying to solve everything by yourself. When tragedy strikes in the form of an illness (either physical or mental), sometimes it seems like you have to take it all on alone, especially if you’re the one who is ill. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Working together as a cohesive team is imperative in aiding both the sick person’s welfare and that of everyone else.
Thirdly, it is almost just as important to talk to other people about such issues. Whether those people be few or many, friends or counsellors or therapists or teachers or anybody else. When the problem first arose, I spoke to the counsellor at my college. If you’re considering counselling or any kind of therapy, don’t be afraid! These people are like qualified listeners. Their job is to help you, so believe me they won’t ever be inherently against you or your cause. The counsellor advised me to confide in one of my friends about my problem, which until then hadn’t even crossed my mind (I was still in the previously mentioned mindset; that I had to face everything on my own). You know what? I think that telling my friend helped me more than anything else did. We didn’t ever speak about it in person, it was solely one message that explained what was going on and why I was telling her. If you’re ever struggling with anything of the same ilk, I really do advise you to tell a friend. Or, if you can’t face that, tell me! Like I always say, my messages are always open.
Fourthly, I am now majorly more aware of mental illness in today’s society. It still seems to be abnormally glossed over and stigmatised more than any other form of sickness, but I’ve noticed that at my college there is a much bigger focus than there was at my secondary school, which I see as a huge improvement. The only way to prevent mental illness and to help people dealing with mental illness is education! If people don’t know what mental illness is, then how are they supposed to help someone who is suffering?
Finally, I am now so much better off from having this bad experience, which seems a really odd thing to say, yet still makes sense to me. I know what to do if this happens to my family again, and I know how to help if somebody I know starts to suffer from the same or a similar situation. And if you yourself or a friend is worried about anything I’ve mentioned today, or anything at all, once again please do not be afraid to contact me and I’ll do my absolute best to either help you myself or refer you to a helpful person/site. Thank you, and be safe!
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, 27 November 2016
Dear 15-Year-Old Me
To Charlotte, circa April 2015.
It's okay.
People don't care as much as you think they do. They don't care about your weight, or your size, or the way your hair sticks out at an odd angle when you've slept funny. They aren't bothered if your makeup doesn't look like it normally does, or if you do a little worse than usual on a test. All of these things only affect you, and everyone feels the same about themselves.
Despite all of these things that everyone else doesn't care about, they do care about you. Your friends are just that: friends. Cherish the moments you spend with them and know that you deserve to spend time with them. You're gonna go through some hard times with them (and some harder times without them), but you're also gonna make some memories that you'll never, ever want to forget. Make time for friends, you don't always have to be waiting for someone else to make plans. Furthermore, you don't have to say yes to every plan you're offered. If you need some alone time, have some. You're only human, and you need to remember that. But then, you do have to leave the house at some point. Being cooped up isn't good for anyone, it just forces you to stew in your thoughts and riles up your inner storm.
Be thankful for the friends you currently have (I'm sure thankful that you had them), and don't take them for granted because one day you won't be as close or even know them at all, and that won't have to be sad if you take all that you can get from the relationships while they last. On the subject of friends, don't be scared of being alone. When you go to college you'll meet the most amazing people who will quickly become an extension of yourself. These wonderful people will make you want to get up at 5:30am, just so you can see them. Make sure to thank your current friends and future friends regularly because they deserve to know how important and valued they are.
Make sure to thank your family too. They might get on your nerves a lot (honestly I wonder if that'll ever change), but they do mean well, and they won't be there forever. Thankfully they are whilst I'm writing this, but you're already thinking about next steps and moving on and moving out and moving away, so treasure the time you have left with them. Tell the people you love that you love them more than you think you should, because sometimes people need to hear it.
You're changing at the moment; your ideals are becoming less skewed and your beliefs are finally emerging. Embrace this change; stop fighting it. Trust me, you'll love it once you're settled in yourself. Things for you now aren't all that good, but I promise you that they will be. You'll be happy, you'll start finally living, as opposed to just being, surviving. You're gonna drag yourself out of this hole and it's gonna be hard, but oh boy will it be worth it. You don't know how to accept help at the moment but you'll need to; you can't do this by yourself. It's not weak to need saving. You're strong, stronger than you perceive yourself to be. Use that strength to save yourself and then to save others.
This hard time won't last forever.
Neither will this year.
Neither will secondary school.
But your happiness can, you just have to fight for it. You are worthy of so much more than you think. Love others, love yourself, and above all else remember to spread joy wherever possible.
Also stop being a dick, you really get on my nerves.
From Charlotte, circa November 2016.
It's okay.
People don't care as much as you think they do. They don't care about your weight, or your size, or the way your hair sticks out at an odd angle when you've slept funny. They aren't bothered if your makeup doesn't look like it normally does, or if you do a little worse than usual on a test. All of these things only affect you, and everyone feels the same about themselves.
Despite all of these things that everyone else doesn't care about, they do care about you. Your friends are just that: friends. Cherish the moments you spend with them and know that you deserve to spend time with them. You're gonna go through some hard times with them (and some harder times without them), but you're also gonna make some memories that you'll never, ever want to forget. Make time for friends, you don't always have to be waiting for someone else to make plans. Furthermore, you don't have to say yes to every plan you're offered. If you need some alone time, have some. You're only human, and you need to remember that. But then, you do have to leave the house at some point. Being cooped up isn't good for anyone, it just forces you to stew in your thoughts and riles up your inner storm.
Be thankful for the friends you currently have (I'm sure thankful that you had them), and don't take them for granted because one day you won't be as close or even know them at all, and that won't have to be sad if you take all that you can get from the relationships while they last. On the subject of friends, don't be scared of being alone. When you go to college you'll meet the most amazing people who will quickly become an extension of yourself. These wonderful people will make you want to get up at 5:30am, just so you can see them. Make sure to thank your current friends and future friends regularly because they deserve to know how important and valued they are.
Make sure to thank your family too. They might get on your nerves a lot (honestly I wonder if that'll ever change), but they do mean well, and they won't be there forever. Thankfully they are whilst I'm writing this, but you're already thinking about next steps and moving on and moving out and moving away, so treasure the time you have left with them. Tell the people you love that you love them more than you think you should, because sometimes people need to hear it.
You're changing at the moment; your ideals are becoming less skewed and your beliefs are finally emerging. Embrace this change; stop fighting it. Trust me, you'll love it once you're settled in yourself. Things for you now aren't all that good, but I promise you that they will be. You'll be happy, you'll start finally living, as opposed to just being, surviving. You're gonna drag yourself out of this hole and it's gonna be hard, but oh boy will it be worth it. You don't know how to accept help at the moment but you'll need to; you can't do this by yourself. It's not weak to need saving. You're strong, stronger than you perceive yourself to be. Use that strength to save yourself and then to save others.
This hard time won't last forever.
Neither will this year.
Neither will secondary school.
But your happiness can, you just have to fight for it. You are worthy of so much more than you think. Love others, love yourself, and above all else remember to spread joy wherever possible.
Also stop being a dick, you really get on my nerves.
From Charlotte, circa November 2016.
Sunday, 13 November 2016
eleven:eleven
Today I'd like to make a post about war and peace (not the book [ew forget I attempted to make that joke I'm so ashamed]), in response to both the peaceful and militant protests which are currently happening all over America. I recently made a tweet about said protests, which for some reason has proved very popular, so take a look at it if you have a chance. Also, today is remembrance day, so this ties in nicely with the theme of today's post. This week's poem also relates to the theme of peace and protesting, so go and check it out!
I'm not afraid of death. This doesn't mean I want to die, far from it, but it means that I'm not destroyed when someone close to me dies, because I feel secure in the knowledge that they aren't hurting, and they're happy. Although I do not fear death, and I don't see death as an ending, I believe that life is so much more important than death. This belief has made me live my life in the least violent way possible, as I value peace so highly. Not just peace meaning no war, but peace within friendships and relationships, and within yourself.
I'm not afraid of death. This doesn't mean I want to die, far from it, but it means that I'm not destroyed when someone close to me dies, because I feel secure in the knowledge that they aren't hurting, and they're happy. Although I do not fear death, and I don't see death as an ending, I believe that life is so much more important than death. This belief has made me live my life in the least violent way possible, as I value peace so highly. Not just peace meaning no war, but peace within friendships and relationships, and within yourself.
I am often at war with myself, over silly things and more important things; what to do on the weekend, whether to skip lessons or not, what religious denomination I am. But I am constantly working on becoming at peace with my emotions and actions, as you can't live a truly full life if you're at war with yourself, as a part of you would never be happy, no matter which option you choose. I debate and reason with myself daily, and this genuinely helps me feel more grounded and more myself, I guess (it's difficult for me to articulate, especially whilst maintaining proper grammar and an adequate vocabulary).
But even when I am at peace with myself, the world never seems to be, and sometimes I genuinely think that it may never be, which makes me feel too gloomy for words. The recent protests in America have almost proved this to me. They're due to an election, in which (obviously) not every single person will be content with the outcome, as there is more than one choice. But even though someone's discontented with something, they needn't turn to violence. Change can be achieved though peace; through strong words and meaningful gestures. To make your voice heard you need only speak, your voice is not intensified by fighting.
Even though I say this, war has still happened. And is still happening. There's no way to get around this, and to pretend that it isn't true would frankly be offensive to those who have (and are) risking their lives for their ethics and to help others. I admire our veterans, I really, truly do. I could never do what they have done - I suppose I consider myself a pacifist. But that doesn't mean I appreciate their sacrifice any less than someone who is more in favour of fighting. (Can one ever be in favour of fighting? To me it seems to be a sort of major juxtaposition. Maybe that's just me.) I, and countless others (the whole world in fact) will be forever grateful to the irrevocably valiant men and women who have taken a stand and a bullet for humanity and for peace. On this day, Remembrance Sunday, I'd like for you to stop whatever you're doing (AKA reading this), and take a moment to think about what your life would be like had your countrymen not fought for what they believed in. No matter what country you come from or live in or have ever lived in, I'm positive that your life would not be the same without these gallant heroes, present or departed.
Think about yourself, think about your family and friends, and think about the world. Reflect upon your relationships with them - are they as strong and as positive as you wish them to be? If not, why? At this time of remembrance and looking back, take a chance to look forwards too; if you want to change something about your life, do it! What's stopping you? If the answer to that is yourself, it couldn't be easier to rectify.
Remember the past, contemplate the future, but most of all; don't forget to live for the present.
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.
Wednesday, 2 November 2016
I Am... A College Student
Happy November! A new month marks a new Wednesday series, and this month's is entitled 'I Am...'. Here's the first post of this series: I Am A College Student. Enjoy!
In September this year, I started at sixth from college. From the secondary school I came from, nearly all of my close friends joined me at college, with only a few of them going to different colleges. I'm pretty sure that had this not been the case, I'd have found the transfer a heck of a lot more difficult. Although my friend group has changed hugely since starting sixth form, the first few days were made a lot less lonely by knowing people from secondary school. If you're worried about starting secondary school or college or even university, please don't be! At the beginning, everyone's in the same situation - nervous about knowing no one! It's very easy to make friends, even if you are a little socially awkward (like me, I admit).
In September this year, I started at sixth from college. From the secondary school I came from, nearly all of my close friends joined me at college, with only a few of them going to different colleges. I'm pretty sure that had this not been the case, I'd have found the transfer a heck of a lot more difficult. Although my friend group has changed hugely since starting sixth form, the first few days were made a lot less lonely by knowing people from secondary school. If you're worried about starting secondary school or college or even university, please don't be! At the beginning, everyone's in the same situation - nervous about knowing no one! It's very easy to make friends, even if you are a little socially awkward (like me, I admit).
With regards to workload, this transfer is also rather hard, but it's just something you have to embrace and work with. In my experience, you get more homework, the lessons are longer (and therefore far more tiring), and the work itself is more thorough and detailed. However, you have free periods during the day which are perfect for homework, meaning that if you're lucky, you won't actually have to do any homework! Longer lessons may seem like a drag to begin with, but you'll soon adapt to a new schedule and will realise you need more time to go through everything thoroughly. The work is more detailed, but you'll learn so much more than at GCSE level, so it's worth it!
But college isn't just work. You'll make new friends, get closer to old friends, and grow as a person yourself because of them. Personally, I adore my new friend group, just as I continue to adore my old friend group, even if I don't see them as often anymore. Their absence may seem sad, but in reality it's not sad; it's life. You'll always have opportunities to change and develop your personality and values, and I think that you should always take them. I started college with a circle of my friends from secondary school and now, not even two months in, I've got to know their new friends, and their friends' friends, and their friends' friends' friends and...
Another part of college, more so in the second year but it's always good to be prepared, is choosing universities. If you were brought up like me, you'll have been taught that the only acceptable path is school, college, uni, job. That's not actually correct. If you don't want to go to uni, or you don't think enrolling will benefit you, then by no means do you have to go. But even if you don't think uni will be for you, research a few, you may be pleasantly surprised! And remember, not all universities are in your home country - you have the chance to travel!
A couple of months ago, I attended the Fulbright USA College Fair in London. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Essentially, it was a chance to meet representatives from hundreds of American universities, and discuss your future options with them. It's so refreshing to speak to someone in person nowadays, as opposed to a cold, impersonal email conversation. If you ever get the chance to attend a seminar or fair or a similar kind, I urge you to go. Even if you don't think you're going to study abroad, you might as well be positive that you don't want to, or have your mind changed. I'm still not too sure what country I want to study in, but the Fulbright fair really opened my eyes to the options I have, and clearly spelled out what I should be doing currently to get myself where I want to go.
In summary, being a college student is tough. It's long days (hello leaving at 6:30am and getting home at 5:30pm), hard work, and non-stop consolidation learning. But it's also meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and attaining more independence than you've had before.
It's new. It's different. But that 100% doesn't mean it's bad.
Don't be scared about change. Change allowed us to evolve into sentient beings (with opposable thumbs!), and change will allow you to flourish. Embrace it.
Saturday, 29 October 2016
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