Mock Exam Stress

Tomorrow is the start of mock week and although I have done so much revision for it (well definitely compared to last year) I can't help but think that these exams are putting too much pressure on students and are not worth it. But I think that mock exams have so much benefit and put people in the right frame of mind for education. 

This time of the year is the start of the wind down to Christmas and having a mock week just before hand means that students pull their finger out and get back on top of their work when they may have been slowly sliding downhill concentration-wise. 

Mock exams give you the chance before your real exams to gather all your revision techniques and make sure that they work for you and you remember the information you need. If your techniques don't work then you have enough time before your real exams to make amendments and sort yourself out properly so you can achieve the best grades possible. 

The one main thing that I find beneficial of mock exams is the feedback that you get back from your teachers. In usual homework and assignments you may get a mark or a grade and if you're lucky then a line or two on how to improve. But with mocks it is different, teachers put more time and effort into marking your work and give you proper feedback on how to boost up your grades and how to progress and keep on the right track. 

So to all those who have mock weeks either before or after Christmas, just remember that they are useful and if you put in all the work now then it puts you in a much better position for the real examinations in the summer and try not to stress too much. Good Luck! xx

10 Questions - Disney style

I dedicate this post to two of the most beautiful girlies ever, Jess and Beth who love absolutely everything Disney related! I need your opinions on my answers gals! 

1) Favourite character

Now this one is easy for me and it has to be Donald Duck. He always such a cheeky smile and my favourite teddy is a massive Donald Duck as he's been my favourite since I was about 5 years old and he always will be. 

2) Favourite prince

Although it isn't one of my top films I think that Alladin is my favourite prince as he is clever and seems like a very genuine good hearted person.(Can't believe I am actually doing a post on fictional characters as if they were real, never mind ey?!) Plus you have to admit he is pretty good looking - as far as animated people go anyway! 

3)Favourite princess

Cinderella - I love the idea that the most neglected girl ends up with the handsome prince. It gives us all so much hope doesn't it?!

4) Saddest Death

No doubt that this comes from the Lion King. Mufasa's death is just unbearable and I don't think I will ever be able to get over it. 

5) Best Pixar

Finding Nemo is brill! I love love love love Finding Nemo and aged 18 I even have a Nemo t-shirt that is probably my favourite top ever!! 

6) Makes you cry

I think that goes side by side with my saddest death so it would have to be The Lion King and when Mufasa dies in it :'( 

7) Brings the best memories

I remember when my little cousin was about 4 years old and I was babysitting him and we ended up watching The Jungle Book on repeat at least 3 times and every single time he smiled his gorgeous little smile and watched with intent. 

8)  Favourite song

This will forever be Go The Distance from Hercules. Since I got the a Disney CD from a young age I have loved and  loved this song regardless of the fact that I have never actually watched this film. 

9) Favourite villain

I think the step-mother in Snow White is my favourite - don't know her actual name, as a young kid she really used to freak me out and at panto I used to hide behind my hands when she came on. The "Bring back her heart in this box" used to scare me, but now I find her rather entertaining - like who chooses poisoning an apple as a way to kill someone?! 

10) Favourite quote

Now this one comes from the man himself, Mr Walt Disney: "If you can dream it you can do it. Remember that this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse". It makes me wonder that just one man's dream has brought so much happiness to millions of children around the entire world and that it just started off as one little wish. If that isn't inspiring then I don't know what is! 

What is your favourite Disney film/moment?!

Leave your comments if you like, feedback is much appreciated 

xx

Everyday we should remember..

Last Tuesday, 11/11 as many of you know was Remembrance Day, where as a nation we take just a couple of minutes to pause and remember those who gave their entire life for our country and for our lives especially in the first world war.

Just two minutes a year is spent to remember those fallen heroes who went through so much to make Britain a safer and better place. Their endless bravery and courage deserves so much more recognition that it actually generates. It is their bravery that gave us the gift of freedom and we really need to appreciate this more than just a brief period each year.  

Over 16 million soldiers died in just WW1 alone and these heroes left families and loved ones to help the country. So I challenge you all to just remember those who have given their life to make the country a much better place for more than just 2 minutes a year!

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them"

Why I love this time of year

We've just had Halloween and Bonfire night and now I believe it is officially the countdown to Christmas and my favourite time of the year

I though I would give you a list of my top few Christmassy and Wintery favourites!!

1) Snuggling up and having duvet days in a onesie and a toasty hot chocolate - there is nothing more comforting lounging around without a care in the world in front of an open fire whilst it pouring down outside keeping all warm and dry.

Onesie time!!

2) Christmas lights and fireworks - I don't know if it is just me but I find fireworks and lights pretty magical and Bonfire night is one of my favourite nights of the year by far.

3) Family re-unions - I always thought my family was really close but then it dawned on my recently that I really only see them around Christmas and we exchange gifts and eat a LOAD of food! Since we've all got older we don't see each other as much as I'd like and I always count down the days till I get to see my lovely cousins and uncles/aunties.

4) Christmas songs - It is only the 10th November and already I am holding back playing Christmas songs. They just instantly brighten my day and put me in a much happier mood

5) Giving and receiving presents - Now I think that everybody likes to get presents but I also really enjoy the satisfaction of giving a loved one a gift too. The look on someone's face when they love something that you put so much effort into finding is just so worthwhile.

6) THE FOOD!! I don't know why turkey is only really popular during the Christmas period, I love turkey so much and always eat so much I feel like I am about to pop.

7) My boyfriend has loads of time off work - Now this definitely does make me happy. Usually when I have time off sixth form like in summer then Rob still has to work but in Christmas he takes more time off and I get to spend more time with him and it makes me happy happy happy :D

Christmas with Rob

8) Christmas films - Watching all my childhood favourite films brings back so many happy memories from when Christmas was so so special and I still believed that Santa and the reindeer ate the mince pies, carrots and beer that we left out for them. Elf has to be the best film to ever exist and I watch it ever single year!!

Ban Photoshop

53% of 13 year old girls are unhappy with their bodies a survey found, and when aged 17 this number increases by over 20%. The majority of these girls compare themselves to pictures they see of celebrities and models that they see in magazines and they want to be skinnier just like them.

I do understand that magazines use Photoshop and airbrushing to make their products - mainly clothing - look more appealing in the hope that more people will purchase them but surely there are much more negatives surrounding Photoshop than there are benefits?

Photoshop and airbrushing leave teenagers with an unrealistic idea about what the "perfect body" should look like and this can lead to them feeling ugly and worthless and can lead to things much more severe such as depression and eating disorders. Trying to obtain the "perfect body" is never going to happen as the photos of models in the magazines are not real and have been edited by the latest computer software.

If you look at Cara Delevingne, one of the leading ladies in the modelling industry, it is clear to see the problem. At a height of 1.76 metres and weighing just 51kg this leaves her with a BMI of just 16.4 putting her at the lowest side of the spectrum and classified as severely underweight. This is NOT healthy and girls aspiring to look like these models do not realise the drastic effects that being this underweight can give you. Being this underweight damages your health, immune system and bones as well as giving you a lack of energy and in the future may lead to fertility problems.

Cara Delevingne

More magazines should start to follow "Seventeen" who as a magazines aimed at female teenagers have taken the "no Photoshop pledge" to stop giving the idea to young teenagers that being thin is the most important thing. They should instead use real life celebrities with more curves such as Holly Willoughby, Beyonce, Adele and Jennifer Lawrence to show that personality, intelligence and talent is much more important than how thin you are and the way you look.  

Holly Willoughby at a much healthier weight 

Education systems need to realise....

After such a lovely week off for half term it was finally back to sixth form me today and I realised that none of the subjects that I take are actually going to help me in my later life and career.

I take psychology, business studies and religious education and none of these will help me to become a primary school teacher.

Why cant more places of education offer more vocational subjects? And why are BTECS seen as less academic than A Levels? 

More vocational subjects should be made available to students and they shouldnt be pressurised into taking more subjects than are deemed necessary for their course. If you want to be for example a fashion designer then surely textiles is the main subject you need to focus on and you shouldnt need additional subjects which are irrelevant to achieve your dream ambition.

Aged 16 you should start to be able to make your own decisions about which subjects you want to take and which you dont and I think the educational system needs to realise this.

Rant over.

Recent purchases

Within the last week I have been to London and also been shopping in my hometown Preston and decided I would share some of things that I have bought recently..
The first is a new iPad Mini case, my old was was starting to wear out and look a bit scruffy. This lovely sparkly one was from Topshop and has much more protection to the screen than my older one. Remember Topshop offer student discount for those still in education.

Topshop tablet cover

I have a mini-obsession with anything cute and cuddly so I couldn't resist this teddy bear from Harrods when shopping in London. How cute is he?!

Harrods's teddy

It is officially November and that means that it is nearly Christmas time so thought I would get in the spirit by buying this jumper to get me in the Christmassy mood, and for only £12 from Primark it was a real bargain!! Also from Primark I bought some plain long sleeve tops (just £2.50 each) that can easily be layered as we head into the coldest months of the year and also some bobbles (50 for one pound) so I can start to be a little more adventurous with my hairstyles - something I have wanted to try for a while.

Jumper and tops from Primark

Also to keep me warm I purchased a knitted cardigan from New Look. I love oversized jumpers and cardigans so bought this one 2 sizes above my usual size for that comfy and relaxed feel.And finally, for those who know me well, you will know I absolutely love Jack Wills and I especially love their leggings so when in London I just couldn't resist these either! I LOVE THEM!!

New Look cardigan
Jack Wills leggings