Like them or loathe them exams are one of the most stressful issues that a teenager will face. Exams affect people in many different ways so it's important to have a calm and relaxed attitude when discussing this topic. I will be talking you through my guide on dealing with exams and the added stress that comes with it. If you would like to read my post on Coping With Stress it is in the label 'Teen Tips'. Check it out!
The pressure of exams can affect people differently and many friends fall out during these times because they don't understand why the other isn't as nervous and doesn't need to study as much.
1) Stay Calm
As crazy as exams can be the most important rule anyone can have is to stay calm and keep focused. There is no point worrying about something which you cannot change as you are wasting energy that could be used during the exam.
2) It's Okay To Study More Than Others And Admit It
"I've not studied" is a common lie and do not be fooled by it! Having said that, some people can study very little and still come away with a high A whereas others can study lots and only achieve an average C. Me and my best friend are a prime example! She studies as little as possible but still has the highest grades in our year whereas I have to study quite a lot to actually understand and remember it to achieve B's and C's.
3) Use Different Methods To Revise
Some people are kinetic learners whilst others can sit in front of a textbook and memorise it. However you learn can be completely different to everyone else you know but that's okay! Sometimes using colourful mindmaps instead of black and white lists can make it so much easier to learn and vice versa!
4) Use Your Time Effectively
One of the worst things to do when studying is procrastinating. To do well you need to put the work in beforehand. If you struggle to keep focused then I'd recommend setting small goals such as doing a chapter of Biology then getting to watch Netflix or finishing a past paper then getting to bake cupcakes.
5) Start Early
My mum always makes me get up like it's a schoolday when I'm off studying. That way I'm still in the habit of school hours. It also means I get to relax in the evening. On weekends I will wake up an hour or so later than normal and then get ready and study then so I have the afternoon to myself. It makes my life easier and happier - two essentials during busy times!
6) Plan Your Studies
Study Plans!!! 8 columns and 4 rows. Along the top row leave the first one blank then write the days of the week. Down the first column leave the first box blank and write Morning, Afternoon, Evening. Then cross out the slots where you have plans like work or going out with friends. Then fill the rest in with subjects. Don't be overambitious - doing Chemistry all day is tough on your brain and you won't learn as much. Aim for 3 different large chunks of different subjects or 6 little bites of different subjects.
7) Be Open-Minded
It is quite common to fall out with friends when you are stressed and disagree on something. If your friend isn't studying and you are then you might feel annoyed that she's wasting her time but don't confront her. It's not your responsibility and as much as you want her to do well if she isn't putting effort in then she'll have to learn the hard way.
8)Eat Well, Sleep Lots
You can't learn if you are (i) Hungry or (ii) Tired. It's worth taking an extra slice of toast or an extra 30 mins in bed if it will help your studying. Just make up the time out of your relaxation slots. Make sure you eat healthily too so your brain has plenty of energy to store the golden nuggets of information to get you 100%!
I understand many of you will be taking exams in the next coming months so I wish you the very best of luck and remember to put the effort in!!
Sunday, 29 March 2015
Friday, 20 March 2015
Solar Partial Eclipse!!!
My inner science geek was alive and well today as I got to see a partial solar eclipse over Scotland!!!!
For those of you who don't know about them I will explain! There is 1 eclipse every 18 months however only 1 year in 375 years will you see the eclipse in the same spot. This is because the 'perfect' shadow (known as the umbral shadow) covers less than 1% of the Earth - making it incredibly difficult to see one.
The eclipse I saw today was a 96% eclipse which is why on my photos you can see a crescent shape. I found it really exciting as it is predicted the next eclipse in my area with the same coverage would be in 2093! Even better my whole school had came in with wielding masks or 'pinhole cameras' (2 pieces of paper and one has a hole in it to reflect the sun onto the other piece) to watch so it was a really good atmosphere. Teachers had brought in cameras and were taking photos to stitch into a video too so they had a memento of the occasion.
All around Scotland there was a real buzz about the eclipse and I wanted to be part of it! I think it's really cool watching something that humans can't change. Nowadays more than ever we can change most aspects of our life however the eclipse is a phenomenon which remains as before.
If you ever have the opportunity to see a partial or even a total eclipse then please do! Although the hype for some was completely anti-climatic I still think it's an amazing thing to talk about and the chances of seeing it again is slim!
For those of you who don't know about them I will explain! There is 1 eclipse every 18 months however only 1 year in 375 years will you see the eclipse in the same spot. This is because the 'perfect' shadow (known as the umbral shadow) covers less than 1% of the Earth - making it incredibly difficult to see one.
 |
| From my Biology teachers camera around 20mins before peak. |
 |
| Using 'Pinhole Cameras' to view the eclipse |
All around Scotland there was a real buzz about the eclipse and I wanted to be part of it! I think it's really cool watching something that humans can't change. Nowadays more than ever we can change most aspects of our life however the eclipse is a phenomenon which remains as before.
If you ever have the opportunity to see a partial or even a total eclipse then please do! Although the hype for some was completely anti-climatic I still think it's an amazing thing to talk about and the chances of seeing it again is slim!
Thursday, 19 March 2015
Top 5 Thursday: Teen Novels
Forget tbt, Top 5 Thursday is what it is all about and today it is Top 5 Books.
Reading is my favourite relaxation activity and I always read something before I go to sleep. Today I am recommending 5 books that I have read and reread and reread again!
1) The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
I love Green's take on teenage cancer. As a teen with an increased chance of cancer I found that the realistic view on the horrible disease quite comforting. Too often is the story "child gets sick child gets miraculously better" told.Greens new angle on cancer recovery is so heartfelt and so realistic it's hard not to get hooked in!
2) The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
No spoilers! Chbosky has an incredible take on problematic situations for 'wallflower' Charlie after his close friend commits suicide. I found the book quite confusing on my first read and it's not until the last chapter until everything makes sense. After that its a must to reread and pick up all the clues given to the reader that we've brushed over.
3) The Divergent Trilogy - Veronica Roth
Who doesn't love a trilogy!? I've read and reread this brilliant series. It combines love with adventure and unlike "The Hunger Games" -which by the third book I became tired of Katniss' love struggles- I became enthralled by Tris' strength and courage to battle on regardless. They are currently being made into movies so read up, buy the first one and watch for the second one - released this month.
4) Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
I'm seeing a trend in my favourite books. In this book thirteen reasons why Hannah committed suicide are on thirteen sides of tapes and sent to those thirteen people who are behind the thirteen reasons. This book tells Clay's side of the story from when he receives the tapes to when he sends them on. An uncanny realistic plot which I really enjoyed reading.
5) Looking For Alaska - John Green
So it's the same author as number 1 in my Top 5 Thursday but with a completely different plot which wraps me in every time! It tells the twisted story of a young boy in his first year in boarding school and trying to work out a mystery with his new friends. It is really worth a read if you haven't already and it's also meant to become a movie soon!
And that is my first T5T! I hope you really enjoyed reading this. I'm hoping to make this a regular feature of my blog so watch this space and I'll see you next time!
Reading is my favourite relaxation activity and I always read something before I go to sleep. Today I am recommending 5 books that I have read and reread and reread again!
1) The Fault In Our Stars - John Green
I love Green's take on teenage cancer. As a teen with an increased chance of cancer I found that the realistic view on the horrible disease quite comforting. Too often is the story "child gets sick child gets miraculously better" told.Greens new angle on cancer recovery is so heartfelt and so realistic it's hard not to get hooked in!
2) The Perks Of Being A Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
No spoilers! Chbosky has an incredible take on problematic situations for 'wallflower' Charlie after his close friend commits suicide. I found the book quite confusing on my first read and it's not until the last chapter until everything makes sense. After that its a must to reread and pick up all the clues given to the reader that we've brushed over.
3) The Divergent Trilogy - Veronica Roth
Who doesn't love a trilogy!? I've read and reread this brilliant series. It combines love with adventure and unlike "The Hunger Games" -which by the third book I became tired of Katniss' love struggles- I became enthralled by Tris' strength and courage to battle on regardless. They are currently being made into movies so read up, buy the first one and watch for the second one - released this month.
4) Thirteen Reasons Why - Jay Asher
I'm seeing a trend in my favourite books. In this book thirteen reasons why Hannah committed suicide are on thirteen sides of tapes and sent to those thirteen people who are behind the thirteen reasons. This book tells Clay's side of the story from when he receives the tapes to when he sends them on. An uncanny realistic plot which I really enjoyed reading.
5) Looking For Alaska - John Green
So it's the same author as number 1 in my Top 5 Thursday but with a completely different plot which wraps me in every time! It tells the twisted story of a young boy in his first year in boarding school and trying to work out a mystery with his new friends. It is really worth a read if you haven't already and it's also meant to become a movie soon!
And that is my first T5T! I hope you really enjoyed reading this. I'm hoping to make this a regular feature of my blog so watch this space and I'll see you next time!
Saturday, 14 March 2015
Making an Engagement Cake!
Engagement Parties are so much fun but they're even better with a cake! For my final project in Cake class I am doing an Engagement cake for some family friends who got engaged last week!! I really wanted to share this with you - I am very proud of myself!
The Serious Bit
I am making an 8 inch square one-tiered rich fruit cake and coating it with marzipan and sugar paste. It will be on a 10 inch round cake board which is left silver.
The cake itself will be decorated with pastel pink royal icing flowers stencilled around the edges of the top of the cake. In the top right hand corner I will be using sugar paste to make a rose bush out of many different hues of pink and I will be adding green leaves to make it more realistic. On a diagonal underneath the rose bush I will be piping 'Congratulations' in curly writing using the pink royal icing (to match the stencilled flowers). I will also be putting two golden fondant rings underneath the congratulations.
Around the sides I will be stencilling the pastel pink royal icing flowers that are around the edge of the top of the cake.
Now the serious part is out of the way it's time to get baking!
The Recipe
875g Mixed Dried Fruit
90g Glace Cherries (quartered)
40ml Brandy (optional)
200g Butter
200g Muscovado Sugar
3 eggs
250g Plain Flour
7.5ml Mixed Spice
45g Blanched Almonds (optional)
Method
(1) Mix together the dried fruit, chopped cherries and brandy. Leave to soak for several hours.
(2) Preheat oven to Gas Mark 1/ 140 Celsius
(3) Beat together the sugar and the butter then gradually add the eggs and the flour.
(4) Using a VERY large bowl add the fruit mix, mixed spice and almonds.
(5) Spoon into an 8" Round / 7" Square Tin and make a slight dip in the centre. Tap the tin against the work surface to remove any air trapped. Remember to wrap your tin with newspaper and put greaseproof paper over the top.
(6) Bake for 3 hours. When baked the skewer comes out clean.
(7) Once baked remove from tin and wrap in plastic.
(8) Turn the cake upside down and fill any holes in marzipan. This ensures that the fondant and marzipan will be smooth.
(9) Cover your cake in marzipan and then fondant. Use caster sugar to roll your marzipan out and apricot jam to stick it onto the cake. Use cornflour to roll out the fondant and use heated water to stick it to the marzipan.
(10) Make the royal icing using 200g Icing Sugar and 34ml Egg White Powder mixed in with a tiny bit of water. Use an extremely small amount of pink food dye to colour the icing light pink.
(11) Using a flower stencil, smooth a small amount of royal icing onto the stencil then peel the stencil off the cake. Continue around and on the sides.
(12) With the leftover royal icing stick it all in a piping bag with a small round nozzle and leave it in the fridge.
(13) With fondant (1 large box does the whole cake) take a bit and dye it green. With leaf cutters cut 6 leaves and with heated water stick it onto the cake. Try to stick them in the corner with 2/3 of the leaves "falling" over the side.
(14) Make the rose bush using 4 different colours of pink fondant. This takes great patience and I recommend watching YouTube videos beforehand. I made around 20 roses for my bush.
(15) Use a pinch of fondant for the rings and dye it yellow-gold. I used gold glitter on top to give it a sparkle.
(16) Get the royal icing out of the fridge and pipe "Congratulations" (spell it correctly!).
AND IT IS FINISHED!
Send me in your recreations and I'll see you next time!
I am making an 8 inch square one-tiered rich fruit cake and coating it with marzipan and sugar paste. It will be on a 10 inch round cake board which is left silver.
The cake itself will be decorated with pastel pink royal icing flowers stencilled around the edges of the top of the cake. In the top right hand corner I will be using sugar paste to make a rose bush out of many different hues of pink and I will be adding green leaves to make it more realistic. On a diagonal underneath the rose bush I will be piping 'Congratulations' in curly writing using the pink royal icing (to match the stencilled flowers). I will also be putting two golden fondant rings underneath the congratulations.
Around the sides I will be stencilling the pastel pink royal icing flowers that are around the edge of the top of the cake.
Now the serious part is out of the way it's time to get baking!
The Recipe
875g Mixed Dried Fruit
90g Glace Cherries (quartered)
40ml Brandy (optional)
200g Butter
200g Muscovado Sugar
3 eggs
250g Plain Flour
7.5ml Mixed Spice
45g Blanched Almonds (optional)
Method
(1) Mix together the dried fruit, chopped cherries and brandy. Leave to soak for several hours.
(2) Preheat oven to Gas Mark 1/ 140 Celsius
(3) Beat together the sugar and the butter then gradually add the eggs and the flour.
(4) Using a VERY large bowl add the fruit mix, mixed spice and almonds.
(5) Spoon into an 8" Round / 7" Square Tin and make a slight dip in the centre. Tap the tin against the work surface to remove any air trapped. Remember to wrap your tin with newspaper and put greaseproof paper over the top.
(6) Bake for 3 hours. When baked the skewer comes out clean.
(7) Once baked remove from tin and wrap in plastic.
(8) Turn the cake upside down and fill any holes in marzipan. This ensures that the fondant and marzipan will be smooth.
(9) Cover your cake in marzipan and then fondant. Use caster sugar to roll your marzipan out and apricot jam to stick it onto the cake. Use cornflour to roll out the fondant and use heated water to stick it to the marzipan.
(10) Make the royal icing using 200g Icing Sugar and 34ml Egg White Powder mixed in with a tiny bit of water. Use an extremely small amount of pink food dye to colour the icing light pink.
(11) Using a flower stencil, smooth a small amount of royal icing onto the stencil then peel the stencil off the cake. Continue around and on the sides.
(12) With the leftover royal icing stick it all in a piping bag with a small round nozzle and leave it in the fridge.
(13) With fondant (1 large box does the whole cake) take a bit and dye it green. With leaf cutters cut 6 leaves and with heated water stick it onto the cake. Try to stick them in the corner with 2/3 of the leaves "falling" over the side.
(14) Make the rose bush using 4 different colours of pink fondant. This takes great patience and I recommend watching YouTube videos beforehand. I made around 20 roses for my bush.
(15) Use a pinch of fondant for the rings and dye it yellow-gold. I used gold glitter on top to give it a sparkle.
(16) Get the royal icing out of the fridge and pipe "Congratulations" (spell it correctly!).
AND IT IS FINISHED!
Send me in your recreations and I'll see you next time!
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Teen Tips: Getting A Job
Don't get me wrong, school and college/university is very important. However to get through it you do need money and that will only come from work (and parents if you're lucky). Here is my guide on how to get a job!
Rule 1: Don't Be Picky!
When I was looking for a job I went through all the retail stores on my local high street searching for jobs. No where else. This led to a year and a half of unemployment and begging my parents for £5 bus money which was meant to last me the week. So my first rule is do not be picky with where you apply.
Rule 2: Get Volunteering Experience.
It sounds so dull, doing paid work but not getting paid. What a waste of time, right? WRONG! Doing volunteering gives you experience in a working environment which is what employers are looking for. Depending where you volunteer depends on what other experience you get. The most common is charity shops and youth groups which give you people skills. Being able to communicate and listen and work in a group AND as an individual are major skills that employers are looking for! Any basic part time job requires these skills - waitressing, retail, bar work - think about it.
You can also get special awards for volunteering. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a whole section just on volunteering. In Scotland, we have a programme called 'Saltire Award' which give you awards for volunteering 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours. Having one of these shows commitment and motivation to succeed.
Rule 3: Write a CV
What an obvious rule but it can actually be forgotten! There are plenty of CV Builders online and by using one will make your life a lot easier! If you are in Scotland I recommend using My World of Work as it has an amazing and easy CV Builder with a lot of tips as well.
If you are writing one from scratch then I recommend putting in your strengths, achievements, interests as well as all your grades and employment history (which includes volunteering).
Rule 4: Don't be afraid!
When I decided I wanted to get a job I was actually kind of scared to tell my parents what I was doing! It sounds so crazy but I was afraid that they didn't want me to work as well as go to school. If you are in a similar situation then I beg you please talk about it at the dinner table, maybe about 'a friend who just got a job' and see your parents reactions. This usually can go two ways - 1) they start suggesting about looking for a job or 2) they have an hour lecture at you on how it's not worth it. If you end up in scenario 2 I'm very sorry but please don't give up!
Rule 5: Ask friends to put in a good word.
It sounds like cheating but that is exactly how I got my first job! In places like TESCO (a UK supermarket chain) it's common knowledge that you're most likely to get the job if you know someone that already works in TESCO. It's also comforting knowing someone at a workplace if you do get the job.
Rule 6: Talk to people.
If you get an interview remember to be polite and ask questions! If you're in a group interview then chat to the group before you go in and get to know them. If the employer comes out and sees people talking it will show them that you are comfortable in a new environment and puts you at an advantage. If you have a trail shift then make sure you ask questions if you are unsure about anything and you are always polite when talking to other staff.
That is my guide for getting a job. I hope you learnt something from my experience and the only other thing I can say to you is good luck and I'll see you next time!
Rule 1: Don't Be Picky!
When I was looking for a job I went through all the retail stores on my local high street searching for jobs. No where else. This led to a year and a half of unemployment and begging my parents for £5 bus money which was meant to last me the week. So my first rule is do not be picky with where you apply.
Rule 2: Get Volunteering Experience.
It sounds so dull, doing paid work but not getting paid. What a waste of time, right? WRONG! Doing volunteering gives you experience in a working environment which is what employers are looking for. Depending where you volunteer depends on what other experience you get. The most common is charity shops and youth groups which give you people skills. Being able to communicate and listen and work in a group AND as an individual are major skills that employers are looking for! Any basic part time job requires these skills - waitressing, retail, bar work - think about it.
You can also get special awards for volunteering. The Duke of Edinburgh Award has a whole section just on volunteering. In Scotland, we have a programme called 'Saltire Award' which give you awards for volunteering 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 hours. Having one of these shows commitment and motivation to succeed.
Rule 3: Write a CV
What an obvious rule but it can actually be forgotten! There are plenty of CV Builders online and by using one will make your life a lot easier! If you are in Scotland I recommend using My World of Work as it has an amazing and easy CV Builder with a lot of tips as well.
If you are writing one from scratch then I recommend putting in your strengths, achievements, interests as well as all your grades and employment history (which includes volunteering).
Rule 4: Don't be afraid!
When I decided I wanted to get a job I was actually kind of scared to tell my parents what I was doing! It sounds so crazy but I was afraid that they didn't want me to work as well as go to school. If you are in a similar situation then I beg you please talk about it at the dinner table, maybe about 'a friend who just got a job' and see your parents reactions. This usually can go two ways - 1) they start suggesting about looking for a job or 2) they have an hour lecture at you on how it's not worth it. If you end up in scenario 2 I'm very sorry but please don't give up!
Rule 5: Ask friends to put in a good word.
It sounds like cheating but that is exactly how I got my first job! In places like TESCO (a UK supermarket chain) it's common knowledge that you're most likely to get the job if you know someone that already works in TESCO. It's also comforting knowing someone at a workplace if you do get the job.
Rule 6: Talk to people.
If you get an interview remember to be polite and ask questions! If you're in a group interview then chat to the group before you go in and get to know them. If the employer comes out and sees people talking it will show them that you are comfortable in a new environment and puts you at an advantage. If you have a trail shift then make sure you ask questions if you are unsure about anything and you are always polite when talking to other staff.
That is my guide for getting a job. I hope you learnt something from my experience and the only other thing I can say to you is good luck and I'll see you next time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)