Social Media!

I spend a lot of time on the internet. . . these are a few places I go to all the time and why!

• Instagram

1. Accessible from my phone
2. All of my pen pals and some of my closest friendships have been made through Instagram (I love you all!) 

• YouTube

1. Daily vlogs
2. Planners, Filofaxes, Stationary
3. Study tips and organisation

• Pinterest

1. Inspiration
2. Negative is that I like so many pictures in one go that a message pops up "Error: You've hit a block, try again later" which really pisses me off because I have so much fun on there! Does anyone know how to stop this from happening?

• Twitter

1. Ranting - I can say simple things that have a lot of hidden meanings that only I know about 
2. Interaction with celebrities (I never get replies though)

• Facebook

1. Games
2. Boredom
3. I used to spend so much time on Facebook but it just seems boring now and so I only use it to upload my favourite photographs or update my status when something really exciting happens

• Tumblr

1. I found Tumblr in 2012 and got addicted quickly but I haven't used it for months because like Facebook it gets boring and I think I've exhausted all the #hashtags

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Broadchurch!

When I heard David Tennant would be in a new ITV Drama in 2013, I was obviously excited because I have followed his career for quite a few years.

In Series 1, Danny Latimer is murdered. It is very intense and emotional; it is also easy to follow the characters and become attached to them. (I tend to talk to the TV a lot!)

Series 2 aired on January 5th and I just finished watching Episode 3 tonight. 

As I get attached to the storyline, I get more and more frustrated with several things:

1. ITV has adverts every 15 minutes and they last for around 3-5 minutes so you tend to lose track of what happened in each 15 minute chunk of the programme
2. My parents and step sister don't get as involved in the storyline as I do and therefore they talk through it! This is the worst thing because I feel like every second and every camera shot is significant. If I lose focus by listening to them talking, I completely miss what is happening on screen.
3. If I lose focus (see 2.) I cannot rewind it because we don't have that option.
4. My Dad says I should just watch it online so they can watch other programmes - firstly it is the only programme I watch once a week and secondly there's something about watching it on television that makes it better. (Like books, I'd rather have a physical copy than an eBook or online version)

I really want to talk in more depth and detail about the storyline and plot points but I know that many people haven't watched it because they either live outside of the UK or they are crazy (no offence) and choose not to watch it.

I don't want to ruin anything for anyone that happens to read this post, I just wanted to rant because I'm annoyed that my family don't appreciate the programme as much as I do. Also i love reading the tweets on the characters' Twitter accounts, DI Hardy is hilarious!

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Revision and Exams!

As I'm in my second year of A Levels, I've been focusing on my Mock Exams that are this week. I had it in the back of my mind all over Christmas and I set some time aside to sit down and plan out a Revision timetable.

Here are a few great websites/blogs I found here, here, here and here.

My top techniques to help me revise are:

• Organisation

Make a timetable and stick to it! Schedule in school/college including free periods. Add in 10 minute breaks for every 45 minutes of revision.

• Distractions

Take away phones, laptops and any other distractions. Clean up the work space such as a desk or kitchen table.

• Learning styles - Take this test to find out about Multiple Intelligences

Visual - Mind maps, flash cards, highlighted notes, diagrams.

Kinesthetic - Create songs, associate words with actions.

Auditory - Listen to music, listen to podcasts, record yourself reading notes and replay them.

• Rewrite notes

When I get home from college I try to rewrite my notes from each of my classes so that the information stays fresh in my mind. Repetition also helps to retain information. I also like to make sure I fully understand the notes I've made and maybe go back to the textbook, use AQA's website or other revision sites to enhance my notes. Reading around the subject is really important, especially at university when you're expected to read more in and around the subject without the tutor/lecturer's advice.

• Highlight notes/hand outs

I highlight the key words in my notes and hand outs and then rewrite them on flash cards that I can test myself from.

• Past Papers

I always find past papers on the AQA website really helpful and write out the questions so that I can answer them and ask my teachers to mark them for me.

• Model Answers

I write out the full-marked answers so that I can highlight and take key points from. I then revise and review them so I know what to expect in the exam.

Separate from revising and studying, I always go to bed early the night before my exams. It's good to get at least 8 hours sleep on any night especially the night before. It is also important to drink water before and during the exam and eating a good breakfast that is full of protein to keep your brain active. Some people like to chew gum or mints during the exam because it is (apparently) good for your brain (according to scientific research!) I would also advise to chew gum or mints while revising because your brain will associate this in the exam with your revision and you'll be able to recall what you've studied quicker.

Remember to include the most obvious points in your answers. It might seem silly but it'll boost your marks and you might even go up a grade. Also, remember to do your best because exams and grades do not define you as a person, they are only a small aspect of your life and it won't be the end of the world if you don't get the results you were aiming for.

My first exam is tomorrow (Geography) so I'm now going to review my notes before watching Broadchurch (Series 2, Episode 2) and then getting a good night's sleep.

That's it for now,

Kazia x

Inspiration!

Inspiration can hit at any time, day or night. It's not subjective to time, so if it's 3am and you've got an idea running around your brain like a headless chicken, write it down as quickly as you can so you don't forget it!

As I write this, Smudge insists on sitting on my lap so I apologise in advance if there are any random characters she may have typed in...

Anyway, I have been thinking about the things that inspire me for a little while now and I've come up with a list:

1. Colours and patterns
2. Tea (Carrie and Ella)
3. Smudge
4. My pen pals
5. Crochet

Firstly, I am a visual learner. When revising I like to highlight the key points and circle important topics in a rainbow of colour because it makes the page pretty and appealing and it helps me to remember the information. I can associate different areas with different colours. I also like patterns, large polka dots or candy stripes are my favourites because they are probably the most simplistic.

When I watch Carrie (It'sWayPastMyBedTime - Carrie Hope Fletcher) and Ella's (EllaWelly) videos, they always have a mug of tea. It's just a simple thing but it triggers something in my head that they've made the effort to switch their cameras on and talk for a few minutes about nothing in particular. So I feel the need to make myself a cup of tea, tuck myself under my blanket and hide myself away with my headphones on. (Especially when I don't have any homework to do!)

Smudge is one of my best friends! It seems crazy but I expect many people talk to their pets without expecting any response, just a kiss or purring as a sign of acknowledgement. I talk to Smudge all the time! (and moving into halls for university in September is going to be one of the scariest processes I'll ever experience because I won't have Smudge alongside me)

I started writing to people at the end of August, after opening an Instagram account and finding Diana's #quiltypenpals group! I have received 56 letters from all over the world (at my last count in December) I have expanded the number of pen pals I send letters to to around 35 people! I love sending letters as much as I love receiving them because everyone is so creative - decorating the envelopes and taking time with every detail!

Finally, I started crocheting when I was in primary school but I stopped for a few years. My Step Mum bought me a crochet set for Christmas 2014 and now I am literally addicted! I crochet pretty much every night now and I'm making a huge, beautiful, blanket to go on my bed at university. When I snuggle under this blanket, I'll be able to think of my family and be reminded of them every day. I love seeing everyone's projects on Instagram, the photographs are stunning and I get a lot of ideas from these posts.

What five things inspire you?

That's it for now,

Kazia x