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

Happy New Year!

I don't want to make a cheesy, cliche Facebook post about how good 2014 has been and how amazing 2015 will be so I'll blog about it!

On 18th December 2013 my Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer so 2014 looked really awful and I didn't think I'd have my Mum with me by the end of the year. She's been amazing and so so strong! I don't know how she has done it or coped with it. I love her so much!

So much has happened this year, like starting to go out with the girls from college more and just relaxing rather than stressing out about college. In my first year of college I didn't get the grades that truly reflected my abilities but I was proud because my teachers didn't think I'd even complete the year! Actually getting grades and proving them wrong makes me so happy and I have so much to look forward to this year because of that.

I cannot wait to start university in September! I am working my butt off this year and planning every detail so that I am prepared. My anxiety hasn't been so overwhelming in the last few months which I'm grateful for but I know by the time exams and results and summer come around, it will flair up again. I just need to find some strategies to make it easier to cope with. (Any advice?)

As I've said before, I have lots of plans for 2015 and I am so excited! I can't wait to see what this year holds and the memories that I will make.

There's a few things I definitely want to do this year:

• Take a photograph of myself every day to see how much I change
• Wear more make up and style my hair differently
• Dye my hair (lighter but I don't know what colour yet)
• Be more confident academically and socially

I think that's it for now!

Have a brilliant 2015 and I'll see you on the flip side!

Kazia x

Christmas is coming!

Are you excited for Christmas?

Personally, this year I don't feel very excited for Christmas even though it is Christmas Eve and omg Santa will be delivering all the presents tonight!

I don't know why it is but it doesn't feel like December at all! Maybe it's because there's no snow this year or that Mum has gone to London and Kent to visit her family instead of being home with me. . . (I don't even live with my Mum anymore but I want her to be home for Christmas)

This year has flown by and maybe it's because it has been a year since Mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (18th December 2013) that I don't feel festive or the fact I was in hospital two days ago or maybe it's because I'm growing up and the magic of Christmas is starting to fade or because for the first time in years my brother will be with us for Christmas but Mum won't be.

I miss our Christmas traditions - me, Oliver, Mum and Dad. Oliver would wake up really early and we'd both open our stockings that were on the end of our beds before our parents got up. We'd go downstairs and show them what we got then after breakfast we'd go to the Church service. After our Christmas lunch we'd open some more presents and then sit around the TV to watch Doctor Who! Everyone was happy and I never thought it would end! I wish it hadn't ended. . .

Just a short post tonight because I can't sleep so that's it for now,

Kazia x

Achievement!

Firstly, last week I got a conditional offer for the UEA which I am so excited about, so I'll be studying Film and Television in September 2015 so long as I get the grades! 

I am working really hard this year, not only to get into university but also for myself because I have wanted to go to university ever since I started school at the age of five! 

When I was as young as five, I wanted to be an author. I was one of those children that would spend all their time either in the school library, public library or even the mobile library. I would even read at play time and my passion for reading has never stopped, it continues to grow and evolve every day!

Now, at the age of eighteen, I aspire to be a filmmaker. It is very similar to be an author but instead of telling a story with words, it is told through images and video clips. I have always loved to be behind the camera, either as a photographer or making films. When I was younger, I would perform on stage with the other members of the Drama Club at my primary school. It was always exhilarating to walk out onto the stage and see hundreds of people in the audience, waiting in anticipation for the first line to open the show.

I haven't performed in years, mainly because there's been no time and secondly because I lost confidence when I was in high school. It was always the teacher's favourites that got chosen to be in the shows, the ones that the teacher knew outside of school because their parents were part of the school governors. 

My achievements this year have improved dramatically. In my AS Level I achieved, CCDE and now I'm achieving A/B on my essays! I was told when I left high school that A Level grades would be twice as hard to achieve than GCSEs, for example if you got a C in GCSE, it would be the equivalent of an E in A Level. This is partly true because A Levels are obviously much harder but I don't believe it is true for everyone because you can focus on those three/four specific subjects and if you work hard you'll achieve so much. 

Apart from academic success, I've also gained massive amounts of confidence by talking to new people, talking on the phone to strangers I've never met, spending a week with my Geography class in North Wales, going to parties. . . I've got lots of lovely memories from 2014 which I'll treasure and cherish.

That's it for now, 

Kazia x