Procrastination Professionals

Usually, I take essays in my stride and just get on with them but as the nights draw in and we get closer to Christmas, I can't help but think about going home in just under a week's time. Obviously this daydream forgets that I have a deadline on monday for my second REAL second-year essay. The pressure is on.
 As all students do, myself and my housemates have been procrastinating this afternoon, as much as possible. We try not to but one of us starts watching a Youtube video or sees something funny on imgur and we all have to see it. 

Without further ado, here are some of our picks of the day for how to avoid your essay-writing/report/deadline stress and have a good laugh:

My choice - Jenna Marbles
One of my favourite Youtubers, Jenna Marbles. I have almost seen every video and with a new one every wednesday (or Thursday) I can't help but have a little snoop on her page every now and again. Here's a taster.

Laura's choice - Tickld
Always finding her giggling at pictures or videos from this website, it's a good choice. You don't need to sign up or make an account to get scanning through the pages of procrastination glory so no annoying emails, perfect! When a website wants to "spread laughter and cure boredom" and don't think it can be denied.
Take a look here. 


Millie's choice - Imgur
Millie loves this site. Similar to Tickld, it has a similar effect! Imgur is more image-based and tends to attract meme-style images. If she finds anything brilliant I usually get sent it on facebook and then continue browsing. Link is here. 


Whatever your procrastination tools, I wish you could luck with final deadlines and a brilliant christmas break. If there are any amazing things that you feel I need to know about, feel free to leave a comment (unless it's a cat video, I've seen ALL of those). This was just a quick post to procrastinate further and I'm fully aware that I may have missed some vital websites/videos/things.

K xo

 

The Magic of Music

Recently I've really been suffering from exam stress. Now, I don't usually stress about exams; I was heading to house parties the week before my A levels were due to start and never had a meltdown in preparation for my final exams. However, university seems to have cracked me. With 4 3 hour long exams to prepare for, which all fall within 10 days, I have been seriously FREAKING OUT. I've tried doing all sorts to calm down a little; running, long showers, shopping, talking to old friends. Nothing seems to have done it quite so well as playing with my jazz band for a couple of hours this evening.

As previously mentioned, I enjoy my music. I think that the best kind of music is that which you create yourself. I love the social element to a band, chatting with different people, but also the amazing feeling that you get when you work together as a group on a piece and it sounds absolutely magnificent, it's really the best feeling and you get such a buzz from performances. The best part of music is that you don't have to play an instrument to get this feeling either, it comes from singing too! 

So, if you've never been in a band or a choir, I seriously recommend joining one. Especially at university! You meet the best people.

K xo

Prom Day

The school year below mine at Landau Forte College (my old school and sixth form) have finally reached the culmination of 7 or 2 years of blood, sweat and tears: PROM DAY.

The Prom at Landau Forte is the stuff of legend. From arriving in year 7, I knew that I wanted to stay for Prom due to the sheer hype around the whole night. Plus I liked the idea of wearing a pretty dress and dancing all night at some swanky venue. It seemed like a lovely way to celebrate finishing my secondary school life until the night finally came around and I didn't feel old enough to be there or to finish sixth form.

Honestly, it was the greatest night of my life and I have some brilliant photos to go with it. I spent a ridiculous amount of money, both before the prom and during. It was all worth it. To celebrate the passing of over a year since my Prom, here are some photos:

So, to all those Landau Forte students who have their Prom tonight, I hope you have a smashing night and remember it forever. It really is the best way to round off your time at a fantastic school!

K xo

(Lack of) Sunshine

While the rest of the country are basking in pure, glorious rays of sunlight, Cornwall seems to be back in March. We have grey skies, wind, and even a sea mist last night! What is going on here? 

I have to admit that although I like it a little cooler while I'm doing revision, the sun did motivate me through the hope of days to come after my exams. Sunshine seems to do that to everyone. It makes you happy, motivates you to get outside, get fitter, do something. Now that's gone I should probably kiss any chance of revision goodbye. I just can't find the motivation to work for exams which don't actually matter in my final degree mark... That's right.

For those of you who don't know, first year doesn't count. At all. The marks (and mistakes) that you get do not go towards the final grade of your degree. In some ways this is fantastic, it means you can settle in to university life without worrying (too much) about the grades that you get. It's like a transition year. However, I'm taking out a loan from the government to pay for this year and it's not exactly cheap. Yes, I get the experience and I know that I am ready for the rest of my time at university (that ACTUALLY counts) but is the price really worth it?

My issue right now basically comes down to exams: I only need to pass the year to make it to the next year, and I only need 40% to pass. Why, if these grades don't count towards my degree, would I bother trying?

You tell me.

April's Challenges: Final Update

As it's no longer April, I feel it's time to look at my aims and see what I actually did. Here are the aims that I set down a month ago:


"This April I want to:

1. Try out henna tattoos.

2. Start running.

3. Create a revision timetable and actually revise!

4. Plan a visit to see my friends in Birmingham.

5. Create a arty piece of work that I'm proud of."

I only managed to get through 2 of these; revising while I wasn't at uni and seeing my friend in Birmingham. However, I did go for a run this morning so that's a third one that I've sort of done, but didn't get chance to complete in April.

My arty side has been quite dormant since I started my university course. I struggle for time to get my creative self together and actually thing of something to do. I'd quite like to get more arty so I think this is an aim for the rest of the year! 

Thanks for reading,

K xo

April Challenge Update: Birmingham

I know this is late but for your information, I DID go to Birmingham to visit my friend, Sarah. It was a lovely day trip and meant that we could have a good catch up before I returned to university for my final term (honestly can't believe first year has gone THIS quick). Here's some lovely photos for your enjoyment, haha:

Sarah took me to the Bullring and we found the best treats in Selfridges! Definitely going back there, especially for the jelly bean bull.

The next photos are of the University Campus. It's a really beautiful uni, lots of red brick and glass windows. 

Apparently if you stare at the face of the clock tower while walking towards it, you'll fall over. I tried to test this but Sarah wouldn't let me, obviously because she's tried it herself! I also walked underneath the clock tower which is supposed to be bad luck. Let's wait and see, haha.

Hope you enjoyed! 

K xo

April Challenge Update: Revision

It's got to that time of year again. Yes, it's almost exam time!

It's funny because I thought that university would mean as few exams as possible yet, although I have less exams this year than last, I'm still spending a longer amount of time sitting exams as each one is 3 hours long. Yes, 3 hours!! I'm a little worried because I can barely concentrate for 1 hour, let alone 3. Writing for 3 hours straight is also going to take a lot of practice. Oh, and learning quotes from the set texts because it's a closed book exam.

I have a lot to do and I'm not really doing it. Just complaining about it, typical student! On the plus side, however, I have made a revision timetable and am attempting to stick to it. I honestly didn't realise how difficult keeping to a timetable would be at home, especially as all my friends are home too and I want to make the most of seeing them. I'm trying though!

Wish me luck!

K xo