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

(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: 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

April's Challenges

"30 Days hath September, April, June and November..."

Only 30 days in April. There's something that I find so appeasing about even numbers.
With April just around the corner, I thought I'd set myself 5 challenges (I know it's an uneven number but it's one that I feel comfortable with) to complete over those 30 days. I was going to attempt to do something every day but I've never tried anything like this before so thought I'd start with a realistic goal. Here are my 5 goals for the next month.

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.

Fingers crossed that I'll manage some (if not, all) of these. I thought I'd keep them as 'aims' rather than 'I-will-definitely-be-doing-all-of-these' things. I don't like pressure and I don't respond well to it.

Hope to keep you all updated,

Kxo