New beginnings!

It has got to that time of year again where students have been getting their exam results. Which in turn means that its getting closer to going back to school or starting a new college, sixth form, university etc. We thought we would to write this post together as its affecting both of us and it's important to remember you are never alone in these situations.

(random photo of us sledging)

 We have recently received our GCSE results. I think both of us weren't too happy or too disappointed about them but both of did pretty well. What we learnt was not to compare ourselves to others. Some people in our year got all A* but that doesn't matter because i think everyone tried their hardest and got the results they worked for and deserve. Comparing our results to someone who did better wont change what we got, only make us sadder (don't know if that's a word!). 

In England we finish 'high school' at 16 and then have 2 years in education which can be a sixth form which is attached to a school, a college which is independent from a school or an apprenticeship which is work experience. What can be know as college in the US is just University to us.

(Me: Left, Izzy: right) 

Even though me and Izzy haven't  been close friends for that long we have always been in the same schools and this will be the fist time we've been separated since year 1! I am staying at our schools sixth form while Izzy is going to college. This is because our sixth form is a lot smaller than most others and I feel that going somewhere bigger I would get lost in the crowd, it would cause me too much anxiety meaning I don't think I would succeed as well in my A levels.

*Passes laptop to Izzy*

I decided to leave our sixth form this year after having 4 stubborn years of being adamant I wouldn't stray from our school. Over the last few years I have been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks (more on that at another point) and I felt that if I didn't push myself now then when I went off to work or university the change would be so big that I wouldn't be able to handle it. It is a big step up from school and I am petrified but I know that everyone will be in the same boat as me as everyone in the year will be new. My big fear is leaving our friendship group as I honestly wouldn't change them for the world, they have got me through so much recently I cant thank them enough. There have been a lot of tears-trust me.

(us before our prom this year) 

I don't really know what I want to do in the future except travel. Like, Isabelle I have chosen a wide range of subjects to how a broad skill set that would appeal to future employers but not limit or restrict me if I suddenly find my calling a few years down the line. Unless I suddenly decide I want to be a brain surgeon or rocket scientist- then I'm very screwed. I have taken; English Literature, Photography, Sociology and Politics as these are things I enjoy and feel I would be most interested in.

*passes laptop back to Isabelle* 

I(Isabelle) have no clue what I would like to do when I leave school so have chosen a wide range of subjects to do at AS. These are a mix of subjects and enjoy and ones I've never done before. These are geography, psychology, sociology and English literature.

Starting a new school can be very daunting and scary but every else is most probably feeling the same as you. I remember starting year 7 and thinking how big the year 11's looked! I found meeting new people and having new subjects was the best part.

Anyone will tell you that we are the loudest and giggliest pair but when put into a situation where we don't know anyone we can be as quiet as mice and very shy. The best thing to do is just introduce yourself or even just ask someone a question I'm certain they'll just be thankful to have someone to talk to. When I (Izzy) went on an induction day to my college I would just ask people who were going in the same general direction as me where they were going and then not only do you not have to walk alone you don't worry as much about getting lost. Plus, you can hopefully make some friends. Also, don't forget to give it a few weeks, for a while everyone will be clinging to anyone that they vaguely recognize so just put yourself out there and people will respond and start to branch out too.

(Us doing the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this year)

We've both not had our first two weeks of school and i'll be the first to say life has been pretty boring and miserable without having Izzy by my side all the time. There have been tears but we know us, and the rest of our friendship group truly are friends for life. It has been extremely strange hearing Izzy talk about her new friends but i know it's just part of life to have different groups of friends but it doesn't make our friendship any weaker...if you get what i mean? So if you're confident in the strength of your friendship then i wouldn't worry at all, just develop ways to stay in contact regularly with each other.

And i'll leave you with a couple dashing photos of me and Izzy from 2012.

Toodle-oo

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For any enquiries you can contact us at izzelle101@gmail.com

  

Ted Baker body care

For my birthday last year, Izzy bought me four items from Ted Baker which came in a really sweet, clear Ted Baker bag. As they were a present, prices can't be told. It included a body foam, body wash, body moisturiser and body spray. Yes, I have only just started using the body wash and body foam 8 months after Izzy gave it too me (sorry Izzy). So here is a quick review on these four products. Also sorry in advance for the poor quality photos! 

As I hardly ever have baths (haha) I have only used the body foam once but I did like it and think I might squeeze a little into the bottom of my shower before I go in as the smell is Amazing. It doesn't irritate my skin which is a bonus as I find a lot of other body foams make my sensitive skin go all red and itchy. As I don't have baths often I doubt I will buy this again but for all you bath lovers, i do recommend it. 

Next up is the moistiriser. This I finished about 2 months after Izz gave it too me and have still kept the pot to remined me to buy it again! I found it was non-greasy and moisturising. And once again, the smell is so good! I occasionally have to just smell the pot as each product smells slightly different. 

Talking about smells leads on to the next product. The body spray. Now this is a life saver for when you have those days were you just feel a little dull and need a spritz. It is also the perfect size to carry around in your school bag or handbag and perfect to use after P.E! I will definetaly buy it again as it does smell amazing.

Finally, the body wash. Not only does it make the whole bathroom smell amazing after being used but it makes you smell amazing as well! It smells just like the body spray which is great and leaves you feeling refreshed. However, I think I may be slightly allergic to it as it does make me go a bit pink. I recon I would buy this again but maybe not right after I have finished. 

If you have tried any of the products let us know in the comments as we'd love to hear what you think about them :)

Isabelle

Toodle-oo

❣

Revision tips

So its gotten to that time of year where preparation for nearing exams is needed, so I thought I'd share some revision tips that are working for me.

First of all, make sure you don't leave it to the last minute. The weeks will soon fly by and before you know it you'll have only two weeks to cram loads of information into your head. I promise you, this doesn't work (I tried and ended up with an F in my exam). Start revising 2 or 3 months before and it will pay off.

Get rid of all distractions. Whether its a book you can't put down, instagram, tumblr or just any internet site. Yes, this is an extremely difficult thing to do and I had to use all my will power to delete my tumblr app (not my account) this weekend, but I'm sure it will be worth it. Lock your book away and freeze the key. Scrolling through tumblr thinking to yourself i'll start revising in 5 minutes and 20 minutes go by with nothing acomlished other than a few rebloggs won't get you good grades or a good job! 

Next, make a revision timetable. Prioratise certain subjects. There are online websites you can use that will make one for you if you'd prefer not to make it by hand.

 But make sure you don't overload on revision, your brain will need breaks even just for 5 minutes at a time. 40 minutes of a subject should be enough with a break in between and treat yourself to a sweet or chocolate afterwards. Try not to revise past a certain time in the day. I usually revise 40 minutes on 1 subject before 6pm and another 40 minutes on another subject after 7pm but I don't revise past 8pm.

Organize your revision. Put it in a folder with you different subjects and tick off things once you've revised them. 

Lastly, revision techniques. Both me and Izzy like to use spider diagrams and bright colours. Did you know that memory works better in colour because colour has a stronger appeal to the senses, prompting a better connection to parts of the brain involved with memory (ahhh, science!). Also, make sure you do past papers, as knowing how to answer questions helps as well. Its no good knowing loads of information but not knowing how to put it onto paper and get the marks. 

Here's a quote from the famous Anne Frank to end this blog post "Earning happiness means doing good and working, not spectulating and being lazy. Laziness may look inviting, but only work gives you true satisfaction". 

Isabelle

Toodle-oo

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