Well the first main thing that I noticed about myself is my use of plates, cups, cutlery etc... I'll quickly offer some background info about this. I only ever really use one glass in the house, its one I brought, and I use it take it back to the kitchen, will wash it up and then next time reuse it again. I don't also own just one bowl plate etc, with these I tend to look for what I need in the washing up first and wash out then getting out a clean one and adding to the pile.
What I think I'm getting at with this little observation is that I never see the need to in effect waste my own time, by adding new things to the washing up pile when I can just wash something already used and save myself the hassle. I have had it said by my mum before that if I really wanted to avoid doing loads of washing I should just buy a load of plastic plates and cups, but I haven't yet followed through on that, and I don't really think I ever intend to. Is it weird that I get a bit annoyed people using glass after glass after glass, when there are a load sat on the dry board washed and waiting to be put away.
Okay now the next one will be slightly controversial, in a way, but actually most guys will know what I mean, and that has to do with the length of time between washing certain items of clothing. Any girls readying this may find it weird but I'm almost certain that the majority or people, guys and girls actually do this anyway. The articles of clothing in question are tops (hoodies, jumpers, cardigans...) And jeans. Now I'm not saying people shouldn't wash these clothes, its just that a lot of people have the assumption that as soon as you've worn a piece of clothing its dirty, and that's to particularly the case. With things like jumpers, clothes you wear over other clothes I never saw why they'd get that dirty whilst being worn over something else, and jeans are out of my clothes probably the most robust clothes I have and don't seem to get dirty as quick and so could get a few more uses out of them before washing. If your being totally honest is this weird? Have you never been in a rush one morning, dug through your washing pile, picked something out, said 'that looks fine to wear' and run out the door in your so called 'dirty' clothes?
I've just noticed that both of these two are related to saving time, and not being wasteful. I guess that's not such a bad quality to have, definitely save on water and electric and stuff which when you pay your own bills is always a positive thing.
The last thing I'm going to mention, because at this point people will already think I'm really odd, is about breaking the spines of books and taking care with them. I know with a lot of people the first thing they do when starting a new book is to crack the spine, making the book easier to open and fold, however this leaves a massive crease down the side of the book. With me, I don't like to do that. I can open the book and read from it easy enough without leaving this big mark down the side. Now I'm don't mind if the spines of my books end up creasing, it usually just means they are well read, I just don't like doing it to brand new books. With regards to that I"m usually always really careful with my books, I don't like just throwing them around the place, in fear of tearing them, bending over the pages, etc... Again it may just be that they are new and I don't want them to 'break', plus I really love books and pay out a lot of money to get them so want to treat them with care.
Hopefully there are people out there that agree with some of this points and I don't have to be weird alone. These things arn't that bad are they?
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I do that with books too! When I lend my books out for people to borrow they nearly always say they look brand new haha. If I break the spines badly it's only by accident but I do think they look well loved if they do have a cracked spine sometimes... dilemmas!
ReplyDeleteOh and I definitely re-wear clothes like jeans and hoodies more than once before washing them.
Laura.
Oh that's good to hear, is definitely not just me then.
DeleteHaha I know how you mean, I lent one out recently and they immediately said that they didn't want to take it before I'd had the chance to read it first, so I had to tell them that I had already read it several times, but that somehow i just manage to keep them looking new.
Yeah i feel that way too, especially with books i have like Harry Potter, if they were on the bookshelf and looked brand new they just wouldn't feel right.
Haha, didn't know if i was being too honest about that clothes one, thankyou for being honest back.
Jack
Yeah exactly haha. I just feel bad if I ruin the spine or the pages - especially if it's someone else's book, so I'm always careful! Wish books weren't quite so expensive in bookshops though, I could have so many more.
DeleteNo worries, I think if I washed all my clothes after wearing them once I'd start to run out of outfits to wear aha.
Laura
I'm the same, even if it's just text books that I've gotten out of the library, i don't want to like fold over the corners of pages or mark them when writing notes.
ReplyDeleteWish they'd lower the prices of them too, don't know how people can afford to get so many brand new ones. Saying that though I already think I have a bit of a buying books problem, and if they were cheaper I'd buy way too many. Don't think I'm ever be able to reach the end of my 'to read' pile.
Jack
Agreed. Having said that though, I do have to write in novels and plays for English Lit but that's different. You do history at Uni right?
ReplyDeleteAh yes, this is true. I'm a sucker for a special edition cover too, which often cost more than the original basic version. There's so many books I want to read once my exams are sorted.
Laura
Ah that must be great, getting to read novels as part of school work. Yeah i do, unfortunately that means i spend most of my time reading textbooks and journals and things like that, instead of books i've bought. What are you wanting to do at Uni?
ReplyDeleteYou have to treat yourself to a special edition or slightly more expensive book once and a while. Although after getting some of the special edition classic hardbacks from Waterstones over christmas and seeing how much they were, I think those treats wont be as often.
Which ones are at the top of your list to read?
Jack
I love it most of the time, except when I have to read something I don't like that much - but that's not that often. Must be quite interesting though, I did History up to AS level. Well I've applied for English and Philosophy but for one I got an alternative offer for Philosophy by itself, so one of the two.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the hardcover ones but I know if I got one, I'd want more so I have resisted haha. Resistance by Owen Sheers, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Mr Prenumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. That's just some of them ahah, how about you?
Laura
We get alot more choice of what areas of history we'd like to cover than at A-level which is refreshing. Ah those both sound really good, I know a few people majoring in English and they love it, plus you get money from student finance specifically to buy books.
ReplyDeleteOh theres some there I don't think I've heard before, will have to check them out. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hundred year old man by Jonas Jonasson, and need to finish the series of books by Ben Aaronovitch.
Jack
I can imagine there's a lot of options, we're not short of history! Yeah, we had to do Britain and Ireland as half of our AS, it was one of the most boring topics I've ever done in history. Indeed, sounds good to me, gotta love the books.
ReplyDeleteHopefully they are good, I've heard of those three - all have good reviews as far as I can remember.
Laura
Haha yeah quite a bit too choose from. Know how you mean, as soon as we could pick our own modules i dropped the Germany/Nazi ones, did them all throughout GCSE and A-level. What kind of subjects will you look at, within English?
ReplyDeleteHave they, ah that's good to hear. The ones of yours I've heard of also seem to have really good reviews, especially The Road.
Jack
Fair enough aha, I would have done Germany if I'd carried on with it at A2. I did Russia though, that was pretty interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt varies depending which course I firm (I need to pick my 2 choices soon eep) but I think children's literature and 19th century lit would be good.
I watch so many youtube videos which include book channels so I usually pick books from ones I hear from there. Awesome :D
Laura
Haha I did quite like Germany, think it was just nice to do something different.
ReplyDeleteOh no, have you decided which your going to chose yet, or you still a bit undecided? Ah they both sound really good :)
I'm the same, watch people like booksandquills and Spiffingly Choncey and always end up going on to amazon afterwards with a list of book titles. Like how they review less well known books as well, instead of just all the ones in the book charts.
Jack
I've heard from my friends who continued with history that it has a lot of similarities with Russia, but I agree that new things are good. Well, I've decided on my first choice but not on the insurance - basically I might risk it and put down two with the same grade requirements... ah.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I always think it would be interesting to see if sales go up a lot after they've mentioned something! Company's are onto a good thing sending them free books to review I reckon. Some of the books in the charts are shockingly bad, I don't know if you read it but there was one called 'Before I Go To Sleep' that was raved about, I thought it was awful. But I guess it's all opinion!
Laura
Ah okay, I know a lot of people that did that too. Isn't that bad if you know that you've done fairly well. Hopefully you'll get your first choice :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that would be interesting to find out. I never knew that they sent books out to individuals like that before watching their videos. Wonder if big company's know about booktubers or if they hold conventions for book lovers and authors like out in America. Think I heard of that one, came out a few years ago didn't it? Heard some mixed reviews about it so didn't bother with it, I'm a bit fussy when it comes to books.
Jack
Hopefully I get the grades for my first choice, I'll be gutted if they both reject me.
ReplyDeleteThey must wonder what's caused the sudden increase in sales sometimes if they're not in the know with the whole booktube thing. Yeah I wouldn't waste your time with it if I were you. Ah really? You seem to read a variety (:
Laura
Ah I'm sure you'll get your first choice. Isn't so bad taking a gap year tho, I had to have one when the exam board messed up my grades, and ended up getting some money and more experience of working places.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they have a job where people are paid to look for new and different things like booktubers. Thanks, I've gotten better, think it's mainly because of people on YouTube and other sites that give honest reviews and make them more interesting.
Jack
Only time will tell! Ah yes I remember reading about you taking a gap year - just realised how creepy that actually sounds haha. I'm sure ill sort something out either way!
DeleteProbably do to be honest :') wouldn't surprise me anyway. That's one thing I love about YouTube, so many great people. Also I apologise for spamming your comments with unrelatedness aha
Laura
Oh that does sound a bit creepy, haha no is okay. Is still a bit weird sometimes though to think that people do actually read these, does it feel that way with yours?
ReplyDeleteI'll have to keep my eyes open for that job then, working for like a publishers, watching booktubers, surrounded by books, perfect job. Know how you mean, went to my first gathering last year and everyone got on right away, talking about all the nerdy things we watch and talk about on the net :)
Haha is alright, anytime :)
Jack
Haha s'all good. Yeah it still surprises me that anyone reads mine but I love blogging. I really like your blog though, you deserve more followers!
ReplyDeleteIt would be such a great thing to do and get paid for. Ah awesome, I've never been to one but I have friends who have and they all said that too. Sometimes I wish blogger had some of Youtube's social side because it's quite hard to come across new people on here.
Laura
Aww thankyou, might get some more eventually, will have to see. Yours is really good, always give the music links at the bottom a try, you've introduced me to loads of good music :). You've got quite a nice following over on yours too. Would blogging be something you'd do as a job if you could?
ReplyDeleteYeah, you'd think they'd make it easier for people to find new blogs. I've spent ages clicking that next blog button and it usually just takes me to really random ones, occasionally though I'll come across one that's similar, and the person is still updating it. Have you been on any of the other blog sites like Wordpress? Wish Blogger had a phone app too, would make things a lot easier to post and read things.
Jack
I'm sure you will, it's just a case of people finding it. Thank you, much appreciated! I've just done the music thing from when I first started so I'm glad you've found some new stuff from it. Hm maybe if if had a proper topic - say book reviews or something? But not just the random posts I put out haha.
ReplyDeleteSame, most of the time they aren't even updating it anymore. I find blogs mainly through other people's follower lists to be honest. At least that way you know you have a common interest.
Not really, mainly stick to blogger because its what I know, a friend of mine switched to Wordpress but then came back to this, how about you?
Laura
Does it take long to put in all the links, especially on your playlist blogs? Haha don't think you can be classed as a real blogger if you don't write the occasional random blog.
ReplyDeleteYeah don't get why it sends me to them if they only have a few blogs, and the last time they were updated was several years ago. That's how I've done it so far too, tend to add quite a few youtubers who blog as well.
I copied over some blogs onto Wordpress when I first started and occasionally update my profile and stuff over there, but I find blogger easier to use as well. Plus blogger lets me send my blogs from my phone a lot more easily.
Jack
It's not too bad actually, mainly because I'm usually listening to the song I link at the end while I'm writing the post. As for the playlist ones I add to that as and when I hear a song I like during the month and then just put it in a good order afterwards - so it's alright. Which reminds me I have to finish of this months one soon!
ReplyDeleteA search page would be good I think, that way you could search blogs by topic or just browse popular blogs or something like that? Oh same, I watch way too many Youtubers and I'm subscribed to a lot of their blogs too. Blogger is great except for finding new blogs and the commenting system, in my opinion anyway.
Laura
Ah that's alright, might have to start playing around putting in links, photos, videos and things like that. haven't really explored everything you can do in these blogs. I'll keep my eye out for that one then :)
ReplyDeleteThat'd be a great idea yeah, hopefully they'll add stuff like that at some point soon. I'm having to cut back on watching YouTube videos at the moment, don't seem to have as much time as I used to. I'm glad you don't have to pay for things on blogger as well, know on Wordpress if you want some of the better backgrounds you have to pay for them.
Jack
Definitely go for it! I found once you've sussed it out it's fairly easy. I'll probably publish it sometime this week so yesss, I shall look out for your next one.
DeleteI know the feeling, I'm sub'd to over 200 people and I should be revising instead of watching them. Slightly addicted I think. Ah really? Well that sucks, mind you I rarely change my background I like it too much.
Laura
Ah okay, yeah will have a mess around with it sometime, will have to see whether I can send photos using my phone as well. Thanks, it'll probably later this week and most likely another really random one again :)
ReplyDeleteThink I have about that many too, went through a load the other day that don't post any more and unsub'd, so it looked like I was cutting back, yeah do think they are a bit addictive tho. If you then add Tumblr and Reddit in as well, I'm surprised i get any work done at all.
Jack
Awesome. Got to love the random stuff.
ReplyDeleteI should probably do that, although knowing me I'd only get rid of about 5 or something aha. I have a Tumblr account but I never use it because I know how addictive it can be. Find myself mainly sticking with twitter instead and then facebook for organising stuff with friends. Oh well, as long as you do the work it's all alright!
Laura
Haha yeah it was difficult to chose who should be unsub'd. I keep going back and forth with Tumblr, I'll be on it loads for a few days, then won't be on it for a couple of weeks and then back again. Same, tend to post more on twitter and just use facebook for events and messaging.
ReplyDeleteYeah, somehow it always gets done :)
Jack
Forever hating making decisions. It's weird how you get hooked on certain things like that. I think most people use Facebook for those things now - I also use it for photos but that's about it.
ReplyDeleteThe presence of deadlines always makes me do my work but sometimes it's so hard to motivate myself. How did you find the jump to Uni from alevels by the way? Despite the fact you had a gap year.
Laura
Can remember years ago being addicted to facebook, was always on it posting stuff, wonder what changed? did use to feel slightly stalkerish on it tho, because you always knew where people were and what they were doing.
ReplyDeleteOh same, I'm a big fan of procrastinating, especially round this time of year. Have you already started doing revision?
It was alot different from how i thought it would be, work wise I actually don't have as much as a-level which i miss sometimes. The biggest difference is that most students have alot of spare time outside of uni. With my course I average about 8 hours a week in university, but it differs depending on the course. Outside of that you are meant to do some private study but the rest is essentially free time. Are you looking forward to uni life?
Jack
Haha indeedy, although I don't use it as much as I used to I think it's useful to keep in contact with people.
ReplyDeleteI try and ban myself from the internet for periods of time around exams but always end checking social networking sites at some point. Yeup! I have actually started - which is probably a good thing considering I only have about a month until my first exam.
Interesting, a few of my teachers said that they preferred Uni to alevels because the work load is different and obviously it's one/two subjects. I think mines around that for contact hours, still think it's unfair that I'll pay the same amount as someone doing chemistry who will spend a lot of time in a lab using equipment...
I am actually, I love the sixthform I go to and all my friends but I'm looking forward to living somewhere else and meeting new people etc. That's if I get in, but yes. (:
Laura
I've tried banning myself in the past too, have to use the internet for a lot of my work tho, so somehow I always end up back on facebook or YouTube.
DeleteOh that's not long now, do you have many exams to sit? I often wish that we had more work to do and more 'homework', because I'm so used to doing several subjects at once. We're the same, people doing history mainly just seem to pay for the library and the archives. I guess as long as you come out of it with a degree though then its somewhat worth it.
Aw that's good to hear, really is different living in your own place, in a good way. Are you going into halls for your first year?
Jack
I always end up on it because I'm constantly listening to music on youtube so my laptop is usually on. Maybe I should use my iPod instead haha.
ReplyDeleteI have 7 exams but two of them are AS resits. Unfortunately I have three exams on the same day, which I'm dreading. I can imagine, must be weird just doing one subject. True - I hope it is worth it. What jobs are you thinking about doing after uni?
Yes that's the plan, it will force me to be independent because I'm applying for self catered.
Laura
Haha its just easier tho isn't it listening to music on YouTube, especially if you have an mp3 like mine that's about 10 years old.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, three in one day, didn't even know that they could do more then two a day, hopefully they go well. Atleast on the plus side you get three over and done with in one go :). Have you got coursework and stuff still to do whilst all the revisions going on?
I'm not too sure yet, probably should start looking into it really. Lately I have been thinking about pursuing some kind of writing related job though, maybe get into journalism, or something within publishing. Have you got any jobs in mind already that your working towards?
Think going self catered is the best way. Yeah doing that forced me to learn to cook something other then spaghetti and cakes. Know a few people that applied for catering though and they said that at their uni they were really strict when serving meals, if you didn't go eat between certain times they just turned you away.
Jack
Definitely is, you can just listen to practically anything you want that way. Ah I remember my old mp3 player, it's so much easier to find things on an Ipod I think - but they essentially do the same thing.
ReplyDeleteHahah I know, I had to do it last year too and it was so stressful. This year I have 2 exams in the morning with no break inbetween for a total of 3 hours then my next exam starts at 1pm and that one is 2 and a half hours - all essay based exams. So my hand is going die be hurting, eep.
And yess, I have English and Biology coursework to finish off by next week then they get sent off.
Sounds cool to me, work experience seems to be key with getting into good jobs apparently. I'm thinking of going into teaching - maybe at sixthform college or something like that. But who knows!
Indeedy, that way I can cook what I like when I want rather than being restricted. I'm not fussy with food but either way I think I'd prefer to choose what I eat. Need to think of some meals that are fairly cheap to make...
Laura
Never really used an Ipod before are they any good? Looking to get a new mp3 soon.
DeleteOh that's terrible, as if they make you do three back to back like that with only that small break. Yeah I can imagine, my sister keeps telling me they have these special comfy pens now for when you write loads, maybe they'd help. Would you rather do coursework instead of having exams? Always seem to do better on coursework, never seem to have enough time in exams.
Have you had many jobs up until now? Aw that's cool, went to a talk about teaching last year and they said that a lot of uni's have connections with schools in their areas so university students can go do volunteer work with them and gain experience.
Haha last year I discovered a new meaning for cheap food, sainsburys value curry and value rice, wasn't the best decision I've ever made. If it helps you can often make lots of kinds of pasta and rice dishes quite cheaply.
Jack
I love mine, I use it a lot when I'm out and about. Although, it is one of the older generations - not the touch screen ones they sell nowadays. I need to update the music I have on it really.
ReplyDeleteThat's the one day I'm really not looking forward to because it totally depends on the questions on the day. Oo do you know what brand they are? I always do better on coursework too, exams are just a memory test basically. So much of exams is down to luck whereas coursework shows your ability.
I've only had one job but I've had it for coming up to two years now, I work at a lower schools holiday club. It's for children whose parents have to work and that sort of thing. I did my work experience in year 11 at a school too, so I have some experience with working with children. Have you got any experience in the areas you're looking at?
Hahah, own brands it is. Me and a couple of friends were talking about foods today actually - mainly discussing making bulk of some meals and freezing the left overs if there's room.
Laura
Cool, will keep an eye out for Ipods when I'm looking at other mp3's. Love going through all the old music I have on it and finding stuff I've not listened to for years :)
DeleteThink the one she showed me was a Stabilo pen, it was in WHSmiths. Yeah, think the same as you, the questions in exams are usually only on a few sections of the subject, but you have to revise everything just in case the question you want doesn't come up.
Ah awesome, that sounds like a good job, loads of experience that can go towards doing teaching. What makes you want to teach sixth formers after working with lower school children? Did you find year 11 work experience quite helpful? Did they get you to just make tea and other things like that? Not particularly, all my jobs so far have mainly been in retail, have this blog and some reviews up on some websites as examples of writing though which might be useful.
Haha yeah bulk buying's a really good idea, has taken us months to get through this massive bag of pasta we bought near the beginning of the year. Are you applying for a flat in halls next year?
Jack
You can always try them out in the Apple store, they always have some on display which is pretty useful. Oh same, I often find old songs bring back memories. :')
ReplyDeleteI shall have to look around when I buy more pens for my exams. So unfair really, I was lucky with most of my exams last year, the questions were pretty much perfect on two of the papers. How are Uni exams?!
It's pretty cool apart from the 10 hour days in the holidays, the pay is decent though and yes, the experience is great. Originally I wanted to be a Primary school teacher - hence the young children work experience. However, after doing it I think I'd get quite bored after doing it for a few years? Just think teaching sixthform is a lot more stimulating and you still learn stuff that way. As a lower school teacher I'd also have to teach a variety of subjects.
In year 11 I was with year 4's - listened to people read, helped them with their maths problems, did painting with them plus some photocopying/filing. It was at my old lower school, so I knew nearly all the teachers. (:
That's still good though, shows you have a variety of skills. I had some of my writing put in an online magazine, was only a student based thing though - nothing amazing.
Yup! Well, my first choice for halls is actually called a townhouse - but it's pretty much the same thing.
Laura
I don't know if its the same with you but some songs also remind me of books I've read, because I'll have been listening to it loads whilst reading that particular book and so they kind of go together.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed that the questions for these ones are really good too. Uni exams are about the same really, just in bigger halls. The main difference is that anytime between 30 minutes after the exam has started and 30 minutes from when it ends you can say you've finished and leave, so you always get some people that are really quick writers and leave the exam half way through. its like when people ask for more paper it makes you feel like your doing something wrong or being really slow.
Oh there quite long work days for in the holidays, at least you get the experience and money. Would you just like to specialise in teaching English or philosophy then? That's sounds like quite a good work experience, gives you a good look at how things work. I went to a hospital for mine, but because we weren't old enough we could really do anything most of the time.
Wow really, what did you write about for it? Once your at uni they should have a uni newspaper if you still want to write articles and such.
Cool, sounds like that'll be a great first year house. Looking forward to going back into halls again next year, no paying for bills :)
Jack
Definitely happens to me too. For example, Up With the Birds by Coldplay reminds me of The 5 People You Meet in Heaven every time I listen to it.
ReplyDeleteOnly time will tell I guess. Oh gosh, that would unsettle me if loads of people left before I'd even finished haha. I'm a believer in keeping things simple and concise sometimes, I rarely ask for more paper in exams. I think sometimes people who do need a lot of paper can get side tracked and ramble, having said that one of my best friends can write so fast she always asks for extra paper and gets A's nearly every time. Good luck with any exams you have soon anyway.
Yeup, one of the two or both - depends how everything goes really. Oo nice one, I think that would be cool, I could never be a doctor or nurse though.
For the online one it was art/photography based so I just got given a topic or photo to base it on - kind of similar to my blog basically. I did book reviews for the sixth form newsletter though so I might look into newspapers they run at Uni.
It's crazy how much uni accommodation can vary in price!
Laura
I'm the same, if you only have an hour then theres no use writing pages worth of stuff that you don't need, plus i write quite small so never usually run out of pages anyway. Haha used to know people like that too, they make it look so easy. Thank you, only have two this term, but ones a bit different then usual, so will have to do some extra revision.
DeleteDon't think I would have made it as a doctor either, didn't do that brilliantly in biology.
Cool, that sounds really interesting, are you into different kinds of art and photography? Doing the reviews sounds like a good way of bringing together love of blogging and books.
Yeah definitely, is weird how much a single bed room costs compared to like a single with en-suite or double bed room. Always seems best to get the accommodation slightly further away from uni, may have a slightly longer walk but is usually loads cheaper.
Jack
Haha, my writing is pretty small too, according to my sister I 'squish' the letters close together - so I end up fitting more words on one line than most people. Hopefully it all goes well for you (:
ReplyDeleteI do Biology at alevel and I hate it so much, even when I revise a lot I still only scrape by. My retakes are all in Biology so I've got a tutor to try and help because it's the only subject bringing me down.
I did art GCSE so I really like photography/art. I'm not great at doing either myself but I like looking at other people's work, some of the modern art is quite odd though, I prefer portraits. Have you ever been to any of the art galleries in London? There's some great stuff in them.
I still need work sort finance out to work out how much I'm going to have, but I will keep that in mind, especially in the second year.
Laura
Haha Looks better that way I think though, looks like you've done more work. I do that too but I picked it up from being left handed trying not to smudge the ink.
ReplyDeleteOh no, hopefully they'll go better this time round. Did Biology at A-level too and it was the same for me, Just couldn't get my head round certain things. If you had the chance would you have chosen something else?
Ah cool, what kind of art did you do in GCSE? I've been to the Tate modern a few times and the art gallery at Trafalgar Square but that was a while ago, need to go again soon. Have you been to many of them?
Oh thankyou for reminding me, need to sort mine out soon too. Hopefully it works out well.
Jack
Yeah I agree, I don't really like handwriting that is massive and has big gaps inbetween the words.
ReplyDeleteBest go better! Otherwise I'll be retaking the year I suppose. The way they ask the questions is half the problem, I don't know what they are asking most of the time haha. Probably not, the only thing I might have done differently is drop Biology and keep History up until A2 - but I wasn't a fan of my main history teacher sooo yes.
There was loads of different topics over the two years actually including multicultural art, identity and portraits, 'work rest and play' and others which I can't remember. So it was mainly painting/drawing/etc but we did a few bits of clay work and that too. I loved it but the work load was ridiculous. Oo nice one they're good ones.
I've been to quite a few because we went on trips for the gcse course and living near London it meant we nearly always went there. National gallery, National portrait gallery, V&A, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Tate gallery in St Ives & some others. What GCSEs did you do?
Aha no worries!
Laura
Haha yeah wish they'd have just simplified the questions a bit, can remember being sat in my biology exam having no idea what one question was asking me to do. Haha well as a history student I'd definitely agree with that. Oh was it mainly the dodgy teacher that swayed you towards biology?
DeleteDid you for yours have to do a big project at the end of the two years? Cool, sounds like you got to try out loads of different types of art.
Ah wow you've been too loads down there, do you have a favourite or are they all worth going to see? Kind of wish we'd not moved up north when i was younger, used to be fairly close to London and would go down on day trips too. I took ICT, History, Geography, Resistant Materials and then the normal Science, English, Maths and R.E. Which other GCSE's did you do?
Jack
It would be a lot easier if you understood what they wanted in the first place. Yeah unfortunately, I had that teacher for 3 years and she wasn't very good to be honest. Plus the coursework for A2 was The Tudors and I wasn't very interested in that. I actually got a better grade in History than Biology too haha.
ReplyDeleteKind of, we had our 'exam' at the end which included loads of preparation work including artist references, loads of sketches, research etc and then a big piece of work that we had to do in timed conditions over two days. I loved it apart from the amount of work - especially nearer the end.
Indeed, I've been to London quite a lot because it's only 30/40 mins away on the train. I really like the V&A, which is technically a museum but it has a lot of arty stuff in too, museums are great there too! The science one is amazing in London. You'll have to try and visit there again sometime!
Ah nice mix actually (:
I did Textiles, Art, History, Additional Science, Core Science, Maths, English, RE, IT, English Lang, English Lit... think that's it.
Laura
Oh hate when they give you rubbish teachers, much things so much harder to learn. Haha cool, didn't know you were able to Tudors at A-level.
ReplyDeleteAh you had to do a timed conditioned exam too? Had some of those when I did ICT, made us feel like we were in prison or something, no talking, no music, no eating for three days. What kind of big piece did you produce in the end?
Awesome, thanks yeah will make sure I go to the V&A next time I'm down there. Definitely want to go back to the Science museum too, know a lot of its for kids, but is still fun to do haha.
Did you really used to like Science? That's a good variety too. Is really weird going from all of these subjects just down to four in A-level and then one for Uni, think i'd find it hard going back to doing twelve or thirteen subjects again.
Jack
It does make everything a lot harder, her name is ironic though: she's called Miss Bacon yet she's vegetarian haha. GCSE history was one of my best subjects though, had good topics then.
ReplyDeleteAh three days of ICT what a killer. Ours was 10 hours in total but it was hard because I was painting and couldn't mix the same colour twice which was annoying. The theme for the exam work was 'Similarities and Differences' so I did a poor African boy with rich coloured clothing and a pendant with a money symbol on - based it on the idea of contrasts basically. Art that makes a point or statement is some of my favourite.
One of the cafes is amazing in the V&A, definitely check it out if you go. Haha yes! The children's section is the best in the Science one. I want to go to the Natural History Museum again because I didn't get a chance to see the dinosaurs the last time I went.
I liked it at GCSE but on reflection that may have been because I got good grades in it haha. I wanted to keep my options open though, because you had to have at least additional science to be able to do any science at alevel. What did you make in resistant materials by the way?
The thing that made GCSE's hard was the amount of subjects I reckon.
Laura
Haha yeah there always seems to be a teacher like that, my sisters school had a lot of teachers named after colours, was like a school based on cluedo.
ReplyDeleteOh that is annoying, you have to be very careful about when using different colours then. Ah wow that sounds awesome, sounds like quite a good subject to have gotten for it, did you know what the theme was before going in, or did you have to go in blind?
Cool yeah definitely will do. Yeah should definitely check them out :). The museums don't seem that big when your outside but last time I was in the natural history museum, I was in for about 4 hours and only got maybe half way round, just so much to see, was pretty busy tho.
Haha didn't seem like there was as much pressure back then as well. Ah okay that seems pretty good, liked sciences more back in GCSE. Haha the main project towards the end was kind of a cross between a set of drawers and a bedside table. Used to loved Res Mat, spent so much time in their , helped that we had a really laid back teacher.
Yeah GCSE's just seem like A-levels but they make you take the core ones too.
Jack
Talking of teachers, I always think that you get to know your teachers better at alevel, don't know if that was the same with you?
ReplyDeleteYeah because obviously it dried overnight so I couldn't blend the tones together. We got the topic before hand, did all the prep work and then had the exam, so we had a lot of time to think about it.
I'd be amazed if anyone could look round a whole museum in one day but yes, I'll probably go back in the summer after exams now. What's your favourite part of history to study then? Another really cool place in London is the Magic Circle HQ, not many people have heard about it.
True, my predicted grades put pressure on me but nowhere near as much as alevels. Ah awesome, sounds cool, that's what I loved about Textiles - was so much more relaxed.
Laura
That was the same with me too, had a few teachers I got on really well with and would just sit there sometimes chatting about completely random things outside of school life. Did you go to a sixth form that was just a college and not lower secondary as well? Our secondary school had a sixth form as well so you still had the same teachers you'd had for years but in a more relaxed, more adult environment.
DeleteAh no, did that cause many problems? That's not too bad that you got told it before hand, would have been horrible to just chuck you into the exam without knowing what your doing.
Oh that's quite hard actually, I've always loved the Egyptians and ancient history, although no one really teaches it after secondary school. Out of the subjects I'm doing I'd have to say early American studies and the American revolution. Do you have a favourite part of English to study, either from language or literature?
No, I don't think I've ever heard of that, Whats that place like?
Makes that subject a lot better when everyone's a bit more chatty and relaxed. What projects did you do in textiles?
Jack
It's kinda cool when you know them more as people and you actually talk to them normally. Well, where I live the school system is different we have: Lower School, Middle School and Upper School but my Sixth form is part of the Upper school I went to if that makes sense. I've been there 5 years nearly so it will be weird going to a different place in September.
ReplyDeleteYeah I had to repaint a lot of things on the second day but it turned out okay in the end which is the main thing. I see an American theme going on haha. We did the American West at GCSE, that was interesting. Hmmmm, modern poetry is one of my favourite parts of Lit - Carol Ann Duffy's work in particular but my least favourite is plays.
Ooo they do Magic Shows around Christmas time but you get to look around some of the HQ building in the break too, there's information about the history of magic/illusions and it's just generally pretty awesome. I think it's kind of expensive though... The staircase is amazing (random fact haha). Do you know any other good places around the country to visit?
Agreed. There was about 6 different 'projects' to pick from including catwalk fashion etc, but I picked to do the children one and made a playmat for young children to be a bit different to everyone else.
Laura
Definitely, one of my teachers even paid me to help them do some landscaping in their garden one summer cos they knew me so well haha, benefits of getting on well with your teachers. Ah okay, yeah think I get how you mean, that's quite an interesting way of arranging schools now. I'm sure you can always go back and visit when you make trips back home :).
ReplyDeleteOh really? Ah that's good to hear it turned out well. Haha yeah, don't know what it is about it, just really interests me, thinking of doing my dissertation on it next year as well, which i'm dreading. Cool, do you read much poetry outside of school?
Wow that definitely sounds like something I'll have to look into when christmas comes back around, have never been to a proper magic illusion show. Haha will keep an eye out for the staircase too. We used to go to places like heritage sites quite a bit, so know a load of castles and abbeys to visit, definitely Stone Henge if you've not been there before. I went to the home of William Wordsworth on a school trip once out in the lake district, that's a really lovely place to go.
Ah that sounds good, yeah saw alot of people doing the same type of thing in ours. How did it turn out in the end?
Jack
Ah that's pretty cool! When you get on with teachers you gain so much more from them - they'll help you out more if you talk to them too. I'll miss some of my teachers but I might pop back in when I'm home again if I get the chance to.
ReplyDeleteHave you been watching John Green's videos on Crash Course recently? I think they've been on American History - not in great depth obviously aha. Eeep I've heard a lot of people say that dissertations are one of the hardest bits of work they've done but also one of the most rewarding, hope it goes well when it comes to doing it anyway.
Not as much as I read novels, mainly because poetry books are expensive in comparison but I like studying poems when I get the chance to.
I went quite a few years ago now but I'm pretty sure they still do the shows every year. Sounds good! I haven't been to Stone Henge only driven past it haha. My family had national trust membership for a year a couple of years back so we went to loads of the massive houses and buildings like that. Thanks for the suggestions though, thinking of places I can go in the summer (:
Pretty good actually, I got an A* so I'm not complaining. I have a photo of it somewhere on my laptop I think...
Laura
Know how you mean, those few we got on more with, always encouraged us to ask questions even if they sounded stupid, and seemed to pay more attention to what we were saying. Aw am sure they'll really like that :)
DeleteAs much as I can yeah, did actually use some of the things he was talking about for an essay I was writing not too long ago, so was pretty good timing. Wish Scishow and Crash Course had been around during GCSE's, would have been soo useful, I always learn something from watching them. Do you watch either of them?
Thank you, think its basically because they're about 12 to 15 thousand words long, and so seems quite scary to begin with. Definitely think it'll be rewarding to do.
Are they quite a bit more expensive then normal novels?
Ah okay, cool, will have a look early on to double check. Haha, I know theres not a lot there but it is nice to look around and can tick it off of places you've been. Awesome, did you like going round all the houses and things? We had the English heritage membership, so did the same around their sites. Never knew there were so many big houses with mazes in the garden in England, they were fun to do.
Have you got many places on your list so far?
Wow congratulations, yeah would say that was pretty good. Used mine for ages at home after it was done, think its in storage at the moment though because of being at uni.
Jack
They were quite useful to you then, always a good thing. I'm subscribed to both channels I just don't always watch all of the content they put out. I watch all the vlogbrothers videos though.
ReplyDeleteVery daunting but worth it eventually I'm sure. Depends really but some are about 10 pounds for a fairly short collection so it's not loads more but they aren't exactly cheap haha.
I find the houses really interesting, nerdy I know but oh well. Just seeing all the furniture in the rooms and imagining people actually living there over the years is crazy. Hahah yes, there are a lot of mazes. When I was younger I loved the film The Secret Garden so when I went to those houses it always reminded me of that.
A few: I want to go to Nottingham again because I think it will be my second choice uni and it would be nice to see the city more. Then me and a couple of my friends are thinking of going to Paris for the day, plus some various places in London.
Have you got any plans for summer?
Thanks, unfortunately alevels aren't so easy. Least it's useful! I think mine is in the loft. Sorry for the slow reply, I was watching Doctor Who. ;D
Laura
I don't get to watch all of them either, don't usually have enough time, but watch all of the Vlogbrother videos.
DeleteFor only a short collection, yeah can see that being quite expensive. Haha have stopped going into bookshops recently to force myself not to buy anything.
No think that's awesome. There just like living museums, if that makes sense. Yeah is crazy, makes them soo much more interesting though. Oh think I remember that film, yeah that's a great image of those massive houses.
From what you've seen of Nottingham already, is it nice there? Where are you thinking about for your first choice? Cool hope that you have a great time out in Paris.
Now that my family live close to London again, I think I'll definitely go on some day trips down there, will also be going back up to Scarborough to visit friends as well, haven't planned to many things just yet.
Haha is alright, thought you might have been watching it. What did you think of it? Also what do you think of Matt Smith? People I know keep having mixed feelings towards him.
Jack
So many videos to watch, not enough time haha.
DeleteOh I know it's so tempting when you're in a bookshop especially if there's offers.
Yes that's exactly it. I'm glad so many of them are maintained because they could have been easily gotten rid of. I really liked the centre where all the shops and stuff are, plus a lot of students live there because of the two Uni's. My first choice is going to be Reading I think.
Ah you have to travel up and down the country quite a bit then. Aw awesome, it's always great catching up with old friends especially if you haven't seen them in quite a while.
Indeed! I really liked tonight's episode thought it was quite creative but I loveee the new opening sequence for the show - little bit obsessed with stars ahaa. My favourite Doctor is still David Tennant but I think Matt brings something different to the role. When he was with Amy & Rory it has a psychological twist which was different and one of my favourite episodes was with Matt Smith. How about you?
Laura
Haha exactly, glad I have uni work to do otherwise I'd just be having marathons of videos I've missed. Damn those bookshops offers, they make things look really cheap :)
DeleteWould be really sad to seem them closed and not being used, especially if they had to be sold on to people who would just rip out everything and change them. Heard Readings mean to be a really good uni to go to. Is always better when theres lots of students in the area, more student facilities and shops doing student deals, and things like that.
Don't mind spending ages on the train, just a bit expensive to keep going back and forth. Definitely, so used to sitting down in bars or cafes now having a catch up with friends.
Thought tonight's was really good too, is great that we're getting to find out more about the TARDIS, and soo close to knowing the doctors name. Haha was awesome. Which was your favourite episode? Think David Tennant has been the best so far, but still really like Matt Smiths take on it. I do like Amy & Rory but from what we've seen so far think Clara is a better match for this Doctor.
Jack
I save videos up for the weekend and then just watch them in a couple of hours, it means I do work during the week and then have a bit of a break. Considering I don't watch loads of TV I think it's alright.
DeleteVisited Reading for the second time a couple of weeks back to see the place, seemed nice and quite modern. Most places look more impressive than my hometown though to be fair haha.
I dread to think of the cost. I've always liked long car or train journeys actually, there's not many times when you can just stop and not doing anything for a while. Have you kept in contact with quite a few of your old friends?
Yesss, I doubt we'll ever find out his name though. The Girl Who Waited from Series 6 is my favourite, there's a great quote in it. Amy and Rory mixed it up a bit, having two people travel with the Doctor but I agree there's more chemistry between him and Clara. I'm interested to see where her character ends up. Christopher Eccleston was the first Doctor I watched, seems such a long time a go now though.
Laura
That sounds like a good way of doing it. Don't know if its because of watching things online, but I don't watch nearly as much TV as I used to either.
DeleteHaha know that feeling, is Reading quite a big place?
Yeah is nice just being able to stop and not do anything, train journeys seem to be where I do most of my reading now a days. Do you spent much time riding the trains?
Yeah I try to, is easier during holidays though when everyone goes back home so they're kind of all in one place, always have meet ups and get togethers being planned for when everyone's in the same area.
You think they're just teasing us with that almost knowing last night? Ah cool, what was the quote in it? Hopefully Clara's character will last more then a couple of seasons, seem to get through companions quite quickly. Started watching around then too, wish there didn't have to be like a year between each series.
Jack
I only really watch the drama things like Broadchurch, Doctor Who and then a few other things which I usually just watch on iplayer when I have time - like documentaries because I'm cool like that... aha.
ReplyDeleteUm it's not massive but it's quite big, hard to say really. How do you find the town/city where you Uni is?
Not as much as you probably, only really during the holidays to be honest. My Dad uses the trains everyday though because he works in London so when I've gone on trains with him - especially the underground I've learnt where things are etc.
I reckon so, but who knows, anything can happen on that show haha. It's kinda long;
"You know when sometimes you meet someone so beautiful and then you actually talk to them and five minutes later they're as dull as a brick? Then there's other people, when you meet them you think 'Not bad. They're okay.' And then you get to know them and their face just sort of becomes them, like their personality's written all over it. And they just turn into something so beautiful."
Yeah I like it when they stick around longer, get to know them and the storyline can be more complicated. I have to say though I disliked River Song's character a lot - controversial. That's one way in which American TV shows are better, they don't have to wait so long for the new seasons.
Laura
Haha what kind of documentaries? Same, will watch a lot of the drama programme's and the occasional comedy series that is on.
DeleteSheffield's really nice actually, apart from all of the hills. The uni's across the road from the train station and have alot of shops and supermarkets around, plus Meadowhall is only a tram ride away. Ah that's cool, love going on the underground, not sure why. Do you know your way round pretty well then?
Aw that's a brilliant quote, can see why you like that episode. I was always on the fence with River Song, she was good at times but then in some episodes you felt like she didn't add anything to the storyline. Definitely, plus they usually have more episodes per season, don't get why some of our shows only have six episodes and that's it until the next season. Are there any American shows your following at the moment?
Jack
Mainly ones about peoples lives, there's one that's been going ages called Children of Our Time which I like and any about poverty or illnesses - that sorta thing. Sounds so boring when you type it out aha.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people went to see the Uni's in Sheffield and they loved it up there so it must be decent, sound good anyway. Haha it's different to any other normal transport you get everywhere else I guess. Um I know certain routes but I'm good at reading the signs now, which isn't that hard but it can be hectic in the underground.
There was something about her character that I didn't like, I can't put my finger on it either... she just wasn't very likable in my opinion. I'm not watching any current American TV although I've heard great things about some. I started watching Scrubs from the very beginning a while ago but haven't had time to finish. How about you?
Laura
Oh don't think I've seen that one around, is it still on now? Haha no they sound really interesting.
DeleteDid they? Ah that's good to hear. Yeah that's true, feels like proper London down there I guess as well. Oh yeah I try and avoid the rush hours as much as possible, been elbowed a few times whilst rushing to get on and off.
Never really understood the importance of her being Amy & Rory's child either, didn't seem to affect the story a great deal. I have a few that I still need begin watching like the West Wing that I'm saving till I have the time. Watching one at the moment called Suits, which is about to start up again soon. Haha ah that must be awesome to go through all of them. Don't know if you saw but Zach Braff is about to start making another movie soon that he's staring in.
Jack
I think it's just on once a year? Not sure when it's next on. Can't beat a good documentary ;) hahaha
ReplyDeleteYeup! One of my best friends is thinking of putting it first I think. What Uni's did you apply for originally? Haha violent times, especially if it's rush hour.
Awesome, are they any good? I've been told to watch Breaking Bad when I get time. Scrubs is great, comedy and a meaningful end - what more could you want aha. Oo no I didn't what's it called?
Laura
Ah okay, will keep an eye out next time. No you can't haha :)
ReplyDeleteReally, do you know if they are putting Sheffield Uni or Sheffield Hallam Uni? This time round I think I applied for London Met, two in Sheffield but for different courses, and another London one but can't remember which. What were the other ones you applied for?
Haha yeah you have to watch yourself.
Really like Suits, has quite a unique premise, plus its very witty and makes you think about how they will solve the cases. Oh yeah keep being told that that's an amazing show too. Has Scrubs ended now? Its called 'Wish I was here', he's just finished his Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for it and will be making it soon.
Jack
I'll let you know if I hear it's on again.
ReplyDeleteUm Sheffield Uni I believe, not 100 percent certain about that though. Nice one, I always think it's interesting which combination people put down. Um I applied & got offers from: Birmingham, Hertfordshire, Kent, then Nottingham and Reading.
Might have to add that to my list to watch then. Yeah I think it has, they had a couple of seasons with different people to the original but I don't think it did as well. There's so good quotes from Scrubs too. Sounds interesting, I'll have to keep my eye out for it when it eventually comes out. Can't wait until exams are over nowwww.
Cool, thankyou.
DeleteThey're both good university's but think Sheffield Uni is slightly better, mainly because its been around longer. Ah nice, that's quite a mix of locations, what were you looking at when choosing uni choices?
Oh, think I saw some when they had new student type doctors will definitely have to find the last few to watch and see what happens though. Wish I wasn't so rubbish at remembering quotes, only a few seem to stick :). How long do you have now til they begin? Same, only one month and one day left!
Jack
Oh right, I don't know much about them both because I didn't even consider them because of how far away they are.
DeleteKind of weird really because originally I was looking at just English courses. But I wrote a list of the places that did my course then crossed any off if they were either too higher grade requirements/too far away/not very good reputation. Left me with about 8 which I went and saw (meanwhile I changed my mind to the joint course) and yeah - basically picked my final choices based on accommodation, department and the course.
Sorry that was long winded. I wanted a campus based Uni though, that was one thing I knew.
I have a link to them: http://www.free-tv-video-online.me/internet/scrubs/index.html
Ah I write a lot of my favourites down or put them on my blog, another kind of nerdy thing I do... ahh. Just under a month until my first one but I'm trying to remain calm about it. How many exams do you have? It's so surreal that I'll have finished school soon!
Laura
No is alright, think its interesting to hear, you knew what kind of place you were wanting for before looking then? Know when my friends were doing it alot went in kind of blind, only later choosing because of a particular reason like because it was quite close to home, etc...
DeleteIs the Reading Uni quite an old one? My sister went to Middlesex uni and hers was campus based and it was in a big old renovated estate house.
Aw thankyou, I'll try to resist watching too many :). Oh, hope its okay I might steal that idea too, and write some down here if I find any? That's not too bad still time left if you need to go over anything, I'm sure you'll do great. Luckily I only have two this term because i did more last term. Sorry probably shouldn't complain about two when you have your lot to do. Are you doing anything to mark the ending of school?
Jack
Yeah a Uni spread around a city or town didn't really appeal to me, funnily enough I did look at Oxford before any of that process because I got the chance to go there for a day. It was interesting to see what a top Uni was like so I could compare it with others. Haha I sort of did it backwards to other people then. How did you pick yours?
ReplyDeleteNot mega old but not new either, in the middle I suppose! Did she like it there?
Nono that's fine, go for it (:
Yeah it's alright at the moment s'all good. Good luck for them both and it's fine, they are just different levelled exams can't really compare them. Mainly just the Prom I think, which reminds me I need to get some cash out to pay for the ticket this week.
Laura
What did you think of Oxford? Is Oxford quite campus based? Know someone that goes there and its still very traditional, they have to dress relatively smartly for meals, have to wear gowns sometimes, very posh dances. Think it would be awesome to study history in a place like that.
DeleteHaha looked similarly to you, looked for one with good reputation, grade requirements, wasn't too bothered about location, but was hoping for a city one after living in a town for soo long. Yeah she did, loved the fact that it was kind of isolated, but still only a few minutes drive away from shops and the tube to London.
Thank you :). Ah that sounds really good, you having it once all the exams are over? Know that might sound a silly question but ours was nearly before exams even started for some reason.
Jack
I loved the place and the university itself but the pressure and vast amount of work they put on their students looked terrifying haha. They do at least two essays a week for English which means reading at least 4 books - crazy. I got the chance to go to sample lectures which were good but everyone else there seemed a lot more intelligent than me. Oxford and Cambridge are unique in their layouts, they have a college system - don't know if you've heard of it? But basically you apply to a college within 'Oxford uni' so the whole uni is spread across Oxford which is why so many people have bikes there.
ReplyDeleteYeah some of the colleges are more formal and traditional than others, in some you're not allowed to walk on the grass unless you are playing croquet hahaha. The buildings are absolutely amazing! Yeah Reading and Nottingham are both bigger than my hometown too, which isn't hard to beat aha.
Yeup, it's just after the end of exams which is good. Need to sort everything out for it though - expensive times.
Laura
Really two essays a week? Oh don't think I could handle that. Aww, what lectures did they give for you, English ones? Think I might have heard of that system before, knew that they are very large uni's and spread themselves across Oxford and Cambridge. Haha would be a nice work out cycling around to get to your classes. Were you thinking about going to Oxford?
DeleteHahaha would love to see that, what a rule that is :). Don't know if I'd fit in at a university that only allows croquet on their grass. If I went to a uni like those I'd constantly feel like I'm in a episode of Inspector Morse, haha slightly nerdy that I know that programme.
Ah that's good, atleast at that point all exam worries will be behind you, are you having yours within school?
Jack
I know, I'd struggle to maintain that level of work. Yes because it was an English themed day, although I also went to sample lectures at Cambridge too: English and history there though. This was at the time when I was trying to decide what to do at Uni so I went two the History day and English one haha.
ReplyDeleteI considered applying but then I realised that the reason those Uni's do so well is mainly because of the people they accept - not necessarily that they have better lecturers or facilities. Realisation for you haha. I didn't feel like I'd fit in and my grades weren't good enough, so I didn't try.
They do have loads of weird little rules, some of the harry potter movies were filmed in Oxford though - the guy showing us round took us there. Got to love nerdy things, s'all good!
Well it's all arranged by our 6th form leadership team but they've booked a venue and stuff so hopefully it's goooood. Did you go to the Prom?
Laura
All of those essays can't be for marking though, that would annoy me if they made me do that many and them not count towards anything. Ah big question, which did you think was better Oxford or Cambridge? Haha oh, was the history sample there any good?
DeleteHaha never thought of it like that before, yeah realisation there. Think I saw some university's have begun to beat them two in the uni rankings, shows it isn't just a reputation that you need.
That would be cool to walk through parts of Hogwarts everyday, ah am jealous now, what did you think looking round those areas?
Aww that sounds brilliant, hope that you have an awesome time there :). Yep, ours was arranged my a group of sixth formers too, ended up being in a big hotel out in York. We also had these award type things that people voted for before hand and then received at prom, are you doing anything like that?
Jack
I dread to think about the pressure they have constantly put on them. I think people forget sometimes that the pressure doesn't stop once you've got into a one of those Uni's haha.
DeleteHmmm, I liked the building more in Oxford but Cambridge is a nicer place to live generally - hard to decide really! I'd maybe say Cambridge.
I reckon it's about right anyway, I mean if a Uni only accepts people who get three A's or two A's and an A* then they are going to do well - it's just logic. Indeed, I saw that too Oxford went down a lot in the English rankings this year. Reputation definitely isn't everything.
Was awesome, it was pretty surreal to be honest, I think you can just randomly visit some of the colleges sometimes - not sure though.
Ooo nice, yeah we had to vote for a similar thing a few weeks back. Did you win any of them? The categories were kinda rubbish for ours sooo yes. Me and my sister came second place in the best twins category at the end of year 11 (there were about 5 sets of twins in our year btw) aha.
Laura
Definitely, I kind of fell into that trap, as soon as A-levels was over I completely forgot about school over the summer, whereas I probably should have done a little bit of reading just to keep up to scratch. Haha like hearing which one people choose out of those.
DeleteDid they, do you know who's now beating them in English? In History I think Durham was doing better. Seems to be quite exclusive going to either of them. There was a girl in my year who was a year younger then everyone but because she was so smart skipped ahead a year, but when she applied to Oxford they turned her down because of her age.
Aw that sounds amazing. Haha might try that at some point, just walk around the different colleges with a rucksack on pretending to be a student there looking for everything Harry Potter related :). Have you been to the Harry Potter studio tour at all?
We did them in year eleven and also in thirteen and won one each time, I got Mr Organised and Sensible, didn't know if that was good or bad. Did you have any really strange ones? We could vote on who we thought would get arrested, and some others like that. Wow five lots of twins in one year. Aw congratulations, fingers crossed for first place this year :).
Jack
Oh well, think you need a break sometimes too! Haha it's so hard to pick because they are really similar.
DeleteUm Durham, UCL and Exeter were before Oxford this year so it sounds like Durham is really uping their game when it comes to rankings. Ah that's a shame, she must have been really clever to skip a year.
I haven't had the chance to go to the HP tour yet which annoys me. But I'm hoping I'll get the chance to go at some point in the future, have you? From what I've heard it's amazing.
Oooo well done, they sounds like good traits to have to me! Um we had 'most likely to get IDd when they're 20' haha most of them are pretty standard though I think. I know, pretty crazy when you think about it - none of us are identical though.
Laura
Yeah, wonder if it's anything to do with the uni fee's going up, and Durham just offering students more for their money. I know we were all really surprised to hear that was the reason why.
DeleteWith it being so close compared to the Harry Potter attractions out in Disneyland, thought I'd have gone by now, but no still haven't had chance to go yet either. Heard the same, definitely know that you have to take a lot of money to spend in the gift shops. can't go without getting some sweets or a scarf or other goodies :).
Thank you, Was just a bit odd to think that out of everyone people thought I was the 'most organised' haha. Oh guess that's alright, makes you seem younger. Are you not? Just twins as in born at the same time rather then look alike
Jack
Probably something like that, may have raised their entry requirements too. Speaking of people not getting in, there's this boy in my year who is the most intelligent person I've ever met but at the same time his really modest - which is rare. He applied to Cambridge but didn't get in because of his test score being slightly to low for interview. Just shows Oxbridge can miss out on amazing people because of their own standards.
DeleteHopefully we'll both get the chance to go at some point, indeed if you're there you have to buy at least something even if it is overpriced aha.
Ah you don't see yourself as being organised then? :') Yes, we're just born on the same day basically. You've probably seen pictures of Becky on my blog but didn't even realise it was her because we don't look really similar.
One thing people always normally ask me is "What's it like being a twin?". Always an awkward question because obviously I've never known any different (:
Laura
Oh that's terrible, yeah they shouldn't base it just on test scores, they should see what kind of people they are as well and offer places that way.
DeleteYeah hopefully would be amazing, haha oh if they were normal price i'd buy soo much stuff. Have you go on to Pottermore and sorted yourself before?
I was fairly organised, always got work done and homework in on time, just didn't know everyone else saw me that way. Ah cool, are you the older or younger sister? Oh yeah maybe, will have look carefully next time. Haha sorry have to say I'm kind of guilty of asking that in the past too, when you put it like that though, does make it sound silly asking that. Have you ever made up stuff in response, like you both know what each other is thinking?
Jack
Their loss I guess! Think he is going to UCL or Warwick now so he is still going to a goo uni.
DeleteTrue! My friend got a scarf when he went a week or two ago, so cooool. :') I have been sorted - I was put into Ravenclaw but I can't remember my login unfortunately. What about you?
I think that's a good thing for people to notice about you, employers love organised people too.
I am indeed the older one only by three minutes though, I have a younger sister too who is three years younger than me. How old is your sister? Haha sorry didnt mean to make it sound like you should have realised who she was xD
It's alright so many people ask it without thinking about it. For me though I see my twin sister and other sister the same - I'm not closer to one or the other. Aha wish we'd thought of that! But no we didn't, if we were identical we could have done so many pranks...
Laura
Yeah exactly, nice to hear he got in at another place though.
DeleteI was put into Ravenclaw too, which was one of my two choices so am glad about that. Same, the usernames were really weird and had so may random numbers and stuff in them, wish they would have let us choose our own ones for it.
Hmm...wonder if I'd be able to write them down on my c.v or if that would look a bit odd haha. Oh does that annoy your sister that your just older then her? Haha ah no is fine :) I have two sisters one older one younger, they are almost 23, and 14.
Ah okay, that sounds like a great way of thinking about it. Haha so many identical twin pranks are springing to mind right now.
Jack
Yeah I was happy with being put into Ravenclaw too, thought I'd end up in Hufflepuff though haha. I think I wrote my down somewhere but I can't remember where... Which isn't very useful.
DeleteHaha wish you could put random things like that down on a CV or whatever, doubt they would take it very seriously though. She's not too bothered by it that much I don't think, it used to be that I was the oldest and she was the tallest - but now I'm taller than her haha. Aw cool, you were surrounded by girls growing up then. I always thought it would have been cool to have an older brother. My sister is nearly 15 :)
I know! Could've swapped classes and stuff :') would be weird having someone who looks just like you though.
Laura
Haha would you not like to have been in that house? Feel bad for the Hufflepuff people sometimes, it's not a bad thing being in that house but they don't seem to get mentioned as much. did they send you your username in an email when you did it? Might be able to look it up that way.
DeleteHaha could you imagine all of the stuff people would right down if you could? Always wanted to put down that I could juggle, was proud to learn that and could come in handy some day. Haha aww one day she might be the taller one again. I've also got a younger brother, which is nice because theres then two boys and two girls, he's also now taller then me. Aww your all quite similar ages then, do you like being the older sister?
Yeah can see that getting annoying, people getting you mixed up all the time. There used to be teachers that would call me by my brother name alot that was a bit odd, did you ever have that?
Jack
Wouldn't have minded, I was just surprised I ended up in Ravenclaw. Yeah there aren't as many main characters from that house. Probably! Not sure which email address I put down though ahah.
ReplyDeleteAh I can't juggle at all, looks so difficult, did it take you long to get the hang of it? Perhaps, only if she wears heels now though because we won't grow much now. Ah awesome, it sort of equals out then (:
Indeed, three years between me and my younger sister. I don't mind it because I'm not a lot older than them - s'all good.
Was going to say loads of people got me and Becky muddled up, especially when we were younger and looked more similar. Apparently some of my younger sister's teachers call her Laura because I used to have them haha. Even my mum gets our names confused sometimes!
Laura
Haha ah well, can always do it again if you need to get back on there, can see if it puts you in the same house a second time round.
DeleteIt didn't take as long as I thought it would, you just have to get used to it and get the rhythm right then it starts getting quite easy. Would recommend trying it out, is just one of things like whistling that's not exactly useful but nice to know how to do. Is your sister Becky heading off to university same as you?
Haha oh that must annoy her. Really, does it catch you out when your mum gets your names mixed up?
Jack
Maybe I'm not very good at coordinating everything when it comes to juggling haha, I'll have to have another go. I can't whistle though, I can't do the little things most other people can, disappointing!
ReplyDeleteYeah she is. She's applied to do Psychology, she's putting Surrey and then Reading as her back up. We didn't plan to go to the same Uni's at all though - it's just how it has worked out.
Yeah I'm always like you mean Laura? Half the time she doesn't even realise she's said the wrong name :') Does your mum ever get your names muddled?
Laura
Haha the instructions said its often best starting with two juggling balls and throwing them around for agess until it feels normal and then move on from there. Ah you not missing out on much, think I'm the only one in my family that whistles and get told to stop most times because they find it annoying.
ReplyDeleteCool, ah that's a nice coincidence, know someone who's just finishing their psychology course and they loved all the different types of topics you learn about, quite a bit of work involved though. That's a nice coincidence, how would you feel both going to the same place?
She so used to doing it she doesn't realise? Yeah she used to quite a bit, only occasionally now though, we just pretend to ignore her until she gets it right haha.
Jack
Sorry for any typos in previous replies btw, was typing on my phone aha. It's strange juggling came up to be honest, my friend was talking about doing it as their skill for the gold DofE award. My dad can whistle I think, aw bless.
DeleteBeck's slightly cleverer than me so I'm sure she'll do amazingly, she loves everything psychology based. I don't mind because we'd be in completely different departments, we're not the sort of twins that stick together all the time and don't speak to other people - so it would just be cool to know someone was around. Did anyone you know go to the same Uni as you at all?
Ahh yes, s'kinda funny because she'll sometimes list all three of our names before she gets the right one. Haha good method xD
Laura
Aw is alright, are you able to get onto this blog alright from your phone? My blackberry's struggling to load it for some reason so usually have to wait until I get to my laptop. Cool, yeah that would be a good idea, are you doing DofE as well? Yey theres another whistler out there, its a dying breed :).
DeleteAlways a little...afraids not quite the right word, of my friend who does psychology, because I don't know if they're using what they've learnt to like assess me, if that make sense. Aww that'll be nice, yeah just to have someone close just in case. The odd one or two came at the same time same, and then there were already a few around Sheffield that came varying years beforehand. Do you know anyone else thinking of going to the same one as you?
Haha as if, sure they'll get it one day. With that method there is a risk that she'll get annoyed though because no one is answering her.
Jack
I can indeed. When I had a blackberry I couldn't but for several different reasons I decided to get an iphone, I got it for my birthday back in February and it loads pretty much any webpage even one with this many comments haha. Nupee, I never got the chance to get involved with it, seems like a great thing to do though - would look great on a CV.
ReplyDeleteYeah I get what you mean hahah, they can probably read into your body movements and things like that. Apparently people look to the right if they're lying? If that's the right one.. it may be left.
Still cool to have some people you know around, even if you don't speak to them a lot. I only know people who are putting it as the second choice, but I know someone who will be in their second year if I go there.
I reckon most Mum's with multiple children must have this problem! :')
Laura
Cool, that's really handy, which Iphone did you get? Sorry in advance if it takes me foreverrr to reply will probably just be because of my phone. Think your able to do it until your 25 if ever you did want to do it at uni or something. The expedition part is really fun to do :)
DeleteYeah have heard that too, hmm not sure, definitely one of the two, and then looking in the other directions means other things like looking up means your remembering something. Would be quite handy to know things like that from time to time.
Oh well you never know, some might find themselves heading to your uni too. That's really good, they can show you all of the good spots and things to look out for.
Just glad that my mum hasn't started to mix my brother and me up with my sisters yet, would be quite worrying if that happened :).
Jack
No worries, sometimes my replies take ages too.
DeleteI just got the 4S because there was a good deal on and I didn't need the iphone5, there's not much different between them really. I thought I'd miss the keyboard on my blackberry but you soon get used to the touchscreen especially as its a responsive one.
Could be an option then!
Hahah indeed, who knows which one it really is. I've always thought I can read people quite well but maybe that's just because I know the people quite well...
Probably, wouldn't surprise me if someone did end up going there too. Yess she already said if I had any questions to ask her, infact a second year student from Reading rang me today which was quite cool.
Yes, that would be rather worrying ahaha :')
Random question, but what other music do you like?
Laura
Awesome, are you a black iphone or white iphone kind of person? That was my worry about getting a new phone, really used to the keyboard, and didn't know if to give it up for a touchscreen, is it fairly easy to type long messages and such using the touchscreen?
DeleteSomeone you knew or just a random person that goes there? Ah nice, you'll have the advantage over the other freshers then about where all the good places are. Do you tend to find your way around places quite easily? Finding rooms was a bit of a probably my first few weeks :)
Just recently discovered a new artist called Hogni, I've had a song of his called The Right Attitude on repeat. There's a lot of YouTube singers music I listen to, don't know if you've heard of George Watsky, or Mike Tompkins before? Listen to bits of everything really, Train, Ben Howard, Hugh Laurie, One Republic, Owl City, Imagine Dragons, Alexi Murdoch, The Cat Empire, Beach Boys......just to name a few :). What other kinds do you like listening to?
Jack
Black, I waited longer to get it because I'm not a massive fan of white phones - each to their own though. :')
DeleteWell it took a bit of getting used to at first, but the good thing is that is has auto correct so even if you type the odd wrong letter most of the time it goes to what you wanted it to say. I'd say to have a go on one if you get the chance before buying one.
Just a random person who does Philosophy, always think it's useful speaking to people that go there rather than the staff who can be more biased. When I've found a place once I'm normally okay at getting there again as long as there's signs or maps around.
I'll give it a listen, I've only heard of Watsky out of those two (:
Ah you named quite a lot of the people I listen to a lot too haha. Um Gabrielle Aplin, Greg Holden, Becky CJ, Bastille, Imagine Dragons, Coldplay, The Killers, One Republic, Ben Howard, Queen, Ron Pope, Adele and Dawes mainly. But I also like some Pop, depends what mood I'm in really.
Laura
Same as you, think the black ones seem to look a lot nicer. Might have to borrow my mums one then and have a practice with that for a bit. You haven't had any of those bad auto corrects yet have you? Always see loads of memes online to do with that.
DeleteAw that's nice, did you find out anything new through speaking to them that they hadn't told you before? Usually lectures and seminar tend to be in the same place in each week so that should help too.
Cool, what do you think of Watsky? H's doing a show near London in a few weeks which have been great to go to, but have an exam the next morning :(. Haha shows we have really good taste in music. Oh few there I haven't heard, will give them a listen. You looking for new music to get ahead start on next months playlist?
Jack
Had a black blackberry too so, it followed on from that. Sounds like a good idea, that's what I did actually because my Mum got one a bit before me. I haven't had that problem actually but I do tend to check texts before I send them just incase.
ReplyDeleteYeah I did actually, I asked her how much the work load differs from alevels for philosophy and how she found the transition - plus a couple of other things. Oh good, otherwise I'd get so confused. I'll have to allow plenty of time to get to places.
I quite like what I've heard of his stuff but I haven't listened to it extensively - it's quite different to other music out there. Ah that's annoying, you'll have to go next time he is in the UK.
Damn right haha! Indeed, always open for listening to new musicians and songs. I still can't decide if music changes my mood or if I listen to different music according to my mood - dilemmas. Haha
Laura
Ah cool, alot of people seemed to have had blackberry's and now going over to get iphone's. Wouldn't mind having some decent apps on my phone as well, twitter and facebook like to broke occasionally which gets annoying.
DeleteNice that's really useful, is there quite a difference in work load from what she said? Lecturers usually don't mind if your a little bit late so is alright, its just the trying to sneak in when everyone's sat down that's a bit awkward :).
Hopefully yeah, keep trying to introduce his music to people because no one I know has ever heard of him. To you tend to listen to quite a lot of smaller unsigned artists as well as people in the charts? Haha know how you mean, think its maybe a bit of both not sure, can listen to music and it can definitely make you feel better when your having a bad day, but sometimes will pass over really happy chirpy stuff if your in a fed up, worn out kind of mood.
Jack
Yeah I noticed that too. Part of the reason I had a blackberry was for the bbm and when people started swapping their phones it didn't seem worth the money and my phone froze a lot. The apps are good on iphones and I've heard Samsung ones are also pretty good.
DeleteShe said she found alevels to be more work in terms of amount of essays, just that it's more in depth at Uni - which makes sense.
Ahh there was an awkward moment when me and two of my friends went on the Oxford English day thing, we had to leave early for some reason and we couldn't open the lecture room door. One of the most embarrassing moments ever.
I dooo, I listen to a mix of both. I don't think unsigned people are always better than signed people - or vice versa so I just listen to what I like. How about you?
Unsurprisingly I go to the Philosophy Society at my school and I asked the people that go what they thought about the music/mood question - we concluded it's a mixture of both too haha.
Laura
Decided to download a few of those messaging apps so I could still send messages like on bbm, but yeah doesn't really seem worth it paying extra for that when I only have about three people still on bbm. Oh are the Samsung ones quite good, will need to look into those phones too.
DeleteDefinitely missing doing my A-level work quite quickly, not because uni works harder but because your so used to have so much to do constantly, then all of a sudden your down to a few pieces.
Oh noo, can just imagine, did it take you long to get out after that? Probably wasn't as bad as it seemed :)
Tend to be more surprised by unsigned artists at how good some of their music is, but more or less the same, if its a good piece of music then will listen to it.
Haha cool, what usually happens at a Philosophy Society? Sorry we were a bit underprivileged and didn't have many societies and clubs at our school.
Jack
I had Whatsapp but you have to pay for that on the Iphone apparently, I only had 3 people plus my dad on it at the end haha. Yeah my sister and a few of my friends have Samsung galaxy ace phones I think.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how weird it is, there's never nothing to do with alevels! I'll be relieved when it's the end of June though. Oh believe me it was awful ahaa, it was a solid wooden door with no handle and we couldn't push/pull it open for about 5mins - everyone turned and looked at us, so awkward especially because it was Oxford.
Greg Holden is one of my favourites, so want to see him live at some point. Ah it sounds fancier than it is, we just have a topic and talk about it for an hour or two after school with tea and biscuits. I actually did a talk/presentation thing for it last week, good practise I thought.
Laura
Oh that's rubbish, wonder why they make you pay for it now. Used to use Whatsapp to begin with too, started to cost me though in using the internet. Haha aww, we were some of the last to leave bbm then :) Ah cool, does your sister like hers?
DeleteWas there one a-level subject that seemed to stand out more in the amount of work you did? There was a small group of us constantly doing ICT work, towards the end we would have to work through lunches, after school because we gave ourselves so much to do, worth it in the end though.
Oh that's not good, guess that put a dampener on things a bit, least you made it out eventually haha.
Only heard of a few of his songs, do you have any favourites of his you'd recommend? Cool, hopefully you'll get to see him soon. Aw that sounds nice, what topic did you have to present? Yeah that's one thing about uni, its always good to have had practice presenting to large amounts of people.
Jack
Probably because they think they can get away with it haha, yeah same which was annoying. Had some good conversations on bbm :')
DeleteYeah she likes it more than the Iphones - hers is the mini version of it though, the normal ones are quite large apparently.
Hmmmm well when I did History it was definitely that, I sometimes had 3 essays at the same time because I had three teachers. But now it's pretty even, English requires the most reading as you'd expect. Ahh yes, it's always alright when you've finished it all and you realise the work paid off. Was ICT all coursework based?
It's something to look back on and laugh about haha, still can't believe we couldn't open it.
Any of these:
http://gregholden.bandcamp.com/album/i-dont-believe-you-acoustic-version
They're the acoustic versions, I like the normal ones too but I don't have a link for them. Hell and Back is one of my favourites though. Hope so! He's replied to me on Twitter before, such a fangirl lol.
I did it on something called 'The Trolley Problem' http://instagram.com/p/YN8XVgskK1/ link of my plan because it helps me explain it. Basically it's whether you should just let the trolley kill the five people or actively pull the leaver and kill one instead. There's lots more questions and situations linked to it but that's the basis of it.
I used to be bad at presentations, my voice went all weird but I'm alright at it now. How do you find presentations?
Laura
Laura
Haha yeah probably, sure there are other free ones if you they do make you start paying. Oh dilemmas... iphone, Samsung or blackberry. Yeah my housemate has the galaxy S2 i think and its massive, looks a bit difficult to talk into because its so big. The mini one sounds like the best option.
DeleteReally, were they each teaching you separate history topics? That doesn't sounds good, ah atleast your through the worst of it now :). Are you quite a quick reader? Literally just about to finish an assignment now, feeling good already that I've managed to ploughed through it.
There were two big projects that we did throughout the year which was all coursework and then we had a several day long exam at the end.
Ah thankyou, will go and check them out now and look up the non-acoustic versions a bit later on. Haha really, that's awesome, my sister's constantly trying to get celebs to reply to her tweets but with not much luck :).
Oh, that's quite deep stuff, what did you decide would be the best option in the end? Aw that's good to hear, you'll be a pro at it when you do them in uni then. Tend to get a bit worried in the run up to it, but once it's started then I seem to relax a bit and can get through it, definitely have to have more practice with larger crowds though.
Jack
Those three and definitely the most popular ones of the moment, just have to try them and see which suits you better I suppose (:
DeleteYeah the mini one looks like a normal phone size haha
One was teaching me Britain and Ireland, the other two were both teaching Russia but one was teaching Tsarist Russia and the other Stalin. If I read a lot then I'm quick, if I don't read for a while I get slower again I think. Ah congratulations :')
Not too bad then, all my coursework for this year is due in this Friday.
Let me know if you like any of them! Ahaha yeah I was surprised he replied to be honest, must have looked like such a stalker.
Indeed, fun to see what people pick though, we didn't come to one conclusion this time because people disagreed about what they'd do because I gave them additional factors: like what if some of the people were friends/family.
It's easier talking to people who are younger than you I think? Not as much pressure.
Laura
Haha don't get why everyone loves massive phones again, people used to want the tiny ones. Yeah might go have a play in Vodafone tomorrow now I've got a bit more time off.
DeleteCool, quite a variety to learn about then, were you doing about IRA Ireland and the bombings and stuff? Ah okay, you'll be flying through books whilst at university then :). All in tomorrow? Oh it all pretty much done, or you still got the odd little thing left to do? Hope its all going well.
Been listening to some of those Greg Holden songs quite a bit today haha, really like Hell & Back too. From what I've heard so far seem to like the acoustic versions slightly more, still need to find some of the normal ones tho. Haha nah I'm sure he didn't think that.
Oh, okay yeah having people you know in that situation makes it a bit harder to figure out.
Yeah think so too, feels more like your actually teaching people if they're younger then you, rather then just flicking through powerpoint slides.
Jack
Neither, looks stupid when they are actually talking to people on them haha.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, it was a long time period to cover. The last section of the B&I course was about the IRA but we went back a lot further than that and did about all the political stuff which I found rather boring. How fast at reading are you? I haven't been reading much at all recently which isn't very good. It's all done, handed both in today actually, back to revising tonight instead.
Ah yay, I'm glad you like some of them. I prefer the acoustic ones most of the time but I like the actual version of Bar On A which is on YouTube.
Agreed, some teachers make the class do group power point presentations but on one topic, so they get boring after a while as you've already researched everything they're talking about.
Have you had any decent weather in Sheffield? It's been quite sunny here recently.
Laura
Oh yeah we did a similar topic on Ireland and that seemed pretty boring too, no one seemed to bothered about it. I've definitely gotten a lot quicker at reading, used to take me agess to get through books. Definitely want to get back to reading more fiction books tho, rather then the ones needed for uni. Ah congratulations, bet that's a load off of your mind. Oh damn revision has to ruin it :)
DeleteHaven't seen the video for that one yet will go look it up soon. Yeah never get why they make classes do that. With group presentations as well, especially at uni, is tat you always seem to get stuck with that one person you doesn't do any work, and because you get a group mark, they get a good mark because everyone else picks up the slack. Sorry if that sounded like a little rant there haha
Last few days were still a bit chilly but today's been really nice actually. Seen loads of people sat outside of pubs enjoying the weather, live right next to a big sports field and park so theres a lot of people out and about there. Have you been sat outside enjoying this rare weather?
Jack
I noticed that the people who take Government and Politics alevel were more interested in it and generally got the highest grades. I definitely think that reading more often makes you read faster.
DeleteGot any ready to read after your work is done? It's nice when you're not forced to read a certain book and can just read it as an when you want instead.
Thanks, yes I'm glad I've got some of my A2 grade secured already for two of my subjects.
Awesome! Ah that sucks, if they do that all the time - in their independent work too, they'll suffer eventually. They are only cheating themselves. There's always people like that when it comes to working as a group, as well as people who completely take over everything. No worries! (:
Aww sounds nice. I haven't been outside all that much because, as you mentioned, it is still a little bit chilly when you're just sat still. It's been nice not having to wear a coat to walk to and from sixthform though.
Laura
You seem to have way cooler A-levels then ours, Because my sixth form was in the middle of nowhere, our sixth form teachers also taught the secondary students and so didn't have many a-level choices.
DeleteThere's a book called 'Ready Player One' that I've had for awhile but not gotten round to yet, and probably Fahrenheit 451 as well, have you got any lined up ready to read? Definitely, find that it often takes me longer to read books I'm not too keen on too. Do you tend to read loads more in the summer then in the rest of the year?
Haha know a few like that too, atleast you know with those people that you'll definitely get the work done though. With all your work handed in, do you get study leave or did they still make you go in for classes and revision?
Aww that's nice, hopefully it'll continue to get better over the next few weeks, so the weather nice once exams are all over and done with. At the moment BBQ's and ice creams with just cause a lot of procrastination :)
Jack
Haha we have a few like that which aren't common I guess, most of our teachers also teach the lower years too - depends really.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of that one but don't know if I'd get all the references in it, you'll have to let me know if it's any good. I have a few easy ones I want to read first - rubbishy storylines but I want to read them just because I can hahah. I'd say so, more free time to.
That is true, can't win when it comes to group work sometimes :') I've got two or three more weeks before study leave yet, one of my exams is actually before I'm even on study leave if I remember correctly.
My dad was saying about having a BBQ over the weekend sometime if the weather stays nice as it's bank holiday on the Monday, only time will tell. There are times when I just procrastinate because I'm lacking motivation haha.
Laura
Heard about it through a booktuber can't remember which one though, but has been sat on my shelf for agess. Yeah course will let you know. Haha that's the best thing about books, can read all and any you want even if they have rubbishy stories. Any in particular?
DeleteHave you ever used an e-reader or thought about switching to e-books?
Oh that's a bit odd, wonder why that is. Atleast you'll have one less exam to worry about when study leave comes around.
Oh is it bank holiday this weekend? Cool, sounds like an awesome plan, will be a well deserved break from all of the work you've had to do. Haha I've found recently that if you are lacking motivation, the best thing to do is to just stop working, go watch tv or something, otherwise you'll just be sat there thinking about watching tv and work just slows down. Hopefully this little theory is true otherwise I've duped myself into procrastinating even more :)
Jack
I heard about it through The Readables and possibly a couple of other booktubers. Thanks (: Exactly, um I have 'Before I Fall' by Lauren Oliver and 'You Against Me' by Jenny Downham, neither are hard going I don't think.
DeleteI have a kindle actually, it's one of the older ones with the keyboard on the bottom. It's great for reading classics because most of them are free or really cheap. So if you don't get on with it and don't finish it - it doesn't matter so much. But I'd never replace physical books completely with e-readers as I like books too much. It will be useful if I have to read a book at Uni last minute or for whatever reason because I can download it immediately onto my kindle.
How about you?
I believe it is yes! Hope I haven't told you wrong now haha. No I'd agree with you, you can't work solidly - you have to have breaks now and then. I always end up playing on my phone...
Laura
Ah that might have been where i heard about it too, so many is hard to keep track who was talking about which one. O think I might have seen the one by Jenny Downham in Waterstones at some point, is that meant to be any good do you know?
DeleteAre the normal everyday popular books fairly cheap to buy on them? Oh are the classics free, that's really good actually. Yeah the uni library's have loads of e-books in their catalogs, would be nice to go grab a coffee in Costa or something and take your uni reading with you :).
I've been really undecided for a long time about getting one, mainly because alot of e-books seem to only be a few quid cheaper then the physical versions and so would just want to get them instead. I'm the same as you would never give up physical books for one, like having my books stacked up all round the room. Would you say its worth getting one? Would definitely make carrying books loads easier.
Haha even if it isn't right will still probably end up procrastinating anyway. As much as I love my phone they are really distracting aren't they? Have you ever heard of that phantom vibrate to do with phones?
Jack
I'm not too sure to be honest, I only got it because I read 'Before I Die' by her when it came out and like that so thought I'd read this one too. Never got round to it though, I've had it ages! The font looks big in comparison to other texts I've read recently.
DeleteNormal books are normally about the five pound mark but it differs depending on how new it is etc. Oo they are making the most of the technology then, good to know!
I pretty much only have classics on it and I thought it would be useful for my degree course which involves a lot of reading and a lot of books. Any money off books when I'm at Uni will be much needed.
Hmmmmmmm, hard to say really. I'd possibly say it isn't worth it for you as they aren't exactly cheap. If I were to recommend one it would definitely be a simple one and not one that acts like a tablet aswell.
Same ahaa, they really are, especially the apps I have. Yeah I have, the thing that used to happen to me was I used to think the LED on my blackberry had flashed when it hadn't... so weird! Has something like that ever happened to you?
Laura
Ah okay, that shouldn't take too long then if the fonts a bit bigger, hopefully that'll be quite a good read too. Think I've now decided that I'm going to try and buy no more books until my to read pile starts to get smaller haha.
DeleteOh thats not too bad for some books I guess, when its like seven pounds for the actual book though doesn't seem as worth it. Yeah its really useful , especially will be for your course.
Yeah would probably only get one of the basic ones or a second hand one from somewhere, I still need to read loads of the classics though so maybe could be worth it, plus might be handy next year at uni. Ahhh these dilemmas again!
Do you have many of the addictive games like Angry Birds and Temple Run? That's probably a good thing about Blackberry's tho, because you can't get those games on it, its not as distracting perhaps :). Haha have had that one too, occasionally the LED will actually go off and there won't have been any messages or emails tho so that throws me off even more
Jack
Apologies for all my typos, keep reading my replies back and realising I've made mistakes. You'll have to avoid all bookshops for a while then haha :')
DeleteThere's always dilemmas eh! If you'd use it for Uni and make the most of the classics it's worth it, it's all relative I suppose. But second hand sounds like a good plan especially if it's in good condition. I think people go a bit extreme with them and think you can only have real books or an e-reader when most people use both.
I have the free versions of Angry birds but I have to admit I'm not a fan of Temple Run it just bores me. Cut the rope and some of the others I have are mega addictive though. Definitely, my blackberry distracted me less for sure. When I first switched to an iphone it was so weird not having the red LED flashing at me haha - mine did that too!
Laura
Haha Ah no is alright, haven't noticed that my typos anyway. Yeah I think so, helps that I don't have much money to buy books with anyway.
DeleteI know, all of these choices. Me and my friend were talking about e-books not too long ago actually and came to the conclusion that we both wouldn't mind paying a little bit extra for a physical book if you got a code with it for the e-book version as well, that way the bookshop is still getting money and the customer can have both versions and cut out the dilemma. How do you think that sounds?
There are a few e-books that I know have been written by small time author that don't have physical copies because they can't afford to publish them, they'd be useful for those too.
Haha is cut the rope the one with that little frog thing in it? My sisters always playing those facebook type games that you can get on your phone like Words with Friends, and Draw Me, I think it is. Is there not anything that flashes or anything on an Iphone to show new emails/alerts?
Jack
Oooh that's quite a good idea actually, then you wouldn't have to carry loads of book around with you - but you still have the actually copy at home which is cool. Depends how expensive it would be though.
ReplyDeleteI never though of that, makes sense that it's cheaper to release an ebook version.
Yess that's the one haha. I've seen those, don't play them myself though :') Another one I have at the moment is 'Name the saying' - something like that. One of the clues was a photo of a number one with a hole in it and the saying was 'hole in one'. Clever.
You can set it so the light next to the camera on the back flashes when you get messages but that drains the battery. I just have mine on vibrate and it comes up on the screen :')
Laura
If they maybe charged you an extra 2/3 quid of top of the book price? I'd probably pay out for that I think, is like how in some dvd's, you get the dvd, a copy for your computer and one you can put on ipad's or tablets and such.
DeleteYeah must be a lot easier for new writers to get their work out that way, know there are loads of them on amazon to look through and always really cheap.
Haha oh I wonder if anyone ever struggled on that one? Is it a bit like a phone version of catchphrase then? That sounds like a really good game.
Ah okay, that,s not too bad, are the batteries fairly good on Iphones? Know my mum sometimes runs the charge out on hers but think that's just because she forgets to charge it. Think I'd miss my small blinking light, sure it wouldn't take long to get used to it being gone tho.
Jack
I wonder if they'll do something like that eventually, it's a good idea! I guess it's just about getting noticed mainly, I'll have a look on amazon later for some good ones.
ReplyDeleteYeah it is actually! Didn't think of it that way but it is really similar. The battery isn't amazing but then my blackberry one wasn't great either. I charge mine every night but I do use it quite a bit. I missed it at first but I've gotten used to it now. When touch phones first came out I didn't like them because the screens weren't very responsive but they've gotten a lot better.
Laura
Hopefully they will, I'm sure it'd get more people into reading again too. Yeah definitely, one guy that I bought a book from on eBay, even put a card in the package with how to view his book on amazon.
DeleteHaha cool, might have to steal my mums phone and give that game a try then. Ah okay, as long as it lasts the day then guess that's all you really need. Can't believe how much they've changed since those rubbish Nokia brick type phones haha.
How's it feel all of your coursework handed in and deadlines all done with?
Jack
Would be awesome. I'd be sad if technology overtook real, physical books. Hopefully that doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I'd like it more if it did have a bit of better battery life, but you can't have everything haha. I know! Back in the day when everyone had nokia's with the non coloured screens and the best game was snake. It's crazy that it's changed that much when you think about it.
Yes it's one less thing to think about, which I'm pleased about! I'll be interested to know what I get in them. Although I still haven't firmed my Uni offers, hate making decisionsss. I need to do it this weekend too.
Laura
Know how you mean, was sad to find out that they had to close downloads of library's and second hand book shops aren't doing as well any more because people just aren't as bothered. Yeah hopefully not.
DeleteHaha nope. Oh yeah, snake used to be soo cool back in the day. Is so weird thinking back on stuff like that now, wonder if it'll be the same when say the Iphone 20 has just come out and you look back to now :).
How long do you have to wait now before you find out the grades for these pieces of work? Did Reading and Nottingham give you conditional offers? Oh damn, thankyou for reminding me, need to do that soon too.
Jack
The library in my town was awful, I went in there with a list of books from the reading list for AS English Lit and I found one of them. They just don't have the money to maintain them and buy all the new books. My school library is better than the town's one haha.
ReplyDeleteProbably will be something even more crazy. Some of the things we actually have (touch screens and such things) are in the old sci-fi films. They were just a made up idea at one point, not that long ago. So weird.
They have to moderated so I'm not too sure, a few weeks or something maybe? They did but for the same grade requirements and I don't know if I want to risk not having a lower insurance choice. Ahhhhhh.
Laura
Really? as if there was just one. Found that for the most part with mine too, they don't tend to have many education type books that people get told to use in school, or ones that are very specific to subjects. Wonder if there will ever be like a Netflix but for books, where you can get e-book versions or get them sent out to you for a certain amount of time.
DeleteAh cool were they? Can only imagine what they'll make in the next few years then. Every time I think of future stuff like that, I go straight to those tube things in Futurama, they'd be handy to have haha. Yeah really weird thinking that.
You don't have to wait too long for them then, that's not too bad. Oh okay, what do you think you'll do? Is a pain all of these 'what if's' with grades and such.
Jack
Yeup! It's such a shame. Some school subject books/text books are so expensive it's not surprising they can't afford them really.
ReplyDeleteProbably will be something like that one day! :')
Hahah yeah, who knows what they'll come up with and create next.
Nopee, only time will tell. No idea to be honest, I know I'm putting Reading first but no clue for my back up... So uncertain what I'll get in the exams.
Laura
Been quite lucky with university books so far, have only had to actually buy two books because the rest have been in the library or the archives. Know people that have spent out loads for there's though and barely use them.
DeleteJust literally seen an advert for the new Samsung phone actually, and that seems to have loads of new stuff that other phones don't.
Ah cool okay, do you think you've done pretty well in the coursework? Yeah is so hard to know how well you've done in exams, most often its the people who think that they've done rubbish that get the good grades. Is really weird.
Damn forgot what time Doctor Who was on, going to have to wait now and watch it all later :(.
Jack
Ah that would be so annoying if you paid for loads of books that you don't even use that much, especially if they are expensive. That's pretty good going, the library must be well stocked then (:
ReplyDeleteIs that the one where if you're watching a video and look away from the screen it paused the video??
My Biology teacher said my report should be an A grade but mine is one of the sample that has to be sent off to the exam board to be double checked, so I hope my grade doesn't go down haha. As for English it should be a B, which I'm happy with.
That happened to me actually, thought I'd done okay in my Bio exams and did badly, and the exams I thought went badly - I did really well in...
I haven't watched it either, I went out for a friend's 18th birthday so recorded it. I instead had the joys of looking after two of my very drunk friends... haha.
Laura
Luckily they're be able to get back some of their money selling them onto students who will need them for next year. It is useful though to hold back buying books until you know you definitely need them, can be costly otherwise.
DeleteYeah that was on it, then there was a way of answering the phone by swiping your hand about two/three centimeters above the phone, for when you have stuff on your hands, and a few other things.
Aw congratulations on both of those, yeah hopefully they won't need to change any marks. Its really weird, theres absolutely no way of knowing with exams. If you think you've done badly in them all, then hopefully you'll do really well...think that's how exam logic works.
Ah won't say anything then, apart from thought it was really good. Haha aw yes, had that pleasure numerous times as well. Don't tend to drink loads when going out so I'm usually the go to guy for looking after people.
Jack
Ah true, never thought of doing that, it's a good idea - not such a waste of money that way.
DeleteI've seen that one, that's what reminded me of the sci-fi films :')
Thanks! Hopefully they stay at the predicted grades. I know it makes no sense at all, I'm always worried when I think an exam's gone okay now! haha
I'm planning on watching it tomorrow at some point hopefully. I don't over do it either, plus I thought it was best if there were some semi sober people around to look after them - dread to think what would have happened if everyone was out of their minds aha. I never realised how heavy people are until I had to hold two of them up at once!
Laura
Some uni's, in their own on-campus bookshops have like a buy back system, where as long as its in a decent condition, you can take it back at the end of the year and get quite a bit of what you paid back.
DeleteHaha do you tend to get quite worried beforehand, about how they'll go? That long wait outside the exam hall is the worst thing ever, you just want to go in and get it over with.
Yeah that's always handy to have someone like that around. Haha have had friends randomly go for a walk about around town, and have had to chase after them. Haha, oh you had to actually hold up and carry people?
Jack
Ooo good idea actually. I was going to say you could probably sell them online somewhere as well.
DeleteI'm actually okay on the day of exams, it's the night before that I go a little crazy haha. But yes I agree - the waiting outside and everybody talking about the content of the exam is the worst thing. That's why I often stay away from people before exams, there is always that one person that asks you if you know something you don't and then you worry.
Indeed. Ahaha oh dear :')
Yeah luckily there was my sister and another friend of mine to help me because I couldn't have sorted them out by myself. I got them taxi's or walked them home so they didn't go wandering off and doing something stupid.
Laura
Yeah that's a good idea too, Amazons usually best for re-selling second hand student books, or on your unis Facebook's page or student forum site.
DeleteHaha do you try and cram revision until the last few minutes, or stop the night before and relax the morning off? Oh really don't like those people, makes you second guess yourself so much and want to go over your notes again to find the answer, can see why you like to stay away from them :)
Ah that's not too bad then. Is always nice too, to mess with them a little bit the next day in return for getting them home safely :). Can only imagine what they'd getup to if no one was out looking after them.
Jack
I usually do some sort of revision cards with bullet points or key words on for the day of the exam so I'm not cramming but I feel like I'm going over it briefly. Idk if that's a bad thing to do but it's better than frantically going through pages of notes in my experience. I do try and get a decent amount of sleep the night before though!
DeleteHaha yeah, it's what friends are there for I guess ;D
I know! All I know is it wouldn't have ended well hahah.
Laura
That sounds pretty good, quite stress free they day of the exam then, well as much stress free as you can get when you have a load of exams :). No think that's definitely a good way of doing it, have at times been that person desperately looking through sheets of notes for answer not long before the exam and its not fun.
DeleteYeah that's important too, helps more then people think.
Only about a week in and seem to be procrastinating a bit already, damn all of these facebook statuses saying that people are having BBQ's haha.
Haha yeah definitely. Yeah always! Generally gives them a good story to tell everyone the next day though.
Jack
That's what I though anyways! (:
DeleteYeah I did that in January and it was reflected in my grades haha, trying to be more prepared this time.
We had a BBQ yesterday but then I went back to revision which is such a shame when it's decent weather!
Indeed, so many laughs despite everything, think there's even some videos which are pretty funny to watch back. Still haven't gotten round to watching Doctor Who!
Laura
Cool, sounds like a great way of spending the bank holiday. Yeah is a shame you had to go back to revision though. Because of the really good weather today, decided to go revise out in our little back garden but then I could smell BBQ coming from a few houses away. Wish people would hold off on doing summer stuff till we can all enjoy it properly.
DeleteHaha oh yeah video evidence is always a good laugh.
Ah have you not, hopefully you'll be able to catch it before the weekend. Guess people might say that revision's probably a bit more of a priority, but it was still a really good episode :).
Jack
Soon exams will be over though, not too long to wait! Hopefully we get some good weather soon - not a massive fan of grey days.
ReplyDeleteSorry for slow replies on here by the way, I wish there was a comment notification thing somewhere so you knew when someone had replied or whatever.
I just seem to be so busy this week, it's crazy. Yeah revision probably is a bit more important haha, don't want to get too behind though! (:
Laura
I know, cannot wait for a well deserved summer long break :). Yeah don't know whats happened to that great weather we were having over the bank holiday, woke up this morning and was windy and chucking it down again.
DeleteAh is no problem, don't worry about it, know that it's quite a hectic time at the moment. Yeah would be really useful to have something like that. Blogger's meant to send me emails about stuff like that but half the time they get moved into junk and so don't come through to my phone.
Haha know the feeling, as you said though just have to get through these few chaotic weeks and then it'll all be over with.
Started seeing loads of adverts for the 50th anniversary episode now too, although its out in like November.
Jack
I know! It's been raining here pretty much all of today, had to find my umbrella haha, not cool.
DeleteIndeed, I never use the email address my blogger account is linked to so I don't know when stuff updates. Probably should change it or something. It's annoying when non-junk emails get put in there and you never see them.
I've sorted all my finance and accommodation out now so that's a few less things to think about - which is good.
I'm looking forward to the 50th anniversary one, going to be so good.
Laura
Really, that's not good, as if you have to go back to umbrellas so soon after all of this nice weather. Seems to be alot worse down south, came down to where my family lives today and looks like a storm was going through the place.
DeleteAh okay, hopefully they will put in a notification system or something then you won't have to go and change over emails and such. Yeah definitely, is really confusing though, because it likes to pick and chose which are junk, because half of them seem to get through and the other half get junked.
Cool, that's good to hear, is definitely nice to know it's all sorted and that you don't have to keep worrying about it :).
Can't remember if the 50th anniversary one is still going to be played in cinemas or not, would be a bit different if it was.
Jack
Agreed. The winds down here have been crazy too, stormy weather basically. Such a contrast to the BBQ weather!
DeleteSo random, I wonder how it decides whether to be put into the trash/spam folder or not - must be some selection process.
Definitely, s'all good! I think it is being played in cinemas? I hope so anyway, would be awesome to go and watch on the bigger screen and that.
Laura
Can't believe how windy its gotten yeah, so much seems to have been blown over knocked down because of it, hopefully there won't be any of those floods and stuff to come.
DeleteNot sure, just having now to come on and check just in case its done it again, will hopefully get itself sorted out soon.
Ah that would be awesome, wonder if in some they'll do it in 3D as well. Yeah can imagine loads of people getting dressed up and bringing all of their Doctor Who stuff with them when they go and see it.
Sorry it's taken me agess to reply, went out to my brothers uni this afternoon to see him and to see him perform in this play. Think because of all the comments, my phones deciding it can't load the page anymore so had to wait til I could get to my laptop.
Jack
Talking of Doctor Who, one of my bestfriend's uncles is a writer for the show. I got to meet and talk to him yesterday because he was at her 18th birthday party haha. He wrote the recent TARDIS episode apparently! It was really interesting talking to him about how the episodes are organised and stuff - apparently they each get given a monster and they just write around that basically.
ReplyDeleteNo worries! Was the play good?
Haha yeah, even my phone is starting to struggle with the comments now, my laptop is much easier too (:
Laura
Wow really?! that sounds awesome. Ah cool, so they get told a monster before the story has even been thought about then? That's a really interesting way of writing them. Haha guessing you were full of questions for him, did you manage to uncover any secrets or upcoming plots?
DeleteYeah it was good thankyou, very interesting topic to do a play on. Bit different from the usual student type plays that I'm used to seeing.
Haha oh know my phones going to have problems if yours is struggling too.
Jack
Yeup! He's written for a few other things like Sherlock as well as plays which is cool. Apparently so! He said it's literally like a random pick of who gets what monster each time. Unfortunately he wouldn't give anything anyway because he's signed contracts and things - he can't even have twitter because people would track him down haha. He was interested about what people thought of the Clara plot though.
DeleteAwesome, sounds like you enjoyed it. Hahaha this is true, I powered up my blackberry earlier and it seems so small in comparison to my iphone!
Laura
Aw that's so amazing, he's definitely one of the main go to writers within the BBC then. Guess doing it that way must be quite nice for them to get the chance to have something new each time and different to write about. Oh yeah, forgot about all of that stuff, probably knows atleast a few top secret plots that no one can talk about. Whats your thoughts on the Clara plot so far.
DeleteTalking about Sherlock, I was able to go see the new Star Trek film today with Benedict Cumberbatch in, and was so great getting to see him acting again. Cannot wait for the new series of Sherlock to come out.
Yeah was really good, has been a while since I last went to go see a play.
Jack
Yup! Stephen Thompson.
DeleteIt was quite funny actually, his children kept telling him to stop showing off - even though it was us asking him things. It must just be an everyday thing for them, bless them :')
Well I've seen a lot of different theories and ideas but I'm sure they'll come up with something completely different to what we expect. Wouldn't be surprised if it linked back to previous episodes with other characters though. What about you?
Ooo awesome, I've heard it's really good from a lot of people. I haven't really seen much of the original Star Trek stuff but apparently even newbies can understand it. I always think Benedict Cumberbatch has such a striking face.
Laura
Ah think I've seen his name on the credits before. Haha aww yeah to them he'll just be their dad, can imagine it being a bit weird for them, with all of their friends wanting to chat to him like that.
DeleteI'm not really sure, as you said they never go with the obvious theories and always seem to pull something out that no one has thought of. Its got to be majorly important though if somehow shes able to keep being reincarnated throughout history and the Doctor keeps running into her.
It was really good, glad it lived up to the hype surrounding it. Yeah you don't have to have watched any before really. There are some insider comments and props that people who have watched loads of them will recognise, but they are just small little things. If you don't mind Sci-fi movies then would definitely recommend it. Know how you mean, definitely helped him playing a villain in this.
Jack
Yeah exactly haha!
DeletePeople have been linking in Rose/Amy/etc so who knows, guess the possibilities are endless really. I've caught up with the latest episodes now though which is good, I was 2 behind at one point so I put aside a couple of hours to catch up.
It's always good when you're not let down after everyone bigging something up. I'm glad they have made it so new people can watch it, bigger audience that way. If I get the chance I'll go and give it a watch, sounds goooood.
Laura
Oh really, i wonder how they would link in the previous companions with the Clara story line, guess they'll all meet up somehow for the 50th anniversary one so would make sense to involve them now. Have a feeling that we might also get another chance at finding out the doctors name again, after watching the trailer for next weeks episode.
DeleteAh that's good , yeah is worth putting a few hours a side for :).
Know how you mean, especially when reviews start to come out saying its either amazing or rubbish. They're kind of like spoilers in a way, wish they'd just let people go watch it without saying much. Cool, if you do you'll have to say what you thought of it.
Jack
Hmmm yes, it would make sense, just gotta wait and see :')! I need to watch the pre-release clip before next week's episode apparently.
DeleteYeah can be so disappointing and will do! I should probably stop spamming your blog post now right? haha
Laura
Not sure actually if the anniversary episode is just a one off, where everyone comes back or if it's meant to be integrated into the rest of the series. It doesn't show loads but there is a part that brings up the whole 'whats your name' kind of thing.
DeleteCool, thanks. Haha, I don't mind, probably can't use my phone anymore to load up the comments though.
Jack
Neither, someone said there might be another one of episode to help link them or something - who knows though. So many rumours, don't know what's actually based on facts :') David is definitely meant to be in it though.
DeleteHahah alright, just didn't want to spam your email inbox.
Laura
Ah okay, would that other episode be as big and flashy as the 50th anniversary episode do you know, or just like a normal 45 minute one? Yeah have definitely heard people saying that he's in it, seen pictures of him and Matt Smith together too, not too long ago so they must have been filming it recently. Still unsure about Billie Piper and other people coming back for it.
DeleteHaha might just take me a bit too reply tho, being away from my laptop down in the library. Hope that they're not distracting you from revision.
Jack
Think it would be a normal length one if it was to happen? No one hundred percent certain though. Yeah same, photos of them keep popping up on my Facebook feed but I've stayed clear of reading too much about it so I don't get any spoilers. It would be cool if a lot of the past people were in it, perhaps they'll just use flashbacks though.
DeleteHaha it's no problem, my replies aren't that regular either. No no, it's fine - I just check when I'm having a break from work/revision. (:
Laura
Okay, oh well, guess the anniversary one wouldn't be so special if there were two extra long episodes. Been doing the same, not sure if those photos are of them on set or just at a conventions together or something like that, guess we'll find out soon. People like the Torchwood lot, or old friends of the Doctors?
DeleteAh that's alright then :). Have come to the point where I've decided to turn my phone off now to stop me from using it or getting random texts.
Jack
That is a good point actually. Well Stephen hinted at the fact that David would be in it so I'm guessing that some of them are actually photo from the set? Only time will tell! Oooo I don't know, both would be cool!
DeleteIndeeeed. Ah yes, good plan (:
I've switched to working downstairs rather than in my room so I'm away from my laptop and phone - means I don't get distracted as easily.
Laura
Cool, is nice to have hinted confirmation that he'll actually be back in it. Wonder if they get any of the older generation of Doctors back in as well, because its meant to be the 50th anniversary so covers all those too. Did you ever watch Torchwood? Think they stopped making it now, not a hundred per cent sure though.
DeleteKnow the procrastination levels getting high when you have to take actions like putting your phone in another room or turning it off :). Ah that's a good idea, hope its going well. Having to go to the library more now that my housemates aren't around to help keep me focused on revision.
Jack
Indeed. I hope so! Although it was confirmed that not all the past Doctors will be in it, obviously not all of them are alive - but you get what I mean. I only saw a couple of episodes of Torchwood, never got properly into it.
DeleteYeah for sure haha. I find working in the school library helps work too, that's why I stay there even if I have free lessons because I know I'll get distracted sat at home. Not too much longer now though (:
Laura
Oh was it, hadn't heard news before. Yeah get what you mean, plus theres people like the woman who played Sarah Jane who was kind of recent, cant comeback because shes not alive either.
DeleteThought the ones made in Britain were quite good, like a darker more adult version of Doctor Who, the few that were made by Americans though didn't really look that good. Hate it when Americans try to do version of good British program's, 99% of the time they aren't as good.
The sixth form i went to was about 30 miles away from where I lived so for a few of us we couldn't really leave during frees which was bad. Have you had any of those full days of exams yet?
Jack
That's what I read on a news website online, who knows how reliable it is though haha. Hmm yes, that's a shame she didn't make it to the 50th.
DeleteYes definitely, they try and make it too commercial I think. Apparently they get to see the last episode of this series before we do?!
Woah, that's a long way, kinda sucks. I only live about a mile away or something so I just walk everywhere luckily. Not yet, I have another couple of weeks before that horrible day ahaa. My next exam is Tuesday... joys.
Laura
Haha ah okay, sure that it'll be along those lines. Only know a few of the old Doctor's if some do decide to come back, might just have to brush up on who played who.
DeleteYeah definitely, everything always has to be that little bit over the top too if you know what I mean, a few gun scenes, car chases, etc...
Really? Ah as if, can imagine all the cast and crew going along to a private cinema and to watch it, its the end of November time its aired I think isn't it?
Yeah had to get a bus out there each morning, was usually quite fun, sometimes you just wanted to get home though after a long day. That's pretty good, can pop home for lunch and stuff then if you need too. Oh good luck for Tuesday's...will all be over soon tho.
Jack
I only recognise a few of them but don't really know their names, my Dad can name all of them though I think haha. Yeah they do have a tendency to do that a lot.
DeleteApparently, makes sense though I guess! And I think it is November yesss. :)
I suppose you just get used to what you have to do. Different people's sixthform experiences must be pretty different depending on their subject choices and the location.
Yeah it's good if I forget something or if I'm not feeling that great I can go in for my lessons and come home instead of missing loads of lessons.
Thanks! I'm just worried about the ones after half term basically. Good luck for yours too!
Laura
Yeah same here. Haha that's a thought, never really asked anyone who used to watch the old series what they think about the new updated one, wonder if they think its too modern or stuff like that.
DeleteCool okay thankyou, will try find out the date and mark it down somewhere.
Definitely yeah, know ours was quite different from the other nearby ones just because they were solely college and we had the secondary attached, there were more strict and less formal because of that. Aw even if your not feeling that well your still dedicated to going into school, definitely the sign of a good student, know people who missed loads of stuff just because they couldn't be bothered.
Oh is half term coming up soon? Atleast with half term you'll have more time for revision. Think worrying can actually be a good thing most of the time, means you care about them and you want to put the work in to do well, it's when your not worried at all and think you can breeze by when things go wrong. I'm sure you'll do great though. Thank you, cannot wait to end revision :)
Jack
My dad said his favourite doctor was David too, but I've forgotten which of the older ones he likes. Strangely enough David Tennant sometimes reminds me of my dad - he's not even that much like him either... I don't know what it is haha.
DeleteYeah, same with ours. Ahaha yeah nerdy I know, but I think you can get so behind on work if you miss a double lesson at alevel. I haven't had a day off in the two years of sixthform, luckily I suppose!
Yeup, one more week and then it's half term. That's true, it's good because I don't have to waste time walking anywhere but it means I can't go in and ask my teachers for help/answering questions which is kind of annoying. Hopefully! Same :')
Laura
Oh really, that's interesting to hear. Is good to know that the new doctors are keeping up with all of the older ones. Haha does he wear alot of suits or have converse shoes, or is Scottish?
DeleteHaha nerdy is good though. Yeah can't really afford to miss that many lessons at a-level, can miss out on some important stuff. Really, cool that's impressive. I would have had a full year of attendance my last year but my little sister had the chicken pocks and I had to stay home to look after her, missed out on a certificate because of that haha :).
Swear there was a half term not too long ago, miss having those small holidays every few months whilst at school. Oh yeah, do any of them have school emails that you can use to get in contact with if you need to?
Jack
I'll have to ask him sometime (:
DeleteHahah he always wears a suit for work so it could be partly that, I think it's kind of the sense of humour aspect as well - kinda witty. Idk haha.
It's paid off for me so far, I'd rather be nerdy than a drop out with nothing to do because I missed too much. Ah that's different though, you have to put family first when you need to :')
The last half term was a few weeks ago I think, I lose track of time now - everything's going so quickly. Yeah we do, problem is some of the teachers don't really check it regularly in the holidays.
Also, that Doctor Who episode has blown my mind haha - so many references to previous episodes!
Laura
Cool, okey doke. Haha theres never enough opportunities to wear suits now a days.
DeleteDefinitely, can't imagine what would happen if I were to have done really badly back then. Think its quite good that they're making school compulsory again until your 18 rather then 16. Yeah, any other illness I'd have thought she was just faking it, but the pocks didn't look that pleasant.
Oh okay, thought it wasn't too long ago, are you finding everything going quickly at the moment then? You'd think especially around revision/exam time they'd check more to help you guys out.
Haha I know, do we really have to wait sooo long till the next one. Still trying to wrap my head around everything. Once again did not see any of that coming, as if John Hurt is going to be a Doctor as well!
Jack
If the people actually bother going into school it will be good, I have a feeling they might struggle to make some of them come in to school - let alone working once they're there. I had it when I was younger and don't even remember it thankfully ahaa.
DeleteIndeed. Yeah, but that always happens near exams I find - any time I don't want time to go it flies by or seems to anyway. You would! Some of them just aren't into the technology that much though.
I might re-watch it to be honest, have plenty of time to haha. I've decided that River Song still annoys me though. Neither although I figured Clara would have to go into the time thing after the concept of it had been explained. I know, never would have guessed it!
Laura
Can see that being a big problem too, will also hinder the people that do actually want to be there if theres a load causing trouble and slowing people down. Can see why they raised the age back up again though. Same here, pretty glad about that, if I remember rightly we did have to strap on oven gloves to my sisters hand to stop her from itching which looked terrible.
DeleteThat's kind of good though isn't it then it seems as if the exams will be over quicker and everything all finished? Realising today that my exams on Wednesday everything seems to be going quicker, realising I'm running out of time now.
Haha aw I'm sure you'll be able to spare some time for Doctor Who. That's a good idea, might have to do that as well. Yeah she didn't really get any better in this episode, if anything she was just hanging around bothering people. Managed to pick up on that too, wasn't sure that the Doctor would go in after her or not though. They kept him really secret, saw that Billie Piper is definitely confirmed as well.
Jack
Hopefully people who aren't that bothered will go to college instead of sixthforms - might work out better. Ahhh, not cool. Least she's had it now and won't have to worry about getting it again.
DeleteGood and bad at the same time (: Good that they will be over soon, bad in that I wish I had another month or something like that ahaa. Ooo good luck for it I'm sure you'll be fine if you've revised!
Agreed, she comes across so fake to me but other people I know love her. Yeah I thought it was a good episode, the way it sort of started at the end? And how they incorporated older version of the Doctor into it too. Ooh should be good, I'm glad that she'll be in it. I might try and watch some of the older episodes after exams too, maybe they'll be online.
Laura
Oh yeah never thought of that, never really understood what the difference between college and Sixth form was, if there is any apart from the names. Think that would work out better,the people who want to be there can do better then.
DeleteHaha never enough time when you need it is there. Thank you, yeah been doing more recently, long day in the library and out sat in the sun today going over stuff.
Think she must be one of those characters you either really love her or you just don't get. Thought that was really good too how they fit her into the old clips, wonder how many people watching it actually saw those original clips, is odd to think. Think they should be online somewhere, if not you can definitely get them on DVD. Seen some of the old Doctor Who movies they were really good to watch :)
Jack
I think the main difference is that you don't have to do 3/4 alevels and there's more applied courses/btecs including hairdressing and stuff which is kinda cool.
DeleteI know, just got to make the most of what's left! (:
Least you got to spend time outside rather than being in the library all the time because the weather was alright. I had my Biology tutor and it reminds me of how much my brain and Biology don't go together hahaha, ironic I suppose.
Yeah my dad recognised some of the older clips, not the really old ones though obviously. You can watch the first ever episode on youtube I believe. I'll have to hunt them down after June 17th aha.
Laura
Oh okay, never knew that before, do recall alot of people doing btec and applied courses like that now I come to think of it.
DeleteWell the sun seems to have been short lived so its back inside again today. Haha yeah definitely, do you have a decent teacher for Biology? Find having good teachers for quite in-depth subjects always helps you learn it better.
Ah that must have been quite nostalgic. Really, cool thankyou might have to look it up sometime then. That's not too long now, can be an incentive to keep going and get everything done :)
Jack
Yeup! Applied courses are good for people who aren't interested in going to Uni and btecs are great if you don't deal with exam pressure very well because it's all coursework.
DeleteI know, never lasts longer than a few days aha I hope the summer is better weather than this though otherwise you can't really go outside that much. I have one good Biology teacher, my other one left and she was awful - hence the Biology tutor at weekends. I wish I had 2 good teachers from the start though would have saved me all these resits.
S'all good :) Yessss, it's so surreal that I only have this week left at school haha.
Laura
Wish some of the sixth form courses just did all coursework, never really been that good with sitting exams, never seen to fit enough in in that short amount of time. never knew that there were so many btec options before it came to looking at sixth form/college, you can learn loads of different trades there.
DeleteYou looking forward to getting out and about rather then being stuck inside or at school doing revision? Oh that's rubbish, yeah could have saved a lot of time if there was someone decent.
Oh is that it, just the one week then done with sixth form forever? Goes so quickly doesn't it?
Jack
I hate exams so much, but I didn't want to take btec's so I didn't have much choice, plus I think Universities prefer qualifications where you are examined. Good to know there's that option around though.
DeleteDefinitely, revision and exams stresses me out way too much haha. I had my first exam today and it didn't go amazingly well... but onwards and upwards I guess.
Three days left now, it's gone so quick it's unreal! You must be nearly finished for the year too (:
Laura
Is a shame they don't do more non-btecs with more coursework in them, or let you choose which one you'd rather do. oh do they, never thought of it like that before, guess it shows you can remember large amounts of info and call it back up under pressure.
DeleteHaha wonder if there are any students that love them and don't get stressed out this time of year. You never know though because you think it didn't go amazingly it might have actually gone way better. I'm sure you did really well.
Just come back from my first exam, that didn't go that well either, for the first time ever I got to leave early because I'd finished, not sure if that's a good thing tho.
Is that it, yeah sounds like its gone really quick. Just a week left now, this time next week I'll be free for another summer :)
Jack
Agreed, wish the exam was just less of the overall grade and I'd be happy! Because in reality it's rare they you're going to be in a situation at work where you need to remember everything you've ever learnt on a topic in an hour time period or whatever haha.
DeleteYeah I think that's why they prefer them.
People who are so calm and don't even have to revise much anger me especially when they do amazingly well. I am jealous of their brains loool.
True! I hope I've done alright but I hate to get my hopes up too much. Likewise, I'm sure you did better than you thought too (: Best of luck for any others.
Ahhh can't wait now, I'm tired from revision already!
Laura
Don't mind that its half and half for mine between the coursework and exam because at least then its fair for which ever suits you best. Thought that before as well, there can't be that many jobs where they will examine you and also give you study time to revise for it.
DeleteHaha wonder if its because they are really smart or can can just take in information easily and remember it really well. Yeah is all done with now, can't really do anything about them until the results come in. Thank you, good luck with your other ones too.
Isn't long now :). Hate this time now, feel like because I did loads of work for my one yesterday I deserve some time off when in fact I should really get back to work for next weeks.
Jack
I wish mine was 50/50 but none of my subjects are like that, infact one of them is 100 percent exam which is slightly daunting.
DeleteIf I could take in information and remember it really well, I'd be so damn happy but I think a lot of it is down to the subject you're doing too. Most people are good at one or two subjects I find.
Thanks!
Haha same here, I had an evening off after my exam this week because it drains me so much. I think it's good to give your brain a break now and then otherwise you can't take anything new in.
Laura
Really? Oh that's not good, are there any with a higher percentage of coursework instead. Think its a bit unfair when you are solely dependent on taking just exams, because even teachers acknowledge that some students aren't as good as them then doing coursework.
DeleteDefinitely, is odd how with other subjects like books or films or music, you seem to take in loads of info about those kind of things but when it comes to educational subjects people find it tougher to remember things.
Haha took some time off today, bit difficult to get myself going again, so nice not having loads of work to do :). Yeah if you don't have a break think it actually hinders your revision.
Jack
Indeed. Three hours and that's all my grade depends on from the whole of this year. Scary stuff. Unfortunately not, the highest percentage coursework I have it 40% which is in English.
DeleteYeah it is weird, I don't have one thing I'm brilliant at though, forever average at most subjects... haha not that it's always a bad thing.
Ah good! Definitely can just make you more stressed if you're sat there and nothing's going in - best just to take a break.
Laura
Wow when you put it like that's quite a disturbing thought. As if they make you do all of that work for just a few hours assessment, in which you will only use a small fraction of the knowledge you've learnt anyway. Oh well hopefully next year it'll even out a bit more, or sway more towards coursework.
DeleteThat can be a really good thing though, means you know stuff on a variety of subjects. Would rather know bits of info about a load of things, then everything about one subject and nothing about all the rest. will help in a few years as well when looking for jobs, if you can say you've got a degree but have interests in other things as well, that will help out a lot.
Yep, back to the library tomorrow though :)
Jack
It really is haha, so nervous in case I can't answer the essay questions. I don't know what I'll do if I get in there and can't think of anything to write...
DeleteThing is people tend to do their degree subject in what they are really good at but for me it was what I liked doing rather than was good at doing if that makes sense haha. But being okay at most things is sometimes good like you say.
Hope everything is going well.
Laura
Loved the multiple choice essays loads better then the essays with one big general question and you have to remember everything off the top of your head. Aw I'm sure you'll be fine, once your in there it'll all come back to you.
DeleteYeah that makes sense. Think the way you've done it though is the best way, makes it so much easier to do the work and exams if you actually enjoy the subject and are interested in the topics. Those people that are good at it will find it harder because they'll have less motivation.
Thank you, hope everything's going well with you too.
Jack
Fingers crossed they are decent and I can answer them haah!
DeleteI hope so anyway. Only time will tell, as is true of many things.
Sorry for slow replies, been doing revision!
Hope your laptop battery sorts itself out btw.
Laura
Haha hopefully they will. Hate those first few minutes of an exam when your looking through the questions to see if you've been lucky or not. Sorry this ones been slow too, so much stuff to go back over and not enough time in the day.
DeleteThank you, have had to buy a new one to see if that's what the problem is. Has helped me get on with revision though not being able to use it as much :)
Jack
Oh same, that's the worst. But under exam pressure you realise you just have to write something no matter what the questions are I guess. No worries, your revision is more worth while than replying to me on here haha.
DeleteAh. I remember my battery completely died on my old laptop, wouldn't even turn on. Ooo yes true, that's one good thing that's come out of it then.
Laura
Yeah definitely, with any of your exams do you get some reading time at the beginning? We get ten minutes reading time before all of our exams where we choose the questions and can write out plans, so everyone notes down all the key dates and stuff in those first ten minutes to help free up their heads for putting the essay together. is so useful! Haha finally finished with all of that now.
DeleteOh really, were you not able to get any of your work or files on it? Have got mine all working again thankfully, really nice being able to use it again.
Jack
Ooo that's good that you have some time before you have to start writing, especially when you just need to get all the key dates etc down. Only one of my exams has set planning/reading time and that's my English paper. It's a 2 and a half hour exam with two questions in and they say to spend 30mins planning/reading for each question because we're given extracts from texts we have never seen before.
DeleteBut for any essay based exam I always take 5 minutes to plan my answer especially when I did History or for my Philosophy/Ethics exams. You get marks for the structure of your argument so it's best to plan.
My dad managed to get the files off it somehow, luckily!
Laura
Yeah definitely, just gives you that back up knowing some of the info is now written down and you can't forget it. Oh really? 30 minutes sounds really useful for planning and reading, hopefully that time gives you a bit of breathing room too so you don't have to rush. Do you not mind not seeing the extracts before or would you rather have had chance to properly study it?
DeleteThat's what our tutors were saying too, they don;t mind if theres not loads of dates and facts in it just that its structured and shows your argument.
Ah that's good, gets really infuriating when that happens and you can't do anything to get all your stuff back.
Jack
Exactly, this time next week I'll have done 5 out my 7 exams. Crazy. It's good to have some set time to read them all and annotate but I find it quite difficult because there's 4 extracts and if you don't understand part of a poem them give you - you're a bit screwed haha. I wish we had a set text that we studied before but unfortunately we don't do it that way.
DeleteIndeed, ah so nervous now.
I'm just lucky my dad is good with computers and stuff like that otherwise I wouldn't have got it back.
Laura
Ah that's really good, only a few left after that, then all done with A-levels forever :). Haha yeah can see that being quite a big problem, do they mark it on how you interpret the extract though and how you argue points on it? Have you got any books that you've studied for an exam this year? In GCSE's we had read Lord of the Flies and then got examined on it, which was really different.
DeleteI'm sure they all go well, sounds like you've been doing loads of revision for them. The worst thing I find about revision is that you never really know how much has actually sunken in until your actually there sitting the exam and you read the questions.
Ah that's good to hear :)
Jack