Things That Keep Me Sane

On the lead up to the exams there were many times when I had a mini breakdown.  I let all my stress overwhelm me.  During these stressful times there were a few things that kept me sane.  in this little blog post I'm going to tell about some of those things.

 



 

 

Singing:

Just to make it clear, I'm no Beyoncé.  I don't sing in front of crowds and I don't do singing lessons.  I sing for myself because I love it.  I sing all the time just around the house.  A few weeks ago, my mother told me that she admired me because I still sang even though I had so much on my plate.  For me, singing was a stress reliever and definitely kept me sane.

 

Music:

Leading on from singing I also love listening to music.  Some weekends I would take a couple of hours off from studying.  I would play some of my favourite CDs and lie on my bed just listening to them.  Afterwards I would feel so relaxed.  For those few hours I could shut out the rest of the world and forget about everything I had to do.

 

Reading:

Reading obviously had to make this list.  I am a complete book worm and have to have a book by my bed at all times.  While I was studying I would learn a certain topic, read a chapter of my book and then repeat the cycle.  Looking forward to reading the next chapter motivated me to study and get it done.  Then I could relax for half an hour before getting stuck in again.

 

Blogging:

Blogging has only become a very recent hobby of mine and I love it!  My blog is a place where I can be myself and write about what interests me.  I didn't blog last week because I was too busy studying.  My blog gave me something to strive towards and look forward to.  I couldn't wait for summer so I could give 100% to my blog.  Through all the laborious work I knew there was something good at the end of it all.

 

So those are a few things that kept me sane during the exams.  Hopefully, they will continue to keep me sane in the future!

 

Until next time... I'll see ya when I see ya!



Book Review: A Thousand Pieces of You

A Thousand Pieces of You is the first book in the Firebird trilogy by Claudia Gray.  It follows the story of a young girl, Marguerite.  Both of her parents are scientists and have invented a device, the Firebird, which allows people to travel to different dimensions.  When her father is murdered, Marguerite suspects a close family friend, Paul.  Marguerite and another close friend, Theo, decide to follow him through dimensions in order to find out the truth.

The first thing that attracted me to this book was the cover.  I know they always say you should never judge a book by its cover but I have to admit that I am guilty of doing just that.  I always judge the book by its cover but who could blame me this time.  The cover of this book is beautiful with so many gorgeous, vibrant colours.  I was immediately drawn to it.

When I first started reading this book I was slightly confused.  I felt the beginning was very complicated and I didn't fully understand what was going on.  I had to read on for a chapter or two before I could get my head around it.  Once I got into the story I was hooked.  I felt the idea of being able to travel through dimensions to be very intriguing.  The whole concept of it is brilliantly created by Gray.  She definitely puts her own unique twist on it.

Not only is the main character searching for a suspected murderer but there is also romance in the midst of it all.  Of course the romance is not straightforward and so the story itself takes on new dimensions.  The book is full of suspense and tension as danger and deceit lurk around every corner.  It is truly a gripping story and I would highly recommend this to anyone if you are looking for something to read this summer.  I can't wait to read the next two instalments!

I hope you liked this little book review.  If anyone has any other book recommendations I would love to hear about them but until then...

I'll see ya when I see ya!

The Leaving Cert is Over!

It's actually over!  I'm done and I still can't believe it.  I've spent fourteen years of my life in school and now it has all come to an end.  The last fourteen years of learning to read and write, add and subtract have essentially been preparing me for these exams.  Fourteen years and it's all over in a week!

I know the Leaving Cert doesn't end until next week and there are still some people with longer to go.  Don't think I'm rubbing it in your face because I'm not.  I just want to write down my thoughts and feelings while they're still fresh in my mind.

On the lead up to the exams I was a nervous wreck.  If you read my previous blog post you will understand how bad I was.  It was just the fact that it was "The Leaving Cert" and I didn't quite know what to expect.  I couldn't even listen to the radio or watch television because the exams were making headlines everyday.  It really didn't help with my condition.  I don't even know why the exams make headlines.  They happen every year.  It's nothing new.

The night before the exams start you can't sleep.  The next morning you can't eat.  You head into school with your stomach in knots and your thoughts swirling in mad circles.  You're doubting everything you know, telling yourself you know nothing.

During the exams everyone turns religious.  They might never have gone to Mass in their lives but now they carry prayer cards in their pockets and in their school bags and some even have whole prayer books!  They receive Mass cards from relations who will pray for their success.  In school we had a small prayer service on the first morning.  Everyone had to be there or else they were going to fail.  We had a makeshift altar in the hallway covered with a white cloth and holding bottles of holy water.  Now and then you'd see someone go up to the table to bless themselves and say their final prayers.  It's a bit ridiculous.  Once you're finished the exams you'll abandon religion again and return to your sinful ways.

Once you get into the swing of things you realise it isn't so bad.  You realise that your examiner is a nice and normal person just like anyone else.  You may get a mini heart attack when you first open the paper but after a few read throughs you know you got this!

When you put down the pen after your last exam you feel a massive weight come off your shoulders.  You are officially finished with second level education.  You will never again have to wear that uniform that you despise at this point.  You are officially finished with teachers telling you what to do every second of the day.  The feeling is indescribable! 

I am so excited for summer now!  I can truly appreciate my free time after such a stressful year!  Overall I am extremely happy with how my exams went and I wish everyone else the best of luck.

Until next time, I'll see ya when I see ya!





At My Wits End!

I have been finished school for over a week now and in that time I have had my head constantly stuck in my textbooks trying to cram any bit of last minute knowledge.  It's only when you have time to think that you realise just how much more work you need to do before the exams start and the closer they get the less prepared you feel. 

 

In the past couple of days I feel like I've hit a brick wall.  I feel like my head can not cope with any more information, like it's full to the brim and no matter how much more knowledge I try to stuff in it just will not stay.  This makes me more frustrated and stressed.  I spent almost six hours studying my Home Economics Elective and then when I went to look at some exam questions I wasn't able to answer any of them.  It was as if I hadn't studied it at all and that I had just wasted six hours of my life doing nothing!

 

It's taking me twice as long to learn things now because information will not stick in my head and sometimes I just stare at my books not able to find the will to read any of the words on the page.  I feel like a robot who has seen better days.  I can't carry out my functions properly anymore.  I get up every morning feeling like I've not had any sleep only to then delve into hours upon hours of laborious study.  I can't take it anymore!  I am mentally and physically struggling.  The sooner these exams are over the better because I feel like I am very close to a mental breakdown!

 

I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill but at the moment the Leaving Cert is the air I breathe.  I really want to do well and get my top preference for college.  I might be doubting my ability and putting too much pressure on myself and no matter what anyone says to me it doesn't help.  My parents telling me the Leaving Cert isn't important isn't helping.  They don't seem to understand the stress I feel right now.

 

I think for the next couple of weeks I will need to adopt a better mind-set.  I know more than I think I do and I just have to convince myself of that.

 

Well, that is my rant over for now.  I swear this blog is the only thing that keeps me going sometimes because it's a place where I can just pour my heart out.  Hopefully the next time I post something I will be feeling a little bit more positive but until then...

 

I'll se ya when I see ya!



Exam Essentials

So don't panic but the Leaving Cert is this Wednesday!  I know, I'm freaking out too but I thought I would compile a checklist of exam essentials so you can walk into your exam confidently knowing you have everything sorted out.  Pens and pencils are just as important as the knowledge when it comes to exams because obviously you need to be able to write something.  So without further ado here's a list of everything you need to bring with you to your exam.

Pens: 2 red, 2 blue, 2 black.  You can never have enough, they are essential.

Pencils: not as essential but still come in handy.

Tipex Mouse: gotta get rid of those mistakes!

Highlighter: helpful for highlighting key words or phrases

Calculator: don't even dream about going into your maths exam without one and make sure the batteries have been changed recently!  Unless you can magically calculate the correlation coefficient in your head a calculator is a must have!

Speaking of maths make sure you have a ruler, compass (with leds), protractor, set squares.

Rubber, topper.

Don't forget to bring water and a small snack for maximum concentration and to keep you going throughout each exam!

On a final note I wish everyone the best of luck in whatever exams you're doing.  They'll be over before you know it and all our hard work will pay off.

Until next time I'll see ya when I see ya!

Ireland Makes History: Gay Marriage Referendum

Yesterday was a very historical day for Ireland.  We have become the first country ever to have gay marriage legalised due to popular vote.  For many it seemed as though this day would never come but it has and it makes me so proud to be Irish!  Finally we have moved on from our old fashioned ways and have made a huge step into the future.  I hope this referendum will encourage other countries to make their way towards a world where everyone is treated equally.

10 years ago we could have never dreamed that this would happen.  Not so long ago being homosexual was illegal.  This is a milestone for Ireland.  We have caught the worlds eye and proved to everyone that we believe in equality for all.  I well up with happiness now thinking about all those couples who have waited so long to finally give their relationship legal standing in society.  Now they finally have the chance.

Ireland has really come a long way.  This is history in the making.  In generations to come people will look back on this and wonder why we had to vote on this in the first place.  Why did we make such a fuss over it, the same as with racial issues years before.  Being homosexual will just be another part of life accepted by all and that's the way it should be!

Last Week of School, Graduating & Memories

This week has been both exciting and slightly emotional.  Six years ago I began secondary school for the first time.  I was a tiny and timid first year who saw the world as big and scary, the future was lightyears away.  Now, I am no longer a shy child but an adult who is ready to face the future and all that it holds.  I am no longer a secondary student and in September college life begins.  This week I had to say goodbye to life as i know it, to the teachers who have supported me every step of the way these past six years and to my fellow sixth years who I have grown so close to.  I could not have asked to spend my last school days with a better group of girls and I hope that I will be able to keep in contact with them.  In this blog post I will write about my final week of secondary school and everything that happened!

Monday:  Bench-Ball against the teachers!

Yes that's right!  The competition was fierce as the sixth years took part in a Bench-Ball tournament.  Four teams were whittled down to one which then went head to head against a team of teachers.  (My team obviously).  It was tough but I had the best fun even though we did lose but what do you expect when you're up against sporty teachers who are 6 foot tall?!

Wednesday:  Sports Day!

Speaking of being sporty we also had our annual sports day.  We were spoilt with the weather, a rarity for Ireland.  There were a multitude of activities to take part in such as sprints, long jump, high jump, wheelbarrow race, the list goes on.  I didn't win anything (aww) but I did have a really good day!

Thursday:  Graduation!

This was the night, the official end of my time as a secondary school student.  All of the sixth years, parents and teachers attended a mass with refreshments afterwards.  We sang our hearts out especially when it came to our Grad song 'The Days' by Avicii, my new favourite.  After the tea and buns all the girls went out and partied all night long!  This was by far one of the best nights of my life so far!

Friday:  The Talent Show!

My school holds a talent show every year with acts from all years showing off  the many talents they hold.  The sixth years did a hilarious teachers skit and the teachers themselves even showed us their creative side!

Memories 

The above quote by Dr. Seuss was the central theme for my Graduation and I think it is very suitable. Over the past six years I have made so many friends with whom I have so many memories.  They are memories that will remain with me for the rest of my life.  It is true that you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.  Even stepping through the doors of the school for the first time seemed so insignificant then but now I look back on it as a milestone.  

Memories are so important, especially the good ones.  Your whole life is a collection of memories, of moments you experienced and when you look back on them it makes everything worthwhile.  

The memories I have made so far are special to me and I hope to make many more in the future.