May the good times roll...

Yes, we meet exam season once again.

By taking subjects that are predominantly essay based, I can get away with only having six exams over the coming weeks, the first of which I had today, my English exam. No comment on how that went, but let's just say that I'm so so relieved never to take or write a literature essay ever again in my life. So goodbye to Gatsby's delusion, Fitzgerald's overuse of patronising poetic descriptions and Rossetti's constant talk to betrayal. I have to admit though, it may have driven me insane but I enjoyed studying literature. I think that I'll just stick to reading now, rather than analysing books to it's bare bones.

After the unpleasant experience in the exam hall today, I decided to take a stride in the park, which I apparently needed!

I think that it's important to realise from time to time that it's okay to take a break from revision, stress or whatever you're occupied with. Just taking time out and letting loose actually makes so much more of a difference, and once you start whatever you were doing again, you feel rejuvenated. I certainly feel that way now and decided to take the whole day off, so that I freshly start tomorrow.

I have 5 exams left now all of which are in June, and these exams are the most important ones that determine which university I go to. So yes, no pressure at all. And also, to help avoid my motivation to falter, I've made a Tumblr account so that I can keep on track.

Best of luck to anyone taking exams this season. May the force be with you!

 

Getting yourself organised!

I’ve recently joined the #StudentBloggerSelection and this week’s theme is ‘showcasing your skills’. Since exams aren’t that far away anymore (my first one begins in 7 weeks time *gasp*), I thought that I’d share some of the ways I organise my academic work which will hopefully be of some use, particularly during the next few difficult weeks.

image source

Number 1: Organisation is extremely important.

Yes yes, you’ve probably heard of this already, but honestly, an organised folder makes revision and life heck of a lot easier. Revision is definitely a time where you don’t want to be going through useless pieces of paper, or notes that aren’t in the correct order etc, so by organising everything in accord beforehand really does you favours in the long run. I personally abhor disorganisation because I know for a fact that my revision won’t be as efficient as it could be, and really, I just think that it adds on unnecessary stress that you obviously don’t want!

Number 2: One folder per module

This is something I highly recommend. I started doing this last year where I had one ringbinder per module, but as the notes and notes started to pile up, the folders got pretty full! That led to some of my essays to go missing (not the greatest thing in the world) and some of the sheets starting to rip out. So this year, I decided to invest in leaver arch files and it suited me great! Everything is neatly put into place according to topic, so no complaints!

Number 3: Putting your notes into place

The first thing that should really go into your folder is the exam specification. To put it simply, this is your friend over the next few months. Exams won’t contain any questions that haven’t been in the specification, so really, it does save you time from learning irrelevant information. After that comes my hand written notes from the textbook, then notes from the revision guide. I do both because the textbook seems a lot more detailed than the latter but it does contain so information of no use sometimes!

After that comes the handouts my teacher gives out. These again are directly from the textbook so I just highlight the most important pieces of information. Then comes the answers to questions in the textbook.

Number 4: Separate folders for revision?

I never really did this, until now. My folders always contained past papers, practice essays and the lot; but now since my folders have way too much irrelevant pieces of paper, I decided to invest in extra folders purely for revision.

Some will contain past papers only, and others will contain revision material and timed essay practice.

Number 5: Make a checklist

Make a checklist for all your subjects then tick off all the topics you’ve written notes on. This way you’ll keep on track to see how much you’ve got left to cover.

Number 6: Make to-do lists.

Again this is important. You will be on track with your revision and see what you have left. Some diary planners my already have this (I have a Filofax which contains these to do lists), but making your own won’t hurt.

These are all of the ways I organise my work, but it does change from time to time. The more you discover the ways to organise things the better!

    

The A* Grade Challenge Nov Update: August Decrees, Competitions and the Oxford Union

Well hello there. Some of you are wondering who I even am? Due to my absence from this space for some time, I give you permission to blast a Justin Bieber song (oh dear)…

Anyway, apart from sleeping on buses every morning due to late nights, it’s been a fairly positive November.

One topic I’ve been studying in my History lessons is the August Decrees. Just some quick background info: before 1789, France was ruled by an absolutist monarchy. The rich (the nobles and the clergy) widely practiced tax evasion, placing burden the poor – a segment most of the population were classified under. The monarchy increasingly became very anti-French (weird huh?) and disillusionment grew amongst laymen so they decided to revolt. Many exciting events took place (apart from people dying which obviously isn’t great), and one of them was the August Decrees. This marked a significant end to the ancien regime and paved way for a more democratic France that lifted the burden from the poor and nationalised the Churches. If you look at it as a short term occurrence, it was very very successful. The ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen’ followed, but of course, conspiracy theories came along.

Alongside academic work, I’m participating in some national competitions which I’m pretty excited about! First up is the British Biology Olympiad which is open to all post 16 students who have a particular interest in biological sciences. After some persuasion from my Biology teacher, I’ve decided to give it a go. Second comp I’m taking part is The Julia Wood Prize, a history essay writing competition held by St Hugh’s College, Oxford. For my dissertation, I’ve decided to focus on a period of British history I haven’t studied before. I’m going to be writing about Oliver Cromwell but I haven’t yet concluded on a specific aspect of his time in power to focus on.

    

To make my study breaks more productive, I’ve decided to listen to some debates held at the Oxford Union by subscribing to their YouTube channel. The best thing...it’s free! No actually, the best thing is listening to intellectuals who know a heck amount about their field, and in the end, you completely change your perspective of that particular topic. Quite fascinating really.

That’s it for November, strikingly hard to believe that there’s only one month left till the end of the year. Where did all the time go?!

The A* Grade Challenge October Update: Gatsby, Fundamentalism and Motivation

Rather than rambling on and on, I'm going to go straight to the point.

I've decided to adapt to a specific structure. I'm not going to focus on every subject for all updates, I'm just going to pick out specific topics that I've learnt. Not only will it make it short and snappy- you won't lose interest in my everlasting sob stories either.

So this month, the novel that I've been focusing on in my English lessons is The Great Gatsby. It's pretty hard to believe that this novel wasn't a breakthrough when it was first published. It went to the extent that this work of Fitzgerald's wasn't even mentioned in his memoir. Now it's considered to be one of the most unparalleled pieces in American modern literature.

As you can probably guess, I absolutely loved the novel. Whether I enjoy writing essays about it is something else, but I'm getting there! Imagery and symbolism are in adundant supply which I think makes this novel simply amazing. I hope to watch the film so enough, probably during Chirstmas, and perhaps write a lot more [maybe?].

Another great topic that I studied [and still studying] is religious fundamentalism. This has always fascinated me. For those who don't know, fundamentalism is a term given to a concept/idea that expresses an extreme viewpoint regarding a religious matter. Truth is that fundamentalism isn't just about religion. You can be fundamentalist about anything, but nowadays its associated more with religious activity. This is quite a huge topic so there's lots to learn! But so far, I've focused on the origins and nature of fundamentalism and I was surprised to find out that the movement started when Darwin's very divisive theory of evolution came into prominence. It contradicted the theory of creationism stated in the Book of Genesis . It went to the extent that the State of Tennessee completely banned schools to teach evolution in science lessons- but of course, there will be that one person that's rather rebellious. If you're interested, then find out what happened here.

Apart from schoolwork, I've been focusing on increasing my motivation. I'm not going rewrite a sob story [I'm pretty sick about it], instead, I'm going to be positive [for the first time ever!].

Anyway, I've been finding some methods to help increase my motivation. After having a meeting with my Head of Year, I finally accepted the fact that failing ONE exam isn't the end of the world and actually, I finally acknowledge the fact that I'm extremely lucky to have a second chance to put things right. I've identified my mistakes and now it's all about moving on. So in response, I've created much of a wall.

Firstly, 100% credit goes to Amy who suggested this tactic to me! It's honestly helped so much and I can't express my gratitude enough. Just thank you. Thank you thank you thank you!

Also, this may work for some of you, but try to always think about results day. Think about how joyous you would be when you see your dream grades written on, what arguably is a very important sheet. This has motivated me so so much and it's made me pretty determined to get the grades I need/want. There's only one thing left though, hard work!

Rather than this being expression in August:

I want it to be like this:

   
Hopefully, positivity will prevail over the coming months!

The A* Grade Challenge Update: September

First months over…ALREADY!

If I was to summarise the state of my endeavour to discover the slippery terrains of the ‘A* grade challenge’ during September, it would have to be the one and only CLUELESS. Yep that word precisely. And here’s why.

I had a ridiculously long reading list to complete over the summer holidays and this is probably a BIG first *cue drum-roll*…I didn’t do it. Not one book, play or poem did I read. But it doesn’t matter though, and as you read on you’ll find out why.

OK- let’s focus on the positive things first.

To keep myself on track, I decided to stick all these fancy colourful posters up near the study area in my bedroom. The great thing with these is that when I become bored or I just cannot be asked to do any work, I can just stare that them rather than counting the amount of dots there are on the ceiling.

Also, I doubt this should be classified as a positive, but I missed three university open days this month due to travel issues and being ill (YES, my immune system crashed AGAIN!). I was planning to visit Oxbridge and KCL- but nicely enough, Newnham College, Cambridge sent me their prospectus through the post which I though was incredibly sweet of them actually. Entirely unexpected, but I can arrange an independent visit sometime during the year.

Now- the much dreaded negatives.

Firstly, it’s worth mentioning the fact that I absolutely DESPISE disorganisation. I cannot stand anything that isn’t organised properly- and over here, I am ranting about my lesson timetable (so please excuse the capital letters, I’m practically shouting).

Rather than using slang jargon to describe the disgusting state of it- it’s diabolical. I haven’t got enough lessons for THREE of my subjects, one of which I STILL haven’t got a teacher for (good ol’ History) and one where I have to start all over again- and that’s English. Doing the EPQ didn’t work out so I’m back with Biology since I did pass last year and RS is the ONLY subject I can see myself passing in.

Firstly, History. My schools sixth form is quite small, and since no one is interested in History (shockingly), it isn’t offered. This means that I have to teach myself and the AS is self-teachable. It’s heck of a lot harder than GCSE, but you can teach yourself. The A2 however, it’s tons more difficult and this time round, coursework is inserted into the lovely equation.  I don’t even know where to start. Unit 3 is going alright I suppose you can say. I’m studying the French Revolution and never before in my life did I think that the French could be so scandalous. Apart from executions using the guillotine and wealthy people avoiding tax- it’s incredibly entertaining and I’m just spurred on to find out more about the controversies that surround this period of French and early modern European history. If anything, this is the subject that I want to get an A* in the MOST since I’m planning to study it at university. But also, I have an incredible amount of passion for history; some people may find it strange and boring but I find it incredibly fascinating. But not having a teacher IS KILLING ME.

Now, English. I’m going to try to condense this tragic soliloquy because you’ll just be bored as hell by the end of it.

Ok, I didn’t do well at AS. I had (and I’m trying to think of the nicest way to say it) a useless teacher quite frankly. Once again, I had to self-teach. Although English is far easier than History, you NEED a teacher. You need someone to guide you along, particularly the essay technique. Anyway, after much hard work from my part, and zero from the teacher- I got a D. I did really well in the coursework- but FAILED the exam. Obviously, this was extremely gutting. I was just so so so devastated, and still am, but not as much. So we got a new teacher, and said that we have to do a new spec now FROM SCRATCH. In other words, do both AS and A2 in a year. I did AQA Lit A last year, and now I have to do Lit B.

So here’s my question for you English?

This isn’t my concern- I’m literally going to die in the end but it has to be done. The worst thing is the fact that I have ONLY 2 lessons of English a week?! Seriously. I’m not even kidding. You’re probably thinking OMG what the hell is going on, or even worse maybe. There’s more to this story but I really don’t want to go through it now, I’m just way too frustrated to even care. Watching Made In Chelsea isn’t making me feel better either. To all Lit B students out there, I may need your help if you don’t mind of course.

After all this, getting A*s in all my subjects seems impossible.As mentioned before on this blog, I’m taking a gap year. Having said that, three of the universities that I want to submit an application to require me to get A*AA. Quite possibly, the American dream.

But then again, this is just the start. After all, you can’t have a rainbow without a little bit of rain.

 

x

The A* Grade Challenge

Results day has come and gone. Doomsday of this year is now history.

So what did you get I hear you say? Well, allow me to provide some background information.

Since the first day of sixth form, my primary aim was to achieve AAAA. I took History, Biology, English Lit and Religious Studies. I did great at GCSE, and I was pretty determined to replicate that success in my AS year – well I was partially successful let’s say. During Easter, realism started to dawn on me so I lowered my expectations to AAAB, the B being in Biology. No matter how hard I worked, getting an A in Biology was seriously delusional; it’s like asking God to give you wings?! To sum up in a word; impossible. Literally. There was absolutely NO WAY in the world I would get an A in Biology; zero, zilch, nada, nil. So what did I get?

• Religious Studies – A
• History – A
• Biology – B
• English – for the love of literature, I’ll let you imagine what I got.

With the first three subjects, I WAS GOD-DAMN DELIGHTED. I literally leapt for joy when I saw them. Woohoo! And then I saw English…well ya’. Imagine my facial expression when I saw my English grade. Now there could be two possible problems: either a marking error or I got the exam technique wrong, now trust me, getting the exam technique wrong is a fatal MISTAKE. Either ways, my coursework mark brought my grade up surprisingly. I didn’t react stupidly. If I didn’t get an A in History, I would have went to the Home Office, get my death certificate issued and bury myself alive in a cemetery (obviously, where else?). Ahh the irony is so evident.

So what’s my plan for Year 13?

I’m embarking on the A* grade challenge! This is a project started by a fellow blogger Sanam (check out her UH-MAZE-ING blog at thechiclifestyle.com) so I thought I'd join along side her- after all doing things as a pair or a group will guarantee that you don't run out of fuel). For my A2 year, I’ve dropped Biology and in its place I’m going to take the EPQ (never mind the calculator opposite by the way- I don't study maths). So now I’m setting my sights on achieving an A* in all my other subjects and apply to my dream university (yes Oxford, I’m talking about you!). I've always dream't about going to Oxford- a childhood dream if I'm honest. Oxbridge is in the dream of every idealist, wanting to reach the academic heights of their discipline. Looking at the architecture just makes your heart melt. Simply stunning. *continues to daydream*.

New College, Oxford.

Seriously. I’m more than determined to achieve them. There is nothing more I hate than getting an average grade at something I know I can do amazingly well at.

So since my hard work paid off last year, I plan on working just as hard. Although having said this, I’m going to have to work extra harder. A2 level content is a lot tougher than AS so practising the exam technique is going to be unavoidable- DO YOU HEAR ME FUTURE RAHMA? No such thing as “I’m going to write this essay tomorrow cos I’m too tired now.” If you catch me doing this, you are entitled to giving me a cyber-slap. I deserve it.

Yes. And alongside study, I will be taking part in the Young Reporters Scheme. It’s a competition aimed at young people who are considering a career in journalism. It lasts 8 months long and I will be writing an article every month. Also, after my exams are completed, I will take part in the Julia Wood prize, a history essay writing competition for sixth formers at Oxford University. I plan to apply to university post A-Level, so after I have my full A-Level grades.

This will be a monthly update to let you all know how I’m getting along; what has worked and failed, some tips and the miracles that have occurred along the way.

So, are you willing to take part in the A* grade challenge?