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By Lana It is easy to define your self-worth through academic validation. With good grades, you feel as if you are worthy of what you contribute to your surroundings. While chasing for academic validation develops qualities such as determination and pride, it can also cause anxiety and make you feel drained. With this combination, it is difficult to get out of a rut when you are in a new learning environment. Thus, developing a growth mindset can help tackle these issues.
A growth mindset is a mindset that focuses on practicing and refining what you have learned. It requires patience as your past experiences and failures will let you reflect on what you need to work on in the future in order to succeed. Developing a growth mindset may be incredibly difficult if someone, such as myself, is a perfectionist that is sensitive to failure. Yet, it also makes you realize that the idea of “intelligence” can grow with time and practice. Here are some examples of having a growth mindset:
I believe that my one weakness in school was not having a growth mindset. Ever since I was a young student, I believed that my life was going well as long as I was successful. While this led me to want academic validation, it also caused me to antagonize school because I felt as if I was under pressure to have good grades regardless of my mental wellbeing. This was a toxic cycle, and it did not prepare me to learn that failure is a natural part of the process. I recently took a “weed-out” course, which is meant to fail students that are considered not as qualified in the subject. The course completely debunked my hopes of academic validation. My study habits did not benefit my scores, and I failed most of my exams due to intense anxiety. While I did not get the grade that I wanted, my experience in the class allowed me to develop a growth mindset. I reflected upon my experience by thinking about what I did wrong, what were my strengths in the class, and how I could refine my study skills in order to boost my performance. While I am more optimistic in my skills and what I have learned, I wanted to collect my thoughts on how you can have a growth mindset.
I hope that these tips help you! It definitely takes time to develop a growth mindset, as I am also working on it myself. However, I’m sure that everything will work out in the end with dedication and perseverance!
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By NJ “You need to put in more hours if you want grades!”
“How dare you watch so much youtube?” “You are far too invested in other things.” “Your school is starting no more Disney plus.” “Your OCD will ruin your grades.” Grades, School, Grades, School, Grades, School, Grades and even more school. Honestly… I hate it. I really do. I would love to say my notes look like the ones from the studygram community, but mine don’t - mine usually look like I was writing notes and then fell asleep. The fact is- I am a ‘bad student’. But what is a bad student? Is it bad Grades? In my opinion- no. I think consistency is what defines a student. Do you study daily? Do you do your homework on time? Do you get grades consistently? These more often than not define how “good” of a student you are. Now, I will admit, personally I don’t think there is anything called a good student. Everyone is different and to say that you can assess someone’s intelligence by a bunch of numbers on a paper is idiotic. But unfortunately, we all have to navigate the traditional educational system. In less than ten months my 12 year long academic journey will come to a close, and while I may not have been the brightest, I have learned some things that I would like to share, because honestly, it hasn’t fully set in for me just how much I have changed in the last 12 years. I went from the girl who cried everyday morning and ran after her mom in first grade to who I am now. I won’t say I am better now, but the changes have been profound and it’s a bittersweet feeling knowing that it's all coming to a close. As each university application opens it's a reminder of just how much time has passed. So, on to my “advices” Be consistent - When it comes to homework and classes, the saying ‘better late than never’ just doesn’t apply. So staying on top of your work starts from being consistent. Have some homework? Do it today. Essay is due in 5 days? Split your work into 5 and finish them up. Something that I think people don’t admit enough is that school is all about getting things done. Studying is VERY important, don’t get me wrong, but in the end if you don’t have the work to prove it, it's all unfortunately pointless. Pay attention in class - This might seem obvious to some, but it's honestly surprising just how much information your brain is capable of storing when you just listen in class. Listen to lectures, record them if your teacher’s have no issues with it (this applies mostly to students in undergraduate degrees but if your high school teacher has no issues then why not?) and replay it. Now, with the pandemic, it's easier than ever for you to record your sessions (If your classes are on teams and your teacher is recording, then your should automatically have a copy of it available to you for downloading) Keep your own detailed personal notes - Is this extra work? Yeah, it is. But I swear to god it took twelve me years to finally find out just how useful writing your material is. Trust me, it will help you. I usually read through the notes my teacher uploads for us and our textbook and combine it to form my own notes, and oh my god it's so useful. For twelve years I have resisted doing this and I feel so dumb. Make use of google tasks - Honestly fairly self explanatory. It's a great tool that is both free and available to anyone with a google account. It's also connected to your google calendar so it will even remind you of it in case you forget. Another great tool is an app called minimalist. It's simple and has a clean interface that comes with timers and a pomodoro timer incase you enjoy that method (with customizable time limits) I found this app through a youtuber and I’ll link a few of my favorite study/notetaking based youtubers at the end of the article. (none of the links given or apps mentioned are sponsored. I just really enjoy using them!) Don’t do what people say works. Do what works for you. - This is maybe counterproductive to the whole point of this article, but it's so important. Just because pomodoro works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you, and it's not your or their fault. The fact is all our brains work in different ways and that is perfectly fine. Personally, pomodoro doesn’t work for me because I am easily distracted and would simply end up studying for 25 minutes and then goofing off for 5 hours. Here is a video that I think is really important - my least favorite study methods + why. Don’t focus on the aesthetic. Focus on the content you are actually learning - I think that over the years, having aesthetic notes and these very specific and pretty expensive art supplies have been given far too much importance. But nothing is further from the truth. I was inspired by a youtuber studyquill to include this point because it's honestly so true. Focus on what you are actually learning versus what it looks like. Here is the video that inspired me - are these studytube trends overhyped? 🍵 my hot takes on ipad pros, kankens, mildliners + more While she mentions some things she does like, you absolutely do not need any of these things to be productive. So that's it to be honest. Just remember to work hard but also take care of yourself. In case you are interested, here are a few studytubers to check out when you are on a break. Studyquill - studyquill - YouTube Studytee - studytee - YouTube Another quick reminder that while yes, these studytubers are really aesthetic, it doesn’t mean you absolutely have to be as well. You don’t need these supplies or a stunning handwriting (I don’t have one) to be productive but they are fun to watch though ! At the end of the day, be sincere, honest and a good person and focus on your studies but don’t sell your mental or physical well being for it. (but don’t hide behind those excuses though, you still gotta work hard.) By Charlotte Like most people, I have always struggled with studying. I despise sitting down for hours on end doing work which at times does not interest me. However, after doing some research and listening to guest speakers at my school, I was able to figure out which methods for studying will work best for me, especially during exam season. Today, I am sharing them with you.
Personally, I believe there are three key steps in effective studying: Revising, memorising, and testing. It is crucial for you to revise every bit of information you’re required to know, determine a method that helps you to retain said information, and apply this information in conditions similar to that of the test environment to prove your knowledge. Moreover, it is important to remember that each of us learn through the use of different methods, as we all have different brains. You must explore different methods of studying to figure out which work best for you. I follow a few key steps when studying, which rarely change, especially when the purpose is memorisation of the content.
You are not limited to the methods that work for me. Some additional well-known effective study methods include:
I have never been someone who truly found studying fun, but those are some ways that make it somewhat more bearable for me. A final tip is when facing a long day of studying, start with your favourite subject to ease you in before digging into those more mind-numbing subjects. Remember to find what works best for YOU! Stay strong, and always feel free to reach out if you are in need of additional resources. Some links mentioned in the article: Quizlet : https://quizlet.com/latest Cornell note-taking guide: https://medium.goodnotes.com/study-with-ease-the-best-way-to-take-notes-2749a3e8297b Officeworks goodies that motivate me: Pastel Highlighters: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/j-burrows-highlighters-chisel-pastel-6-pack-jbhy2546pl Fun flash cards: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/studymate-study-cards-pastel-pink-50-sheets-sm5x3pppk What I use for my ‘exam book’: https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/studymate-a4-70gsm-8mm-ruled-pp-cover-binder-book-96-pg-clear-smbbpp96c By Chloë Most musicians despise music theory with a passion unmatched to anything else. It lasts two hours, it’s boring and dull and feels like a waste of time. However, if you want to progress and do the higher grades in your instrument(s), it’s a necessity for most major exam boards.
I took this compulsory exam around a year ago and, weirdly enough, I really, really enjoyed it. So much so that I’m currently working towards doing Grade 6 Music Theory, with the aim to continue upwards, and I’ve even stopped the practical side of music altogether. There’s something about the pure logic and the mathematical structure which I love, especially since I’m not doing maths at A Level; it’s nice to continue facing those types of questions. Thankfully, I passed the exam with a Merit, which is why I want to take the time to explain how I revised for this exam.
There’s also a few things that you need to note for when you are actually in the exam which I want to briefly touch upon:
These are all my tips for now and I really hope they helped. I understand that Grade 5 Music Theory can seem like a chore and a hassle (as well as confusing and intimidating), but soon it will be over and, you never know, you might even end up enjoying it! By Finlay During the Summer, after finishing school for good, many people express their concerns and anxieties when it comes to receiving results which will allow you to leap to the next step of your life. Am I going to get into the college I want to go to? Is my future going to be impacted if I mess up an exam? Are people going to ask me the grades I got? These are all questions I worked myself up about after leaving school. Even now, August 12th, the date of my results, is continuously in the back of my mind as something to feel uneasy and nervous about.
For me, if I ever tried to speak to anybody about my worries for oncoming Results Day I would get told things like “Exams aren’t the be-all and end-all, Fin” or “You have nothing to worry about Fin, you’re a smart lad”. This really annoyed me, especially considering my education was severely influenced by Covid and we had missed out on weeks at a time of learning due to having to self-isolate. My school barely supported me and constantly left our year in the dark when it came to mock exams, waiting for weeks at a time to notify us about upcoming exams and almost purposely making us even more stressed and concerned about the grades we would receive in the Summer. Recently, doing things I enjoy have slightly relieved my worries and concerns despite them still faintly being there in the back of my head; personally, these are things like:
Even talking to family has helped, because realistically, as my family have explained, you can’t change the past; as long as you’ve done your best then you’ve got nothing to worry about. Another problem which people usually have is when it comes to people asking questions about your grades. This is because it can be seen as invasive, rude and intimidating. Not only that, but a usual problem of mine when I was at school was the issue of having to hear other people’s grades and see them plastered all over social media. This was because I would constantly compare myself to others after receiving individual exam results back when I was still at school and making myself feel bad and almost as if I have to do as well as other people around me. This was particularly the case in my science class as everyone in there with the exception of me were fairly good at maths and could handle the big equations whereas I couldn’t. However, the biggest thing I look back on now is that science just isn’t for me and I don’t need it to get to the next step in my school life. If you are as concerned about your results as me two months ago and are attending college next year, you can always visit the college website or email them to ask about the support available to people who don’t get the grades they want or need. More often than not, colleges have plans in place for students to resit exams and achieve better results than the ones they receive in August. Thank you so much for reading this article and I hope your results are what you want them to be. Always remember that there are alternative options available too like the ones I have mentioned. Good luck! By Sophie Are you changing schools this year and do you feel like you’re leaving your old comfortable school life behind? Then this article is for you!
You can be either in a new school because your parent(s) moved to another city or you changed schools in the same city just for it to better fit your needs and ambitions. In both cases, it can be stressful to enter a new environment. There are two scenarios that usually happen to students who change schools. #1: Remember Bella Swan when she arrived in Forks and got all the unnecessary attention from people? You’re already new, you barely know the school grounds and now all of a sudden, people start asking you all sorts of questions. This isn’t necessarily from a bad intention, people might just be curious and it’s natural; but for shy and introverted people, this can feel overwhelming. #2: People barely notice you, don’t know your name and you just sit in the back row just to be sure people won’t see you. Neither of these scenarios will last forever though as more and more people will start noticing you - or on the contrary, some people might just lose interest in you. During my childhood, I travelled a lot and was a new student more than a handful of times. I never really got used to it, especially as a shy person, and had mixed feelings for the first day of school: I was excited because I loved to learn but at the same time, I dreaded having to make new friends. When I arrived at school, I always felt like people were already friends for ages (which was the case) and they wouldn’t want to let a newbie in their group. I hated recess as this was the time where I was alone and people saw that I would just stand or sit on a bench by myself. However, one day, I took a sketch book to school and during recess, I started drawing. Several other kids were interested and came to look at what I was doing. They stayed for a couple of minutes and then went off to continue playing. I felt kind of sad but I didn’t feel lonely because I had something to do and recess time passed a lot faster. Some other times, I would bring a book and teachers would ask me what I’m reading. When I was in 8th grade, I decided to take some theater lessons and this helped me a lot with my shyness. I wasn’t afraid to go up to people and just ask how they were and what they were doing. Whether you’re an extravert or an introvert, here are some tips on being new at school:
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken” – Oscar Wilde As much as it is stressful to be new at school, remember that the students around you were at least in the same boat once. You should never feel obligated to change yourself to feel accepted because you’re an amazing person and you’ll find people out there who appreciate you, your style and your sense of humour just the way it is. And if you’re reading this and you’re not new at school, please go to the new students and ask how they are and what their hobbies are whilst still giving them space; I’m sure they’ll appreciate someone coming up to them. Good luck with this new year and if you need someone to talk to, feel free to send me a message! By Piper College Enrolment Day. What exactly is that? Well, I’d summarise it as a free trial of a typical day at college. You may get to experience a class, meet your teachers, and make friends! At least you usually would before COVID took a toll on our lives as well as our education.
I had my Enrolment day a few weeks ago, yet I still find myself thinking about it more than I care to admit. I often question whether I asked the right questions or made a good impression. Even if I didn’t I can say I’m enjoying college and the utter chaos that sometimes comes with each lesson. However, it is still always a great idea to prepare some questions beforehand. Something always worth asking about is the content of the subjects you’re considering. This will help you gain a better and more positive understanding of exactly what you’re getting yourself into and allows you to prepare for upcoming classes. For example, by asking about the contents of my Film Studies course during my enrolment day, I found out that my course includes many things from learning how certain angles affect the viewer to how sound can define a scene, both of which I’m incredibly excited to learn about! This applies to every subject that you choose, and it would be helpful to get to know them as you may be stuck with them for the next two years of your life, similar to how I find myself feeling with my siblings (just kidding). However, lucky for us, we often get a chance to swap subjects within the first month of school, so you might be able to escape if you find yourself deeply regretting the subject choices you made. However, even if you despise them at first, make sure you at least give them a thorough chance and allow yourself some time to form an opinion. Another question you can bring up is whether your college offers work experience! I have been bombarding teachers and career advisors within my school with inquiries about specific job sectors and whether or not there are work opportunities within those sectors. So far no luck, but that doesn’t mean I should give up! Finding this work experience can build up your CV, and help you look impressive during job interviews. College is the perfect time to find a way to balance your classwork as well as finding jobs. If you have study periods, use them and use them wisely. College enrolment days can be overwhelming at first, but it’s okay to feel nervous. Believe it or not, the majority of people think it’s rather nerve-wracking at first thought. I know I did! Every student will be in the same boat as you and you may have heard that phrase far too many times now, but it’s true! Good luck and make sure you ask plenty of questions! By Andreaa There are those times that you wonder about the world that exists behind the mirror. Like "Oh no! What is just behind that mirror that seems so alike to the world out here? And, how is it that the only difference is just lateral inversion which gives the opposite of everything?" Wooohooo! Now, that's the point… Lateral inversion! The other side of the mirror gives us hope that we can do the same things differently and still do them well. It gives us the courage to believe that a lot of things can be changed and still satisfy the needed necessities. But wait! What do we need to do differently? That's the most important question, to be honest. But, sit down, relax and let me take you to the most important thing that needs just an opposite change to do the same thing. At times, I get this thought and wonder about who taught the world to always start with cups when washing dishes. Can't we just start with pans before the cups? The same applies when we refer to how the education systems have been treating us. We are conditioned to believe that we should begin with learning alphabets before logarithm. But, how about teaching both logarithm and alphabets at the same time? I know this sounds weird but it's not actually in such a way that we can bring change. What I am trying to say is that the existing theories don't really have to be the same theories that can be existing for the next millions of years.
Now, let me narrow it down to the old memories of experience in the education systems that I have been in. Let’s begin with the homeworks, are they really vital enough to be given out every single day to the extent students don't get enough time to actually follow their passion? Does homework help out students pass their examination or just another method to keep students busy for nothing they are passionate about? I remember having 20 questions from three compulsory subjects plus 30 more questions from "each" seven supplementary subjects per day. Just to be precise, they were all compulsory subjects according to teachers and all had to be submitted on the same day. Is this the "exam-helping" technique we use or just a new "stress-addition" tool? How about the old days when our grandparents only gave us a proverb after a story? This was much more of a relief and actually better homework for kids. It was actually a proverb that could perhaps be practical for a whole lifetime and not theory-based or some highly packed pamphlet of non-practical toxic substances. The other side of the mirror right? Mmmh not yet! But also, we call this the technological era right? Yes! It's the application of robots, AI systems, automation and simplification of things just through STEM. But wait! What are books still doing in libraries? Wasn't I expecting something like a library full of tablets and smartphones as eBooks? Sounds ridiculous eeh? Then why do teachers still use chalks in classes? It's just non-relevant to use chalks in the technological era and far beyond insane to use papers when smartphones are occupying the planet. Securing the data might be an awesome problem but still it's an interesting fact which demands more thinking. But wait! How about interfacing AI systems to be used to secure data and test the accuracy of any information posted on the cloud? This would allow information to be accurate, true and relevant to the audience. See! This is the other side of the mirror… Moreover, I remember getting into a Mathematics class and to my amazement, the first thing I got was a 30 questions-long Mathematics test on topics I have less knowledge about. Wasn't I expecting something like a Rubik's cube on the first entry? Or maybe, why not something like Chess to boost my mind before the session starts? It's sometimes unfair to teach a bored mind mathematics even when the topic is interesting. It's just fairly similar to the principle of influencing a vampire to drink blood when you have not given out blood to attract it. Cut your blood vessel, attract it and let it drink blood if that's your goal! Case closed! It's just the same way that students have to be prepared before a lesson through mind games, stories or any other relevant method depending on the subject. We should not just make lessons stress-increasing through early morning tests but rather mind games would do! All of my life, I mean all my 15 years of life, I have always been passionate about becoming a doctor. Here comes the question, is history necessary for my higher studies when I know its basics already? And how relevant is chemistry to a student passionate about being a soldier? It's sometimes irrelevant to be teaching irrelevant subjects to irrelevant students in irrelevant circumstances. And yes! With irrelevant methods! I remember one of my friends asking a very common question that most students have always asked "Sir, how will I apply logarithm in my life?" And all he got was a solid straight answer "Pass your examinations and you will thank me!" Ha ha is this a proverb or something? Or is it just a better way to rephrase the statement "You study for examinations only"? Or probably, it's a new way to keep students focused for something irrelevant for their dreams. Wait wait wait! Have you ever met a musician who studied law? Or a teacher who pursued awesome clinical courses? How about an entrepreneur who shifted from tourism to engineering courses without realizing what happened next? This is creatively funny for real… It's now evident that probably the education systems sometimes lead us into a drastic confusion while patronizing itself as the key to success. But, how about letting students choose what they are passionate about? Like giving students unlimited alternatives of what they want to study due to their passions from early childhood. At least this would do and would make them at least be happy with what they learn. It will allow them to follow their passion and interests rather than locking them in a cage of theories. See! This is the other side of the mirror… I remember when I was young, I used to look at the mirror and speak to it like " Hey… I am raising my left hand not my right!" But, I was surprised when the image on the mirror was also telling me the same. I was stupid enough not to realize that some things in the mirror were still the same but in a different direction. And hopefully, who knows, maybe there are things that will always be the same unless we break the mirror. Or perhaps teleport to get inside the mirror and change it. If all that is impossible, then Doctor Strange, the man who controls the mirror dimension, might be the right person for the job. To be precise, we can not change the system if we do not change the fixed mindset that exists among many people. The world needs to have a growth mindset that will apply any single method just to make sure that positive changes will be made in the education system. And if destroying the existing system is the only option then the world has to employ all the necessary steps to destroy it. Ooops! Where was the last conversation at? Yes! "Where was the last conversation at?" Isn't this the common statement that most students think of at the end of every class session? It sounds insane but the reality lies in the fact that every 6 out of 10 students really don't understand everything they learnt in class. These students only recall a few things and end up asking themselves "Where was the last conversation at?" It's fairly just true that probably the session was not in their interests, they were not attentive or they are just locked up in a cage full of dilemmas and confusions. Case closed! But, how about giving regular breaks in the curriculum and letting students have more time to rest? Finland has the best education system where students even outsmart other students from other systems but what's the magic method? Students start lessons at 9 a.m. and the system emphasizes collaboration rather than competition. Then why not give more time for students to follow their passion and remove exams which tend to create competition among students? See! This is the other side of the mirror… So, this is what I have learnt over the past few years. It begins early in the morning where I wake up at school, take a bath, go for a prep, take breakfast, go for my classes, then lunch, then dinner, then the day ends with a click on the switch by our boarding patron. Oops! Probably the first thought you had is that I was doing all this on my own but the reality still remains in the fact that a lot of students are just fully coordinated to go through that cycle everyday with supervision from a custodian. Are we dumb enough to be told and reminded everything we have to do? Something more funny is that, to make the routine interesting a couple of changes are done rarely in the cycle. Ooh no! Why not be like Japan where students have no custodians and are taught to live in a world where they do every task on their own? Why not reinforcing ethics over knowledge and letting students live a life that they will be proud of to lead themselves? This is perhaps the magic trick behind the hardworking spirit that most Japanese have. Sounds ridiculous right? But, it's just a fair truth to be tolerated that we want freedom. Can't we just have it? It will allow us to learn life skills and apply them in our real life. See! This is the other side of the mirror… We do spend more time on the mirror when we want to look more attractive to the community. The same applies when we want to make changes. It might demand us time if we want to make a stronger education system that will exist for the future generation. But, using less time might just make us have a weak system with more challenges than the ones we face now. Students, let's be patient! Teachers, let's be optimistic! The world, what shall I say? Let's just see the other side of the mirror! I rest my case! By Sophie Did you graduate from high school and don’t know what program you want to study at university? Are you hesitating between a couple of programs? Or have you started university but then realized that the program you’ve chosen isn’t right for you? If this is the case, then you’re in the right place. I’ll give you some tips on how to choose a program that will correspond to your interests.
Going to university is a big step in someone’s life: everything is new, the classes are usually bigger and the workload too. In addition to all these sudden changes, you also have to choose a program which you’ll be studying for at least three years – and yes, three years do go by fast but it’s important to like and be genuinely interested in what you’re studying. Below, I’ll give you several tips that I’m hoping will help you handle the stressful situation of choosing your university path:
People you should contact:
However, I have to be realistic and say that it isn’t likely you’ll find a program in which you’ll find all the courses interesting. Of course, there will be some dull courses (hopefully, not too many of them) that are compulsory, but you’ll just have to power through them. The most important thing is for you to enjoy the program overall! Now let me tell you a little story about myself. I studied online during my Bachelor’s degree; however, I didn’t feel lonely as I had multiple extra-curricular activities. During my whole BA degree, I had 6 modules which I generally liked. However, when choosing them, I discussed the options with my parents and they preferred for me to choose a more ‘secure’ path - a path that will help me find a job more easily. I do regret this though. I’m not blaming my parents as they wanted the best for me but I do wish I stood my ground and chose modules I really enjoyed instead of ‘generally liking’ them. For instance, I wanted to take creative writing but didn’t… However, even if you don’t take a course during your Bachelor’s degree or during your studies that you deeply like, it doesn’t mean that you’ll never study it. I promise that one day it’ll come around. For instance, after finishing my BA, I took two journalism courses during lockdown and I found them fascinating! They were practical: I got the opportunity to conduct online interviews and I wrote articles that made me feel free and although newspaper articles have to be balanced, I wrote them in my tone, with my voice. I also applied to two universities to do a Master’s degree as I love the process of learning and working. Yet, I applied for an MA in Politics even though I’m not even interested in that subject and an MA in business management. I got accepted for both programs but I declined the offers. Politics just isn’t my cup of tea and although I enjoy business, management wasn’t the right fit for me. It took me some time to find what I’m genuinely interested in and even though today, I’m studying media and I’m enjoying most courses, I’m not 100% sure if that’s what I want to do all my life. All this to say that no matter what path you take, the most important thing is that it pleases you and only you because you’ll be the one sitting in class and listening to the lectures. But don’t worry, it is never too late to change university or even career paths. Most importantly, remember that whether you choose to study at university or not, this is not what will determine your success in life. If you’re keen to learn, motivated, and want to explore, then that’s what counts the most. “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think” – Albert Einstein Good luck if you’re currently struggling to find a university program, I really hope this article has helped you in a way. I’m sure you’ll find something that will make your eyes sparkle with interest! By Ve A-levels, if anyone is not familiar with it, is a British standard qualification required for university. Many, including myself, may not have been prepared for the jump towards this rigorous education system. To give a little background, when I first started out, I was pretty carefree about the whole process. I was the “naturally gifted” child who received stellar grades all throughout my school career; A-levels wouldn’t be any different, right?
Wrong. Being naturally gifted wasn’t enough and it got overwhelming pretty fast. The increased workload and content overload was bad enough, but combined with my rapidly declining mental health, my academic performance was severely affected. From being a straight-A student to failing my mock tests, it was a serious blow to my self esteem. At that moment, I nearly accepted my fate and wholeheartedly believed that this was the end of my education. Now that a year has passed, I can see the exaggeration, but I can also see where I went wrong. For my final A-level exams, I was somehow able to pull myself together literally during the last month. I knew I didn’t have much time, so I only focused on preparing for 3 out of 4 subjects and retook the last subject 2 months later. Ultimately, I didn’t get the stellar A stars I not-so-secretly wished for. On the other hand, the B’s I got seem pretty darn good for someone on the verge of failing, and for that, I'm proud of myself. A few pieces of advice I would give to whoever is reading this, as well as my younger self:
Asking for help, being well rested, and setting up good study habits are some of the major factors that helped me out. Not only are these essential for high school, but they can help you out later in life as well. School is tough- there’s no sugar-coating it, but the way you choose to handle it can make it easier. Hopefully your experience was better than mine! Remember, a bad grade isn’t the end of the world. You’re going to be alright! Power through and learn from the past. By Katherine After twelve grades of school, many find themselves applying to colleges with hopes of pursuing a higher education. But college is a big step. Some move out of state or even out of the country and even those who remain in state find themselves in a completely different environment from what they are used to.
So how do you prepare for living on campus where you are around so many people? How do you deal with having more control over your education? While this is an exciting time, it can also be quite intimidating and stressful. College offers significantly more freedom and opportunities than high school and gives students the opportunity to pursue a specific area of study that interests them. College campuses are also much larger than high school buildings, with more people, places, and things to do. Although college can seem intimidating with everything being so new, it’s a great opportunity to build lasting bonds and further your education. I found myself being extremely anxious before moving into a dorm. I barely knew anyone at the university and I was going to be around so many new people. After I moved in, I got to know the people in my hall. Everyone seemed to be in the same position as me: just wanting to make friends. The people who attend college want to be there and I was shocked to see just how different college students are from high school students. Within a few days of moving in I had already made a number of friends with some of the kindest people that I have ever met. It’s best to not hide away in your dorm after moving in, it can be difficult to make conversations with people but by giving someone a compliment or getting to know the people in your hall and/or those with the same major as you, you can create new friendships. It’s also important to get involved; by joining a club you can meet people who have similar interests as you. College is a time to step out of your shell and further discover who you are as an individual. With there being so many different types of people in college, it will be much easier to connect with people than in high school. As with any big change, college can be a stressful time as students try to navigate through campus, meet new people, and organize their schedules. College also offers students the opportunity to be the person they want to become and meet a larger variety of people. Study what interests you and if you’re not sure what interests you, you’re in the same boat as many others. College is a great time to try new things and further understand yourself as well as the people around you. By Madeline With covid shutting the world down for months, and school and work rapidly moving to online platform, coming out of lockdown and beginning to experience “normal” things again can be exciting. But at the same time, coming back to school and work full time in person after a global pandemic that affected all of us in different ways can stick you in a rut of little motivation and difficulty focusing. Especially since things are starting to open back up and go slightly back to normal at the end of the school year, the motivation to do well in school may not be there like it used to be.
Finding our way back to the ways things used to be may take awhile and we may never get back to fully being “normal” again, however, there are ways that you can help yourself get through the end of the school year and get some of that motivation back. As I am able to be in person at school more and more, I’ve found it harder and harder to focus on my classes and upcoming exams. After being online for so long, in-person classes feel like something out of a distant memory. I feel my focus slip much faster, it’s harder to get myself motivated to do work, and when I do work it takes longer. It doesn’t help that I’ll be graduating soon so it doesn’t feel like I need to work anymore. I’ve really had to work on different ways to keep myself studying throughout the end of the year to overcome that lack of motivation. I’ve by no means perfected how to regain motivation, but I have discovered certain things that have helped me keep working.
The pandemic and outside factors can drive you into a rut suddenly, leaving you unprepared. By taking each day as it comes and focusing on what you accomplish, some of your motivation may return bit by bit. Setting daily goals and a schedule for yourself will help push you to work as well, as the structure will set a time for everything. However, it is important to make sure you're taking the time for yourself that you need! If you need a break, take one to avoid overworking yourself. At the end of the day, you are more important than whatever work you may have. By Rae A part of independently developing your finances and skills - that many people hate, but most of us have to go through - is rejection from a job. For some, it may put them off from applying to other jobs, or, at the very least, cause them to become hesitant. It may be a confirmation of your insecurities and perhaps trigger some anxiety. But I want to talk about how such a common experience can encourage self-development.
Some jobs require a traditional interview that you carry through like a formal conversation. A trial day is like an interview, but instead of answering questions, you perform the job you would typically do if you were given the role. The interviewer then judges whether you will be a good fit for the job by reviewing your performance once your shift is over. I recently attended my very first trial day, but it, unfortunately, did not go as planned. Before the trial day, I was initially quite nervous that I would do something wrong. On the day, however, I started getting the hang of what I needed to do pretty soon after it was explained. And as this happened, it became enjoyable to feel like I was contributing to something. But seeing that welcoming glint in the interviewer’s eye at the beginning of the trial day, turn into a sort of sympathy by the end of the trial, stirred up a sense of dread. I ended up just below the target performance score, and so underperformed. I definitely was disappointed, not only because it wasn’t the first of its kind, but also because of financial constraints. And so, my main way of handling such a thing is dealing with it in silence. But I soon found that using the isolation for reflection, rather than waiting for the feeling to pass, was a better way to recuperate. As a perfectionist myself, job rejections make me feel like I’m not good enough. But I recently came across a brief video, that same day, that quite harshly brought me back down to reality. Shortly and more compassionately, the video said:
This seems quite obvious, but I find it difficult when I don’t accomplish the expectations that I have set for myself - no matter how unrealistic they are. It’s something I’m currently working on, and so the advice here is for you, as much as it is also for me:
I learned that overthinking affected my performance during the interview, and comparing myself to others during the trial day not only worsened my performance but also fuelled my overthinking. Overall my self-perception at the end of the day was reduced, even if I did enjoy my time there.
That was one of the ways I quickly recovered from the setback. Yes, it’s difficult after multiple interviews, but turning it into a learning experience builds you up for the next time. It’s very easy to become discouraged from any type of rejection, and it’s especially easy after many job refusals to associate that rejection with your self-worth. But that doesn’t mean you are incapable, perhaps it just means that you have more to learn about yourself, and about the role. You tried the best you could, with the knowledge you had. By En Managing time can be tricky. Whether you’re trying to do work, plan your life or even trying to meet deadlines, time will always continue to tick away. There’s no way to stop this, meaning it can be hard to work with, especially if you have a lot to do. So, what can be done to help with this?
Time management is different for everyone. What might take five minutes for one person may take an hour for another. Following a schedule set by others might be tricky and can cause a lot of stress, so you need to be in control of how you spend your time. There are no set rules to how you spend your time; if you want breakfast at 3am, who’s going to stop you? You’re in control. Trying to conform to the idea of normal can sometimes make managing time harder, so do what’s best for you. As someone who has time blindness, procrastinates and hates structure, time management shouldn’t be my strong point. However, with my job and my studies, I’ve had to learn how to get time on my side and manage it efficiently and smoothly. Something that took me ages to grasp was that it’s not going to be perfect. You can’t predict how long somethings going to take, and that’s the hardest thing I find about managing my time. I set unrealistic goals for myself and get frustrated when I don’t meet them, and that’s something I’m still working on. Even though I’ve been doing this for three years, it’s still hard. Getting time to work on your side can feel impossible, but here are some of my tips and tricks to make it work. Add twenty minutes If I have to predict how long something might take to do, chances are I’ll underestimate it by quite a bit. My typical rule is to add twenty minutes. As someone who creates schedules, this is something I keep close to myself, and has definitely helped in those situations. Even if you don’t use the twenty minutes, it allows time to run over if you need it. Know when you need structure I hate structure; I avoid it any time I can. When I force myself to work under a structure, I find I lose focus faster than I normally would and I get very irritable. I find I work better if I give myself a night to do two or three things and as long as I get it done that night, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. Last academic term, I put so much structure into my time which didn’t work- not only because I didn’t like it, but because time is unpredictable and I couldn’t control how everything went. Even though I put the structure and management in place, I was still working on my projects last minute. This term, even though I have a month until my deadlines, I’ll set myself a goal in the morning with absolutely no structure to doing them, and I’m almost done with all my work. I’m letting myself enjoy it rather than forcing myself to do it. Know that things will go wrong No matter how much time you allow, something will inevitably go wrong at some point. It’s a very frustrating fact of life. Try not to get annoyed with yourself for things that are beyond your control. That’s something I found hard to get around, and I still struggle with it, but things go wrong and that’s out of your control. I tried printing a script yesterday and what should’ve been a ten minute job turned into around an hour full of stress. Technology is unpredictable, and mixing that with using a brand new printer meant that it took longer than what I expected; but on the bright side I got it done and I learnt how (and how not) to use the printer. Alarms Alarms are my best friend. I’m very forgetful, unless I have constant reminders then I forget everything. To help with this, I set alarms. If I need to do something by a certain time, I’ll set an alarm three hours before the set time, then one at an hour and a half, then ten minutes before it’s due. I’ll set an alarm when I’m working to remind myself to take a break. It’s not so much a time management skill but it helps me keep on track. Learn from your experience I know how long it takes me to do things, so I keep that in mind when I’m planning to do something. It normally takes me about an hour to make a cake, so any time I want to make one, I’ll set aside about an hour and ten minutes. Specific, but it allows for time to run over if I need it while sticking to how long it takes me on average. I’ll try to remember how long things take me to do and when I have to plan it out, I’ll give myself just a little bit more time, just like the first point on here. Time can’t be controlled, but it can be managed. It’s different for everyone, but I hope I’ve helped a bit. It’s a case of trial and error, but eventually you’ll learn what works best for you. Time management takes time, but that’s what makes it fun. By Erica Dear Diary,
Today is day 404 of online learning. Once again, I woke up, brushed my teeth, ate breakfast, sat down at my desk for school, and that was basically what my whole day consisted of. Hanging out with friends, going to volleyball practices after school and making conversation with classmates in the hallways were all things that were gone as soon as online school started. All that was left was endless zoom meetings and breakout rooms. When I first started online school, I was excited to be able to do school from the comfort of my own room. However, the daily repetition of zoom classes caused me to lose my motivation for school very soon. I had stopped paying attention in class and even stopped going to classes at one point. Muting my microphone and turning off my camera were two things that soon became my go-to’s whenever I didn’t feel like doing school (which was almost every day). When the first tests of the quarter rolled around, I realized just how much I had been slacking off and how I knew almost nothing that was in my tests. Therefore, I decided that I needed to turn things around and start getting motivated and productive for online school. Now the school year is almost over and I have learned quite a lot about how to stay motivated even when I feel like I don’t want to do anything. One of the most helpful things I did was have a separate part of my house, my dad’s office, that I would use only for school. Since I would have to walk out of my room to do school this made me feel like I was physically going to school. Even though this is such a simple thing, it helped much more than I expected. I was also getting out of the room that I use for sleeping and watching Netflix, so I felt much more productive when I was doing school. Something else I did, even though it took many tries for me to do successfully, was leave my phone in another room. Usually, I would always be watching Netflix or scrolling on Instagram while I was in class and wouldn’t even notice that I was no longer paying attention. It was very hard for me to leave my phone and to be honest, I did give up and started using my phone during class many times. However, I got better and staying away from my phone, and with no Instagram or Netflix to pay attention to, I started paying attention in class instead. Another thing I did was set goals for myself that I wanted to work towards. For example, I would set the goal that I wanted to get an A for this test or assignment and I knew that paying attention in class was the only way I would be able to accomplish my goal. Personally, I am someone that is more motivated when I have a tangible goal to work towards, so this helped me a lot in getting myself to work harder even during online school. I would also set more simple goals like how I would like to be able to understand the topics of genetics by the next class. Having something that I have to work towards and especially when I have a time limit like “by next class”, really helped to increase my motivation. I have stuck to these three tips throughout my entire year and now that I have my finals coming up this week, I don’t feel as if I am unprepared. I did not magically start to become motivated overnight and this was something that I had to work hard towards every day. However, looking back on this academic year, I feel very proud of myself. Although I have spent the entire school year learning online, I was able to learn so many new things and grow both academically and as a person. By Syifa I’ve been working on my thesis for a year now and I was fine until these months. I feel so anxious because I am expected to graduate this year, and I saw a lot of my friends have already graduated. I live in the country when you have to live by peoples’ expectations. It's just somehow a culture.
While my friends successfully graduate, I am facing the lowest time of my thesis. That time was a very bad experience for me. I kept seeing social media and torturing myself by looking at my friends’ lives. I was a pretty ignorant person until those times. I cried every night and blamed myself for things I should have done. I pushed myself to do something useful for my thesis while my mind was just stuck and empty. Then one day, I remembered someone had told me that every person has their own path. Never mind age norms. There is nothing wrong if you graduate at 20 or 22 or married in your 40. You just have your own right time. To those who may be experiencing a similar situation for me, you can shut your social media off. Social media is an unhealthy place for our mental health and sense of security. You also need more intense support from your friends or family. Support matters a lot. That is all I could say. I’m still progressing on my thesis and still learning to regulate my emotions. By En If you want to go to university, odds are you’ll have to do an interview to get in. Waiting to get an interview can take ages, (the longest I waited was 2 months), but that’s just the beginning. I remember worrying about what to wear, what to say, and how to impress the interviewers. After five interviews, I started to get the hang of it. Here are the things I learnt and what I feel worked out for me. These can all be transferred to any other interviews, but I’ve put these into the context of university!
Interviews are stressful. I don’t think that they’ll ever change. But one thing I had to keep reminding myself was that I couldn’t change anything. I did my best and I couldn’t change anything that I did. I met some really nice people at interviews and (even with a very, very bad one), I wouldn’t change anything about them. If you have a bad interview, take it with a pinch of salt. It doesn’t define who you are or the start of your uni life. It doesn’t mean every interview you have is going to be bad after it. My bad interview was two days before my first choice, so that amped my nerves up. What I had to take away from that though was that I could keep the ball rolling and that my worth isn’t defined by anyone other than myself. The waiting after the interview is probably one of the most stressful parts. I had one interview where I got had a reply from the next day; , the other I waited five months. Of course, with the impact of COVID-19, the whole process was delayed for three of my interviews. Though I was lucky enough to have them all in person, the delay in other interviews and UCAS pausing replies didn’t help. Apparently my waiting period what I waited for isn’t too far away from that of normal circumstances what normally happens, but take my waiting time with a pinch of salt. If you’re worried that they might be taking too long, it’s always worth emailing or phoning just to check when you’ll get a response. Interviews will always be scary. No matter how much advice you get, it’s normal for them to be scary. Interviewers know this. Chances are they’ve been in your position before, so they’ll be sympathetic. I had two interviews where the interviewers were really empathetic about it it, because they’d all said they’d been in that chair before and they remembered how scary it was. We’re all human. That’s something to remember. I hope that this has helped and if you’re reading this to prepare for an interview, good luck!! You’ve got this! By Lana Do you believe that you are good at reading people? While I would consider myself as a perceptive person that allows me to carefully notice how people act, I also realize that I come to conclusions pretty easily. Whenever you set your mind to how you view a person, it is hard to change your perception of them. When a person does something that we might not approve of, why do we automatically assume their whole personality rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt?
I recently learned about a term called the “fundamental attribution error.” This term is used in social psychology, and it describes how we tend to judge a person’s actions by their characteristics, rather than their circumstances. For example, if you are driving on the road and see another person driving fast and dangerously, you automatically believe that they are reckless. However, we dismiss their circumstances - what if they were running late to their work/school, or they had an urgent emergency? We do not validate a person’s experiences as we do for ourselves. If we automatically critique a person’s characteristics for their wrongdoings, how do we know if we are truly good people-readers? While judging people may be a normal and instinctual human quality, the fundamental attribution error puts things into perspective when we socialize with people. I consider myself as a person who thinks the worst of a situation. When I would talk to a friend and they seemed particularly snarky, I would automatically assume that I did something wrong to make them mad. I don’t consider their circumstances, such as them having a bad day that led to their mood. Sometimes, misreading a situation impacts how I act to fit my own assumptions, which creates a continuous cycle of misinterpretation between me and another person. However, learning about the fundamental attribution error has led me to be more open to understanding people’s experiences. I don’t jump to conclusions as fast as I used to, which ultimately minimized my stress when I socialize with others. As I had learned a lot from this, here are some tips that I can provide to you that may help as well: Give others the benefit of the doubt While it is easy to judge someone based on your first impressions of them, how you feel determines your overall impression of them in the future. Becoming aware of the fundamental attribution error allows you to assess your thought process about someone. It certainly eases thoughts for those who are overthinkers, such as myself. Considerately communicate your pet peeves Pet peeves may be considered as qualities that are irritable for most of us. For instance, eating food very loudly is a common pet peeve. However, we must be considerate of the person’s circumstances if they seem to be doing something considerate as a pet peeve. If they are a loud eater, it may be a cultural norm that they are accustomed to - rather than being ill-mannered. To communicate your concerns to others, it is best to be open-minded by their response and to not be too quick to judge. Be aware of comparing yourself to others We know ourselves the best, so this allows us to rationalize our mistakes whenever we experience them. However, when we subconsciously compare ourselves to the mistakes of others, regardless of how big or small their mistake is, we automatically feel as if we are better. Thus, we should be aware that just because we don’t know another person’s circumstances, we should not judge them for their mistakes. The fundamental attribution error is pretty helpful in these cases! These tips have allowed me to be aware of others, and have eased my overthinking as well! Being aware of the fundamental attribution error definitely opened up my eyes, making me more considerate of my actions when I am socializing with others. I hope that these tips will benefit you as well! By Arya Learning to prepare for exams is one of the most difficult tasks for students. Students have to dedicate themselves to understanding the topics of the exam, which if not done well results in bad scores. Personally, it has taken me years to figure out how to properly and efficiently study for exams to see the results I want to see.
There are many ways to learn to prepare for an exam effectively, such as:
Personally, I never had to study before high school. During both elementary school and middle school, I was able to get away without studying for any exams — school came easy to me. However, that all changed when I began high school. The workload, the content and the exams were a whole other level than what I was used to. This was a bit of a slap in the face to me, as school was never something I worried about too much. I was taking AP (Advanced Placement) Biology, in my first year of high school. This was the first college-level class I had ever taken, and I didn’t realize how much work and effort I needed to put into the class. I very quickly realized that I needed to learn how to study, which is kind of ironic — the fact that I needed to learn how to study. Learning to study was a long journey. At first, I would just read over my notes, which was completely useless and did not help me learn at all. I realized that I needed to practice more and that I needed to take notes on the topics I was learning about. When I began to do this, I realized my exam scores began to rise. From there, I began to learn how to study — by watching videos, making a plan to start studying days before the exam, taking notes, and doing a lot of practice problems. Over my two and a half years of high school, I have finally learned how to study correctly! Over the years, I have researched many ways to study more effectively, but not all of them will work for everyone — find what works for you. For me, only certain things work like:
I would encourage everyone to try out different methods of studying to figure out what works best for you! Preparing for exams requires the skill of time management. You can fit in everything if you space out your time and get things done on schedule. Depending on the last day before the exam to prepare is not going to work, due to the practice, repetition, and time our brain needs to learn. The last day is solely meant for revision and going through the major topics once again. And the most important thing before an exam is to have a good night of sleep so that your mind is fresh and energetic on the day of the exam. By Ve Learning a foreign language is incredibly rewarding. Following the recent pandemic, many- including myself- have turned to studying a new language to pass time. It can be a daunting process however and requires a mix of good studying habits along with using high yield learning material.
Currently, I’m learning two languages- Korean and Tagalog. Although I do not have a set study schedule, it is highly recommended as consistency is key. Nevertheless, as I am fairly fluent in them, I tend to be more carefree but still try my best to incorporate these languages into my daily life. As mentioned earlier, learning a new language can seem intimidating, especially if you don’t know where to start. Fear not however- the solution is simply to start from scratch. Rather than diving straight into reading complex novels like I tried to do, start with treading the water and gradually building up your skills. Every language has a basic process that I like to split into 4 different parts:
Choosing the right resources to learn with is crucial. Moreover, depending on your preferred learning style, you might have to experiment to find what suits you best. Here are some of the most effective materials and methods that I’ve used:
We saw the basics of learning a new language and established that starting from scratch is the best way to build up fluency. In addition, we saw some effective study materials and methods that cater to different types of learners. With this in mind, why not learn a new language? Apart from personal satisfaction, the rewards are endless and opens doors to new opportunities. What language are you interested in and why? Let us know in the comments!
During my recent visit to my school, after experiencing that environment all over again, I was taken down memory lane. It made me feel quite ecstatic about how life was in school and how it has shaped itself now that I am in college. This journey, when I look back, has been quite surreal, and I could not have asked for more.
Since change is the only constant in our lives, transition is an inevitable part of it. Transition serves the role of a bridge, facilitating our move from one phase of our lives to another. It involves leaving behind all your past routines and starting a fresh journey ahead. As battles are fought and won on the battlefield, similarly in life as well, heights of success are achieved when we get out of our comfort zones and strive hard to achieve any task. Transitions are all about stepping out of your comfort zone, as moving into a new phase presents new conditions and challenges. Therefore, it's important to adapt to them and flourish despite these obstacles. The first phase of this transition is the school, which, being our second home for years and where one spends their childhood, naturally creates an emotional bond with it. Thus, bidding adieu to our school and moving on to join college can be quite overwhelming. This transition from school to college reminds me of how the seeds in the form of white puffs in a dandelion flower disperse into the air and get settled at distant places to start a new journey ahead. The journey of school can be visualised as a common road where everyone follows the same path. However, in its end, there are various bifurcations—different career options, each leading to a unique destination. School life can also be envisioned as a bird confined to a cage, and with the commencement of college life, the bird is set free from that cage where it has spent its life so far, enabling it to fly high into the horizons of the sky. Transition takes place as there is a change from one phase of life to another. The roots of this transition from the school to the college were laid back in grade 11, where we all chose our streams with the career choices in our minds. In this academic transition, the previous one smoothly gives way to the newer one to take control, which in turn helps us to flourish further in our lives. As the school has given its portion of requisites to a child, it has shaped them to a certain extent by laying the foundation of their career. However, the role of the college is that of icing on the cake, which is so crucial as it proves to be game-changing in the whole scene. While being in school, one generally lives in a very protective environment provided by the school as well as by their family members back at home. However, by being in college, one becomes all the more independent in his/her respective life. This independence brings with it a host of responsibilities. Earlier in school, the decision-making power rested with our parents; however, now the ball lies in our court to make certain major calls relating to our lives, which affect us substantially. The second phase in this transition is the college or university, which is a crucial factor in one’s scholastic journey, as the learning and the experiences gained during this very pivotal phase of our lives will ultimately govern and determine where we’ll land in our future. Another important aspect of college life is that it teaches us the fine art of professionalism. This indispensable skill polishes our intellect, conduct, and behaviour in a way that our way of dealing with things becomes all the more refined, requisite, and ideal for the required job. Moreover, the camaraderie that one develops along with their journey is surely a lifelong longing. Our peers often end up in similar professions, which makes it easier for us to stay in touch even longer. Leaving behind the rat race of marks that we’ve all been through, college life provides the perfect platform, offering us the opportunity to master the vital skills that are prerequisites for our profession. Putting in extra effort over and above this certainly gives us an edge over the others and boosts our careers to the next level. Personally, being able to directly experience the university before going to college has been a wholesome experience altogether. The added advantage of studying in a university is that one gets to experience certain things that colleges are generally devoid of. The education that we gain and combine with the experiences of life plays the role of a stonemason in our lives. All this brings the best out of us, provided our way of looking at things is optimistic but not pessimistic. A failure would teach us something that even success cannot. The obstacles in our lives at every step are a testament to our character and how we respond and bounce back in such critical times. Looking forward, this new journey looks promising, as the learnings in this short period have been quite a few. Being humble in our attitude yet having that glaring attitude to conquer anything when the demand of the circumstances is such, we march ahead with a lot to experience, learn, and cherish forever. By Justice B Volunteering. It’s quite an intriguing concept: Helping people, animals, and businesses or organizations, voluntarily and without pay!
Some people see volunteering as a strange, unusual thing, but in reality, volunteering is a fascinating and beautiful experience! Not only is volunteering mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically engaging, but it’s also something genuinely fun and pleasant to take part in. The big question is, “Why take part in something when it’s not required and you don’t get anything from it?” If you think about it, volunteering is actually beneficial for all parties! The party being helped by volunteers benefits from the help, and the volunteer(s) benefits from the experience, knowledge, and new skills gained, the large amount of new possibilities generated, and the happiness, sense of purpose, and confidence attained. I’ve been volunteering in some way or another since I was little. It’s something I’ve always loved, and as I’m getting older, I’m just growing to love it even more! I’ve helped out at senior centers and hospitals, led children's classes at a local church, hosted events with/for my school and community; the list is endless. You may not earn money from sincere volunteering, but money is no comparison to the wonderful things you learn and acquire, and the people you meet, while volunteering. Volunteering is unlike any unforgiving person, it doesn’t care what your past is, or what kind of person you are. Volunteering is accepting of all people, no matter their race, sexuality, or culture. If you haven’t volunteered before, and you haven’t experienced the joyous, sensational feeling of making people happy by doing good, it’s something immensely worth trying. You might find that you’re like me in the fact that making others happy is one of my favorite things in the entire world. There are many different ways you can volunteer in your community, your state and country, online, and even in other countries! I started to expand my volunteer pallet using a website called VolunteerMatch. VolunteerMatch helps you find volunteer opportunities that suit you and your passions! VolunteerMatch offers opportunities in 14 different countries and opportunities you can help with from home! Volunteering is the equivalent of a hot cup of cocoa on the coldest winter day; it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside! Plus, you get to make others feel like they’re on top of the world! By Tabitha Congratulations! We did it! Right? It should feel like a great weight off our shoulders - graduation - yet sometimes it can make us feel emptier and more lost than how we were when we first started the course. No one tells you how life as a real adult is after graduation. The shift in your priorities, the endless job applications with disappointing results, the sudden realisation of the debt you carry. The day of graduation may be one of joy, however, if you're anything like me, you'll quickly find yourself spiralling into an anxious pit regarding your next step. Most university courses last 3-4 years and then you are left to fend for yourself in the real world. The understanding is, that you have all the tools to best prepare you for the career path you intend to follow. However, this is not always the case. A study says nearly 45% of students have changed their career paths after graduating since the start of the pandemic. More and more jobs require more years of experience before you can even start an entry-level role, and graduate roles are just as hard or competitive to get. It is not enough to only have a first class in your degree. Not only this, but there can be external pressures from your family or peers to quickly get a job, or at least continue studying as that is what they did. This, coupled with the pressure you put on yourself for not having experience or getting a role within the time you expected, can leave you feeling hopeless. As someone who just recently graduated, I found myself immediately in the anxious pit, wondering whether I'd ever get out of it. Honestly, there are days I still fall back. I graduated with a degree in Interior Architecture and Design, had a good foundation of work experience and took part in multiple extracurricular activities to make myself even more hirable. However, this still wasn't enough for the 150 applications I made to even give me a response. This left me defeated and distraught. There was nothing more I could do to update my CV or portfolio despite the various reviews I had from multiple different people. Nothing was lacking in the cover letters I wrote, nor much I could do to improve my CV, so I thought the only thing holding me back was my portfolio, but even then it was still a struggle to get a response. The truth is, that the average person has to go through 162 job applications before even receiving a job. The issue is, university never prepared you for that, and so you're left trying to understand what you're doing wrong. Luckily I didn't lose all hope. I ventured into the world of freelancing and picked up my side hustles as I tried to figure out where I wanted my career path to go. Another tip that I've learnt after graduating: you don't have to have it all figured out. The expectation to know exactly what you are going to do with the rest of your life is too much and that shouldn't weigh you down. Finding that one thing that will interest you for the rest of your working life could take a while, and it could even change halfway through so there's no pressure to stick to one thing. My freelancing took me down various avenues such as film and TV, editorials for magazines, interior design and even events. I was determined to explore and keep pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone so I could keep learning. If you're somewhat like me and you feel slightly lost about your next steps after graduating, here are some tips to help you start to figure yourself out:
Life after graduation can seem like a scary thing, however, look at it as the beginning of a new chapter in your life. It can also be exciting as you’re about to embark on experiences you’ve never had before. There will be challenges on the way but if there weren’t, I don’t think it would be as fun. Remember that there is more than one option out there and there is no pressure to have it all figured out immediately. Each journey is personal and it is up to you to decide the path that you’re most aligned with. By Meghna Revision. The mention of this word can send shivers down the spines of teenagers everywhere. It's that time of year when textbooks become our closest companions, and every spare moment is spent poring over notes and practice questions. But not to fear, your trusted advisor is here! Anyway, after that cringe line, I want to let you know that with the right approach, revision doesn't have to be a hard task. In this guide, I’ll help break down the revision process into easy-to-understand steps to help you navigate through this important period with ease.
STEP 1: The first step in any revision process is setting clear and achievable goals. Keyword: achievable. If you started early on your revision, good for you! But I know most of you haven't, so take your time and understand what is important and what you don’t need to review. Because although this task should be easy, you are in a time crunch. Now these goals can range from improving your grades, mastering a particular subject/topic, or simply feeling more assured in your knowledge, setting specific goals will give you a sense of direction. STEP 2: Now that you have your goals in mind, it's time to create a revision schedule that works for you. Consider your daily routine, extracurricular activities, and other commitments, and allocate dedicated study time accordingly. Whether you're a morning person or a night owl, find a study schedule that aligns with your preferences. STEP 2.5: Now the most important thing that everyone always forgets, when making this schedule, allocate time for breaks, for your mind to recharge, and process the material you just stuffed into it. Also, you might feel as though you don’t have time for breaks, but between every subject, try to stick a break in between, where you rest and relax, before you get up and start a new topic STEP 3: A cluttered study space can lead to a cluttered mind, so take some time to organize your study materials. This helps your mind to clear up, focus and concentrate on a task, allowing the transition to studying to become easier. This means gathering your notes, textbooks, and any other resources you'll need for your revision process. Keep this in mind: you can consider using folders, binders, or digital stuff to keep everything neat and accessible. STEP 4: To truly understand your topics, utilize active learning techniques that activate your brain. For example, try summarizing key concepts in your own words, teaching others what you've learned, or using flashcards to test your knowledge. Keep trying out new things until you see a positive reflection on your work, then you’ll know that you have found a study technique that works for you! STEP 5: Revision is not just about memorizing facts; it's about understanding and applying what you've learned. Regular review and practice are essential for reinforcing your knowledge. Now, for all the people who aren’t feeling that time crunch, set aside time each week/day to review previous material and test yourself with practice questions or quizzes. STEP 6: Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you're struggling with a particular concept. Your teachers, peers, and online resources are valuable sources of guidance. Don't be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification when needed. Email them, if you don’t want to go in person, , because trust me, they only want the best for your education and future! Also, check out different online resources to help grow your knowledge to a broader field. Even if you are starting the week or a day before your test, the revision process is something that requires proper planning and dedication. I hope that, by breaking down this process, I helped you study for all those upcoming tests and exams. So, what are you doing? Get right to work now! By Kavy Welcome to the contradictory part of life. I believe that living life to the fullest is a myth created by fellow homo sapiens to make life seem easier when it actually isn't .
I used to "Live" life to the fullest according to what people made "the fullest", and to my surprise living isn't what we think it is. Living life does not refer to being happy all the time or being aware of your surroundings or whatever society taught you. Life is a rollercoaster, not only of emotions but everything you experience. Living life is experiencing everything without compromising yourself. This is what I believe. I sound very skeptical, and many of you would not agree with me but that's completely fine because not everyone has the same sense of "the fullest” My purpose of existing is different from yours, which makes our ideas of "living life to the fullest" different. And that is exactly my point believing what others say "LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST" is a myth but believing in your idea of living makes you unique. I am no saint or a life guru, this is what I believe and what I've learned so far in life. Life isn't just happiness and sadness, it's a whole bunch of emotions that make it worth living. Find your idea of living and live life your way. LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST and find your own FULLEST. |
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Teenagers With Experience is an online organisation created to provide teenagers worldwide with an online platform to share their own experiences to be able to help, inform and educate others on a variety of different topics. We aim to provide a safe space to all young people.
Please note that the content on this website is created by teenagers. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, it is important to remember that we are not professional experts. If you are experiencing a crisis or need professional advice, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a helpline. |