Visiting 2 Universities

Hey guys!
Hope you're all loving life as you should be.

So I only really had a 3 day week this week because on Monday I only went in for last lesson then oh yeah my teacher decides not to show up?! I was so annoyed, normally she emails us but she didn't this time and I came from Leeds all the way to Harrogate so I just went straight back home..such a wasted journey.

Then on Wednesday I had a York applicant day. This meant a lie in which, not going to lie, was one of the things I was most excited about. I knew York was a lovely place as I go regularly go with my mum for days out and I went to the university open day previously. There is a beautiful lake in the centre of the campus which I love and they have a college system meaning each student is assigned to a different college. If you have received an offer from York then have a cheeky look back at the pictures in one of my previous posts (honestly I don't know why it's cheeky..what has English evolved into I don't know) We had an introductory lecture at the beginning and then we were separated from our parents for a lecture and a seminar. The first one was about biology so involved lots of graphs and I was pretty tired so I did nearly fall asleep in that: I quickly shot up when everybody started clapping. The talk after about the dialects of English was more interesting, like do you pronounce 'poor' and 'pour' the same?! (Cut to everyone sounding out both words to the point they've forgotten how they actually say it..same) I did meet 2 lovely girls which restored my faith in me making friendships easily. The accommodation was nice but I think you just have to accept accommodation is always gonna be pricy.

(Fast forward to this today) I'm just on the way back home from Sheffield uni's applicant day which was good. I already went to the open day where I looked around accommodation so I didn't need to do that again. This time I visited both libraries where (unfortunately) I'll be spending most of my time. The first one was much older and was nice but I way preferred the newer one as there was secluded really comfy chair areas to work around which I prefer than open desks (yep I'm an introvert okay) Before all that we had an introductory lecture by the head of English and the admissions tutor (props to him he was funny but only funny on a scale of exhaling much heavier than normal, he needs to up his game to get me to physically laugh) Next we had a seminar from 2 of the linguistic professors who were both American and I recognised the woman because I asked her about accepting people with lower than the asked for entry grades (I did get an offer I wasn't just trying to push my luck) They said as long as I put them as my first choice then they still consider applicants like me (required entry grades are AAB and my predicted grades are ABB)

After visiting 4/5 uni's in total, I reckon I'm gonna put Sheffield as my firm and Newcastle as my insurance choice (even though it's just my predicted grades)

^(Thanks past Sophie now into present day Sophie..don't ask me what weird TV presenter I've turned into because even I don't know the answer)

I read this comment a student said (from one of the handouts we were given) about how they used to be shy and now they are much more of a confident speaker now.. I really hope this happens to me! I know uni isn't technically for shy kids but hopefully I won't be one by the time I am finished YAY (here's hoping anyway) I'm not saying it exclusively isn't for less confident people like me, I'm just saying the majority of people do tend to be way more confident. It's like when I'm anxious sometimes, I get so anxious my anxiety is anxious (it really isn't good but I am working on it)

Also since I got my eyeliner gel pen from benefit I have been finding it so much easier to do my eyeliner! So if you're struggling and looking for a good one then I'd highly recommend that one, it goes on so smoothly I love it. Compared to my previous body shop one which just stuck and was so impossible to put on, especially for someone who struggles with doing makeup normally, I only really wear makeup when I go out for special occasions (I'm too lazy to wear it 24/7) I get way too annoyed with how long it takes to take all my makeup off even when I have minimal makeup on so you can imagine how I'd be if I went all out. Props to those people who wear makeup everyday, I can almost sense your daily struggle..but damn you look good;)

It isn't one of my blog posts if there isnt some pictures I show you, so without further ado (I feel like a magician..they say thar right?!) here are some of the pictures I took for my exam work under the theme of dramatic images:

I especially love this one because I'm obsessed with anything abstract and it makes me laugh just how easy it was to achieve this effect (there really is no techinal way to say this) you just have to shake the camera infront of the tv to draw the colours out.

My next image is another of my personal favourites because:
1- it involves my cat
2- it's trippy
3- it's just cool alright
4- I don't know my logic behind making a list
5- stop reading this and look below oh my god..

 Even if you aren't a cat person you still must admit she is so adorable, also a weird thing I've realised is that cat owners obviously prefer cats but still love dogs whereas all dog owners tend to be completely hate cats like dog ownes need to take a chill pill (I need to go back to 2012 with that reference I'm sorry..)

Omg so after I post this, I'm going to watch 2 episodes of new girl season 4 and begin season 5 and I can't wait because (SPOILER ALERT) Cici admitted she loves Schmidt (I mean did she ever stop) and turned down a hook up because of it and now I'm hoping Schmidt breaks up with Fawn so I need to go because I'm too excited to stay writing.
Have a good week!
Talk really soon
Sophie 
♥♥

Newcastle Uni Applicant Day

Hey everyone
Hope you're all well!

So as I've been calling it I had a Miranda moment at the gym last week. I know what you're thinking me..going to the gym..what happened there. Well my mum happened and she forced me to go, so again I'll set the scene. I wanted to go on the stair machines and after waiting a while for people to get off them, finally it was my chance (little did I know it would cause extreme embarrassment) I started walking on it but I wanted to jog/run so I increased the speed on the touch screen monitor to about 70. Then I continued to run, not realising that you can adjust the speed by using the buttons on the handles; you can guess what happened next. I rapidly increased the speed to about 120 and of course my little legs couldn't cope and I fell and swung into the side. Of course my mum was there shouting are you okay are you alright!! Yes mum I'm fine just shush!! (Pretty accurate dialect between me & my mum aka the usual conversation when my mum makes a fuss over anything) Luckily, I didn't knock myself out or hurt myself really badly (I bruised myself but that isn't too bad) so I see it as an achievement really..even if I totally failed at using the machine. After that, I quickly moved on with my head down in case anyone did see..

I was able to exercise for a longer length of time than I could do before and that was just by doing my mini workout everyday. If anyone's curious this is the workout I follow:

 As you can see I obviously crossed out the running part (who wants to do that..no one BUT I haven't even been having a rest day so that makes up for it I think)

Obviously feel free to adjust the number of times I do the exercises as often if I don't get too tired doing it (very rarely) I'll just hold the plank for longer than 30 seconds and push myself. As well as doing this I wanna exercise my arms beause I have the arm strength of a (insert an animal with weak arms idek) So I'll do another sheet like this, I'll keep you updated if you're interested.


If anyone wants to gradually get into exercise this is definitely the best way, it may feel tough at first but after a while you get less tired by it all and you can even challenge yourself. Another tip I couldn't have done without is printing off a calendar and circling the day once I've done my exercises which really motivated me to continue (especially once I'd done at least a week my calendar looked pretty full) I am nearly halfway through the second month in this time, whereas last time I don't think I made it past 2/3 weeks before I stopped, to my defence I was ill but then after that I just couldn't get back into it no matter what I tried. So using the circling off on a calendar technique has helped motivate me so much and don't worry if you forget to complete the exercises 1 day, I just manage it by doing 2 sets of exercises the next day (usually 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening to spread it out) and then you can get back on track the next day! Good luck to anyone who starts, personally it's better than the gym because it doesn't take as long to do/less effort and I know I just wouldn't go to the gym everyday (also it's free exercising at home..amazing right?!)

On Wednesday I visited Newcastle for my university applicant day. I honestly loved it, was definitely my favourite uni I've been too so far (except from Sheffield) So I have a feeling (oooh oooh) (black eyed peas pls say you sang that too) that it's gonna be choosing between whether to put Newcastle or Sheffield as my firm choice. For once I didn't take any pictures I'm sorry but tbf if you applied I'm sure you're going to an applicant day anyway! But I did get some pictures of the prettiest sunset, I saw some girls taking a picture and in my head I was like ugh what are they doing (pretty much my everyday thoughts about everyone oops) but then I saw the sunset and forgave them (yep I forgave them in my head, I'm such a cool kid..)

It's nearly the end of half term now..well it practically is and I'm so sad. Although Monday's are one of my favourite days as I only have a lesson last so all I need to do is get my mum to ring up and say I'm ill and get a lie in. I also do work (I don't just skive just so you know) Sometimes I do more work at home because there are less distractions. Often I do photography so it's more convenient to do it at home and I wanna finish my coursework tomorrow so I can concentrate only on my exam. Then at least start some exam stuff so it looks like I've actually done some work over the holidays, all I've done so far is the moodboard and they obviously aren't even my pictures they're just from Google (that is the idea but obviously we were asked to do more over half term)

So the return of my unicorn onesie happened about a month ago I think (I lose track of time easily) and I just thought this was a pretty cool picture which you all must see.

Hope you all had a good half term and managed to relax! (Even with I'm sure shitty teachers who gave you loads of work..I feel for you because I'm in the same position)
Talk again next week!
Sophie 
♥♥

Ps I just got a reminder (on my countdown..I'm very keen) that sixthform finishes in less than 3 months so if you're in the same position as me then use that to motivate you, not long left we can stick it out!

Days With Family

Hey guys!
So it's finally half term! I'm so excited for a week off school!

So last minute I decided to go to my friends boyfriend's 18th birthday party which was fun. He hired out a room upstairs from the pub which closed at 11 but then the pub didn't close to midnight so we didn't leave until then. I attempted to play pool which didn't go well because I can't play, but I can cheat because my friend was too drunk to notice;) Or just make up my own rules aka cheating. As I'm still 17 (not 18 until 17th July which sucks) I couldn't stay out but luckily I wasn't the only one as I got the 36 back home with my friend. Did you know that they've now started doing late night buses all the way up to about 3:15 in the morning I think. How amazing is that, especially as I go to school in Harrogate so most of my nights out will be in Harrogate and I feel so bad asking my parents to pick me up at like 1/2/3 in the morning. This guy was getting of the bus and he was so grateful to the bus driver and he thanked him so much because otherwise he would have to drive home; I thought that was super sweet.

This pun I made at the party last night deserves it's own paragraph because right hmm (let me set the scene) The pub owners had this ridiculously cute dog called Lucy which of course I obsessed over and my friend who I was with at the time. We were both stroking it and chatting to the owners (that's how carried away we got we legit followed it around the pub..) Anyway so then I said to my friend, she's just do adogable haha still cracks me up now oh god. My friend laughed but I'll never know if it was because she genuinely found it funny, for sympathy or if it was the alcohol inside her, but she was the type of person to laugh at that completely sober so I'm gonna pretend she genuinely found it funny. On a serious level (well as serious as it can get talking about puns), aren't they just so funny, unintentional puns are probably the best though. (Another example ofc) In photography my friend was sticking photos onto wood for this 3D effect and she said I don't know if this would work..get it 'would sounds like wood' yep I'm that person that explains the joke (sorry you had to be there okay..)

I have my Newcastle applicant day on Wednesday which hopefully will be good (fingers crossed I like the place) I haven't been there before but one of my friends recently went and he said it was really nice there. So I'll update you on how that goes next Sunday! Oh and typical me but I went into waterstones today and noticed Grace Helbig's (youtuber) books along with information on a book signing. That was the first I'd heard as I've been struggling to keep up with everything online but when I checked she only announced it a day ago so I wasn't that behind, but guess what day it's on...the same day as my applicant day. Luckily it's in the morning at 11 so if I go really early then I should be gone by 11:30/12 as you don't have to register until 1:50-2 which gives us enough time to get there. Although, apparently the accommodation is only available to view in the morning so I'm gonna miss that because of Grace..I mean priorities right?! Again sorry I promo so many youtubers but if I had to just recommend 1 video to watch of hers it would be 'reading mean comments w/ James Corden' as they make for such a hilarious pairing! So give that a watch and I guarantee you'll be laughing in a matter of minutes; that's a promise (as long as you have a sense of humour ofc)

Also so it's snowing again?! I have actually given up on snow, I do love it but not when it just snows for 10 minutes then turns into slush. I'm not asking for much, just for it to settle to a decent amount on the ground, we haven't had good snow in ages (in West Yorkshire anyway) because I know Scotland have had loads which yes I'm super jealous of. Part of me feels bad wanting snow because I heard how bad it got in some parts of America, I wouldn't wish that on anyone obviously and I just hope you're all safe now!

Yesterday I went to town (aka Leeds even though it's a city I still call it a town okay shush) with my mum because the last time we made an appointment to both have our makeup done by Benefits (expensive brand but high quality make up) So if you don't have much money I suggest you save up for their foundation or mascara etc because it'll last so much longer than if you have to keep buying cheap ones that don't last. Or you can continue buying cheap products I don't judge because I do as well (half of the time anyway) My mum got her makeup done by this really nice woman we spoke to about booking an appointment and I had this lovely funny girl who did my makeup so well. She did this lovely gold eye look with perfect eyeliner which I need to keep practising at because mine is no way near perfection (don't think it ever will be but aim high and all that shit) We even booked another appointment for the Easter holidays; we're too keen.. So I had my makeup done for when I went to the party, I mean why do your own makeup when you can get someone else to do it for free?!

We got free makeup bags, free makeup samples and free umbrellas so that was pretty good. Look how cute the umbrella was, I mean benefits had so much self promo on it but I still love it (yes me & my mum both posed with the umbrella when it wasn't even raining) Look how gorgeous my berry lip colour is, altough it still doesn't beat my bobbie brown crushed plum colour one because ugh that is just gorgeous!

(Yes the sun relfecting off of the umbrella does bug me but also I'm wearing my go to winter coat (from ark in leeds), my adorable read to me bag (from waterstones) and my new flowery vans (from office I think), oh and my denim dungarees (from topshop) which you can't really see but yeah I loved my outfit choice for once.

Have an awesome week off school & remember to make the most of it!
Talk soon
Sophie 
♥♥

I'm Ready For A Break

Hey everyone!

So I feel like this week has just gone by in a bit of a blur. I'm not complaining though because now it means only 1 more week to go until half term. We can all do this, not long to go until a week's break!

In photography, we have moved on from our coursework to the exam. Sir has been a bit of a legend by extending our coursework deadline until after the half term which is amazing. Especially since the art class had to hand their coursework in at the normal deadline and their teacher even had the cheek to be like I'll be really nice to you and instead of you handing it in on Thursday I'll give you until Friday. (just a head up yeah it bugs me I started the sentence with an and..) And that kids is the difference between a decent teacher and a strict teacher (I feel like a weird kids host to a game show or something, I don't actually think you're as young as kids just to clarify)..but if you are then hey you're pretty awesome! It isn't as if sir is breaking the rules because the coursework is only officially handed to the examiner in May so you see why I'm glad I have a good teacher who actually can adapt to suit the different situations.

Anyway back to what I was going to talk about, we were given the exam titles to choose from. Compared to last year, there was nothing that immediately grabbed me or even after googling it online. I prefer to go down a more abstract and exciting route (if that even makes sense) rather than a monotonous route (pretty standard you know) There was a topic called dramatic images and at first I thought bit vague/bit too specific at the same time. Now after talking to my dad I've been thinking I can do a time lapse of the sun setting or the sun rising which would be cool as I haven't done timelapses before. Professionals will probably using really expensive technical equipment then there's me like I'm just planning on filming it and using Photoshop to speed it up (pretty simple) Although given the lazy kind of person I am I'm probably going to capture the sun setting because me getting up early on a weekend is just not happening (unless I'm getting payed which I'm not so yeah) Someone said recently that "Sunsets are better than sunrises because you don't have to wake up early for them." I mean they just speak the truth don't they?! I was also thinking I could do silhouettes as well, I remember making a note last year how to do them (I just need to find the note, wish me luck because my room is a mess) Then silhouettes could lead into experimenting with double exposures on photoshop. As it's to do with available light, I thought if I bought some filters for my camera that would work well and it would be fun to try them out. Yess already I'm feeling so much more inspired/happy about this theme compared to journey which just bores me if I'm honest. The only thing I'm not sure about is under the heading dramatic images it talks about using 'available light' and it repeats this phrase twice so I'm wondering maybe that means only using natural light and I can't use set up lights like in a studio? I'm not sure, I would love to know all your opinions on it?

Oh and if you wanna know the other themes to choose from, they are: pattern, water, performing arts, the journey, issues and observations, mixed media, people and posessions and dramatic images. Just a quick side note but for photography it would be pretty pointless picking mixed media because no doubt I'll end up doing that in any theme I'd pick and pattern and water are too similar to what I've done already. Sir was suggesting things to do for water and I had a mental checklist being like yep I've done that and that..oh and that too; so that theme is a definite no.

Yesterday I woke up thinking it was Sunday and after realising it was Saturday it just made my day (just an example of the casual thoughts I have) Isn't it so much better than waking up on a Friday thinking it's Saturday when you still have 1 school day to go because in your mind you plan what you're gonna do and then you're like wait shit..I actually have to go to school (worst feeling ever)

I go on about my favourite tv shows maybe a bit too much but I just can't keep this in..you know Orange is the new black, well the show has been confirmed for 3 more seasons! I am so excited, it was a huge hit so some of you must like it. I definitely did, I wasn't sure at first but (cut to me singing the theme song in my head) you know a programme is good when you know all the words to the theme song and don't even have to hear the music to sing it!

Cutting to another random note because why not, my cat was sleeping on my lap as per usual and just how can you not love cats when mine looks so adorable

(incase you're wondering, yep my reality on a friday/saturday night is my cat sleeping on me while I watch tv) I'm just living the dream lifestyle..

Anyone else just find getting up as they get older so much more difficult?! Like I wanna get up reasonably early so I don't waste the day/start school work straight away but when you're at the point where you feel your eyes start to close you know you just gotta let sleep take over.

Oh guess what, I've been reading a book called Red's Untold Tale and it's based on Red, specifically the character from once upon a time (the show that I adore) It is so damn good, apart from the fact I have to google what words mean every couple of pages but tbf I'm an English nerd so I like learning new words anyway, the plot is so good and I love how I can picture the scenes in my head from OUAT. Even if you haven't seen the series (which you must do) you can read the book first and fall in love with it because technically it's an independent book, you don't have to know what's happened. Also I must say, it's one of the most stylish books I've read in a long time as the cover sleeve on the book is black but laced with shiny darker black and the edges of the pages are died in black. Ok so this description doesn't sound too amazing, just google it and you'll understand.

I'm actually posting early today, what an achievement (no matter how small celebrate the little things; just a motto I love) It's all thanks to my retro alarm clock I got for Christmas which let me tell you..if you have trouble with sleeping through alarms then they will do the trick. Maybe a bit more than what you want though because I woke up so fast my heart was racing and I was still half asleep so finding how to turn off the alarm was a fun experience (I should just start putting (S) in brackets so you know when I'm being sarcastic and not, it has gotten to the confusing stage now I'm sorry;)

Enjoy next week, I hope it isn't as shitty as you think it'll be!

Sophie 
♥♥

Rambling For Days

Hello! It's me..
(if you don't carry on with I've been wondering if after all these years you'd like for me..to go over..everything then I don't like you) jokes sorry that was my excuse to carry on, isn't it such an amazing song though?!
Adele is unbelievably talented at writing songs and of course singing them. I'm seeing her in March in Manchester so I'm just getting ready for one of the best nights ever..hoping you share my Adele enthusiasm (if not then is it too late now to say sorry??)...if no Adele fans then there must be some Bieber ones;) Not saying I am I just know how to appreciate a really good song every once in a while, no matter how much I strain to deny it I absolutely love his recent top 3 number 1's of Sorry, Where Are U Now (he's clearly too lazy to spell..nope lame dad joke I know..I'll move on) and Love Yourself. I'm even getting to the stage where listening to it on capital isn't enough and I find myself contemplating whether to downloaded one or even all of those songs onto my phone, where am I going wrong?! Joking..he seems like a genuinely nice guy, I just have to say he's matured a lot which clearly shows in his musical change recently to more of a clubby vibe rather than just pop. Oh and before I stop this music talk, you should all go buy Blue Neighbourhood on iTunes by Troye Sivan because he is killing (in a good way) the music industry right now and like Adele he writes all of his own songs and he sidetracked into starting YouTube as well so go check out his channel. Wow ok so that was the longest introduction I've ever done, I apologise I'm just one of those people that get attached to singers, youtubers and actors as well (aka basically everyone)

Anyway, moving on to a different note. I've been exhausted from school this last week as I got up at about half 11 on Saturday then got up at 12:40 today (I checked my phone as soon as I got up) so yeah I woke up like shit half the day is gone (in terms of a school day which I'm used too). Now I try not to get annoyed because I clearly needed the sleep otherwise I would have woken up earlier so yeah at least now I'm 100% fully rested and if I go to sleep late everyday next week (very likely) then I won't be as drained as I'll have a backup from the weekend. I feel like this post is just one huge ramble, which sums up how I'm feeling right now. You know that snapchat filter with the crazy eyes then when you open your mouth it goes crazy..yep well that's the inside of my mind right now (as you can tell from the weird start to my post..sorry about that ha) It's only half a ha because it isn't that funny you know. That reminds me of celeb big brother (skip ahead if you don't watch but if you wanna be super confised then go ahead;) when Tifanny said to Gillian 'I prom' to quit smoking and then when Gillian was like what is that, she said it's half a promise (idek it just made me laugh)

I just need to do the finishing touches to make sure I've done everything on my to do list for finishing my photography coursework but I can't wait for that to be done with. Yeah I do like photography but at the same time it is so stressful with the time constraints you get (aka I could be talking about every subject in school because they love to stress us out with deadlines/tests ugh). At least next week we get given the titles for our exam work which I feel happy about because quite frankly I don't wanna take anymore pictures of anything nature related again (which is impossible for me but you know what I mean, it can put you off what you love because you over analyse it). Which is why I dropped English literature because it just started ruining a book I started off loving so I feel for you lit students out there! Back to the exam..I see it as a fresh start as it's on a totally different topic which this time we get to pick but we are restricted to the exam boards titles so let's hope there are lots to choose from/decent ones.

Since it just wouldn't be right posting this without a picture, here is one of my failed outcomes of attempting to paint in the air with glow sticks (which expired so there was practically no light coming from them so I had to use a torch to light up them) Also my hands went completely numb after this (gotta love the cold weather) So I''m one of those people that create long names for photos so I know which ones they are & this one is entitled 'weird shape using glow sticks' yep just though I'd put that out there.

This one looks like the letter G so I can't use that but I might still bullshit my way into including the bottom one by saying it's a flower with the stem coming out from the bottom..art is a wonderful subject the way as long as you explain stuff you can get away with pretty much anything (some of the time anyway)







Just a random though but I hate how recently it has been snowing then like 2 minutes later it has been sunny. It's as if the weather is as indecisive as me when I try choose between netflix and school work (Netflix always wins eventually)


Since last week's post was so long I feel like I have excuse for it to be shorter this week, I'm sure you don't wanna hear me (read me idk that sounds weird) ramble on anyway! In the unlikely chance that you do.. I'll be here again next Sunday, until then byeeee
Sophie 
♥♥

Visiting Chester Uni

Hey guys!
Hope you're all doing well.

So yesterday was my first applicant day and first on the list was Chester. Now I applied for it basing it on the website thinking it looked cool and the course sounded good. I only just found out I've been there before when I was younger but I have no memory of it, so it was basically a new place to me. The centre of Chester where are all the shops were was lovely, I especially loved how there were shops on the ground floor them on the first floor with some having balconies. This was pretty unusual to me but it allowed there to be loads more shops which is a bonus. Here is a zoomed out our picture because if I crop it it'll look like I know the people in view and I don't, they're just randomers:

I went past something called the bridge of sighs where long ago people walked along that bridge before they were to be executed (lovely name that..) I took it before I knew the sad meaning behind it okay, I just thought it was a pretty picture (me summed up so bad):

So my first impressions of the city was pretty good but rewinding to the start of the day when I went to the university first..

I arrived there just before 11:30 where I signed in and picked up an applicant day programme. I went with my mum & dad so we got something to eat before going to an English Language/Literature/Creative Writing talk even though I'm only interested in the English Language course, some of the stuff applied to all courses like for example resources you can use their (plus it would have been rude to walk out during the middle of it but I was of course tempted) It was informative though as I met one of the lectures who I could be getting taught by if I went and she went through all the course modules in the presentation. The reassuring thing was that the guy say that if you find presentations really nerve wracking then just know it's worse a relatively small percentage of your course. I couldn't have been more relieved at that moment in time (holds self back from singing 1 moment in time..) because I couldn't think of a more terrifying thing to do than stand up and present in front of people (just no thanks) The building I was in was called the Binks building where the main reception was and where lectures and seminars are held regularly, shown below if you're interested in what it looks like:








Below is the English building which I did quite like the look of, as you can tell there's a modern feel to Chester but they have still kept the archaic architecture which I like:











There was also a students union which I now realise is a building each uni has which makes sense but again if you are looking at going to Chester (small chance because it's a small not as popular area but you never know then here..have another picture:
Studens pics







Although I did start of the day feeling very anxious, it's just when it kicks in that I'm visiting a university where I might soon be spending the next 3 years of my life and while I do try to be an independent person, like most people I still find it hard not to rely on family. I thought the change from GCSE to A Level was massive..I have a feeling the jump from A Level to University will be just as big if not way more. Aside from scaring myself into not going to uni, after the talk I went around to look at all the accommodation Chester had to offer. To be completely honest I wasn't that impressed, the first one I visited was catered so it was expensive anyway but then the room was so tiny and that's coming from someone who is used to having a tiny bedroom, so I'm not talking about a normal sized room. The others I went too was a more reasonable size but then it was self catered so it had an en suite which also meant even having your own kitchen! To me (who's no doubt an introvert) it would just be the worst because I would just isolate myself as I can do pretty much anything in my room I wouldn't need to leave (shush dirty minded people..) I know they were called studio flats so it was to be expected but a communal cooking area would be much better as it's another way to make friends as you already have the disadvantage of not meeting people when you go get food which is the bonus for people who choose to go catered. There is a perception that self catered is way cheaper but if you add in the price of buying food every week to the price of the accommodation it will work out to be a similar price to catering and also means less hassle & stress and it'll already be stressful enough moving away from home to uni without having to worry about buying food every week. Although thinking back now there was a cute set of houses which is part of student accommodation which was originally built for the teachers but then the students took over as they accepted more & more people, however as I said earlier these were the places that had everything in your room so I wouldn't want that. So I've decided I definitely want catered accommodation with a reasonable sized room & price and I don't mind shared bathrooms so you know I'm not actually asking for that much. Considering it costs £9000 to go to uni that's the least I should expect, am I right guys haha?!

Tadahhhh that was my experience of the day, I was going to go to a talk about student life there but I had pretty much heard it from people around and I thought I can always just go on student room and ask (good ol' student room) If you don't know what that is then it's just a place to ask questions about uni, school, personal stuff and just any questions about life in general, I guarantee if you have a question it will be already answered (unless it's specific to school work you're doing because then that doesn't count)

Guess what..
I asked my photography teacher what grade he thought I was currently at with my coursework (you know the one all about nature) and he really liked it and said I was on an A! I'm so chuffed because I was worried it might not be enough. I came back from collectng work at the printer and found my year 7 art teacher looking through my coursework as well as my photography teacher and I was even more surprised she actually remembered teaching me (especially as I was/still am one of the quieter kids..shout out to my homies haha sorry nope I take that back I know I ain't no drake even if I sometimes randomly speak like him..) She then presumed I was taking photography at university so I quickly and most definitely awkwardly, had to break the news to her that I was doing English instead. She was really lovely as she said if I ever get bored of English then I can definitely have a career in photography as I'm skilled at it so that's amazing that she thinks that, my response was erm okay thanks (as you can tell I'm not the best at what to say when recieving compliments) So I guess photography can now be my backup/plan b if everything else fails. I'm still optimistic though so I am going to do everything that I can do so that my plan a works.

Stick at it with school/uni/work and remind yourself that it's ok to have several breaks in between all that work! (I feel like an agony aunt or something.. just call me agony aunt soph;) on second thoughts please don't..)
I would have posted in the morning but I said to myself okay I'll watch 2 episodes of New Girl and that's enough, 1 and a half hours later I was like okay I really need to stop but who am I kidding, I can never have enough of it, such a funny show with great characters, another one of my many recommendations for you guys..the list is endless I'm sorry but now you have choice! Oh and if any of you have already watched some episodes then do you agree with me that Jess has amazing glasses, the rounder tortoise shells ones if anyone is wondering..I need them in my life!

So I rambled excessively today, sorry about that but I haven't in a while so that's my excuse:)
Talk more next week!
Sophie
♥♥

Snow Has Finally Arrived

Hey!
So I'm really happy because yesterday night it started to snow and actually settle for the first time this year! Yes I'm one of those people that love snow, I definitely prefer winter than summer. I hadn't looked out the window all night until my friend snapchatted me saying it was snowing and then I looked out and the ground was already covered in snow! I just love snuggling up inside drinking hot chocolate when it's cold after a lovely winters walk. Is it snowing where you are? Snow just makes everywhere look so pretty, this is what my back garden looks like now and I love it:

Ooh guess what, do you remember a while ago I said I would take pictures of sparklers when I had the chance aka it wasn't raining. So yesterday I did it and really good timing because it just started to snow and that would have ruined the picture to have snow in the background (first time I've said that). I made a flower but I'm annoyed at myself because I just couldn't work out how far across to wave the sparkler (I cropped it but clearly I was way out). My first flower attempt then a heart which was way easier to do. Followed by my dad's attempt of my name..I tried myself but it's even worse (don't judge okay it's seriously hard to do..why couldn't I have a name like Lea, it would be so much easier). For anyone called Lea out there, wanna swap names for a bit;)  My dad was helping as well because it is a 2 person task and look how amazing they look! (Totally gonna take credit for some when I use it for photography) The best thing about photography/art is you can take pictures of anything as long as you can make a valid link, for example my reasoning will be well I wanted to create abstract flowers focusing on the emphasis of light which genuinely links in with what I'm doing. My teacher is forever wanting my class to be more creative so if this isn't creative then I don't know what is!

 

Anyone else really hoping for it to snow more today and be a snow day tomorrow so we don't have to to school?! Who am I kidding why am I even asking, of course you are;) I only have 1 lesson so I wouldn't miss much and it would mean I don't have to help out for art day for 4 hours in my frees so I have to sacrifice my lie-in in the morning..now that's just out of order don't you think?






We got our mock results last week or the week before (yep I'm already losing sense of time) and I got an A in English when I'm predicted a B so I'm thrilled about that..especially as I want to do that at Uni so it's pretty good to get the best grade in the subject I prefer. I got C's in both Photography and Psychology but we got our second reports with comments this time and I moved up to a B in Photography which is better (still want an A so here's hoping!) I found out I was only 1 mark off a B even when I got an E in my criminal psychology but an A in my child psychology which will have brought my grade up, I got the same last year..being so close to the grade you want is just pure torture.

So to take advantage of the snow I went for a walk with my mum in Roundhay Park, it was so cold! I was wrapped up like a burrito, as you can see below, you know I don't think I've ever had a burrito, just a random thought..am I missing out? Anway I thought hey I'm not gonna feel self conscious about my red nose today, just pointing it out before one of you lot do! Now you see why I need to wear concealor especially on my nose to school. I don't tend to wear much makeup to school, mostly because I never have time and I can't be bothered, all I wear is boing concealor by benefit and the eyebrow kit by benefit and I'm done!

Talk next week, byeee
Sophie 
♥♥