Student Life

I have been at college 2 days now and I love it! We spent most of the first day in various talks about how to succeed academically and what is expected of us at the college, but we had fun in our tutor bases as well. I made a few new friends to hang out with at lunch, and met up with a few of my friends from my previous schools.

Today, we had our first ever lessons. I had a session of photography first, which was brilliant. We had a go at creating abstract photos with darkroom chemicals, light sensitive paper and objects such as leaves, masking tape, string and lace. Then, we had a session telling us about the mentoring and study periods at the college.

In the afternoon, we got to try out one of the college's enrichment sessions. I chose music, and had a go at learning the guitar. I could have also sung or played in a pop or rock band. I definitely want to continue with music sessions.

Songs I Probably Shouldn't Have Been Listening Too

I am quite a big music fan, and love writing blogs about the music I have recently discovered. I like a mix of different artists, from Ed Sheeran and Seafret to My Chemical Romance and Little Mix.

I have become more into music as I have got older, but I have been buying CDs from quite a young age, and at my junior school we all loved to listen to music on the computers in ICT lessons. But not all of the songs we liked were age appropriate. At 7, my favourite was "I Kissed A girl" by Katy Perry. At 9, I used to sing "It's Not Fair" by Lily Allen with my best friend and by 10 I was singing "Whistle" by Flo Rider with the boys in my class!

At that age, I had little idea what it all meant. Now I do know, I find it slightly disturbing that I sung that stuff in Junior School! Did you like any rude songs when you were a kid?

How I Fell In Love With Pacman

When my mum was a kid, the main computer game she played was Pacman. The other day, I realised I had never actually tried this classic. So I found a free version online and had a go. As it is an old game and unlike my mum I am of the technological generation, I thought I would find it easy. IT IS NOT.

I have played it quite a bit over the last couple of days and I have not even been able to complete level 2 yet! Unless I devote the last two days of my summer holiday to practising, I don't think I will ever get very far. And I have too many things I want to do in those two days for that to happen!

If you want to try Pacman, this is the best website I found. Click here to have a go, and tell me your best high score in the comments. Mine is 4400. We can have a competition to see who can get the highest!

College Ready Nail Art

With college comes the freedom to wear make up and nail varnish. I have given myself a new nail art look for the occasion!

For more inspiration, here are some nail art ideas that are perfect for college. Tell me your favourite in the comments.

     

Why I Am Studying Local

Next week I am starting college and I am very excited. I have been doing some clothes shopping in readiness, as many shops already have their Autumn collections in. So far, I have a new shirt, a jumper and some jeans as well as some new T-shirts I bought throughout the summer.

One of the great things about my college is that it is so near to me. I will be able to walk there in 15 minutes every day. I could have gone to a more prestigious college further away like some of my friends, but I chose not too. This is why.

If I had chosen to travel a long way, I would lose up to 2 hours a day of time for studying and socialising. Many of my new friends would live miles away, and I would spend a small fortune on bus and train fares. True, the college might be slightly better, but there was not enough difference to make it worth the journey.

So instead, I chose to stay local and go to the same college as my mum and cousin went to. I can go home to study in free periods, walk to friends houses and save time. The walking should help me stay slim too. And hopefully this time next week I will be pleased with this decision.

How did you choose your college?

Bumble The Music Critic

As many of you already know, I have a beautiful cat called Bumble. He is very clever and has very good taste in music!

I like playing keyboard, and often when I am playing Bumble is in the room. Today he was sitting in his favourite chair when I started playing. The first song I played was Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars, and he laid down and listened to it happily. The next song, Price Tag by Jessie Jay made him sit up and look very grumpy, even slapping me with his paw when I tried to stroke him. But when I played Lily Allen's version of Somewhere Only We Know, he laid down, shut his eyes and looked very happy. He always does, I think that is his favourite song. However, Budapest had him sitting back up and scowling at me!

Bumble reacting to the music I play is a regular thing. Once when I sung along whilst I played Frozen's Let It Go he meowed like he was in pain, and when I rushed to see what the matter was, he gave me a look of "Thank God That Is Over", before asking to go out. He loves Lily Allen but can't stand Frozen - this cat has taste!

Do your pets react when you play music?

Raised By Wolves

This summer, I have become hooked on Channel 4's Raised By Wolves. The Sit-Com is about the life of a large and chaotic family living on a Wolverhampton council estate. It is written by 2 sisters who actually had a similar upbringing, which is what makes it so believable as well as hilarious.

The 6 children are all named after celebrities and all have very different characters. Aretha, is clever, sarcastic and driven mad by Jermaine, her dramatic, sex mad sister. The next youngest is Yoko, who is shy, kind and psychic. Then there are 3 young children: Wyatt, Mariah and the baby Cher. They all live with mum Della and their Grandad.

Whilst the story lines are unique and hilarious, it is these characters that really make the program brilliant. I recommend it to anyone who wants a good laugh. It is available on All 4.

Do you love Raised By Wolves?

A Peculiar Read

I have just finished reading the Book Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs and I have loved it! The book is a fantasy one, but is set in the real world and is therefore quite realistic. As the story is told by a 16 year old, it has a mature, young adult feel, despite many of the characters being children. Like John Greens writing, but with a fantasy twist!

The book is about a 16 year old who travels to the abandoned orphanage where his Grandad grew up to discover the truth about his childhood. He realises the stories his Grandad told him about monsters and children with peculiar talents are true, and that he has a big decision to make.

What makes it unusual though is that the story is told through vintage photographs as well as writing. The photos are all original vintage snapshots and they make the mystery even more intriguing. They are one of the main things that makes the book stand out and makes it worth a read.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy stories or mysteries.

I Am Officially A Student!

A couple of days ago, I collected my exam results. I was mostly pleased, as although some of my results were not as good as I had hoped, there were some nice surprises as well. After celebrating that evening with pizza, I enrolled at my college the next day.

When I first arrived, they gave me a test! I thought I had done all the tests I needed to do for a while! Now spelling is not my strong point, so this did make me panic a little, but I was fine with the reading and comprehension parts, so it was ok overall. They were just trying to find out if I needed any specialist support whilst I was at the college.

Then I had another interview to check I could still do my courses with my results and sort out my paperwork. As I am part of the college's Aspire program, I got to meet the Principle who is in charge of the scheme too. This was a little scary, but he was very friendly. Finally, I got my college ID and officially became part of the college. Now I am very excited for September!

Are you excited to be going to college!

Results Day Nerves

In two days time, I will be receiving my GCSE results. As it has been two months since my exams, I can't wait to find out. I am a little nervous though. Although the exams seemed to go ok and my mock results were good, that doesn't stop me being unsure as sometimes results can be unexpected. The one I am particularly concerned about is English Lit, as I need a 6 in it to be allowed to do it at A level, and with the new exams that could be difficult.

Some of my friends are really panicking, but I am trying not to think about it too much, as I can't change what is in that envelope. By Thursday morning though, I think I will be in major freak out mode.

Are you about to receive exam results? Good luck if you are!