The start of a new school year ..

Starting a new year at a new school or a current school/uni/college is a daunting experience. This means new people, new lessons, maybe even new subjects. I have just begun my last year of eductaion studying for my A2 exams. Alevels have been a tough experience, as many people especially myself do not realise that they are a HUGE step up from GCSEs. At first I really stuggled with AS levels, but now looking back and having now started my second year I feel as if I could easily re-take some of my GCSEs! It just shows how much you can learn in a year, and not to doubt your own ability.

The one thing I though was really strange at the beginning of my AS level year was all the new students around me. All of a sudden my classes weren't full of people I had previously known for three years and it was a bit unsettling. The important thing to think about is imagine how the new people are feeling (or if you are new to your school you'll empathise). Going into a completely alien enviroment and having to resume work at an even harder level whilst trying to make new friends is pretty terrifying. But now when I think about my friends now, they were new a year ago and its almost we have know each other for a lifetime!

If you have just started a new school and after the first few days, or week you are hating it, don't despair! Everyone goes through this stage of hating a new environment but there are a number of things you can do to hopefully break the ice :)

1. Join a extra curricular group- One of the easiest ways to make friends is to join an extra curricular group. Whether thats, Drama, a choir a sports team - anything like that will help you meet new people and enjoy doing something out of the classroom.

2. Easier said than done, but, appear confident- This doesn't mean arrogance or shouting over people, it simply means being the person to take the first step. If you have set seats in class and you have to sit next to someone be the first one to simply say 'Hello my name is ...' its that easy. By immediatly doing that you have put the other person at ease and you will find convosation to flow much more easily. If the roles are reversed and someone says hello to you, just relax and be yourself - look them in the eye and reply.

3. Find a comman interest- Once you have begun talking to someone find a common interest that you can talk about. Whether your in maths and you just say 'Ergh I don't like maths' its just a starting point for convosation.

These steps are so simple but can really help you out!

So good luck for the next few weeks. Don't panic, be yourself and smile!- things will get better :D

First post..

Hello! This is my first of many entries of my new blog. I don't want this blog to be boring and just your bog standard lifestyle/beauty blog so I aim to shake things up a bit every once in a while. I'm currently a student studying my Alevels so I really want to offer any advice I can either about A levels/ GCSE/ the university application proccess or, studying and just school in general because making the change from GCSE to Alevel is a huge transition which is hard
to prepare for but hopefully showing you my experience may help someone else!

I intend for this to not be the only content within blog. I am going to be doing product reviews and favorites, often steering clear of higher end products. As a student I definatly don't have enough money to spend £50 or £60 at a time on face creams, and honestsly, I don't believe you need to do that when there are plenty of cheap (and equally as good) alternatives on the highstreet. I'm also planning to do some fashiony bits and pieces as well!

My aim is to post at least once or twice a week, but depending on when I get nearer exam time it may happen less often, but
bare with me!

Most importantly, please enjoy this blog and I welcome any feedback.

Thanks,

El x