On loving things.

As part of my school's induction to sixth form they have an annual quiz for the new people. On every table there are two current year 11s, new people, a teacher and a sixth former. It's your first introduction really to your year and your life at the school and I enjoyed it last year.

This year I was a sixth form helper and I adored it. Even more than last year. Maybe it was because I got the in-jokes, or just the flattery of being picked for the job or the bantaaaaaaarrrrr with my head of year (I got a question I should have known wrong. I mean she taught it to me.)

It just reminded me of how much and why I love my school. I was reminded of how much they've truly done for me and I can never stop being grateful to them for all the help they've given me.

I am still ecstatic three hours later just because of how lucky I am to attend and for my teachers to care so much for my wellfare. I just hope I conveyed it in the very best light.

Good night, bloggerverse.

Sophie

Gif tastic

Open Day Issues

Tomorrow is my sixth form's open day.

Now, open days are not my forte. In year 6 I got a family who took four hours to go into five classrooms. In year 9 my friend Lucy and I tried to access our lockers, which had turned into a male loo (it was an all girls) and had to hide for five minutes while we heard everything that went on in the cubicles. In year 10 I couldn't hear my prospective students name so couldn't introduce her to any teachers.

But Sophie, you're in a levels now, surely you're in a subject classroom, and I mean, you know a lot now about Biology, it must be okay?

I am guiding.

I don't know my way around the school.

I don't know about any other subjects.

I will have to show round someone entering sixth form or I will be of no use.

I have never been into one building.

How am I going to talk knowledgeably?

I only know 11 teachers names.

This could be interesting.

Lord help my school.
I love it though. Hopefully that will come across.

Night.

Starting a New School

I started a new school today. Honestly, I would worry before each induction because change is scary. I left for sixth form so I left all my friends behind and went into the great wide somewhere.  What's weirdest? Their snapchats, showing life being the exact repetition of last year: playing on phones in lunch hour in the buildings I am so familiar with. Moaning about the already incresing stress. Rejoicing over the number of free periods.

Starting a new school is daunting. I'm going to attempt to give some advice on how to  manage your new school.

1. Learn where your lessons are before the lesson starts because post-bell stress is insane.
2. Ask for directions. Nobody's going to judge you if you can't find room 105.
3. If you can't remember someone's name, ask. Everyone is doing it and nobody gets offended as we can all only remember a small bunch of names, let alone their a level choices and previous schools.
4. Find a "buddy" before lunch and sit with them. Stress-free seat finding
5. Pretend to have buckets of confidence and know exactly what you're doing. I don't know if I do this for the younger years but it seems to work despite having the odd nervous giggling fit prompted by "oh-my-lord-where-am-I-going."
6. Socialise. Don't be exclusive. Talk to everyone and anyone as there's only a small window for random conversation time in a new year.
7. Try not to collapse into laughter with your science partner when something goes wrong. I can not confirm I have followed this piece of advice.
8. Learn where the most important places are in the school: food, your classroom, your locker, your common room. Learn the names of buildings and the room numbers inside of them.
9. Learn the door codes really fast. It's just embarrassing.
10. Try not to just talk to your old friends if any have moved with you or on technology. These new people are lovely and will be in your life for the next 2/3/4/5/7 years. Stay in touch with your old friends just be prepared to branch out.

Moving schools was the right choice for me. I'm really happy, despite being totally lost most of the time. Everyone's in it together and nothing brings people together like lack of direction.

One last piece of advice, don't tell people you make youtube on the first day. Give them the chance to think you're vaguely normal first *cringes at lunch outburst*

Sophie out.