How to choose A-levels or GCSEs(etc etc etc ..

So I have been studying my a-levels for 4 months now, and I know that isn't a great deal of time, however I am aware that so many people are choosing A-Levels and GCSEs at the moment and are finding it hard to pick subjects because they feel their whole life will depend on them.

Now first of all it isn't, please do not panic! Although they may shape your life, they aren't going to decide your whole life's plans. Most teenagers struggle to choose what to eat for lunch or what Disney film to watch, let alone what career path they want to follow for the rest of their lives.

Its normal to have some subjects that you are absolutely rubbish at (mine are things like art and PE), subjects you enjoy (mine are maths, chemistry, geography, french and performing arts) and subjects that you are naturally very good at even if you don't love them 100% of the time (mine are English, maths, french, physics, and chemistry). And personally I think its about getting the balance. At GCSE, there are the compulsory subjects that you have to take, these normally are: Maths, English Language, English Literature, Science, RE, Citizenship and PE. Which makes it slightly easier as you have to take these subjects in the first place so you don't have to choose these when picking your 4 subjects.

Now I've always been semi-smart in science so applied to take triple science, which wasn't cast as an option at our secondary school, you just applied and then took an entry exam and based on that, your year 9 classwork, homework and general behaviour, depended on if you got in or not. I was lucky enough to get in, and in terms of schooling i felt it was the best decision that I had ever made. The class was with each other for 6 science lessons a week (we had 5 anyway if we weren't in triple so it wasn't a massive difference)  , we were also in each others RE, Citizenship and PE class (yes mixed sex PE) possibly the most funny and enjoyable thing on the planet, normally involving playing dodge ball, hockey, netball (where the girls tried to teach the boys the rules but it ended up into a combination of WW2 and basketball, but it was a laugh never the less) and multiple multiple other sports. The majority of us were also in excel maths and/or excel English together which meant that combined we were near enough all together for a minimum of 15 lessons a week, and when you all got along it meant that you were laughing for the majority of 2 years. ANYWAY, sorry about the gassing, memories slightly flooded me! So if you have the opportunity or wish to take triple science then I'd recommend it.

Then you have the choice of choosing 4 other subjects (or 3 in some cases) and this is where the balance comes into place. PICK SUBJECTS YOU ENJOY!!! However you do need to be good or have some strength in the subjects too. I chose to take 2 academic subject and one double option that was more for enjoyment. So I took Geography, French and BTEC Performing Arts. Now don't get me wrong I loved BTEC, however when it came down to the coursework, there was always so much of it, i chose the course because i knew how much a stressed out in exam situations but it ended up that I was more stressed over coursework than exams, so if you really really really hate exam or don't achieve well in them then take a coursework subject, however if you work well under pressure then I would recommend taking exam based subjects.

I'd love to hear all of your thoughts on education opportunities, please let me know what subjects you are taken or have taken and any advice you have.

Lots of love

Little Mad One xo

Pamper Evening

When stress comes along we all need a relief, my personal favourite relief is a nice calm paper session in the bath. followed but a lovely mousiterise and a paint of the nails. Now I am one for stressing like crazy so here are my tips for how to relax fully when you are feeling tired, stressed or just in need of some TLC.

 Step 1: Put on your favourite music, yes i do mean bring your iPod or laptop into the bathroom, just remember not to bring it into the bath with you- it won't end well! If you want to go super relaxing put some super calming music on, however sometimes i just go for my favourite playlist at the time.

Step 2: Run yourself a bath, remember that your bath needs to be at the optimum bath temperature for you to relax fully and for your muscles to relax, nice and hot, however not too hot that you end up burning half your body. 

Step 3: BUBBLES! bubbles a) smell amazing b) look incredible and c) are loads of fun. My favourite bubble bath is the I love Raspberry and Blackberry. It smells so lovely, and its a smell that I associate autumn and winter with as I tend to have showers in the summer rather than baths. This bubble bath makes your bath go pink first of all which is amazing too! At this stage i would also add in any extra bath products which i normally purchase from lush however i don't have any at the moment. 

Not please ignore the fish soap holder in the bath and the flannel looking a bit of a mess, I forgot to move them!

Step 4: Once you have ran your bath, light your candles, whichever ones you fancy really, try to get something that you love the smell of and that maybe ties in with the time of year, it helps you feel relaxed and for your senses to come alive! Please make sure your candles are far enough away from the bath that they won't fall in and burn you to death, I would not like for anyone to die!

The Three candles at the back that I've chosen aren't branded candles and are just from the bits and bobs shop in my local high street, so choose whatever you like and whatever smells good. The other candle is the Just Vanilla That's all Folks! candle. I love it, it smells amazing and isn't overpowering either, this is one that i found in the cupboard so i have no idea where its from however i don't think it is particularly expensive. I would really like some Yankee Candles but i just haven't had the time to go and buy any.

Step 5: Turn out the bathroom lights, only if you have enough candles lit, if you don't, then leave them on, otherwise if you get shampoo in your eyes- your screwed! 

Step 6: Get into your bath and enjoy! Use whatever products you fancy, I would love to try some more products so if you find any or have any favourites please let me know! these are mine currently:

For my face in the bath I use the Aloe Gentle Facial wash from The Body Shop, I'm meant to use it twice a day but to be honest I'm lazy and rubbish! For hair I use the Herbal Essences, Ignite my colour shampoo and their Dazzling Shine conditioner, I love them both however the shampoo isn't for my hair type so I find that after around a day and a half, my hair gets a build up of oil. If you have any suggestions of shampoos for long oily hair that don't cost £30 a bottle but smell really nice and feel like salon shampoo, please let me know :) I find this conditioner absolutely amazing! It makes my hair so silky smooth and all of my friends go on about how soft my hair is compared to all of theirs, i am aware that my hair is naturally very soft, however this conditioner defiantly helps. The only downside to this conditioner is the smell, neither my mum nor myself are massive fans of it when we apply it, however my hair always seems to smell really good once its dried if i use it. so.. who knows! For my body I am currently using two different shower gels, the first is the Lemon & Tea Tree Shower Gel by Superdrug, which is great for when you don't want to spend an arm or a leg but still want to smell great, I prefer to use this shower gel in the morning as its a more refreshing smell, so if i am having a bath in the evening to relax and unwind then i tend to use my I love Raspberry and Blackberry as its much for relaxing for an evening. I would highly recommend both of these products, and by having one for morning and one for evening, it defiantly helps me put my brain into the mindset of whether i need to wake up or if i need to relax.

And these are my top tips for a perfect bath, whatever your mood! Thanks for reading, and let me know any of your opinions or suggestions in the comments section.

Lots of Love

The Little Mad One xo