Holly Green: Over and Out!

Well, this will be my last blogpost. I'm really quite sad that we are getting to the end of Summer School but am really pleased to be able to have a bit of time off before I (hopefully, depending on my results and Summer School report) go to uni. I thought I might just do some highlights and a bit of a summery to show what I've learned and what I'll take forward with me.

Firstly, revising for exams - I've been using some of my old favourite techniques like 'smaller and smaller' where you take an idea or concept, describe it in a long-handed way and then try to describe it in smaller and smaller paragraphs and sentences until you can fit it all on a post-it note. It helps because you can't really summerise something until you know it that well. I like to try to get mine into a few bullet-points by the time I am finished. I also like the one I mentioned earlier in my blog where you try and explain something in really simple terms to someone who knows nothing about it. This does rely on patient friends/family/pets but I find it helps me.

Taking breaks is also a must as a tired brain is not a thinking brain. I find I need to stop and take a break then when you return to the ideas you might find you understand them better. The concepts are always going through your head anyway.

My academic reading has improved loads over the summer too. I find I am reading for understanding now, rather than reading because I have been told to. I mean, of course I have been directed towards that reading but I know I can't get away with not doing it because noone will be summarising it all in class for me. I think I've become a more independent learner. I wish everyone had Summer School before they start uni because it seems a shame and I am not sure where and how everyone else learns these skills before they start at uni. Hmmm...

I think the academic reading session we did in learning skills was the most useful for me because the subject I want to study has loads of words and is very text-heavy. Note-taking and note-making was good too because I was worried about how you write down every word the lecturer (NOT teacher, Holly, yays, getting to grips with that!) says. I know now that this is silly and that you don't have to do that unless you are a secretary from the 1950s doing shorthand - big LOLS!!

My two subjects I took were great. I think Psychology was my favourite becuase I have never done anything like it before. Also, we got to go to the zoo yesterday and it was awesomely warm and sunny! Not like today - YUCK! Exam's a week yesterday so I have been doing stuff for that but not as much as for my His and Pol exam on Friday. I remember being really worried for my school exams but I feel a bit more calm about these ones, like I have been given more information. Also because I know that it is all up to me how much I do for them. I know that is true in school too but only for revision not for the whole way through the course.

before Summer School I was really worried about uni - what if I didn't fit in? What if I couldn't keep up? I know I will have to have a part-time job to support me with money but I also now know I should aim to do no more than 12 hours a week because being a student will be my full-time job. I feel a lot more ready to tackle everything ahead of me now and instead of feeling a bit sick, I think BRING IT ON! (Like the movie about cheerleaders but the only one cheering is me!!)

So, in summery, Summer School's cool! Summer school = much awesomeness, new friends, hard work and loads of new information. Summer School = being given the tools to help yoou do well. Summer School = bowling, sumo suits, rounders, the zoo, crazy Personal Tutors (you know who you are!) and the lovely LEAPS team. Oh, and Summer School = graduation!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHOO!

Holly Green, over and out!!

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