After what felt like an endless round of mock exams, I thought that I would share some of my tips, and some that others have very kindly suggested. Take a look at their lovely blogs, and let us know your best tips!

Revising before the exam

Just before the exam

I'm writing this whilst I should be revising for a Biology exam. I'm sure you're all thinking that I'm an idiot, but there is a reason why I'm on a break... I wanted to talk to you guys about revision today, because I think I've finally settled a decent routine for revision (at least for Bio and subjects where you can be handed 100s of things to revise in a week) that seems to be working. So, I thought I'd share some tips that have been working for me :)

Try something new
If you just keep making flashcards, don't be surprised if you get bored. Even if one method is working really well for you, make sure to try new ways of revising once in a while so you're not just staring at a never ending pile of flashcards for finals. I've really enjoyed making colorful posters and spider diagrams for Bio the past month, and have found that my grades have improved since I started doing something a bit more fun with my work.

Breaks
You need to take a break or you'll burn out. It's really that simple. If you're planning to do 2 hours of work for one subject and then some more for another, you need to have a break between the two. Otherwise you'll end up mixing business with maths or something ridiculous like that. (Word from the not so wise, don't do French and Spanish homework on the same day, you'll end up handing in your French to the Spanish teacher and vice versa. True story.) Even if it's just a five minute walk to and from the fridge to grab a snack, you need to clear your mind before diving back in.So, instead of working on things in large segments, split one hours work into two or three (or even four) segments, if possible. For example, with Biology revision, instead of writing up my notes on the whole chapter in one big go, I've been splitting everything by topic and sub-topic. It makes it easier to understand the overall concept if you can understand each little part.

Take an afternoon off
As much as I can't believe I'm saying this, a few hours off isn't that big of a deal. I'm the type of person who just ploughs through for hours on end and ends up forgetting everything I've worked on. I've started to take Thursday afternoons off, just to have a nice end to the school week and prepare myself for a weekend camped up in my room.

It's always important to remember that you relax (I know that sounds so patronizing), but honestly, I've relaxed so much and sorted myself out (kind of), and it does seem to be paying off. Different people have different methods of working, but don't be afraid to try a new way of revising, especially if you're getting bored.

What methods are you using to revise? Let me know in the comments, and maybe I can try it!

As we are now in a proper 'back to school' mode,  I thought it would be logical to introduce you all to a website/app that I've been testing out for the past few days. You know you're an IB student when you're reviewing a planner ;) 

My Study Life is a website I stumbled upon randomly, via Tumblr, and decided to just sign up on a whim. I usually love physical planners, but sometimes, my school bag is just too heavy to handle another unnecessary book. Most people I know use their phones to track their work, but I always find that I forget when there's no constant reminder of what is due when. In comes this website, and it's app. At first, I found that putting in my schedule was tedious, but once that's done, it's ridiculously convenient and easy to use. We'll see whether I continue to use this as the year goes on, but for now, it's fun (yes, I mean that) and less stressful to have a site that stores all my timings and plans in one place. It could be argued that the iPhone has all the same features, but the iPhone just doesn't have the same aesthetics as this, with everything all in one app. I'll update you as I continue to use this throughout the year, but for now, I think it's exactly what I needed.

Now that school is back in session, I wanted to update you all on my thoughts. At first, I was obsessed with this site. It was perfect for planning ahead, and putting in all of my assignments easily. However, as usual, as the term has gotten into full swing, I've neglected my planning. It definitely shows, because I've dwindled down to a very small amount of free time. Organization, besides being one of those things I'm obsessed with, is still something I procrastinate on when preparing for school. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one though! Regardless, I'd still recommend this website. When I get used to my routine, I know that I will be using this again.

Have you used a website/app to help you plan? Let me know! I'd love to try out a few new methods of organization!

So, you know when you get back home from school, and all you want to do is nap? Well, that ends here (kind of)... I'm going to give you a few of my tips and tricks to making it through the after school demands. Now, I'm not one who practices what they preach, in any way, shape or form, so maybe my tips will help you, and I'll actually try them.

Tip #2 - Have a Snack!

Tip #3 - Plan

As my Business teacher says, failing to plan is planning to fail. If you know you've got homework to do, or a project due a long way away, then be sure to make sure you schedule time to do it. The last thing you want to do is have to ruin your sleep over something you could've done in an hour. There are tons of websites, like MyStudyLife (Sarah and I will be talking about it eventually) where you can plan out your schedule, to see when the best time to work would be. Alternatively, Tumblr has some wonderful blogs that provide you with some planners. I love this website's printable planners, because you can organize everything in a wonderful, neat way. Surprisingly, Tumblr has some wonderful "Studyblrs", which give you tips on revision. They definitely remind you to do your work whilst procrastinating online.

Tip #4 - Take a Break!

For those of you who don't know me, there's one thing that you must know - I am lazy. I try to make things as simple and organized as possible, so there is less likely to be a mad panic at 7am before I go to school (on a side note, yes, our school starts ridiculously early). My laptop is always off and charged the night before, ready to just grab and go, and I try to make sure that my school bag is packed at the same time. It usually doesn't happen, but fingers crossed, this year, I will be a bit more prepared. This year, I picked up the Zara Reversible Metallic Holdall in Silver, which reverses to a copper color. It also comes in Pink and Black. Hopefully it will be able to carry all my school stuff without much hassle, but I'll update you on that and see how it goes. It came with a removable pouch, which I might stuff things in on lighter days, but for now, I don't think I will use it. Here's what I'm planning to take with me to school...

Gum
Yes, gum. A word of advice - gum is the savior of high school. Share it with those you want to be friendly with. But be warned, if too many people find out you have it, all of it will be gone by the end of the day.

Pencil Case
As frequent readers will know, I am a huge stationary addict (see my school shopping tips here), so squeezing everything I'd like to take into one small pouch is nearly impossible. So, I take a pencil case for my pens, pencils and commonly used stuff, and a separate container for any pens that I might only use for writing up pretty notes during my free periods. It does make my bag heavier than what is always necessary, but it means I can be slightly more productive.

Chargers
My laptop battery has been slowly deteriorating over the past year, since I've been dragging my laptop all over the place, and over using it. A charger is my saving grace, and any time I see a plug point, I take the opportunity to charge up. Tip - try not to share Mac chargers, they seem to get destroyed in other people's hands!

Canvas Bag
Now, during the day, I have been known to whip out a canvas bag from my school bag, and dump some of the extra weight in there. Notably, on one day, I picked up a dozen books for an English class, and had to carry them around by hand for an entire day. Ever since then, I've been carrying an extra bag with me, just to be on the safe side. You never know what extra stuff you may end up with at the end of the day, so it's better to be prepared.

Do you have any special things you carry in your school bag? Share your tips and tricks with us in the comments!

Don't forget to follow us on Bloglovin!

Tanya's logic - even if your notes make no sense, at least they look good?

School shopping is one of those things you either do at the very last minute, or as soon as summer starts (or maybe, that's just me). As Sarah loves to say, I'm organized as anything. The week after school had ended, I'd already bought my school supplies, ready to head off for the Summer. My plan is always to return back for school at the last second, with all of my stuff ready to just grab and go. You don't even want to know how exhausted I was on the first day of school last year... I may or may not have taken a nap at lunch. Here's some of the stuff I'd recommend you buy before classes start.

Notebooks
As tech-oriented as we are these days, notebooks are the best way to ensure that all of your notes are organized and easy to find. Everyone has had that near panic moment where they can't find their notes for an assignment, and have to steal someone else's at the last minute. Usually, I grab one softcover notebook per subject, just because they're lighter to carrier in a school bag. I use hardcover ones for my revision notes, that I know I will keep until the exam, so they can be hauled across the globe without being destroyed in my suitcase.
Tip - if you find that you're a bit too slow to write notes in class, type them up in class, go home and write them up as you wish. You're more likely to remember things you handwrite!

Post-its
Everyone I know seems to have post-its stuck to their laptops. It's the easiest way to write down deadlines and reminders. With the bright colored notes constantly in your face, you're constantly reminded of what you need to do. The constant nagging of the neon paper could help you quit procrastinating... a girl can dream. I usually grab a variety of sizes, as they come in handy for just about everything. For one of my presentations last year, all of my notes were on post-its, just because once I had said the point, I could remove it from my main work. I'd suggest stocking up on them in bulk - once people find out you have some, they'll be gone fast!

Colors 
Sarah will be the first to admit that my Maths book looks like a toddler has doodled all over it. The only way I understand my notes is when they are sprayed with highlights, neon colors and doodles. My favorite pens are from MUJI, but I'd also recommend the Frixion erasable markers - they're ideal if you make a mistake (or 100 in your maths notes), just erase the blip and pretend it never happened. I always find that the best way for me to revise is with some aesthetically pleasing notes.

What are your tips for the first few days back? Are there any essential items you have to have before the term starts? Let us know!

Tanya and I are doing a "Back to School Special", and I'm in charge of the what not to do...have faith in Tanya on what to do, not me. Anyways, I decided that I could use that to my advantage in an area I (arguably) know a good deal about: Writing.

I'm not a "professional" writer, but I have written something over 30 screenplays (10 of which are feature length), I've written two (unfinished) novels and a few one page screenplays/short stories here and there. So I've managed to pick up a thing or two when it comes to writing; and the most important one's are what not to do.

So I wanted to be uber neat (competing with Tanya, but we all know she'll win at the end) by making a list followed by explanations (featuring some titles I'm proud of).

Whether it's an essay, short story....anything that involves writing for more than a paragraph...here's five steps to avoid doing when that cursed writers block hits:

1. Think about the title before writing - NEVER do this first. EVER. I can't stress this enough because I'm always thinking "Yes! The title! It'll help me develop a voice for this project!" It never does that. When you don't have a well developed body summary how can you pre-define the project? 

2. Spend hours and days and weeks and etc... on finding the perfect title - Again follows the same theme as the first point: if you can't find one yet don't bother. Now, if this is for an essay or something under a tight deadline which needs a title to be submitted just short-phrase (poetic license Tanya) the subject of the project. 

3. Following all the "Cure Writers Block" steps - I get writers block a lot. Too much even. I've spent a fair share of my time on all these different links and tutorials and self-help columns and writers advice on writing. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. The most important thing I learnt from all those links is that it is totally subjective. These are techniques that worked best for A people and those are ones for B people. Even what the writers say. In my opinion the best thing is to try and figure out when your brain would be working the most (or just enough to logically put one word after another and have a grammatically correct sentence), and go along with that. Now for the sake of argument I'll just say two methods that have worked best for me: Freewriting and writing everyday (even if it is nonsense)

4. Sleep deprivation - Don't do it. It won't help. You'll just end up getting really tired, won't be able to think clearly and that paper you had to give in on Sediment Flow Rates the next morning will get an F. Honestly, the best thing you can do is get a good nights sleep. It'll make you fresh and upbeat in the morning (the irony of a non-morning-person saying this) and you can think more clearly.

5. Forget about it for a good period of time - Yes. Forgetting your problems always helps in solving them. (I'm getting noticeably more sarcastic as this post goes on) When you can't write, the best thing to do (again, subjectivity) is to stop thinking about whatever isn't letting you think about the point of your project. Spend time thinking only about your writing. 

Good luck on your writing, try not to panic or leave anything to the last minute.

Image - courtesy of Sarah's design portfolio

This week, Sarah and I will be squeezing in a few Back to School related posts in to our schedule. With school starting back up in a few days (*cries hysterically*), we wanted to talk about our plans to ensure that our Senior Year is as stress free and painless as possible. Between the IB, University Applications and much, much more, we have a full plate for the next few months, much like many of you, so why not share our plans and advice with each other?

We're planning on writing posts on what's in our school bags, and collaborating on a what to do/ not do whilst studying. Please let us know in the comments, or via email, if you have any suggestions on what to talk about this week!