And We Begin The Home Stretch...

So here we are.  Final weeks of school. Up to the moon in Homework. So as a high school student I am required to get good grades to get into good colleges! So that means working my but off to achieve the "perfect" GPA, I mean my average GPA is a 3.7 but some kids are able to hold a 4.0 every quarter... Kudos to them! So before I vanish into a world of homework I thought I would give you a few tips on how to study and pass a test!

1. Depending on what you are studying for... Create a study guide outlining what concepts you have to master and make sure to organize your information !

2.If you have the time and you're confused, ask questions... preferably the teacher who is giving you the final but if you have a friend or parent that knows the material really well I advise asking them many questions so you can be as confident as possible going into the test.

3. If the teacher offers a review session, MAKE SURE TO ATTEND, going back to #2... this would be the perfect time to clarify all your questions. Usually, the teacher will either do an in class review or even a before/after school review!

4. Don't cram in your studying, start early. Learn the material miles before the test so you have time to nail all the key concepts, eventually this will make it much easier to ace the final. DO NOT leave the studying till the night before at 11 pm, I have done it. It doesn't work. At all. So study early, maybe even weeks before!

5. If you have friends that enjoy studying together, organize  a group study session! That way you can have fun with friends, while drilling in the information into each others heads!

6. DO NOT study for a whole day straight, make sure to take breaks and give your poor brain a breather. Otherwise the constant studying will have no effect, breaks are necessary while studying! 

7. Split the material into bits, that way you gain a little more knowledge every day. Splitting the material into chucks you can actually achieve can be very beneficial. That way, you can keep track of what you’ve accomplished instead of looking at the big picture and getting overwhelmed.

8. Get a good nights sleep, don't stay up till the crack of dawn studying. Make sure to get a lot of sleep, and limit the late night cramming sessions! A full night's sleep will help you to stay much more focused during the test.

9. Keep an open mind, Some exams will be more difficult than others, some you may find easier to study for. Some may be worth more of your grade than others. Make sure to evaluate all of your exams to consider and determine all of the involved factors so you can study accordingly.

10. It’s easier to focus if you adapt to studying by quizzing yourself, creating acronyms or rewarding yourself for a job well done. Create a game plan – literally – that allows you to accomplish tasks and be rewarded for each.

For example, why not reward yourself with a piece of chocolate or a sip of your coffee after you’ve accomplished a new chapter or allow yourself five minutes of free time for every chunk of material you digest?

You can even add in fun factors like power-ups every time you learn a new definition and lose a life, which means you add another definition to your list, when you get an answer wrong!

Overall, you need to make sure you re staying healthy and don't stress too much over the tests, it won't be the end of you life if you bomb it. But if you follow the steps I just listed, you are guaranteed a better outcome!

Photos: Google Images

Priceless Places

I am obsessed with travel, there are so many places that I hope to visit during my lifetime. Heres some of the most beautiful and extraordinary destinations in the world!

#1 Maldives:

Picture this, a private villa stands over clear, crystal blue water... Ending your days with orange sunsets that make you hungry for local citrus juice. Only the best gourmet room service and a masseuse are on call to avoid any unnecessary trips from your porch and the only thing to make you want to leave is the breathtaking coral reef and underwater creatures that demand a scuba session for a proper introduction. 

Could you imagine? A beautiful villa to yourself, watching the sun rise and set while surrounded by ocean water and aquatic life.  This is only one, of many breath taking destinations in the world.

Photo: Google Images

#2: Cinque Terre, Rio Maggiore, Italy

The village, dating from the early thirteenth century, is known for its historic character and its wine, produced by the town's vineyards. Riomaggiore is in the Riviedi Levante region and has shoreline on the mediterraneans golf of Genoa, with a small beach and a wharf framed by tower houses. Riomaggiore's main street is Via Colombo, where numerous restaurants, bars and shops can be found.The Via dell'Amore is a path connecting Riomaggiore to its frazione Manarola, also part of the Cinque Terre.Riomaggiore is the most southern village of the five Cinque Terre, all connected by trails. The water and mountainside have been declared national parks.

I can't imagine a more beautiful town, with all the colors and simple houses it is simply irresistible! Someday I really hope to travel around the world to see all of the most beautiful sights.

Photo: Google Images

#3 Glass Beach, California 

Imagine, walking over thousands different shapes, colors, sizes of glass. In the early 20th century, Fort Bragg residents threw their household garbage over cliffs owned by the Union Lumber Company onto what is now Glass Beach, discarding glass, appliances, and even vehicles. Locals referred to it as "The Dumps." Fires were lit to reduce the size of the trash pile.The California State Water Resources Control Board and city leaders closed the area in 1967. Various cleanup programs were undertaken through the years to correct the damage. Over the next several decades the pounding waves cleaned the beach, by breaking down everything but glass and pottery and tumbling those into the small, smooth, colored pieces that cover Glass Beach.

I really hope to visit this beach, mostly because the beach is my sanctuary. I am obsessed with the sound of the waves crashing, the taste of salt water, and mostly the feeling of sand wedging itself between my toes. This beach would be absolutely amazing to visit, not only because of the glass but because it evolved from a dump sight into a tourist attraction!

Photo: Google Images

#4 Glow Worm Cave, New Zealand

Just picture, thousands of twinkling lights surrounding you and making the slightest noises. Boating through a cave of priceless lights and sounds of water dripping is amazing. The glow worm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as our expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance.  Marvel at Mother Nature's light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Meander underground along the Waitomo River and gaze in silence at the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll immediately experience a serene ambience and be fascinated and intrigued by tiny glowworms that light your way.

Fortunalty, I have had the honor of visiting these amazing caves, my mother is from New Zealand so we go back every year and  once we went on a surpass drive down to the glow worm caves. The caves were absolutely mesmerizing, the entire time I was so busy focusing on the magical lights, so I couldn't quite take any photos.

Photo: Google Images

#5 Venice Italy:

This is both a cause and a consequence of depopulation: many small business, mom and pop stores, like handicraft stores, bakeries, small businesses, etc., are little by little closing down, swept away by big unpersonal chains established just for the huge tourism stream, or by stores filled with junk souvenirs or fake Venetian masks..

It is a catch 22, because due to high prices, most tourists prefer to sleep in Mestre, and even bring with them their box lunch when visiting Venice during daytime. It is undestandable, but that way Venice often ends up to get more drawbacks than benefits from tourism.

Venice, is a town that is currently drowning in its water, Venice is so unique and exiting! Hopefully, I can travel there when I'm a little older!

Photo: Google Images

There are many places in the world that I wish to visit, these are very few of the many I think are interesting and where I want to travel too!

Whats your Zodiac sign? Part #2

Here we go again, for those of you that had to wait...sorry! Now you can find out about your Zodiac sign... FINALLY! Busy busy schedule, barely had time to write this! Enjoy :)

Libra(September 22-October 22)

Description: As I like to say, these are the people that like to wander off into lala land... they are great companions and will create endless laughs. Libras are often the shy ones then once you get to know them... the class clowns and make your day better. Although these people tend to hang on to their childhood dreams and usually end up very successful. "Every adolescent Libran's fantasy is to find the Prince or Princess of their dreams. As their lives unfold, the experiences, false starts, dramas, broken hearts and disillusionment they encounter seeking this personal Holy Grail, often shapes their futures in the most extra-ordinary manner. Love and love-lost makes a big difference to the Libran although their often happy-go-lucky appearance against all kinds of odds may not reveal this as fact. "


Scorpio(October 23- November 21)

Description: "Reputed to be the "most powerful" sign of the zodiac, Scorpios lead fate filled lives and have intense and dramatic personal relationships. Even as children Scorpios are often found to be wise beyond their years. Many astrologers call this the sign of the "oldest souls". Old and wise beyond the average, Scorpios often know all the answers, except sometimes; they too often have difficulty finding what they need to develop their own happiness. " Passion, desire, love, and power go hand in hand for these guys. They are generally wise,intelligent and easy to get along with, these people are defiantly the social butterflies. "Their biggest challenge and test in life is choosing between the power of love and the love of power. Coming to grips with their extraordinary emotional depths and sensitivity isn't easy for those around them. They are different from all other zodiac signs and this difference has them walking, working and loving to a different beat. Others can often live with a Scorpio partner for years, but not really know them. Much to do with a Scorpio remains ever secret. Their eyes often blaze with feelings that words never express, and beware on the days or nights they hide their feelings behind dark glasses, there is likely to be a storm of some kind brewing. 


Sagittarius(November 22- December 21)

Description: Sagittarius is the free spirited zodiac sign, often these people are free willed and reckless. Often these people are looked at as annoying by others, they are always on the move and usually active looking for adventure! "Ruled by the benefic planet Jupiter, Sagittarians possess a natural exuberance, sense of adventure and love of life that makes them one of the most optimistic zodiac signs of all. Like their astrological symbol - the Archer - Sagittarians are renowned for aiming their sights towards whatever it is they find alluring - a love partner, dream job, vacation - and making it their own. They believe that anything is possible - and because of this belief system, Sagittarians are adept at seeking out their very own pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. "


Capricorn(November 22- January 19) 

Description: These people are the ones who are gunning for the top are are continually fighting for success. When side track even in the slightest bit, they will push through mainly because their inner motivation."The first is represented by the mountain goat, always climbing higher and higher; never content until reaching the top. The second is the garden goat, with little adventurous spirit or ambition-happy to remain within a small domain, refusing to budge unless it is pushed. Either type of Capricorn, however, is patient and persevering. They reach their goals because they know the longest journey commences with a single step and that the first step is always the most difficult."

Aquarius(January 20 - February 18)

Description: These are the zodiacs most unusual people, they are highly focused but at the same time very creative and maintain a freewill. Aquarius are often very smart and later in life are very successful with what they choose to do, most engineers belong to the Aquarius zodiac. "Aquarians are the zodiac's most mysterious and unusual people - and no two are anything alike. Those born under this sign - ruled by innovative and non-conformist Uranus - march to the beat of their own drum. They see life in a different way. Others quite frequently think their habits and ideas are eccentric or crazy in some way, but it is this uniqueness that makes them so special. The Aquarian mind is extremely quick and they never seem to stop thinking. Aquarians usually have strong political, environmental or social beliefs. But whether it is a relationship, career or cause - Aquarians are happiest when they have "something" to believe in and nurture."


Pisces(February 19 - March 20):

Description: This zodiac sign is said to be very powerful and the most talented sign but at the same time are always facing challenges leaving them to decide. Often times these people are very bad decision makers, the zodiac sign is representing two fish heading two different ways. These types of people are generally very successful despite their lack of decision making but many are millionaires and very high up in the economy. "The number 2, is a very powerful number for them. This zodiac sign is acknowledged as being the Saint and the Sinner rolled into one; the trendsetter of fashion or art, the lost soul, the philosopher and the psychotic and the visionary. As a credit to them, considering their many vulnerable characteristics; Pisceans are incredibly adaptable and resilient. They are to be found leading the field in many diverse areas of life and many Pisces can be found represented amongst top business millionaires. On the other side of the coin, prisons, reform schools and all kinds of institutions statistically hold a high number of Pisceans too."


Hope you were able to learn about your Zodiac sign! Thanks for reading :)