Passions and Hobbies

Hey everybody, it's Amelia here, and I hope that today's post is inspiring!
What do we live for? Besides our family, friends, and beliefs, what are your passions? What is your hobby? I believe that it is important to have an outside activity that inspires you to get up and start the day every morning. For some, it may be music or art, and for others, it may sports. Regardless of the drive itself, it is important.

Why?

Life isn't meant to be wasted! Create something! Whether it be a legacy, a garden, a hand knit blanket, or a novel, get going! Someday, those who are young now will no longer be able to participate in their passions and hobbies as they previously did. Seize the day! Find something to do and the end result will be you proud of yourself. 

Get up and find your passion, and if you already know what yours is, go do it!

Amelia Kate

Apologies

Hi there, it's Amelia Kate. I am so very sorry for not staying up to date with the blog, please forgive my sister and I. We didn't think it through that starting a blog around the holidays can be a set up for disaster. Hopefully, our readers understand that we are busy (shopping, cooking, cleaning, working, wrapping gifts, setting up decorations, more shopping, driving to see family, ect.). The new year has come and though it may be late: HAPPY NEW YEAR! Jessica and I hope that 2015 is a fantabulous year filled with happiness and joy. It is apart of my new years resolution to post weekly.

I am very sorry about not posting, and because of the apologizing I had in mind for this post, I decided to write about apologies. Saying "sorry" is easy. It's just a word. But meaning it? That's much more difficult. 

Ask yourself these questions and follow through with tips you think will best help you when apologizing. 

How bad is it?

On a scale from 1 to 10, 1 being not so bad and 10 being horribly sorry and you made a big mistake, is your problem? If it is anywhere between 4-7, this post will help. If it is between 1-3, then a sorry should fix it and some love. Use your common sense and you'll be fine. If it is between 8-10, you have gotten yourself in a HUGE problem and sorry is not going to cut it. It will take a long time and if the person is forgiving enough, your apology will be accepted. 

Scaled 4-7

This post is here for you. You've made a mistake and the word isn't enough to patch up it all up. Your first go-to is to SHOW you are sorry. Let them know that in your heart that you know you messed up and you understand their frustration with you. 

The number 1 thing to keep in mind is:

Time and love heals

If you show in your heart that you will never make that same mistake again and care about the damage you made, time will allow opportunity for peace. 

I hope I helped! Have a great and beautiful week, 

Amelia Kate

Studying For Finals | Sophomore Year

It's Amelia Kate! I'm a high school sophomore, and this year's finals are before winter break. I have tons of studying to do, but I wanted to share the way I get ready for finals.

Study Smarter and Not Harder

Many times, students believe that if they study "hard" enough, they'll be ready. What does it mean to study "hard"? To most, it means to study until your brain feels exhausted and about to explode. Studying doesn't have to be a struggle, it can be fun!

One At A Time

When studying, make sure you don't start the night before, or even two nights before the final exams. The brain needs time to soak in each subject, so use the five-day study plan instead. Start your studying five days before your first exam and follow the plan:

Day 1	Study subject 1	two hours	total: two hours
Day 2	Study subject 2 Review subject 1	two hours 30 minutes	total: two hours, 30 minutes
Day 3	Study subject 3 Review subject 2 Review subject 1	two hours 30 minutes 15 minutes	total: two hours, 45 minutes
Day 4	Study subject 4 Review subject 3 Review subject 2 Review subject 1	two hours 30 minutes 15 minutes 10 minutes	total: two hours, 55 minutes
Day 5	Study subject 5 Review subject 4 Review subject 3 Review subject 2 Review subject 1	two hours 30 minutes 15 minutes 10 minutes 5 minutes	total: three hours

It works best if you are organized and know what you want to study ahead of time. I like to make study cards to guide my studying. I look over all my notes and review packets to keep myself on track.

Get Closer To Your Subjects

Don't just study by reading and repeating, have fun by using silly tips and tricks!

• Set up a "class" of stuffed animals and teach them about your subject
• Chew a certain flavor of gum every time you study a certain type of subject and then chew that gum when you take your final. For example, assign mint gum to math and fruit gum to english. When you study for math, chew mint gum. When you study english, chew fruit gum. When you take your math final, chew mint gum. When you take your english final, chew fruit gum.
• Read upside down!
• Color code and take new review notes
• Make your own test and then try to see if you answer it correctly the next day
• Eat your favorite snack after you get 5 flash cards right
• Listen to classical music
• Make up a song using your vocab words
• Make up stories to connect the question with the answer

Just be confident when you take your exam. Think of your finals as just showing off all the studying you've done. Good luck!

Amelia Kate