Elise Paramore

I am writing this follow on post around two years after I published my last. I find it strange to re-read my thoughts after going through a set of A-Level exams. Whilst my thoughts on the pressure put on young people to achieve 5 GCSEs is the same, I now understand that GCSE results do not make or break you. You can still achieve great things even if exams are not your thing.  A Levels opened my eyes to a new kind of pressure, made up of both the environment I was in as well as the newfound pressure of my own expectations. One of the biggest difference between GCSEs and A-Levels is that you are your own motivator. You are expected to want to do well and that you will put in the work needed to get the grades you require for your next stage of life. This new desire caused me to become increasingly stressed and disappointed when I wasn't making progress during A levels.  As much as I got the grades I needed to progress onto the University of Southampton (the dock pictured ...

As of today, I officially have only 1 GCSE exam left to sit. I can't believe I am actually able to say (type) that. Just over a month ago, I sat my first exam. One of twenty (although I technically have twenty-one in total, as I had a practical drama exam), and now I have completed nineteen out of those twenty. That is an unbelievable thought. And if you had asked me a month ago, how was I feeling, I would have told you that I was so nervous and stressed. Ask me now, I still feel like it isn't real. The whole exam process is bazaar. You spend two years learning content, exam technique and how to apply that knowledge. Then you spend weeks revising that content. And then you have a half an hour pep-talk, recapping two years of content. And then you sit an exam. And that's it. Totally finished. All in the space of a few hours. I personally find this whole process so crazy. It's an unfair reflection of ones abilities and mental capacity. For some people, including me, exa...

I've been thinking a lot recently about this. Does putting in work and effort get you results? There are obvious things such as exercise, where you'll get results if you work out frequently but there are some things which make me wonder. For example, relationships. Now I am no expert in any way, but I've had a little bit of experience in this area. So in the majority of relationships, two people will work along side each other to have a relationship. Makes sense, right? So why is it that putting in effort in this case, doesn't always get a good result. You could try and try and try to make things right, or keep happy but sometimes it doesn't work. And I guess you could argue that it is just fate and what will be will be but the amount of effort that people put into these things for them just to go away is so hard to accept. There are many occasions where I've put in effort and have gotten results. Occasions such as mock tests where I've revised and I...

Musicals and musical theatre are a huge part of my life. It's the industry I want to work in, the place I escape to and the place where a large majority of my idols work and have influence. I wanted to share my current top 5 musicals, as I love finding out other peoples favourite musicals! A little side note/fun fact I've only seen 2 of my top five although I will be seeing my favourite this year! Anyway on with the list! 5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street In at number 5 we have Sweeney Todd, A musical written by the wonderful Stephen Sondheim. This musical was first introduced to me by my best friend, and I fell in love with it. The witty lyrics and memorable tunes captured my attention and I found I was sympathising with in essence a serial killer.  One of the two of my top 5 that I've actually seen on stage, it is a very firm favourite and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys musicals. Unless you're squeamish. Stay clear of the film :)  ...