by Sequoia Thomson, Year 13 Student, Kaipara College
Yet another fresh start is here - Isn’t it just crazy that term three is upon us!
I know I seem to reflect on the passing of time in each article I write, but time never ceases to fascinate me. But as John F. Kennedy said, “We must use time as a tool, not as a couch.”
Term three is upon us, and it’s back to the grind!
To all the other year thirteens around me just dreading term three, and the ill-fatedd mock exams, I really do understand. Mock exams I find are so much worse than the real thing, simply because you are SO much more unprepared. Plus, the management of all the exam prep, and your normal schedule including work, sports, socialising, rest, chores, etc. is hard to keep already. I recommend starting prep early to reduce your stress levels, and pacing it out - remember not to burn yourself out. Rest, rest, rest!
But, look on the bright side - we are almost through the season of sickness. I myself wrote this with a strong case of the sniffles, a smacking of headache, and a decent dose of brain fog, which, whilst not too bad compared to the rest of my family, is nonetheless a hindrance to my day-to-day activities. When it comes to healing from the common cold, I do find that honey, lemon, and ginger are the way to go. While Lemsip does contain actual medicine and is good for temporarily relieving the symptoms of a cold, I just cannot stomach the taste of the drink. It just truly is awful. The natural healing effects of a honey lemon ginger tea include the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger, the immune-boosting vitamin C of lemon, and the antibacterial soothing of honey, all combined to create the perfect drink for the mid-winter shivers.
Now, a quick reminisce over the last few exciting events of term two. The ball went flawlessly, with all the gorgeous students trussed up in a range of beautiful suits and dresses - just wonderful! I must say the food was all very delicious too, quite good picks on the student leaders’ behalf. There was a nice range of salads and meat dishes including a potato salad and a chicken curry, as well as a wonderful sticky date pudding for dessert (there were other desserts, but the pudding had my heart). We all danced our hearts away over the course of the evening - and many pairs of heels came off in order for the fun to continue. Overall, a genuinely fun evening which I hope lived up to the expectations of the many who attended.
A little suggestion for those of you who are a little financially drained following the ball, you are able to sell your ball dress for a pretty similar price as you bought it on online resale apps such as Depop, or designer warehouse - I personally have sold and bought multiple items on both apps, and have found my experience overwhelmingly positive. Though it is hard to let go of such a gorgeous gown, they are often not worn again and find themselves sitting in wardrobes un-worn. Maybe someone else will find their dream dress in yours!
Best wishes to all for the coming month; let’s hope it goes as smoothly as the last!
