New Year Already?

Hellooooo Humans!!

Where do I even begin?

Firstly, I know I usually don't post anything unless it's a Sunday, but I might as well break this rule since I broke the rule of trying to post something at least once a month. It has been so long since I've written and posted something on this blog, that I struggled with trying to remember my password (thanks to my beautiful memory) and almost got locked out and lost access to all these posts.

So yes, I am aware that I've been in the shadows for some time, and honestly, it was not by choice at all.

Year 13 has been an incredibly busy year, and amongst the chaos of writing a personal statement, UCAS applications, interview preparation, mocks, IAs and ToK (essays) as well as all the other weird and wonderful privileges I had to deal with as an IB student, I ended up having to take a break from blog posts.

Don't get me wrong, I still did write, how else would I vent out all the stressful side effects of doing the IB but I confided more in my diary and in people; this year in particular (right from year 12), I truly felt thankful for being able to have people who I call friends that feel like home. And I think in year 13, everyone is trauma bonded so it became a lot easier to talk to people and just speak your mind which I was grateful for as well.

There were several times I felt like writing and making a post, but I just couldn't bring myself to, because the whole process of applying to universities and taking that huge leap can be quite daunting, and the whirlwind of emotions that infiltrate your mind is difficult to overcome just by yourself. However, when I look back, through all of this, I had my family and friends with me - the staple in my life and my support system. Especially since there were several days I needed to talk to someone, speak my mind, or just sit in silence whilst enjoying my cold, chicken wrap (I promise tastes better than I'm making it sound) from the canteen.

Of course, sixth form wouldn't be sixth form without the occasional drama or plot twists that presented themselves, but there was a period were everything felt dull, the days felt longer, the weeks seemed to keep going on, and it felt like we were trudging through lessons.

We all had good days and bad days, but no matter what (I know more StereotypicalClichedCheesyNonsense) I knew we had each other to fall onto (sometimes literally).

My friends and I ended up finding a little spot underneath the stairs to settle at every lunch and break time where there were seats in the reception (I know interesting choice to hang out at) and soon I knew teachers' bathroom schedules or tea break schedules as they awkwardly dawdled past us where we laughed hysterically at the harsh realities the IB has us face.

All in all, this has been the first time I haven't been excited for the new year like I have been in the past and maybe that lies in the truth that 2025 has been a long, and tiring year and having turned 18 just makes me feel more stressed for the plot of 2026, the challenges and responsibilities I'm about to wrestle with.

This whole term, went by so quickly, before I could even fathom what was happening, I blinked, and it was gone; 'quick but slow' would be how I would describe this term (and maybe also as 'exhaustion').

I definitely needed that Christmas break, but tell me why the new year and school term is already round the corner?!

So where I'm at currently: well, definitely took some rest, but now back to being stressed (at this point stress and me are best friends; it's a lifestyle), some course work due - actually a lot of course work due, tests to revise for, content to catch up on, preparation to do and life to sort out.

But it's fine, because I just had some time out with my friends, and feel rejuvenated; I swear everything feels lighter once you hangout with your trauma bonded friends (although the next day can feel quite empty). University life is another thing I'm not ready to face and that has been lingering on my mind, but we'll delve into my thoughts and worries on this when the time comes..For now, my friends and I still attend the same school, and I get to see them everyday and that's all that matters.

For 2026, I hope..................(I'll let you know what they are when they come true, until then, yall could have a guess).

That's it on my update of what I was doing being incognito for the last couple of months.

Thank you to everyone who put up with me this year, listened to me yap for hours and also for just being there.

Have a Happy New Year everyone!

- Ravitreni Signing Off