Complaining about school...

(I'm new to this blogging thing so idk if I'm doing it right lol)

Listen, I actually like school. I absolutely adore learning things, and seeing my friends daily is incredibly fun. Furthermore, I feel incredibly grateful to go to a British school that follows the IGCSE system, so I dropped most subjects i dislike (french, computing, drama, etc) now that I'm in year 10, BUTTTTTT one thing I absolutely despise with every fibre of my being is how harsh the exam boards can be.

For example, I take IGCSE geography, and whilst I think I'm performing exceptionally well so far in terms of me understanding the content, during classwork/homework/tests, if i don't use an extremely specific term or word then i lose marks. In my last test, thankfully i remembered that i had to specifically note the term 'PREVAILING' winds, but many of my peers didn't, and despite their responses being perfectly adequate, missing one word means according to our exam board (Pearson Edexcel's) markscheme, they don't get any credit for their responses to the question. It feels unfair to me.

In science, for the 4-6 mark worded questions, I had to spend absolutely ages just learning the markscheme. Because, even if I expressed my answer in an utterly comprehensive way, if i didn't use incredibly specific wording, I would lose marks. (e.g. Random instead of unpredictable. When describing radioactive decay, the mark scheme almost always requires the word random, or spontaneous, which is so extra and frivolous to me!)

Also, another thing that just irks me regarding my school, WE GOT YONDR POUCHES!!! If you haven't the slightest clue on what those are, they are these ridiculous pouches that you keep on your person, but before school starts you must lock your phone in them. They can only be opened by a magnet at an opening station after the day ends. and i DO NOT MIND not being allowed to use my phone, but once the final bell rings, it takes me a good 10-15 minutes to open my bloody pouch to retrieve my phone due to the sheer volume of students also attempting to do the same. 

HELLO! I HAVE PLACES TO BE! (for example I like to go bouldering, it's a truly amazing sport i chose over football, and incredibly fun with friends. I like to go with my friend who moved schools.)

I do quite like the coursework reliance in some subjects though. DT is an excellent example, a 50% NEA (non exam assessment) and50% written exam subject that i truly love. You receive a prompt or theme, and must design a product to meet that criteria, documenting your design process, and product construction. I feel like it's a much more accurate approach to gauge a student's capability.

anyway.

i could spend forever expressing my grievances, but i have literature coursework to complete.

it is what it is!