#ask cathee

[optimistes]

Hi! I was just wondering if you guys got to go to the statue of liberty last year in for NYCE?

Yes! Well. I didn’t. (Whoops.) But there was a trip to see the Statue of Liberty if I do remember quickly.

That’s a lesson in being prompt to sign up for things, yeah? (Pro-tip: organise for you and a friend to sign up for things together, so whenever one of you sees an activity that you’d think you’d both like, sign both your names up. If your mind changes, just cross off your name no problem. (((Change the handwriting up a little bit though… I think there was a rule against signing up for things for other people.))) )

[optimistes]

Hi! i hope you don't mind me asking you a question about NYCE. but i understand there's a dance thing every weekend? so should i bring dresses orrr? haha. And will i need sneakers and stuff?

Oh lol yeah the dances….. hahahaha oh.

They’re not compulsory, but most people go to them! Dresses? Well I wore a dress every time, but I’m a dresses sort of person. If you look at the photos here http://oxbridgeprograms2012.com/blog/saturday-night-fever you can see it’s all pretty casual. Whatever you want, tbh. :)

Sneakers? Sure, if you want! You’ll probably be doing a lot of walking (and metro-travelling, but still) so something comfortable to walk in. I didn’t really wear my sneakers (I bought a pair of TOMS instead) and I ended up in jandals (erm, flip flops? thongs? idk, wherever you’re from) most of the time.

Just keep in mind that it’s July. It’s reaaaaaaaaaaally hot.\

xxx

[optimistes]

Hey! i have a question about the new york oxbridge program. 1) what type of clothes do i need? (like fancy dresses? or jeans/shorts? how do people dress every day). 2) Is it awkward the first time you meet people, how did you make friends? Sorry about the questions im just kinda nervous, but so excited!!

Hiya! 

1) Basically what you’d bring normally overseas or on holiday. Considering you’re there for a month during summer, shorts, tshirts, dresses, whatever you like wearing casually. Do make sure to bring one nice-ish semi-formal dress for the dinner on the last day. Or - if you want to perform in the talent show, perhaps you’d like to wear a dress then.

2) Because travelling to New York took 30 hours for me, by the time I got there everyone had already done the orientation and stuff so I felt quite awkward. If you’re a bit shy around new people like I am, NYCE’s a really great chance to break out of that comfort zone. I found the easiest way is whenever you’re the in elevator say hi to the people around, ask them their names and where they’re from and stuff. Great conversation starter. Just be friendly!!! Say hi, smile to your neighbours, people on your floor, your classes etc. It’s hard at first but by the end you’ll find you know almost everyone. :)

Have fun!!! I’m excited for you (also admittedly quite jealous)

xxx

[optimistes]

what was your score on the sat? what do you think the average score is? and what would count as a "good score"?

2100+

I have no idea frankly! After a little Googling, sites are telling me about 1550.

Good for whom? Depends on who you are, where you’re from and what you want to do with your score. Personally, I need a school that can offer me full financial aid - so I’m going to need 2200+. But other people, like you, are in different situations with different priorities. No definite answer for this one. Take some time to think about what you want and set your own definition. :)

[optimistes]

tips on taking the sat? i need help :(

In preparing for it, or during the test? I honestly don’t think I’d give very good advice, but I’ll take a shot at it :P I’ll just give you my opinions…

Preparing:

- Definitely use the CollegeBoard Official SAT Study Guide… I’ve used a bunch of different books (Princeton, Barron’s, Gruber’s) and by the time you’ve done a lot of different SAT practices you can really sense the subtleties between how CollegeBoard style questions and others’. 

- Learning vocab is really useful. There are some words that come up pretty often on the SAT. 

- Read extensively: books, articles, keep up with the news, etc. That’ll help with the essay portion :)

- Practice. I really got nothing here, okay? There are no cheap tricks or easy gimmicks to get your way through the SAT imo. For some, all the practice required is just showing up on the day. For others (like me), studying is required.

On the day:

- Get a good night’s sleep, eat a big breakfast, bring nice foods to eat between breaks, BE CONFIDENT.

- Pace yourself during the test, and keep an eye on the time. You really don’t want to run out of time (which is what I did :c)

Good luck! All the best xxx

[optimistes]

okay i am going to try this even though i will probably get it all wrond but what they hey: neither tall or short, i kind of picture you as an average height??? idk uhm uhm calm? like i could picture you being crazy sometimes?? (wow okay this is harder than i thought) brunette, under 20, straight???, bouncy, dreamer, uhhhm i actually have no idea for this one, flats, straight, off??? (((i probably got all of them wrong :/)

clauddddia! thank you :-)

tall/short - tallish, i’m about 168

crazy/calm - yes i vary quite a lot (its all in the situation!)

brunette/blonde - brunette

under/over 20 - under

straight/gay/bi - yes, straight

bouncy/lazy - good job! yes bouncy is a very good word to describe me actually (at least i think so)

dreamer/roll with it - yup, big dreams

tries different outfits/wears anything - the former

flats/heels - bzzt! heels :) or no shoes hahaha

curly/straight - stick straight, actually

lights on/off - off, i’m a big kid!

that’s like a 8.5/11 so bravo mon amie!!! and good night. it’s 11 here!

[optimistes]

what would prevent stem cells from other species being successful in humans, cathee?

your immune system is smart. it would recognise these cells as being from another species, and consequently destroy them.

[optimistes]

Let's make your second ask a lot more pleasant shall we <33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333

:-)

thanks! fellow twitter user(?)