5 Things I've Learnt At College.... So far!

Hey guys! So, now I've been at college for a year and Sixth Form for two, I've got to grips with what and what not to do and learnt a few lessons outside the classroom so I thought I'd share them with you guys!

1. Be Yourself

You are at college for your own benefit, no one else's. It's your life, not theirs. Who are others to tell you what you can and can't do?! (aside from teachers of course). You are doing what you want to do and doing what's best for you and your future. Don't waste your time pleasing other people on your course if they have no time/interest in you. You will make friends naturally. I have amazing friends on my course at college and I did in Sixth form too, but trying too hard pushes people away. You want to pass? Motivate yourself. Don't do what's best for someone else. Concentrate on yourself.

 
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 2. Don't dress to impress

Difference between college and Sixth form is the dress code. Sixth form has a 'business wear' dress code, whereas, college has no dress code. Some people take this a little bit too far and far too extremely. For example, just last week when I was trying to eat my lunch with my friends, I spotted a girl on a table across from ours. She wasn't the smallest of people either which didn't really help when she had some lovely short shorts with a crop top that was see through at the back. Seriously, I was trying to eat. Not what I wanted to look at. I wear comfortable, simple clothing: jeans, t-shirt, converses, done. Not trying to impress anyone.

3. Be organised

For some people, being organised comes naturally. For others, not so naturally. Admittedly, buying stationary stuff alone keeps me organised. So many highlighters, notepads etc! If you bring nothing to college or can't be asked to work hard, you will fail. Plain and simple. You work hard to get to where YOU want to be. No one else is going to sit your course, do your exams/coursework etc. 

 
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4. Be on time

For those who drive, you will know where I'm coming from with this. If you rock up to college late, you will pay for it. If you get the bus, at least you have an outlet to blame. If you drive to college and get there late, you are well and truly stuffed. With so many students and teachers driving to college, you have very little choice in your parking! If you're lazy like me, you will not appreciate the only spaces at the back of the college being free when you need to be on the other side of the building! Also, teaching get quite snarky when you're late which doesn't help if you're in a bad mood or still half asleep...

5. Last but not least, get some sleep

If you are one of those who's up all night on their laptops, games consoles, phones etc until past midnight, you will hate college forever. Being unbelievably tired for a long day of college is painful, especially if you have a long day from 9-5. Your day will drag, you will be in a bad mood and ruin the mood of everyone else around you. Not a good start. Get a decent night sleep so you feel refreshed and motivated for the morning and prepared for your day ahead. Trust me, college is so much better when you actually feel up to it!

 
(source: www.zenbedrooms.com)

'Youngsters must stay in education until 18...'

Hey guys! For today's society dictates post, I'm going to be talking about how young people must remain in some form of education until they're 18. Saying that, it doesn't mean they have to suffer in classrooms for another 2 years after their academic school years. This could be anything! From Level 1-3 diplomas and more hands on learning, youngsters are having to find something to fill an extra two years which may encourage their futures. But what if you don't know what to do? How many will take what they consider to be the 'doss' and easier options...

For example, take the childcare courses at college. These courses are often slated for being easy and, often, people will go on this course as a last resort as they don't have any other option despite the fact the might not even want a career in childcare. What is the point? People see this course as an easy way out as it fills up the two years easily and gets them a good career at the end of it. Admittedly, the lower level courses are a lot easier than the higher level courses (the level 1 childcare course is a lot simpler than the level 3 course) but why waste your time if you're not interested?

Personally, I had no definite idea of what I wanted to do as a career at 16. I had a vague idea but I was never 100%. Schools and colleges expect you to know what you want to do straight away, but not many people do. Sure, they can find courses that they enjoy or that they might need for uni, but what if they discover what they want to do and it's too late?

A lot of people go onto the easier courses, such as childcare or hair and beauty, as it will get them a career a lot easier than some courses. What if they're not right for that work base though? Some people who take child care are being recognised for not being as 'academically challenged' as those on courses such as Biology or Psychology. Admittedly, there has been some evidence to support these claims as some settings have been noted for their worker's lack in spelling on display boards or being unable to help the children they work with. 

In any career, you need to be suitable for the job. If you don't like children or don't like being in a child-based environment, why take the course? At the end of the day, you are in that setting to help scaffold a child and their learning. Imagine what impact you have on them if you are unable to do the simplest of things, like spell simple words? That can easily affect them if they don't have the right role models. It's the same with any course. If you don't like cars, why do a motoring course? If you don't like working with elderly people, why do health and social care?

To sum it up, I think it's great that there are so many courses for these youngsters to do at different levels to suit their own ability. But why label some courses are being 'doss' and easy when you could impact someone else's future? You need to think how your actions could impacts someone else... 

For more on this story, check out the BBC News article here.

'You must go to university to succeed in life...'

Hey guys! For my first 'society dictates' post, I've decided to talk about university. Good timing too seeing as people will soon be returning to and starting university in a matter of weeks..

 
(source: www.nerdist.com)

In school and college, we get our heads filled with information about university and how important it is in life etc etc. Where I went to sixth form, we had days dedicated to looking at universities and days out to a couple of them. We would sign up for UCAS and look at courses which we thought would suit us. Of course, this wasn't for everyone so not everyone had to sign up for anything or go on these visits and so on.

Admittedly, I don't go to university. Chances are I never will for a number of reasons. For starters, for the occupation I want to go into, I don't need university. I want to be a nanny or a teaching assistant. If I wanted to be a teacher, I would need to go to university. But I don't. For what I need, I could do a Level 3 college course which is exactly what I do. Secondly, university doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. The idea of debt and leaving me loved ones behind at a young age just isn't something I'd like to consider. The fact I'm incredibly socially awkward probably wouldn't do me any justice either if I'm honest.. But hey ho, that's just me!

Although it's not for everyone, university does have its advantages and pros. Yes, for some jobs, you do need to go to university. For example, nursing and, as I've already mentioned, teaching. This would be a major reason why people go to university! It also gives people the independence they need. We all have to grow up and mature at some point and, for some people, university gives people a chance to live a very independent life. No more relying on the bank of mum and dad! 

People find themselves at university. In some cases, people take a gap year (or gap years) to find out who they are and what they want to do. Going to university, you meet a lot of new people who can help bring you out of your shell and help you develop a new and exciting lifestyle. Normally, this includes lots of drinking games and lots of going out! People say the friends you make at university are your friends for life, mainly because they're stuck living with you and learn to put up with you! If you live with the same people throughout your entire time at university, you know you can't be that bad. 

As I've already mentioned, I'm not the sort of person who would go to university. But I'm not the only one.. For some people, the idea of debt simply crosses out the idea of university altogether! Having to pay £9000 a year, plus accommodation, plus drinking, plus food and everything else is enough to put anyone who isn't sure what they want to do in life off university straight away.

For others, the idea of being in education from 4-21 years old is quite a daunting thought! It's scary to think you've been in education for about a fifth of your life. People want to go out and explore the world while they still can and explore different opportunities to better themselves as an individual. 

Personally, university isn't my choice and I'm sure people will agree with me that it's not for everyone. If you don't need it or want to go, what's the point? What bugs me is that people look down on those who don't go to university. You don't know their reasons for not going, so what's to look down on? People choose their own fate and have their own aspirations, it's down to them to succeed and achieve what they desire.