2013 | The Review

Hey guys! So, another year is coming to an end as we get closer to the New Year and even closer to Christmas. Amazing how quickly this month has passed, yet I still haven't finished my Christmas shopping - not my most organised month!

With the new year in sight, I started thinking. So much has happened this year and I have learnt so many life lessons. But it's safe to say 2013 has been a very successful and, in a way, proud year for me. I've accomplished so much more than I thought I would and gone above and beyond my own expectations of myself which has been a real shock to me. Normally I'm kind of a negative nelly and figure that someone is always better. Well, this year I've proven otherwise for myself and proven I am capable of what I want to do!

What I've accomplished this year:

• Got an A for my first year of Childcare
• Passed my driving test first time
• Went to my first festival
• Chosen my career path
• Discovered myself as a person

 

So, as well as accomplishments, I've learnt so many life lessons this year. Admittedly, I've learnt some of these lessons in a much harder way than others. Wish I hadn't, but hey ho - that's life. So here we go!

This years life lessons:

• People will try and ruin your happiness, it's your job to prove them wrong
• Money magically disappears - mine normally disappears in New Look!
• Make yourself known and people will remember you
• Some people will leave without a trace
• It's your life, you make the rules and choose the paths
• You can do anything you put your mind to 
• I can only trust a handful of people
• Some so-called 'friends' aren't going to be there forever - it's your job to find people who are willing to stand by you
• Friendships can be recovered, no matter how damaged

So yeah, I think this year has been insightful to say the least. Some events have been less appreciated which we won't go into, but I have learnt so much about me, myself and my life this year. Personally, I feel like my life is just beginning. Soon, I'll be out there in the real world. Working, living. Damn, that's scary.

Merry Christmas, guys! Have an amazing week and an epic New Year - see you on the other side :)

College lessons part 2.

Hey guys! Been majorly slacking in my blogging recently thanks to college work (definitely influenced this post!). So I thought I would start off with a post continuing from my previous college post which can be read here. For those who go to university or college, this will definitely appeal to you! Well, hopefully..

1. Music is your motivation

No matter how motivated or unmotivated you are, music will always help. They'll always be a playlist or two which will keep you going throughout the day.

2. The library will always save you

Whether it's your escape route or your saviour, you can always rely on the library. If you've forgotten to do your work or need an excuse to leave, the library is the one.

3. You will forever judge other people

You will judge people, and people will judge you. Draw attention to yourself and you're heading for a downwards spiral. 

4. Buses are unreliable

Let's face it, public transport is useless. When is a bus ever on time?

5. Social networking will always distract you

 I can vouch for this. Having my laptop or iPod in college forever draws me into checking the latest tweets or messages.

6. Having a car will keep you sane

No one wants to be stuck in college, having a car is your only hope for a quick and easy escape! Plus you can go out at lunch, no one wants to be stuck in a packed canteen for lunch when there's a KFC or McDonalds down the road...

7. Coming in with a hangover or lack of sleep will kill you

Let's be honest, waking up with a hangover or lack of sleep is bad enough. Dragging your sorry backside out of bed with a hangover or lack of sleep is beyond painful! Why bother when you can go out on the weekend instead? Plus, no one wants to be dealing with your little strops when you're too hungover to function.

8. Your phone will always try and get your attention

Hearing your phone or seeing it flash will simply cry for attention. Attention seeking thing.

9. Friends are essential

I can't function without friends, I can't see how anyone can if I'm honest! Friends keep you going through the day and can easily turn your worst days from bad to good at the best of times. I know I couldn't survive college without my girls, they definitely keep me going through the toughest days! Plus, if they have cars, you have your lift to junk food..


10. Banter is key

At the root of all friendships is banter. How can you survive without it?! Ripping into each other and insulting each other is one of the basics of a great friendship. It also makes the college days so much brighter and fun when you're spending the entire day laughing with and insulting each other for a bit of fun!

5 Things I've learnt from working with children..

Hey guys! As a childcare student, I've been working with lots of children from different ages. Definitely one of the most rewarding jobs I can think of if I'm honest, scaffolding their learning and helping them develop along the way. However, there are a few things in particular I have noticed and learnt since working with them.

1. All children are different.

This seems incredibly obvious, but after working in a school and nursery, it's amazing how much you can notice it. No children are the same, not at all. You'll get the quiet ones, the loud ones, the shy ones, the confident ones...The big differences are behaviour and ability. All children behave in different ways and have different abilities. For whatever reason, this is how they are. But there will always be a few who stand out. For example, a child who is very loud, clever but really underconfident. Another example, a child who is quiet, confident but is really badly behaved. All children have big personalities and it is so rewarding when you can bring them out of their shell and bring out their full potential. It makes you feel great and makes them feel amazing!

 
(source: www.istockphoto.com)

2. You must be a child to work with children.

For some people, childcare is an easy way out because they don't know what to do with their lives. If this is you, don't even bother. Seriously. If you don't have the passion to work with children, then you will fail at working with them. I've found from working with children that if you have a childish mentality, you can really connect with the children on a number of levels. From giving them examples to help them in their work to general discussions with them. When working in nursery last year, I found that I could really engage with the children during play as I actually enjoyed what they were playing with or when reading with them as I'd made an effort to do the research before my placement to see what kind of things were popular with children. Turns out the Gruffalo is a clear winner, along with Room on the Broom!

(source: www.google.com)

3. Be involved.

Children absolutely love it when you are involved with their learning and play, it makes them feel valued and involved which really helps their self-esteem. It also helps you feel like part of the class/group if you are actively involved within a lesson or play. Children feel more able to talk to you and you come across as a lot more approachable, compared to some childcare students who ignore the children and sit on their phones for an entire session. Besides, being involved can be so much fun! Especially when it's a fun activity, you can't sit out and be boring. Not exactly encouraging, is it...

(source: www.onekama.k12.mi.us)

4. Be a role model.

This goes without say. When you work with children, they will look up to you no matter what. You are there to be a role model for them to aspire to and look up to. You are there to encourage them and scaffold them as individuals. You want to encourage them to fulfil their full potential and achieve the best they can. If you show them that you are interested and motivated, they will respond to this and become more involved in what they're doing. If you show them a negative attitude, they will show it back. If you show them you're positive, they will show you a positive attitude. If you respect and value them, they will return the favour.

 
(source: www.pinterest.com)

5. Children's drawings are entertaining. 

Now, if you've ever worked with children or have younger siblings/family members, you will know where I'm going with this. They way children draw is simply hilarious and somewhat adorable at the same time, and often very creative. I've noticed this a lot since being in a school setting and nursery. Admittedly, my Key Stage 1 groups were more entertaining because at least you had a vague idea what they were getting at compared to nursery children. For example, children seem to be fixated on triangular noses. So when they draw a person or a face, it must have a triangle for a nose. I found this so adorable and funny at the same time. But that's just children, they are amazing and entertaining for the rest of us to watch and see!