If you think students spend all their spare time avoiding studying, going out with their mates and having a good time then you'd be right. Well our student bloggers do anyway. While they assure us they don't slack on the study, they've got a lot to answer for when it comes to enjoying themselves while volunteering.

All | Emma | Oli | Daniel | Carrie | Olivia | Fiona | Sammy | Ashley | Rochelle | Natalie | Tom | TomG | Harry

Wednesday May 24, 2006

How volunteering has affected my career choices...

Oh, this one is easy peasy!

I have always loved babies, who doesnt they are so cute and cuddly (expect for when they make a smell or need changing, that makes me feel sick!). I always wanted to work with really young children, but started brownies and beavers completly changed my choice, as I decided that i would prefer to work with kids a tad older than the baby baby stage!

The first real experience i had with working with children in a large group, getting my point across and making an activity enjoyable for them was at Brownies. Before then I had no idea of what it is like to stand up and talk to a bunch of 7/8/9 year olds, not to mention to keep their attention for longer than thirty seconds! My first experience was to work with these girls, and bond with them and listen to them. This, I suppose can be seen as a similar situation to a school atmosphere.

I just knew it, there and then that I HAD to work with children this age range. They are so rewarding and funny and can uplift my spirits when I am in one of my deep dark moods! Making them happy, makes me happy.

Along with a mighty good challange it has set me in good ground for my collage course in September in childcare.

I feel confident around children already, and I am sure that will assist me in my new career choice!

Posted by Ashley ( 11:01 AM )
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Challenges I've overcome as a volunteer...

Urm, ok what can I say about this one?

I have always been quite a shy girl, not hide in a corner shy but just wary to let myself go, espically in new situations. By entering myself in a new situation, I have gained confidence through leading and believing in myself. This doesn't end when I step out of the doors, it carries on in all aspects of life. And if there is one thing employers or collages look for, it has to be confidence. It is also a good boost when you are at a meeting, and the girls are begging for you to be with them in their group or something like that.  You feel appreciated, and that ultimatly is why i do it.

It makes me

Posted by Ashley ( 10:52 AM )
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Reactions From My Friends...

"What you up to tonight?"

"Oh I've got Brownies"

"By Why?"

My friends just don't get it! They really don't!

And all I can answer is because I enjoy it, its fun and i learn a lot. But some people still don't understand it. They ask if i get paid for it, and i say no its voluntary work. They snigger a bit and i shrug it off. Some people are genuinly interested though. Oftenly people ask why i dont just go out and have a good time with my friends, like teenagers do, but i do do that. This is just another thing i enjoy doing, like a hobby.

The main thing i can say is do not let people bother you. If you want to do something, you do it. Don't let anything hold you back! Its your life, and volunteering rocks!

Posted by Ashley ( 10:44 AM )
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