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.

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Friday Jun 30, 2006

My new career plan...!

My new career plan…!

Before I started St. John I wanted to be a teacher. But now, keeping the theme of children I want to be an educational psychologist. I know they are similar in ways, but in some ways they are really different.

I changed my mind for a few reasons. Firstly I have seen the amazing effect an educational psychologist can have, through volunteering and I want to be able to make a difference to young people like that.

I also want to be able to work with a variety of different age groups, just like I do at cadets. There, I work with children from ten to people my age. I love the variety and so teaching just one year group didn’t appeal as much any more. I want the challenge and variety of working with all different age groups from all walks of life and trying to make a difference and can’t wait till uni so I can start training.

Posted by Sammy ( 8:00 PM )
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Thursday Jun 29, 2006

Me so far!

Right, I am working busily on producing the school yearbook which is a lot to do, and I am enjoying my days at the local primary school. Spent couple of days last week in reception class which i adored and have now moved up to year one. Hoping to progress to year two next week and then spend the last week in reception again as I enjoyed it so so so so much!! Also had my prom on Monday night. I really didn't want to go, I was so so nervous about it. But oh my god I am so pleased I went. It was the best night of my life, it was so surreal.

This is me in my posh prom dress on prom night.

Righteo, I am going to be off, it is like 11.30 and I have a 8am start tomorrow yipee! Keeps me going it does,  can't be a good thing to get in a routine of dinnertime wake up's! Then again...... 

All My Love Till Next Time,

Ashley x x x  

 

Posted by Ashley ( 10:19 PM )
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Sunday Jun 25, 2006

No more exams !

Hi to everyone !

I have finally taken my entire GCSE exams - thankfully it's all over now just have to wait for results and hope for the best. In the mean time there is so much I have to think about it hardly seems like a holiday at all. Currently, I am looking at organising a trip for the cadets to go on, to somewhere like Cadbury world or a theme park to reward them for their hard work over this past year, passing their courses, all qualifying for first aid and for all the cadets who helped out at the old peeps home and other public events. Hopefully it should be really good, when I finally get round to organising every single little detail, It is a lot harder than it looked when I was ten and just really happy to be going on a trip someone else had organised.

Any way I should have some more updates soon as its summer (the busiest time of the year) but still it beats coursework, exams and teachers stressing at you.

Sammy x x

 

Posted by Sammy ( 7:58 PM )
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Saturday Jun 17, 2006

Sorry Guys!

Hiya all!

Sorry for my long long long long absence, I have now officially taken all of my GCSE exams though, wooo! Seems so surreal though still, it is going to take some time to sink in. And now, I am bored! I went to see a lady yesterday at a community place thing in my town to talk to her about the summer club they run so I am going to help there for 6hrs a day 2 or 3 times a week during the holidays which should be fun and manic but I can't wait. Also went to see a teacher who organises placements at the primary school down the road from me and he says he will sort me out with something for me, so I am hoping to start there next week 3 full school days a week to keep me occupied and on my toes. I also have got myself a little job to bring a little money into my pocket as i am so skint and sick of it! What else have i got to say? Urm....my prom in 9 days wooo can't wait for that! Gawd I really have not much else to say to you, isn't that bad.

Anyway better run, got to check up on big brother, and by the way yes i am one of those sad people who is totally addicted and watches it every spare minute of their lives because it totally rocks!

Be back soon  x x x x

 

Posted by Ashley ( 12:21 PM )
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Friday Jun 09, 2006

The biggest challenge

For me the biggest challenge volunteering has been becoming more self confident. I was never really shy, just not too good around people I don’t know well – which isn’t really too helpful when I wanted to go out and do first aid duties. Even at the cadet meetings I sometimes found it difficult to talk to some of the older people that I didn’t know very well.

As I’ve grown and developed, my self confidence has definitely improved. As I continued to go out on the first aid duties and talk to random people I’ve never met before my confidence grew and I learnt how to be a lot more confident. Going on the Cadet Demonstrator and Trainer courses helped me to overcome any shyness I had as I met loads of amazing new people from all over the place and learnt how to teach the younger cadets.

The first time I taught I was a bit unsure to begin with but it was really amazing that the cadets listened and cared what I had to say. That was a major confidence boost. Now I teach really often and love doing it. At the end of the term when you see the cadets pass their courses it’s really rewarding to know you helped with that. It makes it all worthwhile.

Posted by Sammy ( 7:38 PM )
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Saturday Jun 03, 2006

My new outlook on life

My outlook on life has definitely changed since volunteering. I learn a lot by talking to all the new people I have met and sharing their experiences. The people I help often have been though a lot and are still really strong and happy. They just try to enjoy life to the full, which is really inspirational.

After spending time with different people with really different experiences made me think about my own life, and how I spend my time. Working with the old people (they r very nice and don’t smell) has helped me to think about my life. So much is wasted in the world I try to ensure I live life to the full and don’t waste time on silly little things. It could all be gone tomorrow.

But on a happier note, the theory me and my cadets have is smile. SMILE ! If it’s bad it will get better and if it’s good make the most of it.

Posted by Sammy ( 9:30 AM )
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