2014 starts in... 3 days!
and by 10 June 2014 I intend to be on a plane to America having achieved a first class in my degree.
That means i'm going to be putting in a heck of a lot of work over the next few months.
I've just stumbled across : AChic Lifestyle. Sanam challenged herself in September 2013 to achieve straight A*s in her A Levels, having previously achieved Ds and Bs. But she didn't want to go it alone.
That's where I come in.
I have got 6 months to work my ass off and I'll be joining Sanam and a fair few others on the : A* Challenge. For me, that means opening my results in July (upon my return from America) to read that I have achieved over 70% and have obtained a first class honours in my degree.
Don't get me wrong, I will be over the moon with a 2.1 that's a damn good degree. But why not go all out?
I'm feeling especially motivated today, I wrote 1000 words (not necessarially good words but they weren't nonsense either!) and I am determined to keep that attitude up. I might take my birthday off though.. what do you think?
So, it's written now in black and white. I'll be updating my progress on about 28th of every month and I've already signed up for Sanam's Grade A workbook and started downloading useful apps (and I'm sure I'll use my filofax or two at some point... all in the name of organisation). But I'm also asking that people keep me accountable: nag me!!!! monthly, weekly, daily, hourly ... whatever works. nag me on here or on twitter: @lmgeorge92 and then you can share in my success in July (sorry you can't ALL come to my graduation).
Here we goooooooo
L x
Saturday 28 December 2013
Monday 11 November 2013
The observation- a reflection
I decided the best way to write a reflection was via blog post. So here goes:
On Friday I had my observed lesson for placement (this was the final step in qualifying me to be a sex and relationships educator)
I was nervous! Firstly, I slept through my alarm! I hate feeling like I'm running late but my housemate assured me that when she saw me I looked like I'd been getting ready for hours! Thank goodness!
I was leading the HIV lesson for year 9s and had seen the lesson lead by a more experienced worker before.
A massive thank you to Gareth for bringing me water- when I'm presenting and nervous I wind up needing to drink a lot more water then normal!
All in all the lesson went well and I passed my observation with high scores (4s and 5s out of 5).
So what did I do well?
I circulated during group activities to make sure the groups were focussing on task and in order to generate discussion. The final activity was getting them to have a go at putting a condom on our smurf penises (they're bright blue!) and the discussion with my half of the class was really good and I felt confident talking to them!
I also felt that I was good at getting them involved and running with their input especially during the drama activity!
What didn't I do so well?
I was intentionally meant to mess up taking off the condom during my demo but I ended up ripping it so I took the bottom ring off and the condom stayed on- I literally don't think I could do that again if I tried!
Secondly, the class were a lower ability set and some of them were really easily distracted- I definitely need to work on how to deal with that for when it happens again! I think the only way to do that really is to observe others in action and develop my confidence!
Confidence is a massive thing for me. (I know some will be very surprised by this!!) I just get really nervous and feel like I haven't done as well as I could have done. However, I've got at least 10 lessons booked in between now and Christmas- by January I should be a pro!
What would I change?
I'd slow down a bit - the lesson itself fit almost perfectly into the time allocated but I could have afforded slowing down a bit and focussing myself. A couple of times I realised I'd skipped ahead a bit and had to double back.
Knowledge is power- Gareth kept apologising for interrupting when questions were being asked but to be honest, it came in quite useful! I don't know if I could answer them all yet. First of all: I feel like it's ok to say I don't know but I'll try and find out for you to a young person (or to anyone really!) secondly, the more I do lessons and observe other people the more i'll learn! Besides, I love learning! Finally, I found an answer sheet afterwards! I guess that's about knowing your resources before you start!
I was also really impressed by the teacher in the room who came up at the end and gave me some advice: when explaining a group task state the numbers for the group at the end of the explanation or they start organising their groups and stop listening! Good advice!
And lastly, I'd make sure my board pen was clearer- turns out green doesn't show up too great!
Overall, for a first time on my own I rely didn't do too bad and I do just need to be more confident in myself!
Wednesday 23 October 2013
The Heart of Youth Work
It;s been over a year since I last posted on this blog. That's very bad!
But, this year for placement I've been asked to write monthly reflections so I thought what better way to do it then via my blog? (Which, incidentally I said I'd do in first year.. but third year is my year of doing all the things I said I'd do in first year & second year and never got round to! Like start my assignments 4 weeks before they're due. Anyway, I digress.)
Also, why does blogger set Times New Roman as default? I hate it.
This summer I really struggled with the concept of coming back to Chester for final year. I had a great "temp" job in recruitment, I felt settled, I love being near my family (and pets) and my gorgeous house. In terms of youth work, excited as I am about my placement (which I will detail more in another blog, later) I wasn't excited to be doing the course any more I was doubting if I was even meant to be doing youth work any more, if I was even any good at it- was I better off in recruitment permanently? or expanding my wedding planning qualification? or starting midwifery training now?
But, I figured that I was already paying rent on my (lovely, like seriously lovely) uni house and I'd worked hard for two years, why jack it in now? So I packed my little yellow car up and came back to Chester.
Week three and I was still struggling. Our Church sermon that week was about work and studies and how sometimes God might be calling us in a different direction (aha!)- so I got someone to pray with me and expectantly waited for a sign.
Fast forward to Wednesday's lecture (I promise the point is coming soon): Professional Practice. One of our tasks was to write a letter to a little person we loved. I chose my nephew, he's 2 and a half and the apple of my eye. Without over sharing, my letter effectively said I hoped he knew how loved he was and would remember that for years to come, I also hoped he's learn from his own mistakes, know how well supported he is and live life to the full.
ok, now think of a "nightmare" young person. The kind of young person you almost dread seeing each week, who makes your life sooo difficult or who you sometimes wonder if it's really worth it. I thought back to my first year placement working in a Young Offenders Prison, my young person (let's call him Jay) was a repeat offender, in and out of prison for years- spending seven birthdays I believe inside, and only 24! He was pretty cocky and at times real hard work.
But apply the letter I wrote to Zach (2 and a haf and who's worse crime is the occasional tantrum, not going to bed before about 9pm and stealing your food!) to "Jay"- and your perspective changes.
I don't know where Jay is now, I hope he's out of prison and his life has turned around. But I do want to be able to speak the same words over him, and other young people as I speak over Zach. Learning from their own mistakes, knowing they're loved and supported (by somebody, anybody!) and living life to the full.
I was filled with a real sense of purpose again- that's what I want my youth work to be about. Speaking positivity over the lives of young people and watching them develop and grow, learning from mistakes, no matter how big and encouraging them every step of the way.
Today, Professor Green (my alter-ego, but that's another story) posted this on instagram :
"we should celebrate the youth at every opportunity, growing up is hard enough as it is. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way".
I mean, I couldn't put it better myself. What a man!
and finally, the sentiments which I often wear emblazoned on my chest (Ok, as a T shirt) and a consistent reminder from my gap year with XLP: "I refuse to accept this is a lost generation"
I'm so excited to get back to the heart of youth work and see what happens next.
Over & out.
But, this year for placement I've been asked to write monthly reflections so I thought what better way to do it then via my blog? (Which, incidentally I said I'd do in first year.. but third year is my year of doing all the things I said I'd do in first year & second year and never got round to! Like start my assignments 4 weeks before they're due. Anyway, I digress.)
Also, why does blogger set Times New Roman as default? I hate it.
This summer I really struggled with the concept of coming back to Chester for final year. I had a great "temp" job in recruitment, I felt settled, I love being near my family (and pets) and my gorgeous house. In terms of youth work, excited as I am about my placement (which I will detail more in another blog, later) I wasn't excited to be doing the course any more I was doubting if I was even meant to be doing youth work any more, if I was even any good at it- was I better off in recruitment permanently? or expanding my wedding planning qualification? or starting midwifery training now?
But, I figured that I was already paying rent on my (lovely, like seriously lovely) uni house and I'd worked hard for two years, why jack it in now? So I packed my little yellow car up and came back to Chester.
Week three and I was still struggling. Our Church sermon that week was about work and studies and how sometimes God might be calling us in a different direction (aha!)- so I got someone to pray with me and expectantly waited for a sign.
Fast forward to Wednesday's lecture (I promise the point is coming soon): Professional Practice. One of our tasks was to write a letter to a little person we loved. I chose my nephew, he's 2 and a half and the apple of my eye. Without over sharing, my letter effectively said I hoped he knew how loved he was and would remember that for years to come, I also hoped he's learn from his own mistakes, know how well supported he is and live life to the full.
ok, now think of a "nightmare" young person. The kind of young person you almost dread seeing each week, who makes your life sooo difficult or who you sometimes wonder if it's really worth it. I thought back to my first year placement working in a Young Offenders Prison, my young person (let's call him Jay) was a repeat offender, in and out of prison for years- spending seven birthdays I believe inside, and only 24! He was pretty cocky and at times real hard work.
But apply the letter I wrote to Zach (2 and a haf and who's worse crime is the occasional tantrum, not going to bed before about 9pm and stealing your food!) to "Jay"- and your perspective changes.
I don't know where Jay is now, I hope he's out of prison and his life has turned around. But I do want to be able to speak the same words over him, and other young people as I speak over Zach. Learning from their own mistakes, knowing they're loved and supported (by somebody, anybody!) and living life to the full.
I was filled with a real sense of purpose again- that's what I want my youth work to be about. Speaking positivity over the lives of young people and watching them develop and grow, learning from mistakes, no matter how big and encouraging them every step of the way.
Today, Professor Green (my alter-ego, but that's another story) posted this on instagram :
"we should celebrate the youth at every opportunity, growing up is hard enough as it is. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way".
I mean, I couldn't put it better myself. What a man!
and finally, the sentiments which I often wear emblazoned on my chest (Ok, as a T shirt) and a consistent reminder from my gap year with XLP: "I refuse to accept this is a lost generation"
I'm so excited to get back to the heart of youth work and see what happens next.
Over & out.
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