Further education can be scary to any teenager because it is about making decisions; decisions that they feel they are not prepared for, decisions that in some way will influence their future. I don’t know if I felt particularly ready to make choices about my future when I chose FE, however, I do know that this choice changed my life.
First of all, going into FE has developed my interest for learning. Growing up, I was always fascinated by people, the way they hurt and the way they care for each other; thus psychology seemed like a straightforward decision for me. Even though I loved the subject, I still used to believe that working for high grades would be a chore; but it wasn’t. I can honestly say that studying for my exams became a more pleasant task because I was hungry for that knowledge, and going above and beyond in my studies was not only something my tutors asked of me but something that I had a desire to do. I became less worried with obtaining higher grades and more passionate about learning about Psychology, which eventually led to achieving those high grades.
Second of all, FE has helped me open my mind and broaden my horizons. When I chose Film Studies as one of my A-levels, I mostly did it because I enjoyed watching films, but this subject was so much more than that. I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered that I could combine something that I loved doing in my free time, with my education. Everything I had learned in the classroom I could use in my everyday life, which was amazing to me because a lot of the time, as a student, I felt that what I learned in school was so detached from real life or that I could never really apply it to my own life. My Film Studies class thought me that there is so much meaning and so much hard work put into a movie that lasts for only two hours; it has encouraged me to learn something from every film I watch and my life is richer because of that.
Lastly, and most importantly, FE has helped me grow as an individual. I am very grateful to two of my wonderful tutors, Thomas Roberts and Glenn Meads, for seeing the person behind the student, and for always encouraging me to be both the best student and the best person I can be. I am grateful to all of my tutors for not just encouraging me but also pushing me to be better, to meet higher standards, to work hard and be responsible. They have taught me that FE is not easy, but it is rewarding. I have learned more about myself by giving up my time to help my classmates with their homework, by learning from my mistakes in my coursework and by realising that I can do my best even under pressure, during an exam. The entire experience that FE represents played a big part in shaping the person I am today.
Yes, FE can be scary because it involves change; but, change is good because it helps you grow. My hope is that young people are brave enough to make bold choices that will transform their lives.