I am currently working in a Landbased Further Education College (basically farming, outdoorsy type qualifications with a mixture of practical and theory learning) and it has opened my eyes to an entirely new type of learning that seemed kind of off limits to me when I was younger. Let me explain...
...My memories of Primary School are almost too rose tinted because I am sure that there must have been some bad times throughout my 6 years there but I do struggle to think of any when I look back. We all took our SATs and did the academic type lessons but the focus never seemed to be on testing when I was at Primary School and my fondest memories are of the non- academic activities that we undertook such as Christmas Nativity plays, art projects, dance workshops, reading weeks, class assemblies, sports teams and so on.
I then proceeded to go to Secondary School which inevitably came with more stress, firstly by going through adolescence and secondly with the focus seemingly shifting from teaching to testing*; it felt like my entire existence throughout those 5 years was leading up to passing my GCSE exams at the end of it (something that a 15 year old Ruth did not deal with very well).
The purpose of GCSEs, from my understanding at that time, was simply to proceed onto Sixth Form to study A Levels, it was never discussed with me that there could be other options out there and quite frankly going to Sixth Form was always pushed as the goal to aspire to with going to a Further Education College portrayed simply as the consolation prize for those that didn't 'make it'. The College that I work in now however has opened my eyes to a whole new type of teaching outside of the classroom and it should 100% never be seen as any 'lesser' than academic learning, it is simply a different skill set.
The purpose of gaining A Levels, similar to my GCSEs, was to springboard me to the next stage of education which was University. I never questioned this inevitably, as I discussed in this previous blog entry, and never even thought to think out of the boundaries of what was being pushed as my only option for the future. I remember entire afternoons being put aside to fill in UCAS applications and write personal statements, we had external speakers come in from Universities, we had help applying for open days at our chose Universities and throughout this time there was actually little to no discussion surrounding what career would be at the end of University. The job aspect, 3 years down the line, seemed like an obscure concept that didn't really apply to any of us because the main purpose of the Sixth Form seemed merely to get us to University.
So then you go on to study for three years in a subject that you hopefully enjoy and you learn things both academically and pastorally about yourself; you delve into the world of self- managing your time, your learning, your money, your behaviour to hopefully come out the other end with a degree that will make you insatiable to employers.
But...
...oh dear. You're then told that your degree doesn't really mean all that much. That every man and his dog has a degree so what makes yours so special? That they're just giving away degrees these days in those 'mickey mouse' subjects and that the only reason most yoofs go to University in the modern age is to have a 3 year long party.
So what now? You've wracked up a tonne of debt, you haven't earned any substantial money over the past 3 years and you're left with an empty bank account and a pile of hopes and dreams.
Well you're then expected to work...for free...in an internship or a work experience placement with only a hazy promise of a job prospect at the end of it. You're back living at home or out of mum and dad's pocket (if you're fortunate enough), maybe working a night shift at a greasy burger joint to make rent and you wonder how you got there.
I, in no way, mean to be morbid here folks I am just encouraging people to think outside the box when it comes to education and that going to University should not be seen as the only route to gaining success. I understand that University is the only option for some jobs and it can be the stepping stone that some need to get where they want to be and that's fantastic too but experience in the field, networking & gaining contacts and working your way up the metaphorical career ladder are all viable options too and should never be seen as lesser when it comes to getting that 'dream job' that we aspire to.
If you've made it this far through my ramblings then well done you star, congratulate yourself with a cup of tea and a chocolate biccie.
Toodles.
*The idea for this blog entry arose from reading this article in The Independent about an education reform in Finland that shifts the focus of schools from testing and league tables to the contextual learning of topics rather than subjects. Very interesting read.
Hello and welcome to This Ruth Is On Fire, a UK blog which is a haven for random thoughts and sarcastic observations.
I'm also into books, clothes and visiting places too.
This is a really great article!
ReplyDeleteI studying Journalism & English at Stirling Uni, and although I do enjoy it, when leaving school (for me anyway) it felt like there was no other option. We all just HAD to go to uni. I think schools should offer guidance on other platforms in life which young people can take.
Eve xo
http://anorganisedscatterbrain.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks Eve.
DeleteI do feel that University is definitely a good option for a lot of people I just think the focus needs to sometimes shift as to why you should go e.g. what career will you get from it? Rather than the goal being simply to get into University.
Good luck with your degree though Eve :-)
Ruth
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