Exploring new heights

Hi all, things have certainly been hectic lately and the workload is continually increasing with exams and assignment deadlines approaching for my course, before I embark on my School Experience placement  in April. Which I am really excited about!

Last week we had the chance to undertake a new and exciting activity that forms part of some new research being done by our University and other Teacher Training institutions around the country. This is known as “Pedagogy of discomfort” and the aim is to challenge trainee teachers to be out of their comfort zone. Both Psychology and Dance have been combined through Rock Climbing. Below you can see a photo of me on the climbing wall we have here in Bedford. The session was so much fun with music playing, a real team effort and trying to show some moves whilst climbing up the wall. It was fair to say I had a few pulled muscles afterwards but it was worth it and I am looking forward to seeing the research develop over the next couple of years and having the honour to be a part of it.

I am finding the motivation and concentration hard at times and it can be difficult to stay focussed, especially at this time of year, but I am content in the fact that it is in my challenges that I grow the most.

“Move out of your comfort zone, you can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.”

"OPEN" a new chapter...

Hi all, my week has been very hectic! I have had numerous assignments due in and have found the approaching deadlines pressurising but they are now all submitted, until next month, so it is now time to focus on my exams before I go on placement in April; my favourite part of the year! I am enjoying the new units on my course; we did “Jitterbug” in Dance today which was thoroughly enjoyable and last week I was in an Outdoor Adventurous Activities (OAA) lesson where I found myself climbing up the side of a bench which was only held up by fellow students, about 10ft in the air, and standing on the top, arms out to the side, without support- I love a good challenge and adrenaline rush! I also enjoyed the Christian Union Society this week, we have had a great time exploring faith and fellowship on campus and we are continually growing in numbers which is great to see.

OPEN a new chapter…by this I am meaning new opportunities and new beginnings. For those of you hoping to study here I would say come along to an open day. If I am honest, I never had chance to attend an open day here- the distance from home was a little too far during the time I wanted to go, I was however quite fortunate in the sense that for PE QTS you have to attend an interview day and during this time I got a tour from a current student who was undertaking the same degree, this was very informative and vital. This is not true for all courses so I urge you to come along if you can and gain a real sense for the campus and surrounding area, after all you will spend 3/4 years of your life here. I wish I did attend. Recently I became a Student Ambassador here at the Bedford Campus and part of my role is to give tours around the campus especially on open days. I have now seen how valuable a tour can be, and how valuable an open day can be, it gives you a chance to speak to current students, ask questions that you may not feel comfortable asking staff members and you will certainly get an honest insight into life here.

Come and explore and have a look around and remember:

 

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”- Lao Tzu.