Take chances, take a lot of them. Because honestly, no matter where you end up and with whom, it always ends up just the way it should be. Your mistakes make you who you are. You learn and grow with each choice you make. Everything is worth it. Say how you feel always. Be you, and be okay with it. ♥
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Work Experience
I applied to do work experience at Christmas for Easter, hoping to expand my portfolio for university and for my future journalism career. Although I was fortunate and grateful enough for the placement, as the week approached my mind was in constant overdrive. I was feeling so anxious about my own work, trying to accomplish a certain amount in the time in which I had. The idea of being in an office 9-5 everyday, whilst I was just getting used to the beautiful sunshine, didn't inspire me that much.
Yet, on the other hand I knew that this snippet of work experience and taste of the media industry would be rewarding later on.
Sitting in an office full of experienced journalists typing fiercely, I felt intimidated. With the people all communicating across and around me, with the phones on constant ring, I knew that this week was going to be stressful. I was doing work experience at my local newspaper-Gloucestershire Echo which has a very large readership.
So the first day had finished and you definitely feel it. Constantly starring at a computer screen for 8 hours of your day, makes you very tired and feels like you've adopted square eyes for the majority of the day. I don't think I have ever concentrated so hard before, trying to take it all in, make a good impression and add my personal touch to the discussions and features in which I would be writing.
The week was a definite eye opener and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I worked with such lovely people who were willing to give up their precious time to show me around, talk to me about their daily and weekly schedule and to give me the opportunity to work on the newspaper which would get published.
Here I learnt how to work with certain IT programmes which I apparently will use throughout my career. Programmes such as Shell, Ted, Pcshots etc. They were pretty simple to use, compared to impossible Quark Express which I use at uni which I just cannot get my head around. I wrote features within the newspaper and magazine- which is included within the daily newspaper. In addition to researching, designing and writing four double page layouts persuading people to buy things with certain themes which were coming up, such as royal wedding, Easter, London marathon.
What I found the most interesting was the chain of production (if you could call it that). Everyone was in a room/office together. You had the sports journalists, news, features, photos, sales, designers, reporters, photographers etc all working in close proximity of each other. It was a great insight to see how they all communicate and handle a story which just comes in. It was amazing how they heard about a story from the public or from their own research and in the next 30 minutes it would already be written on the web with photographs and interviews. It made me think Christ I'm going to have to step up my speed of writing and general thinking ha!
The editors told me (and I knew anyways) that people are turning to online now for reading, commenting, confiding etc. So I am glad that I have opted to do the web page design and writing for my year 2 at uni. This was my initial thought anyway, as I want to broaden my journalism in all written areas.
I really wish I never said I had a blog though haha! I really didn't appreciate it being read by the editor. Its just personal and cringey-especially when the man is a typical 'geezer' ha. Of course he decided to embarrass me and question me on things, but said it was very good and crucial that I had one, as well as my writing, my posting of link and images in general. I definitely have to get into Twitter more, as I have an account but just don't use it. Many people have said its like a journalists best friend, so I really got to start tweeting.
After getting positive comments about my personality and my work I felt like I should be more confident about it. When I was there I really didn't want my work to be read, I just felt uncomfortable with it. I know it sounds stupid because I want to be a journalist, but when its professionals and your experiencing, it's something different. This week has most certainly made me think I have to have faith and confidence in what I write, otherwise it won't show in my writing.
I can see myself going back there next year to increase my portfolio. Just need to get some more placements with magazines and then I should be on my way :)
<3
Yet, on the other hand I knew that this snippet of work experience and taste of the media industry would be rewarding later on.
Sitting in an office full of experienced journalists typing fiercely, I felt intimidated. With the people all communicating across and around me, with the phones on constant ring, I knew that this week was going to be stressful. I was doing work experience at my local newspaper-Gloucestershire Echo which has a very large readership.
So the first day had finished and you definitely feel it. Constantly starring at a computer screen for 8 hours of your day, makes you very tired and feels like you've adopted square eyes for the majority of the day. I don't think I have ever concentrated so hard before, trying to take it all in, make a good impression and add my personal touch to the discussions and features in which I would be writing.
The week was a definite eye opener and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I worked with such lovely people who were willing to give up their precious time to show me around, talk to me about their daily and weekly schedule and to give me the opportunity to work on the newspaper which would get published.
Here I learnt how to work with certain IT programmes which I apparently will use throughout my career. Programmes such as Shell, Ted, Pcshots etc. They were pretty simple to use, compared to impossible Quark Express which I use at uni which I just cannot get my head around. I wrote features within the newspaper and magazine- which is included within the daily newspaper. In addition to researching, designing and writing four double page layouts persuading people to buy things with certain themes which were coming up, such as royal wedding, Easter, London marathon.
What I found the most interesting was the chain of production (if you could call it that). Everyone was in a room/office together. You had the sports journalists, news, features, photos, sales, designers, reporters, photographers etc all working in close proximity of each other. It was a great insight to see how they all communicate and handle a story which just comes in. It was amazing how they heard about a story from the public or from their own research and in the next 30 minutes it would already be written on the web with photographs and interviews. It made me think Christ I'm going to have to step up my speed of writing and general thinking ha!
The editors told me (and I knew anyways) that people are turning to online now for reading, commenting, confiding etc. So I am glad that I have opted to do the web page design and writing for my year 2 at uni. This was my initial thought anyway, as I want to broaden my journalism in all written areas.
I really wish I never said I had a blog though haha! I really didn't appreciate it being read by the editor. Its just personal and cringey-especially when the man is a typical 'geezer' ha. Of course he decided to embarrass me and question me on things, but said it was very good and crucial that I had one, as well as my writing, my posting of link and images in general. I definitely have to get into Twitter more, as I have an account but just don't use it. Many people have said its like a journalists best friend, so I really got to start tweeting.
After getting positive comments about my personality and my work I felt like I should be more confident about it. When I was there I really didn't want my work to be read, I just felt uncomfortable with it. I know it sounds stupid because I want to be a journalist, but when its professionals and your experiencing, it's something different. This week has most certainly made me think I have to have faith and confidence in what I write, otherwise it won't show in my writing.
I can see myself going back there next year to increase my portfolio. Just need to get some more placements with magazines and then I should be on my way :)
<3
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
I need to find a cure...
...for my obsession with reality Tv show 'The Only Way Is Essex'.
It's on Wednesday and Sunday night at 10pm, and quite frankly every other night is boring without this a-mazing programme. So I know it's basically entertaining because, a fish has more braincells than the actual cast; but at least it teaches you one thing...a lesson in fake tan! You defo don't want to look like an orange or someone who has rolled in tangy cheese doritoes!
It's on Wednesday and Sunday night at 10pm, and quite frankly every other night is boring without this a-mazing programme. So I know it's basically entertaining because, a fish has more braincells than the actual cast; but at least it teaches you one thing...a lesson in fake tan! You defo don't want to look like an orange or someone who has rolled in tangy cheese doritoes!
Lookin reem, smelling reem, being reem, reem.
Oh shutuuuup!
He's well jel
Who's the prime minister?
Forget head holes, you need boob holes.
You plum!
You don't want to be an umper lumper orange...that's not a good look.
Who are you? Your just a fuckin extra
Well he can't sleep with his car can he? I'll give it a good go
What does bro before hoes mean?
Haha
Birthday Celebrations
Birthday celebrations were beautiful :)
...Weston, out for meals, a few cheeky drinks with the favourites and a road trip to Bristol to do some much needed shopping.
Time to enjoy my last year of being a teenager.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Monday, 4 April 2011
Sunday, 3 April 2011
There is so much going on in the world,
Life changing events which leave families torn and in despair,
So why when you make what seems a small decision in comparison,
Do you get treated in a different way?!
Surely your just voicing your opinion?!
Life changing events which leave families torn and in despair,
So why when you make what seems a small decision in comparison,
Do you get treated in a different way?!
Surely your just voicing your opinion?!
So I guess it'll all get better in time,
I'm going to smile because I deserve too!
I'm going to smile because I deserve too!
Firstly I will just warn you that this is going to be a rushed blog, so ignore the spelling mistakes, bad grammer and if it doesn't make sense ha!
Wow it has been a month since I last updated and I have no idea why it has taken me this long to realise...
I'm 19 on Tuesday and this past year has for sure been the most eventful yet best year yet.
I had a tough time in the last year of sixth form as I really did not enjoy it, and got to the stage where I couldn't be bothered with studying any more. Although I knew what career path I wanted to take and that I wanted to go to university, I just hit a wall. I was taking everything out on my family (who were always trying to help me), not turning up to school and not revising. To this day now, I have no idea how I got the grades which I did with little effort and revision put in. I am a hard worker and I do always try my hardest but when life changing things happen it's hard to focus.
...Like losing one of my close friends. If anyone close to you dies obviously its hurts, even when you read about it in the paper and you don't know the person, you still feel a sense of sadness. However, the stress and hurt when the person you love and care about, who you see and speak to everyday takes their own life, is just unbelievable. You feel that just because someone has a smile on their face that everything is OK and rosy. I guess not...I'm not an angry person but it really frustrates me when people joke about being suicidal or interfere with it, when they don't know the whole picture. Although it was tough to lose someone during such a stressful time at school, the photos and memories makes me move on and do something valuable in my life. As I am still lucky and happy to be here today.
When I got all of my confirmed choices for my universities and got told I got into my first choice Solent I was over the moon. I was so happy and proud of myself, that I managed to achieve the massive goal which I have always wanted to get to since the start of secondary school. Here at Solent I am doing a course which is not anywhere else and is great for opportunity's within the media industry. I thoroughly enjoy it, and although the workload can be stressful at times, I think to myself...and this is why some opt to go to university and some get full time jobs.
I have met some characters since starting in September. Some are alot like me, and others are people who I probably wouldn't mix with if I was at home, but who are hilarious in their own way. I couldn't of asked to live with better people, as they are all caring and bring smiles to my faces. I have learnt to live independently in a city I don't know with total strangers, without your parents stood by your side. I was always excited to go and do this and passionate to make friends, so you defo need the right mind set if you are going to 'survive' uni life.
Although when I was 17/18 I had a job which earned me money and was in a relationship which couldn't be better, this past year has been incredible and most successful for me. I cannot believe that I am going to be 19!! The amount of people who say "God you think 19 is old" I just think yeah, because I can remember the times when I was running around parks, with my dad chasing after me. I just can't see myself in my last teenage years. I can remember when I was 13 and my whole life was changing.
Bring on Tuesday! :) <3
Wow it has been a month since I last updated and I have no idea why it has taken me this long to realise...
I'm 19 on Tuesday and this past year has for sure been the most eventful yet best year yet.
I had a tough time in the last year of sixth form as I really did not enjoy it, and got to the stage where I couldn't be bothered with studying any more. Although I knew what career path I wanted to take and that I wanted to go to university, I just hit a wall. I was taking everything out on my family (who were always trying to help me), not turning up to school and not revising. To this day now, I have no idea how I got the grades which I did with little effort and revision put in. I am a hard worker and I do always try my hardest but when life changing things happen it's hard to focus.
...Like losing one of my close friends. If anyone close to you dies obviously its hurts, even when you read about it in the paper and you don't know the person, you still feel a sense of sadness. However, the stress and hurt when the person you love and care about, who you see and speak to everyday takes their own life, is just unbelievable. You feel that just because someone has a smile on their face that everything is OK and rosy. I guess not...I'm not an angry person but it really frustrates me when people joke about being suicidal or interfere with it, when they don't know the whole picture. Although it was tough to lose someone during such a stressful time at school, the photos and memories makes me move on and do something valuable in my life. As I am still lucky and happy to be here today.
When I got all of my confirmed choices for my universities and got told I got into my first choice Solent I was over the moon. I was so happy and proud of myself, that I managed to achieve the massive goal which I have always wanted to get to since the start of secondary school. Here at Solent I am doing a course which is not anywhere else and is great for opportunity's within the media industry. I thoroughly enjoy it, and although the workload can be stressful at times, I think to myself...and this is why some opt to go to university and some get full time jobs.
I have met some characters since starting in September. Some are alot like me, and others are people who I probably wouldn't mix with if I was at home, but who are hilarious in their own way. I couldn't of asked to live with better people, as they are all caring and bring smiles to my faces. I have learnt to live independently in a city I don't know with total strangers, without your parents stood by your side. I was always excited to go and do this and passionate to make friends, so you defo need the right mind set if you are going to 'survive' uni life.
Although when I was 17/18 I had a job which earned me money and was in a relationship which couldn't be better, this past year has been incredible and most successful for me. I cannot believe that I am going to be 19!! The amount of people who say "God you think 19 is old" I just think yeah, because I can remember the times when I was running around parks, with my dad chasing after me. I just can't see myself in my last teenage years. I can remember when I was 13 and my whole life was changing.
Bring on Tuesday! :) <3
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