A Trip Down Memory Lane...

Goodbye...? Oh no, please. Can't we go back to page one & do it all over again?

Nostalgia. That is what I'm feeling since yesterday when I realised that on 24th May 2012 was when I officially left Secondary School....

A lot has happened since then, the last 8 years have certainly been full of ups and downs, challenges, tears and happiness. This year however is also special for me as I'm graduating from university in September...

I'm asking myself where has the time gone? It flew by! 

Leaving Kelmscott Secondary School felt like leaving a home, where everyone I know was family to me, I know my journey for the 5 years I was there wasn't an easy one, but it made me into the I am today & there are just too many people to thank, even then I don't think thank you would be enough. I have endured a lot during my time at Kelmscott, was bullied, picked on & judged and if you ask me whether I moved on, the answer is yes and I have also forgiven those responsible. 

On the flip side I made a fantastic friend for life, whom I'm blessed to call my sister today, I treasure the conversations I used to have with teachers & to this day respect & miss every SINGLE staff member at Kelmscott. Simply because they not only taught me life lessons or believed in me. 

But it was the incredible TEACHERS who at that time pulled me out of the darkness especially my FORM TUTUORS & HEAD OF YEAR, who were my supporting pillars and understood what I was going through. I was brought up to respect whomever I meet, but as I grew up I realised respect is EARNED not given. Often during my time at kelmscott I was actually known as 'teachers pet' which yes upset me, but at the same time it didn't make a difference because it was THEM who listened, supported me academically and personally. I respect them to this day because of the respect they gave me! I firmly believe that teachers are like your parents, they know you and know how to support you through whatever life throws at you... But, one of the biggest & main reason is that every SINGLE teacher I met at Kelmscott ACCEPTED me for who I am, treated me as an EQUAL & give me opportunities to flourish & reach my potential. I may not have been a student rep, prefect or head girl (which would've been amazing), but I learned the value of FRIENDSHIP, RESPECT & ACCEPTENCE. Acceptance was an eye opener for me because I accepted myself as I AM! Accepted that I am NOT different to everyone, I do have complex health issues, but most importantly accepted that I can still thrive as anyone else would, regardless of how long it takes! 

My four years at Leyton Sixth Form College gave me a voice, the confidence to speak out whenever I felt something wasn't working for me or I was struggling. I had a blast! Granted doing the same course for years kinda lost its appeal (repetitive information put me to sleep!) 

I wasn't badly bullied and again I forgave those responsible, but I certainly met incredible friend whom today I love, respect & trust! They are my rock alongside my secondary school friend!

Yet again I met wonderful teachers whom I respect & miss to this day! The conversations I had with each teacher are those that I still remember. I can honestly say that there was not one person who didn't accept me or treated me equally! Because ALL of them accepted me, gave me opportunities & supported me during my darkest times. My third year at college comes to mind when I had my first mental breakdown, was ill most of the year & shut myself off from everyone around me. it was my FORM TUTOR who noticed I was in a bad place, not only her but also the rest of the teachers. It was that year I was persuaded to start counselling & have to say it was what I needed! THANK YOU doesn't seem enough for every SINGLE staff member at LSC...

During my time at Leyton Sixth Form I flourished not only academically, but also personally. I came out my shell, gained more and more confidence as the years went. Was appointed as student rep, library ambassador & curriculum ambassador! I literally thoroughly loved me time at LSC & will never forget the years & the good times I had! Who would've thought I would receive QMUL awards 2 times! I was honoured to receive a student award at the end of my time at LSC! 

Never did I imagine I'll be a student at one of London's top university! Being accepted at University College London has been my biggest achievement yet! I have many others to name!! I can wholeheartedly say that I enjoyed my journey at UCL Institute of Education over the last 4 years! It started out great, had a peaceful first year before the storm hit in summer 2017 & from that point on everything changed.... 

I won't lie I have met some great people on my course, but as an insecure person I never really felt as though I FIT in, even though BA Education Studies is a fantastic & interesting degree but connecting those on my course was DIFFICULT! So I kinda failed at the making friends at university, not exactly the person to join societies either (that's just me!) But that is not to say I was a COMPLETE loner! No! Eventually I made some really good friends & I'm connecting with people! 

I may not have had much luck making friends, but I have met wonderful professors who respected me, treated me as an adult, offered me academic & personal advise, gave me opportunities to speak out & most importantly supported me through the dark times since September 2017. I admit that summer 2018 I was deciding on DROPPING OUT of university as I was in a bad place physically & mentally, yet it was the professors who provided ALTERNATIVES for me, listened to my concerns &gave me full support to get through everything. I can easily say that the level of support I've received is still going as my struggles are not over, but I have feeling I WILL graduate in September. Again THANK YOU doesn't seem enough! 

Thank you doesn't seem enough for ALL the AMAZING, WONDERFUL, INCREDIBLE & INSPIRING teachers I've had since my time at secondary school. They weren't just my teachers, they were my MENTORS! No words can describe the respect I have for them or how much they've changed my life! 

TEACHERS & PROFESSORS 

   I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but you for, my heart has no bottom!