ATAR Notes: Forum
General Discussion => Accountability and Motivation => Topic started by: Caitlynk_22 on January 01, 2019, 06:22:32 pm
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Inspired by Mada!
Hey everyone! My name is Caitlyn. Some of you may know me from my HSC Journal from last year where I documented my final year of high school. Right now, I am having a gap year to earn some money and really think if I want to go to uni. The main reason I am taking a gap year is because I want to earn money. This is because I have to move away from my country town to a coastal (I think it is) city. Newcastle. And to be honest, I am so excited to 2020 to come around. Bring on uni!
But first... 2019.
It's finally 2019, 2018 went so quickly it wasn't funny. I thought that the year was going to go reasonably slowly due to it being HSC year and all. But now, months after we finished school and got our results back, I must say that ending highschool wasn't really the happiest moment of my life. It actually made me sad watching the NYE 12am fireworks.
So I still have actually got to find a job, as its pretty hard being in a country town and I am still 17. I think the job scene will pick up in early January so I should be fine. I have applied for a few jobs, one at the post office and a few others.
I'm kind of scared of what's to come. Only one of my friends is taking a gap year meaning all the others are moving away from town and going to uni's far far away. It'll be sad to see them all go but they are all saying come to Sydney to visit us! I'm like it depends if I have work or not....
In the meantime, I have been working at my parents business doing odd jobs that my mum doesn't want to do (She has two jobs, a receptionist and as a teacher) so it's good experience plus I am earning some money.
I hope this journal will help motivate me to do somethings that I have never done before and help me work through this year without a hitch. It'll be a long hard year but I hope you can all help me as you did in 2018!
Thank you! Byeeeee
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Hey Caitlyn!
It's good to see someone else who is takng a gap year!
I wish you the best of luck with finding a job, it will really help. But i think the job scence may pick up more towards the end of january as a lot of businesses may be coming back from holidays.
Also, being scared is part of the experience i think. I'm pretty nervous about whats to come in my journey.
Just remember you're not alone okay? I'm here if you want to share some thoughts about the coming year
And i look foward to following this thread as you progress
Best of luck with everything!! ;D
Adam
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Best of luck with everything!! ;D
Adam
Thanks a lot :D I think I'll need all the support I can get.
Hi everyone! So its been about a week (ish?) since I last wrote in the journal. Not much has happened except that today I finally went job hunting, wandering my small town asking managers if they had any positions available etc. It was okay, I handed a few resumes out so fingers crossed!
I also walked into my local bookshop asking as well and they were like ' Currently we only have a gap year job available' and I was like 'I'm on gap year!' (Obviously didn't say it like that hahaha). So I applied there, I feel like I might actually have a chance there because I went in there so often. We had a nice little chat about the subjects I did in school, which school I went to, and what I planned to do in 2020. FINGERS ARE FRICKEN CROSSED!
To fill my time up a bit, I have been working at my parents business doing all those random things no one wants to do. It earns me money so I don't mind :)
Anyway, adios amigos!
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Good luck for the jobs! 😁 Working in a bookshop would be fantastic!!
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Hey everyone!
I think it kind of hit me today that I won't see my friends as much anymore. Its kind of sad but a part of me is like 'Everyone is starting fresh and new, starting another chapter in their lives'. I saw my friends snapchat story, she's moved into her uni accomodation already. It makes me think if I should have gone to uni this year - to start something new and independent. But another part of me is like, 'You made the right decision. You are going into the adult world, its a new chapter for you too. You're gonna get to uni as well even if it is a year after everyone else.'
I'm glad that I decided to do this. Take a gap year to decide if architecture is really what I want to do and to get some experience in the real world. A chance for me to really grow up (as well as turning 18 in a month).
I think I'll really miss my friends. We've been with each other for the past four years (for me, cause I changed schools in year 9). I'm grateful for all the experiences we have had together.
This year is going to be tough and so is the year after and the year after that. It'll be tough but I think we'll all make it.
Anyway, quite a dark and sad post but ya know. If you've read some of my hsc journal you'll know I can be a bit moody etc...
About the job, they said they would ring this Friday and I really really want the job :D
Ok, baiii!
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GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!
(https://i.imgur.com/IPAc1CV.gif)
About that job I applied for? I uh have an interview tomorrow with the owners of the shop and I am SO nervous! It's literally my first ever job interview. Margaret, one of the owners rung me just then and asked me what time I'd like to come in, she also said it was more of a casual chat to see if I would fit in the the bookstore. I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED. Though, I cannot wait. I have a feeling that the interview will go well because I am a reader and I guess cause it's a bookstore.
Has anyone else been nervous before a job interview? Also, I've been wondering what I should wear tomorrow? Dress nice? I guess?
Anyway, that was a quick update. WISH ME LUCK!
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Yay congrats on the interview!!
It’s natural to be nervous before an interview — I’m always nervous before interviews but you will get more comfortable as the interview goes on. Wear smart casual to interviews that don’t specify a dress code because you don’t want to turn up in shorts and a t-shirt or something like that ahaha
Best of luck!!
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Best of luck! You'll smash it. :)
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GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!
(https://i.imgur.com/IPAc1CV.gif)
About that job I applied for? I uh have an interview tomorrow with the owners of the shop and I am SO nervous! It's literally my first ever job interview. Margaret, one of the owners rung me just then and asked me what time I'd like to come in, she also said it was more of a casual chat to see if I would fit in the the bookstore. I HAVE MY FINGERS CROSSED. Though, I cannot wait. I have a feeling that the interview will go well because I am a reader and I guess cause it's a bookstore.
Has anyone else been nervous before a job interview? Also, I've been wondering what I should wear tomorrow? Dress nice? I guess?
Anyway, that was a quick update. WISH ME LUCK!
Ah, congrats! I know it's a bit late but here's my tips regarding what to wear. I'd recommend dressing smart casual - so a nice dress (no logo) or shirt and pants that are generally considered mature and safe should be good. Skip the ripped jeans and fluoro or flashy items. You don't have to go business shirt and stuff seeing as it's a bookshop, but a plain dress at knee length will do the trick. If you wear make up, keep it rather natural. Shoes-wise, find something you'd think would work with your outfit and would probably be necessary to work in a bookshop e.g. no sandals, but flats, school shoes or small heels (that look slightly more professional) would probably work.
Hope you smash that interview. :)
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HI EVERYONE!
First, I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported me and wished me luck for the interview.
Second, I just got home. I think it went quite well! Margaret was really nice and I think its a maybe that I might get the job? I think there were a few other applicants as well so ugh. I am praying that I get the job. I might hear back from them this afternoon or tomorrow.
Anyway. Goodbye. *Fades from sight*
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GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!
So, I GOT THE JOB! I'm so excited! Oh wow. I can't believe it :)
Thanks everyone for the support!!
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Congrats! ;D
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Yay!!!! Congrats!
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Awesome. Congratulations - that's excellent news, and very exciting!
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Awesome. Congratulations - that's excellent news, and very exciting!
Yay!!!! Congrats!
Congrats! ;D
Thank you!! It was really nerve wracking waiting for a phone call - to see if I'd actually get one at all.
Anyway, this week is gonna be packed full of stuff!
Monday - Going out to buy some food? Yes, that's what I'm gonna do.
Tuesday - Game of Thrones Season 7 marathon with my best friend
Wednesday - Worry about starting job. Remember to fill out tax file form thingy to give to my boss(?)
Thursday - Start job. SO NERVOUS.
Friday - Work. Then over to my friends house for a sleep over (before they all leave for uni)
Saturday - Rest of my friend group comes over, doing secret santa (extremely late) and going out for coffee. Also officially 20 days till I turn 18.
Sunday - Bid farewell to my best friend who is leaving for uni. It's so sad, I don't know what I'm going to do without her.
Then the weeks after that, my other friends are leaving :( and I will fall into the (almost) endless work for a year as well as doing Tafe. It's kind of scary to be starting a new chapter in life but I'm sure I'll get used to it! Also, I am actually excited to finally turn 18 in February.
Goodbye! I am going to do something useful now... maybe.
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Hey!
I am so excited to see the perspective of someone who's taking a gap year!! And I am really happy you got the job, I can think of few better places to work than a bookstore as a fellow book-obsessor-before VCE consumed my entire existence.
Remember, just before stepping into the store, just take a few moments to breathe, centre yourself and remind yourself of how capable you are to take this on! It's always scary at first, stepping out into the unknown is difficult but always worth it, because there is always valuable insight to be gained regardless of whether the experience was positive or negative. I think you'll have so many opportunities to learn and just enjoy this year!
Enjoy your sleepover and I'll be excited to see how your week went!
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Enjoy your sleepover and I'll be excited to see how your week went!
Thank you for your kind words of support! I will follow the advice because I'm a natural worry wart. Last year I found myself becoming more grounded if I kept a journal so I wanted to do something similar (no matter how boring my year may be).
I hope the sleep over will be fun, I think I'll miss my friends a lot.
On another note: I picked up my phone after about 5 hours and found someone had added me to a messenger group chat for all the people from my school going to uni at Newcastle. I was pretty shocked. I think half of the chat is going to uni this year and the other half next year. Maybe I'll make some more friends that I never really got to talk to in school.
Anyway, BAI
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Thank you for your kind words of support!
“When I look back on my personal story through my journals, it struck me my words had an unmatched power to heal me. To change me.”
~Sandra Marinella
Write about anything and everything you want! It's funny, once school ends, that's it, you likely won't ever see the people you saw every single day for the past few years ever again, and sometimes, though you were in a class with someone for years, you may not really know each other at all. Hopefully you and your best friend can stay in touch, but also use this as an opportunity to find new people and form new relationships! The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more you'll be rewarded with people you can really connect with. Try lots of new things, explore and just have fun this year!! Excited to be a part of the ride!
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Heeeyyaa
So I had my first day of work today. It was pretty good except I'm pretty tired and my legs hurt from standing up all day. I haven't been this tired since the time I stayed up till 12 finishing an Engineering assessment.
Anyway. I feel like eating icecream. I'm going to go eat some ice cream.
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Heeeyyaa
So I had my first day of work today. It was pretty good except I'm pretty tired and my legs hurt from standing up all day. I haven't been this tired since the time I stayed up till 12 finishing an Engineering assessment.
Anyway. I feel like eating icecream. I'm going to go eat some ice cream.
Hey Caitlyn, glad to hear it went well! Can definitely empathise with sore legs - I had a long day at work too haha. ;D
Enjoy the icecream! You deserve it! :)
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Heeeyyaa
So I had my first day of work today. It was pretty good except I'm pretty tired and my legs hurt from standing up all day. I haven't been this tired since the time I stayed up till 12 finishing an Engineering assessment.
Anyway. I feel like eating icecream. I'm going to go eat some ice cream.
I know the feeling of standing up all day- that's me when I have back-to-back labs. I'm really glad work was good! ^-^
Treat yo'self to that icecream, you deserve it!!! :)
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HEY EVERYONE!
LONG TIME NO SEE! Anyway, I have much news. Is that a real sentence? I have no idea. Right let's continue.
So I've been working for what 3 ish weeks? It's going well. I've met the three of the trainee's from the past 3 years and it's been pretty great. I must admit it is quite a bit of hard work. My boss doesn't like it when we just stand around doing nothing so she always makes me clean when there's nothing else to do. The other trainee's said that I only have to do it once but the store is so big! I also worked my first saturday on the weekend which was fine. I actually quite enjoyed it, there were more customers and my boss let me sit around (there wasn't much to do and ppl were in and out all day) because there was only the two of us there that day.
Anyway, I get paid every friday which is pretty good. I love Fridays because my boss buys us all afternoon drinks since there's a coffee shop down the street. I ask for a strawberry milkshake every time. It's great. I really like talking to my co-workers, they might be older than me but they're really nice to talk to.
I've also started doing Tafe and I have to do this boring compulsory WHS assessment. I even had to email my assessor to ask her questions about it because I didn't understand how I should set it out. Tafe assessments are so different from high school assessments. I don't know why I didn't understand what I was supposed to be doing when I looked at it. Maybe I just didn't read it properly. So I finished the first part of it but don't understand the second so I had to email my assessor again. Ugh. I feel so stuuppidddd. I feel like high school assessments are way more direct but I guess it's something I'll have to put up with.
Also! It's my 18th birthday this Friday and I am so excited! Finally I am turning 18. It's only taken a whole fricken year of being younger than all my friends which is a little frustrating.
I'm missing my friends a lot too. I try to talk to them every day (almost) but I feel like I'm being annoying. Even when its a short conversation I'm happier. I'm going up to visit them at Maquarie in March so we can kinda celebrate my birthday together. They said they're actually really excited for me to visit. I'm excited too. It'll be my first time driving through the mountains alone which might be slightly scary but i've done it lots with my mum so it should be ok.
I feel like this month is going really quickly. I feel like this YEAR is going quickly. Honestly, I think thats good because I can't tell you how excited I am to go to uni next year. Even now that I'm working and earning money, I'm like 'Just wait till next year! It'll be a year full of firsts!'. The other trainee's said that the start of the year will go quickly as will the end but the middle will go slow as because you're just doing the same thing over and over again. One of them also said I should go on a trip but I need all the money I can get for next year.
OH! I'm also getting used to standing up which is great. Yaaaaaaaaayyyyyy I still use every opportunity to sit in the singular chair behind the front counter. I don't know how they do it >_<
They also have a microwave so I can have left overs from dinner. I swear my boss is so jugdey about what I bring in for lunch. Geezzz.
Anyway. I'm going to have some lunch. Today's my Tafe day so I'm at home trying to attempt to do tafe. Wish me luck.
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Hi Caitlyn!
Just wanted to wish all the best for your gap year, it already seems really great! So happy for you that you are enjoying your job at the bookstore, I'm sure the experience will be invaluable for you. I took a gap year too last year and starting uni soon :)
What TAFE course are you doing? I did my cert 3 in aged care, getting extra qualification through TAFE is really nice.
Happy birthday in advance for Friday :)
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Hi Caitlyn!
Just wanted to wish all the best for your gap year, it already seems really great! So happy for you that you are enjoying your job at the bookstore, I'm sure the experience will be invaluable for you. I took a gap year too last year and starting uni soon :)
What TAFE course are you doing? I did my cert 3 in aged care, getting extra qualification through TAFE is really nice.
Happy birthday in advance for Friday :)
Thank you!
I'm doing a Cert 3 in business. I'm hoping it will help ease me into uni next year. Fingers crossed everything goes well.
Good luck for uni!
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Thank you!
I'm doing a Cert 3 in business. I'm hoping it will help ease me into uni next year. Fingers crossed everything goes well.
Good luck for uni!
What's TAFE like for you on, say, a weekly basis? Would love to know more about what it's like.
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What's TAFE like for you on, say, a weekly basis? Would love to know more about what it's like.
Hi! So I do Tafe once a week. On mondays because that's my day off. The assessments aren't too much work so it doesn't take long. It's probably quite different from uni and high school but maybe it'll give me a leg up for next year.
Oh and by the way! It's mah birthday! I turned 18 :D Finally legal!
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Hey everyone!
I've been working a lot. Also been doing Tafe. So thats fun. Not. Anyway,
I managed to drive to Sydney to visit my friends last Saturday after work. 3 hours of driving on my own and over the mountains for the first time by myself. I must say driving in Sydney is stressful but overall I enjoyed the long distance driving. It was kinda relaxing.
It was great seeing my friends, we watched Riverdale, Ted and Marlon together on the Saturday night. It was pretty great. We slept in my friends living room and it was that night that I realised how much I really missed my friends. The next day we drove to MQ and dropped off my car then hopped on a bus to head to the city. We wandered around for a while, ate lunch and got on ferry. We walked through Luna Park since I'd never even been there before. That night we played laser tag and an escape room and I must say it was pretty fun. I'm going to head down to Sydney again for my friends 18th next month.
Anyway, now I'm back at home on my day off attempting to be productive but ya know. Not much is happening. I've also been trying to get back into doing the things I love like art, writing, reading etc. but it's been really hard. I blame the HSC since it stopped me from doing those things but I'll keep trying to get back into them.
Sorry for the boring post but I wanna keep this updated. I'm never gonna live this year again so why don't I just write it?
I have actually gotta go do some tafe now. Baiii
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Hey everyone!
Now we're into April. Happy April fools day! I can't believe it's already the fourth month wow. It's been around 6 months since I completed the HSC and time seems to be running so quickly. Where is it going?
Anyway, I've asked for two days off to go to Sydney for my youngest friends 18th birthday and I'm actually so excited to see them again. After that weekend we are all heading back home as it's their mid semester holiday thingy magig. So we're hoping to gather up the whole group again to see everyone during Easter.
Sad thing though. I have to work the Saturday before Easter Sunday but luckily I have Friday off. Yay.
Anyway, Tafe is annoying as always but I keep thinking of all the benefits I'm going to have at the end of it.
I'm gonna go now because I'm trying not to waste my days off but it's not really going well. I'm thinking I need to start doing Tafe during the week nights because I get so bored (Not studying on weeknights is so weird because now I have no idea what to do with my life).
Baii everyone! I hope everyone is going well!
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Hope you're doing well, too!
Btw, happy birthday for the other month! Haha. Totally missed it at the time. 🤦
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Hello everyone!
It's been quite a long time since I have posted on this. Don't blame me, I've been working a lot and seeing my friends. I'll give you a quick run down on what I've been doing this month and have done:
- Working (Duh)
- Been doing some art
- Went to Sydney to see my friends
- Came home with my best friend (It was their holidays)
- Spent Easter Monday with friends
- Went to see Avengers: Endgame with friends
Then pretty much that's all. My friends have all left to go back to uni to start again next week. To be honest I was a little sad to see them go but I'll live. It's almost five months into the year and I honestly don't know where it's gone. Seriously, what have I been doing for five months? Working. That's pretty much it.
I think the excitement of going to uni is building up, I think it is with most people in my town taking a gap year even seeing my friends coming back from uni it's exciting to know what they are doing.
All I can think of the benefits to me at the end of the year that many other 19 year olds (I turn 19 next feb, the same age many people will be entering uni after school) won't have. Cert 3, Money, experience for full time work, retail experience.
I can't help but chanting to myself every morning saying 'You can do it Caitlyn! You can do it!'
Anyway, I better go. Baiii.
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Hello everyone!
It's been quite a long time since I have posted on this.
Hey Caitlyn! What kind of art have you been doing? Maybe you could share some, I'd love to see! That's so true! Taking a gap year will have enriched your life so much and given you more valuable and interesting experiences than everyone else! Hope your 18th was fabulous! Any plans for this week? You can do it! Live life to its fullest and have lots of fun! I love hearing about what a gap year is like since I don't know anyone who's done it.
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Hey Caitlyn!
It's been two months since I've written here. It's taken me a while again! Sorry about that!
So. I haven't been doing much lately... except working. BUT I have been earning and saving my money and boy does it feel good having the numbers in my bank account going up and up. It makes me feel good going home on Friday afternoons knowing that I have more money. Lots of people would say that money is a bad motivation to take gap years but it really isn't. I'm just saving it so that I'll be comfortable next year and won't have to ask my parents for money. Time to become independent!!
Anyway, my friends came home for their winter uni holidays which was good. We all got to spend valuable time together. It sounds like uni is going great for them so far and I'm hoping next year will be the same for me! I am also going to the UoN open day next month so I can actually see the accommodation I may be living in as well as exploring a bit more of the campus that I didn't have time to see last time. Lets just say I'M PUMPED. My heart is saying 'lets go already' while my brain is like 'no. Money. Work. Experience'.
Work has been fine, I have been coming home smelling like Eucalyptus oil because we peel the labels off books we have to return to the suppliers. But that's fine because it has helped me not get a cold this year! Tafe is also going quite well. 7 out of 12 units have been completed and half of another is underway. I think I'll be finishing the Cert 3 before Christmas which is good. I'm trying to think of something to do in January with my leave. Everything is expensive. I want to go with my friends but they are uni students and have hardly any money. Maybe we could just drive around the coast or something? I dunno.
ALSO. I got two of my sculptures featured in my local art gallery. With 150 other artists but that's still something (Most of them were wall hangings/paintings/drawings) so mine got a pretty central position in one of the rooms of the gallery. I was pretty excited. I told my Year 12 art teacher and she was so excited for me!
I think that's just about it for now. I believe I will come back in like 2 months with more things to tell. Hopefully it'll be sooner.
Wishing everyone luck and happiness :D
Baiiiii
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HELLO!
So exciting news. I'm going down to the UoN open day this weekend (Even though I went last year), I have so many different questions I have to ask this time. Last time it was like "I'm finishing school and this is a possibility for me". Now I'm like "FINALLY." I guess now that I've spent a year out of school (Almost) it's given me a change of perspective. Like there's so many other things to consider than just going and getting a degree. Aaand since I'm paying for all my accommodation costs by myself, I really have to pay attention.
I legit have a countdown on my phone to see how long I've got to go. I don't think I've been so excited to do something. Yassss moving out. Yaaassss new chapter! Yasssssssssss.
Ok so this year it's not just gonna be me going to the open day, my parents are going as well (even though I'm a fully functioning adult). I think they're just nervous about having their youngest child move out of home (before the eldest sibling moves out). I think I'm going to leave them alone to explore for a while, while I see what it's like without them hovering.
Another new development is that I have almost finished my Cert 3 which I am so excited to finish because it has been the boringest (Not a word. Sorry) couple of months ever. The jobs fine but the tafe is just annoying. I know, I have been complaining since the dawn of time.
I also decided to take leave next month. Just for a week or so. Cause what else are you going to do with paid leave? USE IT obviously. I have booked a small holiday to go down south, to Melbourne for a week. By myself. I told myself "It's time to get out of your comfort zone!" and I booked it about a week and a half ago. I'm pretty excited.
Anyway. I have to go cook dinner. I'm cooking lasagne!
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Lasange- yum! Hope it was a good as it sounded ;D
How was your holiday to Melbourne? What did you end up doing?
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Lasange- yum! Hope it was a good as it sounded ;D
How was your holiday to Melbourne? What did you end up doing?
Hi! Sorry for the late reply (as always *sigh*).
So I spent the first day trying to get my bearings and how to use the tram system (Still ended up using google maps) but I was really nervous at first. Since it was my first time in the city alone, I wanted to take it easy so I just went shopping for most of the day while walking in very large circles in the CBD.
Second day I went to the zoo which was quite nice, there were many prams but that's fine. Third day I spent hours walking around the NGV galleries and let me tell you it was amazing! It's so much better than the Sydney Gallery. Would recommend for anyone interested in art because even though I'm not a fan of classical, they had so many collections to see. By this day I was very confident with my abilities to travel alone.
Fourth day, I got up a bit later and went to the Queen Victoria Markets though I didn't really find much I wanted. I could compare it to Paddy's markets in Sydney. I probably went on the wrong day which was fine but it was still meh. I found a christmas shop that day too filled to the brim with decorations.
Fifth and final day I went out to St Kilda beach and stared out at the ocean for absolutely ages. I hadn't seen the ocean since at least December I believe and I was so happy to just stare at it. I took many pictures of it. I then took a long tram ride to Fitzroy where I went to the gallery that exhibiting my cousins jewellery which was really beautiful.
All in all my holiday was really good. I'm glad I decided to go and I think it has boosted my confidence a lot more.
Another thing (Sorry this post is massively long and probably wont post till next month or something), I applied for my accommodation at UoN and it legit two hours to complete my application. But it's in and I should hear about the results of my application in November. Also, I finally accepted the offer that I deferred last year and boy was it so good to finally accept it.
I think a gap year has helped me in so many ways. It has made me so much eager to leave home, go to uni and start something new. It has given me experience and it has given me a well needed break from studying. I'm so ready to just jump head first into uni. I'm counting down the days till I leave home. Four months to go, I expect these last few months to fly!
When the date hit the 28th of Sept it was exactly one year since I graduated high school. How weird is that? One year. It kinda makes me go WOW where did that time go?
116 days and counting!
Good luck to those completing the HSC within the next couple of weeks. It will end don't worry, and you'll be sad and relieved at the same time. You'll probably never see your class form as a whole ever again which is kinda sad but it's time to start something new! No matter how well or bad you do in exams, your marks will not define you! :D
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Hey everyone!
SO quite a lot has happened in the last couple of months.
1. Only 1.5 months to go for my traineeship.
2. Finished my Tafe course (FINALLY)
3. Got my accommodation application accepted. I now have a place to live next year and had to pay an arm and a leg to accept the room.
4. Almost at uni enrolment time. I have my student account etc and filled out HECS-Help form blah blah blah. For Newcastle enrolments open on the 9th so not long now.
5. My friends are coming home VERY soon. I'm so excited to see them again!
6. I notice I am definitely more comfortable talking to random people in the store as well as on the phone. I may still have anxiety but I think it has gotten better in that aspect.
Also, the other day I was thinking about when I was first said I wanted to be an architect (or something similar). It was a while ago but I remember being in year 7 PDE and the teacher was asking everyone what they wanted to be. At that point I honestly had no idea. In primary school I'd say the standard teacher or vet but I had heard one of the other boys in the class mumbling architect so I just went ahead and said that to the whole class.
I didn't really know what it was at first but I think as the years passed I was drawn to the art, the maths and design of it all. I became fascinated with the classical/neoclassical style of the buildings in the Sydney CBD. How I wished people designed buildings as beautiful as that these days. Yes, some buildings look nice all modern and new but where is the character? Did we really get lost in the functionality and the rationality of the modernist era? You know what I say to easy-to-put-together concrete buildings BLERGH.
Our families trip to London amazed me. Everywhere there was character. I loved it there. I was sad to leave it. Our other trip 4 years later to Germany made me compare what we had here. I guess it's because we're not an old country (we don't have castles sitting on random hills).
In senior school I chose subjects that would help me get into architecture. Art, Ancient, Engineering, Math etc. We studied a bit of architecture in ancient and I LOVED it. It got me thinking if I could go into architectural history. I still honestly have no idea if architecture is what I'm supposed to be doing but I'm certainly going with it for now. I can't think of what I'd do if I didn't pick it, I needed something creative yet mathematical at the same time. Engineering too much maths for me.
All I know is that by taking this gap year it has not swayed my thoughts in which direction I want to go. I know plenty of people who have changed what they want to do in their gap year and that's ok. Do what you want to do. Don't be forced to do what your parents want you to do.
I'm going to stop talking now. I don't know why I wrote all that but here ya go anyway. I haven't written anything in months.
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It's great to hear from you again!
I don't really know anything about architecture but 100% agree that the same old (or should I say contemporary) rectangular prism of glass, metal & concrete is boring.
As you learn more about the field I imagine that'll help you gain more confidence about what specifically you want to do.
I hope you have a great reunion with your friends :)
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I literally keep thinking that its 2019 still.
I spent new years with my friends, one of which is moving to QLD. We all almost burst into tears even as we have spent the last year away from each other but now its going to be even harder to see each other. My best friend said she's going to come visit me in Newcastle in March (As I did to her last March) but at the moment I'm literally thinking 'how the heck do I make friends?' 'Will I like my flatmates?' 'I hope they don't steal my food'.
It nerve wracking just thinking that I have to pack and leave my home town. As much as I say that I want to leave this boring ass town I think I am going to miss it. Like no traffic. I'm going to miss that. My double bed :'( . All my books. My mum. It's made me think that last year was about treasuring everything that I have and knowing that I won't be living at home permanently anymore. At least I don't think I'm going to be living in my home town after uni after all I need to find a job. Looks like it's going to fun being a proper adult.
What did I learn in 2019?
- That I'm adult and actually have to pay for food now.
- I'm strong and can set my mind to anything I dream of.
- I can be confident, I just have to put myself out there.
- I like to learn new things. I craved to learn. I'm not kidding.
- That my parents are going to buy a kitten after I leave.
- Life isn't made for us to sit and do nothing (I do that plenty of times) and I'm ready to start running towards my goals.
- I'm allowed to make mistakes. We're all human.
What are my goals for 2020?
- To put myself out there. We're only young once!
- To be even more confident than I was in 2019.
- To make some friends.
- To enjoy uni and not get bogged up with assessments.
- Be organised! To be honest, this will never happen.
I think that's it for now. The farthest I have thought about uni is the fact that I'm moving in next month and I haven't packed a single thing.
I don't remember if I told you or not but I have been learning French online since the middle of October. Every night I hope online and do 15 mins of French. I have no idea if it's actually working but we'll see!
They've started advertising for my job at the bookshop now so it's all starting to get real. I can't help but wonder who their next trainee is going to be. I know we are all very different people us past/present trainees but we all get along very well especially with our coworkers and bosses. Apparently there's usually around 30 applicants for the job but then they've gotta strike out the people who aren't gap year people leading them down to 12-15 people. It kinda made me go WOW how the heck did I get this job?
Then 5-6 people are interviewed. I think some people don't get chosen because they said they can't work Saturdays but I guess that is a turn off for an employer when hiring. My boss said picking between the last 3 or 4 is like picking a name out of a hat. All sound good but you never know.
I officially finish on the 31st but I'm using up some of my leave to just relax as I leave on the 8th of Feb. So three full weeks of work left. Gah it's gone so quickly! Some days may have felt like three years but many days felt like three hours. My coworkers have really guided and helped me grow this year and I think I'm really going to miss them.
Anyway I have written an essay so the next time I check in will probably be on my ATARNotes 2 year anniversary which I know is really cheesy but who cares.
I'm also trying to decide if I should make a University journal. I'm thinking of keeping going as I have already poured my soul onto these posts. Opinions anyone?
Au revoir for now!
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Hey, I've been a lurker of your GAP year journal for a bit now and it's been so interesting reading about your journey, what you've down, your job and honestly it seems really nerve-wracking leaving home so I honestly wish you all the best and hope you transition in well to university life.
Also, I reckon it would be great if you made a university journal.
All the best for 2020 :D
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Hey Caitlyn!
What did I learn in 2019?
- That I'm adult and actually have to pay for food now.
- I'm strong and can set my mind to anything I dream of.
- I can be confident, I just have to put myself out there.
- I like to learn new things. I craved to learn. I'm not kidding.
- That my parents are going to buy a kitten after I leave.
- Life isn't made for us to sit and do nothing (I do that plenty of times) and I'm ready to start running towards my goals.
- I'm allowed to make mistakes. We're all human.
Love these reflections! Seems like you had an awesome gap year!
I don't remember if I told you or not but I have been learning French online since the middle of October. Every night I hope online and do 15 mins of French. I have no idea if it's actually working but we'll see!
Which course/program are using to learn French?
I'm also trying to decide if I should make a University journal. I'm thinking of keeping going as I have already poured my soul onto these posts. Opinions anyone?
Do it! Keen to hear about your experience at UON! And plus if you don't keep a journal, you might regret that later. :)
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Hey, I've been a lurker of your GAP year journal for a bit now and it's been so interesting reading about your journey
Thank you! I can't show my appreciation enough for those who have supported me throughout the HSC and my gap year. I wish you luck with your own journey. ;D
Which course/program are using to learn French?
I've been using Memrise which combines listening and writing. It's pretty good. I can now pick up a french textbook (Which we get in for high school students) and read basic conversation pretty well. Speaking is a little harder to practice but I'm getting there.
Do it! Keen to hear about your experience at UON! And plus if you don't keep a journal, you might regret that later. :)
Will do then! I love writing these entries, sometimes I read my HSC journal posts and I'm like 'I did that?'
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Hello! I believe this may be my final Gap Year Journal post which is a little sad but since I'll be moving to university by the end of this week I thought it best to end off this Journal.
It has been a long year. Not as long as I'd thought it would be but some parts were still a slight drag. I got through it though. I got a job, earned money and saved. I had fun times with my friends and got a taste of university life with them.
I'm glad I took a gap year. I feel more mature and more confident than I was a year ago. I'm also a year older and am an adult now.
100% recommend gap years. Do not listen to the teachers that say that they're bad and don't mean anything. They mean so much. They're so valuable. I know it's big to say but I think there is a huge difference between those who went straight to uni and those who took a gap year. Looking back now, I don't think I was ready to leave my home town. Now I really am.
So I think I'll sign off here and say goodbye to my journey through 2019 and say hello to the new decade. The new beginning!
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As someone who didn't do a gap year following your journal and seeing your perspectives + journey for that has been great! It's definitely given me greater appreciation for why people do gap years.
Thank you for sharing this with us & see you in your uni journal!
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Thank you for sharing this with us & see you in your uni journal!
Thank you!! I really appreciate that I can share my journey's with everyone. Here's a link to my University journal for anyone wanting to continue reading - My University Journal