Realising opportunities/ Volunteering

A couple of months ago I posted about a programme I joined called Realising opportunities. Well one of the tasks I have to do in order to pass the programme is an academic assignment.

I have to write a 1500-2000 word essay on any topic of my choosing. On Tuesday (21st August 2012) I met up with my tutor who will help me with my assignment. Together we decided to come up with the question "Who has the Olympics benefited the most?" as my essay question. I have to take into consideration  my essay structure and other things just as if I've been set an essay in college or university. This is great preparation of what I will be expected to do in university so it's good to get a taster on what it'll be like.

                           
During the summer holidays I was really frustrated that I wasn't finding a job and I really wanted something to keep me busy. My friend suggested that I started volunteering. I thought about it and realised that it's not such a bad idea so I went on the internet and looked at different charities and came across British Red Cross. I was mainly interested in volunteering in a charity shop close to college so I could work there for a couple of hours a week during my free period. What attracted me to British Red Cross the most was that they are the only charity shop that offer a certificate for young shop volunteers.

Firstly, at the Standard Level I have to complete 40 hours of volunteering on the shop floor and discovering what goes on behind the scenes. If I want to progress to the Advanced level this takes 100 hours to complete where I get an introduction into management, organise my own project and explore what goes on within the Red Cross. My aim is to complete the Advanced level because it'll be great to learn new skills and actually take control of something that I can take credit for if it's successful. This will also help improve my confidence in leading a team which is really important when applying for a job and can help me stand out.

I'm so glad I came across this and if anyone is interested in volunteering they should really get involved. It's great that whilst helping out a charity that changes peoples lives at the same time it's benefits you in terms on future success. I just started yesterday (24th August 2012) but I'm excited to get involved with in the coming year.

I will definitely keep posting what I take part in.

Update.. AS Level results.. Future?

I've had a few days to think now and I've come up with a plan to what I have to do in A2 to get the best grades possible. I just discovered that to apply to LSE to do Economics Bsc I had to get an A in Further Maths but I got a C. Just to make sure I still have a chance I have emailed the recruitment team at the university for their advice. It's good to contact the universities you want to apply to with questions just to make sure you're making the right choice. Providing that the grade I got is not a problem, I MUST aim for an A* in two of my subjects. This is going to be EXTREMELY difficult because I have to get an average of 90% in my A2 exams.

No social life for me...

The entry requirements are A*AA but that's just the minimum and it's best to aim higher because the competition is intense. There's also an option to apply for UCL but there's the issue of the Modern Foreign Language at GCSE which I don't have although they still encourage students who don't have it to still apply.

All I can do is just wait for the email from LSE and just hope and pray it's not a problem.

Results Day!!! (16th August 2012)

Yesterday I receieved my AS results. I was absolutely terrified on my way to college. I think that was the longest bus journey ever. My heart was beating fast, my stomach was turning and for some reason I couldn't stop laughing with my friend but I think it was because I was so nervous. I finally arrived at college and was directed to go to the hall. My legs were absolutely shaking whilst I was walking up the stairs but finally I arrived and I was given an envelope... and I opened to see:

Economics: B
Unit 1: A
Unit 2: C

English literature: C
Exam: D
Coursework: A

Maths: A
C1: B
C2: A
S1: A

Further maths: C
FP1: A
S2: D
D1: C

Government and politics: A
Unit 1: B
Unit 2: A

I'm really happy about my results especially my Politics results. In a previous post I mentioned that I got an U in my first Politics exam and to re-take it and do unit 2 as well to get an A overall is amazing. I've decided to drop English literature and Further maths to continue with Maths, Economics and Politics for A2. I have to work extremely hard to keep up the standard of this year. It's seems that applying to LSE is still in my horizons but the year ahead is extremely important.

Time to focus on the future!!!

House of Fraser audition

So yesterday (13/08/2012) I attended my first ever job interview/assessment. I was pretty nervous because I didn't know what to expect. I managed to get there quite early meaning I was the first person there. After waiting for 20 minutes more people started to arrive and they were really nice. One of the girls was shocked that I managed to get an interview at House of Fraser with only doing work experience and not having an actual job. 

Not long afterwards the recruitment lady took us all into a room where we were split up into 3 groups. We were given a brief on an imaginary character that we had to form as our own and create an outfit for her. There was only 10 minutes to do this and then we went down to the shop floor to get the outfit which were were going to present to the panel. It was really important that I had to make sure I made an input with ideas and showed that I was getting involved because all of us were being assessed the whole way through even on the shop floor. 

Finally, when we got back upstairs each group had to present their idea in front of the panel. It was good that each group did it one by one without the other groups that which took off the pressure a little bit. In my opinion, I think that the presentation was successful but there is a lot of competition. I'm just thankful for the opportunity and I've learnt stuff from others just in a small space of time :)