Simone didn’t always know she wanted to be a teacher, but after a gap year filled with new experiences and a surprise love for working with children, everything started to fall into place. Now studying Primary Education at the University of Cumbria, she’s made Lancaster her home, found friends for life, and thrown herself into university life in her own calm, cosy way. Here’s a little look into Simone’s journey so far.
Why did you choose to study your course – what or who inspired you?
I have always been told I am good with children even when I was little and I was not sure at first, but a couple of people told me I should consider teaching. After I started working as a nursery assistant, I realised that I was getting a lot of enjoyment from expanding the children’s world and minds.
As for who my inspiration is, I get a lot of my teaching philosophy from my year 5 teacher. She was kind and welcoming, she always shared her interests with our class and made learning fun because of it.
Why did you choose the University of Cumbria?
I was between the University of Cumbria and Winchester University at first. Winchester was where my best friend was going to go as well as my boyfriend at the time, so I held a slight bias, but the university is big and impersonal. When I visited the university of Cumbria, Lancaster campus, it just felt more me.
The university was nice and on the smaller side, so it did not feel intimidating, I got to meet some of the lecturers who are now my tutors who now know me by name. It’s safe to say I fell in love with the university, and it felt like the place I was meant to be.
What has been your favourite experience at Cumbria?
Outside of my university course I can’t say I have had that many experiences, I spent my first year making friends, going shopping and the occasional club night. Though I do have an experience that I hold dear. I went pottery painting in Morecambe on a date; we spent the whole day out and went to all the arcades and had a nice pub dinner.
How have you found your placement? Where was your placement, and what was it like?
Over my three years with the university I have had three placements, all three have been within Lancaster though my favourite placement so far is probably my current placement. The staff are friendly and welcoming, the school itself feels like a community, and they have shown me a lot of support.
What’s been the most difficult obstacle you’ve overcome in your student journey?
My biggest obstacle in my student journey has been convincing myself that I can write academically and overcoming homesickness. There are times where it feels perhaps, I should have chosen a university closer to home and then I remind myself that a lot of great things have happened because of where I chose. I still get sad, but I now have a good support system that I can lean on and its not as hard anymore.
What do you enjoy most about your course?
It’s hard to decide on just one thing! All my tutors are supportive, kind and show they want the best from every single one of us. They care. The seminars for the most part are fun, engaging and talk about interesting topics.
If I had no choice but to pick, then I would have to say that the most enjoyable is the fact that you come out of most sessions and placement feeling like you’ve learned something.
How have your tutors supported you during your studies?
My tutors have been incredible, I have been having some personal issues this year and the few tutors I have spoken to have shown genuine concern and kindness, offering me support on the academic side. They have been there every step of the way to answer questions, to help explain things and to read over parts of assignments while I’ve been freaking out saying “I don’t think it’s any good” or “I feel like I’ve done it all wrong.”
How is university life beyond your studies?
Outside of my studies my life is rather calm, I have taken up a few hobbies such as crochet, scrapbooking and colouring. I took them on to help my mental wellbeing and to relax.
Though occasionally I got out for drinks with my flatmates or friends, I have an anime ‘watch party’ once a week, which is just me and my mate watching one specific show then getting takeout. To some people my life probably sounds kind of boring but that’s just how I like it, I liked my life to be relaxed and full of things I enjoy.
What do you enjoy the most about student life at your campus/in the area?
I try to joy the events the accommodation team holds whenever possible since I enjoy the sense of community but outside of that I have to say my favourite part about my campus is the café, it’s nice to see so many people there and occasionally you’ll spot the tutors relaxing and hanging out together.
What would be your top tips for people thinking of doing the same course as you?
For anyone thinking of applying if your home is far away from the university and you fear moving away, I say forget about the fear, once you get to where you are going, you’ll meet some amazing people, and it won’t feel as scary.
For anyone already doing my course, no matter how hard something feels have faith in yourself reach out to your PAT for support if you need it. It will be okay, you’ve got this!
What are your career plans, and how is your course preparing you for your future career?
So far, I can’t say I have concrete career plans, but my course is giving me all the resources to lead me in the right direction for me.
From the opportunity to become a supply teacher with an agency, to going overseas to teach, they have put things in place so that once I know I can just go for it.