Grace Connors (Primary School Teacher)
Attended St Brendan's 2012 - 2014
Subjects Studied: English Lit, Creative Writing, Biology, Chemistry, Maths
Previous School: St Bernadette's Catholic Secondary School
Grace Connors
I spent most of my life wanting a career in the sciences – either as a neurosurgeon or a forensic pathologist – and the subjects I chose to study reflected that. I chose English because it had always been my favourite subject and I had always harboured a secret dream to be a writer and I couldn’t bear the thought of stopping studying it after the end of my GCSEs. But when I was at St Brendan’s, I decided to follow my heart and took a place studying English at university.
I was very ill during my time at college and through my first year of university, both physically and mentally, and, looking back, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to move from home and start a new phase in my life, especially as starting university is hard. But going to university was the best decision I could have made. I feel like I’ve finally figured out who I am. I got help from friends and doctors and therapists and I became a person I love!
University is completely different from anything I have ever experienced before. You don’t have to love drinking or partying to enjoy it; some of my best nights have been spent watching terrible films. Every good grade you get at university makes you feel amazing and worthwhile. It is hard and it does take time to get used to it but I would advise anyone who wants to go to university to jump at the chance to go.
Whether you want to go to university or not, I would recommend everyone works hard during their A-levels. They are so hard and every mistake is completely demoralising. But you can get through it – so far, you have a 100% success rate! And don’t forget to have fun. Living and enjoying yourself is more important than good grades.
During my time at university, I had the option of undertaking a placement year. I debated this for a while and, while I was tempted to try something completely different, I realised that I had to see if I would enjoy being a teacher. Clearly, I did! After my placement year, and my final year of university, I began a year of teacher training at Bath Spa. It was easily the hardest thing I've ever done in my life - made harder still by the fact I broke my foot during the second week! - but from SATs week to school camps to my Year 6 class' final day of school, it was more than worthwhile. After graduation, it took me a few months to find a job but now I'm happily teaching my own Year 5 class.
