From playing 'schools' to becoming a teacher...

I have always known what I have wanted to do for a profession.

When I was 17, I applied for my university course - Primary Education, which would commence the following year.

Unfortunately, 1 month later, I did not receive the grades at A level which I needed which meant my further education was on hold! I was devastated. I phoned the university, explained the situation and they said the only option was to begin another course (which was not as good) - Childhood studies, and then study a PGCE into teaching (the long way round!)

Anyway, when the time came, I started Childhood studies and actually really enjoyed myself and became part of a friendship group. I had so much fun with my friends at Uni and loved going in everyday.
3 weeks later, I receive a voicemail: "Hello Lori. A few people have left the course Pirmary Education, and therefore this is now a place for you if you would like to take it. Please come and see me to discuss further." I was gob smacked.

This was my dream career, the ideal course - but something inside me was holding me back. I was comfortable on the course I was on and loved the friends I had made, I didn't want to lose this.
All that was going through my head was that everyone on the Primary Education course would have already made their friendship groups and I would have missed lots of work.

I had to ask lots of people for advice and speak to my mum about the best path for me to take. My mother in law is a primary school teacher, and trained at the same university as me and on the same Primary Education course! I thought it was best to speak to her too. As expected, everyone told to that it was the original course I had always wanted so how could I turn my back on it now? And the fact that it's a much quicker and better course - and I would make friends anyway because that's the sort of person I am.

So I decided to go and see this man who left me a message, and I discussed the issue with him. He gave me the best advice and explained that I hadn't missed much work at all. He also told me the names of other students he had called to offer a place, and 2 of them were my friends from school! So that made me very happy.

I took the plunge and went for it. Two days after my meeting with him, I was in the Primary Education lecture theatre, already talking to a few people who were very friendly and I was loving every minute!

I have no regrets what so ever. I absolutely love the course, I am in my second year now and have a great group of friends. There are 7 of us, they all helped me out to catch up with what I missed and we have all been close friends from my first week on the course. I did keep in touch with my other friends on Childhood Studies for a few weeks, but now I don't really see them anymore - normally just a wave in the library. But I know I made the right choice and I can't believe I thought twice about turning it down!

Best advice to everyone - Follow Your Heart.