First week over! Phew!

I've managed to get through the first week, yay! It was really good, but incredibly exhausting. On the second day we were thrown straight into learning shorthand, which is literally like being five and learning to write again. Because we have to be able to write shorthand up to 80wpm in order to gain the full NCTJ qualification (no one will be willing to take you on without it, apparantly) we have fifteen hours worth of lessons in it a week, which is more thanany other single lesson. Here's a little example of some words which I've been learning to write this week.



We also have to do law, public affairs, news writing, production, features and subbing. We've not had subbing or features yet, but we have them tomorrow, so let's see how they go! Only problem at the moment is work experience - I was only informed three weeks ago that I had to find it for 18-22 Feb. Despite sending out a ton of letters and emails, I've yet to find a placement because everywhere is full (Empire's work experience programme is full right until the end of 2008!). I'm trying to find the time to make some calls, but I spend six hours a day travelling to and fro the college, so most days I'm out before six or seven, and back after five. I'm going to try and call some places while I'm on the train tomorrow.

My biggest worry was that I wouldn't get on with the people on the course, but everybody seems really, really lovely, and there's a group of us that meet on the bus in every day!

Getting scared now..

I'm into my last week at work (not even that, I have Mondays off and my last day is Thurs, so I have a 3 day week), and will be starting my journalism course on Monday 2nd Feb - eek! I'm very scared at the moment, I never was particularly good at going into new places and meeting new people. I go all shy and end up coming across as a bit weird...

My fear is not being helped by the fact that I was only informed on Friday 18th of this month that I'm required to find a week's work experience from 18-22 Feb at a major magazine. It's not possible I tell ya! I spent all last week sending off grovelling letters and emails, as well as some of my interviews/articles from the website (and spent ages writing a 250 word film review for a couple of applications), and so far have had 3 responses; all 'No'. Not because I'm no good, but because they're full, and have been for months! Argh!

I used to be such an optimist, but I'm not any more!

I'll post again next week and update you on my first week. I will be positive, I will be positive!