After a blog holiday………….back again after our first Diploma 2008 weekend with a really great bunch of new students.

Lots to tell you but the first snippet to pass on is some reassuring knowledge that will help you feel calm when faced with any new learning environment. I relayed this to our students too.

When I was in my first half marathon eighteen months ago I was so excited at the start line, then as everyone seemed to pile past me my head went into a spin with performance crushing negative thoughts. ‘What if I did not make it?……..’my breath is so laboured’………. I will be last and ……….and’ Suddenly I was in pain and running like an broken woman!

So I took hold of the reigns of my bolting thoughts and said nice calming things to myself, forgot about the outcome of the race and decided to enjoy the outstanding scenic views that the Isle of Mull has to offer. Then Roger Elliott cycled beside me and he chatted away completely taking my mind off the running.

In no time at all I had passed nine miles, started to overtake people and did so all the way to the finish.

We see just the same pattern on the Diploma. People have their own way and pace of assimilating knowledge, some learn through watching, others by listening or practising their skills. Students’ different life experiences will also impact on this.

We find that some students shine from the beginning and others take a while to translate the skills into confident practise. But what I find amazing is that every year after the Summer break there is a leveling out of ability. Those who had a steadier start have consoliated their knowledge and skills, some even race ahead!!

So if you are starting a new area of study, go at your own pace and remember that the ‘the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step’