I don't want to be a statistic

I can hear you thinking that this is going to be some crazy blog post about my love for maths but, as much as that is a fantastic idea, it's not. It might be a bit of a different sort of blog post to what you're used to reading on here but it's something that I feel strongly about so hope you don't mind hearing about it...

The other day I was sat in an A level maths lesson and I can't actually remember what was being discussed; it may have been exam grades. Anyway, one of the lads in my class turned around and said something along the lines of 'You're a girl, you're not supposed to be good at this. Girls are good at English and arty things' and it did get me thinking. I wasn't happy to just let this pass! I know that the lad meant absolutely nothing of it more than humour because he's a great person but when questioned he just said that it was 'statistically correct'. 

Now as much as the comment didn't mean anything, it did make me realise that a lot of people do make comments like that meaning it. I don't know the statistics myself but will be looking into them. However, just because on average girls are worse at some things, that doesn't mean that I am 'supposed' to be! I'm a girl, but I'm hardworking; if I want to do something, I will do it! So anything is achievable! I enjoy maths and know that although my maths class consists of 2 girls and 3 boys, the girls did better on average last year! The statistics aren't always valid and people need to start considering this. In our college there are around 100 lads who don't study maths at all. They might be studying English, art or drama but do you ever catch anyone saying 'you're not supposed to be good at this because you're male'? Nope. I didn't think so! 

Another instance where comments like this have been made was in Food Tech back in year 11. I'd made a Black Forest gateaux that was apparently quite impressive, I'm not sure I thought the same at the time though. And one lad said 'Yeah, but she's a girl. She's supposed to be good at cooking'. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS! I made a decent product because I put the hard work in: did the research, practised, made developments and learned from my mistakes. 

There are other things too. Like males are 'supposed' to be better at most sports. But I know some that can't swim a length! I'm not saying I'm fantastic because I'm not; there are lads in my squad that are better than me but equally, there are girls better than them!

Admittedly, natural ability comes into things a lot but ultimately it comes down to attitude and perseverance!

In short, I guess what I'm saying is that you don't have to be good at something just because statistically your 'supposed' to be. I don't want to be good at something because statistics say I should be; I want to work hard for my achievements. And statistics aren't necessarily valid. Companies doing research introduce bias to results and the results should be taken with a pinch of salt! If you enjoy and want to do well in something that breaks a stereotype, go for it! It's your life to live and the most important thing is that you're happy with it. Sometimes doing something to break a stereotype is a lot more rewarding and enjoyable in the long run!

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x

What do you want to do in the future?

So this is going to be a different sort of blog post today. I haven't posted for a while and wanted to write but didn't have anything in particular to write about so I decided to just let my pen take control and see where it went. 

Since I've just finished my exams and my first year at college (year 12) and applying for university starts in September, I've been asked a lot about what it is I want to do in the future and I guess it's made me realise that I don't actually know, but that's okay! Sometimes it really is okay to be unsure of things. It just means that you're taking your time to consider things so that you don't rush into something that you don't really want to do.

For a while I've had a couple of options and one of those is to do medicine at university and then become a doctor. I have quite a lot of experience of the life changing things that doctors do and thought it would be absolutely fantastic to be able to help people like that. However, I've done quite a lot of voluntary work in hospitals and realised that often, the reality of the job isn't quite the same as you think. It is still something that I'm considering but I'd have to find a specialism with the minimal amount of paperwork possible as the main reason I'm interested in this is for the patient contact time. Which I guess could seem odd to some people who know me well as I can get quite anxious in social situations but, from my own experience, I'm not too bad in small groups for example when I'm teaching at swimming or in a classroom. So, I'm not by any means doubting the excellent work that medical professionals do. I'm just wondering whether or not the current system is something that I'd be happy working with because I believe that you never really work a day if you're doing something that you enjoy! 

One more thing that I've thought about is a career in teaching. I think it would give me plenty of opportunity to work with different types of people and the work experience I have done in schools has been really fun. I don't think I'd ever be able to teach in a primary school (the children are all way too small) but I quite enjoy maths and think I wouldn't be too much of a bad secondary school maths teacher. Again, because maths is something I enjoy, I think doing a degree in maths then a PGCE would be quite a good career choice for me but I'm not too sure. I may enjoy the degree so much that I choose a different career in maths. I know that by September I really need to have decided what I'm going to do and it may be one of these or I could choose something completely different but for the time being I'm not going to worry too much about it and just enjoy my summer. As long as I end up in a career that I enjoy, it doesn't matter too much to me and its probably what's here right now that I should be focusing on. Whatever happens, happens and you have to trust that you'll make the right decisions as they come along.

So in short, I'm not too bothered about what I do as a career or anything. I just want to have a job where I am happy and I'm in a position where I can make other people happy! But I do want to hear from you. What do you want to do in the future?

Keep smiling,

Kathryn x

Looking For Alaska: book review

Having now finished reading John Greene's novel 'Looking for Alaska's, I am back, as promised, with a quick review for you to (hopefully) enjoy. I have no intentions of spoiling it in any way but just in case you're currently reading it or about to read it, you may choose not to read any further for now and that's fine!

Looking For Alaska is quite clearly aimed at a young adult audience although it could easily be enjoyed by people of other ages and I wouldn't let the target audience put anyone off giving John Green's novels a try.

The novel tells the story of Miles, the protagonist, who leaves his school in Florida (where he is far from popular) to join a boarding school in Alabama. When he arrives he meets his roommate, The Colonel, who provides him with the nickname Pudge and introduces him to Alaska. Alaska is quite a complex character whose respect for the rules is lacking in many areas, and it is the relationships between the three characters that are expected throughout the novel. 

I found the way that the novel was written extremely interesting. The first chapter is called 'One hundred and thirty-six days before' which leaves you pretty convinced that it is a countdown to a huge event but even knowing this doesn't quite leave you emotionally prepared. Without giving too much away, the final day leaves the characters separated and the days after take you on Miles' journey to discover the full events of that night. In some ways I found the final few pages a little bit predictable but I don't think it would be enough for me to dissuade anyone from reading it. 

Another thing I really loved about this book was the way two different, possibly clashing, personalities were brought together. Miles and the Colonel are from completely contrasting backgrounds but form a remarkable friendship which is tested to an extreme level.

There's not too much more that I can say without giving everything away but I can certainly say that I would recommend giving Looking For Alaska a read! Feel free to leave your views on the novel down below and if you have any book recommendations for me, please leave them too! 

Keep smiling,
Kathryn x 

New starts

So, a blog? Well this is something new for me! A brand new, fun and exciting adventure that I'll hopefully be able to share with all of you. 

It's important to try new things every once in a while and that is something I know all too well. However, I'm usually a person who struggles to embrace and new starts, thinking too much over things that have been and gone which I have no control over. In fact, for various reasons, I've kind of become more of a creature of habit which is something that I see as one of my biggest weaknesses. Thinking about this made me wonder how I can challenge myself to try new things, hopefully without worrying or panicking too much, and still have fun (because I appreciate that some new things genuinely are certifying and far from fun). So imaginekathryn was born...

I've always loved writing but never the sort where you are told what too write and when to write it. (1000 word essay on themes in An Inspector Calls anyone?) I decided that starting this blog will help me to continue this enjoyment with the freedom of choice; I can include absolutely whatever I like!

Last Wednesday I had my final AS level exam and though this would be a brilliant time to start - with the whole summer ahead of me. Over the next few weeks I have quite a lot of exciting things going on and I hope that you guys don't mind me sharing them with you! And more than anything I'd just like this to be a positive place to help make your lives happier at the dullest and darkest of times (as well as all of the happy ones!)

Keep smiling,

Kathryn