Believe

The day has arrived! It's so surreal to say this.  I never thought in my wildest imagination that I would be here enrolling onto an MSc.  Given my slow start in education.  I could cry, really!  I'm making personal history.  I'm going to give it all I've got.  I promise.  You only live once (so it's said) and I'll probably experience this once in my lifetime.  Here I go, I'm going in!

• Gemma Long - "Just read your post. Being an underdog will put you at an advantage compared to others as it means your going to work harder, so are more likely to see results. I'm sure today will fry your brain (lots of new people, a new campus, getting your assignment :-0) but try and enjoy it as much as poss. I met some lovely people on the course so I'm sure today will be the start of some new friendships for you. Enjoy the ride as I'm positive you'll make it successfully to the end."
• Helen Waddle - "Enjoy it and well done you, you will have a fab time x"
• Roy Scott - "Well get in then and get it done, so proud of you and good luck"
• Potti Dotti - "I am very proud of you Dan. I always knew you'd go far and i know you'll do well. X"
• Robert Hutton - "That is great Dan. You now understand that YOU control what you get out of educational and not education controlling you like had pre 16. Rob"
• Martyn Hollingsworth - "Well done dan your a star crack on with it"
• Sophia Dalton - "You can do it Dan! I believe in you 🙂 x"
• Dave Barnes - "Go for it fella 🙂"
• Donna Nixon - "gd luck n all the best for the future - part timer 🙂 hehehehe"

Last night I was getting nervous about all of this.  It's soon come around since March!

I had a great introduction day at university, however I did feel out of place and that I don't belong there.  Most likely due to my own educational background and ex-mining town upbringing.

Anyway, next year marks ten years since I started my transformation to educate and make something of myself.  Ten years, can’t believe how quick it’s gone.

I remember saying in the moment:

'Underdogs', it is time to step up. You don't have to have anything. Position yourself and be sure of your intention. The rest will follow.  (I was an underdog)

Some people get education served on a plate. Some people work hard for it from the bare nothing. Education is not to be taken for granted.

It all might seem self-centered, but I'm standing up for the people that don't believe in themselves. I got here from doing just that, even if I might not be so good. But I believe I am, and that is what it should be about right?

We teach to get others to be independent.  That’s the ultimate goal.  I taught myself this through drive and determination with the overall goal making of something of myself.

I might not know a lot, but I do know about learning and how it surrounds and binds everything.  Plus, it’s my main subject along with natural history and music haha.

Anyway, I’ll give this MSc everything I’ve got.  There will be some hard and challenging times ahead, but isn’t that what learning is about?  If you are not challenged, you are not learning.  I have my network of believers, supporters and inspirers to help me get through this.

I am proud to get to this point, why shouldn't I be. I don’t say it as much as I should. But deep down I am.  I pushed myself to make me a better and more rounded person as well as to know more.

To look back on…  I did this recorded interview back in Summer 2012.  How I have changed in direction and grown in confidence!  How many ‘erms’ can you count?!

Passionate Teachers (I'm on at 15 mins 30 secs).

It’s not about where I am, but how I got here.  And I’ll keep on sharing the experiences.  Thank you for the opportunity.