Ready to leave?

I have now officially left college. My school leavers day was over a month ago now and it was no where near as sad as I thought it was going to be. I'm someone who cries a lot and I've been crying about leaving school for most of the year, but I didn't cry then. It wasn't the same as the year 11 assembly (Class of 2012 blog), I was in the majority by staying tear-free. If I'm honest, we're all ready to leave, it doesn't mean we didn't enjoy our time at school, although I'm sure many people didn't, but we're ready to go to uni or work or whatever else we're planning to do. Year 13 leavers day, at my school anyway, is more of  a celebration, mainly a chance to laugh at how silly we all are.

I had been convinced I was going to cry. I was quite involved with organising the assembly and had seen the leavers film numerous times and each time it brought a tear to my eye. It was the perfect mix of humour and sentimentality but on the day it just didn't seem appropriate to cry. The assembly was lovely though and probably a lot better without any panda eyes. Three of my friends are in a band called The Trip Kings and performed at the assembly with their song "Trip Kings come to town" which is possibly the most catchy song you will ever hear.

After the assembly we went to the pub because...well, we're sixth form students! One of the boys in our year came outside to me and my friends saying "come inside we're playing drinking games with the teachers". Drinking... with the TEACHERS?! We had pretty much left school and we're adults now, so why did that seem so weird to us. For some reason, there is just something a bit strange about seeing teachers in a social situation. The other night I went out for a meal with the music tech student; their teachers and one of my music teachers (I'm the only Year 13 music student at my school this year). It was lovely and didn't feel at all weird to be out with them, although calling the teachers by their first names kept catching us out and I'm wondering if they'll ever stop feeling like our teachers!

On the morning of leavers day, I got a tweet from a friend who used to be in many of the school music groups with me. She said that the school leavers day seemed like nothing compared to her final concert. I think that's exactly how I'll be, I love my year at school but we're all leaving at the same time, whereas, it feels very sad to leave behind all my friends from years 7-12 within the music department, as well as the year 8 form I've worked with for 2 years and my 3 amazing violin pupils. It's just over a week until the school summer music concert; my last morning with my year 8s and my last lessons with my pupils so it might be time for me to stock on some tissues and waterproof mascara before I'm just a puddle on the floor! 

There's a reality show for everything!

Tonight is the final of 'The Exclusives'. The first advert caused much controversy, causing all the journalists I follow on twitter to burst into ridiculing the candidates and the whole idea of a reality TV show for this particular industry. The aim of the show to find the next young star to work for, arguably one of the most powerful Magazine groups, Bauer publications. The chance of a job at one of these magazines obviously appeals to me, (my absolute dream job is being the next Polly Vernon writing about feminist issues each week in Grazia), however, I completely agreed with the viewpoints of journalists like Grace Dent who wrote a review of the first episode for the Independent summarising the absurdity of reality TV and this show's glamorisation of working in the media industry with the sarcastic comment: "ITV2 put the kids up in the luxury apartment as a fair representation of where one can hope to abide in London on an unpaid editorial-assistant travel-expense wage" I've come to learn since looking to be a journalist that it's not easy. I've been told so many times by working journalists, journalism lecturers, journalism students and just about everyone  that it's going to be a life of lots of work for little pay, so there is something a little un-realistic about 'The Exclusives'. The competition that has been running for viewers throughout the show seems to sum up the producer's representation of journalism to me, saying that the Camera, Dictaphone, Laptop, Headphones, Magazine subscription, Mobile phone and Cash prize, was "everything you need to become a top reporter yourself"!

I have been asked by various people if I would ever apply for a show like 'The Exclusives' and at first I replied with a definite no. I saw it as ruining your credibility and career before it's even been established. There seems to be an unwritten rule in this career that you must remain independent and asking for help is a sign of weakness and the more I've watched 'The Exclusives' the more I've considered if that rule is outdated. We live in a world now, where there is a reality TV show for everything and although it's annoying, it does, to a certain extent, give everyone a chance to do something with their life, albeit quite high profile and often criticised. I would still say now that I wouldn't be interested in appearing on a show like 'The Exclusives but I can't deny that these candidates, particularly Ellie who I am most definitely rooting for in tonight's final, are passionate about journalism and are willing to work hard to get to the top. The show will give them contacts and as they say, 'It's who you know not what you know".

I've enjoyed watching the series and as much as I sit and criticise them, they're out doing what they want to do. The mentors and judges on the show which include Hannah Fernando and Lucie Cave from 'Heat!' have been constantly reinforcing the value of good writing, which I was pleased to see. I honestly don't know what my writing is like, but to me, without good writing and a strong viewpoint you don't have a journalist! 

'The Exclusives' final is on ITV2 at 9pm tonight (28th June) featuring finalists Ellie, Stuart and Felix.