Tails’ Blography

e-piph-a-ny [i-pif-uh-nee]
–noun, plural -nies.
1. (initial capital letter) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day.
2. an appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity.
3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight.

I was debating about blogging about this, since if it doesnt work out then everyone knows I failed etc etc. But then I thought, “why should I fail?” And its true. Failing is not an option. So here I am, blogging about my epiphany: I’m applying to do a Bachelors of Education (BEd)!

Wow, it’s scary just typing it. Seems so daunting. It’s a four year course, and I’ll be applying to UNISA for full-time correspondance. I’d be aiming to teach Primary School, preferably Gr 6’s (Std 4’s for us old-schoolers), which to me is a nice age to teach (the mere idea of teaching high school scares the crap out of me!). I would have loved to do full time study at CPUT, but alas, classes are from 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, and I have a sordid thing called rent thats called for once a month. Oh, and insurance and a cellphone bill among other expenses. How inconvenient!

This whole tertiary education confuses me, what with all the modules and credits and exemptions. Speaking of which, I’d have to apply for a provisional exemption, since I didnt get one in Matric and I’m over 23 years of age. This really makes me wish that I would have applied myself better in high school. It certainly would have saved me these hassles I’m having now. I could seriously kick myself. Some institutions, like CPUT, dont require just an exemption. They also accept you if you got an aggregate of 950 or higher, and passed at least three subjects on higher grade (HG), two of which must be languages. All very well, but this is where I fall short (without knowing what my aggregate is). I passed both Enlgish and Afrikaans on HG, but dropped Biology to standard grade (SG) halfway through my last three years of high school. Its not like I was a terrible student, but I just didnt apply myself 100%, and I should have. My other subjects werent that great, but that was simply because I was lazy and, at the time of selecting my main subjects, didnt have any idea what I wanted to do after school. I chose Biology (HG, down to SG), Computer Studies (SG), Home Economics (SG), and Ceramics (SG). I would have chosen Computer Studies as HG, but that was a 7th subject and you had to be doing Math, which I didnt do well at at all. I dont know how I got by on Ceramics (yes, pottery) on SG, as to choose SG you had to be doing Art as well. If you werent doing Art, you were supposed to do it HG. *shrug*.

Anyway, I’m aiming to enroll for January, so I have until Oct 31st to get everything in order. It’s all very exciting really. I feel like I have a purpose now, and I feel so proud that I’m taking the plunge to study further at the age of 26 (ok ok, 25 until August). By the time I’m 30, I’ll be qualified! How insane is that! I know its going to be a huge responsibility, and that there will be tough times and chances are I will struggle, both with modules and self discipline, but I will give it my best. That’s all I can do. At the very least, if I’m struggling with modules, I believe there are a few lectures I can attend, as well as get in contact with other students and form a study group or something. And I’ve already checked Facebook, and there are some groups for people studying BEd through UNISA formed. And I have two teacher-friends who are only a phonecall away.

I’m so excited. I feel like a new person. I’m so nervous. I’m so keen. I cant believe I’m actually going to study for the next 4 years! Wish me luck!!!