Nursing

So it has been a really long time since I've even thought about having time to write here!

My education has taken a bit of a different direction (or so it is perceived) although I had this path in mind for some time. I am currently training at the University of Glasgow to become a nurse, which to many may seem like a complete jump into a completely different field which, granted, it is but at the same time it couldn't have been a smoother transition from art school.

The way in which I have learned for the past four years in art school has really helped me with my new journey into the field of healthcare and here's why:

If it hadn't been for art school and having the opportunity to research and delve into subjects which I genuinely had a passion and interest for, then I wouldn't have realised my potential for a second degree. In no lifetime could I ever regret spending four years in an art degree, it has driven me to understand the person that I have and will become in time. Although the teaching style is different, as the focus is very much based on grades (hey we can't all be perfect), tutors still recognise the need for creativity within the nursing profession and that is really encouraging, especially for somebody like me.
It is very interesting meeting fellow peers on the nursing course and how different their outlook is from mine. Some have come straight from school, some from previous degrees and some from full time jobs to name a few! Its absolutely wonderful to feel the diversity of the class and the discussions and opinions which are raised are always interesting and always encouraging. Thats whats so brilliant about nursing, we are constantly going to be dealing with totally different people and catering for individual needs and by having a class which echoes this is totally invaluable.

I had my first placement in November and I had that feeling that nurses talk about... that feeling when you know that you have done something good and someone thanks you. It happened. I can't even describe how happy it made me feel to be a crucial part of somebody's care. I felt incredibly humble and privileged and that was the sign than I've definitely made the right choice.

I guess what this blog is all about is just to say... Hi! I'm having a brilliant time!

Grow up

Recently been selected to take part in the Futureproof Graduate Photography show in Streetlevel Gallery in Glasgow! Starts in August and it is very exciting and lovely. Sadly, I don't think the business cards will be making an appearance as I've got hardly any left. Here's a photo if you missed the degree show (oh what a show you missed by the way!):

I hope everybody who took a paper crane unfolded it and tried to make it again because that always fun. Good to get things a bit wrong then eventually figure it out, I know I've certainly been doing a lot of that recently during my studies in Glasgow (studying biology and chemistry- HARD). More degree show chat and life updates to follow but I've got a date with the periodic table and some electron configurations now! zzzzzzzzz

Get off your ass if you want to.

Everybody in Gray's is getting ready for the degree show and its really getting exciting and there is a such a buzz about the building, mainly due to the copious amounts of caffeine I imagine but none the less I'm looking forward to everything coming together. I've always worked in the same kind of way when it comes to my studies throughout my school years and into university I stuck by the slow and steady wins the race way of working. So far it has served me well but there is always that thought in the back of my mind that says "oh but you could always do just a little bit more" and its true, maybe instead of taking that 45 minute break to speak to somebody about something that, shock horror, isn't related to the degree show then maybe I'd have better work and be further along in my studies, maybe I'd be finished already. Or maybe I'd be sad and resenting going to art school in the first place. I am so glad to be able to say that my four years in higher education has been amazing, so much so that I am going to do four more! However, if we didn't have that little voice inside that says we have the potential to do more then perhaps we wouldn't get anywhere.

What is such a shame about the idea of studying is that it is associated with the words such as "cram", "all-nighters", "red bull" and the classic "stress". Why can't it be about pace, enjoyment and satisfaction? Granted we do take pride in our studies, thats why people carry on doing what they are doing, at least for most anyway but too often I personally feel that deadlines are seen to be such negative things that people always strain themselves to reach, working through the night and even putting their health at risk to meet them. Some of the best advice I ever received was from a maths teacher in High School (who I used to ask for extra homework from because I worried so much about failing- oh how things have changed!) who said that there is absolutely no point in revising the night before an exam, your not going to learn anything new in that space of time and your just going to stress yourself out because you think you know nothing. Its true, so often people say they need "the fear" to get the adrenaline pumping and churn out work moments before its due in but I personally cannot get my head around that. The very idea of staying up until 6am of a hand in date seems completely alien to me. I don't mean for this to come across as if I am some kind of goodie two shoes that gets A's and everything is so easy for me. I'm not. I find things hard all the time and sometimes I am completely rubbish at what I do but instead of beating myself up about it, I just get on with it really and try my best to enjoy all of the good and bad experiences which come from studying for a degree. All the time in crits people talk about artists and films and I have no clue what they are on about and all the time people talk to me about politics and I have the blankest face in the world, but thats okay, because I can still learn things as I go along! Hell, sometimes its quite funny to not know the capital of Germany, because you're sure as anything not going to forget it when there are about ten stunned faces in front of you staring at you in disbelief at your clear lack of Geographic knowledge (this didn't happen to me). Maybe I am deluded and alone in my thoughts in this respect but I do believe that you can be happy with your pace of working. Yes, sometimes there is a pang of guilt and a hint of nerves but ultimately we are all human and just trying to do the things we enjoy doing. Without a little bit of fear everything would be horribly beige but thats not to say that our minds must be bursting with negative thoughts with regards to education.

So to any fourth year art students, final year medics, sixth year high school students or ANYBODY who feels this pressure of a "dreaded deadline" who is reading this... Stop. Calm down. You're just one person and as long as you are enjoying your work and you are learning new things and are being challenged then you aren't doing anything wrong. Listen to the wee voice that says work harder but don't under estimate the power of self satisfaction because you might just gain so much more than you could ever imagine. 

But this is just my opinion, you can do what you want... thats the thing about life.

Alison McGregor: Self Help Guide in stores soon. ;)

scale

Handle with care.

I make work for people about people.

Oh Hello.

It's that time of year again... when everybody has a small nervous break down before the end of the year. I am of no exception however I'd like to take this time to say CALM DOWN. If your working hard and enjoying what you do then your not doing anything wrong. Surely...

I'd say more but I'm going cross eyed from information overload today.

Broken

Flying

 

        

"I can't believe you write about your feelings and stuff in that book"

I live with somebody who used to tell me that she was "not creative".... she soon learned that lesson and has never said it again. Today we studied together and it was beautiful.

I Don't like it

Standard chat with fellow art students.... we all hate it when we think we've got an amazing idea and find out somebody else has done it already... and probably done a better job than you. I had that feeling today. why why did I search the words "origami photography"?!! Just to torture myself I think....

THAT'S ALL.

You

Human

What kills creativity?

fold and repeat

What would happen if we embraced the mundane? Would the exciting become unbearable?

The beauty of the everyday

Everyday Creativity

"Everyday creativity refers to a process which brings together at least one active mind, and the material or digital word, in the activity of making something. The activity has not been done in this way by this person (or people) before. The process may arouse various emotions such as excitement and frustration, but most especially a feeling of joy. When witnessing and appreciating the output, people may sense the presence of the maker, and recognise those feelings."

David Gauntlett

Making is Connecting

Just....Be.

During this winter "break" I have spent a lot of time with the people that I love and it has been amazing.
Due to high winds and "Hurricane bawbag" myself and my family were stranded on the Isle of Bute without power and any method of reaching the mainland. Safe to say we spoke.... A LOT.
What has been amazing is the sense of community that small places like Bute have when something awful happens. We had been without power for three days straight with only half hour intervals to quickly charge phones or have showers and it makes you really appreciate the wee things. To the extent that when the power came on briefly lastnight we were slightly dissapointed because everybody would just go back to watching TV or emailing or texting. You forget how nice it is to just have eachother and appreciate just being human with nothing else plugged in. I'm glad I was prompted to remember that.

Everybody should switch everything off for three days and see how it feels.