Goodbye, and thank you!

A few months have now passed since I finished the IB and graduated from Atlantic College. Ever since then I have been meaning to write a final post on here but only now have I found the time to sit down and do it! The final weeks and days of AC have by now blurred together in my memory as mixture of exhilaration (finally finishing the IB!), happy moments spent with dear friends and the great sadness shared by everyone as we packed everything away for one last time. After my last exam (French Paper 2) I returned to the chaos on campus as First Years prepared to leave that night and Second Years started to comprehend that their AC days were truly numbered. I cannot begin to explain the number of different emotions I felt in those last days. From the tears as the First Years’ bus disappeared into the night to the party-like atmosphere of Second Year Leavers Dinner the following day, the roller-coaster of emotions experienced during the two years continued to the very end. The utter pain on everyone’s faces as we bade each other goodbye was visible for all to see. The intensity of those last days and hours was unlike anything I have ever experienced before. We laughed and had fun whilst knowing that things would never quite be like this again. The urge to cry was countered by a determination to cherish every second possible. I have spoken to many of my friends since then and everyone agrees that no one was quite sure what to think or do during those last days. In the midst of it all, sleeping and packing seemed both inconvenient and entirely unimportant. Consequently, I barely slept and left packing until I absolutely had to do it. As I had often thought during my time at AC, I was very lucky to be a Brit because I didn’t have to fit everything into a couple of cases, or catch a bus on time. I could instead spend time with the friends, housemates and co-years who had been such an important part of my life for the past two years. UWC students tend to be very well travelled and many of my co-years had amazing itineraries for the summer break, often visiting the homes of AC friends. After AC I spent a week in London and then three weeks traveling around Turkey with my Japanese dormie and Turkish friend. We stayed with friends and relatives of our Turkish friend and encountered incredible kindness and hospitality wherever we went. En route we also met several UWC friends and co-years and took every photo opportunity to brandish the UWC flag with pride! Since arriving home I have been kept busy doing things around the house and caring for my Mum. In the past few weeks she has improved and so I am now busy preparing for Uni and catching up with friends and family before I leave once again. I’ve just realised that I haven’t said where I’m going to university! I am heading off to St.John’s College, Durham University in a couple of weeks!!! This was my first choice uni and I cannot wait to embark on this new chapter and adventure in my life. I’m going to try to write a blog once I’m there. The address will be www.lifeatjohns.blogspot.com if you’re interested in following my life after AC. The past two years have been a truly incredible experience, and I have tried to give you all an insight into AC life through this blog. I hope I have managed to share with you the wonders but also the ups and the downs that were my life at Atlantic College. My life has been enriched by the people and the experiences which I’ve been privileged enough to encounter since I started this journey back in 2010. I have made incredible friends and learnt a lot about myself and many other aspects of life. I will always be grateful to the people at home and at AC who made this journey possible. I hope to show them my gratitude by continuing through life on this journey of discovery, with my eyes open to the world and the people who make it so special. Someone wrote in my AC yearbook that the end of AC is just another beginning. I may have officially become an alumnus of Atlantic College but that opens up another world to explore, one of UWC alumni. We awoke on the 26th May to see the campus shrouded in mist, a grey scene which seemed to mirror how everyone was feeling. As I walked through the impressive castle doors, ate breakfast in the Dining Hall, gazed out at the sea and returned to PK for one last time as an AC student I realised just how much I would miss it and everything about it. As we drove off from PK, passed the now empty student houses and away from the castle, I opened my yearbook. For the entire journey home I read wonderful messages from friends and co-years, tears streaming down my face. My life at AC may be over but the memories mentioned and feelings shared in those messages will never disappear.

Almost done....

8am- Good morning everyone! It's nearly all over. After I finished Economics on Wednesday I felt as though I had finished my IB. I still have French on Tuesday, and I will work for it, but my main exams are over! It was a wonderful feeling going to bed on Wednesday night, knowing the next couple of days would be quite relaxed. Some people have actually finished all of their exams and its amazing seeing their joy. I've managed to relax more since Wednesday and even made it to LLantwit yesterday. Most of my friends finish this morning with Biology and we are celebrating afterwards. I got up early to have breakfast with them and now I can work on French. I did some yesterday and so I am still working (just not anything like as much as before!). On reflection I feel as though most of my exams went OK. I'm trying not to go over them because there really is nothing anyone can do now until results day. 6th July will be a big day... I'm going to go back to PK now. We have the 2nd Year Show tomorrow night which will be lots of fun. The 1st Years put on a show for the 2nd Years in each house and it was really good last year. There will be lots of partying tonight so I should really get down to my work for a while. Love to all from a beautifully sunny AC.

Time flies

9.45am- Good morning everyone! This past week has been so hectic I didn't realise I haven't written on here for so long. I started my IB last Wedesday with English paper 1. I think it went quite well. I had Maths Papers 1 and 2 and Thursday and Friday. They weren't great, just OK I think. I was so happy to finish Maths, the relief afterwards simply fantastic. I almost threw my text book back at the teacher when we had to hand them in afterwards! I have a couple of days off from exams now, but then it gets very busy. I have English Paper 2 on Wednesday, then E Systems Paper 1 on Thursday. On Friday I have E Systems Paper 2 and History Papers 1 and 2. That is going to be tough!! History is my favourite subject(and most important post-AC)and it's annoying to have E Systems before it in the morning. Luckily for me however, that is the only time I have two subjects in one day. Some people have absolute horrors- World Religion and Maths, Spanish and Biology... My Japanese dormie and I went to visit our Danish dormie on Saturday in Llantwit. She is staying in a cottage with her Mum and it is absolutely perfect for her. She is doing much better- she's happier and more relaxed and it was lovely for the three of us to spend time together. I'm working a lot and find I forget to relax sometimes. It has reached the stage where if you stop working, there is nobody around as they are all working. The First Years have codes again but they seem so free in the afternoons and evenings. I remember this time last year- it was probably my best time at AC. I'm determined to enjoy the lat 2 weeks and not dwell too much on the fact that we're leaving before we've even left! It's taken we 45 minutes to finish this post as my Botswanan friend and I were procrastinatin reading the news and looking at Vogue.com! Must go. Am going to revise some Econ before my lunch date with a friend. We don't arrange to meet each other in houses anymore but in the carrel unti! Love to all.

Rain is good!

11.45am- Good morning! It has been miserable and raining heavily for the past couple of days and for once, I'm glad. It means I can happily sit indoors working and listening to the rain for hours! I had a good day yesterday. I think I worked well and then relaxed after check-in. My Turkish friend's parents are visiting and bought lots of food. We cooked and ate in the Dayroom for a while and it was great. My houseparent also made us some muffins (so much food!). I've been working on E Systems this morning and it's going quite well. My poor Japanese dormie has been ill for the past two days. She's never been this ill during the course of the two years. I think it can only be put down to lack of sleep and exhaustion. She's a little better today but she's resting so that she's completely better for English next Wednesday. Will finnish marking my past-paper and then will go to lunch. Love to all.

One week and counting!

3.15pm- Hello everyone! I had a day off yesterday, which was lovely. My Japanese dormie and I went to Cardiff with my parents. We had a great time talking, eating and shopping! When we got back we were supposed to work but we ended up cooking and talking some more. At 9pm I finally panicked and realised that I'd only worked in the morning. I ran out of the Dayroom with my tea straight to the Quiet Room! Today I've been working on Maths. I have my Paper 1 a week tomorrow. I actually start the IB with English a week today. Must return to my carrel unit now! Love to all.

Technical difficulties...

10am- Hello everyone! The settings have changed on the Blogspot website and for some reason I can't view the editing screen properly. I haven't even been able to do that for a couple of days. I'm trying to fix it but I think the college computer operating system is too slow. If this post appears in a strange format, that's why! Things are pretty much the same here. People studying like crazy and not much else! I've been talking to people in other houses however, and PK seems to definitely be the most intense house. There are people up in the Quiet Room until 2am every morning. I'm always fast asleep by that time but that's what I've heard.I had a History day yesterday which was nice as I love studying it! Today I plan to work on Maths, E Systems and a bit of English. We are on study leave and are not woken up as we do not have to be anywhere at certain times. I got up for breakfast however as I need to eat before I can work. Should really get down to working now. Have been reading about the French Presidential elections on the 'Le Monde' website for too long! Love from a rainy castle.

You know the IB is almost here when...

......you only ever see Second Years at breakfast and check-in and some briefly at mealtimes in between.
     - your social life seems to involve only those in your Carrel Unit.
     - everyone supposedly 'relaxing' in the Dayroom at check-in is talking about work.
     - everyone at supper is so tired they simply stare at their plate.
     - people start drinking coffee at 10.30pm
     - you go to the Quiet Room when you used to go to bed.
     - you see people walking around eating Nutella out of a jar.

Yes, the IB is starts in a fortnight and you can really tell by looking at the Second Years!! The First Years have exams now, and this year they count as their predicted grades for Uni. There are some stressed First Years on campus as well.  I'm trying to get my sleep but it is hard. Even if you don't work you want to be able to relax and talk to people about something other than work for a while. I'm working until 7pm tonight and then I will sit a Maths Paper 2. We did Paper 1 as a class last night as well. After that we don't have Open House as we're having House Breakfast on Saturday. However, I will bake a cake for my History class with my Dutch friend in our Houseparent's house. Tomorrow is my last day of Codes- ever! We seem to be having food in every class and probably have to dress up. We're going to my History teacher's house during our code which will be really nice.  Must go now. Love to all.

More drama...

4.30pm- There was another twist in my hectic and tiring AC day last night. After a long day studying and attending meetings my wonderful Turkish friend cut her hand and fainted in the bathroom. Luckily there were lots of us there as it was bedtime and we managed to catch her. However, it became quite scary as she then had some sort of fit. I left her surrounded by Lifeguards and ran to get our houseparent. My poor friend was taken to hospital and did not come back until 3am. We knew she was OK but it was very scary and many of us were up until late as we could not sleep. She has to return to the hospital soon for further tests but many of us would not be surprised if it was not in some way stress-induced. The levels of stress and anxiety here at the moment are incredible, and many Second Years are pushing themselves very hard- both physically and mentally.
   We had a meeting after supper yesterday entitled- 'Life After AC'. I have never seen so many serious people in one room!! We were given details on the end of term, results day and advice on starting Uni. Although many of us are excited for University, we all realise that it will be very different and that our two years here have almost come to an end. There were also details in the talk on remarks and resits of IB exams- I hope none of us have to go through that. We were told how many AC students find it hard to settle in at Uni at first as we have become used to this incredible place and have had an unique lifestyle for the past two years. We were left to ponder about many things, from the almost imminent examinations to what to do with the rest of our lives....
     After a late night last night, this morning was a continuation of End of Codes. This meant an early start- 6am but I was awoken just after 5am by some poor First Year being taken away! Tonight will be a very early night, and I think I'll need some coffee to make it to check-in!  I just had my last Computer Club Session with my lady, which was very sad. She's been a bit unwell but she has fully recovered now. She hates Goodbyes and so I said I'll pop in to the session next week to say Hello. I'll introduce her to her new First Year partner so that the transition is somewhat smoother for her. I've enjoyed every minute of my sessions this year and am so lucky to have found another friend through Service.
   Should return to my Econ book now. Love to all.

We can still have fun...!

6.45pm- Yesterday I went to Cardiff with my parents and best friend- it was just what I needed. I relaxed, had fun and enjoyed myself. I had a lovely day and then came back and worked until chek-in. I covered the whole of Mao's China for History and so went to bed feeling pretty happy with myself. My dormies and I planned to get  up at about 8am but none of us got up until after 9am! I've worked all afternoon but have actually enjoyed it. I've done a French past-paper and am now working on Econ. People were very stressed at the end of last week but luckily the atmosphere is now more relaxed and there are some laughs and smiles reappearing. 'End of Codes' starts tomorrow. The last week of Second Year codes is traditionally a time for Second Years to pull pranks and gently torment the First Years. However, we have been warned that some people were slightly too extreme last year and so we must make sure nobody is upset at all this year. The Brits are going to be very lenient on our First Years, mainly because we are too busy (and we also don't want to be too harsh!). We have some rather nice ideas and I'm looking forward to spending some time with my First Years. Must dash upstairs to my carrel unit now. Am going to go back to PK and then we have House Meeting at 9pm. Love to all.

And the days are long....

8.40pm- Good evening everyone. There are so many different parts to a day at AC that I sometimes feel like I fit weeks into days. I had a double free this morning so I've been able to work quite a lot today. We discovered that there had been a miscalculation and so I had my last Flute lesson today. I had to rush off at the end to the 1st Years Peer Listening training. The 2nd Years came towards the end of the session with the councillor so that we could have a short Q&A. I remember how excited I felt this time last year and have truly loved being PK Peer Listener. I guess this means my official role is now over but I know it will continue until the end of the year. My two 'little' First Years say they might contact me for advice next year as well....looks like I'll always be a Peer Listener! Hopefully it means I've done a relatively good job and I can't imagine my AC life without it.
    Am going to go back to the house now in the hope that we have Open House. If not, I'll work in the Quiet Room for the rest of the night. Good night. Love to all.

Something of interest....

I just came across this article on the Guardian website about the French film 'La Haine'. We watched it in our French class earlier this year and I would recommend it to anyone. It is very hard-hitting and I would usually refuse to watch such a violent film but sadly it is an integral part of understanding the lives of the people in it. I think it's very interesting that they're planning to base a community project on it in Tottenham, where the London riots started last year. I just hope that it is the right environment to show such a film and that it will initiate the positive dialogue the organisers are hoping for. I hope that it doesn't in any way act as inspiration for some people who may want to emulate acts seen in the film. I guess we would have to hope that the underlying message of attainable positive change will be seen even by those who are least willing to see it. Here is the link if you're interested:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/11/la-haine-screening-broadwater-farm-estate 

The Final Leg

6.30pm- Hello everyone. I came back from Easter Break yesterday afternoon. After catching up with friends I went straight to my carrel unit! I remember when the first day back was relaxed and full of nice chats... seems a long time ago now.  Most people seemed to enjoy Break although it wasn't really a break. Second Years worked a lot and First Years are also revising for their end of year exams. I didn't have Service today as the local schools are off for Easter. After codes I went to the gym as I always feel better after exercising. I've spent the afternoon doing little things that have to be done but aren't actually work or revision. I'm now almost up-to-date with e mails etc. and have booked tickets for my trip to Turkey. My Turkish friends' parents are incredibly hospitable and have organised every part of our stay. I'm so excited to travel to a different country (indeed continent for part of the trip) and experience a culture so very different from my own. I have only ever been to Europe and America therefore this will truly be something entirely foreign to me. It's also very UWC - travelling with friends from various countries to visit the home of one of our friends. I want to see (I know it's very cliche!) the "real" Turkey, not the touristy beach resorts we Brits often associate with it. We will be visiting many important historic sites, sampling the cuisine and also managing to find some time to relax on the beautiful beaches. Before I spend any more time describing my Summer plans, I should get down to work! There is the small matter of the IB to complete before I head off to the sunny Middle- East!  Love to all.

Easter Break

8.30am- Good morning everyone! I am in my carrel unit as my French teacher is ill and we don't have class this morning. There is a virus (or possibly more than one) going around at the moment. Many students are quite ill and some of the teachers have caught it as well. Other than having a slight sore throat for the past couple of days, I'm feeling OK. Luckily I haven't caught any of the viruses that have gone around since I've been here (hopefully I'm not speaking too soon!). One of the downsides of living in such close proximity to others is that illness always travels quickly. I'm going home for Easter this afternoon so hopefully I can get off campus and escape without getting ill.
     I'm really excited to be going home for a break. I'll be back on Tuesday, ready for codes next Wednesday. Most of the First Years are travelling but lots of the Second Years are staying on campus to work. We have the IB in less than a month so it really is time to knuckle down. I will work a lot at home but hopefully have some nice breaks as well.
       The lovely Spring sunshine seems to have ended and the daffodils on campus are all dying. I absolutely love Spring at AC and think it is the best time of the year. It's a shame I didn't get out to really enjoy it as much as I would have liked this year but even the walk to the castle from PK is beautiful on a sunny day.
    I have triple free and plenty of work to do. Happy Easter everyone!

Prom

11.45am- Good Morning! AC Prom was last night. I had a lovely night as I went with some girlfriends and we had lots of fun. Everyone was dressed up and looked amazing so we wandered around for a while taking photos. Prom itself was held in the Dining Hall, which was wonderful as it was the Ballroom when the castle was a private home. We had the chance to learn German Polonaise dancing and then Texan swing from some students before the normal Sosh disco started. Swing dancing was lots of fun as it is all to do with hand movement and spin. Few people mastered it but I guess that was part of the fun!
    I've just had brunch so must get on with some work now. It's another beautiful sunny day and I'll try to fit in a walk to the seafront later. Must also play my flute as I have a lesson tomorrow (early due to Easter break on starting Wednesday). Love to all.

Wow!

10am- Good morning! Last night was very exciting. From about 10pm onwards the Ivy League Uni decisions were released. I'm afraid there were some disappointed faces but there were also many shouts and screams of joy. People were running and screaming from house to house, to the seafront, anywhere! It was wonderful to see so many of my friends get in to brilliant schools. My Japanese dormie is simply amazing- Princeton, Brown, Duke and waitlisted for Dartmouth. I have other friends who've got into Harvard, Yale, NYU and many other prestigious universities. Sadly, some of my friends were disappointed but it's wonderful how everyone is happy for each other. Have had triple-free as Econ was cancelled because of job interviews. Must go and do my Econ work now. Am going to relax tonight and then work tomorrow. Love to all.

Taking a break

1.45pm- Good afternoon everyone. I've had quite a relaxed day so far. We had a test (purely for revision) in History first code and it wasn't too bad. I then had double English and we went for a stroll to the seafront and sat discussing Larkin's poetry in the sunshine for the rest of the lesson. I like Thursdays as I have double free (early lunch!). I worked, had lunch and then went to Econ. We were given a past paper to complete in our own time so I've been able to finish my application for work experience at the Guardian. I understand that it will be very competitive but it would be an amazing opportunity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! 
   There is a strange atmosphere on campus today, among the Second Years at least. People are quietly thinking about what will happen tonight and even though I did not apply to the US, I find myself thinking about Durham and my own dreams for Uni. That in turn makes me realise how much work I have to do! Sadly, I feel as though studying and thinking about studying seeps all your energy and enthusiasm away. I think I will take a walk in the sunshine later to remind myself how beautiful and great life actually is! I've also been thinking a lot lately about what I would like to do after university. I've had an ambition to be a journalist for a long time and after the Guardian Open Weekend I feel more confident than ever that that is what I want to do. There are times however when I think about what should people strive for- to be viewed as successful by others or to be genuinely liked by others? My friend and I had an interesting discussion about this in the carrel unit earlier as I asked her "Are there any nice successful people?!" She said of course there are, and I'm sure she's right but I think it's a fascinating subject.
      Must get back to my desk now. I have a flute lesson at 3.30pm and then I want to work before the Uni news starts coming out. Love to all.

Where to start?!

8.10pm- It is time for revision and hard work yet there seems to be so much to do I don't know where to start! I make lists of things to do in order of priorityy but by the time I finish writing I think of something else which is more important.. and so it goes on! The end of the IB also means the end of AC. Concentrating on work means less time spent with amazing friends who'll be thousands of miles away in a couple of months and I sometimes wish the IB was not so important. I also feel as though priorities can become distorted and worries blown out of proportion and it is vital to find some time to think and reflect.
    I had a wonderful school session in Service today. I'm now usually put in charge of a group of children and treated like another class assistant. Today we had to write observations of what we see in Spring. Helping six 6 year olds learn to write is so difficult! If you take your eyes off their work for a second, they've spelt 'blossom' as 'blusm'! I'm learning to write for one, talk to one, point at one, smile at one and nod at another! I relish the opportunity however and love absolutely love my sessions.
    Tomorrow is a big day for many Second Years as the US Uni results are released. Hopes and dreams will be realised for some and sadly ruined for others. I have many close friends who are tonight anxiously waiting to hear about their futures. It will be an interesting day and I have my fingers crossed for all of them. Ultimately, however, I have to remind myself and others that health and friendships are the most important and treasured things in life. Without these (to me at least) academic success seems meaningless.
     Having said that, French and Maths past-papers, as well as a History test and Econ revision are all calling. Love to all.

Full day

11.35am- Morning everyone. Today is one of my busier days. I have full and codes and then Service. I am hoping that my lady will manage to come to Computer Club today as she has not been for a couple of weeks. I love working with her and so hope she manages to get here today. After service I will work for a while before supper. I will work again after supper but at 8pm I'm meeting some friends to bake. The lovely sunny weather is continuing and so all the sunglasses and summer dresses have appeared on campus. The Prince of Holland is here with his entourage today, so more big men wearing black suits standing around campus. They are attending some lessons, visiting PK and staying the whole day. Must go to French now. Love to all.

High security!

9.40pm- Good evening. Thought I'd briefly update you on the mystery ambassador! The Israeli Ambassador to the UK visited AC this evening, along with his large entourage of sinister-looking bodyguards. I found it very amusing to see groups of tall men in black suits strategically standing around campus (some with microphone  headpieces to complete the spy look!). At one point there were so many men in suits we were wondering if we would ever actually get to see the ambassador himself! When he did appear, he was very relaxed and attentive. He spoke well about the need for peace and his personal role in the negotiations in the Middle East. He also answered questions from the audience, and I had to chuckle when the first question came from an Iranian student. That could only happen at AC! I thought the ambassador spoke as well and as fairly as could be expected, although there was inevitably a bias towards Israeli interests. There were some telling phrases however- he said Israel had no intention of bombing Iran before proceeding to say all options must be explored and that if such a situation were to arise, the West would of course support Israel.  My Palestinian co-year feels very aggrieved that he was even invited to AC, and this just shows the extent of the problems and deep-rooted divisions which must be overcome in order to achieve any progress in Israel/ Palestine. I however found his talk very interesting and feel every opinion should be heard, especially at a UWC.  Must finish my French past-papers now. Good night.

The Castle, Ambassador and the Prince

2.55pm- Hello everyone! I had a great weekend away in London. I stayed with my cousin and it was lovely to see her and catch up. On Saturday I went to the Guardian Open Weekend- it was AMAZING!  As you all know I am an avid Guardian reader and I got to attend some fascinating talks and meet some of the journalists. Simon Hoggart ( whose column I adore!) and Luke Harding (AC graduate and now Senior Guardian Correspondent) both signed copies of their books for me. I also saw Tim Dowling and his band which he so often talks about in his column. I talked to them about careers journalism etc., which was was very helpful. I saw all kinds of interesting people- from MPs Zac Goldsmith (the closest thing to likable a Tory can ever be) and Vince Cable (such an intelligent man) to economists and diplomats-Will Hutton and Sir Andrew Wood (former UK ambassador to Russia). I was also so excited to be in the Guardian offices (especially the newsroom!) and constantly kept thinking "I'd love to work here!!!".  In addition to the stimulating discussions,it was a good break from AC and a reminder that there is more to life and learning than just IB examinations.
   On that note however, I am now incredibly motivated to work for the IB. I will return to my carrel unit in a moment! An ambassador is visiting late today but can't divulge which one because of security reasons (that's why we only found out who in assembly this morning!). Will go to a Q&A later.  The Crown Prince of Holland is visiting tomorrow ( he is a former student and visited last year as well). Love to all.