Writing a Personal Statement...

For the past two months I have been facing a task that millions are battling against at this current moment. A task so stressful, so painful, so emotionally crippling that it strikes fear into students hearts across the country.. The personal statement. 

If you don't know what a personal statement is than you are under the age of 10 as from this tender age, you've constantly been reminded "You'll need this for when you write your personal statement" and "This will look great on your personal statement". What it actually is, is an essay you have to write about yourself that you bring together every little thing you have achieved or accomplished on your 17 years on the planet to make yourself sound great. The end goal is attract the attention from your first choice university and make them love you so much they give you the unconditional offer you desperately desire.

I spent evening after evening, night after night sat with a coffee in one hand and the laptop on my knee staring at a blank page. What am i meant to write? How am i even meant to start it? My mind was blank, I had writers block and I hadn't even began. I read through countless of examples and read too many "How to" guides on writing a personal statement but I still remained stuck. 

Eventually I began to think; what do I want to be when I grow up, well, what have I always answered to that question. Every time I've been asked my reply has forever been "I want to be a journalist" because of this I decided to open with that question.  

I felt like I needed to show my passion in my statement. I needed it to be in the words I typed and I wanted it to shine so brightly off the page that it could actually blind the reader. My heart belongs within Journalism, I wrote about the fashion magazines I wrote featuring the duvet wedding dresses I made with my little sister. I wrote about the family newspapers I mass produced in my living room on a Sunday afternoon reporting the "who ate the remaining chocolate cake". I have always loved reporting and writing, if I didn't include this in the statement, I don't know what else I could've written to show this love.

I managed to finish my personal statement... eventually. But I'm proud of it. I never been a Grade A student, I've always had to work extremely hard to get the grades I want, I was too shy to become a prefect or put myself forward for DOE (Duke of Edinburgh) so I had to show my passion for writing and I think I managed to do that and I hope my efforts have been successful. 

My advice for anyone who is writing (attempting to write) a personal statement Is to just go for it. Show your personality in your words and sentences, don't become a robot and fall into a boring, stereotypical, follow the crowd statement. Remember that there is a person out there who is reading hundreds of personal statements for YOUR course! Have a bit of flare, show your passion and show you know the subject. Make it individual. 

I hope I've helped you today and Good Luck! 

The me I want to be.

There are two sides of me. First of there is "Ruby Flanagan" who is the Ruby who cannot function in the morning without a cup of coffee, who forgets to reply to texts once she's read them, who procrastinates to hell by avoiding important work and responsibilities, who eats cold Chinese food for breakfast, who always has a wonky fringe. This is the Ruby that i am day to day that I have been my entire life but it isn't the Ruby I want to be. 

The second side of me is completely different and consists of everything i dream of being. This is Ruby Flanagan. She is amazing. She is confident and is proud of herself for everything she has ever achieved, especially the time she marathoned the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in one night. She is spontaneous and tries to surprise herself daily. She is optimistic and has high hopes for everything and everyone. She is the sim with the best traits.

I have always felt held back by "Ruby Flanagan" so i have never been able to merge the two personalities into one. 

Recently i've felt very nostalgic, i've looked back at old pictures at ridiculous times in the night remembering the good times but also remembering the chances i've missed because I've stood in the way of myself. 

But not anymore; i have now made a vow. 

I vow to say yes more.

I vow to step out of my comfort zone more.

I vow to compliment myself once a day.

I vow to sing more.

I vow to do whatever makes me happy.

I vow to become more like Ruby Flanagan (but not forget to be "Ruby Flanagan" either! - i mean Chinese food for breakfast is just too good) 

I vow to be the me i want to be. 

Everyone has a side to themselves that they want to be more like, no one else can unlock this side but yourself. So everyday do one thing that the other your would do, you'd surprise yourself at how quickly your two personalities merge and you soon become the person you want to be. Trust me. 

Bye guys

Ruby x

Song of the week; Fleet Foxes - Can't help falling in love with you.

p.s I joined a band! (Spontaneous decision) called Elder Fawn. We are a indie/folk/rock band, i play violin and sing mainly. We are only starting out but it would be amazing if you could support us by liking our Facebook page and subscribing to youtube links below. Thank you! 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ElderFawnBand?fref=ts

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgWcPgORK-qo4T4oj2V0POQ