I went back to college today, and watched the students walk

Past my canteen seat, as sunlight filtered in.

They wandered past in groups of rainbow brights

With slogan shirts and torn up tights.

I wish that I could dress with such abandon

But now I’m welded to the rails I ride each day

And all I do is dream of youth again.

As part of my teaching course I go to the local college once a week to receive my central training. It’s a great opportunity to meet up with all of the other trainees and swap stories.

However, we share the campus with the teenagers who are there to do their A levels. For anyone not in the UK, these students are aged 16-18 and are enjoying the freedom of not being at school anymore.

Probably the biggest difference between school and college is that us Brits don’t have to wear uniform for the first time. And after twelve years of wearing a uniform it can be quite liberating to finally be free of it.

I had forgotten about this feeling though, and I was only reminded of it when I saw these students on their first day, as I sat on campus eating my lunch.

The clothes that some of these students were wearing were absolutely outrageous and I couldn’t help but laugh at myself as I remembered that feeling on the first day; the feeling that I needed to wear something that reflected my personality.

I sometimes wish that I could go back to that time, even though it wasn’t all that pleasant for me. But I would love to go back and experience that feeling of needing to set myself apart, and not giving a shit what people thought.

I hope that I get to reinvent myself with my new job. I may not be allowed to dye my hair purple and dress like an umpa lumpa, but I can become a more confident version of myself. I could become kinder and more forgiving. There are so many ways in which I could improve myself and now is the perfect time.

Much Love

Rachel xx