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Real World: First Day Jitters

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Shannon Motyka
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Blake Acquarulo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

Three years have come and gone with countless hours of homework, lesson planning, and attending classes here at BC. I always knew the day would come when full-time student teaching would begin, but it has come faster than I could have ever expected.

On Monday, August 31st, all of my five roommates were excited about their “last first day of school,” while I just smiled knowing that I have plenty more first days of school coming my way. As all education majors must, this year I am completing my full practicum, or “full-prac,” which satisfies my student teaching requirement. Many BC students are completely unaware that plenty of seniors are waking up at the crack of dawn every morning to student teach full time.

This fourteen-week program allows education majors to gain practical experience in the field and grow in their future careers. Although I could not be more excited to be full-pracing, the full-time work schedule along with taking night classes is a bit overwhelming. I wanted to acknowledge all of the student teachers on campus for their commitment and dedication to both their careers and their education.  

I am now finally getting a taste of the “real world,” which is making senior year feel all too real. Knowing that my alarm clock will go off at 6:15 every morning has already forced me to grow in ways that I could have never imagined my freshman or sophomore year. Taking responsibility for my career decisions and acting as a true professional while I am still in college reminds me that the BC bubble can be broken.

On Tuesday, September 8th I had a new kind of “first day of school.” I watched as twenty students filed into my classroom, their eight-year-old eyes looking at me with excitement. The day went better than I could have ever imagined, and elementary school first days will always be my favorite. Although taking classes and working full-time will be overwhelming, the experience and growth that takes place in all of BC’s many wonderful programs will surely be worth the hard work. As with many other BC students, I am part student, part teacher, and most importantly a life-long learner. 

Photo Sources

http://www.mytotalretail.com/article/back-school-evolved-dry-run-holiday-shopping-season/

http://quincypublicschools.com/merrymount/2012/09/04/welcome-back-to-school/

http://clipgid.com/empty-elementary-classroom-clipart.html

 

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Shannon is currently in her junior year at BC.  She is majoring in Elementary Education and English, hoping to one day teach in an urban school.  Originally from Hopkinton, MA, one of Shannon's favorite things to do is tell people that her hometown is the start of the Boston Marathon - it's claim to fame!  In her free time, you can find Shannon cuddled up somewhere with her adorable giraffe-spotted mug.
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Blake is a senior at Boston College and is pursuing Biology and Pre-Med, as well as the perfect slice of pizza. She is so excited to be a co-Campus Correspondent along with Emily this year! As well as being a writer for Her Campus BC, she is also a member of the Girls Club Lacrosse team, the Public Health Club, and is a physics tutor on campus.