Victoria

I thought learning would be a short trip, just the basics I missed at school, but it's a long journey, and I'm the driver, navigator and engineer of an all-terrain vehicle.

William

AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE A CLASSROOM SITUATION AND I FELT LIKE A RABBIT STUCK IN HEADLIGHTS.

Now my perception has changed. IN ADULT EDUCATION.You can work in your own time and your own pace, and in your own way.

NOW I FEEL A LOT HAPPIER IN MYSELF AND MORE RELAXED AND THEY HAVE TROUBLE SHUTTING ME UP. 

Ann

I first got a computer on July 06 and it was a bit of mystery to me, but once I got a bit tuition, it was coming clear that I would have a chance to learn some of the mysteries,

When I first started the Tuesday afternoon session I was a complete beginner and felt at a complete loss.

But Catherine and Donald helped me to get on with things that I had to get used to.

Then I signed up for a course at Coldstream night school. Heather is the teacher.

At the beginning we started with Accessories then to Paint, which we had to try and write our name. It is a bit awkward to do.

Then the following week it was file, edit, font. We learned to use colour, printing out a menu using font to alter the writing and different colours, which made the menu very colourful.

Last Thursday we all got on the internet and made our own emails, then we sent one to each other. We seemed to do alright, but I think it will take some time to understand a lot of the things, that are to do with computing , so I will have just take it as it comes.

At the moment I am stuck with the tabs and I don’t think I will use that often.

Lesley

When I first decided to come to the Second Chance Academy, I wasn’t very sure what I wanted to do. I knew if I wanted to help the girls with Maths or English homework then I was going to have to do something. So I decided I would do Maths first.  It was difficult at first. I hadn’t done anything like this for a long time. It took over two years to get through. I got my Intermediate 1 in Maths: I was so thrilled.

After the Maths I decided to have a go at English. I found this very, very hard. I could never remember if a Comma went here or a Full Stop went there. I’m not saying that I have managed to get it right yet, but I’m a lot better than I was. After more than a year doing English I was able to do an Exam and passed with a SQA Award.     

Kelly

Kevin     

My First Day

On Tue 17^th January 05 I attended my first session at Second Chance Academy.  Second Chance Academy is held in the annex of Coldstream Primary School and is for people who would like to improve, brush up or learn new skills.

Upon entering the room everybody said Hello. I knew everybody in the room and a tutor Mrs C Hadshar came over and spoke to me.

I got a drink and sat down at a table.  I had told Mrs Hadshar that I would like to improve my essay writing skills. She brought over a starter pack for me to read and a copy of an essay that would get a Credit pass at Standard grade English.   After a while the tutor came over and spoke about the info I had been given and gave me a copy of the Second Chance Academy Group Agreement and a registration form to fill in.  At the end of the session it was agreed that I would write an essay about my first day and bring it back next week.

I had enjoyed my first session at Second Chance Academy.  I felt it was a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and you were put under no pressure.  The information I had been given would help me to improve my essay writing. I was looking forward to returning the next week.                                   

Today is Tue Mar 4 08 and as you can see, three years have passed since I wrote my first essay.  I am three years into my Degree and I still attend Second Chance Academy.  I have found that if you are honest and truthful about what you would like to learn and improve, then the tutors will do their best to help you.                                                          

There are still the same friendly faces and warm atmosphere. The only difference I have noticed is that we get a chocolate biscuit with our drink!!!