School Daze: ‘Clubbing was educational’
This International Women’s Day is all about the idea of ‘Each for Equal’ and that’s something I think is so important.
I would like women to realise that they don’t have to have it all. Having it all means doing it all and that is ridiculous. I wish we could all see that the weight of work and labour should be shared and equal between everyone and that women realise that it’s not their duty to look after everyone, they need to be looked after too!
My primary school was St Killian’s in Kingswood where I grew up and then I went to Presentation in Terenure for my secondary journey.
I can’t say it was my favourite time. I hated the structure, the focus on getting points and having to do all this work and not get paid for it!
I was the shyest child you’ve ever known. If anyone spoke to me my whole face would go up in flames and if I had to answer a question or read something, I would wish for the world to open up and swallow me.
My mom had me signed up to drama from a young age to build my confidence and try to get rid of the shyness. However, once I found myself in a part time job in retail in town, with a penchant for clubs, that all changed. It brought me out of my shell and made me who I am now. Yes, I am comparing clubs to an educational process.
Even though I was shy, I did make friends easily. One of my most vivid memories of school was during fifth year at Presentation. I’d been quite studious up until this stage and between my Junior Cert and 5th year discovered clubbing and all the wonders that were out in the real world (don’t tell Mom).
I had a big conversation with a teacher about how I felt it didn’t make sense to give over your whole life at the time to study, preferring to be an average grade student with a balanced teenage life. I think this was the best lesson I ever learned in school. Of course, apply yourself but do be cognisant of the cost and if it’s worth the sacrifice.
I think having that breakthrough in 5th year about not having to conform to be the best has fully formed my outlook on life today. I didn’t have the capacity to put it into words when I was younger, but now it’s distilled into my life mantra: Create the life you want to live. As I was a nerd for most of my school days, I got on well with teachers but I don’t think I made an impact on them especially — I was kind of just meh.
Ms Jones, who taught me in in Presentation, stands out to me as a teacher. She treated us like adults, was quite sarcastic and had all the attributes of a normal person. And I think in school, that’s what you crave the most. To be treated as a person. Up until Junior Cert I wanted to be a psychologist. I was influenced by pop culture and saw Prince of Tides and was like, that’s it, that’s what I want to be. Then my awakening happened after JC and I realised how many points I’d need and my interest was lost. I watched Absolutely Fabulous and I knew PR was the life for me. I wanted to be Edina Monsoon.
So I set my eyes on Communications in DCU.I didn’t get the points but did PR and Comms as a cert in Rathmines which got me the Comms job I’d wanted. I had a little moment thinking about psychology again when I was older and enrolled as a mature student. All I can say is, not to sound like a Pinterest quote but you end up on the life that’s meant for you. You may not know it at the time, but if you listen to what makes you happy that’s how you’ll make your heart sing, not what you think you should do. I would have been Queen Depresso Martini if I ended up as a psychologist. It wouldn’t have suited my personality or made me as happy as doing the things I’m doing now. I think whilst social media can be troublesome, it has also created an equality for kids today.
So often their thinking and visions are underestimated and the online world can take away a lot of the preconceptions garnered from ageism and they can achieve their wildest dreams. Think of the likes of Greta, the schoolkids in the US who campaigned against guns.
I think it’s important to treat children like autonomous people who have a wealth of offerings to bring to the world. There’s kids out there who have monetised their social media and are buying houses for their parents.
I like to try and change things I believe to be unfair or unjust but doing it in a way that suits who I am. I can care about human rights and campaigning for them whilst also caring about what colour lipstick I’m wearing. I’m ambitious and lazy. I hunger for success but on my own terms.
I think realising that you can be all of these things at the same time and not have to be defined by a societal description of who you are or should be is something we should all remember.
