A classic line on telly the other night was said to me by a friend today on the way to school. I quote: "What does a seventeen year old boy have to be stressed about?"
This line then brings up the question; what does any teenager have to be stressed about?
A debate then broke out about how wrong it is to ask this question. How dare a parent utter such a question in the first place. Now, I'm not going to be biased towards us teens here, because of course adults have many things to be stressed about, for example work, the daily chores of cooking, cleaning, paying bills, plus parenthood involving paying for us lot, acting as our own private taxi firm, etc, etc. I mean their lives aren't exactly peachy either. Adults have a lot on their plates too.
However, a teenager can also have a lot of issues playing on their minds too, and sometimes adults just don't realise this.
For example, first and foremost (especially at this particular time), the key factor causing stress are exams and the constant pressure of having to do well. Study hard, get good grades, set off for Uni or college and get yourself a decent career. Easier said than done.
For starters, in my case right now, I have five subjects, all at Higher level, to cram into my head in time for the prelims which are beginning in just over two weeks. Yes, you can argue that beginning revision way in advance would relieve some of the pressure, but if you start it too soon, by the time the exam gets here you'll have forgotton what most of the course work you tried to stuff in your head actually was. Plus there are other commitments a teen has, which are often unavoidable, for example, work. This is not my situation (I'm still jobless, but thats fine, I have enough on my mind as it is), but some of my friends often have a few issues with working awkward hours and I can bet other teens out there are in similar circumstances. Your employer will say in the beginning that you'll only be working at weekends from such a time til such a time, but give it a while and some employers will begin to muck you around slightly. It's like leading you into a false sense of security, and when they're sure they have you for good, they adjust your hours, making them longer, and having you work through the week more frequently. This cuts out valuable revision time, thus piling on the pressure even more so to get through all of the foreboding exams.
To add to the ever increasing sense of pressure and stress, the teachers aren't exactly helpful either. They begin the countdown to exams on your first day back after the summer holidays (no exaggeration, it has happened) and in between throw at you various check ups and tests which in some cases you have to pass, or else you fail the course altogether. This requires yet more revision. Add on the number of essays and homework assignments asked of you which have deadlines which must be met and already you can see that the general overload of school work is a big contributor to stress. Yes, it's all part of the curriculum, but then that leads back to the government and the whole education system, which quite frankly, I don't even want to get started on, else this post will turn into a novel...
Another point with school is the constant reminder (by guidance teachers in particular) that you have a career to get. By the end of your school years, you must have at least decided on what career you want to do. Which path will you follow now that your primary and secondary years are over? Will you go on to Uni or college for further education? Go straight into a line work? What? Well, to be honest, I would personally like to take my time on this, and in truth you do have a good while to decide what career you would like to pursue. It's just that school seems to rush you. It gives you the feeling that you have to know what you're going to do by a certain deadline, because don't forget, in a few months time you'll be applying for Uni or college, or sending away job application letters to businesses, so you have to know asap. This of course links to the pressure of getting the right grades in time. Need I go on?
Ok, so teenagers have exams to worry about, plus school work, plus teachers asking them for more school work, plus jobs which intervene with all of the afore mentioned, plus career choices with deadlines. What else is there? Peer pressure would be one. Lets face it, we all feel we have to look good in front of people - our friends - because we have street cred and a reputation to live up to. We have to have the right image in order to be accepted into a certain crowd of people. One try at individualism and it could lead to becoming the victim of bullying, or worse. In today's society, who knows. Just look at the news broadcasts. Teen stabbed at school in girls' toilets, boy shot whilst riding bike through park, so on, so forth. All of these incidents happened as a result of some gang of teenagers refusing to accept another teenager and then, for some strange reason, finding murder to be the best way to resolve the issue. I'm not taking a dig at every teenager out there, because obviously I'm one too, but for those who aren't teenagers who happen to be reading this can you not see that our peers, our friends, also have expectations of us. A word of warning; if the people who you hang out with expect you to be who you're not, then maybe they're not your friends at all. I mean, that's the last thing you need when you've got enough pressure mounting up on your shoulders as it is; the pressure to look 'cool' for your 'friends'.
Add on to all of this the odd arguements with parents over your attitude of late and there's more stress in your life. Yes, as if it wasn't enough, we've got parents, who, although they are family, also like to jump on the band wagon and pour another helping of stress into our lives. They may not realise they're doing it, but the odd, or frequent, arguement between ourselves and our parents can cause all the more stress for us. I mean, who likes arguing with their family after all? It's not exactly an enjoyable past time.
So, question: "what does a teenager have to be stressed about?"
The answer: a lot.
Best way of dealing with it? Give yourself as much free time as possible, to wind down from the daily pressures of school and your social lives.
The point is, it's not just adults who have issues with stress; us teenagers have them too.
Thursday 17 January 2008
Monday 14 January 2008
The Closing Ceremony of Highland 2007
A wee report back from Saturday night at the finale of Highland 2007.
I've finally thawed out and recovered from the event. It was a good night, with few casualties (well, as far as I heard), but it was very cold and incredibly crowded, which was expected anyway. It was hardly going to be a quiet celebration!
Anyway, keeping the story short, on arriving in Inverness we parked as near to the Red Cross HQ as possible, which ended up being in a Tesco car park, randomly enough. I think we attracted some attention; several first aiders clambering out of an emergency response vehicle and RC mini bus in high vis jackets with "British Red Cross" brandished across our clothes. We made our way to the office, where we met people from the Inverness crew, and I think some from Aberdeen too, and were then paired up and allocated our positions. It was a good opportunity to work with different volunteers who you didn't see each week at your local RC meetings. The two people who I worked with were both very nice and we got on well. Unfortunately we didn't actually get a chance to treat any casualties (of course, it's fortunate that people didn't hurt themselves!) but it does mean I still haven't had my chance to do something for real...maybe I shouldn't be complaining, but I want to be able to say I've had some real experience, not just in scenarios. Well, it is only the second duty of the year I suppose!
The whole celebration was basically a prosession, from the middle of Inverness to Kessock Bridge, where people carried small burning torches (again with the fire; anyone noticing a pattern here?). To see the long line of people drifting off into the distance, in the dark, lit only by the flames of their torches, was quite a sight. It gave a rare sense of community spirit. It was nice.
Of course, what with all the fire around there's bound to be some people abusing it. For example, one boy in particular who we aptly named "Numptie Boy" was swinging his torch around in all directions, as well as thrusting it into the faces of his mates 'as a joke'. Of course it wouldn't have been a joke if he had shoved it too far and burnt their eyebrows off or something. Later on we found "Numptie Boy" a girlfriend, who we also aptly named "Numptie Girl". You could say their relationship could become quite heated... ok, that was bad...
Anyway, the event ended with a spectacular fireworks display that someone said valued at around £300K. A lot of money for a firework display, but it was worth it, and even if it did end rather abruptly, it was still amazing to watch.
And of course, along the way there was music and entertainment at almost every corner, ranging from traditional Scottish pipe bands to salsa and samba.
By the end of the night, the only casualties we had heard of were the following: a collapse (which we actually responded to, and had the chance to run through the crowd in a very official manner, however another 'patrol' beat us to it), a woman who fainted (covered once again, but we stayed near for a moment in case we could offer any assisstance) and a diabetic woman who collapsed due to low blood sugars (covered, again, and was seemingly low enough to fall unconscious, however she was still going strong). A part from that, casualties were few and far between, which of course is a good thing.
After a busy night out on the streets, we returned to the office for some hot choccie and a chat, and once us Elgin lot had been reunited (which took a while) we headed off for home.
So now, I can't wait for the next opportunity to take part in a duty. Who knows where the next one will be, or what it will involve. I'd laugh if it included more fire.
No doubt I'll find out on Tuesday, the next time I venture into the Elgin Red Cross office.
I've finally thawed out and recovered from the event. It was a good night, with few casualties (well, as far as I heard), but it was very cold and incredibly crowded, which was expected anyway. It was hardly going to be a quiet celebration!
Anyway, keeping the story short, on arriving in Inverness we parked as near to the Red Cross HQ as possible, which ended up being in a Tesco car park, randomly enough. I think we attracted some attention; several first aiders clambering out of an emergency response vehicle and RC mini bus in high vis jackets with "British Red Cross" brandished across our clothes. We made our way to the office, where we met people from the Inverness crew, and I think some from Aberdeen too, and were then paired up and allocated our positions. It was a good opportunity to work with different volunteers who you didn't see each week at your local RC meetings. The two people who I worked with were both very nice and we got on well. Unfortunately we didn't actually get a chance to treat any casualties (of course, it's fortunate that people didn't hurt themselves!) but it does mean I still haven't had my chance to do something for real...maybe I shouldn't be complaining, but I want to be able to say I've had some real experience, not just in scenarios. Well, it is only the second duty of the year I suppose!
The whole celebration was basically a prosession, from the middle of Inverness to Kessock Bridge, where people carried small burning torches (again with the fire; anyone noticing a pattern here?). To see the long line of people drifting off into the distance, in the dark, lit only by the flames of their torches, was quite a sight. It gave a rare sense of community spirit. It was nice.
Of course, what with all the fire around there's bound to be some people abusing it. For example, one boy in particular who we aptly named "Numptie Boy" was swinging his torch around in all directions, as well as thrusting it into the faces of his mates 'as a joke'. Of course it wouldn't have been a joke if he had shoved it too far and burnt their eyebrows off or something. Later on we found "Numptie Boy" a girlfriend, who we also aptly named "Numptie Girl". You could say their relationship could become quite heated... ok, that was bad...
Anyway, the event ended with a spectacular fireworks display that someone said valued at around £300K. A lot of money for a firework display, but it was worth it, and even if it did end rather abruptly, it was still amazing to watch.
And of course, along the way there was music and entertainment at almost every corner, ranging from traditional Scottish pipe bands to salsa and samba.
By the end of the night, the only casualties we had heard of were the following: a collapse (which we actually responded to, and had the chance to run through the crowd in a very official manner, however another 'patrol' beat us to it), a woman who fainted (covered once again, but we stayed near for a moment in case we could offer any assisstance) and a diabetic woman who collapsed due to low blood sugars (covered, again, and was seemingly low enough to fall unconscious, however she was still going strong). A part from that, casualties were few and far between, which of course is a good thing.
After a busy night out on the streets, we returned to the office for some hot choccie and a chat, and once us Elgin lot had been reunited (which took a while) we headed off for home.
So now, I can't wait for the next opportunity to take part in a duty. Who knows where the next one will be, or what it will involve. I'd laugh if it included more fire.
No doubt I'll find out on Tuesday, the next time I venture into the Elgin Red Cross office.
Sunday 13 January 2008
Saturday 12th January 2008 - Night of Highland 2007
Firstly, just a quick note, this is a diary entry meant for Saturday 12th, which i posted today (Sunday 13th, as published above this blog) because I finally found the time to publish it tonight. This explains the mixed up dates. Anyhoo...
Well, here I am sitting in my slightly smokey-smelling, singed Red Cross uniform. Had I had the chance to wash it, I would have done, but it wouldn't have dried in time. So tonight, if anyone sniffs and asks, "can you smell burning?" I'll just edge away.
Tonight is duty number two of 2008 - the finale of Highland 2007 in Inverness. I am yet to treat a casualty, although I've been a member of the British Red Cross for almost eight months now, as a co-worker and I calculated the other night on the way to the Burghead Claivie. Perhaps tonight will be busier than last, both casualty and, no doubt, crowd wise. I was surprised that an event involving so much fire didn't result in multiple casualties coming up to us complaining of burns or embers in their eyes or something, but there you go. Maybe some people were too proud to admit they had burnt fingers because they picked up a smouldering piece of wood with bare hands that flew off the Claivie, thinking it would make a good souvenir. Who knows.
By the way, for those of you who don't know what the Burghead 'Claivie' is, it's a giant torch that is set alite and doused with petrol and tar and carted around Burghead on the shoulders of a very brave (and some might argue foolish) man. After the procession is complete it's taken to the top of a hill and doused in yet more highly flammable liquids until it bursts into a fire ball that somehow doesn't set alite the whole of Burghead. Although some may see this as pointless, it is a tradition none-the-less, performed back in Pictish times to welcome in the new year, if I remember rightly. Anyway, you know now if you didn't before.
But tonight should be different. For one thing there are unusually strict rules on our appearance tonight. Of course we're required to wear our uniform, not that we wouldn't do, but long hair has to be tied back, no jewellery of any kind must be visible, etc, etc. Basically we need to look spic and span, and more respectable than usual. Now of course I have no problem with this, but why receive such a strict letter about it? And as for tying hair back, well I know first aiders who have gotten away with not doing so before, including myself.
Anyway, either way I'm a bit scuppered. My uniform smells of burning wood and smoke, and I don't even have proper trousers or shoes to complete the ensemble (although my official Red Cross boots have been ordered!). Right now I'm making do with a pair of navy-blue tracksuit bottoms and black trainers; very nice. Plus, the fact that my hair is not quite long enough to successfully tie back means I'm not really following the 'orders' given. A part from not wearing jewellery, now that one I can do.
Well, here I am sitting in my slightly smokey-smelling, singed Red Cross uniform. Had I had the chance to wash it, I would have done, but it wouldn't have dried in time. So tonight, if anyone sniffs and asks, "can you smell burning?" I'll just edge away.
Tonight is duty number two of 2008 - the finale of Highland 2007 in Inverness. I am yet to treat a casualty, although I've been a member of the British Red Cross for almost eight months now, as a co-worker and I calculated the other night on the way to the Burghead Claivie. Perhaps tonight will be busier than last, both casualty and, no doubt, crowd wise. I was surprised that an event involving so much fire didn't result in multiple casualties coming up to us complaining of burns or embers in their eyes or something, but there you go. Maybe some people were too proud to admit they had burnt fingers because they picked up a smouldering piece of wood with bare hands that flew off the Claivie, thinking it would make a good souvenir. Who knows.
By the way, for those of you who don't know what the Burghead 'Claivie' is, it's a giant torch that is set alite and doused with petrol and tar and carted around Burghead on the shoulders of a very brave (and some might argue foolish) man. After the procession is complete it's taken to the top of a hill and doused in yet more highly flammable liquids until it bursts into a fire ball that somehow doesn't set alite the whole of Burghead. Although some may see this as pointless, it is a tradition none-the-less, performed back in Pictish times to welcome in the new year, if I remember rightly. Anyway, you know now if you didn't before.
But tonight should be different. For one thing there are unusually strict rules on our appearance tonight. Of course we're required to wear our uniform, not that we wouldn't do, but long hair has to be tied back, no jewellery of any kind must be visible, etc, etc. Basically we need to look spic and span, and more respectable than usual. Now of course I have no problem with this, but why receive such a strict letter about it? And as for tying hair back, well I know first aiders who have gotten away with not doing so before, including myself.
Anyway, either way I'm a bit scuppered. My uniform smells of burning wood and smoke, and I don't even have proper trousers or shoes to complete the ensemble (although my official Red Cross boots have been ordered!). Right now I'm making do with a pair of navy-blue tracksuit bottoms and black trainers; very nice. Plus, the fact that my hair is not quite long enough to successfully tie back means I'm not really following the 'orders' given. A part from not wearing jewellery, now that one I can do.
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