Week 15: The Key is Mightier Than The Sword

It’s been a very busy week for me, with what feels like a little bit of everything going on. In many ways, it has been a big catch-up week, but I can finally say that I feel a lot more organised now, which is definitely a good feeling.

We are also slowly entering the autumn season, and you know what that means: pumpkin spice lattes, cosy jumpers and, of course, pretending I’m completely ready for the colder weather.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Why Education Truly Matters:

I think that, most of the time, we do not truly understand the beauty of the gifts that life has given us. Education is one of those things that we can easily take for granted without realising just how special it actually is.

Having the opportunity to learn, develop new skills, discover new ideas and understand the world around us is something that can have such a huge impact on our lives. Yet, because education is such a normal part of many of our everyday lives, we do not always stop to appreciate the opportunities it gives us.

I genuinely believe that education should be a right, not a privilege. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn and access education, regardless of their background or circumstances. Sometimes, we simply need to take a step back and appreciate just how valuable that opportunity really is.

One of my deepest aspirations is to become a teacher myself. I hope to one day become an incredible, knowledgeable and inspiring university professor who can help educate and inspire the next generation and contribute to building a better future.

But my ambitions do not stop there. I also hope to eventually start a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping children around the world access education. I believe that every child should have the opportunity to learn, grow and discover their potential, regardless of where they are born or the circumstances they grow up in.

If I can play even a small part in helping make education more accessible to children around the world, then that would be something I would be incredibly proud of.

Because education is something that nobody can ever truly take away from you, its power is beyond comprehension. Education can open so many doors for people and help us develop our skills, knowledge and confidence in so many different ways.

So, in conclusion, my advice is to take every opportunity that comes your way. And when I say education, I am not just talking about the traditional idea of sitting in a classroom, completing assignments and taking exams. Education can happen in so many different ways.

Actively seek out opportunities to learn, whether that is trying something new, developing a skill, gaining experience, meeting new people or simply stepping outside of your comfort zone. Every experience can teach you something, and you never know where that knowledge might take you.

Blast From The Past: High School & Dealing With Bullies:

Now I am sure this is a problem everyone has delt with in their lives which is bullying. Bullying is known to be unwanted, aggressive behaviour which is known to cause emotional, social and physical distress and is often repeated over time.

My bullying story really began in my third year of high school. I think it is fair to say that people who bully others may be going through difficulties of their own, and sometimes their behaviour can be a reflection of what they are experiencing.

However, that does not give anyone the right to cause harm to another person in any way, shape or form. Whatever someone may be going through, it is never an excuse to make another person feel frightened, isolated, upset or worthless.

I will admit that I was definitely an annoying, loud and adventurous high schooler. I had a lot of energy, plenty to say and was not exactly known for being quiet. However, there were two individuals in my life who made high school very difficult for me.

Honestly, some days were extremely difficult, and there were times when I felt incredibly alone. I would often spend my lunchtimes by myself, sitting quietly and reading.

But, in a strange way, this is where I discovered something that became really important to me. Whenever I opened a book, I could escape into a completely different world. For a little while, I could forget about what was happening around me and become absorbed in the characters, stories and adventures on the pages.

Reading became my little escape. While I may have felt alone physically, the worlds inside those books gave me somewhere else to go, and I think that helped me through some of the more difficult days.

One of the biggest lessons I learnt from this experience was the importance of building my confidence, developing resilience and, most importantly, recognising my own self-worth.

Learning to stand up for yourself is incredibly important. You should never feel like you have to accept being treated badly just because someone else has decided that you are an easy target. You deserve to have your voice heard and to be treated with kindness and respect.

The Growth Of Computers and Its Power:

The history of computers dates all the way back to 1948, when the first stored-program electronic digital computer, known as the Small-Scale Experimental Machine (SSEM), was developed.

Now, I don’t know about you, but who doesn’t own or use a computer these days? Computers have become such a normal part of our everyday lives that it is easy to forget just how much we rely on them. We use them for work, education, entertainment, watching TV, communicating with others and so much more.

It is pretty incredible to think about how far computers have come since those early machines. What started as huge and complicated pieces of technology has developed into devices that we can carry around with us or have sitting on our desks at home.

Now, the power of computers is something that cannot be underestimated. Their ability to quickly process information, solve complex problems and allow us to communicate with people around the world is genuinely incredible.

I mean, we have created a device that can carry out certain tasks much faster than a human can. Take chess as an example. It is a game that requires strategy, planning and the ability to think several moves ahead, yet computers can analyse huge numbers of possible moves incredibly quickly.

According to IBM (2024), in 1997, IBM’s Deep Blue became the first computer system to defeat a reigning world chess champion under standard tournament conditions. When you think about that, it really shows just how far computer technology has come. A machine was able to analyse and process possibilities at a level that allowed it to compete against one of the best human chess players in the world.

And that was nearly 30 years ago. Just imagine what computers are capable of today.

The main point I am trying to make is that the development of technology over time is truly remarkable.

When you look at where we started with early computers and compare them with the technology we have today, the difference is incredible. What once seemed impossible has gradually become part of our everyday lives.

From computers that can process huge amounts of information to devices that allow us to communicate across the world in seconds, technology has continued to develop at an incredible pace. And that means that the future is bright.

Weekly Funny Moment Of The Week: The Madness Document Findin Fiasco

Okay, this week I had an early appointment that I had booked two months ago. Before the appointment, I had cleaned up my documents and put everything somewhere safe and organised. The only problem was that I could not actually remember where I had put them.

Don’t you just hate it when you finally clean and organise your room, only to realise five minutes later that you cannot find the one thing you actually need?

Well, that was basically me.

I had been given a document that I was required to bring with me to the appointment. Now, I know what you’re probably thinking: 'She probably lost it. Big deal, just ask them to print another one.'

Well, no. That did not happen, unfortunately.

I eventually found the document, just in time to rush off to my appointment. At this point, I was thinking, 'Thank goodness, I’ve found it.'

But guess what?

It turns out she didn’t even need that form.

She had already printed out an updated version for me.

So, after all that searching, rushing around and stressing about finding the original document, I had done all of that for absolutely nothing.

Honestly, you really cannot make these things up.

Aisha's Tiny But Mighty Weekly Advice Section: Making Someone’s Day

It’s fair to say that we have all experienced a bad day at some point in our lives. You know the kind of day where nothing seems to be going right. Your coffee spills all over your outfit, you lose something, you hurt yourself, or just about everything seems to go wrong. The list can feel endless.

There are some things in life and in nature that we simply cannot control. We cannot control the weather, unexpected problems or everything that happens around us. However, there is one thing we can control: the way we treat other people.

That’s why this week’s advice is focused on how small, positive actions can make a real difference to someone’s day. Sometimes, something as simple as a smile, a kind word, checking in on someone or simply being there to listen can have a much bigger impact than we realise.

You never really know what someone else might be going through, and a small act of kindness could be exactly what they needed that day.

As I’ve said many times before, smiling is one of the smallest actions we can take, but it can make someone else smile and brighten their day.

However, smiling is just one example. There are so many different small actions that can make people feel genuinely happy and appreciated. A kind word, a simple compliment, holding the door open for someone, checking in on a friend or even just asking someone how their day is going can all make a difference.

These actions may seem small to us, but we never really know how much they could mean to someone else.

Setting yourself a goal to do one kind or positive action every day is a great way to put this into practice, and it is something I try to do myself every day.

It does not have to be anything big or complicated. It could be as simple as giving someone a compliment, helping someone who needs it, checking in on a friend or even just making someone smile.

In conclusion, the main message behind this advice is simple is that actions matter.

We should use every opportunity we have to make someone’s day a little better. It does not have to be a huge gesture or something that takes a lot of time. Sometimes, the smallest actions can have the biggest impact.

So, whenever you can, be kind, make someone smile, lend a helping hand or simply let someone know that you are there for them. You never know how much that small action might mean to someone.

End Of Blog Sign Off:

Another week and another blog has been posted.

A big good luck to all the new university students starting their journey next week. Starting university can be exciting, nerve-wracking and everything in between, but remember to take every opportunity that comes your way and enjoy the experience.

Until Next Week.

Aisha.