This week it’s Alumni Week, which is held so that schools can celebrate their alumni networks, and it got us thinking about our own schools, both in Derby and elsewhere, and how they set us up for life.
But then we started thinking about what they didn’t teach us, and what we learned from life instead.
And that led us to think about what we would tell the students at our old schools if we were invited to come back to talk to them. What would we say? How would we inspire or reassure them?
So this week’s blog is just that – what we’d say if given the opportunity. And, to make things more fun, we’ve asked some of our clients and a couple of well-known Derby figures what life lessons they’d share we well.
Ben Osborn, Derby County footballer and director of EFD Sport & Education
“I went to West Park School in Spondon and I left in 2010. I’m privileged enough to now work with West Park school very closely and have visited many times to speak with current students.
“My advice to them is to appreciate the opportunity you have at a fantastic school with staff who go above and beyond and really care. Be receptive to your interests and always be curious.
“We’re not always going to know what career we want to go into but don’t be frightened to really throw yourself into subjects or new experiences. It will only help you find your path further down the line.”
Natalie Bamford, founder of Derby corporate gifting company Colleague Box
“I went to Lees Brook School in Chaddesden and if I was invited back I’d want to share something real.
“When I was at school, I didn’t know I was AuDHD (Autistic + ADHD). I just knew that trying to fit in felt exhausting. I masked a lot and did everything I could to blend in. I never felt like I truly fitted in anywhere and honestly still don’t!
“Now I realise that was hard work for the wrong reasons. And to be honest I’ve learnt that it’s better to stand out than shrink yourself just to be accepted.
“So here’s what I’d say.
“Exams don’t define you but it’s a proud feeling to walk out knowing your tried your best.
“Your quirks, your passions, your perspective and uniqueness they are your superpowers – embrace them. Be kind to yourself. Especially when your brain works differently.
“There’s no single path to success – create your own. It’s OK not to have it all figured out. Most adults don’t either, myself included.
“Life is not a straight line. It’s a messy, brilliant and exciting adventure and there’s room in it for all of you, exactly as you are.
“You might not feel like it right now but when this is all over (school life) you might just miss it. So try and enjoy it and make the most of it whilst it’s here.”
Simon Burch, founder of Penguin PR:
“I went to St Benedict School in Darley Abbey, not too far from where our office is situated today.
“Just as no-one predicted COVID or the invasion of Ukraine, no-one knows what’s going to happen in your life, least of all you. So lean into the unpredictability and don’t be afraid of change.
“Understand that the songs you’re singing now will one day be forgotten. You’ll lose touch with many of the friends around you. You may well be embarrassed by the things you have done, the beliefs that you hold and the fashions you wear.
“Sorry about that.
“But if you are, then it shows you’ve moved on and grown. And life is about moving on and growing.
“The boxer Muhammed Ali once said a person who views the world at 50 as they did at 20 has wasted 30 years of their life and, as someone who is now 53, I certainly agree.
“The way I saw the world at your age is not how I see it now. It is bigger, more exciting, more scary and more confusing than you can ever imagine.
“It will surprise you, delight you and disappoint you. So will the people you’ll meet throughout your life – and so will you.”
Simon Hare, former BBC East Midlands Today journalist, media trainer and content creator, of Chevin Media:
“I went to Ecclesbourne School in Duffield and had the honour a few years ago of being asked back for prize day to address the students.
“I told them how extra-curricular activities in the sixth form, especially the school newspaper and debating society, had helped me to explore my interest in the media and politics.
“So I was keen to emphasise to them to make the most of everything a school has to offer, not just exams, as important as they are.”
Lucy Stephens, PR account manager at Penguin PR.
“I went to St Leonard’s School in St Andrews, and these would be my top tips for living, free of charge!
“If you get offered any opportunities to do any training in a job – take them.
“Volunteer for causes you care about if you can. It’ll make you feel great. But don’t be persuaded to volunteer for things you don’t care about – it’ll make you feel rubbish.
“Look after your teeth. Seriously, you’ve only got one set. Value friends, family and loved ones. They’re the best things in life. And pets.
“Find your luxuries in life and be prepared to spend money on them. Then stick to that and don’t splurge on things that don’t actually matter to you all that much.
“If you’re ever made redundant, don’t worry about it. Loads of people are. Try to see it as an opportunity to try something new. Make time for your passions – as you get older, they nourish the soul.
“If you find yourself getting stressed about something – just picture what life will look like in six months’ time. It helps you get a sense of perspective and deal with things better.
“If you think you’ve upset someone and it was your fault, try to apologise. It’s awful the way little hurts and upsets can build up over time and lead to people not speaking to each other for years on end. All for something really small. It’s not worth the heartache.
“Just own it, be the bigger person and deal with it.”
David Roberts, founder of digital marketing firm JDR Group, Derby.
“I went to Hodge Hill School in Castle Bromwich in Birmingham and if I went back, I would tell the students don’t make the mistake of thinking that your education stops when you leave the education system.
“Continue your learning in order to achieve your life goals and aspirations. Don’t be afraid to fail, commit to every career you undertake, but don’t be afraid to change if it doesn’t feel right.
“The life lesson I would share is to set realistic goals and understand how you can achieve them – because you can achieve all of your goals.”
Ian Skye, daytime presenter at BBC Radio Derby.
“I went to North Bromsgrove High School, where I had a knack for breezing through exams, a mortal dread of PE and several years of crippling bullying.
“If I were to share one insight, years on, it would be this…
“Your world is going to be so much bigger, so much more, than it is now.
“If you have many friends and many talents already, you’re still going to find qualities in yourself and joys from life that you don’t yet even know exist.
“If you’ve got used to being told you CAN’T, you’re most definitely going to discover so many ways you CAN, and so many ways they were wrong!
“If people have made your life a misery, you’ll soon learn there are infinitely more great folks out there who are your sort of people, and you almost won’t believe just how very irrelevant those idiots at school really are.
“Anything that’s stopped you loving life can be left far behind you. Everything that’s served you well can unlock bigger opportunities than you can imagine.
“Cherish the things you’ve learned that make you happy… they will arm you to smash it in life. Let go of the things you don’t need…you alone can choose from the portfolio of stuff your school life has filled your head with.”
Luke Parker, managing director of Acres Engineering, based in Melbourne.
“I recently returned to my school, Granville Academy – which was Granville Community School when I went there – to talk to Year 8s about careers.
“My advice was for them to explore job roles in fields connected to what they really enjoy doing and identify niche job roles that will typically pay higher due to less availability of skills in that field.
“I gave an example of my friend who loves to rock climb, and now works in offshore wind, climbing wind turbines. He’s working in a growth sector, in a specialised highly skilled role doing an activity that he absolutely loves, climbing.
“For the many kids that wanted to become a footballer, I tried to highlight the various roles around that sector from physiotherapists to commentators, that are all working within ‘football’, without them actually playing the game for a living.”
Sarah Newton, founder of Penguin PR, in Derby:
“I went to Murray Park in Mickleover and my advice would be to urge any teenager to take a moment and truly reflect on their happiest memories from the last few years.
“Think about the times when you laughed until your stomach hurt, when you felt proud of something you accomplished, or when you felt completely relaxed.
“I’d be genuinely surprised if many of those moments involved your phone, because the most meaningful experiences in life usually happen away from screens.
“It’s on camping trips, during conversations with friends, while playing music, exploring somewhere new, or even just sitting in silence and letting your thoughts breathe.
“Our phones may capture moments, but they rarely create them. So, I’d challenge you: what if you spent more time making real memories instead of watching someone else’s through a screen?
“Put your phone down for a little while and begin to really pay attention. There’s a kind of magic in real life that no screen will ever be able to replicate. You can’t download the feeling of standing at the top of a mountain, hearing your parent say “I’m proud of you,” or laughing so hard you cry.
“Friendships grow stronger when you spend real time together and confidence doesn’t come from watching endless videos of other people being brave; it comes from trying things yourself.
“So, use technology, but don’t let it use you. Live life with your whole self – not just your thumbs – and you’ll find more connection than any screen could ever offer.”
