A new start, of sorts

Hi there!

Since I have embarked on a new leg of my life(going back into full-time education for the first time since I did my GCSE's a good few years ago), I decided I should start a new blog to chatter about it!

This blog will be to discuss my journey from having no prior knowledge of any of most of the subjects that I'm taking and how I am dealing with it, all the way to me being a super duper awesome dude with some sort of qualification to wave around at the end of it. Such fun!

The actual course I am doing is called Networks and Web design and it is a FETAC level 5.. since I'm not from Ireland, this means next to nothing to me.. but from what I can gather it's what the young ones do after they leave school. The course has quite a lot more involved in it than just Networks and Web Design, which is good news though it does mean I am quite the busy little bee and let me tell you, trying to train my brain to retain new information is quite difficult! I am hoping that if I write about what I'm learning, it might eventually stick!

Now, I'm guessing most of you lovely people know what the subjects mean and stuff, but I'm going to give a brief run down of what they are and then I will probably jabber on about the ones that I'm enjoying the most.. or the ones that are frustrating me.. oooh, it'll be a lottery! Or like a box of chocolates...

There are several subjects involved in this course, they are as follows:

Communications - A mandatory subject for all FETAC level 5 courses, it is basically helping the student communicate effectively in a group and one to one. It also includes C.V. writing, message taking/giving, letter writing and stuff.

Work Experience - The other subject that all of the FETAC courses have to study. Every student has to perform 10 days worth of work experience while writing a diary every day about what you did etc.

Computer Architecture - This subject covers the inner workings of a computer - we have been told we will be taking apart a computer and rebuilding it, though I'm not quite sure what else is involved in the subject.

Database Methods - Dealing with the fearsome Microsoft Access and all the features therein. I'm finding this pretty easy going at the moment, since I've had some time to play with Access before.

Networks - This subject is exactly what it says! Teaching us all about the different types of networks, the advantages/disadvantages of each and how to set up/maintain. Again, not too sure what else will be taught here after the types of networks have been covered.

Web Authoring - We will be learning the ins and outs of HTML, CSS, photoshop and really anything to do with authoring a web page.. d'uh. I've had some experience in HTML as most people have nowadays I guess but not so much with CSS and photoshop, so looking forwards to getting into the meat of that.

Software Development - One of my favourite lessons that is involved in this course! Learning how to develop software using C#.

Software Testing - This lesson once more does exactly what it says on the tin, teaching us the hows and the whys of the specific processes of software testing.

Programming - My favourite subject to date! Learning how to write programs with the Python language.

Maths for Computing - At the moment, this is one of my least favourite subjects.. most likely because I haven't thought about what the tutor calls basic maths in a long time and I never did all the rest of it. The second half of the year will be dealing with Boolean Algebra...

Now I have been going to college for a couple of weeks now, so I have a little to catch you up on.. but that can wait till tomorrow, since I have to be up early tomorrow!!

Hope you enjoyed the read, even though it's a list of the subjects really! Next time I think I'll go into a bit more detail about what I've learnt in programming! Or maybe Software Development.. or maybe, like I warned.. I might just rant about Maths...

Anyhoo, see y'all around!