My life:
School, 5 days a week. Coursework set at least once every 2 days.
After school maths tutoring every Monday for an hour, Tuesday, Day Skipper course at the Nautical College for 2 hours, Wednesday, Day for homework/revision, Thursday, Day for homework/Revision, Friday, French after school for an hour. Saturday/Sunday, Various pieces of homework set, usually French and Geography, sometimes history.
I'm always doing something!
And, Back to what me and Stuart were talking about, I certainly think more practical is needed. Only really, this year, can I see all the stuff I have learnt being of any use to me. I know specifically what I want to do as a career, and this year has been the first school year that I can almost grasp my future - I'm lucky enough to know what I want to do in life, but some people don't. BUT, the majority of me knowing what I want to do is down to the Bridge Visit to the Stena Leader (out of school), Boating (Out of school), And the day Skipper course (Out of school).
See a pattern...? - If I hadn't of done what I do out of school, I probably would be clueless as to what I want to do. I probably wouldn't even be here now, Because I might not of discovered my love for the sea! The only reason I ever really got into boating was dad, I've been boating with him since I was around 6ish, and that un-locked my love for ships, and just the general idea of the sea.
More practical at school's is needed....So People can have a taster of what they want to do. At the end of the day, it's no good doing all the theory, then actually getting down to practical, and not liking it - Or simply not being any good at it!. School's should encourage pupils to go on work experience more often, I think. And plus, on top of that, we'd actually be doing something that we really want to do. So, it gives you something to work towards, you're motivated to DO that. Rather than being given a load of Maths, English, and Science books and being told "This will help you in the future".
I'm lucky to be given the opportunities outside of school to encourage me to know what I want to do for my future, and as a result - I know what I want to do...And Nothing will stand in my way.... 
There we go...my rant for the day! 
Jack.
Completely agree with you Jack.
I know what i'd like to do in life since I was a little kid on a ferry to the isle of man to see my Grandparent's new house..
And because we went every year or so, I got a love for the sea that way and because the isle of man isn't that big, you always got to see the blue sea each and every day.
But I'm equally happy to go on bridge visits on the Ben My Chree and Manannan this summer, speaking to the officers, and how they got to where they are.
That gave me some experience, and allowed me to gain some advice from the officers.
And with that, I can't wait for next summer when I'll be doing work experience with the SP.
Now I know what qualifications I need to get into nautical college, I can now study and work towards it.
Unlike Jack, who lives near the sea and still is in full time education at school, I'm at my local college in yorkshire (nowhere near the sea) who rarely see's the sea. Normally anyone who left school with good grades would be able to get into nautical college as soon as possibile. Unfortunately that wasn't the case for me, and all I can say is to do as good as you possibly can at school, study as much as you can.
Hopefully in 2 years time, I'll see Jack in Fleetwood.
