When I left university I was overjoyed that I would never have to sit another exam during my natural life. I hate exams. The pressure that I felt during my A-levels was one of the most uncomfortable and unsettling experiences of my life. Three years of university was nothing compared to two years of A-levels. A lot of it was to do with the type of school I was at, but it was a huge burden to deal with at a time when my primary concerns were Sega Dreamcast and the lack of girls I was meeting.

Seven years later and I’ve decided to hit the books once again. I have a vague plan to study my master’s at some point in the future, but in the meantime, while I’m here in Phuket, Thailand, I will be studying for my NCTJ Foundation Course in News Reporting. The NCTJ is the National Council for the Training of Journalists, which is organization that offers the most recognized training scheme for UK journalists — or UK-born journalists working in Thailand.

I placed my order for course materials today. The whole shebang is costing me £501 including a hefty postage charge. The drawback of this course is that I have to teach myself with the occasional help of an online tutor, but I feel like I’m at an age now where if I’m too lazy to teach myself then there isn’t much hope for me.

After about six months of learning I will be ready to sit my NCTJ exams and get my qualification. This course is great because I can combine it with the work I do. I’ll pick up a bunch of relevant skills, including shorthand, which will really help me out in the future. It’s slightly daunting, but for the remainder of my time in Phuket, I will at least feel like my time is sufficiently utilized.

For further information about NCTJ distance-learning courses, follow this link.