Learning from experience
From plotting what happened when, the next step is thinking about what you’ve learned from these different roles and experiences, and how you’ve developed as a person over time.
Look at Lesley’s timeline again but with some key learning points added.
Figure 2.5 Lesley’s timeline with learning points added
Show description|Hide descriptionText boxes connected by lines illustrate Lesley’s experiences over time. Content and position of boxes are listed as they appear from left to right. This figure has extra boxes positioned next to timeline boxes with learning points noted that are linked to particular events or experiences. This list repeats the timeline with the learning points added as they appear.
Trained to be a nurse in London; Travelled and lived in Turkey for a year; Two learning points: I enjoy learning; I’m open to new challenges. Moved to Scotland where parents had relocated from Kent; Worked as a nurse in Dumfries 1994-2004, married and had children; Two boxes positioned lower down suggests low points: Daughter ill meant a lot of time travelling to hospitals, juggling work; Son diagnosed with disabilities, impossible to work and be a full-time carer. Two learning points: I can communicate well with health and education professionals; I can manage caring, parenting and working. Timeline continues: Worked in retail part-time 2004-2007; Volunteered while son at school. Two learning points: I can budget, plan, organise and manage; I enjoy working as part of a team. Timeline continues: Regular support from carers centre and carers; Separated from partner, financial challenges; back and joint problems worsened. Learning point: I have to adapt what I do to fit my health. Two boxes positioned higher up suggest high points: Started Open University Course; Started business studies course. Learning point: I enjoy learning, I can pass a course, I can do it!
Figure 2.5 Lesley’s timeline with learning points added The purple boxes summarise what Lesley has learned at different points in her life. The early part of her timeline shows that she enjoyed learning and was good with new challenges.
The middle, challenging, section of her timeline has produced a lot of different learning points relating to her caring role and her experience as a parent.
In the final section we can see that Lesley still enjoys learning. She has gained confidence from appreciating that she can succeed with a course.
Listen to Lesley talking about what she has learned.
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