My Last Post 

Just wanted to say a quick goodbye to everyone as this will be my last post for this course, I know it's a very sad time! I've learnt so much during this semester and have thoroughly enjoyed all the lectures and tutes, I couldn't have asked for a better subject! So goodbye all, and I hope you have a relaxing holiday and hopefully I can look back at this blog from time to time and remember what I loved about JOUR1111 and what I learnt from these four months :)

Teenage Sex in Society

Good morning to all of you on this rainy Sunday! Can you believe that University is nearly done for the semester, only 12 days to go, not that I'm counting or anything... I wanted to talk to you today about teenage sex and how it has become increasingly more frequent in our day and age. What is with all this teenage sex in society these days! Sex sex sex, that’s all I hear. Many of my friends these days who are in relationships or even single, lose their virginity so easily it’s scary to comprehend. Pressures are constantly put on teenage girls especially to have sex at such a young age, that the meaning of “virginity” or “making love” is undervalued, denigrated and completely thrown out the window. I have always been passionate about respecting oneself and waiting until you are mature enough to make a responsible decision about sex. The other day, I came across some startling and disturbing statistics from the National Survey of South Australian Secondary Students on Sexual Health:

• 27.6% of female students have had sex in Grade 10 and 61.7% of female students have had sex in Grade 12. 27.1% of male students have had sex in Grade 10 and 44.4% of male students have had sex in Grade 12.
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• 36.2% of teenagers aged between 15-19 were pregnant and 20.8% of them have had abortions.
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• 24% of teenagers aged between 15-19 were infected with Chlamydia, 485 teenagers were infected with Gonorrhoea and 225 teenagers were infected with Herpes.
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• Nationally, more than half of teenagers have lost their virginity by the age of 17.

Teenage sex is a seriously worrying and increasing occurrence within society and particularly within this generation. If awareness of this rapidly growing issue is made more prominent to the younger generation especially, hopefully teenagers and adults alike can understand how precious virginity is and that waiting until a mature age for sex is the better option. As St, Jerome once said, “Virginity can be lost by a thought”.

A Photo Story Of My Life At College Thus Far

Let's start from the beginning of my journey through St. John's College and how amazing it has been for me so far. I was so nervous when I came to Brisbane, knowing that I would not only have to begin my adventure at University, but at college too. On the first day at John's, I met some lovely people who were equally as nervous as I was. On the left is a picture of us on the first day, dressed up as cowboys and indians, as this was the theme for that night.

As the first week progressed, everyone became closer and the activities became even crazier, like the time when we all went to Wet and Wild in the rain and invaded every ride we could! This was probably one of the best days of my life.

Even though I had started a new life now at St. John's and at University, I still maintained my friendships with my old friends who I visited weekly when I had a spare moment. They are the ones who made High School just slightly more bearable and I will never forget that. On the left are my two close friends, Kristian and Alex, when we went clubbing together one night. 

We all participated in many fun events over the course of the three months at college, such as jazz nights, shower teas, balls and regattas. Everyone always tried to dress up as best as they could to fit certain themes and on the right is a perfect example of this. We all dressed up as a "fetish" and as you can see, I was obsessed with cats! Others were obsessed with being young again, trees and even chocolate!

Throughout my time so far, I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute at my college. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind and I have settled in so well thanks to being at college. I know I am now growing up and things are different, but in a good way. I know that going to John's was the right choice and now going to University and being an adult doesn't seem so scary anymore. I have made friends here that will continue to be my closest friends for life and for that I am grateful. College has changed my life and I will never forget my first three months here and look forward to the next great times to come!