I've
lived a very happy life, growing up with a close, loving family who I
care about with all my heart. My life has revolved around being
creative, and all I've ever wanted to do is to share this passion
with the world – So that's what I'm doing. I was a dancer for 13
years, however it got to the stage where I had to split my world in
two and choose which passion I wanted to pursue, it wasn't an easy
decision but one I had to make. I will never forget the day that I
told the head of my dance school that I had to leave, she is with out
a doubt one of the strongest and most independent women to be a part
of my life and seeing her burst in to tears at my decision was
heartbreaking.
For
a while I wondered whether I had made the right choice. When I came
to choose my GCSE subjects at school I was told that I wouldn't be
able to study both Graphic Design and Fine Art, however I told them
that I would
– I proved them wrong, by being awarded with an A* in both of these
subjects as well as passing all of my other subjects. (The moment that my Graphic Design teacher told me that only one other student had ever got an A* in the 20-something-stupid years or so she had been teaching was the moment I realised I had made the right choice). I then moved on
to college, and again was told that I wouldn't be allowed to study
Graphic Design and Photography (because the work load would be too
much along with two other A Level subjects) – I told them that I
could do it, so they made an exception and I finished college with A*
and A in these subjects as well as two other A levels. I then decided
that I wanted to go straight to university, and surprise surprise I
was told that I wouldn't be let on to the course at Manchester to
study BA (Hons) Graphic Design unless I had studied a foundation
course in Art before. Again, I ignored this and went ahead with the
interview process anyway. I got in to three universities –
Manchester being one of them. My first year tutor at university was
the lady who told me “not to bother applying if I didn't have a
foundation degree”, after a very successful first year I reminded
her of this (she didn't remember and was very much speechless). So,
here I am about to begin my third and final year at university, and
the journey I have come on has been unbelievable – Like I could
never have imagined. Yes I'm scared, but passion and love play a huge
part in my life and if I've come this far, it's definitely not going
to stop now.
I
want to be remembered as the girl who was always smiling – That one who
won the 'biggest grin' award when leaving school, the one who always
listened and stayed loyal to those she loved. The positive girl who
was independent and always striving to do better. Yes, she was
stubborn, with deep thoughts and her mind was slightly crazy but she
always tried to see beauty in things that nobody else would. That's
what I want to leave behind.
What's your story? Tell me by emailing: emilycoxheadstory@gmail.com