Huge congratulations to Becky D for completing her Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award! We spoke to Becky about her experiences, her inspiration and her hopes for the future. You can read her answers below.
How do you think the DofE could help you in the future?
I found that the volunteering section was the most beneficial. I was able to develop skills such as communication, teamwork and working with children. From this, I now have a job in tennis coaching which works around my A Levels. This has given me valuable experience which I know will be useful in the future. Firstly on my UCAS application, but also when applying for other jobs as I can reference my Dofe as an example of where I have demonstrated these skills.
What was the toughest part of your DofE?
The toughest part for me was the expedition. On the days we walked it was very hot which made it much harder. It was not just physically difficult but mentally very draining. You have to simply trust your skills and team to make sure that you were going in the right direction. In the evening when we arrived at the campsite it was then very challenging to cook for all of us. However, overall the whole expedition was very rewarding and we did have a good time, even though it was difficult.
What was the most memorable moment of completing DofE?
One of the most memorable moments was during my practice expedition. In the evening Liv and I cooked our food and we sat out with everyone, it was really nice. Later that night when we went to sleep we were both freezing, so we layered up in all our clothes to get warmer. We thought it was very funny sleeping in all our layers, hats and gloves.
If you could only use 3 words to describe the DofE – what would you use?
Challenging, painful and fun.
Did you learn any handy tips whilst completing your expedition?
I learnt many new skills. What I enjoyed learning the most was cooking on the small stoves we used. Even though I knew how to cook, working with my team to decide what we should cook to reduce what we had to carry was difficult. We learnt to compromise and it all worked out for the best. I also learnt how to read a map properly and use a compass to navigate through areas. This is a skill I could rely on in the future if I were in a difficult situation.
Who is the person who has most inspired you in your life?
Michelle Obama
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I hopefully see myself as a doctor hopefully working in London.