Competence: When an individual feels competent, they feel able to interact effectively within their environment. This means they have acquired the skills that’s needed to ensure they succeed in achieving their goals. 

Relatedness: This is the ability to feel a sense of both attachment to people and a sense of belonging amongst people. The feelings of closeness and belonging to a social group can be enhanced when the individual knows that they are respected and acknowledged in these groups.

Autonomy: This is the ability to feel in control of one's behaviour and destiny, which involves self-initiation and self-regulation of one's own behaviour. An individual being able to make their own decisions is associated with the sense of independence.

(Lopez-Garrido, G, 2021)

When I was born, I was diagnosed with Sickle cell anaemia.  “Sickle cell disease is the name for a group of inherited health conditions that affect the red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease produce unusually shaped red blood cells that can cause problems because they do not live as long as healthy blood cells and can block blood vessels.” – (NHS, 2019). My doctors recommend I don’t get a job that’s physically straining on my body. In 6^th year when we had to fill the CAO form, I wanted to study psychology or occupational therapy. When filling out my CAO form, a friend of my mum recommended social care to the list to expand my options. I added 2 random social care courses to my level 7 and completely forgot about it.

Due to Covid-19 and lockdown, all 2020 leaving cert students received predicted grades. Results day came and I was extremely nervous wondering what college I would be going to. My mum quickly rushed downstairs declaring that I got accepted into an applied social care course. Once I read the email on my mum’s phone, I felt conflicted. I was happy I got accepted into a college but devastated that I was doing social care that I just burst into tears. At the time from what I understood about social care is that it mainly involves working with the elderly and doing personal care for them. To make me feel better, my mum contacted a friend whose daughter had just finished social care. She explained how social care was very rewarding and how there are plenty of jobs after college. 

I decided to accept the offer and transfer after first year if I didn’t enjoy the course. As orientation day came closer, I found myself struggling to become excited for college. I was still unsure if this was the course for me. Due to lockdown orientation was held online. Lecturers were introducing themselves, explaining what their module was about while encouraging students to turn on their cameras. Once people turned on their cameras and I noticed they were mostly mature students I started to cry. I was afraid that I was the only leaving cert student in the course and I would be unable to make friends or have a college experience. Once we were split up into our tutorial groups and had the chance to meet everyone, I felt more relaxed knowing there were other people my age. I started to enjoy classes more especially learning about what social care is about. I learnt there are many different sectors I could work in such as: family, children, homelessness, addiction, community based, residential homes and so much more. I found the modules interesting and was passing all my classes. I decided to stick with social care since I will be able to help vulnerable people that would need help.

McLeod, S. A. (2018, January, 21). Skinner - operant conditioning. Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html

NHS (2019) Sickle cell disease. [online] Available at  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease/  (Accessed 22^ndNovember 2022)

Verywellmind (2022) What Is Self-Determination Theory? [online] Available at https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-self-determination-theory-2795387 (Accessed 22nd November 2022)