a new year

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I feel as if I've been back at work for ever, not just the six days it has been. Same old, same old. Faces may change but all new students fall into one of several categories. The Bully - she's not even covert about it. Loud, brash and arrogant she's often the first to be disciplined and attracts the girls who want to be her, but don't quite have the nerve. Sometimes - having established her place - she settles down, but often she's asked to leave the course before the end of the first term. The Victim - not to be confused with an actual victim, this one just believes that she is. They think everybody is talking about them, accuse others of looking at them in a mean way and cry in the toilets a lot. Also know as The Attention Seeker. Rarely changes and doesnt understand that it's her actions which really do cause her peers to talk about her. The Quiet One - this one observes and takes mental notes. Who will I be friends with? Who might let me borrow a pen? Who should I steer clear of? The QO can veer off into any of the other types at any time due to various factors and the reasoning behind their quietness. The Loner - he barely talks to anyone and generally seems happy in his own little world. He doesn't mind spending lunches and breaks alone, but will usually befriend at least one similar student by Christmas. They will sit together, eat together, but not speak. The Overly-enthusiastic - far too happy to be in College, far too friendly, far too annoying. The Grump - I don't want to do this course anymore, it's so boring, why do I have to keep studying for my maths and English, I'm going to do as little as possible, I'm so tired, can we have a break now ... The Shy One - not to be confused with the Quiet One or the Loner, those who are shy will look anxious, they will hover, they will get a little lost because they're too scared to ask where to go. Within a few weeks the SO is no more and has discovered their little comfortable niche. There are others, of course. It's interesting to observe them all, watch as they all find a place for themselves within the group, flit between friends in those first few weeks as they get to know each other. And then the year speeds by.