Our Homeschooling College Principal, Lee Wilcock offers some very wise words about perspective, laughter, and overcoming self-doubt… “Believe in yourself and your own abilities: we are all capable of much more than we think we are.”
Who are your heroes?
As a young boy I watched the moon landings live on TV. I was a great fan of science fiction in those days and watching the lunar lander approach the surface of the moon filled me with awe and wonder. I learned, later in life, that they touched down on the moon with less than twenty seconds of fuel to spare. As I’ve arrived at petrol stations on the M6 in similar circumstances this gives me some solace. So the crew of Apollo 11 it would have to be — particularly Michael Collins who had to remain in orbit and never got a chance to walk on the moon. So far and yet so near!
What’s your favourite fact or piece of trivia that you’ve picked up over the years?
There are more stars in the universe than all the grains of sand on all the beaches in the world. I try to remember this amongst the trials of life: it keeps things in perspective.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever seen in a museum?
Very difficult to pick out just one item. I’m a big fan of Egyptology so mummies or anything with hieroglyphics does it for me.
What’s your favourite TV show (or book, or movie, or musician) at the moment?
Favourite TV show would have to be Would I Lie to You — I’ve never watched an episode without laughing out loud. You can’t beat a good laugh for raising the spirits. I think good comedy should be prescribed on the National Health Service.
If you could have dinner with any famous person, alive or dead, who would it be?
Richard Feynmann, theoretical physicist and free thinker. I might not do much talking but I’d have an interesting listen.
Finally, based on your experience as Homeschooling College Principal at Wolsey Hall Oxford, what’s your biggest piece of advice for someone just starting a homeschooling or distance learning course?
I would say believe in yourself and your own abilities: we are all capable of much more than we think we are, but very often we hold ourselves back with negative thinking and self-doubt. We’ll do all we can at Wolsey Hall to help you succeed — so if you put in the effort and believe in your abilities, you’ll do well in your studies.
