Getting the balance right

This is some balancing act!

This is my last blog post! Can you believe it?  I can’t quite!  Not that I have finished my course that is.  Whilst the rest of the university is winding down for the summer, us midwifery students continue to plough on until September.  I do have two weeks annual leave at the end of July which is equates to my summer holiday.  Not quite the three months than some students enjoy; which is why it is so important to ensure your work and social life is balanced as a midwifery student.

Every university has a student’s union, and the University of Bedfordshire is no exemption.  I remember heading over to the Bedford campus to have a look around the Fresher’s Fair and was overwhelmed by all the different societies and sports teams on offer.  There is something for everyone – no matter your interest or ability level (further details can be found at the Beds SU website).

It can be difficult to commit to a regular activity such as a sport team when you work shifts and personally, after working a 12.5 hour day, the last thing I want to do is an organised activity!  Saying that, the benefits of taking part in extra-curricular activities are numerous.

Get to know your student union

You need time to relax and unwind – to stop being a student midwife.  Working and studying simultaneously can be quite draining, especially if you have had a particularly challenging shift.  Having an opportunity to take part in something which has nothing to do with your course will give you some much needed down time.

Being a member of a society or sports team is another great way to make friends, and you can never have too many friends.  You could also approach the student union about starting your own society with a group of friends – I regret not creating a midwifery society.

Another reason to take part in additional activities is they look great on your CV!  Employers are looking for well rounded people and if they can see evidence of a range of interests and hobbies this will instantly more attractive to them.

Extra-curricular activities are central to the university experience but you also need to ensure you dedicate time to your academic studies.  It is a balancing act; just remember not to try spinning too many plates at once.

Before I close, a little update on my last few weeks and what the future looks like for me; I received a very good grade for my dissertation and am looking into getting it published, I only need two more babies to complete my 40 deliveries and having passed my presentation, I only have a short essay left.

Next stop...graduation!

And finally, I will soon be wearing a blue uniform because I have been offered a job when I qualify. All I have left to say now is ‘Thank you’ for reading this and letting me prattle on each week.  I hope it has been informative/interesting/entertaining in some small way.  If you do decide to apply for midwifery at the University of Bedfordshire (which I encourage you to do), I look forward to meeting you and perhaps being your mentor one day in the future. All the best x

Where to go

Choosing the right university is a massive decision, one that needs careful consideration.  Although the decision was slightly taken out of my hands as the University of Bedfordshire was the only

Decisions, decisions

institution which offered me a place, I remember the heartache and indecision which surrounded my choice to study at Loughborough University.  There are a number of factors to consider; here are just a few tips which may be helpful to you when you are making the decision…

Read the course syllabus and structure
Every university will structure their course and organise their assessments in slightly different ways. With midwifery many aspects are stipulated by the NMC so there is some standardisation, but each course will have its individual nuances which you need to bear in mind.  UoB, for example, have continuous placement throughout the three years of midwifery training rather than block placements.  Look through university prospectuses and look on the university’s website for details.  One of the things which attracted me to Loughborough was the fact that the dissertation was an optional unit!  Needless to say, I did not choose that option.

Attend an open day
The best way to get a feel for a university is to attend an open day.  Usually this will include a tour of the campus and accommodation, which is important because not only will the university you choose become the place you study, it will also become your home for the next three years.  There may also be the opportunity to talk to current students which means you will be able to ask them all the

An easy way to get a taste of student life

important questions you will have.  You will be able to gauge if you can ‘see’ yourself at that university, if there are societies you are interested in, where you will take your grandparents when they come to visit!  I instantly felt at home when I attended open days at Loughborough and Bedfordshire, something I didn’t experience at some of the other universities I looked around.

Think about location and transport links
This is a very practical consideration but one which will serve you well.  I always wanted to study somewhere which was far enough away from home so I wouldn’t go home every weekend, but was close enough to get back if I needed to.  I often fight the temptation to just pop home to enjoy my mum’s cooking and familiar surroundings when the homesickness sets in, but I have learnt that it is important to stick these times out and put some foundations down. Also, a two hour journey is just long enough to put me off if I have had a busy week, but not too long to get back for special events (or a mummy hug!).  You also want to think about whether you like to be in the city or prefer a small town; one of the things which put me off studying in London was the thought of working in a big city hospital.  Also think about what the transport links are like.  Being based in Luton was fantastic for me in my first year as I didn’t drive and the bus service is excellent. 

Talk to family and friends
Ultimately the decision is yours, but it is also useful to get the opinion of friends and family if you are really struggling to settle on a university.  It would be more beneficial if they have accompanied you to an open day, but even if they haven’t they may think of something you haven’t.   My mum, for example, googled the train journey home from Luton and fretted that I would have to cross London.  I think she had forgotten I had lived and worked in London for nearly two years!

Graduation - the ultimate goal

My final piece of advice is to look at student experience league tables as these offer an invaluable insight into what it is like to be a student at the universities you are considering.  There is no flashy marketing involved, just honest opinion from the people who are where you will soon be.  See you next week!