Advice from first year student, Lily Bowdler
Hi, I'm Lily. I'm currently studying BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing at BCU. Preparing to start university is really exciting, but I can also imagine that you might have a few questions after the past year. I've put together some top tips and advice to try and guide you on what to expect. Good luck, and enjoy the start of this amazing learning journey!
Need help and advice on preparing for uni?
Find out moreThe best discovery since starting university
Definitely the library! Especially when deadlines are approaching, the environment helps me to concentrate and has very little, to no, distractions. Another top location is SPACE (Skills Practice and Care Enhancement), it’s recently reopened and I’m looking forward to practicing my clinical skills to assist with my development, techniques, and confidence.
My experience learning through the pandemic
I have learned a lot about my learning style and how to manage my time effectively.
With some of the teaching being moved online there have been a couple of technical difficulties, however, these moments were few and far between. The support has been great, I’ve still had regular contact with my tutor and have been able to see some of my peers on placement.
My placement experience has been such a great learning opportunity, putting my knowledge into practice. I’ve also been having face-to-face contact with healthcare professionals, something that has been very limited for all of us over the past year. Whilst on placement, I’ve had a tremendous amount of support from the team and the staff on the ward. I also have had access to guidance from the university regarding my proficiency documents and any additional queries. My top piece of advice is to take every learning opportunity you can, observe different healthcare procedures, and absorb what you can from the professionals.
What I'm looking forward to the most when returning to campus
Just being present on campus and making full use of the facilities. I also look forward to socialising and meeting some new faces!
Something I wish I knew before starting university
I was anxious about having no experience in a hospital environment and thought this would put me at a disadvantage, however, this has not been the case. My peers and I are all from diverse backgrounds and hold different life experiences, which helps bring various perspectives and knowledge to share.
My top tips for someone starting a course at the School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Don’t be too hard on yourself – it’s good to seek a challenge and learn new things, however, don't expect to know everything, you’re at university to learn.
- Ask questions - no questions are silly. If you don't ask you’ll never know, and there are usually others in the same position as you.
- Prepare for placements - I usually do a trial run to my placement location, to get familiar with the area, how long it takes to get there etc.
My favourite things about the city
There’s a range of activities to do in Birmingham, everything from exploring the Bullring to tasting some of the independent eateries across the city. Transport links are accessible, meaning you can travel around with ease. My favourite thing to do is visit the canals with friends and watch the sunset from one of the many great local spots. Discover more things to do in Birmingham.
Where I see myself in the future
My main goal is to promote positive well-being. It is sometimes assumed that nurses only treat people that are ‘unwell’ but we also help people to maintain good general health. I haven’t decided on a specialist area yet, I would still like to gain more knowledge on a variety of areas through placement.
