Advice from first year student, Richard Parry

Hi, I'm Richard. I'm currently studying BSc (Hons) Child Nursing at BCU.

As exciting as starting university can be, it’s also pretty daunting, regardless of whether you start aged 18 or later on like I did. So, let me offer some advice that should help you get off to a good start and hopefully alleviate any worries you might be having.

The best discovery I have made since starting uni

I know it sounds cheesy (because it is), but I have found uni to be something of a journey of self-discovery. You really start to realise your strengths and weaknesses, as well as how you learn most effectively. This is good to know when doing independent study.

My favourite thing about BCU

My favourite thing about BCU is easily the amount of support you receive. Not only are the lecturers approachable and more than happy to help, but there are multiple other resources to assist your learning. One example of this is SPACE. SPACE is a facility with all the equipment you need to practise your practical skills and the staff are always on hand to ensure you have everything you need.

Also, the ASK desk is an incredible form of support. They are the first point of contact for all student services so they’re there to help you with just about anything.

BCU also facilitates many social activities for students to get involved with.

What I love about the city

I grew up just outside of Birmingham and have spent a lot of time in the city, so I can tell you from experience that you never have to search far to find something to do. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, gamer, athlete, food enthusiast or anything else, you can always find entertainment to suit you.

My top tips for any new student nurse

Dive in! You will spend your time at uni in lecture halls, learning about physiology and the theory of nursing as well as in practical sessions, learning about clinical skills and will spend a lot of time on placement. With this is mind, get hands on and get involved. There are often group discussions in lectures. Get involved in these too. You'll learn a lot.

Rely on your friends. Only student nurses truly know what it's like to be in your shoes, so help each other.

There are also several lecturer-lead workshops to attend. Make the most of all the resources offered to you.

When on placement, you might find yourself feeling like a spare part during quiet periods. If you experience this, engage! Talk to families and play with the kids. You'll barely get time for this when you qualify, so enjoy it while you can.

What I didn't know before starting my course

How much of your learning is self-led. There are times when a subject is taught and is over pretty quickly and then you're on to the next one. Make sure you seek support if you're struggling.

My uni essentials

• A laptop with Microsoft Word or another word processor (if you don't have one there are plenty of computers available and laptops can be borrowed from the University).
• A memory stick (and a backup).
• A large number of pens (trust me on this one). If you are anything like me, you will constantly lose them and you don't want to find yourself pen-less on exam day.

I hope I’ve managed to at least relieve some of your anxieties of starting uni. Good luck with your studies and have fun!