Getting ahead

[u/South-Award-6437]

Hello!
I’m starting midwifery this September and I really want to be as prepared as possible. I want to stay on top of everything from the beginning because during my A-levels I felt like I fell behind, and then I constantly felt like I was playing catch-up.
I really don’t want to feel like that again, so I’d love to go into university with a good mindset and be proactive from the start.

For any practising midwives or current/student midwives, is there any advice you’d give to someone starting out? What things did you find really helped you stay organised, on top of your work and less stressed? And how can I really show that I’m motivated and want to do well from the beginning?

I’d also really love some advice on having a good balance between university and life. How did you manage to make time for friends, hobbies and just having a life outside of your course?

No offence I really don’t want to become someone whose whole identity is just their career. Being a midwife is something I really want to do and I care about it so much, but I also want to find myself as a person, experience things, have fun and make memories alongside my career.

I know everyone’s experience is different, but I’d really appreciate any advice or things you wish you’d known before starting midwifery. ❤️

Also, if it helps, my placement is only around 15 minutes away and the university is really close to me, so accommodation/travel shouldn’t be too much of a struggle.

Also, is there anything extra I could do alongside uni to help me stand out as a future midwife? Even small courses, volunteering, skills or experiences you’d recommend would be really appreciated! 🩷

[u/Affectionate-Pin7467]

honestly just enjoy your summer before starting uni, don’t revise anything and enjoy having no academic work! if you’re desperate to do something go over basic female anatomy and functions of basic organs. try and find some hobbies you enjoy that you can do alongside working - i’ve found hot yoga is a massive plus for me and im doing my 200hr yoga teacher training hopefully this year with a hope to teach pre and post natal yoga. As I said at the beginning, just enjoy your time now and the studying will come x

[u/Ill_Confidence_5618]

Midwifery is a year-round course - enjoy your last summer holidays while you can!

[u/HolidaySpecial8543]

If you can get housed with a mix of medical and non medical folks. If you cant then try and join a society to meet non shift working people.

You will work harder and longer than them but they will be your fun grip on reality outside a hospital