Canterbury Christchurch University: March 2008

The day started pretty early for me – which was not intentional I can assure you – I woke up at 5am like a kid on Xmas morning!!! The sensation in my tummy was terror and delight all at the same time. So I got up and just ‘pottered’ around which is easy to do in this house, you may get a kitty following you asking for her breakfast, or perhaps a bunny doing ‘the pellet dance’ {I have to record this because it is sooooo cute} but one can easily amuse themselves here..

I got ready and left super early – which is a miracle for me because I am a very very tardy person which I so need to work on when said career change happens…. I got to the University and was glad to see I wasn’t the only one 15 mins early so I sat with my flash cards with answers I wanted to use and didn’t make eye contact with anyone – in case they saw how nervous I really was… See I don’t get nervous really but today I kinda was – I think because the whole day is a display, and you are judged – and no one likes to be judged do they?

We were led into nice room with big windows which is entirely relevant because the sun was shining so brightly it made the atmosphere so nice for us all… We listened to a talk for about an hour, which was all about the course and how ‘tough’ it will be but good anyway. We had a quick Q&A session and I made sure I asked a question and then we were told to wait for our individual interviews… Now being a ‘W’ I thought ‘great I bet I am last’ but then they decided to take people in randomly – and guess who was still last!!! I don’t mind though – save the best for last and all that ☺

It was nice because I got to chat to all the girls – which was sad because you know there is not space for everyone – no matter how great everyone is. I was shocked at the number of young people – fair play to them for knowing what they want in life but I guess I expected more mature students there. I think including me there were about 5 ‘mature’ students ranging from 25-30.. The rest were young – 18,19 & 20 year olds! I guess most people ‘my age’ know what they want to do so don’t really take a career change? Or perhaps it is because most of my classmates in my Access course are mature students? Who knows eh? But I have to say I met some great girls and I am hoping they are in my cohort because 3 years is a long time so you want to spend it with good people.

So when I finally went in the told me to relax – which I was by then – having waited SOOOO long And they were really friendly which is nice I am quite a chatty person so we all just chatted away the whole time with some questions peppered in for good measure they asked:

Why should they choose me?
What I thought the professional qualities of a midwife were?
How I would cope with the demands of the degree?
How have I prepare for the degree?
How I cope with pressure?
What I had read about midwifery recently?
And did I have any questions?

I think they liked my questions – of course I forgot some great answers I had prepared but you know ‘whatever’ I think they liked me and they thanked me for coming and said ‘See you soon’ but you know that could be a red herring!!!

Then we had a tour of the campus and ‘wow’ I know it sounds silly but I didn’t realise Universities had simulator wards – which in hindsight does make sense but I was so impressed – they had great facilities and it even smelt like a hospital!!!! I loved it, and I totally stood there thinking how much I wanted this. Probably more than anything ever.

So now all I have to do is wait and hope and pray I get a place PLEEEEEASE pick me!!!!! Like on the X Factor when they beg for a spot – that is me ☺

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CCCU - Chatham Campus September 2008