Hiya All, I just wondered how student midwives who had completed an access course felt about the jump from one to the other? Is degree level work much harder that is expected on access? Is the work load much bigger? All our lecturers at the mo keep saying things like, 'you won't be able to do that at uni!', 'At uni they will expect you to be ......????' I am just feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of adapting to uni learning so am sorry if I'm waffling or have repeated an earlier thread! Please can anyone help?!
Thanks Jo

Some students had this opinion of all of us access ladies when we started, yes it is harder, but it is gradual, and there is lots of support available form uni staff to get you through.

IMO access was a great prep for uni, I knew diddlyoh beforehand and learned loads on it, not least going back to learning!

So to that lot who think not, we are all still here and still going strong, you will be too, I don't doubt it!

They are stricter, you do have deadlines and limits and specific elements yes, and they are stingier with your marks, but I defy anyone to say access does not do exactly what it says on the tin.

Poll idea coming now....

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I can only agree with what smwife has already said here, it is harder at uni as you have strict deadlines and a bigger workload to deal with as well as placement. But it is doable, you just have to be organised and stay on top of things...which I am just learning to do now lol. You will be fine, I think everyone wonders if they will cope before they start, it is only natural. Good luck hun. x

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

Thanks for the info, I'm just hoping I haven't bitten off more than I can chew sort of thing!? And it's nice to hear to get support from lecturers, at college at the mo they imply that you're completely on your own with little or no support from anyone! Makes me a bit nervous! lol!

I've been told by a couple of people who have done Access at our college that their first year of uni was actually LESS full on than Access during the academic side but took a lot of getting used to on the practical side with assignments to do at the same time!! Biiiig learning curve!

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im the same as Noo, iv spoken to first yr students who were on the same access course as me before they started and they said its a lot easier in the first yr of uni than the access course was

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At uni your workload gradually gets more difficult as you progress. The access course that i attended was very laid back. University isn't a big jump its just different, more emphasise on the academic wirting compared to college. Dont worry, it will all be taken in your stride when you start. x

I don't think I could've managed this first year without having done my access course beforehand. I found that the foundations laid on the access course with anatomy and physiology are invaluable. At uni, you're expected to have a certain level of prior knowledge abour your subjects. I wouldn't have had this without the access course and I know that ladies in my cohort who haven't done an access course and have not been in education for quite a while do struggle a little with A & P.

It also stood me in good stead with things such as referencing and essay writing.

I don't think that the access course is any easier than uni, or vice versa. I do think it's a lot different. Your learning isn't quite as directed at uni as it is on an access course. You have the support of your tutors, but you are pretty much on your own and you have to be very organised and focused when it comes to doing your work.

The only thing I really struggle with at uni is managing to get work and reading done during placement. Placement can be very full on - Kinda like working 3 full times jobs in one go - working a full time job, learning that job as you go and learning the theory behind why you're dong the job that way all in one! It is hard work, but it's damn well worth it!

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Student die Hebamme und ich liebe es!
(Student Midwife and I love it!)

Thanks everyone this is really helpful in allaying many of my fears!