First year to second year!

I am just wondering how much things 'step up' from the first year to the second year.

Apart from the obvious where your marks count towards your final degree calssification.

Is there a huge jump in the workload, level of work expected from you, amount of work, is it a lot harder than you expected, better than you thought it would be....everything really????

Just wanting to prepare myself for what's to come lol.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

tbh, yes it is harder, the workload is not anymore than first year, but the essays were definately harder, same word count though, where more words would've been good. I really knuckled down this time though, as it is so important and so far had a good mark, so that works!

Placement wise, it has been fantastic, I had my best placements from the start of my second year, as my mentors really let me begin to be involved in decision-making and care, performing VE's on my own much of the time, which really helped me get the hang of it, also by this point the realtionship I have built of with my mentor means she knows I will ask for help if I am not sure and so often do! and she trusts that if I am fine I say so!

I am not having the second year blues at all! yes, I am enjoying the hols, but I love the second year, yes more is expected of you, but it is not a sudden leap up, just being able to be more hands on, lots of questions, that you know the answers to () and genuinely being more useful! (which is fab!)

so honestly, I think it is great and I am keen to get back on with the second half of the second year, I hope you're keen to get started too!

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To be honest, the hardest part for me was the way essays needed to be written whilst on placement - as this was as well as working full time! This added to the strain, but otherwise - it was a good year, although it was hard to get motivated at times.

You will probably have your ups and downs, but you shouldn't find it too much of a jump up.

KS x

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Kentish Spitfire
Moderator, Student Services
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"It's better to be thought a fool - rather than proved a fool!"

Thanks ladies,

That is a great help, you hear so many horror stories about the second year...how hard it is, the blue etc, I was getting a bit worried tbh, I feel better about it now.

I just have to pass this assignment and exam essay now, as at the moment I am in limbo, and it is really getting me down atm. I am to all intents and purposes officially a second year, but yet I'm not until I have passed these arrgghh.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

Awww , Missy, I know it must be hard, you have put so much effort into this and I know you'll pass them, thne you really can feel free to move on!

I guess it's an individual thing re the second year, there are certainly lots that really hate it for some reason, I guess you are in between starting and finishing, but at least it's further from the start than you were!

Good luck Missy, when is your exam, and when will you find out about your essay ?

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Good question MM - been wondering the same things myself! Feeling fairly positive at the mo - most unlike me I know!! Having said that - I'm also reeeeaaaaaalllllllyyyyyyy enjoying being home with my girls and wish I could have longer! Gaahhhh!!!

Yes, it is hard, I feel like I am stuck right now, and there is very little I can do about it.

Yes, that is a very good point I agree, it is further than the start, and providing I pass these two assignemnts I intend to give it my all, then whatever happens, I will at least know I couldn't have done anymore.

My exam assignment is on Tuesday, we have been told it will probably be 4 weeks before we get the results of the other assignment, which takes us up to the week we go back. That means that we can't register before then, so no idea what will happen re bursary and student loan for next month either.

Thanks smwife.

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Midwifemissy x

Student Midwife 2007
Student uni rep
Educational Resources Manager

PAB Support Worker

I'm worried about the change to 2nd year too. Just worried that more is expected of me and that I can't rise to it.
I have an exam on the 8th of September then personal development interview on the 10th, then have a breather till we start 2nd year on September 22nd.
Bloody hell it flies by!!