While writing for the journal, I have often given my thoughts, opinions and advice on ways in which you can look at learning opportunities that you might not see yourself. As we enter a new academic year, I thought I would ask friends and loved ones for advice to help you look forward with excitement, not fear. I have asked my peers, friends, and family what advice they would give to those who need to hear it, and I feel this may help not only at the beginning of the year but throughout your studies.
Advice from fellow students
‘Try to go to all your lectures; you gain much more by being there in person and in the moment rather than listening to a recording. Thoughts and feelings that will help you all happen now in class.’
‘Try not to procrastinate, work on those assignments and prepare for those tests. We all have different ways of working, but try to get ahead of the stress.’
‘Allocate time. Placements will be stressful, but you need to make sure you allocate not only time to study but time to socialise and recharge.’
‘Be prepared for hard work; remember you are working towards the bigger picture and the invaluable experience you are gaining alongside other qualified professionals.’
Advice from friends
‘Embrace all parts of your learning experience and take advantage of the opportunities offered to you. Ensure you take full advantage of the experiences in all different ways.’
‘Understand your abilities and boundaries; if you don't understand, don't hesitate to ask. Remember to be kind to yourself and take time. It can't all be about uni work. Find time to do things you love. Your mental health must come above everything.’
I find this last piece of advice key. Often, we find ourselves staying up all night in libraries or running on fumes after shifts, trying to get those precious few proficiencies signed off or begging to have our paperwork signed. My friend who gave me that advice also followed it up with:
‘If you don't get the grades, you wanted or hoped for, pick yourself up and dust yourself off. Strategise and move forward.’
This was advice she wished she had heard herself. And I agree 100% that we often forget our lives outside of our academic work.
Advice from family
This might be advice you need to hear or read the most often. I hope it touches your heart as much as it touched mine. If you need it, please take it and hold it in your heart. Know they are cheering you on. I know there's one woman I would have loved to have advice from at certain times. I may not hear her words, but I always hear her heart.
Sibling: ‘Get regular sleep, go to your classes and, no matter what happens, just keep going.’
Grandparents: ‘Make certain you know who your friends are. Don't let the wrong people lead you down a path when they don't have your best interest at heart. On another note, if it comes your way and you are helping another with work, remember you are learning while teaching.’
Mother: ‘Believe in yourself and be kind to yourself, take each day as it comes and always look forward to tomorrow.’
Father (in typical dad fashion): ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ (Yes, that is from Spider-Man !).
Advice from me
Finally, some advice from me: you can do it! It might seem scary if this is your first year, but embrace it; it flies by faster than you think. If you are going into the second year, this is the year you need to look after your mental wellbeing. Second-year blues are real, but they will pass, and you will get through the year. Academic writing is a jump, but take all help offered. And this last bit might be advice to myself or other third-year students: it's scary, it's big, but it's that final race, and we can see the finish line! You can do it! We can do it!
So on that note, good luck, be safe and look after yourself. Thank you to the nurses who have helped us on our journeys; you shape the nurses we will all become. It isn't easy, but it's worth it! Here are two final pieces of advice:
‘Hardships often prepare people for an extraordinary destiny.’ CS Lewis
‘Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all our lives.’ Florence Nightingale