Our health and social care students had a great opportunity to speak to visiting first year university students Jessica Lakin and Natasha Berridge.
The former Telford College BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care students came in to speak to current students about all aspects of their journey into higher education; from their time at Telford College, applying for university courses and how university differs to college, to university life.
Jessica, a former Idsall School student from Albrighton, had originally wanted to be a midwife but is now studying Paramedic Science at University of Worcester. She said, “Seeing student paramedics come in to college inspired me.”
Speaking about her time on placement in a nursing home, she acknowledged she had been, “very lucky”, being able to put her learning in to practice with manual handling and personal care. It had also given her the opportunity to learn to communicate with a variety of people.
Students were very inquisitive about the application process and living arrangements, as well as career options and career progression, with student Isabel Wilson saying, “Listening to the speakers has made me really think about my career choices and that I want to apply to university next year”.
Natasha, a former Telford Priory School student from Leegomery, had initially been set on becoming an occupational therapist. However, when she first learnt of mental health nursing while investigating ahead of her UCAS application, she was immediately taken with the idea. Now she is studying Mental Health Nursing, through Staffordshire University, based in Shrewsbury at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and wants to go on to work in prisons, supporting inmates and their families.
Tutor Tracy Leah said, “Having visiting speakers really brings the careers in health and social care to life in the classroom. It allows students to make important links between what they learn in the classroom and what happens in practice. We always welcome our past students back into college as they can talk about their personal journey and our current students can see where their qualification can take them.”
Speaking of her time at Telford College, Natasha said, “The teaching was amazing”. Having failed her maths GCSE at school and on her first try at Telford College, she had been nervous about meeting requirements for entry to a degree course. However, with support from staff, on her next attempt she had secured a 4/5 and was able to apply for her dream course. She told students that although her current days are long, “it’s well worth it, I come home fulfilled.”
Jessica added, “I’m so glad I came here, I miss it now. Don’t take it for granted.”
To learn more about our health and social care courses, you can learn more here and to have the opportunity to meet tutors and look around the college, book on to our next open event here.
