University of Bournemouth - BSc Physiotherapy Student Blog - 1st Year

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hi Izzy. im planning on starting next september. trying to get ready for it, ill be 25 so im glad im not the only older student going. can you let me know which human biology course you did please?

Hi Izzy,

I'm hoping to do the course in September 2014 also...I'll be 31 by then!

With regards to funding, were you eligible for anything from the Student Loan Company? I've read in some places you can get some support from them and others that they will not fund an equal level qualification. I've explored the NHS bursary options, but that won't quite pay the mortgage!

Best of luck and hope the course is going well!

Laura

Second Year Physio in another Uni. Just commenting to subscribe! I'm sure having been a Physio Assistant gives you an advantage!

It does in some ways as I feel I applied myself in a way that the physios I worked with went the extra mile to teach me loads! It was like being paid to learn everyday, it was amazing. I was lucky to have worked somewhere like Stanmore, that's where I really learnt a lot. However learning the anatomy in great detail is always going to be the challenge! That's the most daunting part for me at the moment.

I think everybody struggles with Anatomy to a greater or lesser degree! A good book is a good start. I like Gray's, and Musculino for muscles. When I was on placement there was a very experienced Physio Assistant and she was a great source of advice on things like manual handling. No replacement for a practice educator but very helpful nonetheless.

I can understand your point. Hopefully I can draw on my experience when I need to but I still have a million things that I need to learn! I was going to buy Gray's so thats good to know, thank you! We have been using Seeley's mostly.

Hope your course is going well. Does it get a lot more intense in the second year?

I dunno if intense is the word. Fewer contact hours but a lot more "self directed learning"

Hey guys...so have nearly made it through the first 4 weeks! At first it was just really overwhelming with all the information thrown at us! However in the last couple of weeks things have settled down and I feel like I am getting into the swing of things!

We have a nice balance of theory and practical which is nice! Im still trying to find my way a little bit in the practicals...I get quite nervous and do not want to volunteer which annoys me as Im nervous of getting things wrong! I definitely need to work on that as I do know things but am having some self doubt at the moment . I need to relax and just do it like I was when I was an assistant.

Its funny because I could have so many watched assessments by my seniors when I was an assistant and be put on the spot many a time and not hesistate! I think I get anxious about being back in a classroom setting .

We are working our way through the anatomy. First it was bones and boney landmarks and then muscles. Next week is respiratory, which I am really looking forward to .

We have a really good module on case management which is preparing us to develop good, competent clinical reasoning skills which of course you cannot have if you do not have the bread and butter anatomy knowledge! They are really enjoyable lessons.

I am enjoying the course though, the tutors are brilliant and really break things down nicely.

I am excited about the one week placement we have in a week and a half! I know its only a week but I cannot wait to get back onto a hospital ward! I will be doing elderly care which is nice as I started in elderly care as an assistant .

Although there is quite a lot of work to do and loads of self-managed learning I think its great.

Also another great thing about our course is that we have a dedicated day for CPD. It is really drilled into us from the start which I think is good as it is something we will always have to do once we qualify.

The time is definitely going fast! It will be Christmas before we know it and thats when the course really picks up!

I was also elected CSP rep for the next 3 years which was nice and I am quite chuffed about that .

Just out of interest... Do ye do cadavers in Bournemouth?

Just out of interest... Do ye do cadavers in Bournemouth?

Hey,

Pleased your enjoying the course. Just out of interest, are you studying anatomy a body part at a time, i.e the lower limb - bones, muscles, nerves, etc?

Also, what is your class size?

Awesomeness!

31 is young! The ages are so varied on physio which is really good! Everyone brings something different to the cohort. I was not able to get anything from the student loan company. Even if you have not done a degree before I think some people on my course didn't get as much from them due to being on an nhs funded course. However I think you would get the maximum available from the nhs bursary as some people who have their own place on my course are entitled to the full amount whereas the rest of us are not! One of my old colleagues who had a mortgage when studying for the msc physio degree took out a career development loan but you can only get this for two years.

Haha, thank you, I wish I felt young!!

If I gave you my e-mail address or contact details would you please be able to give me a rough idea of the timetabling in the first year?

Sounds like all is going well so far! I understand any hesitancy in the practicals, I feel I would be the same!!

Laura