Timetable and a group chat.

The Timetable 

This is something that I have been waiting what feels like forever for, Unlike some of my fellow students who will have only got a definite place last week once results came out, I've had an unconditional place for months.  

So it feels like an eternity of waiting is finally over.... I have my first semester timetable and at first glance it looks a little complicated. 

Each day is split into morning and afternoon, and there are a variety of lectures, Directed study and personal study sessions.

Our cohort is a large intake, so it has been split into 8 smaller groups for most lectures.  Groups 1-4 will have sessions at the same time and 5-8 will also share sessions. These will be split again into smaller groups for study but we wont know about that until after we start.

I've been reading the timetable and trying to make heads or tails of it for a couple of days, and discussing it on a Facebook chat group that I was added too for other Student nurses.

I think I've finally got a rough idea of when I'll be in but I will need to wait until I start to find out what directed study is.

Our Facebook chat group 

Now I know some people don't like Facebook, and detest group chats as they can be fast moving and hard to follow, but I really enjoy them.

It's nice to get to know some of my fellow students and to share our excitement and worries.
I am a mature student, and at 28 years old (Well not yet but I will be when I start in uni) with a 3 year old child, the discussions about freshers and nights out drinking don't fill me with as much excitement as everyone else.

I realize this makes me sound old, So I will put my hands up and admit it, I do feel a lot older than some of the girls and guys in my chat group.  

This will be my second time at Uni, I've done the freshers thing.
I've lived in halls and drank stupid amounts, partied with friends and had hangovers.
I have lived in Liverpool my whole life and been out drinking in town more times than I can count so it just doesn't appeal to me.

Now I'm older I would rather go home after a long day in uni to give my little girl a cuddle, do some bedtime stories and relax. 

Of course I will go out with my course mate, get to know people etc but for me I can't wait to get stuck in and learn all I can.

This time in 3 weeks I'll be so nervous about starting but it will also be my birthday so that will help to distract me :D

Nursing student planner from the Happy planner company

I love stationary seriously if you see the number of pens and notebooks I have you would understand. I find it hard to walk through supermarkets and other shops and not look at the little stickers, bit and bobs that ate new out. I especially love a good planner. 

As a mum it is one of the essential items in my bag at all times, It's the best way to keep my life straight and know where I should be when, what appointments I have and who is where/on holiday.

So I research what is the best planner for my needs. since I'm starting my nursing degree next month I decided to get an academic diary but after looking at a few i found that they didn't really cover my needs as both a student and a parent. 

Then I found the Happy planner company recommended on some nursing student forums and looked them up.

They had just what I needed so I ordered the September 2016 nursing student planner and the reflective journal package for £22.

They took a few weeks to arrive but once they did I was very pleased with them, the planner has a variety of very useful pages for student and course information as well as contacts at the start. 

Then daily activities, home life and to do columns on the date pages with are laid out weekly.    

At the back are pages for 

• Placement house completed because it is essential to keep track to make sure that you have enough to complete the year.
• Assessment details and results pages. 
• A bibliography to keep track of books.
• A childcare hours chart and mileage record  - To keep track of costs
• Monthly budget pages to help me keep on track of my outgoings
• Even a wipe-able meal planner and revision chart at the very back.

This student planner covers all bases and I'm so happy i chose to buy this one.