Lindsay's journey to becoming a midwife at Cumbria has brought her lots of new opportunities and experiences, including becoming a student council member for NHS England and forging amazing new friendships with other students on her degree. Read on to find out more about Lindsay's experiences at Cumbria, as well as her top tips if you're thinking of studying Midwifery.
My name is Lindsay Jayes, and I am a third-year midwifery student at the University of Cumbria’s Carlisle campus.
Choosing the right path
My inspiration to begin my midwifery journey came 16 years ago when I gave birth to my son. The care I received inspired me to want to be part of the team who work alongside birthing people at one of the most pivotal moments of their lives.
Choosing the University of Cumbria was easy. After my interviews, Cumbria stood out to me – I just got that feeling that it was right for me. It was clear they held the needs and well-being of their students at the forefront of everything.
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Favourite moments
My favourite experience so far (apart from the privilege of caring for the many women on placement) has to be the opportunities that I have been given – such as becoming a student council member for NHS England and getting involved in numerous projects.
Balancing responsibilities
I have faced some difficulties throughout my time at university – I am a full-time carer for my husband and have two teenage boys – so juggling the academic side of the degree, placements and proficiencies, and maintaining my caring role at home has been hard at times, but all of the tutors at university are amazing and the support I have received has really eased some of the burden. I would not be able to do this without them!
Making friends for life
Student life is truly amazing, especially undertaking the midwifery degree and the sisterhood that has formed amongst our cohort. Midwifery is an intense degree and no one knows how to better support you than your fellow cohort. We’re all there for each other no matter what. You make some amazing friends for life.
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Student life is truly amazing, especially undertaking the midwifery degree and the sisterhood that has formed amongst our cohort. We’re all there for each other no matter what. You make some amazing friends for life.
If you're thinking of studying midwifery...
If I were to give advice on becoming a student midwife, I would have to say: just do it! If you have the passion and the interest in midwifery then don’t overthink it (I did for 16 years) – it is honestly one of the most rewarding things you could ever do.
Top tips:
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Help is always there if you need it so don’t be afraid to ask
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Manage you time well – get a good quality diary and planner
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Don’t expect everything to sink in at once – as I look back over my degree so far, it is amazing how much I have learnt, but it has taken a while to realise this.
I am hoping to gain employment at my local trust once I have graduated from this degree – to be able to work with the inspirational team would be the icing on the cake after a tough but oh-so-rewarding three years.