Victoria Haywood

What's it like to study at Northumbria? 

I find it really nice to study at Northumbria as it has a great number of study areas (like the library or benches outside) as well as multiple food spots on campus so you don't have to travel far. All of the lecturers and staff are really helpful, answering any of your questions from directions to a more detailed explanation of a topic on your course. The night life is also really good here which always helps with the course stresses/workload as well as the fact that the city centre is so close to the City Campus. They also have so many different clubs and societies that you can join to try out different things while at university to find what you like which was really helpful for me. 

Best thing about studying Physiotherapy 

The best thing about the physiotherapy course would have to be using the Anatomage tables which are like massive iPads that help you visualise the anatomy of the human body while also giving you the opportunity to test yourself on what you've learnt so far. Also, the fact that this physiotherapy course has a lot of lecturers which come from a range of different specialties, so you get taught the modules by multiple people who specialise and are interested in that field, which makes it a lot easier to understand as they can explain it to you very clearly. Also, if you have questions on any topic or in a specific area of physiotherapy, there is always someone you can go to who can help you or direct you towards the information that you need. 

Favourite thing to do on campus / community 

My favourite thing to do on campus is to go to Habita with my friends to have a meal there so that we can relax and chat to debrief each other on our course/revision stresses or just the workload of the course. Usually, Habita is always a popular spot for all years of Northumbria University students, everyone is always very chatty and it provides a really nice atmosphere for students' social lives. 

Course & career goals / industry links 

This course will help me gain a job in physiotherapy as I will be fully qualified once I graduate and it also prepares me for work by having multiple placements throughout the three years that I am studying. This allows me to have hands-on experience in a range of specialties in physiotherapy before having to go on rotations, as well as helping me find a specialty that I find the most interesting to find a permanent job in that field. 

A time you realised you were capable of more 

After my first set of exams, I was very nervous for my results because I have always liked to hold myself to a high standard. Once I got the results of 80% in one exam and 92% in the other, I was very pleased with those results as well as the fact that it taught me that I could go for around 85-90% each exam. This increased my confidence and self-belief in myself and taught me that I am capable of high results and, by pushing myself even further, I can make the most out of my university course so that I can become an excellent physiotherapist. 

Support that boosted confidence / ambition

 During my second placement, I was able to see patients more independently which was very nerve-wracking and stressful at first however, after the first week (with three weeks left) I felt more confident in myself and my abilities to see patients more independently which I did not expect to be in my first year. Due to this, I am also more prepared for my second year modules than I thought I would be which I am very happy with myself and my educators for giving me the opportunity to grow my confidence in physiotherapy. 

Advice for someone considering Northumbria 

I would advise them to attend the open days and experience days to make sure whichever university they are going to pick, is right for them, especially with the different teaching styles, equipment and content throughout their course. I would also look at the guidance they give for each course in which subjects or topics are best for the course as well as topics/skills you should include in your personal statement/interview. Lastly, I would especially give the city/town life a look as well as any social areas on campus (e.g., library, Students' Union, sports centre, pubs, study areas) as you want it to feel like your second home - not another chore or job.