Almost one year since last entry. Very slack!
At the beginning of the year after much soul searching and family discussion, I made the decision to leap into education and go to university to study midwifery. It is a three year degree and I managed to split the first year into two by doing three papers this year and the other five next year.
Having never attended university it was a very scary thing, and whilst it has been immensely challenging, it is one of the best things I have ever done. I find that being an adult student is fun - though being the oldest in my tutorial group was definitely weird. I am enjoying doing the student thing and my intention is to continue this blog more regularly and record my transition from mother to midwife.
When I was at school I never even took science as a subject and of course midwifery requires a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology. So my first major challenge was tackling the Human Structure and Function paper (basically anatomy and physiology).
I must say I loved this paper. It was so interesting and although it was a huge amount of work and study I think I managed to stay on top of it throughout the semester. Time will tell as we had our exam last week and I think I did ok -w atch this space.
I also did the Interpersonal skills paper which I wasn't too concerned about but ended up being a bit of a challenge. However I did ok on my assignment and have handed in my portfolio - so again time will tell and it is in the hands of the marking gods!
The stress of doing an exam was intense, but on the day I didn't freeze which was what I was worried about, and I even knew some of the answers. Afterwards I felt relieved and I couldn't stop shaking, so I did what every stressed out girl does (?)and went out with some friends and had far too much to drink - well I am a student after all!
Througout the semester I met some great people and did some amazing things - disecting a pigs heart and lungs was amazing. If I pass the HSF paper (which I should do) I am doing a Human Biological Science paper, which in actual fact sounds even more scary than the HSF paper - but I'll worry about that at the time. Right now we are on semester break and I have five weeks to reconnect with the family, catch up on all the housework and jobs that await me which were ignored when I was studying.
During the first half of the year, I also completed my Breastfeeding research project which I had undertaken to upgrade my Certificate in Childbirth Education to a Diploma in Childbirth Education. I am just waiting for confirmation from the examination board but my understanding is that this is going to get an A pass...yipee!
Other exciting news this year is the two sons have joined St Johns as Cadets and are also learning all about health science and first aid. They are enjoying it and the 10 year old had his enrolment ceremony into St Johns which was a great experience for him with it's centuries old traditions. Wonderful!
But priorities - I have a load of washing in and must away to the mall to catch up with a friend for coffee and then another friend for lunch...after all they haven't seen me for ages because I've been such a nerdy swat (and loving it!)
