My experience so far has been stressful and exhausting, but I would not change a thing. A healthcare course is meant to push you to challenge yourself because when you leave you are going to be caring for other people.

One of the modules in third year is completely dedicated to employability skills, there are workshops and lectures on interview skills, personal statement and CV writing and they invite managers to come to discuss the type of person they look for in shortlisting and interview. This module also brings in newly qualified OTs, independent OTs, and OTs working in emerging areas of practice. It is a very interesting and useful module. The course has three placements, one each year. These placements cover physical, mental and psychosocial settings to ensure that you come away from the course with the transferable skills for any band 5 job you would like to try.

I most like the teaching staff, each one brings their own unique background and perspectives on occupational therapy practice. They are always enthusiastic about your ideas, so if you want to discuss future plans either in work or research they are always there to listen and try to help. They are a very supportive group of staff who consistently listen to student feedback and demonstrate this by making appropriate changes where they can, such as adding drop in sessions if quite a few people are struggling with assignments. As a tactile learner, I prefer some of the more interesting practical workshops, however, now it has come to third year and the emphasis is on self managed learning, these sessions are more often lectures and I struggle to learn this way. However, I do understand why this is an appropriate development in the course.

7

I am a chair of a society and think that since I have made it clear that more connections need to be made with healthcare students they are working towards this, including a freshers fair just for our courses as we start earlier in the year than others and often have lectures during the generic freshers fair. Although they are good at organising events and are supportive to all societies, I think there is a distinct lack of academic connection or support. Most of their events involve drinking for example.

I am currently based at PAHC which is building rented by Plymouth University at MARJON near Derriford. This building is always clean with lift access to all floors. There is a computer room however, students cannot book rooms which means there is little study space apart from the computer room which you are not allowed to talk in as groups. The MARJON library is available for groups, however, as Plymouth University students we cannot access the computers or projectors in these rooms which makes practising group presentations difficult.

There are plenty of places to go out drinking and eating, the Barbican and the Hoe areas are very beautiful. However, as someone who does not drink very much, there does not seem to be much else going on. I do not go out a lot so this may not be accurate but it is what it seems like to me. There are regular buses throughout the city and plenty of places to shop.

There are 100s of clubs and societies. Always have a good look through the list as I am sure there will be at least one that appeals to you.

As I mentioned earlier the academic staff are very supportive. If you have a disability of any kind they are very flexible and do their best to help. The counselling services are quicker to access than NHS and my experience with them so far has been very good. There are also writing cafes etc. so that you can go to an impartial person to have a read of your work, they will not comment on content but will help with writing style and structure.

Very good, have really enjoyed me time here and feel that I will have the skills and knowledge to graduate into a job. The social life is very good and have made friends for life!

Very good, employability weekends etc

Great communication and involvement

10

Very good

Very good, Business school desperately needs updating

Very good

N/A

Very good