First Placement Week 101

When you've been sat around for a good hour with no request cards, this is your face when a patient appears.

Stardate: 91484.54

Well, first off, my placement's okay. It's a little boring at times (probably because nobody knows where anything is except the hospitals, chip shop and the Sainsbury's Local) but everyone staying there has become part of the 'Family' (and we've all just been watching 'I'm a Celebrity' together after coming back from our homes). I'm even making an effort at socialising like a normal person, you'll be pleased to know. Completely out of character for a geeky recluse like myself, I know! 

Our rooms are a little basic, and we can only use the internet for e-mail and studying (hahahaha)... even though I was sneaky and watched 'Dexter' on Netflix... because otherwise I'd have died of boredom. I'm missing vegetables, so made sure I'd eaten a load this weekend before coming back. The previous week I was surviving on cheap ready meals and noodles, as after placement no-one can be bothered to cook anything real (I mean come on, we're students).

So, what was I doing for my first week? Well, I spent a week in general x-ray... Yes, it can be a little slow, especially in the early morning, when there are no request cards coming through. You find yourself cleaning cassettes, surfaces, your hands, actually reading your textbooks and reading through the hospital policies to fill your time. But just around half nine, requests came flooding in, and the range I got to see was brilliant. Hands, feet, chests, spines, abdomens... everything, really! You see so many examinations, that you begin to memorise the routine and technique. That's when I felt that I wanted to get stuck in and have a go myself.

The hospital I'm based at is really nice and a good environment to be in. The radiographers teach us so much, and love showing us everything and let us have a go while they explain stuff, though one has a penchant for appearing out of nowhere and quizzing us suddenly. Patients are all really nice too when they find out you're a student, but you need to be confident, or they're less than enthusiastic. Some say "keep t'up, love, and you'll be 'reet" (as some people of the North tend to sound like, of course!)

I've done my first two formal x-ray examinations (not just practice ones): both hands at once, then the two thumbs (5 x-rays for one patient), and then two thumb x-rays (for one patient). My supervising radiographer was really pleased and told me to put them in my portfolio straight away. So I'm learning loads really quickly. I'm also now my year group's student rep, so I'm getting loads done involvement-wise, too. I have to go to meetings etc. Some may think I'm biting off more than I can chew... but I do enjoy a good challenge.

The only advice I can give about your first week of placement? Go prepared. Go through some basic positioning techniques, practice talking to patients, be ready to just get involved. Radiographers don't have the time for students who can't be bothered. Make them want to help you!

I'd better get off to bed, I'm in A&E this week, and I'm pretty sure I'll be needing all the sleep I can get!

LLAP and Allons-y!

Happy World Radiography Day!

Source: http://www.sor.org/about-radiography/world-radiography-day

Stardate: 91459.52

Firstly, as you may have gathered from the above picture, today is World Radiography Day. Today marks the anniversary of the discovery of x-radiation by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895 `. The day is basically to help promote radiography as a career and to increase public awareness. It's also of course for radiographers to show how proud they are of their profession!

Because it was World Radiography Day, I decided it would be the opportune moment to ask one of our lecturers (who also works as a Forensic Radiographer) how you would go about getting into Forensic Radiography post-registration. Unfortunately, not many places allow it to be chosen as an elective, so I would need to start asking around and finding out about it now, in order to get as much information on it as possible. Membership to the IAFR (International Association of Forensic Radiographers apparently costs a bit now, and there aren't too many people to ask, but luckily I have my lecturer and one of the radiographers on placement who is also a Forensic Radiographer too.

As long as I can pick their brains and gain some hints and things to check out, I'll be okay. According to my lecturer, if you put brie, pork and liver in a box somewhere warm, leave it for a fortnight, then open it up, once you've stopped throwing up, you'll then know whether you want to be a Forensic Radiographer or not. But, despite that, the work is interesting and fun. I still like to think it is for me, even if that does sound unpleasant!

Aside from that, spread the love for Radiography! All of it thanks to Wilhelm Röntgen.

Two days until I move to my placement site...

LLAP!

References

1. Society of Radiographers, 2013, photograph, viewed 8 November 2013 <http://www.sor.org/sites/default/files/images/wrd_2013_logo_web.jpg>

A Day in General X-Ray

We've not even been on a full week of clinical placement yet, and this has become so true!

Stardate: 91457.12

Another week down, and I've had another clinical placement visit! Not only that, but as of Sunday, I'll be living away from Leeds for 3 weeks while the first full placement period comes up. Nervous, moi?

This time, I was on the rota for General X-Ray, which of course can only mean chest x-rays galore! Despite being under the impression X-Ray departments tend to be very busy, the morning was quite slow, and was definitely all chest x-rays, so you get used to positioning for them really fast. Everyone's body is different, but the technique very rarely strays from the norm.

I also witnessed a good variation of hands, knees, and spinal x-rays, but this was all mixed in with lots of standing around and looking completely clueless while the qualified radiographers chatted between one another and assessed each others images.

The two most exciting occurrences of the day turned out to be a doctor with a piece of wine glass left over in his finger, and a police-accompanied patient. Apparently, it's all in a day's work! To keep myself busy on the other hand, a classmate and I tried to ask as many questions to the radiographers as possible. This varied from "What does this abbreviation mean?" "Why have you increased the kV?" "What are these marks/spots/dots on the image here?" "Do you want me to process the cassette?" to "Do you need me to clean anything?" Basically, anything to prevent myself from standing around.

I've noticed that if you observe enough examinations, you quickly learn the standard kV and mAs (exposure) levels. Our clinical tutor's advice to us was to carry around a little pocket notebook, to keep on hand what we'd learnt that day that would relate to anything we'd need later on. Stupidly, I forgot mine, but I do remember that a standard average male chest x-ray exposure is 60kV at 10mAs, but a female's is 60kV at 8mAs (don't worry, it will possibly make sense one day), and I also remembered that SUFE stands for Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis. Not bad, I suppose!

Anyway, I did enjoy my second day, though it didn't exactly live up to my fainting first day! I can't wait to get to the full placement blocks, but I'm definitely worried about moving into another new home! I'm sure I'll manage, and hopefully finding my way to the satellite sites at some point will be smooth and not too difficult and frightening!

Also, the image above happens to be my own design... I'm quite proud of it did you know (despite it not being amazing)

LLAP!

My First Clinical Placement Visit... The Walkthrough!

Definitely how you feel when you finally get out on placement and do something useful!

Stardate: 91438.12

Evening everyone! As you all know today was my first clinical placement visit. After a mad dash to the train (after the ticket collection machine crashed on me) I collapsed on the train's floor, knackered already from waking up at 5.45. The rest of the morning's travel schedule went as planned, and we got to the hospital at least 20 minutes early, which is always a good start. My friend and I were down on the rota to be in mobiles and theatre, and at first we were at little nervous as it was our first day, but really I had an amazing day.

I started off by watching a general chest x-ray, as no surgeries were scheduled until later, but then one of the radiographers came to take a student down to the theatre room, and typical me, I was straight in to volunteer! So I walked down to theatre, and was shown where to get scrubs (I picked blues naturally, I'm not sure I'd have worked/liked the pink ones) and got changed into them. Important fact: scrubs are incredibly comfy, you won't want to change out of them! At first, I put the trousers over my uniform ones (like an idiot), but I was soon set straight! Hair nets were next (these I do not like), and finally the surgical masks. I was given two lead rubber aprons: a skirt and a top, and honestly they are so much heavier than they look!

Once that was all sorted, I was shown how to use the C-Arm and what radiographers working in orthopaedic theatres have to do. I watched some fluoroscopy procedures and I began to watch a bone graft from hip to ankle, but unfortunately, I fainted. 

No, I wasn't grossed out, I didn't feel sick, and I was sufficiently hydrated and fed... I was just too hot. This was the result of having to wear two lead rubber aprons, the lack of a cooling system and the claustrophobic like feelings induced from wearing all this as well as a surgical mask. So I had somehow managed to completely overheat and fainted. I was even considerate enough to go into a corner of the room first, so as to be out of the way! As I hadn't hit my head,  I only needed to be taken to recovery to my 'stats' checked. My BP was fine, but my temperature was shockingly high until I had a drink and cooled down. In the end I retrieved my surgical clogs and made my way back to general x-ray to have lunch. I was pretty eager to go back, but just to be safe, my tutor decided it'd be better if I worked on mobiles for a while.

I watched one mobile case, a patient that had just come out of surgery and was a little too groggy from anaesthesia, and then I was shown how to take a lateral chest x-ray. My clinical day ended with me watching a ureteroscopy over in Urology. And this time, I didn't faint!

Overall, I really enjoyed my time on this placement. Everyone was really willing and ready to tell you everything about anything, and I saw a lot more than I expected to see on my first day.

I can't wait for next Thursday now!

LLAP

References

1. Eleventh Doctor 'Who Da Man!', n.d. gif, viewed 31 October 2013,<http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee517/bubblemaddie/random/tumblr_lq97tjzqCA1qbj6cco1_500.gif>.

The End of the Beginning!

I have broken one of my own "rules" and instigated a photo being taken... of myself!

Stardate: 91429.8

I'm now onto Week 5 of my course, and on Thursday (yes, Halloween) I will be off out on my first day of clinical placement (it's only for one day, but the big 3 week placement is looming closer!) Am I nervous? Maybe... okay, yes. (Mainly because as I've said before, us newbies pretty much know absolutely nothing!

Yes, we've had some basic clinical skills drilled in, such as Moving & Handling, Basic Life Support, and Basic Positioning and Patient Care Techniques, but I am wondering which of my fellow students have actually managed to retain all this well enough to not blank on the first day!

Our comfortable start of semester lectures are starting to get more complex (but not difficult, just more interesting... apparently we cannae change the laws of physics), everyone's starting to tire out faster, books are starting to be loaned from the libraries (not that I hadn't started that as soon as I got to Leeds, mind) and we're all (I'm sure) getting nervous for our first real placement. 

For my first "introductory" day on placement, I'll be working on Mobiles and Theatre. Fitting for All Hallows' Eve, one believes. Here's hoping it isn't too... horrifying! 

(Dammit Jim, I'm a student radiographer, not a comedian!)

Professional Practice Assessment and Markers!

So, how on earth am I supposed to customise these?!

Stardate: 91380.69

Today in our Professional Practice (Clinical Skills) class, we were informed on how the module was going to be assessed. Personally, it sounded incredibly overwhelming, but once I get into the swing of clinical I'm sure I'll get the hang of the assessment process.

Basically, the way we'll be assessed for our clinical practice is like so:

• Clinical Placement Assessment
  - weekly monitoring forms
  - observed assessment of practice
  - unassisted examinations with a final unassisted examination in 5 areas: upper limb, lower limb, chest, spine and abdomen/pelvis
• and Portfolio Assessment
  - record of clinical experience
  - evidence of clinical practice
  - ALPS forms
  - 1 case study- training certificates

On paper it looks simple (well, it doesn't when you go through the whole handbook), but it gets confusing quickly!

After this had been explained as simply as possible, we then went through the first rite of passage as student radiographers: receiving our radiographic markers!

Ours look a lot like the picture above, and we've been told that in order to not lose them, we need to personalise them somehow. Looking at mine, I have no idea how this will be achieved... maybe I'll draw a Starfleet symbol on them.... or maybe engrave my name in Circular Gallifreyan. Who knows? As long as people know they're my markers, it'll be fine. I'll just make mine as geeky as is possible. 

It's amazing how two thin strips of metal can make one person so proud of themselves... and so ready to start practising some x-ray examinations! 

LLAP guys!

The Madness With Modules

Sometimes you just can't get this across enough!

Stardate: 91366.72

Our first proper week is over, and yes, I'm tired. But, it's been fun! Despite having to do a module that nobody particularly wants to do, the heavy rain, and my now aching body, I'm looking forward to the rest of the year! All the lecturers are really nice and seem enthusiastic about what they teach, which always helps!

The modules we're studying this semester are:

• Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Radiographic Pattern Recognition
• Learning Together, Working Together
• Professional Practice 1
• and Medical Imaging Science

They're all interesting and fun, but the only one not many of us are fond of is the 'Learning Together, Working Together'. It's basically an inter-professional learning module, but so far we've just learnt about working in teams... which is pretty much common sense, but hey ho.

Being the eager student I am (especially as I enjoy anatomy and physiology), I've already started to memorise the bones of the hand and wrist, which actually comprise the first workbook we have to complete for December (our lecturer hasn't even set the work yet, but I'd like to get it out of the way before placement and before the deadline arrives!)

Medical Imaging is general physics tailored to fit Radiography. So far we've gone over matter, electromagnetic radiation, and exposure factors. It's not as difficult as everybody says it will be at all! But then again, I enjoy physics, formulae and maths, so maybe I'm not the best person to ask (this coming from someone who never used to like them!)

Finally, we've been taught clinical skills to prepare ourselves a bit more before we go onto placements! We've learnt how to take blood pressure and pulse, had our uniforms inspected (comfortable and easily-cleanable shoes are a must!), gone over how to wash our hands correctly (I know it sounds ridiculous, but you'd be surprised at how dirty your hands really are... and for someone with OCPD-tendencies it's terrifying!)

I've also joined the Taekwon-do club, which has contributed to me feeling considerably knackered too, but well worth it!

Fresher's Fatigue

Stardate: 91336.68

So, it's only two days into Fresher's Week, and I'm already getting tired! Although you hear plenty about it, Fresher's Week really does knacker you out (and for me that's even without riotous nights out!) Your first day is always without doubt just an information overload! But luckily, everyone's just as lost as one other, and still trying to get to know their classmates. Not only that, but if you walk past the Parkinson Building countless people offer you handfuls of vouchers and flyers, some by hand (or in a bag if it's from Dominoes.)

You get welcomed by the staff who'll be teaching you, meet your mentors and have a general look around campus. Our first day went smoothly as a whole... well, after we had a bit of a palaver over a double-booked room. 

Today, however, was our clinical placement visit day. Each group of radiography students went to their respective sites, and learnt more about the place they would be studying. 

We arrived at the first site to meet one of our lecturer practitioners, and have our ID cards issued. Pinning them on suddenly made everything seem a little bit more real, (I know I certainly started to feel a little more professional wearing mine), even though we all know not one of us have a clue what we're doing!

Our mentors gave us tours around both the main teaching sites. Both sites were large buildings and although imposing at first, I'm pretty sure I'll get used to them eventually! The one thing that will need to be learnt quickly is finding my way to the secondary accommodation and back, as well as the bus routes! Nobody wants to get lost on their first few days of placement!

Welcome packs for the sites were also handed out, which told us what we'd be doing on our first two clinical days (spread over a two week period). My week one's clinical day will be spent in Mobiles & Theatre, and week two will be in General X-ray. I seriously can't wait! It'll be so exciting!

Aside from the walking and piling-up information, the day was fun and a nice day out for us all. I may not remember everything I was told, but I definitely can't wait to get out on placement, and really start getting my teeth into being a student radiographer! Hopefully I catch up with the rest of Fresher's Week... it's a little sad when you've barely done anything, and you have to nap at home later on!

LLAP and Geronimo!

Placements Panic!

Okay, so I had a little bit of a freak-out when I found out where my placement was. I soon got over it...

Stardate: 91300.62

Okay! So, us student radiographers at Leeds have finally found out which hospitals we're going to be working in for the next 3 years. There are currently four trusts that the University of Leeds place students at:

• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust
• York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust

My first reaction was to become upset and start panicking, big time (and I mean, Big Time). Mine is away from Leeds, which means I'll be needing to stay in secondary accommodation. So I'll be living out of a suitcase for half the year, while paying for a rented house, that half the time I won't even be living in!

But despite all the original downsides I saw, I realised it was still a placement, the course is still what I want to do, so I'd have to deal with it.

I looked into everything, and it turns out living in secondary accommodation isn't so expensive (especially as you can claim the travel and accommodation costs back). The two recommended places were about £64-75, and didn't look too daunting. Another upside, is that all of the students on placement will be from your course, and you're all in the same boat, so it'll be easier to make friends and bond (I suppose I can pretend I enjoy leaving my room on occasion!)

After speaking to the university about my concerns, I was paired up with a student mentor who had been in a similar situation to me last year, so it's calmed me down realising I'm not the only one who struggles! I suppose that's the biggest thing to remember, you're not alone, nearly ever NHS student has placement problems at some point!

During our induction week, we'll also be visiting our clinical placements, to receive our ID cards, and to look around, so hopefully I'll warm to my site by the end of the day!

LLAP and enjoy a complimentary jelly baby :)

SoR Membership

"I've got a free membership? Look at how shiny and free it is! Sign me up!"

Stardate: 91281.4

It's getting closer and closer until I start my first year as a student radiographer, and lots of information and forms have been flying about (as was mentioned in my last post). The latest has been an e-mail on behalf of the Society of Radiographers from UCAS, offering all first year students a complimentary membership. Which I plan to take full advantage of!

Now, I've already written a post concerning the Society of Radiographers, but I think it was a little vague, (so this is a little update, really) so what can students can get from it? The membership for first years starts from October 1st 2013 and finishes next year on September 30th 2014. After the first year, membership costs only £4 a month (which is actually rather cheap!)

The SoR membership benefits: 

• latest radiography news 
• a £5 million professional indemnity insurance
• professional magazines and journals
• full access to the Society's website
• an electronic portfolio to record continuing educational activities
• access to documents which will help with those impending assignments (watch out, they're coming!)
• information regarding conferences and seminars, including the annual student conference
• access to the student radiographer magazine StudentTalk
• officer visits to your university
• the SoR's Benevolent Fund - financial support for times of hardship
• Student of the Year award
• and finally, assignment publication

The membership application for first year students link was sent out yesterday, so if you haven't applied for it already, do so!

LLAP and Geronimo!

Loans and Forms and Mail, Oh My!

"Are you sure I've sent all the correct forms? Even the DBS one? What about the placement form?"

Stardate: 91276.61

One thing I've learnt since I began to receive correspondence from all the universities I applied to is: keep on top of everything they send you (e-mails included)!

You would think I would have learnt the first time around that every letter is important until you're actually at university! I've managed to lose my DBS reference number, so that resulted in a long telephone conversation chasing up my certificate's status; I managed to put the wrong postcode on my placement form, but not my student mentor form and so the problems persist! 

Considering I'm one of those people who consistently checks everyday to see if I'm the recipient of any form of post whatsoever, (nothing compares to that feeling when you get mail!) losing track of it is ridiculously easy.

So, to solve that problem, I invested in a mini-folder just to keep track of all my correspondence, and anything else to do with university: letters from Leeds, student finance, Occupational Health, the welcome packs; everything!

I'm being serious, the amount of times you lose that one important letter you need is amazing. And you always seem to find it after you need it! 

In terms of replying, try to complete and send back any forms the university sends you as soon as you can. Especially things like placement forms, as they're usually first-come-first-served based. DBS and Occupational Health forms are also important to get out of the way, as they can hinder your application and registration with the university if they're late! Honestly, you don't want to leave everything until the last minute, it takes longer to rectify!

Oh also, make a note of important dates down in diaries and post-its, just to make sure you don't forget about them. You never know, if you lose the letter, there's a note somewhere else to jog your memory! 

At least this way it's all in once place, right? It's also great to keep insurance documents with these letters. Actually, just keep everything to do with university together (clearly not your class notes... unless you don't like being over-organised... like me).

Two weeks to go until my Induction week!

LLAP and Allons-y!

Welcome Packs Abound

My face when I saw how much some of the textbooks on Leeds reading list cost!

Stardate: 91270.91

So, both the welcome packs have arrived from the University of Leeds and the time for moving into my new house is rolling around swiftly (September 17th, with Induction Week starting September 23rd)! We received information regarding the placement hospitals we could be working in, Fresher's Week, student ID numbers, an annual block timetable telling us when we'd be on placement, holiday weeks etc., a rough timetable for Semester 1 and 2, and finally... reading lists! And boy has that reading list got some expensive books on it! To name but a few:

• Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Research
• Essential Physics for Radiographers
• Medical Imaging: Techniques, Reflection & Evaluation
• Digital and Radiographic Imaging: A Practical Approach
• Human Anatomy and Physiology

I'm tempted to invest in some of the textbooks, but as I already own Clark's Pocket Handbook for Radiographers (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Clarks-Pocket-Handbook-Radiographers-Charles/dp/0340939931; reviewed with 5 stars by students) and around 5 anatomy and physiology textbooks, I may only purchase the 'Essential Physics' and one other, as from experience and advice, we can get these books from the university library.

I'm beginning to get excited about starting. I'm stuck in that limbo some of us get trapped in when we know we're on our way to new places, but aren't quite at that point of departure yet. I can't wait to get back to learning (I know I sound sad, but never mind!) and it'll be great to finally be doing what I want!

I'm still unsure whether I'm going to get myself down to any of the Fresher's Week events. I'm not much of a party animal, as I'd much prefer sitting at home with a cup of coffee watching Star Trek, Doctor Who or House! Who knows, I may push myself out of my 'comfort zone' and experience 'student life'... but it's called a comfort zone for a reason! We'll see! Maybe I'll make some good friends who'll try to convince me otherwise... maybe.

The timetable isn't too bad either. Although it is a rough one - but looking at it, I'll have Wednesday and Friday afternoons off! Not bad, not bad. The only downside to being a student radiographer seems to be the shorter holiday periods. We get about 7 weeks of holiday a year. But I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the end!

Anyway, good luck to all you other student radiographers starting this September!

LLAP and Geronimo!

Good News Everyone!

Stardate: 91230.09

Good news, everyone! 

It's been a while, but here's the final update from all that UCAS application fiasco, results etc.. I got more than expected in my results! Which means, as of this September, I will become an official Student Radiographer at the University of Leeds!

Welcome packs are being sent out soon, and the Fresher's Madness will begin again. I'll get to pick where my placement will be, and the fun will begin, and I will finally be able to start putting useful and more interesting posts onto this blogs. As we all know, I will also be writing about student life, but from a student radiographer's view.

I've even been looking at which societies and clubs I'm interested in. So far, it's been narrowed down to: the Taekwon-do club, the Chess club, the Radiography Society (RadSoc), possibly the Physics society, the Sci-Fi and Fantasy society, and finally... the Archery club! I know I won't make it to all of them, but the first 3 are a must for little old me! 

Anyway, I'm looking forward to getting back into fully writing this blog, and I hope I write stuff that keeps my readers entertained!

LLAP guys!

The Society of Radiographers

The Society of Radiographers was founded in 1920.

Stardate: 90983.56

Okay, so I decided that it was about time I wrote a properly Radiography-related topic. So, I decided to research the Society of Radiographers. 

The SoR represents 90% of all the diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers in the UK. Their objectives are:

• to promote and develop the science and practice of radiography and radiotherapeutic technology for the public benefit
• to promote, study and research work in radiography and radiotherapeutic technology
• to further public education
• to protect the honour and interests of those engaged in the practice of radiography and radiotherapeutic technology 

The College of Radiographers (CoR) is a subsidiary of the SoR, that are directed towards education, research and other activities in support of the science and practice of radiography. It assesses the programmes of both pre-registration courses, post-registration training and ongoing professional registration. 

The SoR issues different publications including:

• Imaging and Therapy Practice - provides coverage of the latest professional education issues that affect the day-to-day lives of therapeutic and diagnostic radiographers. 
• Synergy News - a news digest of what is currently happening in the world of radiography and wider healthcare area. It covers a wide-range of issues such as: career progression, role development, pay, research and equality issues.
• Radiography - an international peer-reviewed journal of diagnostic radiography and radiation therapy.
• Imaging & Oncology - an annual publication that will coincide with the United Kingdom Radiology Congress.

The SoR also maintains grants and awards, including:

• Overseas Placement Award - established in 1988. Supports a number of radiography placements in developing countries.
• Fellowship of the College of Radiographers Award -  an honorary title, bestowed upon individuals who have made significant contribution to the radiographic profession.
• and many others coinciding with outstanding contributions to the radiography field.

Looking into it, joining the SoR when you become a Radiography student is quite beneficial, as they offer access to magazines and journals, a downloadable document library, attendance to conferences and events, a benevolent fund and certain awards.

I'm sure when you start a university course, the SoR will be mentioned, but it's always good to look at what's out there, in terms of having a little preparation before everything begins!

Coping with Work-load!

So this film was just amazing. It was one of the things that convinced me to finish my assignments!

Stardate: 90983.56

Good evening readers!

I know you're all hoping that today's post will entail something radiography related, but once again, I apologise, but I'm limited in what I can post at the moment, due to my time being pretty much split up into college, part-time work, Taekwon-do classes, exercise sessions and then college work. So I'm a little thin-on-the-ground when it comes to radiography topics, but I promise when I start university, I will back on track. I know my main interest for this blog should be what I originally started it for, but it's also an outlet for myself, too.

Anyway, as the post image suggests, I have found my coping mechanism has come in handy greatly at the moment. College has chosen to culminate all of our final assignment deadlines on the same week, so in order to cope, I've turned to my favourite thing... Star Trek. Of course, as some of you may know, the new film came out in May. I urge you all, watch it!

But really, this post is literally about finding your way to cope with work-load. As I've been informed by many university radiography course leaders, finding a way to relax after a long day, (especially when on placement) is incredibly important for those working in health-care. It can range from anything: reading, watching TV, sports, or even rock-climbing (if that's your thing!) As long as you gain satisfaction and a "get-away" feeling from it, it's good for your mental-coping!

This doesn't just apply to those in health-care, it applies to everyone who has a sufficient amount of work and tasks they do through the week. Without relaxation, stress builds, and with stress, comes a less effective immune system. 

So in summary, don't feel guilty when you take time out for yourself! It's good for you! (It's also a brilliant excuse for a little procrastination from time to time!)

University Choices Confirmed

You can never plan too meticulously, as I've found out...

Stardate: 90944.89

Well, to begin with, today happens to be May 4th.... so May the Fourth be with you, guys! 

Anyway, I decided to not update anything until I'd finally made my final decision about universities. As some of you already know, my heart was always set on going to the University of Leeds, for varying reasons, but all the universities I applied to would have made me just as happy, as I would be studying a course I wanted to! 

It took me a good while to choose out of the other 3 offers I'd received as to which would be my insurance choice. I had a really good range of choice, but after hours/days of deliberating and really thinking hard, I chose to insurance the University of Salford.

So now all I have to do is pass the Access Course..... with 45 credits at Distinction... not setting myself any difficult targets or anything, right? But seriously, if I hadn't set myself such a high aim, I would never have ended up doing the Access course in the first place, and I'd still have been stuck in a rut studying Japanese and Health Studies. Don't get me wrong, the courses are fine... for those who want to continue a career with Japanese... Which wasn't me.

I like learning languages, it's a great hobby of mine, and I gain great pleasure from using them, but... my heart is most definitely focused on the sciences. 

But back on topic...

In about 4 months I'll be starting university. And I'll be a student radiographer. And I'll be able to write about student life properly. And how I cope with life as a student health professional! I'm still also planning to study abroad with these courses, so I'll be able to talk about what it's like to study radiography in other countries! I got that excited about everything recently I spent 2 hours researching PhD programmes... talk about getting carried away...

Interview Anxiety

"I'll just pretend I'm not here". This is how I'm currently feeling...

Stardate: 90756.77

So, the final realisation that I have my admissions interview at  the University of Derby tomorrow morning has arrived. And I'm incredibly nervous. But, I always do get nervous before interviews.

People have been giving my pointers all week, like:

• Keep calm
• Don't be overbearing (I couldn't even if I tried!)
• Try to ask questions
• Be confident

These are all well and good (I mean, I myself have been saying this advice on my blog and to others going for interviews), but now my interviews are coming closer, I've turned on my heel and hidden!

Well... hopefully my interview will go well. I even have a nice new suit... They always say dress to impress...

The First X-Ray

It's amazing to see how far imaging technology has come since 1895.

Stardate: 90710.75

Despite my best efforts of trawling the news and the SoR website, I couldn't find anything of radiographic importance that I wanted to share with my readers today.

So I thought I would present you with the first-ever produced X-Ray print. As you may know, the first x-ray performed was by Wilhelm Röntgen in 1895, and was an image of his wife, Anna Bertha's hand. The image shows the finger bones and the ring she was wearing.

I find it fascinating to see how far x-rays have come, and their development over the years, to provide the best internal scans as possible.

I'm sorry today's post wasn't very interesting or inspiring, but tonight my brain is fried. Enjoy the image!

LLAP!

That Feeling...

Even Mr. Spock had his moments. I did exactly the same thing to my computer when I finished my assignment. Tears of joy and relief, of course.

Stardate: 90707.97

Captain's Log, Stardate 90707.97: the assignment from the Psychology department I received three weeks ago is almost complete. Progress with Biochemistry is going exceedingly well, with all-around enjoyment and mutual understanding. Reports have shown that my bridge officers are having difficulty in initiating an assignment from the Health Studies department, though Engineering have tried to enforce a reboot of the main power systems to get back on track. I hope our efforts do not become a waste of useful resources and time...

Yes, my assignments are being to pile up, but for once I'm grateful for the workload! You know your course is paying off when you begin to help someone else with an assignment you just handed in. Not only are my assignments piling up (and getting interesting), but my university interviews are looming closer, and some preparation is indeed in order. My "well-timed" excursion to Japan in March means I'll be taking a Biochemistry and a Psychology test earlier than the rest of my course, but thankfully, I feel completely prepared for both (Biochemistry is luckily one of my strengths).

In regards to Health News, as of late, (aside from the inquiry at Staffs Hospital), I was nosing about the usual websites and newspapers that I trawl, and I was reading a really interesting article about how the benefits of CT scans outweigh the cancer risk. Harvard Medical School carried out some research and analysed imaging records of 22,000 patients in the age group 18-35 who underwent CT scans in 2003-2007. They basically found that over an average follow-up of 5.5 years, 11% collectively had died, which is higher than the originally predicted 0.1%.

I won't spoil the whole article, but you can read it here:
http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/ct/content/article/113619/2126709

 This post is getting slightly long, and I've assignments and revision to be getting on with. Hope you enjoy the article (if you read it!), and I'll try to find something interesting to write about tomorrow (and in more detail).

LLAP!

Interview Preparation!

Due to being a Trekkie, I will express my relief using Captain Jean-Luc Picard!

Hello all! 

The Nerd has returned to her blogging status, the only thing I won't be blogging now, is informative posts or my WOTD (until my dictionary is back to its former glory). Only because, I've ran out of things to write about, and as I've systematically only cited photographs and images used, I'd rather not put my foot in it, especially not before even getting into a university.

My excitement is due to being offered interviews at 4 out of the 5 UCAS choices I made to study Diagnostic Radiography. Win! So, being the over-eager person I am, I ran straight to my college's Careers office, and booked an interview preparation session.

It was in fact actually very helpful, giving me hints on how to keep a cool head during one-on-one and group interviews. The main one of course, is trying to relax. Looking professional, of course, is a no-brainer. You wouldn't want to turn up looking no less than perfect, would you?

Anyway, the main things I took away from my advisory session were:

• appropriate eye contact - especially in the one-on-one interviews, as sometimes, there may be two interviewers. One will be asking questions, the other taking notes. Despite one being more vocal than the other, don't forget the note-taker! It shows that you are including them in the discussion. It also shows your communication skills.
• remember your personal statement - it's no use writing it, if you don't know what you've written; you never know what you'll be asked! Not only this, but research the course and subject, as it is highly likely you will be asked questions about what drew you to them etc.
• never use the words 'no', 'but' or 'wrong' - although it's difficult to not use these words, apparently these are a big no-no! Especially the word 'wrong', as it is quite direct. Re-word your phrase, to avoid these.
• NVC (non verbal communication) - body language speaks loudly. If you have your arms folded, you'll look very closed and defensive. But if you're too relaxed, it sets a wrong impression. Sit up straight, but not like you've been electrocuted. Don't fidget too much, nerves aren't always your friend!

I could go on, but generally, most interview advice is common sense and goes without saying. Just remember to smile and keep calm. And when it comes to group discussions, make sure you give others the chance to talk, but don't become too quiet or too overbearing. Both are quite undesirable, and shows poor communication and teamwork.

Good luck to those with interviews in the near future! Here's hoping my own advice stays in my head for my own interview dates!

LLAP.