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Uni starts in September - Can you advise??

Discussion in 'Teaching and Learning' started by BestyPod, May 8, 2010.

  1. BestyPod

    BestyPod Active Member


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    Hi everyone,

    I'm due to start my Podiatry course this September at Northampton uni and I can't wait. I've wanted to do this since I was 14 (I'm 28 now), so I'm finally following my dream.
    Can anyone advise me of anything I can do prior to starting my course? just so it's not too much of a shock to my system.
    Also if anyone has any advise on good books to get as there appears to be so many to choose from.

    Any advise is hugely appreciated!

    :drinks
     
  2. Don´t drink too much in the first couple of weeks.;)

    But if you want to spend the time getting ahead of the game. Study your Anatomy, know the name, origions, insertions, actions of muscles, Bodyplanes and basic joint movments, name of bones etc

    Also I would suggest a speed reading course, best thing I did when 17 it helps with tips on reading faster with greater retention.

    Goodluck.
     
  3. cjpod

    cjpod Member

    The Anatomy coloring book by Wynn Kapit/Lawrence M Elson ISBN 0-06-455016-8
    This book is a brilliant introduction to the skeleton, muscles, circulatory system and much more without getting heavy and 'text booky'. I found it very useful for revision too. best of luck.
     
  4. N.Knight

    N.Knight Active Member

    Hi I graduated from Northampton June 09.

    My adivce is don't buy too mant books, a good anatomy text book, assessment of the lower limb, and in your 3rd year clinical sports medicine.

    The lecturing staff are really good and helpful, you get loads of clinical time.

    I would adivce reading around the subject area after the lecture. Enjoy the Dissection sessions.

    Finally don't panic if when you feel like you don't know every thing, it all falls into place. trust me.

    But learn the anatomy that is key.

    Any question just ask or pm me

    Thanks
     
  5. BestyPod

    BestyPod Active Member

    Thanks for all your advice everyone.

    N.Knight I am absolutely dreading the dissection sessions. I would hate to pass out having never seen a dead body before!!!! Could prove rather ammusing for onlookers though.
    Thanks for the advice on the books too.

    cjpod, that sounds like a good book, I'll have a looksy on Amazon.

    Thanks again and if anyone else can help I would love to hear from you.
     
  6. BestyPod

    BestyPod Active Member

    Thanks M Weber, My hangovers tend to last for a week these days so I don't think I'll be getting too drunk in my first few weeks. At least then I can feel better when everyone else around me is feeling fragile :)

    I really appreciate the feedback

    Thanks
     
  7. N.Knight

    N.Knight Active Member

    Dissection is the best way to learn your anatomy, it also teaches you that everyone is different, so just because your text book says an artery splits in a certian place, you will find that eveyone is different.

    The most important bit of adivce I think, is don't worry and don't panic, you will be ok, most of the lectures there put the lectures on NILE (Northamptons intranet) so print them off and take them to lectures.

    Say hi, from Nick Knight.

    Thanks,

    Nick
     
  8. Cathi

    Cathi Member

    Hi

    Good to hear that you are looking forward to it so much.

    I would suggest getting in touch with the admissions team as they often hold a reading list for the course or at least a couple of foundation texts recommended by the staff (we do here in Plymouth) - saves you buying books that they may not use then. Apart from that knowing your anatomy and getting familiar with the terminology and concepts will always be a bonus.

    Good luck with your studies!

    Cathi
     
  9. LucyPod

    LucyPod Active Member

    Def concentrate on anatomy as this will be your bread & butter for the next 3 years
     
  10. and for the rest of your professional life, so don´t learn for the exam and forget, Learn it and never forget.
     
  11. LucyPod

    LucyPod Active Member

    Agreed :)
     
  12. Zuse

    Zuse Active Member

    good luck with you studys!
    its nice to see that you are looking forward to starting so much! is obvously meens a lot to you and with that attitude im sure your going to do realy well! i wish we did Dissection sescions!
    also a nother tip is to start you essays early then get them in to your tutors then they can help you and give you advice so u can go away and fine tune it!
    Good luck!
    Zuse
     
  13. Ian Drakard

    Ian Drakard Active Member

    In some ways the first term is one of the hardest because you have a learning curve with everything including new surroundings- get through that and your on a good foundation. But to repeat the advice above, really focus on anatomy and dissection (even at the expense of drinking). I think they still teach anatomy a week ahead of dissection so to get the most out of it have a good look in between.

    I know you're dreading it now but the dissection is one of the most valuable opportunities you'll be given for years in your career. It's not really gory, but it was a few years before I could drink any peaty whisky with that tcp aroma ;)

    Say hi to everyone there.
     
  14. ajs604

    ajs604 Active Member

    Hey, I graduated from southampton uni - which one are you attending? If, I was you I wouldnt buy any text books as most of them can be hired out of the libairy for free. prehaps, just buy the basics such as a good anatomy text book, and Neale's disoders of the lower limb and Assessment of the lower limb. The latter two will be your bible for the 1st two years and teach you all the stuff about neurological, vascular, dermatological and biomechanical assessment.

    I found the anatomy section great and found the dissection sessions allowed me to learn much better than a text book. Repition is often the key. In preparation, I would just to as others say learn the basics i.e. bones in foot, muscles in foot and in the lower limb. If you want to be abit more prepared then you could start to learn about diabetic neuropathy and how it affects the lower limb. Your be fine - good luck and feel free to PM for any advice I only graduated 2 years ago and am now working in Oz loving it!
     
  15. Tkemp

    Tkemp Active Member

    I found wearing a polo neck and tucking a tissue with Vicks on it in neck helped combat the smell of formaldehyde. Though even now I struggle with well cooked beef!

    I agree with the others. A good anatomy book, the ilustrated one I had a whale of a time photocoying and colouring in - though where the colours actually helped is debateable!
    Neale's disorders was good for info, but I found that the references required in written work had to be from research articles. So you are best making sure you know how to research properly (once at Uni, dont worry too much beforehand).
    I bought Whittle- "gait analysis" but found it confusing. The lectures far surpassed it. We (Huddersfield) had Wendy Smith for biomech and I treasure her notes and memories of her style of teaching.

    In the 3nd year "50 foot challenges" - thomson & gibson was good for revising and putting knowledge into practise. However I borrowed it not bought it.

    I also found a physio book on physical examination of the extremeties useful (again borrowed and photocopied the necc pages) for the knee and hip. Not for foot.

    If you try overwhelm yourself with info you will struggle. I went back to uni aged 25yrs and found it took longer to remember and retain info then at 18yrs. So dont compare with other students. Keep your own pace going and from week 1 of the course set aside time to re-read notes and make revision notes (i love flash cards). If you leave till the end you will struggle. Also if you re-read often you will retain long term not just short term for fabulous grades, but then forget it in 6 months.

    I irritated my year by asking questions all the time. I decided write them down and go to the lecturers after for answers. Dont feel stupid because you want more info or because you dont seem to grasp what everyone else does. The lecturers are happy to help and appreciate that you are thinking... though it does help to try suss things first.

    Finally remember to enjoy it. As soon as you get stressed you lose the spark and it becomes a chore. Write on a piece of paper why you so happy to do the course, maybe put a pic of the place you wish to work when qualified, or pic of your kids up on wall. I put mine on corkboard behind the pc, so when I was struggling writing (not my strong point) I would read it then re-focus and get on with it-helped no end.

    I wish you all the best
     
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