Pulse Online

“In these strange times, we have all had to find new ways of teaching and learning, and finding methods that work for you will be enormously useful when it comes to starting your new course with us at Swansea University. Remember, everyone’s mind works differently - there’s no right or wrong way to study” _{- Professor Phil Newton}

Abnormal working hours and reduced Vitamin D, from natural sunlight, can impact cognitive function

Setting aside periods of time to work on specific activities will help you to make sure tasks are completed on time - and in a good amount of time too. Scheduling regular breaks is essential, as is spending time outdoors, whatever the weather.

Big Elephants Carry Apples Up Stairs Easily... ‘Why?’ we hear you ask Because that’s how you spell BECAUSE

You can easily remember key concepts, sequences and anything else you need to learn by creating your own relatable story. Try a rhyme or mnemonic - the more familiar it is, the better you’ll remember.

(but don't actually cheat!)

Just imagine having all the information you need at your finger tips!

Creating a ‘cheat sheet’ will mean you have to sift through all your notes to find the key information you think you’re going to need. Deciding what is ‘key’ really helps you to recognise what you need to learn, and rewriting it helps you to remember it.

“Practising Yoga at any stage of life and enjoying the benefits of your practice with friends and family can greatly improve your health and wellbeing.” Stephen Buss, Osteopathy Lecturer and Hatha Yoga Instructor

Sitting cross legged or in a chair lengthen the spine and open the front of the trunk, once centred take time to observe your natural breathing pattern, it’s harder than it sounds! When comfortable, count to 4 for the in breath and 4 for the outbreath.

Sit on the floor and take one knee to the chest. Imagine a thread attached to the crown of the head pulling you upwards. Rotate the the spine, keeping the shoulders and face in line and twist on the outbreath. Hold for 5 breaths and repeat to the other side.

Lay on your shins with your arms outstretched. Follow your own natural breathing cycle and allow gravity to do the work. Once comfortable, let your body settle down and be still for a few minutes.

Nursing Student

“I hope to inspire people, to show that no matter what grade or role they are anyone can make a difference. Even the smallest of things can make the biggest difference to our patients. Sometimes it takes a little thought to make things better.”

Rea was named the Royal College of Nursing's 2020 Best Nursing Support Worker for her focus on her patients.

Osteopathy Student on placement at the Health and Wellbeing Academy

“Working in the osteopathy clinic during the height of the pandemic has been inspiring. There have been many challenges for both students and staff in adapting our practice to ensure we can continue giving the best quality care to our patients. It has given me great pride in knowing that patients have had the confidence to continue attending treatment with us as student osteopaths in such uncertain circumstances, placing their safety into our hands (literally).

This pandemic has illustrated the ability of osteopaths to move towards serving as allied healthcare professionals in Wales. I am incredibly grateful to have been a very small part of the much wider national effort to continue delivering patient care to those who have needed it during these times and hope to continue doing so long after this pandemic ends.”

PhD Student

“Postgraduate research is an exciting and challenging voyage of discovery into the unknown. Being well prepared for the endeavour is key to making a success of it. Fortunately, during my undergraduate studies at Swansea university, I not only gained the necessary lab experience and academic knowledge but also the essential network of contacts and support, vital to securing a postgraduate research position.”

“I don’t think there was an opportunity I said no to! I played sports and was captain of the lifesaving team as well as treasurer of the Pole team and sports exec.

I was Student President of the on-campus volunteering charity Discovery and held numerous roles in societies. I’ve also acted as a course and college rep during my MSc.”

MSc Physician Associate Studies Graduate in General Practice

“Completing a 2 year Master’s in Physician Associate Studies during a global pandemic strangely enough hadn’t featured in my future career planning when I initially started studying at Swansea University! From completing clinical placements in hospital wards under extreme pressures at the height of the first wave, sitting exams in COVID safe environments and learning to work in new ways when starting my career in Primary Care, the last 12 months have been a challenging situation.

“I’ve learned that flexibility is key, that the learning curve is very steep and that the changes in our working environments affect all of us, new and experienced staff alike. I’ve also found that traditional examinations and history taking need to be constantly adapted. Perhaps most importantly, the situation has highlighted the need for each of us to be aware of our own mental health, to talk and reflect regularly with friends, family and colleagues.”

Final Year Nursing Student

“If COVID-19 has taught me anything it is that resilience is a fundamental part of our role as student nurses. Nobody envisaged that we would be involved in a global pandemic. I’m not going to hide from the fact that I did feel a little anxious about what the placement would hold but I really wanted to turn the situation into a positive and use it as an opportunity to learn and develop.”