Time Flies 

So this is the end, in a month’s time I shall be on a plane flying back home to Spain waving goodbye to my life in Milan. It’s common knowledge that as we get older we feel time flies by. So one moment we are sitting outside in the sun with no care in the world, the next we find ourselves inside whilst it pours it down, cramming in information for our final exams.

A year in the grand scope of things is really not a long time, but that doesn’t mean a lot can’t be done within it. Managing your time is something many of us are not so good with and we easily let it slip away without realizing how precious each moment is. But enough of this philosophical soppiness, I’m going to share 4 lessons I have learnt whilst being on my placement this last year.

 

Lessons I’ve learnt

1. Go with the flow: sometimes in life things don’t go as you planned but there’s no point dwelling on it for too long, you’ve got to adapt and go with the flow
2. Take the time to do your research on people you will meet: this one is a bit specific and sounds a bit creepy…but it’s also relevant for all subjects. It’s better to do some reading and gain some knowledge on the professors or highly regarding people you will meet on your job. You can research on LinkedIn for example. Try to get to know who you are working with, it will make you seem more approachable and you’ll gain a better understanding of the work you will undertake whilst on your placement
3. Analysis is not a one day job: as mentioned throughout my blogs I was never a top student for statistics and data analysis but have found myself conducting a lot of it for 70% of my time here. By doing so I’ve realized it is a lengthy process which can’t be rushed and takes time and patience
4. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: no one likes being wrong, and it’s one of the hardest things to admit, but it can help you grow as a person and in my case it’s helped me grow in the field of psychology. Try your best and if you get things wrong, do it again and ask for help. No one will get angry at you for trying your best

 

Advice for future placement students

So, following my small list of lessons I’ve learn on this placement year, I thought I would finalize this blog with some last words of wisdom for anyone reading out there who is not sure whether to go on placement, has got one and is nervous or simply wants to know what to expect when they go.

Everyone is different, so I can’t say that your placement will be the same as mine, or you will experience the same things and feel the same way, because that would be wrong. However, no matter where you go or what you do, I would tackle it with confidence and an open mind. Don’t be afraid to get things wrong, try your best, ask questions, explore your surroundings and don’t be upset when things don’t go your way.

It’s a year for you to grow as a student and a person, you’ll meet new people, maybe in a new country if you go abroad and you’ll gain a sense of independence. Make sure to remind yourself why you are there. At the end of the day you are there to learn, to work/study and expand your knowledge in your subject.

Personally I cannot wait to get back to Surrey to finish my degree and apply what I have learnt on placement to my last year on my course. I am very grateful and happy I decided to take a year abroad and don’t regret a thing!