A February update from Lindsay

What a month it’s been…all of Semester One’s assignments have been submitted (hurrah!) and results are now trickling in. It feels like a milestone for all of us. Most of all for my full-time classmates I’m sure, who are now a whole third of the way through the course. For me, the only part-time student on the course, it has been a little more relaxed, with only three assignments to tackle in January and just two lectures a week to look forward to this term. I’ve also had time to gain some experience of transcribing interviews, which has been an interesting insight into the process of qualitative research (as well as a true test of my attention to detail!).

Last week we kicked off Semester Two with our first lesson in Biomechanics, which was delivered by guest lecturer Ashley McGill. After blowing the cobwebs off our knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, we had a go at some movement analysis and left with heads rattling with new terminology. Charlotte, Ellie and I then began our optional module on Talent Identification and Development, whilst Jess started her optional module on Professional Skills for Health Care Providers. With our very different backgrounds and post-course ambitions, it’s great that we can shape the course to suit our interests in this way.

Some of us have already been giving some thought to what we might specialise in after the course. Ideas about physiotherapy, injury rehabilitation and dance psychology are all floating around so far but there’s plenty of work to get through before those choices need to be made. Speaking of which, Jess has been doing a spot of planning based on our upcoming assessments. I’m getting tired just thinking about it…

The part-time pathway of this course has really allowed me to balance my time between studying and other commitments, which is especially helpful now that I’m working as a freelancer. And whilst my full-time classmates are knee-deep in their dissertations this summer, I will be grateful for extra time to read and formulate research ideas.

That said, I’m sure time will fly – it will be my turn soon enough!