Read this interview with Julia Stanovnik to find out about her experience studying Biomedical Science with a Placement Year at Kent.<\/p>\n
WHY KENT?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019d heard that Kent had a good reputation in biomedical science and my own research confirmed that. I came for an Open Day, I didn\u2019t know what to expect but I really liked the campus, it\u2019s the perfect size, not too overwhelming, there\u2019s a lot of nature around, and plenty to do. Canterbury is an interesting city too, with so much history.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n WHY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE? <\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Biomedical science is great for people who love science, but don\u2019t want to dedicate themselves to a specific area. You study biology, chemistry, a little bit of everything so it opens up lots of possibilities for future careers. It was a good choice; I\u2019m glad I chose it.<\/p>\n I\u2019m in my final year now and decided to take a module on neuroscience. I\u2019d always thought neuroscience would be difficult and confusing, so I was a bit scared to study it. Now though, it\u2019s one of my favourite things; I\u2019m interested in neuroscience research, specifically examining the correlation between the brain and the gut microbiome.<\/p>\n I did a placement year and was a bit worried that when I returned to uni I wouldn\u2019t know anyone, but it\u2019s been fine. As long as you go to your lectures, you\u2019ll meet people! I\u2019ve also met people through my final-year research project. We\u2019re all working on the same project, but we\u2019re researching different areas. We\u2019re a team though, helping each other out; it\u2019s awesome.<\/p>\n There are also lab technicians who help and the PhD students working in the labs are also great; actually I wouldn\u2019t be able to get everything done without them!\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n LECTURERS<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018All the lecturers have been amazing! I can see how much work they put into their lectures. And, if you have any questions, you can just talk to them afterwards or arrange a meeting with them to talk further. Or if you want to ask them about your grades, how you can improve them, they\u2019re always happy to explain. They are very supportive.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SOCIETIES<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019d advise anyone coming to uni to join a society or societies. Societies are a good way to form friendships and connect with other people. You won\u2019t regret it!<\/p>\n I\u2019m the Social Sec of the BioSoc Society, which is for all bioscience students. I organise different events where we all get together; we went to the Science Museum in London, which gave us a chance to hear about the latest research on stem embryos. We also organised a science ball, which was fun and exciting. So a good combination of academic and more relaxed socials.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018I like skiing and snowboarding so I decided to join the Kent Snow Society. In January I went on a ski trip with the society to Val Thorens in France. It was great fun, I\u2019d definitely recommend it!<\/p>\n And then just for fun, sometimes I go to the Debating Society as well.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PLACEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018When I applied to uni, I didn\u2019t plan to do a placement but in my second year I decided that a placement would give me a chance to see what it\u2019s like to work as a biomedical scientist. I also thought it\u2019d be a cool experience. Our department sends out emails that list placement opportunities, so I applied and was successful.<\/p>\n My placement, which was paid, was in Brighton at the Royal Sussex County Hospital NHS Trust. I moved to Brighton for the year and shared a flat with two other girls who ended up becoming really good friends.<\/p>\n I worked in a lab in the pathology department. We took samples including skin biopsies, tissue samples, pieces of organs, processed them and put them on slides to be examined for types of cancer and other diseases.<\/p>\n It was really interesting, working with other biomedical scientists and being part of a wider team that included consultants and nurses. I discovered how much work goes into analysing a sample and arriving at a diagnosis, it\u2019s really not that simple! It was a very rewarding experience, I not only learnt a lot, I also felt I was helping others \u2013 patients and my team mates.<\/p>\n During my placement, I was also able to build an Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) registration portfolio, which will allow me to be HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) registered after I graduate. It\u2019s a great bonus and I feel very lucky to have been able to do it. I hope to return to the hospital after graduation to see what it would be like to work there longer term and to continue with my professional portfolio.<\/p>\n The benefit of your placement continues when you return to uni. So much of what we learn is connected to pathology, so when lecturers are explaining pathology or haematology, even immunology, all of these things feel more familiar to me. I also feel more confident in the lab, which is definitely helping me as I work on my final-year research project.<\/p>\n I\u2019d definitely recommend doing a placement if you can. It\u2019s a good chance to explore a role and see if you like it, you\u2019ll also gain knowledge and experience and get some new connections.\u2019<\/p>\n <\/p>\n SUPPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve had support from my department with placements, and if I feel stressed I just email the support team. There\u2019s a lot of help available at the University, you just need to reach out.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n AFTER GRADUATION<\/strong><\/p>\n Where do you see yourself in three or four years\u2019 time?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018I\u2019ve been thinking about that. I really enjoy working in the lab, but I also like travelling and exploring, so perhaps working for a large pharmaceutical company and making my way up could be interesting.<\/p>\n I\u2019m applying to some postgraduate schemes, where you work within a pharmaceutical company for two years, rotating in different areas of the company. I\u2019d be able to get a feel for each area and may even be able to work in different countries, which would be beautiful. So, if I don\u2019t go back to the lab, that would be an option.\u2019<\/p>\n ADVICE<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2018Go to your lectures! You won\u2019t just learn things, that\u2019s where you\u2019ll meet people too.<\/p>\n Work hard, enjoy your time as a student and make time to do things with your friends, that\u2019s what makes your uni experience special.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Quickfire questions :<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n What\u2019s your favourite spot in Canterbury?<\/strong><\/p>\n The central part just in front of the cathedral. I\u2019ll just have a coffee in one of the cafes and enjoy looking at the cathedral.<\/p>\n What do you most like about the community at Kent?<\/strong><\/p>\n It’s very diverse and everyone helps each other out. It\u2019s a good community.<\/p>\n What\u2019s your favourite memory?<\/strong><\/p>\n I have loads! But I guess meeting people in first year is probably my favourite. We\u2019d do things together around campus; we did a scavenger hunt once which was great fun.<\/p>\n Do you have a favourite place on campus?<\/strong><\/p>\n I like the hill in front of the library; you can see the whole of Canterbury including the Cathedral, it\u2019s a lovely view.<\/p>\n Did you live in university accommodation? What was the best thing about that?<\/strong><\/p>\n I lived in Turing. I made lots of friends and despite the fact that my first year was during COVID, we still managed to have a good time!<\/p>\n Can you describe Kent in three words?<\/strong><\/p>\n Diverse. Exciting. Supportive environment.<\/p>\n