It’s never too late: my midwifery journey
- By:
- Tahira
- Published
Tahira shares her journey as an adult learner on the path to becoming a midwife. She tells us how she balances family life, academic challenges, and clinical training whilst following her dreams.
Hi, I'm Tahira.
As an Adult Learner and mother of five grown-up children, my journey into midwifery has been shaped by years of personal and professional experience. Before coming to Bradford, I was a volunteer chaplain in maternity services, where I supported women and families through bereavement, safeguarding concerns, and life-changing diagnoses. These emotionally demanding experiences solidified my desire to train as a midwife and provided a strong foundation for my studies.
Academics and timetables
The BSc (Hons) Midwifery course is structured around block teaching weeks, clinical placements, and designated annual leave. This format helped increase focus for my academic studies, practical experiences, and essential rest periods. If you manage your time effectively and stay punctual, you can even enjoy a longer summer break.
Our annual leave entitlement encourages us to focus on self-care and wellbeing. These two things are crucial when balancing your education and home life.
Placements are thoughtfully arranged across antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care, providing a comprehensive clinical experience. While we can request preferred locations, final allocations depend on capacity. Despite this, I’ve found placements to be rewarding and invaluable in developing practical midwifery skills.
The University of Bradford also assigns a dedicated placement team who check in regularly and ensure our well-being. Attendance is closely monitored, not only because it's crucial for learning but also for maintaining funding eligibility.
Financial and pastoral support
The NHS bursary, received termly throughout training, offers essential financial relief, particularly for those of us with families. As a parent of children under 16, the additional £2,000 support has been especially helpful. This financial stability has allowed me to focus more fully on my training.
Time to come back
Returning to study in my late 40s was initially daunting.
I questioned whether I was “too old” to begin a new career. However, I quickly learned that being a mature student is a strength. Life experience, emotional maturity, and strong motivation have all contributed positively to my learning and to the care I provide.
When I made the decision to study at Bradford, I reduced my hours in my school safeguarding role and stepped back from my voluntary chaplaincy work to attend university full-time. Although the course is full-time, during block weeks we benefit from two days a week dedicated to directed study, which provides valuable flexibility. If you are caring and compassionate, age becomes irrelevant.
Support systems and study tips
Balancing study and family life is a challenge, but it’s manageable with structure and support. I’ve relied heavily on resources like the Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), Academic Assessor, and the University’s academic skills services. These have played a key role in helping me navigate assignments, feedback, and exams.
My advice to fellow students is to always read the assignment brief and marking rubric carefully. Make use of PAT support for draft reviews, keep track of deadlines, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Resubmission support is available, and constructive feedback is a key part of growth. The University of Bradford also provides essential reading lists to guide us and access to a well-equipped library. Regular reading is crucial to deepening our understanding and enhancing academic performance.
Wellbeing and professional preparation
Long shifts are physically and mentally demanding, so investing in comfortable footwear, staying hydrated, and maintaining a healthy diet are essential. Protecting your mental health by taking full advantage of annual leave and spending time with loved ones is equally important. For me, this time was a much-needed reset and source of motivation.
The University of Bradford also offers high-quality clinical skills sessions, which closely mirror real-life situations in placement, helping students feel well-prepared and confident. Collaborating with peers in group work not only improves academic outcomes but also builds valuable social and communication skills, which are essential in multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Final thoughts
Training as a midwife as a mature student has been both challenging and profoundly rewarding. With the support of passionate lecturers, structured academic guidance, hands-on clinical skills training, and strong peer collaboration, the University of Bradford has equipped me to grow both personally and professionally. Now, as I approach my final year, I feel proud of how far I have come in turning a lifelong passion into a meaningful career. If you’re considering this path, know that it’s never too late, and you will never walk it alone.
Real work. Real responsibility.
Learn whilst you're on the frontline and spend your time on placements with real patients.
Imagine your future studying BSc (Hons) Midwifery.