STP Support – STP Perspectives

When a bubble bath won’t cut it

Hi team! I’m Dawn, (sort of) 3^rd year Audiology STP – I’ll explain that later. I wanted to share my experiences particularly in regard to seeking support for the course with chronic mental and physical health issues, and neurodevelopmental diagnoses. While you might be directed to various support organisations and services, it’s not always clear what each can support you with!

STP Support | Loneliness & the STP

This week (9-15th May) is Mental Health Awareness Week and this year’s focus is on loneliness. According to recent figures from the Mental Health Foundation, ‘One in four adults feel lonely some or all of the time’.

Unfortunately this is something that has become a much bigger issue over the past couple of years due to Covid, and we have likely all experienced loneliness to some extent during the pandemic.

STP Support | Not in the mood for competencies?

This post is the opinion and experience of the author

It was around 10 years ago now that I joined the STP in medical physics. It was a very interesting time: for me as it was my first full-time job and in a field I’d wanted to work in since I’d heard about it; and also for the healthcare science community. The STP was brand new; this was the first year it had run in most specialisms.

STP Support | The Emotional Rollercoaster of the STP – A Survival Guide

Elation. That was the prevailing emotion that overwhelmed me on 22^nd May 2018 at 09:23. The email read: “We are pleased to offer you the following programme: Scientist Training Programme, Cardiac Science”.

STP Support | So, you want to talk about mental health on the STP?

Trigger warning // depression, suicide, suicidal thoughts

This post is the opinion and experience of the author

Truthfully, I never thought I’d get onto the Scientist Training Programme.

I believed it was for people who had PhDs, Masters, or loads of experience in the specialism. It was the stuff of legend, where only the most knowledgeable and pioneering young scientists of our generation would be granted a place. The competition ratios were terrifyingly high. The Student Room threads were filled with individuals applying for the third, fourth, fifth time.