1. It doesn’t last forever so make the most of it
When I started in August I felt like 19 weeks in the clinic would last FOREVER and that I had all the time in the world. Before I knew it, December rolled around and it was time for me to leave the clinic and prepare for my return to the classroom. So make sure you cherish every moment you have on work experiences and take in as much information as you can because it ends pretty quickly!
2. Always have a notebook and pen on you at all time
The purpose of the clinical experience is to learn and increase you practical knowledge. Information will be thrown at you all day, everyday, so unless you have an incredible memory, you are going to need to write as much down as you can.
3.When clinical ends, go through those sloppy handwritten notes and organize them so you can use them as study tools later.
That is pretty self-explanatory.
4. Do some activities that you might not have time to do when you get back to classes and have to study ALL THE TIME.
Although there is lots of studying involved with being on clinical placement, the after-hours demand is much lower compared to a 7 course workload. So take some of that extra time to join a club, take a yoga class, do a few more hikes, watch a movie or anything else that you might not have time for when you go back to class the following semester.
5. Make friends
Your purpose in the clinical placement is to learn but you are going to be there for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 20 weeks. It will be more enjoyable and a little bit easier if you can develop some relationships with the other employees. Who knows, they may be your coworkers some day.
6. Try not to miss it too much when you head back to class
Unless you have an endless supply of money, you aren’t going to be a student forever and you will work for many, many years. For this reason, although Clinical is fun and exciting, it is very similar to what you will be doing later in life so you might as well enjoy being a student while it lasts.