There are many benefits to being within the first cohort of a new course as I have been on the Paramedic MSci at Keele University. However, there are also drawbacks to being among the first to study a new subject in a university that is already replete with well-established subject areas and students. It takes time for a new degree path to establish itself within the folds of the university, and for a new group of students to truly feel a part of the university.
One method for students to overcome this is to become a part of a student society. Other academic disciplines have societies, as do hobbies, interests and sports. The benefits of joining a society or club alongside university study have been well documented. You can widen your circle of friends and have the chance to network with others from differing disciplines. It provides a break from the rigours of studying and revising. It gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, develop your time management and, most of all, make memories that will last many years.
At various stages during the first year of the Paramedic Science course, some of my fellow students expressed an interest in there being a paramedic society that would allow us to get together outside of lectures, meet others and develop new friendships. Having had history with the university, I put myself forward to find out what was needed. I emailed an old friend at the Students Union and was sent a raft of information on what to do next. Armed with this knowledge, I set in motion the creation of the new Keele Paramedic Society in summer of 2022.
I then put out a request to the cohort asking if anyone would like to put themselves forward for a position on the Committee. Over the course of a few weeks, we established a core Committee of a President, Secretary and Treasurer. At the outset of our second year, our Committee attended Students Union Training and soon after, the Keele Paramedic Society was born. Over the course of its first year, Keele Paramedic Society has created a hardworking Committee, which has now grown in size with added positions. We have designed, sourced, and sold Paramedic Society hoodies. We have organised a presentation and Q&A, which was given by newly qualified paramedics, that enlightened us as to our future career and what life was really like ‘on the road’. We also organised social events that brought us closer together as a Society. However, what I think we were all most proud of, was the first ever Paramedic Society Ball held in the historic surroundings of Keele Hall.
This year, we want to increase our membership, organise more presentations from experts throughout the world of prehospital emergency care, and hold skills sessions and larger simulations. We will plan trips, social events and, of course, another Society Ball.
The creation and development of the Society has not always been easy, nor is fitting in its work alongside classes, placement, home life and work—but creating something that can be expanded and enjoyed by future generations of paramedic students has been certainly worth it.