Understand that it doesn't all have to be patient-facing, you will learn other important skills,

Introduce yourself to your educator and outline your experience alongside any concerns,

Ask what preparation could be useful before you start,

Prepare for the placement - check transport, locations and timetables,

Bring a notebook to use - you can record any questions,

Be open, ask questions and get involved,

Use free time to reflect where possible,

Practice clinical reasoning,

Make sure you’re clear and agreed on your learning objectives,

Grasp opportunities to work with other members of a patient’s care team - so you can develop a holistic picture of their care,

Swap experiences with other students on placement,

Don’t expect every placement to be highly structured and always follow a set plan. The real world is messy and challenging and your placement could well be too.