July 3, 2025, by Jackie Thompson

Jitters and the joy: How to mentally and physically prepare for your clinical placement 

By Havanah Virtue-James, dietetic student

Image by Ann Tarazevich from Pixels. 

Starting placement can feel daunting and exciting at the same time; it certainly is the case for me, and I know I am not alone. I am a third-year student dietitian preparing for my first in-person clinic placement. I am nervous, but mainly excited to step into the real world of dietetic practice.

Not letting nerves lead to stress

It’s completely normal to feel nervous before starting any placement, especially when you don’t know what to fully expect. As long as it doesn’t cause you stress.

I find it helpful to transform my anxiety into excitement by reminding myself that the nerves mean I care and will do my best to achieve my goals and succeed. I find simple breathing exercises and journaling useful, and knowing placement support is always there for me to take advantage of.

Setting realistic expectations and personal goals for placement

At first, I put too much pressure on myself to be perfect from day one, but my tutors and supervisor reminded me that placement is a space for learning, and you are not expected to know everything at the start. I am setting small, achievable goals to prepare myself for the first week:

• Getting to know the team and my supervisors – sending a greeting email to the supervisors.
• Making key tools and resources easily accessible – creating folders and print-outs. I also use the platform Notion.
• Prioritising mental and physical well-being – contacting my support team and incorporating self-care daily.

Finding the right tools and guidance: My placement prep 

I was enthusiastic to take action that would help me feel mostly ready to start, and that was by having key useful tools and guidance tailored to my learning and wellbeing.

• I searched the web and read others’ placement journeys and shared tips
• I downloaded helpful tools,
• I asked my educational placement supervisor for a list of common medical conditions, drugs, etc in the placement area
• I created to-do lists
• I wrote my learning objectives (for example, to understand and interpret clinical data of blood and urine test results) to share with my mentor

Final thoughts: Trusting yourself, feeling ready to take on anything 

Your wellbeing is important in helping you feel ready for placement. It is crucial to find ways to calm nerves, recognise stress triggers, and seek help when you need it.

Avoid setting high expectations of yourself to be a perfect student who doesn’t make mistakes, because that is a fantasy we create for ourselves. The reality is we will not know everything, mistakes happen, and we learn from them.

Knowing your learning objectives, setting realistic expectations and going into placement with an open mindset will help you to be more confident and ready for anything.

Try the Career Wellbeing NOOC (Nottingham Open Online Course) as a Nottingham Advantage Award module. You can also  log in to MyCareer to explore available placement opportunities and book an appointment with a career adviser to explore your options.

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