Isla Kendrick
3rd-year student, Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
She was drawn to AUT’s hands-on, practical approach to teaching, says Isla Kendrick who is studying a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing).
“I decided to study at AUT after hearing positive feedback from older friends about the programme. I learn best through experiential learning, and AUT’s teaching style, along with the programme’s strong reputation, made it the right choice for me. I’ve particularly valued the opportunity to apply my theoretical knowledge in practice across numerous clinical placements. These experiences have broadened my understanding of nursing and exposed me to a variety of clinical settings, which has helped shape and inform my decisions about my future career path.”
Her dream to become a nurse was inspired by watching nurses care for her late father.
“Watching the nurses support my father firsthand showed me how much compassion and skill nurses bring to their work, and how significant a difference a good nurse can make to both patients and their families. Their care motivated me to pursue a nursing career, so that I can provide the same level of support and make a positive impact on others’ lives.”
An enjoyable experience
Isla is thoroughly enjoying her studies so far.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting and forming friendships with a diverse range of people throughout my studies so far. Being able to use facilities like the library and the numerous cafés has provided great spaces to study, connect and spend time with new friends, which has made my university experience both enjoyable and rewarding. I’m also proud to have been able to keep up with the academic workload while maintaining a high-grade average, achieving mostly A grades.”
She is also grateful for the support of a Keir Trust Study Award while she is working toward her goal.
“The scholarship has significantly reduced the financial pressure of studying at university. It has enabled me to focus more fully on my studies rather than needing to work long hours to support myself. As a result, I’ve been able to dedicate more time to learning, which has positively impacted both my academic performance and overall wellbeing.”
Advice for other students
Now in the third year of her studies, Isla has some great advice for other students.
“The advice I would give to other students is to stay on top of emails and deadlines. Even when assignments seem far away, they often take longer than expected, so starting early and planning ahead can make a big difference in managing workload and reducing stress.”
She wouldn’t hesitate to recommend AUT to others.
“I’d recommend studying at AUT because it provides a supportive learning environment with well-paced teaching. AUT offers an appropriate level of challenge while remaining realistic and achievable, which helped me feel both motivated and confident in my ability to succeed.”
