Retraining to be a SALT - not enjoying it!

[saltslt]

I've just started my second term of my SALT degree and I'm really not enjoying it as much as I had hoped! I dislike linguistics and phonetics, and I'm finding the lectures really dull.

I did so much research into the role and thought it would be a perfect for me, but I'm just finding it uninteresting. II'm wondering whether to stick it out in hopes it will get better or cut my losses and quit? I wouldn't know what else to do though

Have you done any placements yet? Hopefully they will bring the book learning to life

SLT is a clinical profession with person centred contact ( adults or paediatrics). It also has a number of subspecialities which one can specialise in once qualified.

It is very different to lectures, I would suggest waiting to see how you find the clinical placements as that will be more reflective of the profession and also if you find that aspect more interesting.

Also, in the UK they are needing SLT’s so job prospects are good.

What made you want to do the job in the first place? Uni is VERY different to actually being a speechie. Different clinical areas vary so widely it's like different careers. Did you have an area or specialism in mind that drew you into the training?

I'm so sorry you're not enjoying your training.
Like you, I've always imagined I'd absolutely love to retrain as a SaLT, so following with interest!
I hope you find a way through, or out of, what must be a frustrating let-down.

Absolutely this. I hated my OT training but LOVE the actual job.
Stick with it

Thank you! I think you've convinced me to at least stay for the first year as I'll get the chance to have my first placement and see what it's like in clinical practice.

Going into it, I thought I would enjoy the under 5s but I'm not sure now. All of my relevant experience before this has come from childcare and specifically under 5s so I thought that's where I would be happiest. But I find the speech theory quite boring I think I'm more drawn to the medical and swallowing side which I wasn't expecting. I like the idea of being part of an MDT in a hospital, so maybe I just need to be patient and see what that's like

The first year is pretty academic rather than clinical. And phonetics/linguistics is just something to get through at this stage. When it starts to be applied clinically it will make more sense. I was lucky - our first year phonetics lecturer was a bit bonkers and it made the classes interesting.

Warning - biomedical science can be full on as well.

Hello, following this with interest. I'm currently studying OT (second year of an accelerated course). Not enjoying it at all its very wishy washy theoretical and idealistic.
I've got so far along, its too late to change track now, but part of me wishes I'd pursued nursing via the associate / apprenticeship route.
I'm inclined to say get out before you get too far along, but I'm coming from a very biased perspective!

@Nowanextraone what did you not like about your course?

OT more family friendly than nursing. Stick with OT. Wish I had done OT training years ago!

OP keep going with your degree, don't give up. Think of the degree itself as a qualification so you can then do conversion courses afterwards if necessary to train in another AHP if that's what you want.