Well, I'm back and I'm honestly not sure how I feel or how it went. The good news is that despite being told over and over again how tough it can all be and how unsocial the hours are etc etc etc, I am even more sure now that this is what I'm supposed to be doing with my life. Which is nice.
The bad news is that I have come away feeling somewhat depressed at the apparent arbitrariness of the whole selection process. It's going to sound like sour grapes but I don't care! I have no idea how I did in the interview - if they can see beneath the layers of nervous blethering then I think I managed to get the right stuff across but...I didn't say half of the stuff I wanted to and feel as if I didn't really answer some of the questions properly.
But the thing that has really pissed me off is this. We were given an English language test and a maths test, and then a short essay to write on why we wanted to enter midwifery. After our interviews we were told (confidentially) the results of the tests. I scored 100% in both the English and Maths tests - and the tutor then told me 'Well, I shouldn't really say this but your essay stood head and shoulders above the rest, too.' Fantastic, huh? Well, no, not really. The tests apparently have NO bearing whatsoever on the selection process and we only did them so they could assess our literacy/numeracy competency. Because, of course, it's impossible to get an idea of that from the lists of GCSEs, A Levels and degrees on my application form, isn't it? FFS.
I don't know. Sorry this is such a looong rant but, as my first post said, I have suddenly realised how much this means to me - and I just don't think it's going to happen. Thanks so much for all your messages though - means a lot.