Last month, standing at the NMBI stand at the National Ploughing Championships, I experienced a truly full-circle moment. Talking to people of all ages and demonstrating basic life-support skills, I was struck by how far I had come. Two years ago, I walked these same fields as a Temple Carrig student, unsure what course I would get or where I would end up. This time, I returned in my white tunic as a second-year midwifery student, representing a profession I genuinely love — sharing knowledge, inspiring curiosity and witnessing the impact that compassionate care can have. 

My journey toward midwifery began at a young age, dressing up as a nurse and caring for my dolls with all the seriousness in the world. At Temple Carrig, while studying Agricultural Science, my teacher, Mr O’Connor taught me the importance of care - for animals, crops, and classmates. The subject itself excited me but what I loved most was how it encouraged observation, patience and responsibility.  

Agricultural Science was the first subject I truly excelled in, helping me build confidence and trust the process of growth, both in learning and in life. Mr O’Connor believed in every student, encouraged us to ask questions and took us to the Ploughing Championships each year. Those trips were never just about science; they were about curiosity, care and imagining possibilities. These qualities continue to shape the kind of midwife I aspire to be. 

In 6th year, when it came time to fill out my CAO, it felt like the most important decision of my life. I had always been drawn to midwifery. Teachers, friends and family all said it suited me, but I hesitated. Chronic migraines had been part of my life and I worried they might prevent me from giving women and families the full attention they deserve. I didn’t know how I would cope in a busy hospital environment with bright lights and constant noise, and that uncertainty was daunting. Thankfully, I had incredible support from Ms Lynch, my guidance counsellor, who reminded me that fear does not mean you are incapable, often it means you care deeply about doing your best. Her confidence in me, along with the support from university disability services, clinical placement coordinators, lecturers and preceptors, gave me reassurance and allowed me to focus on learning and growing. I was fortunate to earn my place as a direct entry midwifery student and I have never looked back. 

Caring for others has always felt natural. From tending to my dolls, to making my nana a cup of tea, to looking after the plants and animals in Agricultural Science, I have always loved seeing the difference small acts of care can make. Midwifery brings all of that together. The compassion, the curiosity and the science, allows me to be part of those quiet, powerful moments when new life begins. Looking back, every small experience, from childhood caregiving to school projects, quietly prepared me for this calling. 

Now, as a 2nd year student reflecting on this journey, I can say with absolute certainty that there is nowhere I would rather be. Midwifery is more than a course; it is a community. Peers, lecturers and preceptors all share the same goal: to care deeply and do their best. Being part of that team has strengthened my confidence and shaped who I am as a midwife. 

That sense of belonging was especially strong at the National Ploughing Championships this year, representing NMBI as a Student Midwife Ambassador. Standing there, guiding people through life-support demonstrations and discussing the profession, I couldn’t help but think back to my school days when Mr O’Connor first brought us to the very same event for Agricultural Science. Back then, I wandered wide-eyed, dreaming about the person I might become. This time, I stood there as that person, still learning, still growing but one step closer to my dream. Full-circle moments like that remind me why I chose midwifery: to care, to connect and to be part of something bigger than myself. 

Midwifery is about more than individual care. It is about supporting families, empowering parents and being present for life’s most transformative moments. Knowing I can make a difference, even in small ways, motivates me every day to be the best midwife I can be. If I could offer one piece of advice to future midwives, it would be this: if midwifery feels like your calling, trust it, every challenge is worth the privilege of caring for others at life’s most meaningful moments.