Virginia De Groot never made a bucket list, but one thing she does want to do is teach others about living their life to the fullest.

The 63-year-old grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in August last year.

After a battle with renal cancer she was told she had inoperable secondary cancer which had spread to her lungs.

"I know I have to face the end of life, [it is] stuff that we have to do, we'll all do it one day," she said.

"We're all going to go there one day, but mine's more confronting because it could be six months.

"Some days are negatives, every now and again, but most days are diamonds and every day's are a bonus."

Ms De Groot is part of a Tasmania-first program partnering high school students with palliative care patients through Calvary Hospital Hobart and Palliative Care Tasmania.

"It's just so surreal, because you just don't think it's going to happen to you," she said.

"You hear about it all the time with other people, but you just don't think it will happen to you."

Palliative care patient Virginia De Groot has terminal cancer and is in palliative care. ( ABC News: Pablo Vinales )

Since her diagnosis Ms De Groot has learned quality of life is more important than dwelling on the unknown.

"People have asked me about bucket lists, I don't have one because I've lived a great life," she said.

"I've got grandchildren, I'm happy."

Sixteen students from Guilford Young and St Mary's colleges are taking part in the six-week program, one of the first in the country.

Nadia Dandolo is a student from St Mary's College and said Ms De Groot's candour had been both confronting and moving.

"I guess [I was] shocked a little bit, but also had empathy because it's kind of hard to imagine as well to be in that position," she said.

For Nadia, the experience has made her more determined to achieve her goal of becoming a nurse.

"Listening to her story gives me a bit of a better understanding and idea of how we can help people feel more comfortable," she said.

Removing the stigma around death

Student Nadia Dandolo says listening to Ms De Groot's story has helped her understand the needs of people receiving palliative care. ( ABC News: Pablo Vinales )

For many, death and dying is not an easy subject to raise.

Mission Calvary Hobart director Belinda Clarke said the program was about removing the stigma around dying.

"If we can deal with death then we can in fact have a more full life," she said.

"I call it fully human, fully alive and Virginia actually embraced that."

Ms Clarke said the opportunity for students to meet and experience Virginia's fortitude is inspiring.

"Amongst all the negativity she's facing and the challenges that she's facing, to see her actually talk positively about her experience was very, very moving," she said.

The project has been funded by Palliative Care Tasmania and Calvary Hobart and also aims to inspire students into a nursing career.