stephpoole It all starts back in 2010-2013 when I was sitting my GCSE’s I had previously just completed 4 weeks work experience in a Local Veterinary and a Local Animal Rescue and Shelter. It was set in my mind. Veterinary work is the one for me. I loved my work experience getting to sit in with surgeries, hearing the stories and history behind each animal which was brought in by its owners, the differences in temperaments between the animals who saw the veterinary practise as a scary place and the ones who saw this as a new and exciting adventure each and every single visit.
However, when my GCSE results were published, they weren’t as high as I was expecting this was due to a few things. A change in grade boundaries meant that my borderline As and Bs turned into Bs and Cs. And my arch nemesis EXAMS. Something I have always and will probably always struggle with. Holding large amounts of theoretical information during a high-pressure environment, something most struggle with. However, the difference between my theoretical applications on paper and my practical application of theory are two very different things.
Following the slightly disappointing GCSE results, my first choice Sixth Forms wouldn’t allow me to attend and complete my selected A level courses, Geography, Biology and Maths. Biology was the main not however the two sixth form colleges were niche and didn’t have many other options which were applicable to any undergraduate Veterinary course entry requirements. So I returned to Thomas Gainsborough School. There I met with Mr Chiang, a senior staff member at Thomas Gainsborough School who had taught me science since arriving in year 9, I appealed to the school to let me into the sixth form college with my lower grades. They did! And I will forever thank Mr Chiang, as I would not be in the position I am now without their support.
I started my A Levels in 2013, studying Geography, Maths and Biology just as I had hoped, however despite my great achievements in GCSE Maths, the 4 week test, included a module which I had found difficult to get my head around, despite asking for assistance from the Maths department, and resitting the 4 week test, I ended up changing my A level choice to Law. This was a great change.
Unfortunately, Exams let me down again. Leading to me retaking my AS Level Year as I failed my Biology AS Level. However, I passed my geography and Law AS Levels. So, I retook My AS Level Year.
Fast-forward to the end of my Second AS Level year, and I find out I failed my Biology again. Dreams of Veterinary degrees, Zoology Degrees and anything which includes the biological field. So after sitting down with the career guidance staff members at Thomas Gainsborough School and my parents to discuss my options. University had always been the long-term plan.
So what did I do?
My parents and I called up universities who offer different animal related courses and asked them what I could show as an extra outside of my qualifications to be accepted. Enter Harper Adams University.
Before calling them, I was aware of the university but only to the point of a family friends’ son was currently studying a Bachelors in Agriculture. I was completely unaware of their Extended Foundation Degree, which is open to under 18s to gain access to higher education. The course. Countryside Studies. Advertised as a gateway into conservation careers. I called them at the beginning of September. I applied through clearing, got accepted, bought all my university supplies. And moved across the country. Ready to start in the third week of September. A 2 week turn around. I would love to talk about my experience of going through clearing, finding my style in supplies etc., however it’s a blur. I honestly don’t remember much of it.
