My Experience at Chester University So Far

I chose to study Zoology as I have an interest in animals, and the practical fieldwork that was presented in the module overviews looked inviting. After being lost about what I wanted to do for my future career, university has aided me in realising that a route in the conservation of big cats is what I truly want to pursue.

Expectation vs Reality

My initial expectations of university were that I would have more freedom, both time management and schedule-wise, to complete coursework or exams for modules; however, I worried there wouldn't be much support. The reality of university met my expectations in time management and schedules, and it also quenched my past expectation that there would be minimal aid when completing assignments. Lecturers were more helpful in answering emails/questions than I initially preconceived; therefore, the reality of my university experience so far has met my expectations.

Challenging Parts of University

However, the most challenging part of studying at university is the will to concentrate on one subject for a long length of time. I, personally, found this hard to do as I have a short concentration span and do not do well when having to concentrate on one set task. I overcame this by managing my schedule accordingly; for instance, for me it works to do one hour of work, take a 15-minute break, then continue for another hour and repeat this cycle for a few hours. I found this method aided me in being able to successfully finish all my university tasks/assignments on time.

What Do I Enjoy in My Zoology Course?

While I have been studying Zoology, the course modules cover a wide range of things, from lab work to the biology of different species, conservation, fieldwork techniques that can be applied in future jobs and much more! The Zoology course at Chester lets you experience and learn about a multitude of different species, techniques and science in relation to animal biology. All these aspects are valuable for future employment, not only because of the skills you learn, but also the connections you can make through the University (for example, Chester Zoo).

Future Career

My future career is aimed towards conservation with big cats, mainly tigers. I required valuable knowledge on conservation and wildlife crimes through a module I chose for my second year. The module enabled me to understand conservation on a deeper level and widened my knowledge on the subject – this knowledge is valuable for my future career. For instance, I learnt a multitude of different ways to identify whether a wildlife crime is happening via the use of evidence and field techniques, e.g. fur tufts, blood trails, tracking devices, etc.

Advice for Future Students: From Me

My advice to future students is that university is hard, but so worth it! You gain so many new skills, experiences, and do things that most people wouldn't get the chance to do – for instance, going on field trips abroad. Make sure you plan your studying time well and don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Having a break during studying is better than burning yourself out – know your limits! It is different for every student.

Want to Find Out More?

Visit our webpages to find out more about our BSc in Zoology at Chester.