A Big Year Ahead
September sees the start of what will probably be the biggest year of my life to date. It hardly seems five minutes ago that I was opening my GCSE results, yet I have already reached the end of Lower Sixth.
Opening those results was a particularly significant moment for me, having achieved ten Grade 9s across my GCSE subjects. It was a result that I was incredibly proud of and one that reflected all the hard work and time that I had put in.
However, starting Lower Sixth showed me that although GCSE success provided me with a solid framework on which to build with my A levels, the hard work was far from over.
Making the Most of Lower Sixth
Lower Sixth is an extremely busy year. It is a time when the demands of academics increase, not only in difficulty but also in sheer volume. Alongside this, it is also the point at which leadership responsibilities begin to take on greater importance, from being a House Captain to navigating the application process for Head Girl.
Throughout Lower Sixth, I have been able to build upon the study habits I established lower down the school. I have learnt how I revise most effectively and, perhaps more importantly, what works for me. These habits have now become an integral part of my daily routine, allowing me to balance the demands of my academic work with the many other commitments that have become such an important part of my school life.
A Lifelong Ambition
Throughout my time at Prior’s Field, there has been one thing motivating me, and that is my dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon. This has been my aim since I was very young, and I am proud to say that my once faraway dream is now within touching distance. Prior to the summer, I had already completed three weeks of work experience in veterinary practices, and my aim this summer was to build on this experience.
Fox Cubs, Tawny Owls and a Polar Bear
A week spent at the RSPCA was extremely rewarding, allowing me to see first-hand the incredible work they do, as well as giving me the opportunity to play with some kittens! Wildlife Aid opened my eyes to the many different kinds of animals that require support and care. Trying to clean an aviary full of 11 tawny owls is not something I am going to forget in a hurry! I can now confidently say that I am an expert pigeon catcher and hedgehog handler, although I think my favourite was the foxes. Many of the cubs had had very tough starts to life, but seeing the improvement they made in just the week I was there was incredibly inspiring. It reminded me why I have wanted to pursue this career for so long and reinforced my determination to work towards becoming a veterinary surgeon.
I also spent a week at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which combined gaining work experience with my Gold Duke of Edinburgh residential, marking the final stage of my DofE journey, as I am proud to say I have now finished my Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. The time at the wildlife park was another amazing experience, getting to spend time with the zoo vet as well as learning all about conservation and what it takes to run a zoo. The highlight for me, though, was getting to feed a rhino and a polar bear.
Life as a Veterinary Student
Despite all of these incredible opportunities, the most challenging experience of the summer was undoubtedly the RVC Pre-Vet Summer School. I was lucky enough to be awarded a place on this 13-day programme following a very intense and competitive application process. The programme immersed us in the life of a veterinary student, attending lectures and taking part in clinical scenarios, as well as completing five placements across the RVC’s various facilities. Even amongst the busy programme, there was still time for a day in London, a trip to ZSL and a visit to see The Lion King on the West End.
Outside My Comfort Zone
Every one of these experiences was, in its own way, daunting. I never knew exactly what to expect. Walking into a house where I would be living for the next two weeks having not met a single person on the course before is not something I will forget in a hurry, but each time I put myself out there and stepped out of my comfort zone, it became slightly easier and I gained so much more out of the experience because of it. Looking back now, I find myself really missing my time at the RVC, which is something I did not expect when I first arrived.
The Next Steps
This summer has been a huge learning opportunity for me. I have been able to fully immerse myself in the veterinary profession, experiencing both its highs and lows, and it has only confirmed that this is the career I want to pursue.
So for now, it is back to the books for another year of hard work as well as preparing my university application and anxiously awaiting interviews, offers and ultimately the grades that I have been working towards for so long, taking the final steps towards doing what I have dreamed of for as long as I can remember.