Are you going to university?

Have you considered what you'd like to do at uni yet?

I'm in my last year of secondary school, so next September I'll be off to university. It was only this year that I made a decision about what I would like to study, so whether you're in year 12 or year 10 (or equivalent) remember that it's okay to change your mind.

When I was in year 12, I always thought that I would end up studying English and/or History for my degree. I never even considered anything else. That all changed when my Dad pointed out to me that it was possible to do other things at university, things that might be better suited to my interests, like horses.

It hadn't really occured to me that you could do anything horse related at university, besides joining a horse riding society etc. Once I started looking at equine degrees, I realised that it was actually what I would love to do. In fact, I now even have a career in mind.

So what equine degrees are out there? Well, I've applied to do equine science courses, because I would like to help retrain and rehabiliate horses, and the science courses tend to have behavioral and therapy modules.  I would like to mention here that I don't study any sciences for my A Levels. Yep, that's right. I've applied for an equine science degree with my highest science qualification being at GCSE. How? Because the colleges I've applied for don't need it.

There are some that will need a science, but it's really important to just check these things without assuming. I nearly assumed a science was necessary, but actually I just need to show that I have the potential to study at degree level, and be prepared to put in the effort learn the science skills.

Of course, there are other equine degrees. One of my back up options is all about training and management, but there are others that are about behaviour, equine performance and coaching, and equine therapy. There are probably even more out there that I don't know about. Some include riding, some don't (although there is an opportunity to ride at most places).

If you are interested in studying horses for your degree, don't be put off by them being based at colleges. It's actually a blessing because seminar sizes are smaller, you get to know the lecturers, and usually the campus is really pretty because the college will offer agricultural and horticultural courses too (and there are some really adorable animals if the college does small/farm animal courses).

I'm really excited to go to university now that I know that I'll love what I'll be doing. I have an interview in a couple of weeks for my first choice college/uni, and the rest I have received offers from - so hopefully before the year is out I'll be able to make my choices and start applying for the more stressful things like the student loan.

If you take anything away from this post, then I really hope it's that there are so many courses out there that you don't need to do anything conventional. If you're living in the UK and would like to take a look at some equine courses, then I'd recommend Hadlow college, Writtle College, Myerscough College and Hartpury College. These colleges should give you a taste of the variety there is to choose from.

Until next time!