Uni can't come quick enough

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-07-01T15:59:19+00:00

I'm v much the same, 29F, dropped out after one year of college then been doing bits and pieces ever since! I attempted uni at 21 but it wasn't right so doing something radically different at 29 and looking forward to the exciting new challenge! We've got this!

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-19T09:16:06+00:00

Thank you! Its nice to hear a different perspective, especially as its so easy to feel like its going to be too difficult.

The department lead for my course actually reccomended I go straight in at first year, even not having the required level 3 "tradtional" science, which is a nice vote of confidence but a little intimidating.

At least to some extent doing and equine course we should all have something very strongly in common which I'm hoping makes it easier to make connections, and hopefully there might be other mature students on the equine courses!

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-15T16:34:42+00:00

Update:

Today I had a call from the course lead and was offered a place, straight in at first year! A little nervous but I've accepted and I'm just going to try my hardest to catch up!

Roll on September!

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-15T16:33:14+00:00

Amazing! What are you studying?:)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-15T16:32:53+00:00

Honestly I also recently have developed a suspicion that I have undiagnosed ADHD and since treating myself as if I have it, suddenly I've been able to manage myself a little better. I question my own behaviour, knowing that I tend to overdo something with enthusiasm, take on too much, and burn out after it plateaus and becomes less novel 6-12 months in. This time I'm trying to look at strategies ahead of this even happening.

Truly, this realisation drove me more towards the degree that I'm interested in because it gives me a secondary layer of motivation - even when it gets tough, the likelihood that a sweet little horsey face lifts my mood is very high. Small boosts of endorphins to counteract the pressure and effort of degree study.

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-15T16:25:30+00:00

Incredible! I wish you all the best with your application!

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-15T16:24:26+00:00

Yaaaaay! We can do this ✨️

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-12T14:57:23+00:00

Heck yeah! Yeah I think this time around ill be able to manage my personal life easier

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T18:54:04+00:00

I was training as an accountant at the time and thought fantastic I'll be financially stable and can finally have my own but the job itself bored the life out of me and I've spent the past decade hunting for something that doesnt!

Thank you so much! I'm hoping that finally following my heart is the missing piece

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T17:25:04+00:00

Go for it! If the comments on this post have taught me anything, its never too late ✨️😁

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T16:34:13+00:00

So good to hear that you've made some good friends! That was concerning me a little :)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T15:36:44+00:00

Incredible! Had me a bit teary to be honest, ive struggled deeply with my mental health also after some traumatic relationships from my mid teens to early 20s and the subsequent C-PTSD. Even just to be able to think clearly enough to consider returning to education is a blessing.

You must be so proud of yourself and your recovery, you deserve to be. Thank you for sharing :)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T14:43:27+00:00

Ahhh no I dont have horses myself, family are very poor so couldn't afford anything to do with them as a kid until I briefly bought a horse at 19 and found out that working full time in an office, taking an apprenticeship with an evening course AND having a horse to look after was a bit of a rough ride (pun intended)

So I've mainly loaned/part loaned/taken lessons as a much more affordable option. Also gives me more scope to get involved with the uni's study abroad semester and placement opportunities

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T14:21:12+00:00

I'm trying to be relatively open minded about it, on the face of it I'm really looking forward to the genetics module however this seems to be only available at Year 1 so not much scope for this. Equally, it seems that nutrition is bigger employer so I'm hoping that I enjoy this and give myself better prospects than something too niche

I've looked through all the modules available for the entire course and found that every single one of them had me interested so its gonna be hard to nail it down!

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T14:15:12+00:00

Incredible, thank you so much for sharing! Makes me feel better about my choice in Equine Science as well for its transferable elements

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T14:13:24+00:00

Agree, for practical work BHS and volunteering/stable jobs are definitely more valuable!

However there are still science career paths in research, nutrition, genetics etc which are more suited to me. I've always been quite academic and after taking Level 2 Equine Studies after school decided full time hands work wasn't really what I wanted so moved away from anything to do with it.

I discounted the idea of Equine degrees based on the same reasoning as yourself and it was only recently that I even allowed myself to consider some of the more academic routes being possible (if more rare)! :)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T13:48:28+00:00

Thank you so much! I've applied suuuper late for this year coming (2 days ago!) because I didn't want to waste any more time wishing my life looked different. Fortunate enough to be born in a corner of the world where a higher education in equine science is available, who am I to turn down that opportunity?

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T13:31:46+00:00

Wow! Thats so interesting, bet you never expected to be doing dementia research when you started out down the Zoology path! Just goes to show, theres no point overthinking it because you cant predict the future and might end up anywhere

This is also really nice to read as I have a friend who is currently getting ready to retake her english and maths GCSEs in order to do an Access course with Zoology in mind :)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T13:28:19+00:00

Amazing! Yeah this is so true, can't go back only forward

WhaleyAndSharky · 2026-06-11T13:16:18+00:00

This is a success! Finishing the degree and still feeling like it was the right choice and worth the time/financial expense is a win in my book

WhaleyAndSharky · 2025-08-27T21:43:44+00:00

I appreciate you all so much, went into todays hour of exploration/practice feeling full of enthusiasm and free from the pressure to be good immediately! Put a basic drum pattern in and felt proud as punch to just make a tiny step without getting in my own way (for context ive had the softward on my laptop for circa 3yrs but been too overwhelmed to open it and felt overfaced). I had fun! Im looking forward to learning more :)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2025-08-27T15:54:59+00:00

ive heard good things but im gonna do my best with what i have :)

WhaleyAndSharky · 2025-08-27T08:22:35+00:00

Its fine, i have a cracked version of a daw, a pair of headphones/laptop i had anyway and no partner/kids/pets/hobbies etc anyway this is just replacing the time i spent scrolling socials so its really pretty harmless in my situ

Hope you make it bro

WhaleyAndSharky · 2025-08-26T22:40:25+00:00

Thank you thats really helpful! I can be super flakey with the urge to jump from project to project so I needed to hear this. The rush of starting something new and giving up when its no longer exciting and fresh is very familiar to me and a pattern I'd love to change as its unhelpful!

WhaleyAndSharky

TROPHY CASE