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Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Updates: Colleges & Business Units | Commercial Outlets and Nurseries
Advice for: Students, Parents and Carers | College Applicants | Apprentices
Millie achieved Distinction** in her course, and recently joined The British Racing School to pursue her dream of becoming a Jockey.
Why did you choose to study at College?
I chose to study at college as a fall-back option in case my chosen career path in the racing industry did not go well or if I wanted a change in career paths, college heavily benefited me in both the equine and animal industry. 
I want to be a professional flat racing jockey which I am currently doing my training for, but my fall-back plan is to be a zookeeper.
What did you enjoy most about studying at College?
The thing I enjoyed the most about studying at college was learning about the different biological systems in different species because I found it interesting to learn how their bodies function compared to human systems, this allows us to recognise possible issues within their systems and understand how they work if there was to be an issue. I also enjoyed learning about animal ecology, learning about their different ecosystems, niches and habitats worldwide, this gave me a greater insight to wildlife over the world recognising different adaptations and to see how species have evolved to adapt to their environments.
The course offered many different lessons which covered all jobs in the animal industry which catered for those wanting to go into veterinary jobs, conservation, wildlife, or zookeeping. Even though they were different subjects, all lessons crossed over with each other giving us relevant information.
What is your favourite memory of College?
Our overnight trip in our first year of college, we went to Marwell zoo and Monkey world, where we were given a tour and was able to explore the zoo independently, this allowed us to make more memories with our friends while also being educated about the industry, this also gave us a greater insight for those wanting to work in zoos to see which section they specifically wanted to work in, for example, primates or carnivores. We also spoke to keepers and they explained to us what jobs would be completed on a normal day.
What are you hoping to do after College?
Straight after completing college I moved to Newmarket on the 14th of June to complete a 14-week course in racehorse care at The British Racing School, where I have begun my training to be a jockey, on this course I start work at 6am and finish at 5pm, after this, we have compulsory lectures, fitness and jobs in the evening. I have currently been here for over 9 weeks and in September I will begin my apprenticeship at a busy racing yard for 18 months where I will then be able to apply for my jockey licence and begin working hard to achieve my goal of being a professional flat racing jockey.
How has studying at College helped you to prepare for your future?
The College has helped me prepare for my future by giving me valuable experience and information I may need in the future, most of the lessons I have had at college I have been able to incorporate into my new course such as animal biology, and health and welfare.
Over the two year course, I was able to complete lots of work experience, I did my work experience at a few different placements including Wingham wildlife park where I worked on the primate and mammal section, where I was given the opportunity to health check red pandas and bottle feed a black crested mangabey who was rejected from its mother when born. That is an experience I will never forget. I was also able to get an insight to my closer future in the racing industry where I lived at a busy racing yard and gained experience in handling colts, yearlings and was able to take two horses to Chelmsford City races which was a fantastic opportunity and made me determined to work hard in my career.
College and staff have offered advice and guidance by supporting us with our career paths and pointing us in the right direction to benefit us in the future. We had regular one to one meetings with our tutors to discuss our futures and work in class to see our progress and to ask any questions or problems we had.
What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at College?
The advice I would give to those thinking about studying at college would be to not give up, and set a target grade of what you want to achieve and keep working towards that grade by putting 100% into each assignment given by your lecturers.
Elliot (pictured below, left) achieved Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in his course and a Distinction in Further Mathematics. He has been accepted to study Aerospace Engineering at Bristol University.
Grace achieved Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in her course. She discovered the good news whilst celebrating her birthday. Grace has been accepted to study Engineering Design, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Greenwich.
Having successfully passed her course, Lauren has been accepted to study Early Childhood Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University.
Why did you choose to study at College?
Broadstairs college offered a course that suited my interests and I felt like I would get more out of my college experience than in a sixth form because it was focused on one particular subject. The tutors in the Early Years department immediately made me feel welcome and made the course enjoyable to study.
What did you enjoy most about studying at College?
I really enjoyed going out to placement into nursery settings as part of my studies. This gave me the opportunity to experience what it was like to work in the industry in the real world. Over the two years of the course, I was able to go into two different settings which allowed me to see how every nursery is different and gave me the opportunity to work alongside a variety of practitioners.
What is your favourite memory of College?
My favourite memory of college is of when we spent the day experiencing what it would be like to have different disabilities. We played a variety of games and tried to carry out everyday tasks whilst having a disability, e.g. one of us had glasses on which gave you a sight impairment. Whilst this was very educational and gave us all a better understanding of the challenges that people face, it was also a fun day and bought us closer together as a class.
What are you hoping to do after College?
After college, I am hoping to go to university to study for the Early Childhood Studies degree at Canterbury Christ Church University which will hopefully aid me in furthering my career in the Early Years industry. I am hoping that this course will open up more opportunities.
How has studying at College helped you to prepare for your future?
The college has helped me to prepare for my future by providing me with opportunities to grow in confidence, to build on my skills and guided me to choose the right path for me and my career. My tutors gave me full support throughout my course and continued to offer their help when I was applying for my university place.
What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at College?
The advice I would give anyone thinking about studying at college is to go for it because you never know what opportunities it will bring you. Choosing to go to college was the best decision I’ve made.
Jacob achieved a Merit in his course. He is planning a gap year trip around Australia or Europe to develop his creative skills, experience new things, and use his talent in photography to document his journey before applying to university next year.
Amber achieved a Merit in her course, and is planning to study Technical Theatre at St Mary's University in London.
Zachary achieved a Distinction in his course and has been accepted to study Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University.
Why did you choose to study at College?
The reason I first chose to go to college was because during my time at secondary school I found myself disliking my choices, none of which were remotely creative. When it ended, I felt like I needed to try something completely different, so I applied for the Art Foundation course at Folkestone College which let me explore photography, art and film with
What did you enjoy most about studying at College?
Easily the best thing I found at college was the creative freedom I was gifted when choosing what I wanted to do for projects. I was able to massively develop my interest and discover what kind of photography I personally found the most enjoyable, along with getting to experiment with different styles I had found. Without the levels of freedom I was given, I definitely don’t think I would be as confident moving forward as I am currently.
What is your favourite memory of College?
Probably one of my favourite memories from college would be when it was soon after my birthday and my friends got me my favourite type of cake along with some candles all without me knowing. They then came into class and got everyone to sing for full embarrassment before we all had cake, which was a very fun and sweet day.
What are you hoping to do after College?
After college, I am going to be studying Marine and Natural History Photography at Falmouth University. Going to university is thanks to my teacher, who always pushed for me to be better. Along with my course's extremely rigorous interview preparation, I was able to secure places at all of my choices, but thanks to the freedom I was given to explore who I wanted to be as a photographer, I knew Falmouth and Marine and Natural History Photography was the right course for me.
How has studying at College helped you to prepare for your future?
What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at College?
Barnabas, who achieved a Distinction in his course, plans to celebrate his results over a delicious meal with his family. Barnabas plans to join the Royal Navy, specialising in Weapons Engineering.
Lisa achieved Distinction, Distinction, Distinction in her course. Reflecting on her favourite thing about College, Lisa commented: "My favourite thing about studying at College is learning about the different animals, and the support that the tutors give you throughout the course."
Why did you choose to study at College?
I chose to study at College because after I finished sixth form, I still wanted to continue my learning and had changed my career path, so college was perfect!
What did you enjoy most about studying at College?
The thing I enjoyed most about studying at College was how the tutors managed to make learning enjoyable and interactive.
What is your favourite memory of College?
My favourite memory of College is making some great friends and having such a great class and tutors.
What are you hoping to do after College?
After college, I will be going to work full-time at the nursery I did my work placement with. It was great to be offered a job there after completing my course.
How has studying at College helped you to prepare for your future?
The college has prepared me for the future by providing me with great work opportunities and provided me with skills that will aid me in other parts of my life.
What advice would you give to people thinking about studying at College?
Do it! You won't regret it!
