Introductory
Roughly 20 years ago, at age eight, I decided I wanted to be a research zoologist (because my mum's friend is one, and it looked really interesting).
Roughly 9 years ago, I was due to start applying to universities and begin that journey into zoology, when I was diagnosed with cancer. The years that followed were mostly spent trying to get healthy, and then find work.
Roughly 3 years ago, I realised that I wasn't content to be an administrator/secretary/PA/receptionist for my whole working life. I enjoyed the work and it paid well, but it wasn't the thing I wanted to do. I left work that evening, sat down at my computer, and applied for a one-year science refresher course.
Roughly one working day later, they emailed me to ask if I was interested in starting that following Monday. I'd intended to apply for the next academic year, but apparently there were still spaces open in the current one (I applied in early September). I took myself to a pub, ordered a mojito, and sat agonising over the decision for a couple of hours.
Roughly four days later, I turned up to my local college, having given my two weeks' notice at my temp job. I was back on the track I'd fallen off so many years ago. Readjusting to an academic environment was difficult, but I was among 20 other mature students, and we were all trying to follow a dream.
Roughly two years ago, I applied - and was accepted to - the University of Gloucestershire. It was my first choice (because the campus was beautiful) and, as I later learned, has an excellent Biosciences department. Adjusting to university life was another learning curve - I'd been a college student several times over, but never a uni student. I was already 27. Would I fit in on campus? Would I make friends? Would I miss my life back in Devon? I rocked up in mid-September with a car-full of nail polishes and took the plunge.
... And I needn't have worried. Not only was I not the only mature student on campus, but age didn't seem to be as much of a factor as I'd feared. My dorm-mates were friendly and interesting, my course-mates were welcoming, and the town had everything a student could need. The passion and engagement of the lecturers was, and continues to be, inspiring.
Here I am, two years down, and shortly to start my third and final year. It's been an experience, one that's helped me to learn my strengths and my impediments. I'm pleased to discover I'm just as passionate about conservation and research as I was at the age of eight, though my perspective is a bit more thorough.
This final year will need my full attention, and as much hard work as I can muster. Although I will be aiming for a zoology role, I'm just as keen to study conservation and plant ecology. This is why I've chosen to study microplastics in the ocean as my dissertation project, especially considering the profound impact they have on marine animal life.
So here I am, just starting my dissertation work, and setting up this blog so that I can write about it along the way. My name's Ellie. Nice to meet you. :)
Roughly 9 years ago, I was due to start applying to universities and begin that journey into zoology, when I was diagnosed with cancer. The years that followed were mostly spent trying to get healthy, and then find work.
Roughly 3 years ago, I realised that I wasn't content to be an administrator/secretary/PA/receptionist for my whole working life. I enjoyed the work and it paid well, but it wasn't the thing I wanted to do. I left work that evening, sat down at my computer, and applied for a one-year science refresher course.
Roughly one working day later, they emailed me to ask if I was interested in starting that following Monday. I'd intended to apply for the next academic year, but apparently there were still spaces open in the current one (I applied in early September). I took myself to a pub, ordered a mojito, and sat agonising over the decision for a couple of hours.
Roughly four days later, I turned up to my local college, having given my two weeks' notice at my temp job. I was back on the track I'd fallen off so many years ago. Readjusting to an academic environment was difficult, but I was among 20 other mature students, and we were all trying to follow a dream.
Roughly two years ago, I applied - and was accepted to - the University of Gloucestershire. It was my first choice (because the campus was beautiful) and, as I later learned, has an excellent Biosciences department. Adjusting to university life was another learning curve - I'd been a college student several times over, but never a uni student. I was already 27. Would I fit in on campus? Would I make friends? Would I miss my life back in Devon? I rocked up in mid-September with a car-full of nail polishes and took the plunge.
... And I needn't have worried. Not only was I not the only mature student on campus, but age didn't seem to be as much of a factor as I'd feared. My dorm-mates were friendly and interesting, my course-mates were welcoming, and the town had everything a student could need. The passion and engagement of the lecturers was, and continues to be, inspiring.
Here I am, two years down, and shortly to start my third and final year. It's been an experience, one that's helped me to learn my strengths and my impediments. I'm pleased to discover I'm just as passionate about conservation and research as I was at the age of eight, though my perspective is a bit more thorough.
This final year will need my full attention, and as much hard work as I can muster. Although I will be aiming for a zoology role, I'm just as keen to study conservation and plant ecology. This is why I've chosen to study microplastics in the ocean as my dissertation project, especially considering the profound impact they have on marine animal life.
So here I am, just starting my dissertation work, and setting up this blog so that I can write about it along the way. My name's Ellie. Nice to meet you. :)
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