I chose to study at Lancaster & Morecambe College because I wanted to build my confidence and gain more knowledge, and learn about bar service, silver service, customer service, and barista skills. I’ve really enjoyed working with my peers and staff during the dinner services in the College restuarant, The Bay Restuarant, and learning more about the hospitality industry.

While at LMC, I became much more confident and independent. Before College, I was quite introverted and didn’t feel comfortable asking questions, but over the two years, I gradually came out of my shell. I also gained confidence working with animals I hadn’t handled before, thanks to the support and encouragement from my tutors.

I’ve been studying Land-Based Studies Level 1 at LMC and it’s been a great experience so far. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is getting hands-on with a wide range of animals. It’s not just about looking after them, we’ve also been learning the science behind their care, which has been really interesting.

On my course I had the chance to travel to Vancouver, Canada for free. It was a great experience that boosted my confidence and helped me become more independent. It made me believe in myself and showed me what I’m capable of as I’d never been abroad before. The overseas trip opened up new possibilities to me, and got me more interested in travelling in the future. The fact that it was fully funded made it even better, as cost would have been a big barrier for me otherwise.

 A real highlight of the T Level course for me was the opportunity to go to Canada and gain work experience at a Bird of Prey Rehabilitation Centre. It was an amazing experience where I learned so much about wildlife care and got to see how animal rehabilitation works in a different country. Opportunities like that make the course exciting and have really confirmed that I’m on the right path.

I hope to either continue on to university after the T Level course, potentially to study veterinary nursing, or to pursue a full-time career in the animal industry. I would recommend this course to others, I’d say it’s challenging and involves a lot of work, but if you’re thinking of going into the animal and land-based industry, it’s definitely worth it!

After College, I’m aiming to specialise in working with dogs and hoping to apply for a role with a doggy day-care, as it’s something I’m genuinely passionate about. For anyone thinking about taking this course, I’d say if you love animals and want to build a future around them, this is a great place to start. You’ll learn so much, and it really sets you up for a career in doing what you love.

Studying at LMC has helped me become more independent, and one of the key skills I’ve developed so far is communication. At college, you're constantly interacting with staff and classmates, which really helps strengthen this skill further. The course really supports my professional journey by contributing to my personal development and growth, although studying at College takes dedication and hard work, it all continues to build valuable life skills.

“The best part about the Animal Studies Level 2 course is the regular practical sessions, the amazing trips we get to attend, and learning how to care for a wide range of animals. It is always exciting, and no two days are the same!”

My tutor and the friends I have made along the way have been a big support. Tara, who is my tutor, puts her all into every lesson we have and never fails to amaze not only me but the other students on the course. Seeing her commitment makes me want to come to College even more because it shows how dedicated she is in helping us succeed and make the most of the skills we have learned.

I enjoyed learning new skills, the majority of the things I learnt on the course I had never done before. It was great to learn from a very knowledgeable and skilled chef, and the course helped me grow in confidence and opened my eyes to new career possibilities in the future.

After retiring, life was great for a while until I got bored. I saw an advert for a part time cooking courses at Lancaster & Morecambe College and, at the age of 70, decided to enrol. My mother had been a confectioner and a great cook, so I thought it was appropriate to follow in her footsteps and see what I could do!