Meet our college students
We're often asked what a typical day with us is like. Here are some of our students' thoughts on what it's like to study a college course at Brackenhurst.
Lily-mae studies Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture. Jaiden studies Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management. Here they share what a typical day at Brackenhurst is like.
Lily-mae Horsepool, Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture
What time do you arrive at Brackenhurst?
"On a day when we are doing practical and theory sessions, I need to be on the farm at 9 am sharp. I’ll get to college around 8.45 am so I have time to put my belongings in my locker. I find out what the practical activity for the day will be and put on the appropriate boots and overalls. As I do have the privilege of being able to drive myself, I’ll leave the house at 7.45 am to drive in. If I have farm duties, I’ll get to college at 8.45 am and be on the farm in the correct PPE ready to meet a farm technician and get stuck into the jobs for that day!"
— Lily-mae
"I get up at 6.30 am each morning and leave my house at 7.30 am to ride my bike into Newark. This is where I get a college bus at 8.15 am which gets into college just before 9 am where lessons start at 9.15 am. For me, on a Monday I have my duties lesson which is an hour and a half practical where you clean out a set of enclosures and get them ready for the day."
— Jaiden
Jaiden Nelson, Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management
What sort of lessons do you have in the morning?
"Mornings tend to be more practical based. These practical sessions can vary from carrying out maintenance on farm machinery, operating farm vehicles, health checking livestock, travelling off campus to neighbouring farms, habitat maintenance across the Brackenhurst estate, and so much more. After a practical, we’ll have an hour to an hour and a half to lunch and time to spend in the library completing work."
— Lily-mae
"On a Monday morning I have my practical lesson but every other day I will have a class lecture first thing. In between lessons I usually have a half an hour break which is good as it gives me time to eat and chill."
— Jaiden
What do you do in the afternoon?
"For lunch, I’ll usually head to the canteen to eat and catch up with friends on other courses. But if I have an assignment due (or I’m just feeling productive) I’ll head to the library after I’ve eaten to catch up on work. In the afternoon, we’ll have one or two theory lectures with a break in between. These could be crop production, plant and soil science, livestock husbandry, land-based machinery, managing agricultural environments, or professional working responsibilities (managing agriculture is my personal favourite)."
— Lily-mae
"Over lunch I usually go to the canteen which serves a variety of hot foods or I go to the Brack Shop and get a meal deal there. After lunch I have more lectures which can either be at the top of campus or in the animal unit area, these usually run until 5 pm which is the end of the day. I use the library if I need to find a book which is relevant to my work or if I’m waiting for another lesson to start."
— Jaiden
The campus is stunning! It’s such a pleasant place to be no matter the season and all the staff on campus are so welcoming and supportive. Every course has its fair share of practical and immersive learning that I think really benefits us as students, maximising our potential."
— Lily-mae
What time do you head home?
"The time we finish lectures varies from day to day, the latest I finish is at 5 pm. If I finish late, I’ll get home for 6 pm (depending on traffic) so I still have daylight left to enjoy my hobbies at home. The earliest I finish is 3 pm and on those days, I’ll usually stay in the library for a couple of hours, so I don’t have to do any work at home. I feel getting my work done at college rather than home really helps me separate my home life and gives me plenty of time to relax and get ready for the next day."
— Lily-mae
"I get the college bus into Newark at 5 pm, this usually takes about half an hour to 45 minutes depending on the traffic. When I get into Newark I ride my bike home, I usually get in around 6.30 pm to 6.45 pm. I tend to spend time at the weekend doing my assignments as by the time I get home after college I want to chill out."
— Jaiden
The facilities here topped any of the other surrounding colleges when it comes to studying animals as it is linked to a university meaning it has university-grade equipment. I chose this course as it is a pathway to studying a course I want in university."
— Jaiden
Do you have a placement you go to?
"For the first year of Level 3 Agriculture, I’m required to complete 150 hours of a farm-based placement. It could be dairy, beef, poultry, pigs, arable, and even alpacas! I’ve just about finished my placement now. We get Tuesday off college to complete these hours, I’ve chosen not to carry on at my placement but to use the time split across my existing job and having some time to myself. Having that break in the week is so refreshing and creates more time for other things such as hobbies and seeing friends and family."
— Lily-mae
"I do have a placement and it’s currently at Vets4Pets in Newark. I work there from 9 am - 5 pm on a Wednesday. It is fun. I enjoy working there, as I can watch procedures and help in consultations. This helps with my course as the information I learn there, links in with my nursing module at college. Working at the vets helps my career as it means I know how to talk to clients and customers as well as having hands on experience when working with unfamiliar animals."
— Jaiden
What is your top tip for someone considering studying at Brackenhurst Campus?
"My top tip for you guys considering joining us at Brackenhurst is to bring practical clothing! You will be outside in all weathers experiencing the wonders of your sector and you want to be comfortable doing so. A pair of wellies will be your best friend here!"
— Lily-mae
"My top tip is just to make the most of your time here. The days can be long but have a laugh when you can and it will fly by, so just make the most of the facilities available and use your time wisely and your time here will be some of the best."
— Jaiden
Why did you choose to study your course at Brackenhurst?
"Before finishing my GSCEs at secondary school I knew I wanted to live and breathe the outdoors every chance that I could, so options such as post-16 and A-levels really didn’t agree with me. After searching for a little while and a recommendation from a previous student, I landed on Brackenhurst. The campus is stunning! It’s such a pleasant place to be no matter the season and all the staff on campus are so welcoming and supportive. Every course has its fair share of practical and immersive learning that I think really benefits us as students, maximising our potential."
— Lily-mae
"I chose to study Animal Management here at Brack because I knew the facilities here topped any of the other surrounding colleges when it comes to studying animals as it is linked to a university meaning it has university-grade equipment. I chose this course as it is a pathway to studying a course I want in university as it has three biology modules."
— Jaiden