For Sam, who grew up in Cheshire, the University Centre Reaseheath had always been on the radar.

“I was born and bred in Cheshire and have always been aware that Reaseheath is renowned for its agricultural courses,” she says. “In my late teens I saw it had branched out into a more diverse range of courses. Reaseheath has always been the first thought for my journey to my dream career and calling.”

Her first taste of Higher Education came through the foundation year in Animal Welfare and Behaviour, a step that she says made all the difference.

“It was a great syllabus and gave me the confidence to move into a full degree,” Sam recalls. “The experience also helped enormously in making the decision to study a degree Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. I would definitely recommend a foundation year for students who might need the academic confidence boost and time to decide on which degree.”

That year helped her narrow down what she really wanted from a career.

“I loved the hands-on work within the zoo, but it solidified my need to be working out and about in the wilderness rather than being tied to one zoo site,” she says. “I loved the fieldwork, the data collection, and the practical application of science. I love being out in nature and wildlife; it makes the academic study much easier.”

In her second year, Sam joined the National Trust ranger team at Dunham Massey, completing 100 hours of work experience that confirmed she was on the right path.

“I knew at that point with no doubt in my mind this is what I should be doing with my life,” she says.

Her dissertation became the perfect way to lean into that passion.

“The toughest part in a way was to work out a dissertation that would allow full on fieldwork data collection, as this is where my passion lies and I want this to be part of my future career.

That’s where the thought of ponds came to mind, something that would provide Sam with realistic and attainable question.

“There was a lot of preliminary work to be done for my dissertation,” she says. “I started this in early June 2024. Once I had found and got permissions for six urban ponds on Crewe Business Park and six on the Royal Cheshire Showground I could begin the fun stuff – the data collection!

“It took one day per set of six ponds. I was on site twice a week for a total of five visits for all ponds. I came out with a lot of data!

“I have much better field skills from this and a good knowledge of aquatic invertebrates now. I loved getting in there, and now I have a fondness for a decent pair of waders!”

Receiving the Dean’s Award was a proud moment – even if Sam admits she didn’t expect it.

“I am not sure I deserve it. I found some of the syllabus tough at times, but I am very proud of myself. Ellie Rose, Vicki Senior and Donovan Lewis are so kind for nominating me. They are all inspirational lecturers and you need lecturers like this, who can keep you going, particularly when you are struggling.”

Looking back, she credits both the course and the campus for shaping her confidence.

“The syllabus was great – I could always see the value of each brief and its relevance,” she says.