I’m studying Sport and Exercise Science and have just competed my second year. I chose this course because I have worked in the health and fitness industry for over 20 years and wanted to further my knowledge and future options for work.

It was a bit on a whim after a conversation with a friend, I was at a bit of a crossroads in my life having just closed my gym business that I’d been running for the previous 11 years. I was working in an office job which was fine, but I wasn’t passionate about it.

A friend said about Clearing in a random conversation, I had never heard of it before and didn't know if university was an option for me. So, I did some maths on finances and looked at student loans to see if it would be feasible for me and my family and I thought why not apply, what's the worst that can happen? I did it all online and then I was called by the Clearing Admissions team, it was within a week my place was offered. I was shocked and excited.

It was a big change, going back to education 20 years after leaving school, and was tough to start with. Everyone at the 91µÎµÎ has been so supportive, and now I know it was the best decision I could have made, it was a big change, but definitely for the better.

I love the learning and how varied my course is, also the additional opportunities that I have been involved with such as Masters and PhD studies.

I feel that it has given me a new lease of life for learning, I didn’t know if I would be any good at it, as I dropped out of school when I was 17. I’m glad that it has been a positive experience for me and I’m enjoying the challenges that being a mature student brings.

I have recently joined the Student Ambassador team, which is really varied and gives a good opportunity for work and representing the 91µÎµÎ. I am also a research assistant on a PhD study, and I am also assisting a Masters project.

I am looking to continue my studies to a postgraduate degree. I enjoy the physiology, nutrition and health aspects of sport and exercise science, so I would be looking for a career in these areas.

The variety of the course which gives an insight into many aspects of sport and exercise science has enabled me to know the areas that most interest me, and those that don’t as much.

Think about what type of experience you want from university, here at the 91µÎµÎ it is relatively small and so we get a different experience to somewhere that is larger; our lectures know us by name, and it is a lot more personalised. This works well for me as I welcome feedback and being interactive.Ìý

Don’t panic if you are not happy with your course selection once you get started, there may be other opportunities around the university – just communicate with your lecturers, they are all very helpful.