Introducing Abbie Starsmeare – FdSc Animal Management (Behaviour & Welfare) student

Here’s me roller skating

Hi, my name is Abbie Starsmeare and I’m a first year student at University Centre Reaseheath. I’m studying FdSc Animal Management (Behaviour and Welfare) and am hopefully going to stay on at Reaseheath and top up to the full BSc.

I am an Artistic Roller Skater, where I have been skating for 7 years now and in the past, have been lucky enough to represent Great Britain a few times. As I still actively compete, Reaseheath have allowed me to use the sports hall for training, free of charge. I also love horse riding and wish I could own a horse. I was down the stables a lot when I was younger; this is where I found my love of animals as I didn’t just ride horses I got stuck in and helped with all the different animals on the yard.

In the long term I want to be a zoo keeper and hopefully work alongside conservationists to help save endangered species. This is the reason why I chose the animal management course, as it is a broad degree meaning I can apply for most jobs within the animal sector.

We’ve just finished Freshers’ week on campus…which has been great! The Student Association and Student Life Team made sure that there was plenty for the over 18 freshers to do, such as a Gin Trail, social events and trips into town to visit the local club, The Studio. The Freshers Ball was an ultra violet party headlined by the Dixon Brothers from Kiss FM. I really enjoyed myself as they interacted with the crowd and played songs that everyone loved. While this was my favourite event for freshers, all the entertainment has been good. Induction week ran alongside the freshers timetable and was very informative of all the academic rules and regulations that you must follow as a student of the University of Chester.

I am currently staying in Platt Halls and have been provided with a comfortable en-suite room. We have use of a communal kitchen and dining area. The room is cleaned for us every other week. While living away from home is strange and I miss my friends and family, I think that I have settled in quite well. I get on with my corridor mates and there is a safeguarding officer on standby 24/7 so you can call a number on the back of your door and they will come up and make sure you’re okay. The University Centre Reaseheath does all it can to help us have a great uni experience.