Jessica Duke
"My first impression of Surrey was that it's a University that wants to help you succeed."
Studying at Surrey
Surrey has been a supportive university from the very beginning of my application to the present day. My first impression of Surrey was that it's a University that wants to help you succeed.
I like that the course has a modular structure which suits my preferred study style! I like the emphasis on practical, hands-on learning and that we have a network of partners associated with the School that offers many opportunities for networking and career development.
The academic staff are wonderful, not only because they are extremely knowledgeable but also because they’re supportive. The facilities are brilliant too – I personally really enjoy how accessible they are. The Clinical Skills Laboratory is available for out-of-hours use so we can practise our skills in our own time!
"I like the emphasis on practical, hands-on learning"
Championing wellbeing
Being the Senior Wellbeing Representative for VetSoc has added an immense amount of value to my Surrey experience. It's provided me with a platform to engage with my passion for mental health and wellbeing, and work with some wonderful individuals both within the School of Veterinary Medicine and beyond. I have just hosted the Surrey branch of the national Vet Student Wellbeing Week which allowed me to collaborate with colleagues from other vet schools to provide a really great week for the student body.
Community on campus
The Sports Park facilities are amazing! I especially love using the swimming pool. Guildford is a lovely place to live; we have the perfect mix of living in a town and having access to the surrounding Surrey Hills countryside. The University has a great sense of community; be it through societies, the Students Union and the support of staff.
Looking forward
Since starting at Surrey, I have become more independent and more resilient. When I graduate, I would like to move into small animal veterinary practice initially, but I aspire to apply for an internship and potentially progress onto a residency and become a specialist.
