Making the most of your studies in the School of Life Sciences

Applied Wildlife Conservation Master's student Lana shares her advice for making the most of your time in ARU's School of Life Sciences, and at university more generally.

I consider myself very lucky to have secured a place at MSc Applied Wildlife Conservation – this course has an incredibly interesting programme with diverse and engaging modules, hands-on practical work, plenty of field trips, and encouraging supportive tutors.

Studying here is full of amazing opportunities, from weekly research seminars to overseas field trips and the possibility of obtaining certificates and licenses valuable for future careers.

Dive deeper into your subject

There are many interesting events happening throughout the year – science festivals, research conferences, jobs and careers fairs – all designed to broaden your horizons, build experience, and offer advice for future employment.

They are not confined to ARU – students are encouraged to join various activities beyond the university, such as participating in major UK conferences and festivals or joining local trusts and societies.

Thanks to my course tutor's guidance, I was able to take part in the Student Conference on Conservation Science, and join the Cambridgeshire Mammal Group, which gave me the chance to attend their workshops and in-field harvest mice surveys.

Above: taking a vegetation sample measurement for the Cambridgeshire Mammal Group harvest mice survey; putting camera traps up in the ARU grounds

Do take the chance to attend the School of Life Sciences’ weekly research seminars (either in person or online), which feature a wide range of guest speakers from around the world. Many of these talks raise emerging questions and burning issues in conservation, and often encourage participation.

Explore your other interests – or try something new

Consider joining the University gym to explore its offers and discounts, or get involved with Students' Union activities, from joining one (or more!) societies to attending online or on-campus events. Just check the Students Union's what's on? page and sign up for anything that catches your eye – from wall climbing to gardening, from painting to notebook-making workshops.

Above: Students' Union terrarium-making workshop

You can also take free, short co-curricular ARUCPD courses, which can enhance your CV and boost your employability. They are a great way to explore new subjects, like using AI or getting into social media marketing, and develop useful skills, such as project management.

Remember to look after yourself

So, my first piece of advice is to challenge yourself and take every opportunity to explore new horizons. But, perhaps controversially, my second piece of advice is this: don’t push yourself beyond what you can handle, and always prioritise your wellbeing and mental health.

Assignments, exams, and deadlines can be intense and quite overwhelming, so adding more pressure to a busy schedule is not always a good idea. The course itself is very fulfilling and will benefit you even without any extras!

Finally, remember that all ARU staff are incredibly helpful and always happy to offer support and guidance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your tutor, course leader, or the Counselling and Wellbeing Service if you ever need help.

Lana studies MSc Applied Wildlife Conservation at ARU in Cambridge. You can find out more about this, and other postgraduate courses we offer, at an Open Evening.