Submitted by J. Hudson on Mon, 07/10/2024 - 10:15
As you step into the world of Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge, it’s not just about hitting the books. Your next six years will be full of opportunities to grow, explore your passions, and have a lot of fun along the way! Just ask Phoebe Barker, who graduated in June and showed us all how to make the most of this amazing journey.
Phoebe wasn’t just buried in textbooks - she made the most of her time at Cambridge by getting involved in four university sports clubs (Hare and Hounds, Athletics, Triathlon, and Cycling). In fact, she was crowned Cambridge University Sports Person of the Year 2024! Phoebe’s journey is a testament to hard work and balance. She earned her first Great Britain vest and her first England vest in seven years, while juggling double race weekends and early mornings, all without missing a beat in her studies. Her peers and coaches admired her ability to thrive in both sport and veterinary medicine.
One of Phoebe’s most memorable moments happened during her final year when she was staying on a farm before the Team Time Trial National Championships. The farmer asked her to take a look at a poorly goat and despite the pressure, she helped out, treated the goat, and still made it to the race, where she and her team won a bronze medal. That’s the kind of wild, unforgettable experience you can have here at Cambridge Vet School!
Professor Nick Bexfield, Small Animal Internal Medicine Clinician and Clinical Director of Studies at Robinson College said it best, “Phoebe's story is a shining example of the diverse and enjoyable experiences available to students studying Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. The Veterinary Medicine curriculum is complemented by opportunities for personal growth and development in various fields, including sports.”
And for those students looking to hopefully study veterinary medicine at Cambridge in the years ahead, Nick said “Prospective students looking to study veterinary medicine at Cambridge can find inspiration in Phoebe's journey, which demonstrates that it is possible to achieve excellence in both academic and extracurricular activities.”
Here at the vet school, we look forward to meeting you over the coming days and weeks ahead and hope to find some superstars among you to inspire the Cambridge vet students of tomorrow – just like Phoebe. Good luck with your first term and make sure you take time to enjoy the things you love alongside the academic work ahead.
Phoebe is currently in Europe racing in triathlons before she starts her first job as an equine intern in May. Phoebe has this advice for all the new vet students starting this October, “Make the most of every opportunity and have fun; there is a great deal to Cambridge outside of the vet school and you should try to make the most of it all. Six years sounds like a long time but goes by in a flash! – Enjoy!”