Sport and Exercise Science students at BTC visited the College’s Animal Management Centre to experience how it feels when pushed outside of their comfort zones.
The students visited the Animal Management Centre on the College’s Cannington campus to contextualise some of the theory learnt during their Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology unit. Students were able to handle different animals including pythons, lizards, tarantulas and many different rodents to further develop their knowledge of motivation, stress, anxiety and group dynamics.
Jonny Hunt, Sport and Exercise Science Course Leader said,
This experience has enabled my learners to experience first-hand cognitive and somatic anxiety when pushed out of their comfort zones. This opportunity will benefit them hugely when developing their knowledge for their exams. The technicians at the Centre organised a fun and thrilling experience for the students in which they all thoroughly enjoyed and will remember!
Student Halle Watlin-Arnold said,
Our visit to the Animal Management Centre was thoroughly enjoyable, it was great to experience and get an insight into the anxiety experienced by different individuals and learn more about ourselves. Whilst bringing a lesson to life, it made the content of what we’re learning more relatable and easier to understand, helping us to recall it for our exam. I found this a really beneficial way of working and learning as it’s really engaging and fun to do something different!
Student Bill Scotting said,
The visit was a good chance for us to face our fears and understand how anxiety affects us mentally and physically. Seeing a massive yellow python certainly did! However, the otters and meerkats had the opposite effect. Overall this was a useful trip to help me and my group understand anxiety and stress first hand.
Student Tilly Davis said,
I was scared of snakes and having to hold one made me feel very anxious. These feelings and symptoms have allowed me to remember what I felt and prepare me really well for my upcoming exam. I found the experience really educational.
If you would like to know more about studying Sport at BTC visit www.btc.ac.uk or call Information & Advice on 01278 441234 for more information.
