Being a student-athlete can be challenging, as you are constantly trying to balance training, competitions and studying. However, I think it makes a huge difference when you are at a university that also places such a strong focus on sport. As an international athlete, there are times when I have to miss lectures because of training camps or competitions abroad. Brunel has been really supportive of this, and my lecturers are very understanding of the demands that come with competing at a high level. They help me get back on track with anything I have missed, which makes balancing athletics and my studies much more manageable.
A big part of this is having access to the facilities and support through the Sports Scholarship programme. I use the gym frequently as part of my training, and being able to train on campus means I do not have to travel everywhere for training, giving me more time to focus on both my athletics and studies. The scholarship has also helped with travel costs for competitions and provides access to services such as massages, which are really valuable when competing and training at a high level. Having this support and access to high-quality facilities on campus has made a huge difference to my development as an athlete. I also really enjoy being around the talent pool at Brunel. Being surrounded by so many talented athletes and sportspeople is really motivating and creates an environment where everyone pushes each other to improve.
Beyond sport, my experience at Brunel has also allowed me to find the degree that I am really passionate about. I originally started studying Economics and Business Finance, but as I progressed through the course, I discovered that I had a real interest in accounting. This made me want to change to Finance and Accounting, and Brunel was very supportive throughout the process. They made the transfer really easy and helped me move onto a course that I felt was better suited to my interests and future goals. I really appreciated how accommodating the university was and how they supported me in making the right decision for myself.
Alongside finding a course I am passionate about, I have also really enjoyed the wider community at Brunel. One thing I love about the university is the diversity of people you meet. There are students from all over the world, which means you get to meet people from completely different backgrounds and cultures. I really enjoy being able to share life experiences, learn from other people and hear different perspectives. Whether it is through sport, my course or everyday university life, I have met so many different people, which has made my experience at Brunel about much more than just studying and athletics.
Overall, I feel really lucky to be at a university that has helped me balance both academics and athletics and, importantly, allowed me to excel in both at the same time. The support from my lecturers, the Sports Scholarship programme, access to the facilities and the wider sporting community have all made it possible for me to pursue my academic goals while competing at an international level. Over my time at Brunel, I have been able to represent GB at the World Relays, win the British Indoor Championships and compete at the Commonwealth Games. These are achievements I am incredibly proud of, and I feel that the support and flexibility Brunel has provided has given me the ability to pursue my ambitions both academically and athletically, while allowing me to make the most of my university experience.