I first got into athletics back in Primary 7, when I joined my local harriers. That’s where I really discovered my love for the sport, and not long after, I decided to join a club. A few years later, I moved to Law & District AAC alongside a few other athletes and our coach Tom, and that step played a huge role in shaping my development as an athlete.
Now that I’m competing as a senior, my mindset has changed a lot compared to my junior years. I’ve realised that athletics is very much a sport where you get out what you put in. When I left school and moved on to university, balancing everything felt overwhelming at first, but once I figured out how to make it work, it was completely worth it. I’ve definitely developed more of an “it is what it is” mindset, knowing there’s always room to improve and learn.
I stay motivated through long training blocks because I know the outcome is always worth it. After weeks or even months without competition, there’s nothing better than finally seeing the hard work pay off. Training has also become my downtime it’s my time away from uni and work, where I can just focus on myself.
Alongside athletics, I’ve recently qualified as a nurse, which has been a huge achievement for me. Balancing such a demanding degree with high-level training wasn’t easy. There were times when I had to prioritise other things, and working shifts around training sometimes on different days from my teammates was challenging. However, it actually gave me a really good work–life balance and helped keep me going. Being awarded a UWS sports scholarship also gave me opportunities to compete at levels I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.
During nursing placements, which are effectively full-time work, organisation was key. If I was lucky, my placement would allow me to choose some working days. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays worked best for me, as I train on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. On the days I wasn’t on placement, I was usually catching up on coursework and making sure I prioritised recovery.
There were definitely sacrifices along the way. Some months were particularly tough, especially when placements and essays fell at the start of the season. Having a solid routine helped me stay organised and focused, even though it sometimes meant missing out on time with family and friends.
Being an athlete has helped me massively in nursing. The discipline, resilience, and time management that come with athletics transfer so well into healthcare. Resilience in particular has been important for me, especially as one of the older athletes in the group, but I also enjoy being able to support and advocate for younger athletes around me.
The support I’ve had throughout my journey has been incredible. Law & District AAC have always been there for me, even when I’ve been representing the university. UWS has also been extremely supportive while flexibility can be limited due to the nature of the degree, they were always accommodating and open if I needed help or adjustments.
I’ve been really fortunate with the people around me. The sporting staff at UWS have been great, and my personal tutor was incredibly understanding if I couldn’t attend a lecture, she’d always check in and ask how competitions went. At Law, my coaches Sean, David, and Tom have constantly encouraged me to push that bit further while helping me balance life during placements. David, especially my dad has been an amazing guide, and his support through the transition from school to university has been invaluable.
For younger athletes at Law who are thinking about taking on demanding degrees like nursing or medicine, my advice is simple: do it. Having something you’re passionate about alongside a challenging degree is such a rewarding experience.
Looking ahead, I’m hoping to finish my honours in July and secure a full-time post somewhere. On the track, I just want to keep improving. I feel like my mindset is in a far better place than it’s been in previous years, and I’m really excited to see what’s next.
