When I arrived at Cardiff three years ago, the only exercise in my repertoire was occasional runs and gym sessions. I hadn’t played any team sport for over two years, but I was determined to rediscover that spark, as everyone said university is the best place to start. As a joint honours student in Journalism and Politics, I eagerly signed up for both department “Give It A Go” netball taster sessions.

It was in those first nervous weeks that I discovered that university sport was massively going to change my time at university. I chose to join the Politics Netball team, with my flatmate choosing Bioscience—a decision that would shape both of our university experiences. Twice a week, I swapped lecture preparation for training drills, learning to intercept, pivot and shoot.

With matches once a week against other IMG netball teams, proudly wearing our team kit to play, then following this with our weekly social to YOLO (a place I still even now spend too much time at). This steady routine anchored me in the already daunting experience of moving away from home and lacking the normality of living with my parents. By the end of my first year, it felt like a small family and we became a group of friends who shared the same interests.

Staying with Politics Netball in my second year felt like slipping into a well-loved cardigan. The friendships continued and the weekly rhythm became a routine amid the jump to second-year deadlines. This year, I craved a new challenge.

As everyone says university is the best place to try new things, I swapped the court for the river and joined the rowing club. Immediately, I realised how different AU sport was: instead of two sessions, training now filled my calendar six to ten times a week if I wanted to take it seriously. I learned to scull and sweep, using muscles I didn’t even know existed until they ached the next day.

The expectations were higher, the training tougher, but that only made every personal best more rewarding. Balancing such an intense training schedule with final-year assessments has been transformative for my academic performance. Regular exercise sharpens focus, reduces stress and boosts memory—benefits I felt I most needed during this final year.

Rowing’s demand for precise timing and discipline has translated into my study habits. I slotted revision around dawn water sessions, used evening erg sessions as a time goal to finish my daily work, and structured my week so that both uni work and workouts were uncompromised. This strict routine has been a lifeline, ensuring I stay the fittest I have ever been, while maintaining top grades for my degree.

In this final semester, a select few took on learning to scull over sweeping, and in just over two and a half months of intense training, I represented Cardiff at BUCS, finishing 14th in the UK Women’s Beginner Quadruple Scull. That result was more than a ranking, it was proof that hard work, trust in my girls and relentless dedication pay off. Rowing has introduced me to lifelong friends, opened my eyes to a sport that’s taken over my life in the best possible way and instilled skills and self-belief that I’ll carry into postgraduate life.

From less serious, sociable IMG to “student-athleting” at BUCS, university sport has shaped not just my body, but my spirit and future. For anyone joining university with us this year, or staying on with your degree, I would recommend joining a team, as you never know where it will take you.