Abigail Lawrence

BSc Exercise and Sport Sciences

1. What has been the highlight of your time at Exeter?

First of all, I am extremely proud of getting into a prestigious Russell Group university, which is number one for Sport and Exercise Sciences.

A memory that will always stick with me will be winning BUCS Gold with my water polo team in my second year, and getting promoted to the premier league the following year!

I was delighted to find out that I would be graduating with a first class Honours grade. I was also chuffed to receive a Sport and Health Sciences Commendation and a Dean’s Commendation Award. All of the hard work that I put in paid off and it was definitely worth it! I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the staff in the Sport and Health Sciences department for all of your encouragement, guidance and support.

2. What will you miss the most about University?

I have absolutely loved my time at the University of Exeter and I will never truly leave! It will always be a part of me wherever I go. I will miss being a part of the Exeter community that I have come to love. The events hosted by the University and the Exeter community were so much fun and I will always have fond memories of them. I absolutely loved living in halls and having all of your friends around you within a minute’s walking distance, and supporting each other through the amazing and not so great times!

I will also miss;

• the closeness of the St Luke’s Campus and camaraderie of the University of Exeter,
• being able to wear green and gym kit every day and being flexible with my university work and other aspects of the university lifestyle,
• BUCS Wednesdays! Spending the whole afternoon travelling to other universities to defeat them in your sport!

3. What did you enjoy about your particular programme?

Sport and Health Sciences is truly a unique programme. The variety of content that you are taught is engaging, challenging and quite frankly, exceptional. It is delivered by passionate and enthusiastic lecturers in a variety of different ways. Content is up-to-date and research-based. It is interesting to learn what the lecturers are researching and you have the exclusive opportunity to be a part of it. You are able to put the theory you have learnt in lectures into practice in practical seminars, which is really unique to this course. I loved being able to apply this knowledge to my own sports and lifestyle, and also in a professional environment when working with athletes and clients.

The facilities and equipment that I had the opportunity to use are really something to shout about. No other course is able to offer you the same opportunities. Being able to design my own research project and collect my own research data was fascinating, and employers have found it really impressive which has helped me stand out during job interviews.

In addition, the contacts that I have made through the employability support are second to none. I have been able to continually focus on my personal and professional development, making me feel ready for life beyond university which is such an important aspect and often forgotten.

The module choices are vast and allow you to tailor your degree to focus on your passions and interests, which will open doors to your chosen career path.

I enjoyed being a part of the close-knit community at the St Luke’s Campus, and particularly within the student-staff Sport and Health Sciences community where your name is known, and everyone is so supportive and friendly. Staff are extremely passionate and are genuinely interested in students’ needs. They will go out of their way to support students and are always looking to improve their experiences. It really is a very personal experience that you cannot get anywhere else.

4. What advice would you give to current and future students?

Your time at university will be the best years of your life, so take advantage of every opportunity that you are presented with because the time will fly by and that opportunity may never come back around.

I would also recommend asking for help if you don’t understand something. Lecturers are happy to help students who are willing to learn, they want you to do well! It helps to surround yourself with people who are supportive and have the same visions as you.

The best way to meet people is to try something new, whether that is an unusual sport or joining a club or society. Make sure that you participate at every opportunity, challenge yourself and step outside of your comfort zone, but at the same time know your limits.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone thinking about studying Exercise and Sport Sciences. If I had my chance again I would, without a doubt, choose Exercise and Sport Sciences at the University of Exeter! #bleedgreen

5. What are your plans now that you have graduated?

I have secured a graduate job with a pharmaceutical consultancy company in London which I will start in September. In the meantime I’m off travelling around South East Asia!