Selena completed her BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science in 2020. She is currently a Nursing Assistant at Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust. She tells us why her time here was so valuable, what lessons she learned and why she is committed to continuing her professional development.

Why did you decide to study at Christ Church and why specifically your course?

I decided to study BSc Sport Exercise Science at Christ Church because when I was in school and college, I had a love for athletics and going to the gym; this made me want to study the science aspect of sport and exercise. 

What was the most important learning point you took with you from your time here and how did you overcome any challenges you faced?

The most important learning point I took with me from my time at Canterbury was to always ask for help! Never be scared or worried to ask even if you think it’s a silly question. A lot of people say this but it’s true. I struggled to ask questions because I didn’t want to be a burden or a nuisance to anyone. However, not asking and trying to figure it out all on my own only put me under a lot of pressure and stress.

Another learning point I took was to balance out my time for fun and hard work. Too much fun will leave you distracted but too much hard work will leave you burnt out. Nevertheless, having a balance of both will help to reduce stress and won’t leave you feeling burnt out. 

What advice would you give to a prospective student considering studying the same programme as you?

My advice for students on the same programme as I did is: don’t wait to start assignments late as other essays will start to pile up on you! When sourcing references, look into as many blogs and books as you can, as the more references you use, the greater evidence to support your argument and show you have done your research. Always ask for help, attend 1-1 meetings, always have time for yourself, go out, have fun, socialise with friends and family, take the time to enjoy your hobbies such as going to the gym, writing, drawing, reading etc. And speak to the well-being practitioners who are there to help.

What is next for you?

Studying Sport Exercise Science intrigued me from a clinical / medical point of view. It gave me a greater insight of the career I would love to pursue as our practical sessions looked into ECG, Blood test to measure how hydrated or dehydrated a patient was, audiometry, spirometry, measuring height and weight etc. I became a HCA at Kingston Hospital to use some of these skills and to learn what it is like to work within the healthcare field as I didn’t have much experience. I am skilled in ECG, taking blood, covid swabbing, temperature checks, checking blood sugar levels and so much more. I enjoy working in the clinical field and using these skills to help patients. I always go home feeling really proud of myself. 

My Sport degree along with working at Kingston Hospital gave me a clearer indication on what I want to do as a career. I will be studying MSc Adult Nursing and have been looking at where I would like to specialise in, that will give me a link between sport exercise science and nursing such as Occupational Health Nursing or outpatients departments such as orthopaedics, cardiology and respiratory to use all my skills and knowledge that I have learnt over time.