By Myra Soomro, First Year, Comparative Literatures and Cultures
Sports are important for students' mental health, especially during the overwhelming and isolating effects of winter on students who are trying to find their bearings by seeking a sense of belonging with new people. Sport plays an integral part here by providing familiarity in an unfamiliar environment. However, this comes with its challenges.
Sport balances the education students find within the confines of their classroom by offering an alternative, productive focus and easing the social pressure students may face as they enter university and adjust to university life. While university gives students a fresh start, it can feel overwhelming and lonely as they try to find their bearings and build a sense of belonging with people they can relate to.
Sports provide students with a platform where they can find peers who share the same passions, as well as an outlet to build new bonds on the field, which quickly eliminates the need for exhausting small talk by cutting to an instant connection over a new or shared passion for the sport. Research by the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) supports this:
"providing an engaging, interactive and social framework for all students to feel a part of their university community is essential, and sport and physical activity can play a pivotal role in this" and can "accelerate friendships." - British Universities and Colleges (BUCS)
This is largely corroborated by the student experience:
“immediate connection and trust built on the pitch which translates to friendships through socials!” - Ella, first-year lacrosse player.
“it’s nice to have familiar faces around university whom I can chat to.” - Saul Gordon, first-year football player.
There is a place for everyone
After interviewing students, it is comforting to find that the University of Bristol provides an accessible and welcoming range of societies which can be explored in any way students deem fit. Ranging from table tennis, running and football, you can start as a beginner or join at a level suited to your ability - either way, you have a chance to find your footing with others who may share your excitement or nervousness.
The University of Bristol’s sports societies never fail to host events to “Give it a go.” This creates a platform for collective experience, connecting peers across courses and years:
“[being part of table tennis soc] gave me an immediate in with a group of people across a range of years, courses and accommodations that I wouldn’t have connected elsewhere.” Zeffa, table tennis player.
The ‘finding yourself in uni’ propaganda…
University is often known to provide students from across the globe with a new start governed by the idea of ‘finding yourself.’ The formula for which likely consists of developing habits, skills and connections, all of which can be adopted on the field, running track or in a studio. Sports instil habitual consistency and routine because showing up to every practice, despite lacking motivation, fosters habits of discipline, self-worth and perseverance, as well as focus and time management. These qualities translate directly into university life, helping students approach academic challenges with greater resilience and focus.
Second-year Pilates advocate Charlotte tells me that playing sport “gives you a chance to push yourself out of bed rotting”, while Alisha, a tennis player in her third year, corroborates this by saying that sport provides a chance to recharge in fresh air and “take my mind off the troubles of the thing because I get to place my focus solely on smacking that ball across the court.” It is definitely something to look forward to as an outlet to feel recharged as well as get support from your friends and enjoy a productive social hour in the middle of the day. Natalia, a throwball player in her third year, adds that the feeling of being out on Bristol Downs and making the most of the city’s green atmosphere is unmatched.
Nights of Wholesome Humiliation
Navigating a hectic university life can be discombobulating and stressful, while sports, not just on the field, but even Wednesday socials, can give you a breather to look forward to. It effectively helps students blow off steam as a community while kicking a ball around in the afternoon and later that night at Brass Pig!
“I do not need to spend my day worrying how I can try and socialise tonight because my night is definitely going to start in a goofy outfit and end with [...] OMG- all with team spirit!” - Kyra, second year netball player.
The weekly socials never fail to have unpredictable themes rich with purposeful humiliation, which translates to inevitable moments for bonding. Sade, in her third year, says, “Wednesday nights can be summarised as boys in crop tops and groups with self-deprecating white lies across their t-shirts getting a kick out of the eye rolls from passersby across streets and pubs - all because they look stupid together.”
Just Give it A Go
Take the opportunities provided by societies in their Give It A Go events to try out a sport - because it never hurts to find a new sense of community amidst the hustle and bustle of adjusting to university life. And you might just find new passion.
Featured Image: Unsplash /Jaykumar Bherwani.
What sport is most important for your mental health?
