Sheffield life – Page 2 – Undergraduate Blog

Why you shouldn’t be worried coming to Sheffield as an overseas student

By May Than Thar Cho, BA Accounting and Financial Management

Coming to university and starting afresh can be extremely daunting, especially when you are half a world away from home. Most times, your mind will wander and you’ll eventually start worrying about things. Here’s a list of some of the things that I worried about before I began, how I overcame them and why they should be the least of your concerns!

Making friends

The question on everyone’s minds. Will I like the people I meet? Will they like me? Will I make new friends? I kid you not – you’ll be making new friends before you even realise it. There are so many people coming in from all over the UK and all over the world. You’re in a position where you know nobody and nothing about the city. But everyone is in the same position too! Even if initiating conversations with people is out of your comfort zone, don’t hide away when someone approaches you (someone definitely will!) and you’ll find making new friends is as easy as ABC.

The university also runs an Orientation Week before term starts and I personally think it’s an amazing way to get settled in and meet new people (I’m still very good friends with so many people I met over Orientation Week). You can follow this link to find out more!

Being homesick

I’ll be honest, it’s easy to fall into homesickness. While calling your family and friends from home offers you comfort, you should also try finding other ways to help ease it. What I have found helpful is surrounding myself with new people. Spend a lot of time with your new friends, join societies and participate in the different activities arranged by the university. Soon, you’ll really start appreciating a new part of your life here and you’ll feel at home in no time!

Communication

When you are not from an English-speaking country, you may find it hard to fully express yourself or perhaps, you may even be feeling shy to talk to people. But don’t use this as an excuse to not speak English. Don’t be afraid to try! If anything, people will help you if you struggle and this way, it makes it a lot easier for you to pick up the language. ELTC at the university also offers English Language Support for users of all proficiencies you can follow this link to check it out!

Missing food

It’s very common to start missing your traditional food but worry not, Sheffield has a huge selection of international cuisines: from all types of Asian, European and Middle Eastern, so you’re bound to find something that satisfies your taste buds! Our Shop in the Students’ Union also has a wide selection of international products and there is also a load of supermarkets selling international products around the city so you can always try cooking your traditional meal by yourself!

Fitting in

You’re being thrown into a country with a completely different culture. It’s not surprising you are wondering how you would fit in the picture. But don’t let this hold you back from trying to socialise with people from different backgrounds. Instead, take this as an opportunity to explore cultures you otherwise would not have experienced. Just be yourself, share your culture, and learn theirs! Despite the cultural differences, another thing I have found is sharing similar hobbies or interests makes conversations more effortless and helps you blend in quicker!

Summer activities around Sheffield

By James Dylag, BA Business Management

The academic year is over, you’re free of exams and revision, and it’s now time to enjoy your summer break after all the year’s hard work! Follow this guide for the great things Sheffield has to offer over the summer months.

Tramlines festival
Tramlines is a Sheffield institution – now in its tenth year it attracts huge crowds from Sheffield and beyond. The festival has seen acts such as Stereophonics, Basement Jaxx and Stefflon Don, right the way through to this year’s headliners Nile Rodgers and Chic, the Courteeners and Two Door Cinema Club. Tramlines is usually held mid-July and is therefore a great way to celebrate finishing exams and kick start the summer break.

Peace in the Park
Another festival type event – Peace in the Park is held annually in Ponderosa park (another of Sheffield’s many green spaces). The festival has a mission to bring people together through the arts, and make a stand for global peace. The festival brings together local businesses, artists and citizens to create a celebration of the community.

Bassfest
Bassfest is another Sheffield-based festival. The festival is held just outside of Sheffield in the Don Valley Bowl, with this year’s line-up including Camelphat, Fisher, Gorgon City and Solardo. Not quite as big as Tramlines, but nonetheless still very popular, this year’s event promises over 100 acts across five stages.

The Peak District
In Sheffield we are fortunate enough to have a national park on our doorstep, which can be easily reached by train or bus. Take a picnic and plenty of water and embark on one of the Peak’s many walks. My personal favourites are the Lady Bower Reservoir and Stanage Edge – both of which are a stone’s throw away from some great pubs… the perfect summer refreshment!

Sheffield has loads to offer during the summer months. Whether it is some of the big events listed above, or just spending the day enjoying the cafes and parks in Sheffield, you’ll be sure to have that well-deserved relaxing summer break you’ve waited so long for.

Top 10 things to do while studying at Sheffield University

By Jade Ellis, BA Accounting and Financial Management

There is so much to do in Sheffield whilst you’re studying at university, so here are my top 10 things that you cannot miss out on doing!

Ecclesall Road

This road is not one to be missed, with a prime location next to Sheffield Botanical Gardens and Endcliffe park, it is a great for students living around the Endcliffe area and around. What doesn’t this road have? From luxury eateries to hair salons, “Eccy Road” (as it is known locally) is a stretch full of quality restaurants, coffee houses, pubs, bars and shops. My personal favourites would be eating at Red’s True BBQ and then going for cheaper drinks (as Ecclesall Road can be quite expensive) at every student’s favourite place ‘Spoons (The Sheaf Island).

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Going back to Sheffield’s history the gardens opened in 1836, covering 19 acres and was re-opened by HRH The Prince of Wales on 1 September 2003. It is a very relaxing place, especially in the summer to go and look at the variety of plants. The collection of plants is from all over the world including Mediterranean, Asian, American prairie-style, woodland and rock-and-water plantings. It is definitely worth a visit if you are wanting a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in the centre.

Meadowhall Shopping Centre

One of Sheffield’s most known attractions is Meadowhall, Yorkshire’s largest shopping centre, and from the University of Sheffield it is a 20-minute tram ride away. It has everything from top high street fashion like Topshop and River Island, to designer shops like Flannels and House of Fraser. Not to forget the huge Oasis food court that has a vast number of restaurants like TGI Fridays, Nando’s, Coal, Wagamama’s and many more. It is a nice place to catch up with friends and have a bit of retail therapy to get you through long assignments and hours of revision.

West Street

If you’re looking for a cheap night look no further than West Street. The £5 round Mon-Thurs from Tiger Works is a dream, it includes a VK of your choice, single vodka and mixer, sours shot and the deadly Jager bomb. You won’t need much more after this awesome foursome. There is also West Street Live that is still a casual and cheap night, so perfect for students and they also have deals throughout the week day nights.

Valley Centertainment

A great place to go and spend some quality time socialising with your Uni friends is Centertainment. There is so much you can do such as; go to the cinema, go bowling with your course mate, go to adventure mini-golf, eat at restaurants like Coast to Coast and Chiquito’s or something a bit cheaper and quicker like a Five Guys or Subway catch up if you have a gap between lectures. There is something for everyone, and it is again only a 20 minute tram journey away from the University of Sheffield stop.

Ice Sheffield

Fancy a change from the usual leisure activities? Why not try ice-skating! It’s only a 20 minute tram ride to the arena stop and a 2 minute walk to Ice Sheffield, so it’s really easy to get there. You don’t need to be a pro to go, you can go and have a laugh with your mates and it’s a great way to keep fit and active. I think it is a great hobby and I really enjoy seeing my progress from not being able to stand on the ice to skating freely on it.

Kelham Island

A 15 minute walk from the city centre, Kelham Island has become one of thehippest places in the UK! It is mainly known for its Peddler Night Market on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, which offers amazing street food, craft beer and live music. It is truly not one to miss, with a diverse range of talent, it is an enjoyable weekend for you and your friends to enjoy, as well as stuffing your faces with fresh, great tasting food.

The Moor

It is a great shopping experience with only a 5 minute walk from the main University buildings to the centre. It has many high street retailers such as; Primark, Burton, Debenhams, GAP outlet and many more. It is an easy and quick way to go and update your university wardrobe for all the events at the SU. It is also a nice break from revision to go and browse the shops.

The Light Cinema

In the heart of the city centre is this smaller, cosier cinema in comparison to Centertainment’s Vue. It is a great experience with friends and is more of an intimate atmosphere, to give you a more personal experience watching the latest blockbusters and creating great memories.

Revolution Sheffield

A great place to go to have a drink and socialise is Revolution just off West Street. They have an amazing menu with the choice of a selection of tasty grazers like mustard sausages and succulent chicken burgers. Not forgetting the 2 for 1 cocktail offer on weekdays, the Pornstar Martini is a must try! It is definitely an insta worthy experience with the great aesthetically presented food and drink, they even have a dance floor, what more could you ask for?

Accommodation at Sheffield

By Will Szabo, BA Business Management

In this blog post I will be telling you about the different accommodation you will have in your time as a student, offering first hand advice and tips.

In first year, most students stay in halls of residence, which we call ‘halls’. You can choose whether this is a catered flat, where you pay extra to get your meals provided in a food hall, or self-catered, where you are provided with a kitchen and left to cook for yourself. Then you choose between a single or double bed and en suite or shared bathroom. Sheffield’s accommodation has come in the top 5 in the UK in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey from 2012-2018, so you’re in safe hands whatever you choose – you just need to consider what will suit you best.

Student Halls

There are 3 different 1^st year accommodation villages;

Endcliffe
Ranmoor
City

I stayed in Endcliffe village in the Curbar building. In Endcliffe and Ranmoor, all the buildings are named after famous places in Sheffield like Curbar, Derwent and Howden. Endcliffe and Ranmoor provide a family and ‘village’ experience, where you are surrounded by thousands of other students all in the same boat as you, starting university and looking to meet people. In freshers week you meet hundreds of different people including all the other flats in your building.

The Edge Bar

On both sites, you have access to the social hub The Edge located in Endcliffe. The Edge is a student bar selling food and drink with plenty of sofas and tv’s that show sports fixtures and big events! It’s a great place to meet people and an even better place to sit back and relax. It is also in the same building where catered students will eat.

Your room

The majority of rooms are single bed with en suite however you can opt for a double bed for more money or a shared bathroom for cheaper.

The first year accommodation is nice, but to make it feel like a home you have to make it your own – I recommend lights, pictures, posters – thingsthat make it special to you. In my room I put a clothing rail, a tv and a pull up bar in there. This is what the standard room will look like, with an en suite bathroom to the left.

As long as there is space, you can stay in student accommodation for your second year, however a lot of students choose to find a house with their friends.

Private housing

When I chose who to live with in second year, I ended up living with lads from the flat below me, who I met in freshers week and instantly clicked with. This was quite an easy choice as we all got on very well and were all on different courses, with all different day to day plans meaning no one would ever get sick of another.

Finding a house

In terms of actually looking for the house, there are so many student property shops that do everything for you. In Broomhill, the closest town to Endcliffe, there are over 8 different property shops!

When choosing where to live, you will be able to ask advice from older years, but the main places are Broomhill and Crookesmoor, with others choosing more Hallam mixed areas like Broomhall and Ecclesall Road. All areas are very good and highly dominated by students. Many focus their choice on where their course building is and the distance from the house.

Following years

You will have so much choice of who to live with, whether it’s your course mates, people you lived with in first year, or mates from sports/societies. After second year, many of your friends will take years out studying abroad or on placement, and you could even choose to do that yourself. You may also want to change your house, or the area that you’re living in. This all means that you’ll be changing your house for your last year, which many people I know are planning to do. Luckily, I love where I live and am planning to stay in my current house in my third year, but we have had to find three other people to live with us, due to three of my current housemates going to do placement years.

I hope that this has given you some insight into accommodation at Sheffield! If you want to see the accommodation in person, you can go on accommodation tours at any of our open days.

Moving to Sheffield from another country

By Alice Lando, BA International Business Management

Are you thinking about coming to Sheffield but wondering what it would be like moving from another country? Don’t worry, it is probably going to be the best decision you have ever made!

I came to Sheffield from Italy over three months ago and I have not
regret it ever since. I chose The University of Sheffield because it offers the course I had always pictured in my mind; a degree in Business Management with the opportunity to study one year abroad. Coming to Sheffield, I have found that the community created by the Students’ Union and the students themselves have strengthened my decision. Sheffield is truly an international city, filled with open-minded people from all around the world, which makes the experience a lot easier.

Even though I tried not to visualise how my life would be here in Sheffield before arriving, I can definitely say that my experience here has exceeded my expectations. I have made more friends than I thought I would, I have tried so many different activities and I have always felt supported in regards to both my studies and my social life. Lecturers are always available if you need them and there is a wide range of sports and activities that you can try. I joined the University volleyball team; this gave me the chance to go to different cities to play games, but more importantly I met a lot of new people from around the world with who I now spend time with on a daily basis.

As with every experience, I did face some challenges. Sometimes I felt like
there were too many new things I wanted to try, and balancing social life and study was a little bit hard. At the beginning language was another barrier since everyone has a different accent, but I got used to it fairly soon. In regards to how to prepare for such a change in your life, my advice would be to work on your mentality as it will be what is going to support you during this journey. You will have the greatest days, but it’s inevitable that you will also have some bad ones too. Be open to new things, new people, new traditions and you will overcome all cultural differences. Practically speaking, packing and bringing your stuff are probably the most stressful parts. My advice is to pack the essentials, all the things you can not buy in Sheffield or that you need for the first few weeks, especially if you will travel alone. Once you are here, you will have to sort out some things such as a bank account, a UK phone number and health insurance but the University can help you with all of that!

Final tips I would like to give you as I found them useful during these three
months:

Enjoy your last days in your home country, you are very likely to miss that feeling
Take photos that you can look through when you feel homesick, but also learn a ‘traditional activity’ to always feel at home. In my case, a part of Italy is with me when I cook.
Lastly, once you are in Sheffield, enjoy every single moment without letting cultural differences stop you or take you down.

I hope Sheffield will be a home far from home for you as it is for me!

A guide to Sheffield nightlife

By Aaron Probert, BA Business Management

Today’s blog is going to give you a tour of the best places to go out as a student in Sheffield. If nightlife is a big selling point for you, you won’t be disappointed in Sheffield – there really is something for everyone!

Sheffield has the number 1 Students’ Union in the UK, and if you visit you’ll understand why. It has its own nightclub that runs the best student nights out! Every Saturday night at the SU is Poptarts, a night that always sells out. You can expect to get a huge dose of throwbacks and singalongs, from ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis, to ‘A Thousand Miles’ by Vanessa Carlton. This is always a classic night, but if that’s not your thing there’s loads more happening, like Tuesday club, my favourite SU night! This features a variety of live artists every week, such as drum and bass with the likes of Royal T, Flava D and Andy C or you can dance the night away with Horse Meat Disco and SoulJam.

Even outside the SU there’s plenty of things to do. West Street is a road in Sheffield’s centre that has so many pubs, bars and clubs with loads of different music tastes – if you join a sports society, chances are you’ll be seeing a lot of it when you do bar crawls! There’s West Street Live which is open till 5am and has a range of weird and wonderful drinks that are easy on the bank account. Next door is Tiger Works, where you can get the famous ‘Five Pound Round’ and sing your heart out with your housemates on the karaoke. And best of all its all cheap!

If drinking isn’t your scene, or you just need a break for a night, there are plenty of places to wind down with some amazing food. Peddler Night Market is always a great shout – this is a monthly event held in Kelham Island, a fashionable area not too far from student living areas. The Peddler Market has live music, great street food and lots of little pop-up shops. There’s so much to choose from you’ll never get bored of the food selection, and occasionally they do a vegetarian and vegan night where the food is so good, even carnivores will be converted.

With so much to do in Sheffield, it’s important to get the right balance of going out and studying. My advice is to draft a timetable allocating a set number of hours each week to be in the library or studying at home. That way, you’re always able to stay on top of assessments and up to date with the curriculum, preventing you falling behind or missing deadlines. If you get healthy habits started when you start in first year, it’s easier to carry them on throughout your degree. Plus, if you work hard in the day, that night out just feels even better!

Everything I’ve learnt about Sheffield over the years

By Rosalie Williams, BA Business Management with Employment Experience

Being in my final year of my course, I feel like I’ve learned quite a few things about Sheffield over the years that I wish I’d known when I’d started. Here they are!

Our SU is AWESOME
Before I arrived I had no idea how fabulous our Students’ Union (SU) is in comparison to other universities. Whenever I visited on open days, I struggled to understand what a university’s Students’ Union actually was, since each university was so different. But, after visiting my friends at universities across the country, I finally realised how lucky we are! Our SU has shops, cafés, restaurants, a cinema, various night-time events (which are definitely some of the best in all of Sheffield!), cash points, and various support and advice services which you can pop into. It’s no surprise it’s been voted the top SU in the country ten years in a row.

Amazing food and coffee at the Steam Yard!

There’s no need for Starbucks
There are so many cute, independent coffee shops in Sheffield. Whether you need a study break, or you want to go on day out with your friends, Sheffield has so many cafés and restaurants that you’ll never run out of new places to go! My personal favourite – and the one which my friends and I always visit – is the Steam Yard. It’s only around a 10-minute walk from the Students’ Union and serves the best coffee and doughnuts.

Compact = convenient
Sheffield can feel small compared to other UK cities like London, Birmingham and Manchester, but I see it as a positive as you’re never too far from anything. It’s an easy walk into town from your first year student accommodation, and the libraries, uni gym and supermarkets are so close by. Not that you need to go to the gym with Sheffield’s infamous seven hills… a short walk can sometimes feel like a hike!

Visiting the Peak District is easier than you think
Despite always wanting to go, it took me until my third year to actually visit the Peak District (which is something I’m totally embarrassed about!). The UK’s first national park, the Peak District, has a host of hiking trails and there are regular buses and trains from Sheffield. There’s so much to explore, and apart from your travel costs it’s a pretty cheap day out!

The best places to eat in Sheffield

In Sheffield you have your pick of brilliant food joints that suit a student budget. Here are my favourites!

The Wick At Both Ends

This music-led pub and DJ bar, on the fringes of the trendy Devonshire Street, offers an amazing food menu and even a so-called Pipe & Slippers Sunday for those struggling with a “poorly head” (Sunday roast, £7.95). Pies, sausages and such are made on-site. The menu has many creative twists on classics – for example the chicken burger is a fillet marinated in garlic, lemon, thyme and that iconic Sheffield condiment, Henderson’s Relish. Other favourites include mussels in cider and fish ‘n’ chips. All dishes are expertly plated and presented, making a meal at the Wick At Both Ends a special dining experience without the usual price tag.

Twisted Burger Co.

This burger joint is located in The Harley at the top of West Street and specialises in slightly bonkers, and rather massive, burgers. They also do messy, delicious fries, shakes and sides. Their menu is music-themed and ever changing. Burgers range from meat to chicken to vegetarian, and are all characterised by an array of extravagant toppings and sides. Highlights from the dazzling menu include the Drop It Like It’s Hot, with spicy refried beans, Monterey Jack cheese, hot sauce and a house BBQ sauce, or the Rasher’s Delight, the UK’s first bacon burger featuring a double bacon patty, coleslaw and dressing. Delicious, messy and decadent, these burgers are hard to beat.

Nottingham house

A proper student pub, serving pies, mash, chips and peas. The system is simple: pies are listed on a board and when they run out that’s it. No other choices, no pretending to be something else, just good pies with mash, chips, peas and gravy. For the £7.95 price tag, ‘Notty House’ is one of Sheffield’s treasures.

Bungalows & Bears

Every Wednesday at Bungalow and Bears it’s wings night. You can pick up 10 BBQ wings with pineapple slaw, sweet potato fries and corn on the cob for less than £10 and also throw in two beers for just £5! It’s a student favourite in the heart of Sheffield city centre. Student-friendly prices and amazing tasting meals. The venue is also pretty impressive, as it’s housed in an old fire station, so it’s definitely one to take your friends to when you’re showing them around Sheffield!

The York

The York dates back to the 1830s, where it was used as an inn and alehouse for travellers, and has been serving food and drink under its current guise since 2010. Today, the pub is known for its cosy interior, featuring fireplaces, wood panelling and plush leather seating, and its home cooked, delicious pub fare. The menu largely sticks to the classics, offering comforting, hearty dishes that are certain to please almost everyone. Try the pie of the day served with mushy peas and hand cut chips for an authentic taste of the north. As well as delicious food, The York also offers a range of selected beers from local breweries, both bottled and draft.

Street Food Chef

This multi award-wining family-run Mexican street food outlet offer a healthy fast food alternative to the people of Sheffield. They’re probably best known for their burritos – think chicken in smoky tomato sauce or tender slow-cooked pulled pork – but they also serve tacos and quesadillas as well as gluten and dairy-free options at their Burrito Bar or Mexican Canteen. Mexicali drinks include Red Pig beer, Jarritos, Desperado and more. There’s a huge burrito challenge too, if you’re up to it.

Falafel King

Falafels are the food revolution of the last few years. Little ventures serving up these delicious Middle-Eastern goodies are popping up all over the country, and Sheffield is no different. Falafel King has some of the best fried chickpea balls in town and the ever-present queue is proof of that. Popular with the student crowd, pop in for a well-stuffed pitta for just a few quid.

Have fun exploring all of these places, and I hope that you love them as much as I do! If you have any favourites that I’ve missed, let us know!

What made me choose Sheffield?

By James Dylag, BA Business Management

Deciding where to study is a massive decision to make. There are such a massive amount of universities offering an even bigger variety of courses to prospective students, but for me Sheffield really did, and still does stand out… here’s why.

First of all, it’s difficult to ignore how good The University of Sheffield really is. Sheffield is a Russell Group university and has a Students’ Union that has been voted the best in the country for ten consecutive years. If this wasn’t enough, the Management School itself is one of few business schools globally that has been awarded triple-accreditation… that in itself is impressive!

Not only is Sheffield a top performing university, but the city is also great. Despite being the fourth largest city in the UK, Sheffield is somehow still able to maintain a real community feel, and a very friendly population. Being from a very small town myself, it was important for me to have a city that is friendly and welcoming… it was the first time I’d lived in a city after all! This community feel is possibly most present in the university accommodation, where there is never a dull moment! In both Endcliffe andRanmoor you’ll find activities to do, from fitness classes, outdoor cinemas or just a drink at The Edge, and it’s the perfect place to settle in.

Another swaying factor for me was the support system available at Sheffield. Starting off at university is a big deal. Personally, I wanted to know if I did have any issues or problems with my course, accommodation or anything about university life I would be supported. When visiting the university, I really felt that staff members genuinely cared, and had the students best interest at heart. I still think this today! The University offers all sorts of help and guidance for students around any type of issue. You can find this help in the Students’ Union, your academic department or your personal tutor. In student accommodation you’ll also have a Residence Life Mentor, who are students that can help you with any personal issues you may be having.

The final thing that swayed my decision was looking at the modules that my course offers. I study Business Management, and I thought that the first-year modules would give me a real understanding of a variety of business areas, which it did. I was then able in my second and third year to concentrate my module choices around areas which I enjoyed the most. Having the freedom to choose modules in all three years of university has meant I have been able to explore all different areas of my subject and helped me to shape a view of where my skills lie.

Choosing where to go to university is such a big decision, which is why I strongly recommend you keep an open mind, ask questions and do your research. There are so many possibilities when you consider what course you would like to study and exactly where you would like to study it – make sure you’re informed so you can make the decision that is right for you. But most importantly, remember that no choice is the wrong choice – go where you feel comfortable and you’ll have the best time!

My experience as a Sabrecats Pom Cheerleader

By Jade Ellis, BA Accounting and Financial Management

Hi everyone! I’m Jade, and I’m proud to be a Varsity Coach for the Sabrecats Pom Cheerleading team. When most people think ‘cheerleader’, they think of cheery girls waving pom poms in the air – I assure you that being a Sabrecat pom cheerleader is so much more than just that! We train and perform at Varsity fixtures, have some of the best social events, and take part in volunteering and fundraising for our selected charities. With so many things to get involved in, I think it’s the best club going!

We are made up of three teams of all different levels and abilities – Comp, Varsity and Cheer Dance. The Comp team train twice a week at a high level and perform at competitions around England. The Varsity team train once or twice a week and perform at the larger events such as the football final at Hillsborough and the ice hockey final at Sheffield Arena. The Cheer Dance team trains once a week and also performs at Varsity performances, but has a less demanding schedule. There’s something for everyone, so don’t worry if you think you won’t have enough time – give it a go! Squad auditions are at the start of the academic year, and are posted on our Facebook page. The auditions are not as scary as you might think, and you are more than welcome to audition with your friends. Any gender is welcome – if you have a big smile, loads of enthusiasm, high kicks, huge jumps and strong arms, then you’re the type of person we’re looking for!

One of the most enjoyable parts of being part of the team are the socials. Most of our socials are themed nights on Wednesdays starting at Revolution and ending at Roar at the Students’ Union – which normally means dressing up! It’s always a great night, and is a fantastic way to get to know each other outside of practice. One of the best nights is the Christmas Roar, as the Social Secretaries make amazing costumes for everyone, and everyone is in the holiday spirit!

As Varsity Coach I’m responsible for 27 girls, and for choreographing two routines that will be watched by hundreds of people at Varsity events. This seems daunting, however it is an extremely rewarding opportunity, and taking on this role has given me a huge amount of transferable skills like organisation skills, time management, leadership and confidence. There are two coaches per team, so I’m not on my own, and I find it so rewarding to collaborate ideas and work together as a team. It is so satisfying watching your hard work come together to create an amazing routine and gives you a great sense of accomplishment. I am thoroughly enjoying being Varsity coach, as it has made my university experience more exciting and challenging, as well as allowing me to gain skills that I may not have if I didn’t take part.

If you’re considering having a go at cheerleading, I would absolutely recommend it! Performing cheer routines in front of hundreds of people is a great way to build your confidence and keep fit, and I’ve met some amazing friends through the team.