Gabrielle studied A-levels in Biology, Psychology and PE and always enjoyed participating in sport. As soon as she realised she could do sport psychology as a career, she knew this was something she wanted to pursue. She went on to study BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Psychology at the University of Winchester as a commuting student, before further advancing her expertise by progressing on to MSc Applied Sport Psychology.
Why did you choose to study at Winchester?
I was originally at another university; however, it wasn’t long before I realised I wanted to be closer to home. After only looking at the website, I decided Winchester would be the best fit, and it was the best decision for me. The small, family environment that the course and staff have created has shaped me into the person I am today and I will forever be grateful for the guidance they have given me.
Did you have any concerns about studying your degree and, if so, how did you overcome these?
The main concern I had was starting late due to joining the University later than everyone else. I was extremely nervous when I attended my first lecture; however, someone on the course reached out to me, took me under her wing, showed me where to go, and sat next to me in class. The staff were accommodating, got to know me as an individual, and from that point onwards, I began to feel at home in the environment I was in.
What was the best thing about your course lecturers?
I think the best thing about the course lecturers was the welcoming family environment and the guidance, advice and support they gave me through some of the most challenging periods of my life. In addition, the lecturers had a wealth of experience and knowledge within sport and exercise psychology. Their applied examples gave substance to what they taught and made the knowledge and theory come to life and easier to understand. They also knew when I needed to be challenged and pushed further, alongside easing off when they knew I had a lot to balance, which had a huge impact on my experience as a student.
What personal or professional skills did you gain during the course?
There were numerous skills I developed while I was studying the course; however, the two standout skills would be interpersonal and presentation skills. Specifically, my interpersonal skills were developed through modules like developing effective relationships, where I learned how to interact, communicate and build relationships with people I haven't met before. I also learned how to display empathy and active listening, both being vital interpersonal skills needed as a sport psychologist. In terms of presenting, this was developed throughout the course, either through presentation-based assignments or through group work during sessions where we had to give feedback to the rest of the class. The course was designed in a way that allowed my confidence to grow when presenting. During my first year, we had a group presentation and an individual presentation with no audience, for which we were allowed cue cards, and both lasted around 10-15 minutes. During our second year, we had another group presentation where we were encouraged not to use cue-cards. By the final year, we were presenting for 20 minutes with no cue cards and in front of an audience. This progression helped to build my confidence over the years, to the point where presenting in front of an audience no longer feels daunting.
Did you do any work experience as part of your course?
I had two placement opportunities, which were part of the course. The first was during a volunteering module where I was a tutor for an organisation called Action Tutoring. This opportunity boosted my employability by developing my interpersonal skills and learning how to work with those who were significantly younger than me, both of which I may need to use in the future as an aspiring sport psychologist.
The second placement opportunity I did in my final year was during the professional development module, where I was supervised in co-delivering psychoeducation workshops to talented athletes in a local sixth form. This was by far the most valuable opportunity I could have had as a student, as it taught me how to prepare and deliver workshops, which is something you may do as a sport psychologist. I also received feedback from both my lecturer and other students on this placement, which provided me with areas I could improve on in future sessions. Overall, this placement not only taught me how to prepare and deliver workshops, but also how to communicate effectively with others and how to handle constructive criticism.
How did studying at Winchester help you to prepare for the world of work and/or to secure your job?
I continued to study at Winchester, doing a postgraduate degree in applied sport psychology. By getting involved at the University through being a course champion at open days, engaging in placement opportunities and developing my presentation and interpersonal skills this led to my lecturer contacting me and suggesting that I applied for an associate lecturing position at the University. Without developing these skills throughout my degrees, I don't think I would be in the position I am now or have the confidence in myself to teach in sport and exercise psychology.
What advice would you give someone considering studying this subject?
My advice would be to take any opportunity that is given to you and use your lecturers as much as possible for advice and guidance. I would also say to start the course with an open mind, be engaged and interact within the sessions as much as possible to learn the most about the subject and to take something away from each session. Be prepared to be challenged and to be pushed out of your comfort zone, but know that it will lead to personal growth and development over the course of three years, and you will be a better version of yourself by the end of the course.
If you'd like to find out more about the courses Gabrielle studied at the University of Winchester and meet our friendly and supportive staff, book your place on one of our open days.
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