The benefits of joining a sports society during the university year.
We’ve all heard it a thousand times before: if you’re not feeling 100%, get outside, get some fresh air, or go for a run. But it really does make a difference, especially during the dark university semester that is fast approaching. Playing a sport or even just being a part of one of GUSA’s many sports clubs gets you out of your comfort zone at the beginning of the academic year, which is the best thing you can do.
Whether it’s to escape your freezing cold flat since your flatmates refuse to turn the heating on, or wanting an excuse to leave that two-hour-long lecture on a Wednesday afternoon, playing a sport at Glasgow University can benefit more people than you would imagine.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO): Physical activity benefits adults and “ improves mental health, cognitive health, and sleep.”
Sport at Glasgow University provides: “free self-referral wellbeing programmes, designed to support University of Glasgow students to become more active and improve their mental health.”
When uni students are notorious for having awful sleep schedules after a night out where you stayed out too late, or realising you left an assignment until the last minute, having the routine of sport training can keep at least one normality in the hectic evenings. It’s the same with studies. If sport is implemented into the usual weekly routine, it helps to time manage other aspects of being a University of Glasgow student. The beginning of the semester is a vital time to organise your routine for a better chance of maintaining it throughout the year. For many, starting a new hobby without the security and comfort of a friend or usual routine can be daunting. It’s always easier said than done, but once you get past the initial walking into the sports hall with no familiar faces, you soon realise how many others are in a similar situation and how willing people are to make new friends. Not having a friend by your side or your home comforts should not put you off doing something you are eager to get involved with; instead, it adds to the stories you can debrief with your flatmates over dinner.
It is not only the time management benefits of sport during University that makes for a positive start to the Uni experience, but one of the most important is the social aspect. Whether it’s during training or the manic sports Wednesdays at the union, appearing in front of security dressed as a minion, having a group of friends who you can relate with is great. GUSA clubs such as caving, mountaineering, and ski & snowboard all take their society members out on excursions during the year. This not only allows these clubs the opportunities to see some amazing parts of the country, but also these trips provide a time and place where members can get to know one another further, outside of an academic setting. If you’re looking for a more casual club to get involved with; football, netball, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, and many more have different teams which you can try out for; with ‘development’ or ‘recreational’ being teams that are open to any ability and usually include a training a session and more relaxed matches. If you’re a little more outgoing however, ski & snowboard, surfing, and skydiving all have insane trips and socials that everyone is encouraged to go along to. And if you really want to go all out, @glasgowfightnight hosts fight night twice a year where students can go head to head inside the ring after weeks of intense training.
They don’t have to be your best mates (although they might be!), but knowing you can see the same people once or twice a week who you can chat and have a run around with really benefits students more than you know at the time.
So, even if you have the smallest urge to join a sports club, DO IT! You never know who you can meet or what you can experience together. GUSA provides over 50 sports clubs so there is certainly something for everyone from karate to table tennis. Participate as much as you feel necessary to support your mental health, studies, and friends.
Image Credit: Glasgow University Sports Association
