Natasha Howard

I took a BTEC Level 3 Sport & Exercise Science. I also completed a Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme alongside my studies in college, in relation to my sport.

I’ve always been interested in sport. I can’t remember a period of my life where I wasn’t involved in some form of physical activity. It’s just a part of who I am. I grew up taking part in every sport I could, representing both primary and secondary schools in all sorts of teams. I also achieved my black belt in taekwondo having started in year 6.

I thrive in practical and hands-on environments. I chose to study sport because I enjoy learning about athletes and performance in a way that I can personally relate to. I couldn’t imagine myself working in a desk-based role. So, I could definitely see myself following a career in this area. Studying sport allows me to combine my passion with my career goals in a way that feels natural and fulfilling.

My main sport is artistic swimming. I’ve been involved for around 14 years now. My sister is a sporting inspiration of mine – she’s continually motivated me to push myself and stay committed. I got into artistic swimming after finishing my swimming lessons and earning my one-mile badge at six years old. My sister was already part of a local club, Bolton Bridgeman ASC, which at the time needed more members to stay open. I was looking for a sport to try outside of school, so I joined to give it a go and I’ve been doing it ever since. Sadly, the club had to close a few months later, but that led me to join City of Preston Aquatics, where I still train and compete.

Artistic swimming allows me to express myself creatively in the water. I’ve continued to compete for my home club alongside my studies. Artistic swimming is quite a niche sport, so there aren’t many university teams in the UK. Training allows me to take my mind off outside stresses and focus on my routines for a few hours. I’ve made friends for life through my sport, all over the country. There’s no better feeling than finishing a routine in competition knowing you’ve done a great swim. It feels very rewarding when all the hard work pays off.

Edge Hill was the very last open day I attended – but I instantly felt at home. I visited eight open days and five offer-holder days before making my decision. I could really picture myself thriving here, everything just seemed to fall into place. The campus is beautiful, with stunning nature.

My course offered the perfect balance of practical, hands-on learning and theoretical study. I really liked the variety of assessment methods, rather than being solely exam-based. The Sports Centre (complete with a swimming pool) and the scholarship opportunities really stood out to me too, and I was drawn to the range of societies on offer. Everyone I met on the open day and offer-holder events were so friendly and genuinely passionate about Edge Hill, which solidified my decision.

My favourite part of the degree so far has definitely been the practicals, especially Sport Psychology labs in first year. They were such a fun and engaging way to learn, combining practical activities with theory. I’ve also loved the friendships I’ve made on my course and the support we’ve received from the staff, it’s created a positive and encouraging environment to study in.

I’ve grown in confidence and feel a real sense of pride in the quality and presentation of my assignments. Developing my academic writing skills has been a challenge, particularly when completing results sections of coursework. Despite studying for a BSc, maths and statistics don’t come naturally to me, so working with data, figures, and unfamiliar software has been hard at times. I’ve also found some of the exams difficult. However, I’ve persevered, asking for support and revisiting the pre-recorded guides available to students, allowing me to work through the material in my own time.

The sports facilities at Edge Hill are great. There’s plenty on offer and something to fit almost everyone’s typical sporting needs. I only wish the swimming pool was a bit deeper for my sport.

I’m involved in several societies and extracurricular activities at Edge Hill. I’ve been a member of the Christian Union since Freshers’ Week in my first year. I attend CU almost every week and help out on the welcome team. This year I also joined the Scrapbook Society, along with a couple of others. Due to my busy schedule, I’m not always able to attend as regularly as I’d like, but I really value being part of the society.

I represent Edge Hill as a competitive cheerleader. I’m part of the Level 1 cheer team, EHU Extreme: Royalty. I’ve wanted to try cheerleading for many years. It’s essentially artistic swimming on land, and university was the perfect opportunity to go for it. I attended try-outs and was so excited to make the team. We train on Tuesday evenings, which often means long days on campus and driving home around 10:15 in the evening, but I’m really enjoying the new experience. Being involved in these activities has helped me stay active, meet new people, find a real community, and make the most of university life alongside my studies.

I appreciate the effort Edge Hill goes to, to support commuter students. A predominantly campus-based university, initiatives like the commuter breakfasts are a lovely touch – especially during the winter months. I can’t always get there, but it’s great to know that it’s there. My drive to campus takes me between 30-50 minutes on average, depending on traffic, and now I’m familiar with my routes, it’s much easier.

Parking at Edge Hill has been a huge positive for me. Edge Hill is one of only two universities in the UK to offer free parking for students and staff, which makes a massive difference for commuters like me. The parking team are always friendly, organised, and visible on campus, whatever the weather.

I love our new Students’ Union building. It has a great balance of modern design and a warm, welcoming feel. Each of the three floors offers something different, and I’m especially looking forward to using the rooftop space when it opens in the warmer months.

My first experience of the SU was during the Freshers’/Welcome Back Fair. It was really busy and full of energy. Since then, I’ve also spent time there during quieter periods, which has helped me appreciate how spacious it is with lots of things to be getting up to. We also used the first floor for our CU Events Week this year, which was a lovely open space. It’s a great central hub on campus, with plenty to do in your spare time. I’ve used the SU as a place to relax and socialise between lectures, often having dinner in there with my course mates. As a commuter, having access to microwaves, on the second floor, means I can easily heat up food I’ve brought from home without needing to walk across campus, which makes my day easier.

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix is my sporting hero. She’s an incredible athlete and an inspiring role model, not only because of her success in elite sport, but also because of the way she carries herself. She is humble, grounded, and open about her Christian faith, which I really admire and relate to. She advocates for mental health and talks openly about personal challenges she’s faced. I enjoy following her journey on social media and find her approach to both sport and life genuinely inspiring. Despite being only a year older than me, I hugely respect how she balances competing on the international stage alongside her university studies. She represents what it looks like to pursue excellence in sport while staying true to your values, and she’s a powerful inspiration for young female athletes. I also follow and admire the journeys of many other athletes, including Simone Biles, Max Whitlock, Molly Carlson, Tom Pidcock, Bryony Page, and Carlos Alcaraz. Their dedication, resilience, and love for their sport, despite obstacles, is an inspiration.

I’m drawn to sports that combine athleticism, skill, and artistry. I enjoy watching a wide range of sports, particularly artistic swimming (naturally), as well as diving, artistic gymnastics, trampolining, cycling, figure skating, equestrianism, and rowing. I love watching how different disciplines are performed at the highest level. It’s inspiring to see elite athletes competing at their best and achieving their goals. I understand the level of hard work, dedication, and commitment that goes into their training and performance.

I’d love to watch the Olympics live. What sportsperson wouldn’t enjoy watching that live? I think the whole atmosphere around the Olympic Village would be wonderful and you would probably bump into some of the highest ranked athletes in the world when out and about in the surrounding area. It would be great to watch events that are otherwise more difficult to see or that you don’t normally consider within sport. Seeing Team GB win a medal in an event live would be very special too.

I’d also enjoy watching the Artistic Swimming World Championships. Seeing the best of the best in my sport on a world stage would be brilliant to watch. I’ve been to a couple of European Championships so seeing Worlds would be that but elevated even more.