Present me envies the athleticism I held between ages four and fifteen: swimming countless times a week (not including competitions), dance in a variety of forms, and a slither of netball on the side. I was unstoppable, with very little time that I felt fully rested. But my sporting life quickly froze with the COVID lockdown in 2020: before I knew it, less and less time was spent in the pool, courts or dance studio, and instead I was left with a daily walk.

Once you stop and the routine falls apart, it becomes very difficult to start again. As lockdown restrictions lifted, I struggled to gather up my love for sport again, with exercise feeling like a heavy burden rather than something I enjoyed for fun.

“Coming to university gave me the distance – both physical and mental – to return to sport on my own terms”

Perhaps it was burnout: sport, particularly in childhood, changes when it becomes competitive. Swimming was no longer about the feeling of gliding through the water or having front-crawl races with my brother, and dance was no longer about expression and going wherever the music took me. Instead, it was about time, placing, medals, and trying to reach distinctions in exams. Lockdown forced me to take a break and re-evaluate what I thought was important in sport, beyond being the best and achieving the highest grades or podium place.

Coming to university gave me the distance – both physical and mental – to return to sport on my own terms. Cambridge in particular offers a refreshing environment where sport doesn’t have to be intense or competitive unless you want it to be. The sheer number of clubs and societies allow you to ease back in at whatever pace suits you.

This summer I properly committed to regaining the skills and the love I had for the sports that I spent so many hours dedicating myself to. It was difficult at first, going from competing at a good level to venturing right down to near-beginner levels. But once I swam my first 30 lengths, I felt exhilarated. The years out meant that I could disconnect the air of competition and fear of failing that I once attributed to the sport, and appreciate it for what it is – something to make you feel good about yourself.

“What makes university so unique is that you can return to sport in a low-stakes, welcoming way”

Enjoyment is at the core of sport – that is, being active without caring about winning or losing, or fearing being bad. Although when I got back into the pool I was considerably worse than before and my form was unspeakable, I regained my appreciation for the sport: how light you feel in the water, as well as the tangible benefits to my mental and physical health.

What makes university so unique is that you can return to sport in a low-stakes, welcoming way. No one expects perfection. Everyone is busy, many are rusty, and most people are simply doing it for the joy of movement or the sense of community it brings. Whether it’s rowing at sunrise or casually playing netball on a Sunday afternoon, there’s something for everyone.

With dedication comes progression, and there is no better feeling than regaining the level of skill once lost. When I could feel myself swimming farther and for longer with no extra effort exerted, it gave me a sense of achievement within myself – just myself, not attributed to a team where my performance was dependent upon their success. I realised then that the motivational forces behind why I swam had changed over the years: before I felt obliged to perform, not appreciating the sport for what it is and what it could offer me, whereas now I look forward to getting in the pool simply for the experience of swimming (and the sauna after, of course).

“When I could feel myself swimming farther and for longer with no extra effort exerted, it gave me a sense of achievement within myself”

The next challenge is to carry my regained love for sport back into the hectic Cambridge terms. With the wide range of sports societies offered at Cambridge, I know I’ll have no problem finding a time and place to connect sport properly with my university life. I’ve conquered swimming at home and plan to bring it beyond my local pool. I also have my hopes set on branching back out into dance, and the university’s ballet society is the perfect place to start.

University truly is the best place to rekindle your love for a sport, or try something completely new: the sporting world really is at your fingertips here. With the new academic year comes the opportunity to create a new sporty self. The freshers’ fair is the perfect place to explore the variety of sports on offer, while the ‘Give It A Go’ programme provides a low-commitment way to try out them out. Collegiate-level sport provides an accessible and fun option that doesn’t become competitive or overwhelming.

Sport has become a space for me again – not of pressure, but of peace. Rebuilding my relationship with it hasn’t been quick or easy, but it has been meaningful. What began as a childhood routine has become a conscious choice within my university life – to move not for praise, but for presence, for joy, and for myself.

So whether you’re someone like me who once lived in the sports hall, yet have lost touch with it, or someone who’s never felt like they belonged in a team, university might just be the place to change that. There’s space for everyone. Returning to sport isn’t about reclaiming old glory – it’s about discovering new joy, and it’s never too late to start again.