Computing students have a lot on their plates. With academics taking center stage, participation in Queen’s athletics has enhanced the student experience for many. We spoke with some students to tell us more about their experiences. Here’s what we learned.
Brittaney Everitt
How long have you been on the team?
I was on the Queen’s Varsity Figure Skating team all four years of my undergraduate Biomedical Computing degree at Queen’s. During third and fourth year I was a co-captain. This year I am no longer skating but still actively involved with the team. Currently I am a first year Research-Based Master’s student in the artificial intelligence stream and coach on the team.
How does your involvement in sports impact your student experience at Queen’s?
Coming to Queen’s not knowing anyone in first year, skating on the team immediately gave me a sense of belonging and involvement in the Queen’s community in addition to [the School of Computing]. Being on the team allowed me to stay active and continue something I love while also being in school. As a student athlete, I was able to live a very balanced, healthy lifestyle – where skating was a great refresh and study break and vice versa.
What aspect of this experience do you look forward to the most?
Traveling to competitions across Ontario with the team was definitely a highlight of the experience. As crazy as it might sound, I also really enjoyed our daily 6 AM practices. It was great to kick start every morning by spending time with my teammates. We worked very hard towards a common goal, but also had a lot of fun while doing it.
What words of encouragement do you have for any incoming computing student who is thinking about joining a sports team?
Trying out for the figure skating team was one of the best decisions I made while at Queen’s and ultimately has become a huge part of both my undergraduate and graduate life. Being a student athlete in the School of Computing is very manageable, but you have to manage your time wisely and make sure to start assignments early to get help if needed. Staying on top of everything will really help make both experiences a great success. As well, professors in the School of Computing are very accommodating to student athletes.
Emma Ritcey
How long have you been on the team?
I have been on the women’s basketball team at Queen’s for all five years of my undergrad.
How does your involvement with sports impact your student experience?
Being on a varsity team has been the highlight of my experience at Queen’s. Although it creates a busy schedule, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The experiences I’ve gone through have taught me so much about myself that I can take with me in my life after basketball. The memories I’ve made and relationships I’ve built with my teammates and coaches go much past sport and will last a lifetime.
What words of encouragement do you have for any incoming computing student who is thinking about joining a sports team?
As long as you manage your time and stay on top of your school work, you can definitely thrive in both academics and athletics. Things may feel overwhelming at times but you gain so much from being a student athlete that it’s definitely worth it!
We’d also like to recognize a number of our other students who participate in winter sports at Queen’s:
- Henry Van Herk (men’s basketball)
- Shouyue Hu (men’s fencing)
- Kenneth West (men’s fencing)
- Brandon Schuldhaus (men’s hockey)
- Nicholas Cheny (men’s Nordic ski)
Exercise and group sports can have such positive effects on physical health, mental health, and academic performance. At the School of Computing, we encourage students to participate in variety of activities so that they can broaden their educational experience. Athletics is certainly no exception.
We hope this inspires both our current and prospective students to join.