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My name's Amiee Humphries, I study Sport, P.E. and Coaching Sciences which some of us
call SPECS and I'm a third year. Well, I originally looked at Sport Science, I went to the talk
and the science material really wasn't for me and I kind of stumbled across SPECS as
it were. I really liked the course, firstly because it had such a large practical element
which not many courses seem to have. I also liked the diversity of the course the way
it studies sport science, sport management and a bit of teaching and coaching as well
and I really liked the intimacy of the course. With only 70 people in the year it seemed
like a really close knit group, which was really attractive. Every week we have about
12 contact hours and depending on the term or the year, the practical sessions within
that can vary so it might be that some weeks you have 3 or 4 practical hours whereas some
weeks you'll just have one. And the good thing about the course is that the stuff you learn
in the lectures you can apply in the practicals which really gives you a better understanding
of the topics as well. In second year we do a dance and gymnastics module which involves
working in groups quite a lot of the time and learning the basics in gymnastics and
dance so that we can then use it to teach in the future. It's quite a fun, enjoyable
session which really helps bond within the group. A new thing that's been introduced
this year is the option to take modules from the Sport and Exercise Sciences course, which
means that if you are more interested in the science modules you've got the option to do
that and they can then also take teaching and coaching modules if that's what they are
looking to do as well. As a third year module we now teach swimming to a local primary school
which is a really good experience for everybody that's looking to go into coaching in the
future. From that we also get a level two coaching award which is a really good selling
point which encourages people to do it and the fact that we get this practical experience
really enhances the theoretical stuff we learn in lectures. When I finish University I hope
to go on and study a masters in a topic surrounding sport and education, to then continue to be
a primary school teacher. There's been loads of highlights of my time at Birmingham. I
probably have to say meeting so many different people is the main highlight; joining different
things and meeting them and knowing their past experiences and what their interests
are. I'd say that's been the main highlight that I'll take with me for a long time. I've
tried to join as many different societies as I can by now in my third year I've kind
of narrowed them down to my favourite few. I'm in the University Dance Squad, which I
auditioned for in second year and have remained in this year as well, which is a group of
16 to 18 dancers and we do competitions and events and shows throughout the year. So that's
a really nice bit of exercise on the side. I'm also project coordinator of a charity
called Kid's Adventure, which provide ho9lidays for disadvantage children. I got involved
in that last year and wish I had done from the start because I've met some amazing people
and it's really, really rewarding seeing what the kids get out of it. I'm also president
of SPECS Society which isn't to do with the course directly it's part of the Guild of
Students where really we just try to join the three years of SPECS together, run sports
teams (football and netball) and organise socials where everyone can meet together outside
of lectures. I'm originally from Birmingham anyway but there was no decision whether or
not to live ion halls it was an automatic thing, wherever I went to uni I was going
to live away. So, living in halls was one of the best years I’ve, had meeting loads
of new people, and just the general atmosphere. And for second and third year I lived in Selly
Oak in a house with five other people. It’s been really nice actually living away from
home but being able to get home as well, home's only 25 minutes away and so I've found that
balance really, really nice. My top tip to anyone coming top study at Birmingham is to
just get involved in as much stuff as you can. There’s so much stuff on offer and
even if you don't like things when you start them, find something else because you might
never get the opportunities again when you leave. So, yeah, take every opportunity.