Courses
Siobhan Egan
Bachelor of Science in Sports & Exercise
Donegal – Letterkenny
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to choosing your course?
I’m a student in ATU letterkenny studying Athletic Therapy and Exercise Rehabilitation. I’m 19 years old from county longford . The reason I chose this course was because I have a huge interest in the field of sport and want to be able to help athletes recover from injuries and return to their sport. I always knew I wanted to peruse a career somewhere in health care but wasn’t sure what direction or whether to be a nurse, paramedic or athletic therapist.
What helped me pick this course over the rest was I have always had a passion in sports and have being playing since I was 5 so to be able to continue a career where I’m still involved with sports is a huge bonus.
What are your favourite modules on the course?
Over the last two semesters my favourite modules have being clinical skills and clinical anatomy. In clinical skills you get to learn how to test range of motion of testing and get to learn about injury rates in sports and the reason for injuries. You also get to know how to write up clinical note taking. While in secondary school I struggled with biology but now I enjoy it. You get to look at all the muscles and where they originate and insert, while it is hard the lecturers have being very helpful and making it a lot easier to learn.
Is there anything else about the course that you particularly enjoy or find beneficial?
I find the practical classes for the modules really helpful. You get hands on experience with clinical anatomy from palpation to outlining the muscles or bones on the body. With exercise prescription and programme planning you are in the gym working one on one with “clients” doing up a programme and teaching it to another which helps with communication skills and professionalism.
What is the best thing about your course that you think new applicants should know?
I think the best thing about this course is it’s not overcrowded, and you do get to know your lecturers and the other people in your course and everyone’s there to help eachother. It’s an environment that makes learning a lot easier even when it’s tough.
If you were speaking with a first year student about to start your course, what advice would you give them?
I would say take your time, it may all feel overwhelming at the start since it’s a new change but it will all fall in place eventually. Talk to everyone on your course and try keep on top of the workload and revise over modules like anatomy and physiology when you get the chance, it will be important to keep on top of them.
If you are involved in sport, volunteering, working or have other passions you pursue outside of your academic life, can you tell us about that?
I play Gaelic football for my club Carrickedmond and play county with Longford . I’ve being playing Gaelic since I was very little.
What are your plans after ATU and any long-term goals you are aiming for?
After ATU I plan on taking the year to travel. Once the years up my aim is to set up my own clinic and sports rehab area and work with teams during matches and trainings.