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What does it mean to be a graduate student? They come in different flavours. This short series will explore the different types of graduate student experiences we have at the U of A.
To highlight the aspects and roles that graduate students at the U of A play, I am interviewing a graduate student who balances her academic pursuits with her athletic career.
Jasmine Feddema is in her first year of a thesis-based master's degree in kinesiology.
Tell us a bit about your undergraduate or past academic experience.
I completed my BSc in kinesiology at U of A in August 2022. I also went to high school in Edmonton and did a bit of research during my undergraduate degree.
Why did you decide to apply for graduate school? And why the U of A?
After I finished my undergraduate degree, I was a little unsure what to do, but always knew that I would like to branch into the fields of physical therapy or medicine. To get into these competitive degrees, I wanted to boost my experience and give myself an edge, so decided to complete a graduate degree first. I ended up taking a biomechanics course with Dr. Loren Chiu and got really excited about it. Then, when I was trying to decide if I wanted to do a master's degree in research, I contacted him to continue working with him. My undergraduate research is the foundation of what I am currently studying in my graduate degree. Later on, I completed a human anatomy course, which showed me how a lab operates and what would be required to work in one. This led to my specialization in anatomy and biomechanics in my master's degree.
Tell us about your graduate experience.
Completing a graduate degree is a lot different from an undergraduate degree. I only take four courses in my entire degree, and the main focus is on working on my research. The biggest change for me has been teaching. I am a teaching assistant (TA) for two courses; one is human gross anatomy, which is an advanced anatomy class and a requirement for a kinesiology degree, a degree I just completed last year. The second course that I teach is quantitative biomechanics.
It's been a huge learning curve as I have not really taught in a formal capacity before. Trying to balance that with being a runner on the cross-country and track team has been quite hectic. I am trying to learn and navigate my new responsibilities while continuing to take part in my sporting activities as a more mature athlete. There is a lot more flexibility as I get to plan and manage my own time. I can build my schedule around my teaching timetable and decide with the team what time of the day I would like to run. This comes with a greater level of responsibility that I did not have to worry about during undergrad, which involves keeping track of my own time and ensuring I have completed my necessary tasks. There isn't really someone watching over your shoulders ensuring you are doing all that you need to do, not that there was much of that in undergrad, but there is even less so in graduate school. There are also lingering thoughts on what I would like to do once I am finished with graduate school. But, it is a wonderful stepping stone to getting further in my education and adding to my qualifications as I prepare to apply to professional programs.
Tell us about your experience as a student-athlete.
I was a triathlete and participated in competitions during my first year at university while also running on the cross-country team in the fall of 2018. Then, I decided to transition away from that and focus more on running. Then, in 2019, I became a co-captain of the cross-country team and have been running cross-country and track since then. I have always been quite a competitive person, and sport was a great outlet for me to express that competitive spirit. I have played sports all my life, right through my youth. As a triathlete, I was a good runner but really wanted to explore how far I could go with my running skills. I have made significant improvements as a runner over the years, and I take it very seriously. In fact, my teammates may describe me as extremely intense, but they love me for it. It's a sport that I will greatly miss competing in when it is over. Running is more than just an activity to get exercise; there is a greater purpose behind it. For me, my teammates are what makes the world go round. They are incredibly supportive, and I wouldn't be able to do all that I do without them. Just being able to chat with them daily while on our runs is the best part of my day. Because of this, I will always run, even when my competitive days are over.
How do you balance both?
Balancing my different roles has been a learning experience from undergrad. Although, I have a pretty good setup because my supervisor was a high-level athlete and is quite understanding and provides me with the needed flexibility. He understands the commitment required to be a student-athlete and is okay as long as I complete all my necessary tasks. In the same space, my coach is also very understanding and runs with the motto that you are a student first and an athlete second. You are a student-athlete and not an athlete student. My schoolwork has always come first, but understanding that attendance at practice is not optional, and I must learn how to manage my time appropriately to complete my schoolwork and still show up prepared for practice. My teammates are also very understanding that there can be a lot going on at once. There are social benefits as well, and I am grateful that my teammates are some of my best friends, and we get to spend loads of time together inside and outside of the sport.
What are some tips you wish you knew before starting graduate school?
- Research what type of master's degree interests you. When completing a thesis-based master's degree, it really depends on the university professors and their interests. The research you are interested in might not be available at the university you would like to attend. Do not settle for something you are not interested in just because it is what is available. You want to enjoy what you are doing because you are committed to it for 2-3 years of your life. Ensure the work you are doing is propelling you in the direction you want to go. Do thorough research and reach out to the people working with these professors, as they can give you the best insight into what the program could look like for you. There are also course-based degrees available if thesis-based isn't for you!
- For my athletes, make sure you are taking a master's degree for the right reasons. Some people do tend to pursue a master's degree for the sole reason that they can play their sports for a longer time and to satisfy eligibility requirements as a student-athlete. The result can hurt you more than help you, such that you either end up not liking your degree or not giving it enough attention and dedication. On the other hand, it could also affect your sports performance because you'd be weighed down by completing a degree that you're only doing for eligibility. This defeats the purpose of coming back to play!
- You have the rest of your life to work. Do not be scared that education takes a bit more time. Do not let the years that will be spent get in the way of what you'd like to achieve. You're still going to be 25 in three years, whether you're in school or not, so make sure it is spent doing something that is getting you towards your goal.
Lastly, any words of encouragement to student-athletes looking to apply for graduate school?
Athletes tend to want to stay in their student bubble and stay within their friendship circle by enjoying the privilege that comes with being a varsity athlete since there are only five years to do this (myself included). Yet, I would encourage using the time wisely to get more education while enjoying the experience of being an athlete. It is the best of both worlds because both help to build discipline. Ultimately, it depends on the career path that you'd like to take. Getting an education is never a bad thing, and there is a lot of financial support and funding available. I would encourage you to go for it and to make sure it is for the right reasons!
Thank you, Jasmine Feddema, for sharing your insights with us and inviting us to take a look into the diversity of the life of a graduate student-athlete!