Imogen Cowper
| Sport | Tennis |
| University | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Major | Bachelor in Psychology |
| Sport | Tennis |
| University | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| Major | Bachelor in Psychology |
I knew I wanted to go to university after my A-Levels but didn’t want to stop playing tennis. I learnt about the US pathway and loved the idea of training, travelling, and competing as a team. Being able to continue tennis and pursue my degree alongside each other was the perfect next step for me, and the opportunity to live abroad was an added factor which really excited me.
Each day may look slightly different, and the schedule may differ year to year. In my first two years, we started most days with early morning strength session at 6:30am which always ended with a smoothie for fuel since I would go straight to class from 8am till 10:30am. Practice was 11am-2pm and then another block of classes afterwards.
In my last 2 years we had an open block for classes until 1:30pm then practice, fitness, and strength sessions which followed on from each other. My days usually finished around 6pm and I would cook, complete any homework, and prepare for the next day. I always tried to make sure I had some down time each evening to relax.
I had a very positive academic experience. One of the deciding factors for me when choosing to go to the US was that I could enter ‘undeclared’. This meant I didn’t have to choose which degree I wanted to pursue when applying, but I could decide by the end of my sophomore year. This gave me the opportunity to complete the general liberal studies courses and gain an idea for what excited me, which ended up being Psychology.
Being a student-athlete had one of the biggest academic advantages, which was early registration for classes each semester. Since we had very strict blocks which were for classes, athletes were given early access to ensure we were able to register for the necessary classes that fitted the specific time slots. We also had athletic-academic advisors who all worked with specific teams, and ensured we were on track with our studies.
The facilities at UNC Charlotte were immense. The scale and quality of the buildings and sports courts/fields were to the highest standard. It made me very proud to walk through campus and to represent the university. We had changing rooms with shower facilities, a team room, and a training room for rehab and treatment, all at the tennis facility, so it was a great base since we spent so much time there.
The gym was in the main basketball arena in the centre of campus which had everything you could need. Each team has allocated times during the week, and we had a specific instructor who worked only with women’s tennis and soccer, which meant we always had personalised workouts and could build a good relationship with everyone involved. Every facility was incredible, and as for equipment you were provided with everything you could possibly need (running, tennis and travel shoes, practice, lounge and match clothing, backpacks and travel bags, skipping ropes, bands, rollers, grips…), but if there was anything you needed to replace e.g. tennis shoes, you could ask and be given a new pair.
Most game days, regardless of if they were weekdays or weekends usually were organised for the afternoon. No matter what time it started, we had to ensure we were sufficiently fuelled to have enough energy, and we were responsible to organise any rehab and treatment needed – so time management was crucial. Warm-ups started 1hr 15 minutes before the start time, which consisted of physical warm-ups, hitting, fast paced net drills and doubles points. Matches always started precisely on time, and the doubles point was contested first before moving into singles play. Some matches were ‘played out’ and others were ‘clinched’, and this was coach’s choice and changed depending on what part of season we were in – at the beginning of the season we would always play it out fully to get match practice, towards the end of season we usually clinched, as this was shorter and allowed us more time to recover, prevent over-playing and preserve energy. These days are long, but full of energy and non-stop fighting and supporting for your teammates.
Train daily at the highest level and compete with up-and-coming athletes from around the world.
The USA offers you the best universities in the world: the academic content and methods are first-class and internationally recognized.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to develop personally in a short period of time: gain experience with other cultures and learn perfect English.
One thing is for sure: You will stand out positively for future employers with your international education.
We had a team physical trainer who would be at each practice and match. We could speak to her about anything, whether it be a large serious injury or something simple. Since each day is intense, we would usually go into the training room before and after practice to make sure we had the correct preparation, and recovery needed. It was important that by the time a match day comes, we were in the best shape possible. If a player had a serious injury, the athletics department had a Sport Doctor who visited one evening each week and we could get an appointment if needed. Moreso, if we ever needed MRI scans, X-Rays, or something outside of the training room, this was also organised.
It was a memorable learning experience. I met a wide range of different people from completely different backgrounds. I built my self-confidence and learnt so much about who I am. I won’t sugar coat it – it wasn’t amazing every day. I had some of my most difficult times whilst being there, but I was fortunate enough to have access to a sport psychologist who helped me through it. I look back now, and don’t regret it in the slightest, it allowed me to grow and forced me to be independent.
Absolutely. My time in the US will be an experience that will stay with me forever. My time on and off court taught me so much about myself and life in general, which I will forever be grateful for. In my eyes, the US college pathway is a great choice for anyone wanting to continue their sport whilst pursuing a degree simultaneously.
