Thriving with your sports and studies in Maastricht – a balancing act
When you’ve spent too many days between the four walls of your (new) room in Maastricht, with cups of instant noodles sustaining your sleepless nights before a pressing deadline, it can be easy to overlook the importance of taking breaks for your well-being. Whether your hobbies are knitting, reading or taking a stroll through the fairytale-like streets of Maastricht, a refreshing activity in your daily routine can be exactly what gives you the energy to push forward. Today, we’ll see why, for some people, the key to balancing their studies and mental sanity is found in sports – many of which can be found in Maastricht.
As students in Maastricht, we’re all used to the countless introduction rounds and ice-breakers to kick-off tutorials; questions usually pop up about your hobbies, about what makes you you. However, a hobby, especially practicing a sport, does not only change the way one interacts with themselves, but also how you see the world around you. Studies abroad can be quite challenging, we won’t sugarcoat it, but at the same, it’s a moment to discover yourself, alongside the world outside the borders of the country you’ll always call home. In order to inspire you to get out there and join a sports association in Maastricht we have interviewed some current UM students about their experiences with this.
“Finding something that you love so much, I would say, impacts my academic performance indirectly… everything becomes a little bit brighter if you can do what you love!” – anonymous
Doing something you love, something that brings you fulfilment at the end of a day, however horrendous it may have been, is not a luxury but often a necessity in our fast-paced life, filled with existential crises of defining who we are. This student, who’d prefer to remain anonymous, has found this outlet in dance. Although for them, joining an association did not bring the expected community sense, it proved to be an enjoyable and affordable way to let loose, to become fully immersed and involved in an activity.
“Dancing gets me into a mood of flow, which I have not found in any other sport.” – anonymous
As the saying goes, “going with the flow” might be the right call when taking your first steps in a new city. Try as many activities as you feel comfortable with, and never worry about getting it right on the first try. If something does not work out, Maastricht has countless other things you could consider taking up. My advice would be to never let yourself have “what ifs” simply because you’re a bit afraid of the unfamiliar – advice which I’d probably need to follow more myself when I started here as a student.
“When I saw there was a basketball sports association in Maastricht, I was hesitant to get involved because I was afraid that it might be too much. Luckily I took the leap to try out and made the team. It quickly became the highlight of my first year.” – anonymous
If it turns out to be just what you needed, as was the case with this second student testimonial, you might have just shaped the next few years for yourself. One of the main reasons why we recommend joining sports clubs is because besides staying fit, it can offer you the chance to meet new people. These might become the shoulder you need to cry on when you’re feeling homesick, your biggest supporters through hard times or simply just the people to laugh with at pre-drinks before a fun night out in Complex. If a student association catches your eye, who knows, you might be joining their board before you know it!
“Zumba is the best class after a hectic week at university.” – Karolis, alumni of MSP
Something people might not consider when thinking about joining a sports association is the time management skills you will gain. Keeping up consistently with your classes and training teaches you how to make the most of the time you have, a skill which is not only crucial during studying, but later in life as well. Szymon, a previous member of the volleyball association Fyrfad here in Maastricht, highlighted this as one of the most relevant takeaways from his time as a participant. Another point he made that resonated with us was that while promoting collaboration with others, team sports also sharpen your sense of competition – something that might help you set your mind to dreams without limits in the long run.
The students we spoke to have also vouched that sports helps them focus more on their classes, knowing they have something to look forward to at the end of a long day of lectures.
Ultimately, whether it is through the rhythm of a dance, the feeling of belonging in a team, the discipline of consistent training, engaging in sports is about finding balance in the chaos of student life. Carving out moments of joy for yourself regardless of the academic pressures you are facing is important in our opinion. As each student’s story here shows, sports can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth.
So, as you navigate the challenges and opportunities of life in Maastricht, consider making sports a part of your Maastricht experience. If this sounds like something you could be into, check out our sports page for a comprehensive list of associations/ clubs you can become a part of!
