Julia Cochrane says she has time management skills down to a tee. The second year University of Toronto life science student is also a member of the Varsity Blues women’s soccer team and commutes to campus every day, so time is always scarce. But, she found a silver lining.
“I find because I’m so busy, I’m more motivated to find time to get my work done, so I don’t spend my time procrastinating,” says Cochrane. “If anything, I feel like I excel more because I’m bound to all these different activities.”
Second year kinesiology student Nathan Castanheiro also highlights his time management skills for helping him balance his school work with his commitment to the Varsity Blues track & field and cross- country team.
“You need to have proper time management skills to balance your studies with your practices - and still enjoy life,” says Castanheiro.
Both were awarded for their efforts at the annual academic excellence breakfast event, hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education (KPE). The event, now in its 13th year, celebrates student-athletes, who while competing as a Varsity Blue, earned an 80 per cent average or higher in all courses they were enrolled in during the academic year.
Cochrane and Castanheiro were part of a group of 291 student-athletes honoured this year at the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.
“The student awarded today have attained honours standing at the University of Toronto, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning, while balancing the demands of a rigorous training and competition schedule,” said Professor Sandy Welsh, vice-provost of students. “This is no small feat, and I want to emphasize what an accomplishment it is.
“To put it in perspective, this group represents 33 per cent of our total student-athlete population, meaning one in every three Varsity Blues has achieved academic honours.
“That is something truly exceptional.”
Welsh also remarked that the honoured student athletes span across every corner of the university – all seven of the arts & science colleges, all three campuses and a range of professional faculties, including architecture, applied science and engineering, music and kinesiology.
“We also have recipients from graduate and second-degree programs in fields like nursing, pharmacy, and the School of Graduate Studies, reflecting the breadth of talent and dedication within our student-athlete community,” said Welsh.
Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, said the academic excellence breakfast was a tradition that continues to showcase the extraordinary balance, discipline and dedication of student-athletes at U of T.
“The University of Toronto is unique in that our athletics program is part of an academic faculty (KPE),” said Kerr. “This is intentional and by design.
“We know – not just anecdotally, but from cutting-edge research generated by our faculty members – that movement enhances physical and mental wellness, while fostering a sense of community – all important contributors to student academic success.
“Moreover, the skills and competencies students develop while engaged in sport and recreation are lifelong tools that will help them thrive post-university.”
Kerr also thanked the many members of the university community whose support has contributed to the success of the student-athletes.
“From our dedicated sport medicine and therapy teams to the intercollegiate administrative staff, the registrars and professors, they all play such an important role in supporting our students academically and we are thankful for their unwavering commitment.”
Award recipients were each gifted a pin: enamel for first-time winners, bronze for second, silver for third, gold for fourth and a diamond pin for anyone earning the award five or more times during their intercollegiate career.
Women’s hockey goalie Erica Fryer and swimming MVP Ainsley McMurray each received a double diamond pin, marking the sixth time they have achieved academic excellence, while men’s rower Matthew McNeil received a quadruple diamond pin for his eighth achievement.
McMurray and men’s track and field athlete Aiden Grout were also singled out as the U SPORTS top scholar athletes, while Blues fencer Mike Howard and women’s golfer Mia Sung earned the Ontario top scholar athlete awards.
“In combining your academic achievements with your respective athletic commitments, you embody the very best of what it means to be a Varsity Blue,” Kerr told the award winners.
Cochrane and Castanheiro were both inspired by the recognition.
“It’s an honour to be able to study and play on a varsity team at U of T,” said Cochrane. “It’s rewarding to get this award because it tells me my time management and work ethic has paid off.”
“It feels amazing,” said Castanheiro. “My first year was a bit nerve-wracking, but I was able to get my bearings.
“It feels great knowing that I was able to do well in class and on my team in such a prestigious school.”