Laura says flagging your sporting goals early so vital when at uni, college

Thursday 17th April 2025

Laura celebrates her Olympic silver medal in Japan in the summer of 2021

Laura Muir and Eilish McColgan have no fewer than seven Olympic appearances between them – and multiple medals across international championship events.

When our Young People’s Forum Conference gathered in March to consider the theme ‘Inspiring the Next Generation’, Eilish and Laura helped us with video content on some key messages for young (and older) athletes.

We’re delighted now to highlight that advice via a short ‘Learn from our Olympians’ series.

Today, Laura gives us some key lessons for when leaving school . . .

Learning curve: YPF Conference hits the right notes

When our Young People’s Forum drafted Cohort Two a few months ago, among the issues they were keen to address was the key switch from leaving school to starting further education at university or college.

Looking at that topic is on-going for the YPF, so it’s great to have words of wisdom from Laura Muir on which to ponder and discuss.

Laura, of course, has been there, done it and worn the T-shirt when it comes to coping with a tough degree course while chasing top performances on the track.

The Veterinary Medicine graduate from Glasgow University told us that early communication is important when setting goals.

And, crucially, that there are no short-cuts in terms of course work when in further education.

‘My situation isn’t totally unusual but I feel I did do very well to achieve what I wanted to on the track and also achieve a hard degree university as well,’ said Laura, who graduated from Glasgow University.

‘I know what some of you are going through at the moment: that transition from school to whether university or college or apprenticeship or whether you just got a job straight away.

‘It is really challenging and it’s really difficult. it’s a massive shift in your lifestyle and what you’re used to. I think to try and progress both in your sport and in your studies it is really difficult.

‘I’m not going to lie – it is tough. But you can do it.’

Laura feels early flagging of your ambitions to your tutors and lecturers can help create a parallel pathway.

‘I think the main piece of advice that I would give you is: communication,’ she said.

You have to be really clear in what you want to achieve. I think both of yourself, you know with your parents, with your coaches with your academic bodies where that be the university or college (or your boss if you are working). Or someone who is overseeing course work at uni or college.

‘I think if you are organised and have a plan then you should communicate that to those main people; to the important people in your circle; andy maybe even other people as well.

‘If you can keep everyone on the same page that can make things so much easier.

Laura with her World Champs bronze medal from Oregon in the summer of 2022 (photo by Getty Images for British Athletics)

Glasgow Uni profile piece with Laura

‘I knew when I applied to do vet vet school and got in in 2011 – a long time ago now! – that the Commonwealth Games were in 2014 and I knew that was a potential championships I could qualify for.

‘So I made Glasgow Uni Vet School aware of that straight away and right through my interview process actually.

‘I remember vividly my interview and we talked about it. And I think that just made things so much easier because I think they knew what I was expecting of them. I was lucky the University of Glasgow were extremely supportive.

‘We did have a bit of flexibility of what I could do but the same time I had to get the work done. You know, you do have to do the work. There’s no no getting around that.

‘So it is a lot of work and it’s tough. You have to be very organised and very dedicated. But I think if you can just communicate to everyone as best as possible what you can perceive coming down the line then that can really help.

‘Be organised, try and plan ahead, and just work hard. Hopefully that approach pays off.’

Wise counsel from one who knows . . .

The two degrees . . . Laura received an Honorary Degree from Glasgow Uni in the summer of 2023 to add to her Vet Medicine degree (photo via Glasgow Uni).

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Tags: Eilish McColgan, Laura Muir, Learning from our Olympians