My name's Nohail Mohammed and I’m currently a student at Leeds Beckett University. Alongside university I currently do acting, appearing in ‘Ackley Bridge’ on channel 4 and the Netflix, ‘Round My Way’ short film and making a guest appearance on BBC’s ‘Casualty’. My other pathways consist of barbering for the past six years earning my certificate during lockdown and social media work. With social media work I tend to channel through Instagram and TikTok.

• Course: BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Therapy

Tell us a bit about yourself and what drew you to sports and exercise therapy

I’ve always been a sporty individual from a young age, whether it be football, athletics or going to the gym. It has always been a huge passion in my life. I feel it taught me a lot about the benefits of the health industry and what it can do for you not only physically but psychologically too. What drew me to Leeds Beckett was the facilities and ranking for sport related courses. The sporting facilities at Leeds Beckett are some of the best I’ve seen. Being involved in both the Headingly and City Campus I get the best of both worlds. Additionally, the city of Leeds has a great night life and restaurants too which makes it perfect for a night out. My chosen subject at Leeds Beckett is Sports and Exercise Therapy and I’m currently going into my third and final year.

What made you choose Leeds Beckett?

I chose Leeds Beckett for several reasons, some to do with the university itself and some to do with the city of Leeds and also some recommendations along the way from family and friends. My older brother was actually the one who told me to check out Leeds Beckett solely because of the feeling you get when at Headingly campus. He wasn’t wrong! The American feel is what you get and it’s a quality feeling. I feel as though for a sports medicine subject, very few universities beat Leeds Beckett in terms of campus facilities, social life and overall experience. I for one, as an Asian, look for diversity in places I attend, and I can happily say that in both the campuses you get diversity and culture, which is a bonus.

What has been your favourite thing about your time studying at Leeds Beckett?

I couldn’t put my favourite thing about studying at Leeds Beckett to just one thing. I think it’s down to a conglomerate of things. But if I had to choose one thing that stands out it’s the social life, making friends and seeing all kinds of different people from different cities. Additionally, it’s the course that I do. The practicality of the course in particular, it makes the seminars a lot more exciting and engaging which is something I feel can be lacking in education nowadays. In the City Campus the medical suites are of a high standard making it a blessing to be able to learn in them. With it being a sports medical course, I was lucky enough to still have one face-to-face practical lesson a week during Covid, which a lot of people didn't have the opportunity to have.

What advice would you give someone thinking about studying this course?

I think the most important advice I can give is to stay on top of your course. Specifically for my course, I’d say know your anatomy and never forget it, it forms the basis of everything you do. I remember one of my lecturers Ash, on the first day he told us all to imagine going to see a therapist who only got 40%, they technically only know the anatomy from your toes to your mid-thigh – would you let a therapist who only knew that much of the body diagnose and treat you? From then on, I’ve understood the importance of anatomy. Additionally, engagement, engaging in the practical sessions as much as possible, coming from me, the best way to feel comfortable in the world setting and exam settings is to give it 100% in the practical seminars.