Profiles

Kelly Stubbins
Bachelor of Biological Science, third year

A GRUELLING training schedule is not enough to distract Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelly Stubbins from pursuing her interest in biological science at Deakin.

The third year Biological Science student combined her studies with a program of up to seven hours a day in the gym and pool in the lead up to her win as part of the Australian swim team in the 4x200m freestyle event at the 2006 games.

To the outside world, she seemed to handle her study schedule as effortlessly as she slices through the water.  However, Ms Stubbins, 23, said she worked hard to achieve her goals in the classroom, as well as the pool, because she recognised the importance of her degree for her future.

"Most of my competitions fall within the uni term and quite often during the study and exam period.  As you can imagine, I have limited study time, so all the spare time I have is spend studying, and I’ve taught myself to learn things in a limited amount of time."

She said staff at Deakin University had also helped her balance her course work and her swimming, saying that her lecturers had been flexible and approachable.  She also gained financial support from the university through the elite athlete funding she was awarded in her first year.

"I think it’s really important for the future because after I’ve finished swimming I need to have something to fall back on; it’s an investment in the future."

The effort has paid off in the form of the Commonwealth gold medal and consistent distinctions and high distinctions in her coursework, according to her lecturers.  One of Ms Stubbins’ secrets is to plan out her time to ensure that she knows what she has to do in the pool and in her studies.

"Most of my competitions fall within the uni term and quite often during the study and exam period.  As you can imagine, I have limited study time, so all the spare time I have is spent studying, and I’ve taught myself to learn things in a limited amount of time," she said.

"I do a detailed timetable so that everything is set out ahead of me and I know when every assignment is due."

A further strain on Ms Stubbins’ time is the travel around the world that is necessary in elite sport.  To get more done, she tries to take her notes with her when she is overseas so she is prepared for her exams.  "Any spare moments I get, I spend studying," she said.

As for the future, the Victorian Institute of Sport swimmer is deciding whether to embark on further study in her areas of interest including physiology and nutrition, while looking towards the Beijing Olympics in 2008.