While many youngsters attend university purely to focus on studies, one graduate yesterday highlighted the joy that sports had brought him during his time at Aberdeen University.
Pete Tolmie picked up his Law LLB degree and admitted that, much as he relished the myriad hours spent in the library, he had loved playing football for the university and becoming team captain had been the highlight.
Originally from Dingwall, the 22-year-old said: “Football has been a very enjoyable part of my university life and I made a lot of friends through playing sport.
“I started playing in first year and kept it up all the way through and is was such a great outlet during university if work was getting stressful.
“Being able to compete for the university was a brilliant experience.”
Mr Tolmie also lent some words of encouragement to those who were considering attending university, but weren’t sure if all the studying would be the right path for them.
He added: “The sport was definitely the highlight, it absolutely kept me going through university and was a great reminder that university isn’t all about academics all of the time.
“Being sociable within university and building lifelong friendships is a huge aspect.
“I’d now recommend to anyone going to university, wherever that may be, to join as many clubs as you possibly can because that really made the whole experience enjoyable for me.”
Mr Tolmie was the first in his family to pursue university life and shared his exhilaration at gaining his degree with his parents and girlfriend.
He said: “I am the first of my direct family to go to university, so I know my parents are very proud today and I am thrilled at what I have been able to achieve.
“I’m now planning to come back to Aberdeen to do my diploma, but after that I am still not sure [abo.
“I would say ‘keep pushing’ to anyone going through university now, because it has been one of the best experiences I have ever had.”
