Jenny Coppock

Working as a personal trainer and triathlon coach

I'm based in Llangollen, so Wrexham University is my local option. Its accessibility is a huge advantage, especially as a mum of four, allowing me to balance my studies with family life more easily.

I'm currently studying Sports Injury Rehabilitation. What drew me to the course was its strong focus on understanding how injuries happen, how to assess them thoroughly, and how to create effective treatment plans that support long-term recovery. It’s not just about fixing a problem in the short term – it’s about helping people return to their sport stronger and more resilient. That’s something I feel really passionate about, especially after having my ACL reconstructed in 2016. 

One of the things I really value about the course is the hands-on learning. We study sports massage as part of our training, which gives us another practical tool to support rehabilitation. It’s been a great way to deepen my understanding of the body and how soft tissue work can aid recovery. 

We also gain experience through placements in a wide variety of settings – from physiotherapy-based clinics to sports clubs, including some with professional teams. In addition, we have our own student-led onsite clinic, which offers invaluable opportunities to work with the local community and athletes. These placements help bring the theory to life and give us the real-world experience we need to feel confident stepping into the profession.

The atmosphere around campus is welcoming and relaxed. When the sun’s out, there are outdoor pods that are perfect for small group work, and lots of benches where you can sit and study. The cafés are lovely too, offering nice spots to take a break or catch up with course mates. It feels like a productive place—busy enough to feel motivated but never overwhelming or chaotic.

What I enjoy most is the steady progress towards my main goal—it might sound boring but knowing that each lesson and module brings me closer to being qualified and accredited keeps me motivated. I've particularly enjoyed the massage modules. Once I’ve passed the exam, I’ll be able to offer massage alongside my personal training and movement assessments from previous qualifications, which will be a great addition to my portfolio and an extra source of income.

The support from lecturers has been fantastic—they're always approachable and quick to offer tutorials if I’m struggling with anything. When we needed to download industry-standard research software like SPSS and NVivo, which the university provides for free, the IT team were brilliant in helping us get everything installed, whether we were using Macs or PCs. On a more personal note, I sadly lost a friend over Christmas, and my lecturer was incredibly kind, pointing me towards the university’s counselling services. It really made me feel that student wellbeing is genuinely cared about here.

Studying at Wrexham University has given me a real boost in confidence. I genuinely enjoy the debates and discussions with my lecturers and peers—it’s been refreshing to be back in a learning environment. I’ve found myself really engaged in researching and writing my reports, and that enthusiasm has had a ripple effect at home. My kids have been inspired to revise, and even my husband has started an access course with plans to retrain. He didn’t have a great experience at school in the '90s, but being back in the classroom has really changed his outlook and shown him how much he’s grown.

I’d definitely recommend studying at Wrexham University. It’s never too late to take a new direction or deepen your understanding in a particular field. The academic world is constantly evolving, with new studies and journals regularly shaping how we work in practice or view certain treatments and approaches. Returning to the classroom gives you the space to explore ideas more deeply, think critically and reflect on what it all really means. It often leads to even more questions—many of which don’t have clear answers yet—which makes studying all the more valuable and exciting.