It has been this way for a number of years; years when, for her age, her first thought should have been school.
Smith dreamed of being a professional tennis player and her main focus for the past decade has been achieving her ambition.
It was only after suffering a long list of injuries that kept her from playing that Smith realised she needed a Plan B.
“I was very rarely at school; I think other people’s opinion was that I sacrificed my education for the sport I played. I didn’t mind that opinion because I was pursuing my dream” said Smith.
“I was out of education for a long time and did not think I had it in me to pull off the grades I did. When I saw the degree advertised I loved what the course was offering and how it was aiming to take more action within the community to bring about a positive change.”
Smith is referring to the FdSc Applied Community Sport degree at University of East London (UEL), in partnership with West Ham United Foundation. Now in its second year, the degree gives potential students, who may have struggled in school and earnt lower grades, the opportunity to pursue a higher education qualification which is taught alongside the sport they love.
In Smith’s case, however, it wasn’t about football: “Last year our class heard from Hope Powell, the former England Lionesses manager. I had no idea who Hope even was, as my football knowledge is zero!”
“However, this degree isn’t just about football. Yes, it’s with West Ham United Foundation and we work a lot with different areas of the Club, including at the training ground, but the degree uses football as a method to learn, rather than just learning about football. The degree creates such a broad avenue to be a part of something bigger.
“If you’d asked me two years ago, I never would have thought I could even get on to a degree programme, let alone that two years on I’d be halfway towards completing a degree I love, with a clear path in mind of what I can achieve.”
Smith still hopes to pursue her tennis career, but has also developed a new goal: to complete a PHD in equality and inclusion.
“My first year at UEL was a whirlwind of mixed emotions, and all about making the best of the opportunities I was given,” she revealed.
“My most memorable moment has to be getting a ‘first’ on an entire module. The module was about equality and inclusion, something that I am really passionate about. I love seeing change that benefits the community and the people in it. Better yet, I love being a part of that change.”
To find out more about the FdSc Applied Community Sport degree at UEL in partnership with West Ham United Foundation, click here.