How to energise your days on campus

Need more energy? Have a friendly competitive spirit? Stop dragging your zombie-self to campus — free and fun fitness activities are happening before class and during your lunch break that'll make you forget you haven't slept properly since the semester started.  

The best part? Anyone who wants to stay sharp and beat the afternoon slump can attend!  

Adelaide University Sport and Fitness (AU Sport) has more fitness activities than you’ve had instant noodle dinners. Their social sport activities happen weekly before class in the morning and during lunch breaks. You could ease into the week on Monday with gentle movement and breathwork, then start your mid-week reset on Wednesday with a power walk that’ll get you to Friday without having a meltdown. Or you might be ready to unleash your inner athlete that’s been hibernating since 2022 at Team Sport Tuesday for a mini sport-focused comp. On Friday, finish the week with competitive Jenga and Cornhole where your engineering know-how can give you a real-life advantage.    

Want to level up your fitness? They’ve got 40 sport and rec clubs playing on and off campus. Go full beast mode and compete, or just show up when you feel like it.  

The Benefits of sweating and stretching it out: 

• Staying active — Exercising builds a bigger brain! Studies indicate that people who exercise regularly have larger areas of the brain that control thinking and memory.  

• Reducing stress — Finding time to move boosts memory and thinking indirectly by improving mood and sleep, and by reducing stress and anxiety. So instead of doom scrolling, you can sweat it out instead. 

• Making friends — doing fitness with others brings gives you a shared interest to talk about, even if you're on the losing side! Nothing bonds people faster than collectively failing at volleyball together.   

Bringing sport to everyone! 

Sports on campus are about more than just winning points — they're about finding your place, feeling supported, and having fun. Just like in class, but with more fun and adrenaline rushes.  

Adelaide University Sport and Fitness aims to ensure everyone feels welcome to participate and has a sense of belonging to the university community. They’ve also been recognised at the recent Australian Pride in Sport Awards, celebrating their commitment to making sport a welcoming space for every student. 

We're proud to share that Adelaide University Sport and Fitness was named a finalist in two national categories at the 2025 Australian Pride in Sport Awards held on Wednesday 16 April in Melbourne. 

These awards recognised the incredible efforts of individuals, clubs and organisations across Australia who are leading the way in creating safer and more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people in sport.  

One of those driving forces is Daniel Lawlor, Manager of Sport Development, and finalist for the Executive Leadership Award. His impact is visible in the way AU Sport shows up for the community, and is a well-deserved recognition of the leadership, energy, and care he brings to the role every day. Dan also had a key role in developing the Play with Pride Brunch, also shortlisted for the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Innovation Award. The brunch was designed to connect students, athletes, allies and community leaders around a shared goal: to make sport more inclusive for all. 

Join in! 

Don't let a study slump get you down—there are people just like you having a go to make fitness a regular part of their university life. And when it's free and there's a whole community of people willing to get behind you, there's nothing to lose except the time you would’ve spent on your lunch break wondering how you'll survive the next 2-hour lecture. 

Your body, brain, and future self will thank you for it! 

Resources: 

Free weekly social sport and fitness activities: On Campus Programs - Adelaide University Sport 

AU Sport Membership perks: Membership - Adelaide University Sport 

AU Sport Clubs: Clubs - Adelaide University Sport 

Fitness Hub: Fitness Hub - Adelaide University Sport 

Sources:  

Exercise can boost your memory and thinking skills - Harvard Health