The path to achieving one’s dreams is rarely a straight line. It is more likely a winding road marked by challenges, detours and potential failures. Each setback along the way is a chance to grow stronger.
No one knows this better than Faith Ning Koy, a National University of Singapore (NUS) Sports scholar (Sailing) who is currently pursuing her degree in pharmaceutical science. As a national athlete, the freshman’s journey is proof of the importance of not giving up when faced with obstacles.
Throughout her junior college years, Faith struggled to keep up with her academic studies due to an intense training schedule and numerous sailing competitions.
However, these experiences shaped her understanding of perseverance. After falling behind in her studies, Faith sought help from her teachers and committed herself to improvement.
“I talked to my teachers about how I could improve, and I just put in a lot of effort to do more practice papers or ask for consultations,” she recounts. This proactive approach allowed her to regain her footing academically.
One of the biggest pillars of Faith’s strength is her family, particularly her parents. Their sacrifices have been instrumental in helping her navigate the demands of being both a student and an athlete.
“My biggest support comes from my family, especially my parents,” she shares.
They always buoyed her decisions, whether it meant attending competitions or taking time off for rest. Faith’s father also played a hands-on role in her sailing journey, assisting with tasks such as making boat repairs and ferrying her to training sessions. Meanwhile, her mother provided emotional support during stressful times leading up to competitions.
Their unwavering familial support has fuelled Faith’s determination.
“I don’t want to give up so easily because they have sacrificed a lot for me,” she says.
At university, she got the support she needed to pursue a bachelor’s degree while also continuing to compete at a tertiary level.
When she discovered the NUS Sports Scholarship, it felt like the perfect fit.
This scholarship provided her with the opportunity to pursue her passions without compromising her academic goals.
“The support from the school for both my studies and my sport was exactly what I was looking for,” she says.
While schools offer some flexibility for competitions, she believes more structured assistance for student-athletes trying to balance sports and studies is needed.
“It is really not as easy as you think… sometimes student-athletes also need a break,” she says, noting how non-scholarship holders especially struggle without institutional support.
The NUS Sports Scholarship has been pivotal in helping Faith address these challenges. One key resource is access to a sports manager who assists with logistical concerns related to balancing academics and athletics.
“If I have any questions about how to take leave from school and miss lessons because of competitions, I can always turn to my sports manager for help,” she explains.
The scholarship also encourages scholars like Faith to create personalised road maps for their academic and athletic journeys.
“NUS was one of my top school choices as it offered the pharmaceutical science programme I was interested in,” she says. “I have already planned what I want to do over my course, such as what GPA I aim to hit.”
Beyond the support provided by her scholarship, Faith draws inspiration from fellow sailor – and friend – Max Maeder, who won Singapore’s first sailing medal (bronze) at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“The support from the school for both my studies and my sport was exactly what I was looking for.”
– Faith Ning Koy, recipient of the NUS Sports Scholarship
Max’s achievements resonate deeply with her aspirations as an athlete. His success as an Olympic champion serves as motivation for Faith, encouraging her to persist despite setbacks in her own journey.
The discipline and focus cultivated through sailing – where the smallest adjustment can change a boat’s course – mirrors Faith’s approach to her studies in pharmaceutical science.
“In sailing, any minor adjustments on the boat make a big difference on the water,” she explains, drawing parallels to the meticulous nature of pharmaceutical work.
Looking ahead, she plans to combine a major in pharmaceutical science with a minor in public health.
“I see myself in a leadership position in one of the pharmaceutical companies,” she says confidently, as she aims to leverage her competitive drive in a new arena.
