Rediscovering Roller Skating: How My University Society Reconnected Me With My Childhood
Written by Melisa Kekilli
After 10 years of not roller skating, picking up the hobby again through my university's skating society brought back a part of my childhood that I did not realise I had missed. As a young teenager, I would go roller skating every weekend. It was something I looked forward to, but it was also more than just a hobby. Skating gave me time to myself, away from schoolwork, responsibilities and the other priorities that often filled my week. It allowed me to enjoy the moment, express myself and feel free.
As I grew older, skating gradually became less important in my routine. Life became busier, and I found myself focusing on education, future plans and other responsibilities. Before I knew it, almost 10 years had passed since I had last skated. Although I still remembered how much I enjoyed it, I never expected that I would return to it during university.
Joining my university's Roller Skating Society in my first year changed that. The society gave me the encouragement and opportunity to pick up the hobby again in a welcoming environment. At first, returning to skating felt unfamiliar. I had to rebuild my confidence, practise skills I had forgotten and become comfortable with making mistakes. However, being surrounded by other students who shared the same interest made the experience enjoyable rather than intimidating.
Skating helped me reconnect with my childhood, but it also helped me understand how important personal interests are. University can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when balancing assignments, social commitments and planning for the future. Having a hobby created a space where I could focus on something simply because I enjoyed it. It reminded me that making time for myself is not selfish or unproductive. In fact, it helped me feel more motivated and inspired in other areas of my life.
I'm Melisa, and I'm going into my third year at Falmouth University, where I study BSc (Hons) Business & Digital Marketing at the Cornwall Business School campus (Falmouth University). Alongside skating, I enjoy reading, writing, drawing, sports and researching. I am particularly interested in how businesses communicate their stories and how people's ideas can be shared through digital platforms and physical connections. I enjoy helping businesses and individuals feel heard, whether that is through creative design, storytelling, social media or events.
My experience with skating has influenced the way I think about communication and community. I realised that a shared hobby can be one of the easiest ways to start a conversation. You do not always need to know what to say because the activity itself creates a natural connection. Skating brought people together who may not have met otherwise, and it encouraged me to become more open to meeting new people.
The society also inspired me to explore other hobbies and opportunities. Once I began making time for skating again, I found myself becoming more curious and willing to try new things. It gave me a flow of inspiration that influenced my writing, creativity and interest in research. I started to think more about how hobbies affect students, particularly how they can support confidence, wellbeing and social connection.
Since starting my second year, I have wanted more from my degree and university experience. I have been stepping outside my comfort zone by becoming involved in society committees, developing ideas and helping create opportunities for other students. Hosting events has become a new interest of mine because I enjoy bringing people together and creating spaces where they can feel comfortable. These experiences have shown me that hobbies can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.
Looking back, returning to roller skating was not just about learning how to skate again. It was about rediscovering a part of myself and remembering the value of having time for something I genuinely enjoy. The Roller Skating Society helped me reconnect with my childhood, meet new people and become more confident in exploring other interests.
My experience has also taught me that communities do not always have to be found; sometimes, they can be created. If you cannot find a skate community that feels right for you, why not make one yourself? A simple hobby can become the beginning of friendships, creativity, confidence and new possibilities. For me, skating became a reminder that reconnecting with the past can inspire the future.