studentwise: Finding Her Path

In high school, she ran track to help stay in shape for soccer. But then the pandemic hit, and her world shifted. Running became a source of both solace and connection.

“It was one of the only ways to be around friends and loved ones,” says Hasan, who basked in the camaraderie and team spirit of these meetups.

Striving to carry that momentum to Swarthmore, Hasan walked on to the cross country team. But with that came obstacles. She faced imposter syndrome, wondering whether she belonged with the team, and if she could juggle the rigors of athletics and academics.

Once she met students who had competed the previous year, though, her worries began to fade. Teammates took her seriously as a person and an athlete, and Hasan steadily grew into a real contributor.

Just as important, she made close friends she came to view as family.

“For me, athletics has not only been for the sake of competing, but also developing a network of trust and support and love in all other aspects of my life,” she says. “I honestly couldn’t imagine how different my experience here would’ve been without athletics.”

Hasan’s “I made it” moment came sophomore year, when she represented the cross country team in the regional NCAA championships, helping the Garnet to nearly qualify for nationals.

“That was the day that I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself,” she says. “I felt like I was running for my teammates, and I knew how hard we all had worked for that moment.”

Hasan’s commitment to the College and well-being deepened the following year, when she built a personal training program from the ground up. She offered free sessions to students, faculty, and staff, ranging from club sport athletes to older adults looking to add exercise back into their lives.

“I was able to work with a breadth of clients with various goals, all the while honing my skills,” says Hasan, a certified trainer who is embarking on a career in sports medicine orthopedics. “It was honestly a gift.”

And it keeps on giving. Although Hasan graduated in May, the program now has six trainers. “That’s kind of my child,” she says, “and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch it grow.”