Basketball and Pharmacy: Noémie Costa's dual challenge

As a third-year pharmacy student in Montpellier who also plays basketball in the National 2 league in Mauguio, 24-year-old Noémie Costa proves that with organization and passion, it’s possible to balance high-level sports with demanding studies.

Sports and academics: meticulous planning

“I train almost every evening in Mauguio; I leave at 6:30 p.m. and get back around 9:30 or 10 p.m.,” she explains. Her approach? Making the most of her days, relying on support from fellow students, and working intensely during any free time she has.

Although she admits she doesn’t have time to attend all the lectures, Noémie makes up for it with a significant amount of independent study, peer support, and a high degree of self-reliance. The daytime seminars and lab sessions are essential for her

Although she is entitled to accommodations as a high-level athlete, she hasn’t had the chance to use them yet: “For now, I’m able to do things just like everyone else.”

An impressive athletic career

A basketball player for 18 years, she left home at the age of thirteen to attend a training center, continuing her studies at the CREPS in Montpellier before entering the professional ranks.

Now playing in National 2—"the highest level in Montpellier, aside from the pros"—she has found a balance that allows her to pursue her passion alongside her studies in pharmacy.

Her most memorable moment? “It was three years ago, when we won the French championship. We were playing against Bourges, we were down by two points, and I hit the game-winning three-pointer. It was the craziest moment of my life. Everyone was screaming and jumping… It was incredible.”

Sports: A Key to Academic Success

This dual life has been a real advantage in her academic career: “Sports help me with my studies. Having competed every weekend since I was six has taught me how to really manage my emotions. I don’t get stressed out, whereas I see a lot of people who are stressed out even a month in advance.”

This ability to handle pressure is a vital mental balance that she wants to share: “Honestly, keep going! Sports are really my escape. When I’m on the field, I completely forget that I’m in the pharmaceutical industry and that I have an exam the next day. With good planning, it’s totally doable.”

It was with this same determination that she chose her career path, inspired by the experience of a family member who is a community pharmacist. “It’s really something I enjoy—being able to interact with patients and manage all aspects of medication,” she says. Drawn to this human aspect of the work, she naturally plans to pursue a career in community pharmacy during her specialization next year.