Category: Public life articles

What motivated you to start at TDK?
Even during my undergraduate studies, as a first-year student, I heard about the local round of the Scientific Student Conference. I sat in the Várkonyi room, I was wondering what this was all about. It was a "full house", the atmosphere was captivating. As an athlete, I was used to competition situations and the fact that this could be done in a scientific form, presenting my own research, was extremely motivating for me.

Why do you think it's good to start at TDK? What did you learn?
For me, the biggest benefit was preparing myself for scientific life. I gained new acquaintances and experiences at the TDK events in Szeged and nationwide, which helped my later professional work. For example, when I met the leader of sportpsycholoist training, Dr. Ágota Lénárt, she already knew me as the chairman of the OTDK jury. In addition, my presentation skills have improved a lot, I have learned to communicate in an essential, scientific language. The writing of the studies helped to acquire the professionally accepted scientific wording. This provided the basis for my later publishing activities.

Were there any difficulties? If so, what were they?
I didn’t experience any particular difficulty with TDK, in fact. I also structured my BA and MA dissertations so that I could start with them in the next TDK, somewhat modified. So I essentially hit two birds with one stone. It was a great pleasure for me that my efforts were followed by recognitions, so I saw them not as a difficulty but as an opportunity for my career advancement.

What do you think can be gained from TDK? What did you profit from?
The Institute of Psychology of the University of Szeged was a family environment for me. After the local and national TDKs, I was congratulated by both the instructors and my groupmates, acknowledging my scientific work. So I started to look at myself as an increasingly valuable member of the training. It also gave me the courage to start publishing. TDK helped me believe that I was able to work on a different level, drawing strength from my previous athlete identity, stepping out of my comfort zone.

Can you make use of it in your current job?
We continue to work together with Dr. Eszter Csábi and Dr. Éva Szabó after my years in Szeged, and my workplace also serves as a field practice place for psychology students. These professional relationships also help in the continuous development of my identity as a sports psychologist. Furthermore, due to my work, I give regular lectures and workshops. In order to credibly represent the profession of sports psychology in front of the audience, my TDK experience provides the basis.

Do you send any message to students who are thinking about getting started with TDK? How would you convince them?
I usually prepared for current TDK events by presenting my topic to my loved ones, friends, even teammates. They are honored with their attention, thanks for it. On the other hand, the most amazing experience is when you can present the research you have invented and implemented to an expert audience that understands it and gives feedback that supports your development. This will generate more and more ideas in you, which will take you on paths unknown to you so far, you will work at an ever higher level. Feel free to embark on this scientific adventure!

(Source: Official website of the University of Szeged, Dr. Eszter Csábi)

Without matches

For Levente Szántai, a remark from a teammate meant the turning point: "Levi, you can listen the people so well, why don't you go to a psychologist?" She sat back at the school as a new father, so more efficient scheduling and planning in advance became essential. He also had to do the workouts more consciously, as he had less time left to perfect his movements after the trainings. He was able to be with his family, especially in the evenings. At home, he became a master of diaper changing, bathing and anesthesia.

“When I quit, the matches were missed the most. When you compete for your goal, it’s a wonderful feeling. I have just solved the workouts and I still do it to this day, mainly for recreational purposes. However, the spirit of competition is a key issue in living an athlete’s identity. During this period, the new professional challenges and the birth of my second child helped a lot. Having defended at a high level for more than 30 years, the credibility of my academic career as a psychologist has made it easier for me to perform my academic duties. However, this is not enough in the long run. We need to constantly improve ourselves so that we can innovate again and again, ”says the former football goalkeeper.

Love out of love

As a psychologist, Levente Szántai sees that the family has an important role to play in shaping a dual career. In addition, coaches must also accept that the athlete can be there for less training during the school exercises or even during the exam period. The expert emphasizes that it is also important to convey the values ​​of endurance, commitment, creativity or autonomy during training.

“Whether the athlete has a profession or some qualification, or practical experience in another area of ​​life. It’s a less good strategy to start thinking about this towards at the end of the athlete’s career. An injury can interfere at any time, so it’s worth continuing your studies after graduation. When I had a harder period in my career, it was in the deck that I would be a bartender. I was ready to switch if that turned out. Always have a plan B! ” Says the elite athlete, becoming a psychologist.

After elite sports, the frustration previously released on a daily basis accumulates. Therefore, it is not recommended that athletes leave workouts overnight. If only for recreational purposes, it is worth playing two or three times a week. In addition, new goals are needed in civil life, the realization of which can be challenging and requires perseverance. Furthermore, the supportive environment is important, be it family, friends, or even former sports-mate. These factors can even appear as a preventative factor against the development of depression. “When a professional athlete finishes elite sports, he or she can frame his or her career by thanking you for the values ​​you get from competitive sports, which you will be able to capitalize on in your everyday life. It can provide an ideal transition if the former competitor can stay close to the sport in some form. That way he can still stay with the great love of his life, and as they say: >>“Love will soften into love after a while <<” he adds.

(Source: KépMás magazine 2022/01, Fruzsina Szabó)