Name: Roz O'Connell
Occupation: Barrister
Education: Dublin City University, Trinity College, Dublin
“I’m conscientious. I’m a worrier. I worried about whether I would get in to the rightcourse. I worried about how I would do in my degree. I now worry about my career.
“Study was my primary focus, but far from my only one. One of the most important things is making sure you always get to class. If you go to class, and if you engage with the lecturers, you will do fine. I found it really helped to read the material before class; it helped it to come alive. It became less of a lecture and more of a conversation.
“A large part of college, whether in your lectures and tutorials or talking to your friends, is about new ideas and opening up opportunities to grow as a person. There were all these great discussions and debates about politics and law, which really moulded my experience and allowed me to develop as a person.
“College did take some getting used to. You’re so used to being spoon-fed in school and given out to if you don’t do your homework. In college, nobody cares if you don’t do your homework; it’s not their responsibility to get you through.
“I was lucky with my course. It had a broad sweep of topics that allowed me to consider the world from a few different vantage points. I hugely enjoyed it, and there was so much support, both from DCU and from the faculty itself.
“I lived at home during college. I was never one of those people who are dying to leave home, because I have a great relationship with my parents. They gave me such support and strength in getting through the pressure of exams; their support and encouragement was important during times when I doubted myself. We got on well because, I think, they gave me great freedom, and I never abused it.
“I probably could have been more involved in clubs and societies while I was at DCU, but I was quite focused on my study, and I was also already involved in a hockey club outside of the college. Now, there is a Free Legal Aid Centre (Flac) Society, where people come in and discuss any legal problems they might have. That would have been something of interest to me at the time; as a qualified barrister – albeit a junior barrister – I sit in on the clinics at DCU. It’s a nice way to give back to the university.
“I do think it’s worthwhile to get involved in college life, in some capacity. If there’s no society that relates to an issue you care about, set up your own society. Be at the forefront of change. That was really brought home to me during the marriage equality referendum: it is students and student groups that have been pushing for this for years.
“If there’s an issue you care about, find other like-minded students and champion something close to your heart.
“While I wasn’t setting up societies or clubs myself, I did have a really good time in college. There are student nights almost every day of the week, which I used to really enjoy; I was out socialising a lot. No matter how hard you work at college, it is really important to let off some steam, which I did.
“I met great people. I made wonderful friends; there’s a small handful, from various courses, who I’ve stayed connected to. There are a few people, in particular, that I know I can always turn to for support, or just bounce an idea off.
“My last bit of advice: find a balance between social life and study, because it’s the one time in your life when you’ll be in such an open, exciting, carefree atmosphere. College is full of opportunities. Take them.”
