Student Stories
Click on a name below to hear their story:
Ameera, Electronic Engineering, DCU
The support of the access service is invaluable. They try to help out in difficulties by organising grinds for subjects that people are not so good in and by offering a friendly ear and support for those having personal problems. I doubt anyone who comes to them leaves without some sort of solution or assistance with any troubles brought forward.
Martin, DCU
Coming from a large family faced with financial constraints the prospect of third level education was not always an option for me. The Access Service allowed me the opportunity of third level education at DCU. Throughout my time in DCU I have had the opportunity to volunteer for the Access Service on various initiatives like the Sports Education Programme which allowed me to help kids from the local school in Ballymun with their homework and organise sports with them. Volunteering on these initiatives has been hugely enjoyable and has also helped develop me as a person.
Christina, DCU
The Access programme has helped me on an academic, financial and emotional level. On an academic level the Access staff members have been really helpful in ensuring that I am progressing in my studies. Their eagerness and enthusiasm to help me and others in the programme is seen in their meetings with us and also through the arrangement of grinds. I personally was struggling with one module in particular and thanks to the help of the post entry access officer I was able to get the help I so desperately needed.
Deborah, DCU
My involvement with the Access Programme at Dublin City University has truly been a life changing experience. From my very first day at university the Access Programme took me under their wing and provided me with the financial support, encouragement and guidance necessary to achieve my degree. When I graduate this year I can look forward to a bright future in a challenging career, where I can reach my full potential and realise my dreams. For this I will be forever grateful to the programme and its incredible team for being there with me every step of my journey.
Rebecca, DCU
From day one, I have felt that being on the HEAR programme has given me an advantage over those students that are not. Without doubt it has made the transition to third level a smooth and easier motion. There are just so many activities and events connected with the Access service that everyone is welcome to be a part of. Also and most importantly the Access Officers have always been my first port of call when I need anything.
Amanda, Arts – New Media & English, UL
I'm from Limerick and I've just completed my First Year. It has been a huge personal achievement for me as I am the first member of my family to go to college and HEAR helped me to achieve this goal. Attending university means so much to myself and my family, my parents are very proud because they never had the opportunities I have had.
Liam, Law, UCC
Coming from a background and a community that has a great suspicion of the legal profession and law enforcement bodies, law was something which had always interested me. I was exceptionally proud of my leaving certificate results, but I just missed out on a CAO place in Law. However, UCC PLUS+ offered me a HEAR place into the BCL degree in University College Cork (UCC). In 2005, I graduated with a first class honours BCL (International) degree; I am now lecturing in the University of Ulster.
Fiona, Arts, NUI Maynooth
I wouldn't have my degree or my job without the Access service because they helped me to get into my course, get accommodation, gave me great advice and helped me throughout my three years there. And they gave us champagne for our graduation! The staff were always lovely – quite motherly worrying over our decisions! I fondly remember the induction Access week before college started – I made some great friends and got a head start on the other first years – knowing when and where events/lectures took place, where the bar was and who was good to be nice to!
Anita, Science, NUI Maynooth
I attended the Access Programme from 2004-2008 and have a lot of good memories. I made a lot of friends during orientation week which were a great support to me over the years. It was nice to know that I wasn't alone. Overall my studies were very successful, and I am currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Chemistry.
Shane, History and Political Science, TCD
For me Trinity College was always a world away from mine. I had always hoped to study in an institution like Trinity with so much history surrounding it, but never imagined that I would.
Eilis Coakley, President, Institute of Guidance Counsellors
HEAR provides a 'level playing pitch' for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds accessing higher education. It helps students overcome a variety of obstacles by providing academic, personal and social supports in the participating institutions. My experience of the scheme is that it can make all the difference to getting there, competing and completing.
Derek, Psychology, TCD
I am the first person in my family to go to University. I am most grateful to the Trinity Access Programmes for all their support for giving me the opportunity to further my abilities and talents.
Carolyn, Medicine, UCD
I decided to go to college because I knew that if you wanted to get a good job and a secure future, a third level course was essential. A spokesperson from HEAR came to our school and spoke positively of college. I chose to do Medicine and having nearly finished my first year I know I made the right choice. I would highly recommend HEAR not only for the financial support but also for the support offered to you throughout the year like peer mentoring and study skills programme.
Joseph, Science, NUI Maynooth
My time at Maynooth wouldn't have been half as fun and interesting were it not for the Access office, the staff involved with it and the students who were part of it. Maynooth has a great reputation for being the most social of the Universities, making student life exciting and vibrant. This atmosphere is greatly enhanced by the Access Office who organised many Christmas parties and trips during my time with them. The financial assistance received from the Access Office made Undergraduate life less stressful and provided an excellent incentive to complete University education.
Anthony, Arts Sociology & Social Policy, NUI Maynooth
Since being accepted into the Access Programme, it has been a real shoulder to lie on in terms of my college work. If I were not accepted into the Access Programme I do not think that I would be still in college. The supports given by the access office enabled me to have the confidence to reach for my goals. With the supports provided, I felt equal to everyone else receiving third level education in Maynooth.
Annie, Arts, NUI Maynooth
I attended Maynooth from 2002-2005, and I can undoubtedly say that had it not been for the huge support from the Access Office I would not have achieved so much. I spent a huge amount of time between lectures over in the office and they were always so welcoming. When times were tough all was needed was a chat from the women to cheer us all up! I owe my degree to these people! Since graduating I have completed a H Dip in Primary Teaching.
Matt, Arts, NUI Maynooth
The Access Programme is a supportive environment for students who are from non-traditional backgrounds to benefit from college and to maximise and reach their full potential. Coming from secondary school, it can be quite daunting coming to a big university; you're not sure what to expect, but very quickly a lot of effort was made to put you close to people who are in a similar position. Since graduation, I have gone into teaching and now teach in the community college I used to attend!
Audrey Coggins, Teacher, Loreto College, Crumlin
We have definitely noticed the 'TAP effect' in our school. The students are more positive and motivated to advance in their education and their parents are also becoming more involved and supportive.
Geraldine, Arts, NUI Maynooth
While I was at College, it wasn't just academic life I participated in, I had many hobbies and took part in clubs and societies including debating and kick boxing. You make an awful lot of friends by joining the clubs and societies while you're here.
Peter, UCD
I always wanted to go to UCD and seeing that it was part of HEAR gave me the confidence to apply for the course I wanted to do there. There have been a number of supports available to me. When I was having trouble with a particular lecture, the Access Office was able to provide a tutor to help me. When I was having a general problem the Access Office were very approachable. I would recommend to any student to definitely give it a go. It can really open doorways for your future like it has with mine.
Ray, Applied Sciences, DIT
I am a past pupil of St. Paul's, North Brunswick St., Dublin 7 and was the first Access student to complete a PhD in DIT. I initially began my education in DIT as a student on the Diploma in Applied Science and was awarded a PhD for my thesis in October 2007.