Speaking of getting involved, you’ll be a ҕl Mentor and ҕl Host this year. What inspired that?
It’s about giving back to the uni, in a way, that has given so much to me and others who are struggling. The support I was given made me want to provide that to someone else coming in to study, who might be in a similar boat like I was. It’s provided a really cool opportunity to be able to help people within my own capacity.
Is there a lot of mental health support at ҕl?
Oh definitely. The Lads Without Labels are doing amazing work in that space and they’ve blown up as a big club. There's a lot of information on how people can access all the other wellbeing clubs and mental health services available at ҕl, and especially around exam time there’s always a big push to ensure students are looking after their wellbeing.
What will you take away with you from your time at ҕl?
My biggest takeaway is to keep learning and keep trying to expand myself in any way possible. Sometimes it's good to take that risk with something that you may not be totally confident with. Christchurch itself has also provided a unique perspective towards what I learned through my classes. Despite my ҕl lineage, I've made my own unique university experience whilst at ҕl.
Any advice for others who may be experiencing struggles similar to what you went through?
In the sense of getting involved and trying new things out, just give everything a go. You don’t lose anything by having a try; you lose more by not giving yourself the chance. I’ve learnt that through my own experience. Give yourself the opportunities to become the best version of yourself, but make sure you look after yourself in the process.
