Repeat performances and I have quite a close relationship. From the age of 17, I have repeated Leaving Certs, driving tests, exams and college. I was a beacon for bad choices. When I applied to SPCM in 2010, I can honestly say I broke the bad choices circle.When I applied for the BA in Theology and Arts, I had absolutely no knowledge about what it was and what it would get me. I just wanted a degree – any degree. Imagine the shock I got when I realised I was enjoying it and actually wanted to do work for it.

The BATh isn’t just about a Christian worldview of things and what is right and wrong; issues such as Islam, women, morality, faith and deciphering the Bible are all eagerly taught in the classes. Topics that make you sit up and take notice. Teaching methods in SPCM are quite interesting; gone are the long monotone lecturers and in their place are lecturers who teach with passion, open-minds and constantly engage your mind in various ways

In SPCM there is no ‘business’ feel to the college that you would find in bigger universities. Classes are smaller, more relaxed and friendly, and lecturers are extremely approachable. Help is always at hand, and encouragement and confidence is instilled daily. But more importantly independent thinking is ecstatically welcomed

I picked English and History as my first year Arts subjects and I continued forward with History into second and third year. In NUIM History comes alive again

Now my third year is almost finished and honestly, I can’t see myself anywhere but in SPCM next year. Very few places in the world feel like home, but SPCM comes a quite close second.

Ciara Dunne