Sometimes people just need a second chance.
Like Arron Claffey-Conneely; originally from Ballybane in Galway city, he is one of those given another shot at education – and now he’s polishing off his final year at NUI Galway, thanks to the university’s access programme.
The programme is designed to give those who were disadvantaged either financially or socially after their Leaving Cert another opportunity to receive a third level education.
Upon successful completion of the year-long course, students are accepted into the university to work toward a full degree.
Arron, now 30, had a rocky experience when he attended secondary school. He lost all interest in his education, got kicked out of school, failed his Leaving Cert and fell into addiction problems.
He later found himself in undesirable conditions while he worked in construction and in a factory.
Alongside with dreading work, Arron found himself in a dark place. But as he approached his mid-twenties, he decided he wanted to turn around his life.
And that’s when he checked himself in at a rehab centre designed to help those who struggle with addictions.
He spent about five months there and began to regret not taking his education more seriously – so, with help from those at the centre, he took the initiative to get back in the books.
“I applied for the access programme from the rehab centre,” Aaron says.
“The nun who was working there at time, Sister Bernadette, helped me with the application. I didn’t have a clue what it was. I heard about the access programme through people that I knew and they went back and have been successful.”
Thankfully for Arron, he was one of 40 students accepted into the 2012’s programme.
Within a few months, the then-25 year old noticed how much he improved academically since the course commenced.
“I couldn’t send an email before the access programme. I couldn’t send a simple email, let alone one with an attachment. I never knew how to write an essay and didn’t have any academic background at all,” he says.
Though at times tough, Arron completed the programme all while enjoying the college scene.
“It has partly saved my life. It allowed me to live the life I always wanted and have the career I always wanted. Even if I had been able to get in under-grad first year, I never would have lasted because I couldn’t even write an essay. I couldn’t even send an email.”
When it came time to choose what course he wanted to complete for his undergrad, Arron knew he wanted to study psychology even though he didn’t know what it entailed – and he has just finished his final year exams.
Now, he’s waiting to hear back from several universities around the country to see if he has been given a spot in their Master of Health Psychology course.
“It’s funny – I used to hate secondary school. But from the moment I sat in my first psychology lecture I knew it was for me.”
Between classes and studying, Arron has kept incredibly busy on campus. He’s been involved in raising funds for the access programme, being a student mentor for first years, has had roles in the psychology society and was involved with a pilot programme that helps people who have been affected by suicide.
Most recently, Arron was chosen for a scholarship to travel to Thailand and work with Burmese refugees in July for eight weeks.
While he’s proud of how far he’s come, he says he’s only halfway through it all.
“This has given me a purpose, a feeling that I’m going in the right direction. For 25 years I was living a life that I didn’t think was me, and I suppose that probably was part of my own unhappiness.
“So, aside from being able to write essays and send emails I get to help people. Three or four years ago I was in rehab being helped. Now I’m at the stage where I’m helping other people,” he said.
He hopes to complete his master’s degree then continue his education by earning his PhD so he can pursue his dream of working as a clinical psychologist and continue to help people.
And that’s proof of how access programmes really do give you a second chance.
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