Graduates

This section will contain some reflections by graduates on what student life was like for them, and how it has affected their lives. This time we hear from another SBC graduate - Mark Smith.

In July 2004 I graduated from Queen’s University Belfast having completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree at the university’s Institute of Theology.

At school I’d always had an interest in R.E. and soon realised that I wanted to study theology at university and chose my ‘A-Level’ subjects accordingly. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity at school to participate in discussion about religion and morality. I therefore knew that a theology degree would help me to continue to do this in a more intensive manner. At first I thought of going to Stranmillis to study to be an R.E. teacher but soon realised that God appeared to be directing me to a straight theology degree and I could always do a P.G.C.E. teaching qualification at a later stage.

I guess like most ‘A-Level’ students I was excited at the prospect of going to uni and yet also scared at the thought of a new situation and having to make new friends and start a new routine. However my faculty was a small one allowing most of the students to get to know each other easily and quickly. The college that I was at had an induction day and free lunch for new students and it was an opportunity to meet new people and make friends easily as everyone was in the same ‘new’ position. I know that day I made friends that stayed with me throughout the three years and now beyond.

I soon found the new routine to be quite good, in fact it was great. There was lots of free time to drink coffee and catch up with friends and I even managed a trip away for almost 4 weeks (not recommended though)!!! I realised I could settle into student life quite easily!! However this new freedom could be a problem. Uni wasn’t like school. There was nobody checking I was going to class but also there was nobody checking I was up-to-date, that was my responsibility and that was a challenge in itself. It was a shock to find that I was expected to have read up on every subject before the class where it was to be taught. There was a lot of personal study and self motivation needed and I know many people found this a challenge. It sounds sad but I really needed to learn to pace myself so that I didn’t end up with a last minute rush.

Studying theology was good in that there was a lot of pastoral support from other students and lectures. We were all assigned to a pastoral group and would meet with lectures one-to-one to check that everything was ok. We also had time in our timetable for small groups and a worship service which though optional I found to be great. I know for most students such spiritual support isn’t usually so readily available. However theology did have its problems. It was hard to stay motivated to spend all day studying the Bible as an academic subject and then be enthusiastic about it at Bible studies etc. It was a fine balance between reasonable study and just becoming spiritually dry.

Uni was also so good because I got to meet so many people from so many different places. I now have friends from all over Northern Ireland and further afield as we had many international students. It’s a real opportunity to get to know new people in a really easy way.

Having graduated I am currently studying for a P.G.C.E. to teach R.E. Whether this will be a long term thing or not only God will decide. I look back on my university time with good memories. Usually I could be found in classroom 2 in college which instead of having desks and chairs had a great pool table!!! I made many new friends and did really enjoy learning. It was challenging to learn new stuff but it was also so good to be able to focus in on one subject which I really enjoyed. I think that uni days can be the best days of life so it’s important to make the most of them.

Mark

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