Alumni Profile: Isobel Murphy, Class of 2022

What course are you studying and where?
I’m in my first year of Computing for Business in DCU.

What is studying like in your campus?
I’m absolutely loving my time at DCU so far - the campus isn’t too big and everything is within walking distance.

DCU has tons of clubs and societies which are great opportunities to make friends and become a part of college events. I’m currently a part of the dance society, where I have been able to perform in the Helix with my college dance team! College life is great, with events happening most nights on campus.

There’s also a great library which I go to in between lectures to get a bit of study done. Studying in college is quite different to school. You are required to be a lot more independent and there is more of an emphasis on group projects instead of end-of-term tests.

When did you know this is what you wanted to do?
When planning out my CAO I was in between two choices, primary school teaching and a computing-related course. I’m a gymnastics coach, so I knew I would have loved primary teaching.

Luckily Stratford is one of the few schools to offer Computer Science for the Leaving Cert. This meant I had the opportunity to get a better understanding of what a Computer Science course in college would entail, so I knew a computing-related course would be right up my street.

I was really in between both courses and would have loved either but when I was offered Computing in Business I was very happy and feel so far it's the right course for me.

What’s your favourite school memory?
Overall, my best experiences of Stratford were during the school trips I had the chance to go on - Delphi in TY will always stick in the memory as a great way to kick start Transition Year and get to spend time with friends outside of school.

We also had the opportunity to go to London, with some of the highlights including, going to a West End show and Bletchley Park.

Any advice for our students today?
My biggest advice is to enjoy your time in secondary school as it goes by in the blink of an eye.

Stratford gives you so many opportunities to try new things and have new experiences. I would really encourage everyone to take these chances the best they can and get involved with as many extra-curricular activities and trips!