Saoirse Russell

About me

Hi, I'm Saoirse! I'm a second-year Law student at the University of Canterbury. I went to Scots College in Wellington and moved to Christchurch for uni, so I know what it's like to leave home, live in halls, and then flat with friends. Outside of uni, I enjoy going to the gym, dance classes, and spending time with friends and family. I also teach hip-hop to kids and teens and tutor high school maths. I wanted to become a Next Chats advisor because I remember how many questions I had in Year 13 about university, moving away from home, and what life after school would actually be like. Whether you're thinking about studying law, choosing a university, moving into halls, flatting, or just feeling unsure about what comes next, I hope to be someone you can have an honest, relaxed conversation with.

My uni experience

I found first-year law surprisingly easy. It was less about a huge workload and more about learning the content and how to structure answers to law questions. In first year I was probably only at uni for around two to three hours a day, then did an extra four hours or so of study across the week. First-year law at UC is pretty competitive, so my focus was getting solid grades throughout the year rather than relying on the finals. I actually found it easier than Years 12 and 13 at high school, which was a surprise. Second year has been much more demanding though, and around exams it can get pretty stressful. But it's all completely manageable if you're dedicated and genuinely enjoy what you're studying. I was in University Hall at UC, in the East Rolleston building, which I really enjoyed. It's one of the more social halls and a bit more relaxed. Having different buildings meant you could visit friends in other areas, and the East flats were great for having a few people over. The food was reasonably good with plenty of options, and my room was pretty spacious. You get to know the people around you really quickly. Uni is very different from high school because no one is forcing you to do anything. It can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but once you settle in it's really great. I joined LawSoc and Women in Law, and both have been great for meeting people and getting access to tutorials and tutors around exams. Finding a balance was probably the most challenging part, but once I found a routine things became much easier. The main thing nobody tells you is that uni really isn't as scary as it seems.

Hobbies

Competitive hip-hop dance at ACE Dance Studios in Christchurch, teaching casual classes at Swarm Studios, maths tutoring, and being involved in LawSoc and Women in Law at UC. In my spare time I love catching up with friends, doing something creative like drawing, or just relaxing and watching a movie.