2010 Student Profile

Leaving high-school early to begin university has been a challenge - but an exciting one - for Jarrod Broughton.

The Hamilton student has got a head-start on life by diving head-first into his Bachelor of Social Sciences degree at the age of 17 - and he only has positive things to say about university life.

"I love the university lifestyle - there's something new to do every day and always something to look forward to. Being from Hamilton means I know a lot of people here - but also everyone is welcoming, and I'm enjoying the freedom of being able to fit my schedule around my life. It's also great being able to fit in all the sports I like - I'm on an under-21 rep team for touch and I also play golf, as well as other sports.

"Being younger than most of the other students is a bit challenging - in one way I'm behind everyone else.  But in another way I'm getting ahead of other people my age; it's like taking a shortcut. And it's going pretty well so far. Everyone, my tutors and lecturers, they've all been very supportive."

Jarrod is majoring in Economics but also takes papers in philosophy, sociology and management, and says he has great respect for his lecturers.

"I think I see an aura of knowledge around them - you can sense they actually know what they're talking about, they've actually experienced what they're teaching you, not just read it in a book."

For a Hamilton boy Waikato University was perhaps the obvious choice, but then Jarrod has big dreams for his education.

"I chose Waikato because it's close to home, and therefore cheap. But I also have dreams and aspirations - I want one day to study at the London School of Economics, and Waikato's a good launching pad for that. I'm interested in one day travelling and seeing the world."

And his studies are certainly helping him to achieve that future, Jarrod says.

"I feel my papers are starting to open my mind to the broader scheme of things - I'm seeing how everything is interconnected. I'm really enjoying philosophy and sociology - they make you look at yourself and others from a different point of view."