The transition from school to university can be daunting for many students. But when you come from an all boys’ high school in another city, and you’re leaving home during a global pandemic, the move can be a real test of character.
But calm and collected 19-year-old Harry Moran took it all in his stride.
After just three weeks on campus at Trinity College in Melbourne, he returned home to Sydney for a weekend – just in time for the closing of state borders. This meant the majority of his first year was carried out online in his family home.
‘It was weird to move into college and start uni, and then have to go back home after a few weeks,’ Harry explains. ‘But I knew a lot of people were in the same boat.’
After keeping in touch with his peers and tutors online, Harry was able to move back to Trinity at the start of 2021, and enjoyed his time in Sydney in the meantime.
Raised in the eastern beaches, Harry spent his childhood soaking up the sun, studying hard and participating in extra-curricular opportunities offered at Sydney Grammar. He particularly loved rugby and rowing, both of which consumed his weekends.
‘My parents were super supportive – getting up at 4am and driving me to the opposite side of Sydney a few times a week,’ he smiles.
Harry enjoyed the teamwork and community that playing sport at Sydney Grammar gave him. He particularly loved rugby, however, found himself hindered by a couple of sports-related injuries. After spending time in recovery clinics and observing doctors treating their patients, he became interested in sports medicine.
‘I thought it was interesting how the doctors would figure out how to treat people, and how those clinics worked. The idea of working with different teams and treating their injuries, getting them better – drew me to sports medicine and orthopedics,’ explains Harry.
Taking maths, English, physical education and science in Year 12 at Sydney Grammar, Harry got the ATAR he needed to study a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, majoring in physiology. The university also offered a pathway to medicine, which he plans to study post-grad.
‘I would love to work for a sports team or even just general orthopedics and surgery.’
On choosing where to live, it was Trinity College’s open spaces and communal layout that appealed to Harry. After touring other residential colleges during Year 12, his choice to live at Trinity was clear.
‘Trinity is set up with all the buildings in a circle with a big field in the middle. So it has a lot of open space. When I saw the rooms and the people, I just decided it was the best fit for me.’
Choosing to live in a college as opposed to privately renting was about making connections with people, and insuring himself against loneliness and isolation.
‘I think nowadays it can be hard to meet people and get the same uni experience that our parents would’ve had when they were young. So by living in a college, you are surrounded by people, you have events to go to – it’s an inbuilt community.’
Because Sydney Grammar provided such a strong sense of connection for Harry, he was keen to echo those ideals in his university experience.
Harry describes it this way: ‘When you go to high school, you’re with the same people for so many years. You build these strong bonds and friendships. Residential colleges have the same camaraderie. You can be with people for dinner, lunch, events and I love it.’
He is pleased at how smooth the transition from home to college has been.
‘Getting the chance to live in a college is so good because you’re constantly surrounded by friends and, if you’re struggling with work, there’s always someone there to help or guide you – or just have fun with.'
