It’s been a remarkable journey. I started primary school in Saint Augustine’s, and learned everything there from horticulture to carpentry – all sorts.

But the one class that really piqued my interest would have to be drama. I loved being on stage and performing. What I found fascinating about drama was that it gave me the will to stand up for myself, and to boost my confidence – and feed off the energy of a live audience.

After I finished at Saint Augustine’s, I went to Roslyn Park College, and then I went on to Sallynoggin College of Further Education. Now – since just last week – I’m attending BIFE, which stands for Bray Institute of Further Education.

It’s a performing arts course, for acting. The teacher, Neil Pearson, is remarkable. And the other students are great to work with. I look forward to working with them on productions this year.

It was very different and challenging at first – definitely way more challenging than the last course I did. But I like the challenge. I like to push myself forward and better myself. It’s all about progress, not perfection.

Pierce O'Riordan Walsh. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

I’ve made plenty of friends through college over the years. Most times I’d get along with people okay, and sometimes they’d prefer to be by themselves – which is absolutely okay. Sometimes I’m okay being on my own. Being on my own gives me time to focus, rehearse, or work on a monologue.

When I get my monologue, I walk around the room for 15 to 30 minutes, reading it. I repeat certain lines over and over again, until it becomes part of my head – like a wound-up tape. So whenever I miss a part, I rewind and start again.

Back in 2019, I did a show in the Pavilion Theatre, called Do We Not Laugh?, which was a ‘90s-themed adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice. I played Bassanio, but since it’s set in the ‘90s, my character was called Baz – something more hip! Almost 300 people attended the show and everybody fell in love with it.

Then, in April 2023, I did a show called The 39 Steps. The story was brilliant. I played Professor Jordan, who was the main villain – but I also played three other characters too.

I’ve been encouraged by many teachers and many tutors, at many colleges. I’ve nothing but full respect and support for what they do for students. But sometimes, when it comes to the education system, it can be a little this or that – it can be too difficult, or it can be too easy.

I think the best way is the four:six idea – four easy steps, six difficult steps. With the four easier subjects, you’re building up the trust and the interest for students,  specially ones with intellectual disabilities, like myself. And when you’ve eased in with that, you then have six subjects that are more difficult – so you’re building up to the challenges.

Colleges should reach out to a lot of communities. A lot of people are interested in progressing forward. Nobody in my family has ever been to college. I’m the first one. Usually, in my family, when we’re done with school, we find work. That’s good – but I wanted to progress my knowledge forward, and challenge myself.

The beauty of college is that it allows you to choose your own path, and your own goals. It’s basically about what you see yourself as. Do you see yourself as a lawyer, politician, actor, police officer, doctor, or a fashion designer? Whatever the case may be, it’s your choice to make your own path – as long as you’re creative about it, and true about it. And as long as you believe in it. If you’re not putting the work, effort, or belief in, then you’re just sabotaging yourself. If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, then you’re just making yourself fall back. Don’t fall down the mountain – just climb it. Once you reach the top, you’re in.

You need that confidence, skill and opportunity – and that’s what college is there for. It will help you get to where you need to be. It has all the tools, knowledge and necessary requirements to better yourself.

It will always be challenging. But it’s your choice, and your choice is always your own.

We all want something to belong to, career-wise, and life-wise. That’s who we are, as human beings.

So, if you really want to go to college, I’d say: be true to yourself, but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. College is about learning. It’s about finding yourself, and finding your goal.

And student life is about three things: the freedom, the independence, and most importantly, the creativity. Creativity allows you to be imaginative and develop yourself even more. As a college student, there’s always room for more knowledge. It’s limitless. And you can always learn something new, if you’re bored of the other thing. But I’ll never get bored of drama. It’s always going to be part of my way of life.

After BIFE, I might take part in open acting events – like if there’s roles for extras, or if there’s plays out there that need actors.

The one true, ultimate goal for me is not only to become a professional actor, but also to become successful. I want to make a living out of this. I want to be onstage almost every night. I want to perform a good show for a fabulous audience – give them the show they paid for and something to remember.

I want to be unique. I want to give people something to enjoy – something that they’ve never seen before.

Pierce O'Riordan Walsh. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Read the full Student Special Part 2 in the current issue of Hot Press, out now: