In the short time since graduating from Oakleigh Grammar in 2019, Chris Giannaros has gone on to further study at Deakin University, where he hopes to complete his double degree in Laws and Commerce. Following on from his Oakleigh Grammar roots, Chris has also become Vice-President for the Greek Association at Deakin University. We took some time to find out what Chris is up to in 2021. Read more in the interview below:
What are you studying now?
I am currently studying to achieve my double degree in Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Commerce.
You are the Vice-President of the Greek Association at Deakin? Can you tell us a bit about that?
Throughout my second year at university, I raised my hand and requested to join the Deakin University Greek Association (‘DUGS’). DUGS is a club that encourages people to network and connect with other people, with an underlying commonality being the enjoyment of Greek culture. As a result, I was fortunate enough to be promoted to the position of Vice-President of the DUGS Executive Committee, for the 2022 term. My primary goal as Vice-President is to encourage newly enrolled university students of all cultural backgrounds to join and network, to unlock unique and memorable opportunities.
How did your time at Oakleigh Grammar prepare you for your further studies?
In the years leading up to my graduation at Oakleigh Grammar, and through my time undertaking VCE, I quickly learned that organisation and time management is key to having an academic/socially balanced life. These skills carried on through to my university years, however, at a deeper understanding. By the time I reached university, I had not mastered these skills; and am still working on mastering them to this day. Nevertheless, understanding these skills got me through my last year at Oakleigh Grammar and allowed me to have a smooth transition across to university.
What was a highlight during your time at Oakleigh Grammar?
A major highlight during my time at Oakleigh Grammar was being constantly surrounded by my closest and most valued friends. Without these relationships, I am very confident that I would have struggled a lot more during VCE. The relationships I built with many people at Oakleigh Grammar fortunately still stand, and I am happy to say that we are all pushing each other to this very day to achieve our goals and fulfil our potential.
What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A piece of advice I would give to my younger self would be to learn and develop my time management skills as early as possible. Time management allows a student to enjoy life whilst they are still young whilst still completing the required work on time, at a decent grade level.
What is a philosophy or mantra you would pass on to others?
I have recently come across a quote by Screenwriter, Christopher Markus – “Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny”. This quote pushed me through my downfalls at university and some of the setbacks faced by everyday life.
What are your hopes and aspirations for the next 5 years?
Within the next 5 years, I aspire to have achieved and completed both my university degrees, completed my articles or law school pre-requisite, and have enrolled to the Supreme Court as an Officer of the Court
We thank Chris for the time he has taken to answer our interview questions. We hope he can inspire some of our current students to follow their own path and passion for learning.
Chris is already showing future promise, with excellent entrepreneurial/leadership skills as Vice-president of ‘DUGS’, whilst also undertaking his double degree in Laws and Commerce. We wish him all the best in the future, where we are sure he will achieve every success.
