Name: Daniel Stone
Job: Studying Economics and Management
Tips for success: ***
Role Model > Daniel Stone
What do you do?
I am an undergraduate student at St Peter’s College, Oxford University. I am reading a degree in Economics and Management and have recently been elected President of my college.
What was your journey to get to where you are?
This has been something achieved over a life time. All the way through school I have been focused on making a difference in my world and determined to be the best person I can be. I learnt from my disappointments to emerge even stronger. I didn’t get into Oxford the first time I applied because I wasn’t ready, but I applied again as a much stronger person.
What was you education like?
I’ve had a good education. I went to St James primary school because it was the closest school to my house and Hampstead Hall CLC because my dad went there. From a young age my parents simply told me to enjoy school and try my best so that’s exactly what I did! Schools can only do so much and it’s normally the student who decides how much they get out of it.
What does success mean to you?
A successful person uses the time they have to change their world for the better
What challenges have you faced?
It was a challenge to keep pushing myself when it would have been so easy to slack off and be average. It hasn’t always been easy standing out from the crowd but I can look back and say it was definitely worth it.
How do you maintain being yourself?
Both my parents are Christians and I became a Christian when I was 11. My faith in Jesus Christ, praying and reading the bible has kept me focused on who I am as a young black Christian man and the responsibility I have to make my world a better place. Being a Christian from a young age and keeping my standards high has meant that I haven’t had to change because the people around me know what to expect from me
Did you have any support? (Explore family and friends; what did your parents say?)
My parents have been brilliant. They allowed me to enjoy life and have treated all of their children with love. They have never put any pressure on us but have only asked for us to do our best. I have also had different people come into my life at crucial times and helped to mentor me and shape me into the person I am today
What drives you? (Include what kept you going through the hard times?)
My faith is crucial because I now see ‘hard times’ as times where I’m learning, growing and being matured. I also have a passion for helping people and making a difference. When you have a vision that you’re stretching towards you can find the energy to keep on going until you reach it
Who is your role model?
I’ve never really had anyone I’ve wanted to be like. I suppose you could say that I’ve based my life around Jesus but I’m not sure if you’d call him a role model. In the past few years Barack Obama has become a role model for me because he’s an inspiration for anyone who wants to make the world a better place to live in
What advice would you give to young people?
Time is the greatest gift you have so use it wisely. Don’t chase after money but find value in having a positive impact on the people around you. Make things happen for yourself and if you are fortunate to obtain a position of power stay humble, remember where you’ve come from and make sure you pull the ladder down so others can join you
What do you think education should be like?
Education should focus on maximizing the potential of each child – find out what each child is good at and help them to become the best they can be in this area. Education needs to prepare young people to have a positive impact on the world; we need principled learning and principled aspirations instead of aspiring only towards money and wealth.
Student
