An open educational resource that supports academic, professional, and support staff to build more neuro-inclusive teaching, services, and policies in higher education. This resource was conceptualised & developed through the experiences of neurodivergent students in third-level education, with co-creation at the heart of every stage of the process
What does success look like as a student?
In this short film, students in higher education across Ireland reflect on confidence, perseverance, first-time experiences, learning, and the small moments that can make a big difference.
The student voices featured here were gathered through the HEA Student Success Survey and Focus Groups in 2025 and are shared in their own words.
The animations are creative interpretations of those reflections, imagined and produced by second-year Animation students at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT).
From communicating in a second language to returning to education as a mature student, overcoming anxiety, and simply choosing not to quit, these stories explore the many ways success can be experienced.
Even small moments in college can be a success. What are yours?
Credits
Animation, Backgrounds & Compositing — Arantxa Vara
Animation & Backgrounds — Giada Randolfi
Animation — Zach Louis Ng Nocum
Animation & Backgrounds — Alex
Music composition & production — Darragh Winters
Special thanks
Karima Dillon
Eimhin Mc Namara
Rebecca Roper
The students who shared their experiences
