At 16, Patrick Chopping is already doing what most law students only begin years later – studying university courses, shaping student governance, and winning international debate competitions against thousands of peers.
The Cathedral College Rockhampton student is fast-tracking his future through the University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ) Head Start program, combining high school with tertiary study while building a resume that stretches well beyond the classroom.
"I started Head Start in Year 10 because I was so keen for a taste of university and to see if UniSQ lived up to the hype,” he said.
“It definitely did.”
For Patrick, the appeal was clear from the outset – smaller classes, closer connections with lecturers, and a learning environment that felt personal rather than transactional.
“I love that everyone has the opportunity to develop a genuine relationship with their classmates and lecturers,” he said.
“The caring staff and online resources have made balancing school and university really manageable.”
While most students his age are focused solely on finishing high school, Patrick is already completing law subjects, having progressed from introductory units to legal history and now contract law.
Academic acceleration is only part of the story. Not long after arriving at UniSQ, he identified a gap: students in pathways programs like Head Start had no formal representation within the University’s Student Senate. Rather than accept it, he moved to change it.
"I engaged with the Senate at UniSQ and managed to pass a bill to create a position for Head Start and pathways students just like me,” Patrick said.
Three weeks later, he was elected to the role and has since been elected Vice President.
“The Student Senate is truly a great committee to work on,” he said.
“It’s filled with amazing people dedicated to making UniSQ an even better place.”
It’s a pattern that repeats throughout his journey – see a gap, step forward, and do something about it. That mindset has also taken him well beyond UniSQ, onto the global stage through Model United Nations competitions.
Earlier this year, Patrick competed in Sydney before being invited to the US, where he went on to win the Best Delegate award at Yale University, standing out among 1,700 competitors.
“I was victorious in my competitions at Harvard University and the University of Chicago,” he said.
“I also competed at the University of Pennsylvania and will soon debate in the official United Nations headquarters in New York.”
The momentum hasn’t slowed. He has since been invited to compete in China, continuing a run that has quickly established him as one of the strongest young debaters in the field.
“It’s been a fantastic experience,” he said.
“Model United Nations brings together students from around the world to debate and discuss global issues. It’s a great way to meet new people and challenge yourself.”
Despite the international success, Patrick’s long-term focus remains grounded. After finishing high school, he plans to continue his law studies at UniSQ and pursue a career advocating for workers’ rights.
“I’d like to become a lawyer to represent people who have had their rights violated in the workplace,” he said.
“I want to stand up for employees who haven’t been given breaks, who are forced to work in extreme heat, or who aren’t receiving their legal entitlements.”
It’s a motivation shaped by purpose, using the law as a tool to address real-world issues.
For students considering following a similar path through UniSQ’s Head Start program, Patrick’s advice is clear.
“Simply, do it,” he said.
“Fill in the application and try it. The first unit is free, so you’ve got nothing to lose. It’s the perfect way to get ahead.”
For Patrick, getting ahead hasn’t meant rushing – it’s meant starting early, taking opportunities seriously, and backing himself when it counts. At 16, he’s already building a strong case for the future.
