Start Strong

Get Involved: 16 – 20 Sept 2024

Design Your University Journey

When: 1 - 2pm, Tuesday 17 Sept
Where: MY126, Áras Moyola

In this workshop, you will explore what university means to you and design your path through university to get the most out of opportunities available at University of Galway. The workshop is based on Stanford's Design Your Life framework. 

No registration required, just drop in. 

Socs Day & Volunteer Fair

When: 11am-5pm, Wed 18 Sept
Where: Bailey Allen Hall 

Get involved in university life and take your pick from over 130 Societies, learn about volunteering opportunities & get your questions answered at the support stands. Freebies & Free Food - don't miss out! More info here.

Clubs Day

When: 12 - 4.30pm, Wed 18 Sept
Where: University of Galway, Sports Centre Hall

There are now over 40 active and vibrant sports clubs at University of Galway. Joining and participating in a sports club will provide you with lasting memories of university life, and a fun way to keep fit. Drop by the Sports Centre, our first-class fitness facility, to learn more and sign up for your perfect sports club. 

Learn more about the clubs on offer here.

SU Freshers' Fair

When: 11am - 3pm, Thurs 19 Sept
Where: Áras na Mac Léinn

Come along on Thursday for freebies, prizes and surprises! Get your FREE Students' Union Rudaí Áille bag filled with lots of treats and the SU Fresher's Magazine. Visit the exhibitors in the foyer of Áras na Mac Léinn and Bailey Allen or sample some food from the food trucks outside. Why not join in some of the games in the Bailey Allen Hall or visit the vintage pop up shop in the Cube? Its all happening so make sure to stop by!

Seas Suas

Get involved & join Seas Suas - a programme that promotes personal safety and encourages empathy both on campus and in the wider community. In partnership with community organisations, Seas Suas covers a wide range of important topics such as Suicide Prevention, Drug & Alcohol Addiction and Mental Health in general. Each participant receives a certificate when they complete the programme and these hours can be used towards ALIVE volunteering certificate.

Get on Track: 23 - 27 Sept

Find your Part-Time Job

FYI: First Year In

When: 10 - 10.40am, Mon 23 Sept 
Where: Online. Register on this link

When: 12 -12.40pm, Thurs 26 Sept
Where: In person. Library Training Room PC Suite (Map)

Discover YOUR University of Galway Library! In this workshop you will learn about the Library collections, services, and how the Library can help you during your studies. Get started by learning how to borrow books and other resources. It's a great way to kick off your academic year.

You can download the First Year In: FYI Guide on this link. 

Setting Goals for your University Year

When: 1–2pm, Tues 24 Sept
Where: MY126, Áras Moyola

Employability Award Workshop

When: 12-12.30pm, Tues 24 Sept
Where: Careers Seminar Room, Arts/Science Building

Unsure about your course drop-in

Unsure about your course and feel you may not be on the right track?
Firstly, try to identify the reasons you are unsure of your course – take time to think about why you chose this course and what has changed since you made that decision.

It may help to know that internal course transfer applications are open until Friday 11 October.  Check out this webpage for transfer eligibility criteria. Some courses are currently full - check the list of courses with no availability first. 

Come and speak one-to-one with a Student Support Officer or Careers Adviser, 10-11am, Thursday 26 September, in the Career Development Centre (directions here). No appointment necessary, just drop in.

Space for Everyone: 30 Sept - 4 Oct

Entangled Islands Exhibition

When and Where:
Tuesday 1 to Friday 18 October, in the foyer of the Orbsen Building 
Monday 21 to Friday 25 October, in the foyer of Áras na Mac Léinn. 

To celebrate Black History Month there will be a launch of the Entangled Islands Exhibition. The exhibition explores the rich history between Ireland and the Caribbean. It tells the stories of Irish people who lived and worked in the Caribbean, and how their experiences influenced both Ireland and the Caribbean. The exhibition also looks at how the history of colonisation and resistance has affected both places. It highlights 19 important people who played a role in this connection.

You can register here to attend the launch event which takes place from 12.30-1.30pm, Tuesday 1 October. 

Space for Everyone Campaign

In March 2024 The Office of the Vice President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (OVPEDI) launched its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Campaign “Space For Everyone”.

Building on feedback from numerous consultations and in keeping with the theme of ‘Belonging’, the campaign is an accurate reflection of the diversity and supports that exists within our third level institution.

Check out some of the resources and videos on this webpage. 

It Starts With a Name

The itStartsWithAName initiative provides a way to assist people to pronounce your name correctly and differentiate between name and surname.

The College of Science and Engineering Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee has created this project, supported by individuals putting the phonetic pronunciation of their name on their e-mail signature/name badge/Zoom name etc.

The project is also included in University of Galway’s Institutional Athena SWAN Action Plan. 

Find out more on this webpage. 

Active*Consent: how to support yourself and your peers – elearning module

This elearning module has been created by Active*Consent, and teaches you about sexual violence and harassment. It's designed for college students and uses a fun, interactive approach to help you

• Learn about consent.
• Support friends who need help.
• Safely intervene in bad situations.

Find more information about the elearning module on this link. 

Navigating Invisible Disabilities at University- Article

If you are managing an invisible or hidden disability, there are people there to support you with the transition to university life and as you work your way through your university journey. Read this article from Spunout to  learn more.

Wellbeing Week: 7 - 11 Oct

Time Management Workshop - Tuesday 8 October

When: 11-11.45am, Tuesday 8 October
Where: THB-G010, the Hardiman Library

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your workload? Do you find yourself struggling to balance your studies, extracurricular activities and personal life/ our time management workshop can help you to work smarter not harder. Facilitated by James McCormack, Head of Student Counselling and Wellbeing, you will learn how to prioritise tasks, set realistic goals and eliminate distractions so you can accomplish more of what you need and want to do. 

You will leave the workshop with a personalised "Things to Do" list and a weekly scheduler that will help you stay organised and focused.  Just drop-in no need to register. 

Students' Union Feel Good Fair - Thursday 10 October

When: 11am-3pm, Thursday 10 October
Where: Áras na Mac Léinn

The Feel Good Fair is a space where you can come and explore different mental health supports in an accessible space, rather than having to search for them. This includes the counselling service, chaplaincy, Active* Consent, and more. As well as this we will have a visit from the Irish Guide Dogs, so you spend some time with cuddly pals!

Freshers' Point: Pizza & Connections - Thursday 10 October

When: 12pm-2pm, Thursday 10 October
Where: The Space, Áras na Mac Léinn

New to campus? Looking to meet fellow first-year students and grab a slice (or two)? Join us at Freshers' Point for our next session—featuring FREE pizza!

This is your go-to hub for first-years, where you can:

• Meet new friends
• Get tips from students
• Learn how to make the most of your university experience

You can also drop in to Freshers' Point on Wednesday 9 October, from 1-3pm,in the View Áras na Mac Léinn.

Eco Café - Friday 11 October

When: 1.30pm, Friday 11 October
Where: The Chapel

Join the conversation about environmental issues. Drop in and you can share your concerns and connect with others who care about the environment. No judgment, just support.

Mind Body and Soul Exhibition - The Library

The Library is marking Mental Health Week with a display of mental health and mindfulness books in the Library Foyer. All the books are available for borrowing and e-book versions are available for many of the titles. 

The Library team have also supported Student Counselling & Wellbeing Service in developing a reading list - Health and Wellbeing recommended reading, audio/video resources - which forms part of this display of titles from the Mind, Body and Soul Collection. 

Connect with Community

Movement is very important as a means of connection. There are lots of opportunities to connect with your community through sports and physical activities. Check out some of these local running groups and find your running community today!  

Running on Beans Galway

Connexions Run Club Galway    

Social Run Club Galway

University of Galway Parkrun

Your Health and Wellbeing - Video

Prioritising your health and wellbeing as a busy student can be hard. It's important to take care of yourself, both physically and mentally. In this video our students share their experiences and suggestions on how to look after you health and wellbeing while at university. 

Supports for You: 14 -18 Oct

Finding Balance in your Student Life - Workshop

When: 1-1.45pm, Tuesday 15 Oct
Where: MY126, Áras Moyola

In this workshop, with the Student Success Coaches, you will explore how to create balance in your busy student life, making time for the things that are important to you. Learn techniques and a tool to help you find and keep your balance.

Spaces are limited, register now. 

Student Supports for Your Success - Podcast

The Start Right Podcast series has been created by law student Emily Donnellan.  In this episode Student Supports for Your Success Emily speaks to Annmarie Gilchrist and Shane Callinan about the student support services available at University of Galway.

Emily is also joined by law students Abbie Duffy and Aileen Reidy, current Terrence O'Malley DLA Piper Scholarship recipients, who highlight the different opportunities available within the School of Law. 

Find out more about the podcast series on this link. 

Ask for Help - Video

Whether you need academic guidance, career counselling, or simply a friendly ear, there’s always someone to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for support – we’re here for you! Our students share their experiences with the range of services available at University of Galway.
Check out the video on this link. 

Togetherall - Free Online Mental Health Support 

Togetherall is a free, safe, anonymous, online community for mental health support. Available to all University of Galway students. Once you sign up you can also access a wide range of self-help courses and resources available to you on the platform.  Togetherall is available for free to all registered students at University of Galway. Sign up on this link. 

Student Counselling and Wellbeing - Resources

Check out the Student Counselling & Wellbeing Service's extensive online resources. You'll find helpful information on this webpage. 

Half-way Milestone: 21 - 25 Oct

Decision Making - The Process of Choosing - Workshop

When: 1-1.45pm, Tuesday 22 October
Where: MY126, Áras Moyola

Making decisions can sometimes be challenging, and this interactive workshop, with the Student Success Coaches, is a great space to learn a different way you can approach decisions. This is a great opportunity to learn a decision-making technique which can help you choose well.

Register on this link. 

Finding Books and Articles - Workshop

When: 11-11.40am, Monday 21 October
Where: Online. Register here. 

When: 11-11.40am, Tuesday 22 October
Where: In-person. Library Training Room PC Suite, ground floor. Register here.

When: 3-3.40pm, Thursday 24 October
Where: In-person. Library Training Room PC Suite, ground floor. Register here.

By the end of this session, you will:

1. Know about the main features of the library catalogue
2. Be able to search for scholarly articles, books and ebooks
3. Be able to search for topics on the library catalogue and refine results.
4. Know about different databases relevant to your subject area

Student Success Coaching - E-learning Module

Coach Yourself to Success e-learning resource – an introduction to what coaching is and how it works.

Learn how coaching can help you succeed in achieving your goals with the GROW approach – an easy 4 step model to coach yourself G-oal; R-eality; O-ptions; W-ill.

Enrol to the Student Success Coaching Canvas page and find it under ‘E-Learning Modules’.

You can also book time with a Student Success Coach on this link.

Managing Deadlines and Assignments - Video

Do you want to stay organised this semester? Take a look at this video from our student, Fiona O'Brien, as she shares her tips for staying on top of assignments and deadlines as the semester progresses.

Halfway Milestone - Video

Well done on reaching the halfway point of your first semester at University of Galway, you have accomplished so much in the last six weeks. In this video our student Rachel Dermody shares tips and insights at this halfway point of the semester.

Thinking of Switching Course? Online Resource

If you are unsure about your course or considering withdrawing, you can meet your Student Support Officer for guidance. Take a look at the course withdrawal process or email Registry Helpdesk. International students should contact the International office in case of any visa implications if withdrawing from their course of study. 

Check out this online resource from the Career Development Centre with more information. 

Keep the Momentum: 28 Oct - 1 Nov

Keep Going - Video

Watch this video from Xinyu Zhang, a third year commerce student, who shares some advice to stay motivated and focused as you complete the next half of the semester. 

Tips to Boost Your Motivation

Staying motivated can sometimes be hard. We all have times when we feel like putting things off. Juggling our busy day, classes, assignments, exam prep and part time work can all feel a bit overwhelming. Remember you’re not on your own. Connecting with your support system and re-connecting with your goals can really help boost your motivation. Your Student Success Coach will encourage you and help you plan small steps towards achieving your goal. You can book time to speak with your coach here. Learn how your Student Success Coach can help you to get the most from your university experience and discover more about yourself, see our website here.  

Tips to boost your motivation: 

• Remember the big picture! Ask yourself why something is important and how it helps you get closer to your goal.  
• Break the task down into manageable blocks, set milestones.
• Visually represent your progress – mind maps, post-it wall, habit tracker, vision board.
• Find a study technique that works for you e.g. Pomodoro Technique. 
• Notice your self-talk – remember to be kind
• Create a supportive environment around you
• Make a small start – take one realistic action every day towards your goal - you’ll feel better for it!
• Let go of anything that’s holding you back and draining your energy

Exam Supports: 4 Nov

Check out Galway Exams 101 for the latest exam resources, workshops and tips.