WIT Talks Student Life: Recent Episodes
WIT Student Life & Learning
Staff from Student Life & Learning at Waterford Institute of Technology discuss student issues and supports that are available
We delve into the exciting world of sustainability with current music student, Andrew Ryan. In this episode, Andrew shares insights about the upcoming Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2024, an event open to all staff and students at SETU.
Happening across three campuses on Wednesday, April 10th, and Thursday, April 11th, this festival aims to spread awareness about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote a collaborative approach to sustainability. From reducing inequality to promoting quality education, the festival explores sustainability across all aspects of life.
Discover how you can make a difference by addressing the SDGs beyond traditional environmental efforts. Whether it's advocating for gender equality, supporting community outreach programs, or engaging in responsible consumption habits, there are countless ways for students and staff to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Don't miss out on this empowering conversation! Tune in to our podcast episode and learn more about the Sustainability in the Arts Festival 2024. Together, let's create a better world for all.
Information and Dates for the Festival can be found here - https://www.setu.ie/events/sustainability-in-the-arts-festival
In this episode we sit down with Michelle, a mature student at SETU, to explore the realities of managing college life while juggling various responsibilities. Michelle shares her personal journey and offers valuable insights into how clear communication with lecturers and access to support services have helped her navigate the challenges of pursuing education as a mature student.
Tune in to hear Michelle's inspiring story and discover practical tips for succeeding in college at your own pace. Whether you're a prospective mature student, a current college student, or an educator seeking to better understand student experiences, this episode offers valuable perspectives and encouragement for anyone on the academic journey.
Don't miss out on this empowering conversation – hit play now and join us as we celebrate the resilience and determination of students like Michelle!
Welcome to the Students Heard Podcast! In this special episode, we're tackling a topic that affects many students: social anxiety. Join us as we dive into a conversation about what social anxiety is, how it differs from generalized anxiety, and most importantly, how to effectively cope with it. Our guest, Ann Marie Quigley, shares insights into an upcoming support group for students dealing with social anxiety, hosted by Stefan from the Student Counselling team. Together, we explore strategies for creating a safe and supportive space, where students can learn skills to reduce social anxiety and connect with others facing similar challenges. If you or someone you know experiences social anxiety, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now and let's support each other on our journey toward mental well-being
This week, we're thrilled to have Angela Collins from the careers center join us to shed light on the most burning questions about kickstarting your professional journey. From crafting a standout CV to understanding what truly catches an employer's eye, Angela delivers invaluable advice for making yourself more desirable to potential employers. Whether you're just beginning to ponder your career path or you're on the brink of diving into the job market, Angela's insights will guide you towards making informed, confident choices about your future. Tune in to discover how to align your aspirations with the realities of the job world and step into your career with assurance. Listen now, and take the first step towards a future you're excited about!
In this week’s episode, I spoke with Dr Rebecca Power, Senior Project Officer of the EU-CONEXUS Career Network work package at SETU. In our conversation, Rebecca outlines the many ways EU-CONEXUS can help you build skills and knowledge, grow your network, gain new experiences, and avail of job and internship opportunities from international organisations.The SETU Careers Development centre is part of the EU-CONEXUS Careers Network which is a valuable resource for students to access information about job opportunities and internships across Europe. The EU-CONEXUS Careers Network also provides useful resources (webinars, articles, quizzes, videos) to help students with their career journey. Students (undergraduate and postgraduate) can sign up to the EU-CONEXUS online careers platform, JobTeaser.
EU-CONEXUS European University is a 9-university alliance and SETU is a partner along with La Rochelle University, France; Catholic University of Valencia, Spain; University of Zadar, Croatia; Agricultural University of Athens, Greece; Frederick University, Cyprus; Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, Romania; Klaipeda University, Lithuania and University of Rostock, Germany. EU-CONEXUS aims to address global and local challenges by tackling environmental, technical, economic and societal needs related to the broad topic of ‘Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability'. SETU students and staff can benefit from EU-CONEXUS through education and research opportunities, cultural and artistic activities, innovation contests, the ambassador programme, and many more events and opportunities.
Importantly however, EU-CONEXUS is open to students of all disciplines (e.g., architecture, tourism, business). Learn more about EU-CONEXUS opportunities and events. Find and follow EU-CONEXUS on social media using @eu_conexus
Welcome to the latest episode of the Students Heard Podcast, where we dive into the dynamic world of sports and societies at our campus. Whether you're a experienced athlete or a newbie, there's a spot for you in our wide variety of sports clubs and societies.
In this episode, we discuss how easy it is to sign up, the countlessoptions available, and how you can even create your own society. Join us as we explore the benefits of getting involved, from social connections to skill development, and how it betters your college life. Tune in now and find your community here on campus!
StudentsHeardPodcast#UniversityLife #SportsAndSocieties #GetInvolved #CampusCommunity
Ann Marie Quigley is the head of the Student CounsellingService within SETU, in this episode she talks about what motivation is and how we find the motivation to study.
Motivation comes from the act of discipline and just gettingstarted. We may find ourselves sitting around for this burst of motivation, however, it’s from doing an action that we enter into a flow that brings with it the motivation to keep going on.
Why not set aside sometime now or when you are free to getthat study in or try something new. It’s not about being perfect at all and more about the act of doing that helps us along the way.
In this episode we are talking about all things assessments and highlighting the student experience of preparing for their assessments. Both Aoife and Emma are two business students and also Senior Mentors on the P2P Programme. As part of this role, they prepared a presentation entitled ‘How To Get Through College’ and delivered it to first year students.
They have taken the time today to join us to talk about all things assessments whether that be studying for exams, completing assignments, or prepping for presentations. Hopefully this episode has something you can take from it that helps you achieve your academic goals this assessment period. It’s important to note though that this is what worked for Aoife and Emma and there are many different techniques you can use to help you complete your assessments. It's about finding out what works for you.
Join Martin as he takes you through his fascinating Erasmus journey as a Danish student on Waterford's Campus of SETU. In this episode, Martin delves into the educational differences between Denmark and Ireland, sharing his motivation behind joining the Erasmus program.
Even as an introverted individual, Martin is finding the Erasmus Programme to be a transformative experience that is enabling him to break out of his shell, make new connections, explore new horizons, and enhance his English language. If you're curious about the Erasmus program and the experiences it offers, this episode is a must-listen.
Don't miss out on this inspiring experience.
ErasmusAdventure #StudentLife #SETUWaterford #PodcastEpisode
In this episode we are joined by a student who is a member of the Travelling Community. This is student has had many barriers in accessing education. We talk about how her educational journey has not been linear and how she has had to overcome obstacles to obtain an education. This student received support from organisations both within the college and outside in accessing her own education.
We hope this students story shines a light on how education should not be taken for granted, that it's okay to take a break from education and how support services can help you too obtain an education.
Reach out to us on Instagram @SLL.SETU if you have an educational story you want to share within SETU.
Join us as we continue our conversation on Mental Health. Be sure to check out part 1 of this episode too if you haven't already.
In this episode of the Students Heard Podcast, we explore the world of college finances and finding the right financial support and solutions that work for you. Our guest, Laura, shares her personal financial journey and we discuss resources like the SUSI grant, 1916 bursary fund, and Student Assistance Fund. From eligibility criteria to tips for applying, we cover it all in this informative and engaging episode. Whether you're a student struggling to make ends meet or just looking to better manage your finances while in college, this episode has something for you. Tune in now to learn more!
In this episode of our mental health podcast, we tackle two common challenges that many people face: feeling overwhelmed with work and feeling isolated in college. We know that these feelings can be incredibly difficult to manage, and we want to provide our listeners with the tools and support they need to overcome them.
First, we discuss strategies for dealing with overwhelming workloads. Our guests share tips for managing time, prioritizing tasks, and avoiding burnout. We also talk about the importance of self-care and setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Next, we dive into the topic of isolation during college. Our guests discuss the negative impact of social isolation on mental health and provide actionable strategies for staying connected with others. We also talk about the importance of seeking support when needed, and we provide information about resources and services that can help.
Overall, our goal with this episode is to provide our listeners with practical tools and strategies for managing these common mental health challenges. We want to remind our listeners that they are not alone, and that there are many resources available to support them on their mental health journey. So tune in, listen, and let's start the conversation about mental health!
In this episode we are joined by Abaz who is a 4th Year Applied Computing Student. Abaz talks to us about all the volunteering positions he’s been involved with and how volunteering can benefit you too.
Volunteering is a selfless act in which we can help others in many different ways. Not only does it enhance your CV to make you stand out from the crowd there are many other pros to volunteering too.
Check out our Instagram @SLL.SETU where we have included in this podcasts volunteering options for you.
In this episode of Students Heard we are joined by two students to hear about their journey to and through college. Milena and Fergal are both SETU students who have had many experiences within college. Having tried other courses and pathways in life they share their experience of what college is like for them and how we may not always make the right choice in the course we choose; however, they share that this does not need to define you and through having these experiences we learn who we are and what we want from life.
In this episode Tom Grinsell caught up with Laura Hartrey, Disability Officer, and Janet O'Neill, Assistive Technologist here in WIT. Exams are just around the corner and a number of students may have registered for examination accommodations through the WIT disability office. I chat to Laura and Janet about these accommodations available to students registered with the disability office based on their needs.
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Registering with the Disability Office (1 min)
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Examination Accommodations (4 mins 20)
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Waiver in Spelling & Grammar (4 mins 40)
- Extra Time (6 mins 45)
- Electronic Reader/C Pen (7 mins 50)
- Computer to Type (10 mins)
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Scribe (11 mins 50)
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In Class Exam Information (13 mins 45)
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On Campus Exam Information for students registered with the disability office for exam accommodations (18 mins)
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Assistive Technology Training (23 mins)
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Assigning of Rooms for Exams (30 mins)
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Can staff view Exam Accommodations? (35 mins)
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Electronic Reader/Read & Write/Claro Read (41 mins)
In this episode Tom Grinsell caught up with Avril Burke, money advisor with MABS. This a free service for individuals who may need advice or assistance if they are experiencing financial difficulty or are in danger of getting into difficulty. Avril explains how she would work out a budget for students and how this can differ dramatically from one student to the next.
In this episode Tom Grinsell caught up with Jack Lyons (WIT Vikings Sports Manager), and two WIT graduate ambassadors, Cillian Hayward and Imelda Morrissey. Sports clubs and Societies can play an integral role in students college experience as well as providing a great opportunity to make new friends and meet people with similar interests. We speak to Jack on how students can join clubs and societies, how to set up a new club or society and also the benefits of getting involved. Cillian and Imelda share their experience of being involved with various clubs, being active committees members and the opportunities that come from making that jump and getting involved!
We would like to welcome everyone back for the new 2021-22 Academic year. Tom Grinsell kicked off the new series of podcasts by catching up with Student Engagement Administrator, Marie Sheedy, who speaks about a number of supports available to students throughout their journey through third level education. Although a number of students may not need these supports now, they may need them down the line. This podcast gives a brief run through a majority of supports available while outlining how to get in contact and find all the relative areas.
- General Overview (2 mins)
- Student Assistance Fund (7 mins)
- Academic Support (12 mins)
- Student Counselling (17 mins)
- Medical Supports (21 mins)
- Chaplaincy (24 mins)
- Access Office - Laptop Scheme (26 mins)
- Careers Centre (29 mins)
- WIT Novus - Food & Beverage, WIT Vikings Clubs & Societies (31 mins)
- Students Union (34 mins)
- Digital Study Hub & Library Bookings (38 mins)
- Retention & Student Engagement (40 mins)
- Importance of Communicating through your student email (44 mins)
- Bloopers (48 mins)
This week Tom Grinsell & Katie Dillon Keane speak with Angela Collins (Head of Career/Careers Advisor in WIT). WIT’s career centre is an excellent point of contact for students or graduates who are focusing on planning, securing employment and looking for advice to help them in them in the competitive global market. We reached out to WIT students to find out what questions they wanted to ask Angela. In this episode we get some key tips on how to create your CV and how to prepare for Interviews.
This week Tom Grinsell and Katie Dillon Keane speak to Ciara Stephenson (Year 2, BA Psychology with Arts) and Elaine Aylward, Educational Support Worker with the Disability Office in WIT. The transition to third level can be daunting experience for students. We speak to our guests about the transition to third level for students with disabilities and the different supports available to them.
This week Tom Grinsell and Katie Dillon Keane speak to Paul Bennett (Graduate Ambassador, WIT Access Office) and Natasha Stafford (Year 2, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Molecular Biology and Biopharmaceutical Science). The WIT taster day for mature students is fast approaching, so we felt the need to give prospective students an insight into what returning to education can be like.
In this weeks episode, Tom Grinsell and Katie Dillon Keane speak to Sharon Higgins, Manager of the Waterford Volunteer Centre, and Colm Bonnar, Access Officer in WIT, about volunteering opportunities for students in WIT and the wider community.
In this weeks episode, we speak to graduates and WIT staff about access office supports in WIT. Tom Grinsell & Eimear Breathnach speak with Robin Croke (Access Officer) about the supports, programs and bursaries available to students through the access office in WIT. We also chat with two graduates of WIT, Rhiannon Kavanagh and Vibeke Carroll, about their journeys through education and being involved with the access programs.
In this weeks podcast we speak with two members of our support staff about health and well being. Tom Grinsell & Katie Dillon Keane chat to Elma Clancy (Institute Nurse) and Breda Heavey (Student Counsellor) about looking after different aspects of your health and well being during unprecedented times.
In this weeks podcast we speak with two of our student counsellors about the counselling support services here in WIT. Tom Grinsell & Katie Dillon Keane chat to Ann Marie Quigley & Stefan Green on how to book an appointment, the online sessions and how they work, and they also give some advice on living during a pandemic.
Ho ho ho! Five of the regular podcast hosts from WIT got together to record a joint episode recommending some books, TV programmes, films, podcasts and tech that you (or a loved one) might enjoy over the Christmas period. Features Jenny O’Connor from The Nerve, Bruce Wardrop from Win Win, Niamh Maguire from Engendering Change, Tom Grinsell from WIT Talks Student Life and Rob O’Connor of The Machine.
A very Happy Christmas to all our listeners.
Recommendation Notes:
Bruce Wardrop
- (Book) Atomic Habits – James Clear https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits
- (Podcast) Real Science of Sport https://twitter.com/sportsscipod
- (Podcast) Where Is George Gibney? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p08njhrm
Niamh Maguire
- (Book) Girl Woman Other – Bernadine Evaristo https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41081373-girl-woman-other
- (TV Show) - Rita https://www.netflix.com/ie/title/70285368
Tom Grinsell
- (Documentary) The Wolfpack Insider [Tour de France 2020] https://youtu.be/NOEoqwi9Mls
- (TV Show) Queen’s Gambit https://www.netflix.com/ie/title/80234304
Jenny O’Connor
- (Book) Actress – Anne Enright https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45993330-actress
- (Film) God’s Own Country https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5635086/
- (Film) Only You https://www.netflix.com/ie/title/81111212
Rob O’Connor
- (Film) The Midnight Sky https://www.netflix.com/ie/title/80244645
- (Tech) Nintendo Switch https://www.nintendo.com/switch/
Extra Notes:
- Desert Island Discs, Bernadine Evaristo https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000mrb1
- Desert Island Discs, Anne Enright https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dpn1
In this weeks podcast we speak to staff members here in WIT about the various supports available to students with disabilities. Tom Grinsell and Katie Dillon Keane chat to Laura Hartrey (Disability Officer) and Janet O'Neill (Assistive Technologist) around the number of disability supports available, how to register with the disability office and how the assistive technology devices can assist students.
In this podcast we catch up with some staff members here in WIT to give students an insight into the different online resources and supports available to them. Tom Grinsell & Conor Phelan speak to Conor O'Neill (CTEL) and John Fortune (WITSU President) about some online resources and tips they may have for students coming into a busy academic period.
In this podcast we speak to current students in WIT about Netiquette in the online classroom setting. Tom Grinsell and Conor Phelan catch up with Melissa Joyce, Chloe Manning, and Ailish Horgan to speak about their thoughts on netiquette after recently presenting on this topic to their peers.
In this podcast we speak to a graduate and current student in WIT about returning to education as mature students. Tom Grinsell chats to Barbara Enticknap (Criminal Justice Student) and David Conway (Social Science Graduate) about deciding to go back to formal education after a prolonged absence, things they had to consider when returning and what it is like being part of the WIT community.
The panel speak about some of the financial supports available to students at WIT. Tom Grinsell talks to Katie Dillon-Keane (WIT Student Life & Learning), Ben Nolan (Students Union Welfare Officer) and Fr. David Keating (College Chaplin).
In this podcast we take a look at the various sports clubs & societies available to students, how to become a class rep, and the importance of engaging with your peer mentors. In this episode, Tom Grinsell caught up with Rhiannon Kavanagh, Clodagh Doyle and Jack Lyons to explore the various opportunities that await students in Waterford Institute of Technology.
In this podcast we'll be discussing some of the supports and services available to students of Waterford Institute of Technology and what life in the college has to offer. In our first episode, host Tom Grinsell introduces some of the Student Life & Learning staff (Marie Sheedy, Nicole Jordan, Imelda Morrissey) and they pass on some tips for incoming and returning students.
https://www.wit.ie/current_students/student_life_and_learning/student_life_learning