As much as college is about furthering your education, there is a very important social element to it also. Meeting new people, making new friends, new experiences and broadening your horizons are all par for the course.
We all know, both educationally and socially, going to college this September will be very different to previous years. For almost all third-level institutes, blended learning – online and on campus classes – is the order of the day. The time on campus will of course be socially distanced too.
So without events, parties and large lectures, how do new students connect?
Most groups studying together have a WhatsApp group. They also meet each other during their time physically in college and foster friendships thereafter
Interesting anecdotal evidence to take note of is that of the Hibernia teaching course, where plenty of people make friends with their classmates.
This primary and secondary school teaching postgrad is an online course, with an in-college day roughly every five weeks. Due to its flexibility – a lot of people can work part time while completing the course – its popularity has risen in recent years.
Most groups studying together have a WhatsApp group. They also meet each other during their time physically in college and foster friendships thereafter. As college this year is mostly blended learning, it is likely to be a similar experience, particularly for first years.
Opportunities arise
Clare Austick is the vice president for welfare at the Union of Students in Ireland. Her remit is improving the student experience that comes alongside education. A science graduate from NUI Galway (NUIG), she was previously the student union president there.
How students will socialise this year, Clare says, will vary from one third-level institute to another.
“It will be completely different from college to college, what can be facilitated under social distancing, making sure students are safe in terms of HSE and public health guidelines. Each campus, it will depend on student numbers, staff numbers and the different spaces available.
If you stay connected with your students union, they will put on events that are socially distanced or online
“I know everyone’s concerned around the making friends element of college and socialising. It is completely different now and COVID-19 was completely unexpected, but there will be opportunities for students to make friends, learn and meet new people.”
Student unions across the country will still be making an effort to put on events, Clare says.
“If you stay connected with your students union, they will put on events that are socially distanced or online. There will be online speed friending or get to know one another groups. If people are living in student accommodation, there will be opportunities for them to meet each other and become friends.”
There will be lots of opportunities for students to get to know each other
Clubs and societies – always a good way to meet people in college – will still be operating this year, Clare explains. Many will hold virtual open days and will still be running events, either socially distanced or online. So checking out what will be on offer is also a good option.
Overall, Clare says it is important to remember that there are opportunities for students to meet and people should make the most of their college experience, even if it is different.
“There will be lots of opportunities for students to get to know each other, to make friends, to try new things and become part of clubs and societies that they might never have known before starting college. It will be OK at the end of the day. If students need anything there are support services in place to help them and they should access them.” CL
Read more
Going to College 2020: tips and tricks
Going to College 2020: the accommodation situation
Going to College 2020: giving students a reason to be on campus
Going to College 2020: expand your horizons and enjoy the journey
As much as college is about furthering your education, there is a very important social element to it also. Meeting new people, making new friends, new experiences and broadening your horizons are all par for the course.
We all know, both educationally and socially, going to college this September will be very different to previous years. For almost all third-level institutes, blended learning – online and on campus classes – is the order of the day. The time on campus will of course be socially distanced too.
So without events, parties and large lectures, how do new students connect?
Most groups studying together have a WhatsApp group. They also meet each other during their time physically in college and foster friendships thereafter
Interesting anecdotal evidence to take note of is that of the Hibernia teaching course, where plenty of people make friends with their classmates.
This primary and secondary school teaching postgrad is an online course, with an in-college day roughly every five weeks. Due to its flexibility – a lot of people can work part time while completing the course – its popularity has risen in recent years.
Most groups studying together have a WhatsApp group. They also meet each other during their time physically in college and foster friendships thereafter. As college this year is mostly blended learning, it is likely to be a similar experience, particularly for first years.
Opportunities arise
Clare Austick is the vice president for welfare at the Union of Students in Ireland. Her remit is improving the student experience that comes alongside education. A science graduate from NUI Galway (NUIG), she was previously the student union president there.
How students will socialise this year, Clare says, will vary from one third-level institute to another.
“It will be completely different from college to college, what can be facilitated under social distancing, making sure students are safe in terms of HSE and public health guidelines. Each campus, it will depend on student numbers, staff numbers and the different spaces available.
If you stay connected with your students union, they will put on events that are socially distanced or online
“I know everyone’s concerned around the making friends element of college and socialising. It is completely different now and COVID-19 was completely unexpected, but there will be opportunities for students to make friends, learn and meet new people.”
Student unions across the country will still be making an effort to put on events, Clare says.
“If you stay connected with your students union, they will put on events that are socially distanced or online. There will be online speed friending or get to know one another groups. If people are living in student accommodation, there will be opportunities for them to meet each other and become friends.”
There will be lots of opportunities for students to get to know each other
Clubs and societies – always a good way to meet people in college – will still be operating this year, Clare explains. Many will hold virtual open days and will still be running events, either socially distanced or online. So checking out what will be on offer is also a good option.
Overall, Clare says it is important to remember that there are opportunities for students to meet and people should make the most of their college experience, even if it is different.
“There will be lots of opportunities for students to get to know each other, to make friends, to try new things and become part of clubs and societies that they might never have known before starting college. It will be OK at the end of the day. If students need anything there are support services in place to help them and they should access them.” CL
Read more
Going to College 2020: tips and tricks
Going to College 2020: the accommodation situation
Going to College 2020: giving students a reason to be on campus
Going to College 2020: expand your horizons and enjoy the journey
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