Welcome to your weekly email from your Students’ Union. We hope you are all doing okay during this stressful time. Your SU is here for you so keep in touch.
SU Updates
Exams
CELT have been producing some wonderful information around scanning and uploading exams, so please check their website out for this.
Several measures have been put in place to ensure you are not disadvantaged in these exams – including easier deferrals process, carrying forward of failed Semester 2 modules, exam boards reviewing module wide marks for significant discrepancies and leniency with deadlines & extensions. If you are struggling with this new online format, please make contact with your module lead or programme director as soon as possible. They are aware that students are struggling and they do want to help.
August repeat examinations and deferred examinations will most likely take place in an online format also, this will be confirmed or changed in line with the continued guidelines from both the HSE and Government.
Chaplaincy Exam Stress Helpline
If you have any exam stress you can contact the Exam Stress helpline services throughout the exams Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm until Fri 15th May.
Phone: 091 497 999
Text/International Call: +353 89 462 3763
Email/Video Call: examstress@nuigalway.ie
Academic Year 2020/2021
The dates for the next academic year have been circulated to you this week. The major changes include a start date of Mon 28th Sept (First years Mon 2nd Nov), exams in January, and online teaching for most people in Semester 1. This is due to the Covid-19 guidelines and strategies that will need to be put in place to ensure the stop of the spread of the virus. This is also recognizing that we have members of our University population that will need to cocoon or support someone cocooning or have continued caring responsibilities to ensure they can continue their education. We understand that this situation in not ideal but these are the best dates and plan to support all our students.
Postgraduate Issues
We are aware of the tough circumstances our Postgrad Taught and Postgrad Research students are in currently, we are working with support services and the Deans office to ensure your concerns are heard, and that we can get you some clarity on issues faced. We have also engaged nationally and with SIPTU on campus in relation to some concerns raised. If you are PGR or PGT student and you have some concerns, issues, are feeling isolated or are wondering what supports are available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
SAAIs
This year we are delighted to be nominated in 8 of the 19 categories of the USI Student Achievement Awards. The awards take place on 27th of May at 6pm online. We are nominated in the following categories:
Full-time Officer of the Year – Clare Austick
Postgraduate Champion – Cameron Keighron
Part-time Officer of the Year – Pádraic Toomey
Student rep of the Year – Reiltín Tynan
International Student of the Year – Mansi Kesarwani
Equality Champion – University of Sanctuary
Access Champion of the Year – NUIGSU – Library Laptop Loan Scheme
Outstanding Mental Health Activism of the Year – Emma Jane Kinsella
Accommodation
Both the SU President and the NUI Galway president, jointly, have written to student accommodation centres to ask for them to consider refunds and leniency with students in this time. We have also made contact with several accommodation providers in relation to next year’s academic dates and their plans around leases and tenancies.
Upcoming Webinars TODAY
- 4pm Today Thurs 30th April “Education During COVID-19 – precarity, privilege, purpose”
- 6pm Today Thurs 30th April “Living and Learning Empathy in COVID-19 – A Virtual Global Conversation” watch live on the NUI Galway Facebook page or watch back on the NUIG YouTube channel after.
The emergency hardship financial aid fund has now been extended and is open to ALL NUI Galway students (including international students) who are affected by the COVID19 crisis. For support from the Fund email una.mcdermott@nuigalway.ie or phone and leave a message on 091 495 282.
Student trainer recruitment is now open for the National Student Engagement Programme. They are seeking enthusiastic, approachable and innovative students to join the NStEP team to deliver class rep training across the country in academic year 2020/21. Closing date for applications 5pm Mon 25th of May. More info here.
Applications are now open for SUSI grants for the 2020/21 academic year. More info and online application here.
Little Cinema Galway will be doing a live stream of short films (3 minutes or less) 9pm Weds 6th May. Watch along here.
Academic Writing Centre Still Open
The Academic Writing Centre is still open for email appointments to help you with essay writing. Get in touch with them at awctutors@gmail.com
The Healthy Galway City website has been launched with lots of great free resources and signposting to reliable sources of health & wellbeing information.
Frequently Asked Questions
NUI Galway have put together a handy FAQ page for your queries here.
Change Our Streets
Change Our Streets is a new campaign by groups representing people on foot and people on bikes in Galway. Would you like to sign to support?
- wider footpaths, cycle lanes, quiet ways
- lower speed limits
Tips for Looking After Yourself During Exams
- Don’t isolate yourself – Exam time can be very lonely especially now we are all self-isolating. Try to make a conscious effort to arrange online meet ups, phone calls or Facetime with friends, or plan something nice at the end of a day of study with others like taking a free exercise class over Zoom. Cutting yourself off from the world is not a good idea.
- Don’t be a hero – Surviving on 2 hours sleep and 7 cans of red bull is not the way the human body was meant to function. Schedule in some breaks and exercise during your day – a 30 minute walk in your 2km radius can work wonders.
- Eat regularly – You don’t have to eat like a nutritionist, but eating three meals a day and getting in some healthy snacks will keep you on track. Food fuels your body, so if you’re constantly eating junk you won’t feel great.
- Sleep regularly – Many people completely change their sleep patterns during exam time. If you can, try to fit in 7-8 hours’ sleep and follow a routine.
- Stay hydrated – Water is your friend!
- Ask for help if you need it
• Student Health Unit
• NUIG Counselling Service
• Chaplains
• SU Education Officer
• SU Welfare & Equality Officer
Applications are open for the Global Undergraduate Awards until the 2nd of June. Submit and see your work recognised by an international programme, judged by professional academics from the world’s top universities, and join a network of fellow undergraduates delivering top research in your chosen field.
Student Health Unit Update
The NUIG Student Health Unit is continuing to operate and provide services to students albeit in a different manner. At present there is no longer a “walk-in” service – instead they are endeavouring to provide remote consultations for health advice/support and prescriptions. This applies to all health issues/complaints including COVID-19. For a very limited number of issues/conditions they can attempt to provide face-to-face consultations under very strict protocols. If you need to contact them regarding any health concerns, prescription requests, blood tests, STI screening or vaccinations please phone 091 494 337 or 083 325 0034 Mon-Fri 9.15am-12.30pm & 2.30pm-4.30pm. If you can’t reach them by phone email healthunit@nuigalway.ie to arrange a call back.
RTÉ Short Story Competition – Win €3,000
RTÉ is currently accepting short story submissions for one of Ireland’s longest established and most significant literary prizes, the RTÉ Short Story Competition in honour of Francis MacManus. Deadline is 5pm Fri 8th May to submit your story with prizes of €3,000 (1st), €2,000 (2nd) and €1,000 (3rd) up for grabs. More info.
Kyoto International Student Film Festival
Submissions are open until the 30th of June for the Kyoto International Student Film & Video Festival.
Contact Us
You can contact the Students’ Union by email to studentsunion@nuigalway.ie with any questions you may have.
