2013 Press Releases
Making the most of UCC
New students starting at UCC this autumn are encouraged to make use of the vast support network that is at their disposal to help them settle into college life.
Dr Ian Pickup, Head of Student Experience at UCC urges all new students to make the very most of their time at university by engaging with and joining the many clubs, societies and activities that are available to them.
“There are lots of activities to get involved with, there’s something for everyone and I encourage all students, especially those living away from home for the first time, to engage early with a club or society. It’s a great way to make friends with similar interests.”
There is an extensive support network in place at UCC — made up of both professional staff and peer volunteers — to help new students find their feet and adjust to life at university. This support ranges from guidance on the academic side of student life to advice on accommodation, budgeting, health and welfare.
Dr Pickup comments: “The UCC student experience is a very holistic one. While academia is a core part, we recognise that how the student feels, your mood, wellbeing and health, all contribute to your overall experience. If you feel that you fit in somewhere socially and have found a home from home, that will help you to achieve your academic potential.”
Learning about people from different schools, places, backgrounds and cultures is all part of the university experience, he says, but this will not happen unless you engage and take part.
“UCC is an exciting place to learn. We pride ourselves on research-led teaching and many of our professors teach at first entry level. We want to teach students how to do research themselves and to be interactive as opposed to being like sponges simply absorbing information. We want them to ask questions and challenge each other. Ultimately we want to see them succeed four, five or six years down the line, depending on the course they are studying, in progressing to graduation and ready to go out in the world.”
Graduates from UCC should be ‘World Ready, Work Ready’, says Dr Pickup. They should be ready for the 21st century world and equipped with the transferable skills that most employers are looking for — skills like being able to work in a team, problem solving and creativity.
“Some of these skills they will learn through their course of study, but some can only be learnt through wider engagement in student life, in clubs, societies and organisations like the Students' Union,” he remarks.
Advice for new students in the first days and weeks of life at UCC:
- Make use of the vast support network that is at your disposal. You can access this support through www.ucc.ie, the Student Experience Office and the Student’s Union — you just have to ask.
- Peer supporters are fellow students who are on hand to guide you through those first days and weeks.
- The staff of the UCC Accommodation and Student Activities office are happy to advise you on all of your housing options and to discuss any problems. There is an excellent supply of accommodation in Cork and you will have a good choice of both university-owned and privately owned housing. For information, go to www.ucc.ie or tel 021-4902353/4902475.
- Think about budgeting. Money is one of the biggest issues for students and their parents (who are usually funding their university education). A budgetary advisor is available on campus to advise you in this area.
- Get some recipes for putting simple meals together.
- The concept of ‘healthy mind, healthy body’ is encouraged by UCC and all students should make full use of the fantastic sports centre at the Mardyke Arena whether it’s for a session in the gym, a zumba class, a swim or a trip to the sauna.When at university, try something new — challenge yourself. Go to a beginner’s class on art, music or sport, it’s all part of your personal development.
- Above all, don’t worry. Relax and enjoy yourself. Everybody is in the same boat. It’s OK to have fun. This is the time of your life!
Embarking on a new journey of Biomedical Science at UCC
Luke Gibbons (18) is looking forward to studying a subject that he has a real interest in and meeting new people when he embarks on student life at UCC in September. A former student of Coláiste Chríost Rí in Turner’s Cross, Luke was thrilled to achieve 550 points in his Leaving Certificate as he needed 525 to get his first choice of Biomedical Science at UCC. He has very fond memories of his time at secondary school where he made great friends and he credits his teachers with the results he achieved. The BSc Honours in Biomedical Science is a new direct entry degree course offered jointly by UCC and Cork Institute of Technology. Biomedical science is the term for the investigations carried out by biomedical scientists on samples of tissue and body fluids to diagnose disease and monitor the treatment of patients.
“I had always favoured science subjects over others and realistically, I knew I would not be able to get the points for Medicine or Pharmacy. I saw Biomedical Science in the university prospectus and after I went to the Open Day at UCC, I knew this was the course for me.”
Luke is happy that he does not have to leave his home city to go to college and all of his choices on the CAO form were courses at UCC.
“It’s easier to be able to live at home and I know a good few people in UCC or who have gone through who have come back with glowing reports,” he says.
A passionate GAA man, Luke is interested in getting involved with the college’s football and hurling teams and he also plans to join the martial arts club. He intends making full use of the university’s state-of-the-art sporting facilities at the Mardyke Arena.
“I’m looking forward to the freedom of university and to being able to study something I like and will enjoy doing, rather than just set subjects. I’m looking forward to meeting new people as well and making new friends. I don’t know anybody else doing this course so they will all be completely new faces,” he enthuses.