During your second week in MTU the Good Start campaign will focus on 'Belonging', encouraging students to really make connections here in MTU.
Signing up for third level is one thing, but showing up and getting involved is really how people settle into a community and make connections. Attending classes, going along to clubs & societies meet ups, saying ‘hi’ to people in your class who you haven’t spoken to yet will help make MTU seem less daunting.
The Student Engagement Associates put together some great advice on 'Belonging' personally, socially and academically during your first week in MTU below...
Belonging - Academically
Get to know your lecturers and class co-ordinators. Ask them questions about your course, the assessments and the different modules. They want to help you to succeed.
During group projects in class interact with your team members and get to know your classmates different strengths.
Take the opportunity to practice using the library by taking out a book from one of your reading lists. This will also help you to get to know the sections of the library where the books relevant to your course are located. Accessing books online may be very useful too, find out about MTU's Online Catalogue by lisiting https://library.cit.ie/
Belonging - Personally
You may be nervous walking into the canteen alone but finding your classmates and friends will hopefully only be a challenge during the first few weeks. Remember you won’t be the only one who is nervous.
There will be social activities organised by your class group, it may be intimidating to attend them on your own but attending will help you get to know your classmates and it will be a great step in building your confidence and good relationships with your classmates.
Belonging - Socially
There’s still opportunities to join a society or a club, sign up on the societies website or call to the Sports Office located upstairs in the Nexus, Student Centre.
If you have joined a society or club head along to their meet ups, trainings or events. You’ll meet people who are interested in the same thing and get to know people outside your course.
Attend some SU Freshers Week events during the day and in the evening, all events are listed on the CITSU website. Keep up to date by following them on social media.