Skills Development

Top Tips for Reading Week

This week you will have extra time to catch up on your reading and work on your assignments. Here's how to make the most of it: 

1. Set SMART goals. You will have more time this week, but not unlimited time. Make a plan with specific, manageable goals you can realistically achieve in the next few days. 

2. Read with a purpose, critically and with an open mind. What do you need the information for? Examine the reliability of what you're reading and consider other perspectives. It's common to look for sources that support the points you want to make, but it's also important to avoid blinkers and tunnel vision.

3. Aim for balance and enjoy the change of pace! Allocate blocks of time to focused work, but make sure to also catch up on rest, fun, and connection with loved ones. 

For more practical tips on all aspects of learning at university, check out DEVELOP on Loop.

Career Development

Shape Your Future: Join Our Focus Group

What does your future after DCU look like? For some it may be exciting and clear, and for others this thought brings uncertainty. Whether you’re feeling excited, unsure or overwhelmed, the DCU Careers Service is here to support you.

We have designed a brand new career planning guide, but it’s missing one vital ingredient: Your voice. 

We don't want to build a guide we think you need, we want to build the one that offers you the exact support you need to succeed after DCU.

Why Join our Focus Group?

• Be Heard: Have a say in the development of the guide we use to help you. Tell us exactly what hurdles you’re facing so we can build features that solve them.

• Ownership: Help ensure that you and every other DCU student find careers that align with your unique personality and values.

• Impact: Positively impact your peers and future DCU students by helping us create a career planning guide for students, by students.

Help us help you! Join our focus group! We are looking for a mix of students, courses and years of study. The focus groups will take place during weeks 10 and 11 of semester 2 2026. If interested in participating, complete this short form.

Monday 23rd February  

Global Connect Cafe (International Students) (register)

Monday 23/02/2026, 17:00 - 19:00

GLA.KA201A (Main Room, Skills Development Centre, U Building)  

Did you know that DCU students now have access to the MySkills platform?

MySkills is an important development for DCU students that can help you document and evidence your transversal skills to future employers. 

Join us during MySkills Week (March 2-5) to discover how the MySkills platform works, explore DCU's 17-skill framework, and practice communicating your competencies through mock interviews—available both in-person and through VR. Whether you're already using MySkills or new to the platform, this week offers practical opportunities to strengthen how you articulate your skills.

Visit the MySkills Week website to explore the full programme and register for events.

Free Injury Assessment & Rehabilitation Clinics

The Student Led Clinic (SLC) offers free musculoskeletal injury assessments for all staff and students. Whether you're dealing with a tendon, muscle, bone, or joint issue, our Athletic Therapy & Training (ATT) students are here to help.

Following your assessment, you may also be referred to our Rehabilitation Clinic, where tailored exercise programs and treatments are provided to support your recovery — also free of charge.

Clinic Details

Student Led Clinic (SLC)

• Weeks 2-11 (each semester)

• Monday-Thursday, 9:00-11:00am

• Polaris Room FT115

• Musculoskeletal injury assessments for staff & students

Rehabilitation Clinic       

• Weeks 2-11 (Semester 2)

• Monday-Thursday (times vary by day)

• Polaris Room FT123

• Follow‑up rehab, exercise prescription & treatment

Both clinics are run by supervised ATT students as part of their clinical education. 

Spaces are limited! Book your appointment by emailing attclinics@gmail.com

Last chance to answer! Taught Student Survey

Survey ends Tuesday, 24 February 2026. Respondents will be in for a chance to win 3 One4All vouchers for each week of the survey and a final prize of a €500 Aer Lingus Voucher. 

Check your inbox for your survey link! More info: studentsurvey.ie

Key dates

23 February: Closing date for lodging appeals, assessment reviews and rechecks (from February PABs for Spring Graduation only). More info on the OVPAA website.

Contact us:

W: dcu.ie/students
E: student.support@dcu.ie