Newsletter 2 (1st Years)
Newsletter 2 : 14th September 2026
Dr. Claire Bohan, Dean of Students
Message from Claire
Dear Students,
Dear Students,
I hope you all had a good week, got your timetables, found the various rooms and started making new friends! Lots of good things are happening again this week, so see what is of interest to you! Make sure to follow our new Socials to stay updated on all the latest events and services available to you.
Remember, if you have any questions, please reach out to student.support@dcu.ie
Have a good week!
Claire
Dr. Claire Bohan, Dean of Students
Focus this week
Skills Development
Your Digital Toolkit
Every week we will highlight short courses from the Discover Series that we consider helpful for incoming students at that particular point in the semester. Our recommendations this week:
Discover Technology: Essential info about licensed tools available to you at DCU such as Loop, Google Workspace, Office365, Eduroam, AI tools and much more.
Cybersecurity 1: The first of three micro courses to help you navigate the digital world safely and confidently. Cybersecurity isn’t just a technical skill, it’s essential for your success, both in your studies and in your everyday life.
Log into Discover on Loop with your DCU credentials
Career Development
Boost Your Employability Through Extracurricular Activities
Joining clubs, societies, sports teams, or volunteering is a great way to make friends and pursue your interests while actively developing your employability skills.
Employers look for candidates who go beyond their degree. Active involvement demonstrates drive, initiative, and a positive attitude. More importantly, it builds core skills including teamwork, leadership, project management, critical thinking, organising and time management.
You can use these real-world examples on your CV and in interviews when applying for part-time jobs, internships, and graduate roles. Get involved in something you enjoy today and start building the experiences that will set you apart.
Health and Wellbeing
Better Fuel for Busy Semesters : Nutrition for Students
Welcome to Week 2! As you settle into college life and tackle cooking independently, remember good nutrition isn't about restriction. It's about fuelling your mind and body for lectures and study.
Prioritise complex carbs, lean protein, healthy fats, and colourful produce. Keep your student budget intact by shopping frozen, buying bulk staples like rice, and understanding food labels to guide your choices.
Explore our website and DEVELOP resources for cheap recipes and energy-boosting tips!
What's on
Tuesday 15 September
Prepare for the Careers Fair: 30-Minute Briefing Sessions (register)
Tuesday, 15/09/2026 13:00 - 13:30
GLA.QG21 (Business Building)
DCU Career Mentorship Information Session (register)
Tuesday, 15/09/2026 14:00 - Thursday, 24/09/202612:45
GLA.SA217 (Stokes Building)
Wednesday 16 September
A Career in the Pharmaceutical Sector - Employers on Campus (register)
Wednesday, 16/09/2026 13:00 - 14:00
Thursday 17 September
Prepare for the Careers Fair: 30-Minute Briefing Sessions (register)
Thursday, 17/09/2026 13:00 - 13:30
GLA.QG21 (Business Building)
Friday 18 September
Culture Night in DCU (see full schedule)
Friday, 18/09/2026, 17:00 to 21:00
DCU St Patrick's Campus
Need Help with Academic Writing?
The Writing Centre is open! We offer free, friendly, non-judgemental support with assignment and thesis writing. We are open this week for online 1:1 appointments, and will be available on campus in October. Keep an eye out for our weekly workshops too, starting 23rd September!
More info and bookings on the Writing Centre website.
Culture Night in DCU 2026
DCU Library and Oifig na Gaeilge are delighted to invite you to Culture Night next Friday 18th September from 17:00 to 21:00 on the St Patrick's Campus. Join us for a relaxed evening of events for all ages that include live music, art and sean nós dancing workshops, tours, talks, exhibitions and family-friendly activities.
See the full schedule on Oíche Chultúir OCBÁC 2026 / DCU Culture Night 2026.
Apply for a Parking Permit at DCU
We encourage students and staff to consider public transport options when travelling to DCU where possible, but if you have to commute by car, you can apply for a parking permit that's valid accross the three teaching campuses.
Head over to the website to find out more.
Free Injury Assessment & Rehabilitation Clinics
The Student Led Clinic (SLC) offers free musculoskeletal injury assessments for all staff and students. It’s run by supervised ATT (Athletic Therapy and Training) students as part of their clinical education. Whether you're dealing with a tendon, muscle, bone, or joint issue, we are here to help.
Spaces are limited! Book your appointment here or email attclinics@mail.dcu.ie
Key Dates and Milestones
14 September: Teaching starts for First-Year undergraduate students.
18 September: Online Registration closes (including change of module).
It may take some time for new First Years to settle into life at university, and get familiar with all the things needed to set yourself up for success. We have some suggested milestones each week which would be good for a First Year to try to meet. The milestones for this week of the semester are available on Loop. Please do read them alongside any other guidance or advice your lecturers may give you.
Contact us:
