Newsletter 12 (1st Years)
24 November 2025
Dr. Claire Bohan, Dean of Students
Message from Claire
Dear Students,
You have made it through Semester One, well done!!! I'm sure you are all still under pressure trying to finish off assignments and study for exams, but at least you'll have a bit of downtime from lectures soon, which can only help! Wishing you the very best for the coming weeks!
Warm regards,
Claire,
Dr. Claire Bohan, Dean of Students
Focus this week
Skills Development
Critical Self-reflection
Self-reflection is a powerful tool for academic, professional and personal development. Reflecting about our values, attitudes and behaviours, and how they align with each other, leads to increased self-awareness and a sense of control over our lives. While it may be difficult to carve out the time when things get busy, it is particularly important to pause and reflect when we have that all-too-common feeling that the semester is "running away from us".
To get you started, why not spend a few minutes thinking about the prompts below?
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What are the top 5 most important things in your life?
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How does your education align or fit in with the list above?
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Thinking back to a time when you had a successful learning experience (of any kind), what behaviours and strategies served you well? How could you apply them now?
Head over to the Discover Series on Loop to learn more about Critical Self-Reflection.
Career Development
Unlock Your Career Potential: Know Your VIPSS
A core part of career planning is understanding how your Values, Interests, Personality, Skills and Strengths (VIPSS) influence your future work decisions. High self-knowledge leads to greater fulfilment, performance, and promotability.
Knowing your strengths - what you are naturally good at and energised by - is crucial. A strength is what puts you "in flow." Your values (what holds personal significance) and skills (your capacity to do something well) are also key motivators. The ability to clearly articulate your VIPSS transforms self-knowledge into a powerful, marketable professional narrative that distinguishes you from other candidates.
Check out the Careers Service's career interest inventories to start your self-discovery journey!
Health & Wellbeing
16 Days of Activism
From November 25th - December 10th we will be participating in the international campaign 16 Days of Activism, the global movement to end gender based violence. This year, the campaign is running under the theme "UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls."
You can view the 16 Days of Activism Calendar to see the different actions taking place each day at DCU, and how you can show your support. In line with the theme of the campaign, the majority of our actions this year are within the digital space. This year's campaign will begin with the raising of the Orange the World flag on 25th November and will end with a community 16 Days of Activism Walk in Albert College Park on 10th December.
What's on
Monday 24 November to Friday 28 November
Tuesday 25 November
Thanksgiving Celebration (get your ticket here, 5€ per person)
Tuesday, 25/11/2025
Traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner: Main Restaurant, 16:00 - 17:30
Games at Nubar: 17:30 onwards
Ethnic Minority Mental Health Support Group (register or drop in)
Tuesday, 25/11/2025 16:00 - 18:00
GLA.KA201A (Main Room, Skills Development Centre, U Building), Glasnevin Campus
Wednesday 26 November
Global Connect Café: PG Morning Coffee Catch-up St Patrick's Campus (register)
Tuesday, 25/11/2025 13:00 - 14:00
SPC.FG09 (Block F), St. Patrick's Campus
Stress and anxiety management during exam time (register)
Wednesday, 26/11/2025 16:00 - 17:00
GLA.KA201A (Main Room, Skills Development Centre, U Building), Glasnevin Campus
Global Connect Café: Christmas Crafts! (register)
Wednesday, 26/11/2025 17:00 - 19:00
GLA.KA201A (Main Room, Skills Development Centre, U Building), Glasnevin Campus
Writing Centre: Essay Exam: Preparation and Tools (register)
Wednesday, 26/11/2025 18:00 - 18:45
Virtual
Pathways to Success Week 4: Growing your character strengths (register)
Wednesday, 26/11/2025 16:00 - 17:00
GLA.HG10 (Nursing), Glasnevin Campus
Thursday 27 November
Summer Adventures with CCUSA: Camps & Work Experience in the USA (register)
Thursday, 27/11/2025 17:00 - 17:30
Crafternoon Tea: Express your Creativity and Make New Friends (drop in)
Thursdays, 14:00 - 16:00
Interfaith Centre, Glasnevin Campus
Togetherall: 24/7 Mental Health Support
Togetherall is a free online mental health and wellbeing peer support. It gives you access to a safe, anonymous and professionally moderated community, 24/7/365. It is provided in partnership with DCU’s Counselling and Personal Development Service, with DCU students like you in mind.
Access is simple and instant: just head over to the Togetherall website, click ‘Register’, and log in with your DCU student email.
Togetherall includes guided, self-paced courses on a range of issues. The following may be particularly useful in the lead-up to exams:
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Stop Procrastinating
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Improve Your Sleep
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Balance Your Thinking
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Stress and Worry
You can browse the full list on the Togetherall website.
Key dates and weekly milestones
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Friday 28th November: End of Semester 1 teaching
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Monday 1st to Sunday 7th December: Exam study period
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Monday 8th to Saturday 20th December: Exam period Semester 1
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Friday 2nd to Monday 19th January: Exam marking and processing period
Don't forget to check out the suggested weekly milestones designed to help you settle in. Please make sure you read them alongside any other guidance or advice your lecturers give you.
Contact us
