Skills Development
 

This week: build your self-confidence

Have you heard about self-efficacy? It is the self-belief in your ability to accomplish your goals, whatever they may be, and it can have a very positive impact on your life at university, academically and personally. 

Discover Self-Efficacy is a bespoke micro-course to help you identify the knowledge, skills and abilities you'll need for a successful transition to university, and develop your own personal toolkit to increase self-belief and self-confidence. 

Digital Tools for Success and Wellbeing

At this point in the semester, you are probably spending a lot of time on your laptop, reviewing class materials, doing research online, working on your assignments, and collaborating on group projects. 

Digital Technology Solutions (DTS) have curated a list of tried-and-tested digital tools to help students get organised, store their materials, revise, use AI where appropriate, and mind their digital wellbeing. You can head over to Digital Tools for Success and Wellbeing to learn more. 

Academic Integrity Checklist

Are you confident in your ability to maintain academic integrity? Students may sometimes engage in unintentional plagiarism if they are unsure about how to integrate information from sources into their writing. 

Enter the Academic Integrity Checklist! If you can tick all the boxes, you are ready to submit your assignment. 
To find out more, check out SAIL, Space for Academic Integrity Learning on Loop). 

Health & Wellbeing

Sexual and Reproductive Health

It's time to look at a new aspect of our health: our sexual and reproductive health. Often internal, we forget to check in on those things unless we can see a real issue. Things we can do: 

Contraception

If you are taking contraception or are curious about your options, it is available for free when ages 17-35. You do not need a medical card to access this service. Make an appointment with your GP or doctor to discuss your options for contraception.

You do not have to pay for the visit or the prescriptions you get for approved products. Talk to your GP or doctor about the prescriptions included in this service.

Around 95% of GPs in Ireland are part of the HSE free contraception service. Check with your GP before making an appointment or asking for a prescription.

STI checks

If you are sexually active, it is important to test for sexually transmitted infections every 6 months. Our national health service, the HSE, provides free at-home testing kits, discreetly delivered to your door. Find out more on the sexual wellbeing website.

Check yourself

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, so make sure you check regularly with tips from the HSE as well as for testicular checks. 

Women and anyone with a cervix between the age of 25 and 65 should go for a cervical screening test when it’s due. Find out more on the Cervical Check website.

Check out sexual health on our website or you can also make an appointment at the Student Health Service here in DCU.

Monday 13 September to Friday 17 September

Monday 13 October 

Global Connect Café: PG Morning Coffee Catch-up Glasnevin (register)

Monday, 13/10/2025 13:00 - 14:00

GLA.CG02 (Henry Grattan)

Tuesday 14 October

Pathways to Success Week 4 (register)

Tuesday, 07/10/2025 08:00 - 09:00

(Virtual)

Ethnic Minority Mental Health Support Group (register or drop in)

Tuesday, 14/10/2025 16:00 - 18:00

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

Wednesday 15 October

Writing Centre: Beyond Summary: Critical Writing at University (register)

Wednesday, 15/10/2025 18:00 - 18:45

Virtual

Strength in Kindness: Self-Compassion Workshop (register or drop in)

Wednesday, 15/10/2025 14:00 - 16:00

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

Thursday 16 October

Unlock your Superpower (register)

Thursday, 16/10/2025 13:00 - 13:30

Virtual

Writing Centre: Establishing your Assignment Writing Process (register)

Thursday, 16/10/2025 14:00 - 14:45

SPC.E201 (E Block), St Patrick's Campus

Diwali: An Ancient Celebration in the Modern Age. Interfaith Seminar (drop in)
A short lunchtime talk by the DCU Chaplains

Thursday, 16/10/2025 13:00
 Interfaith Centre, Glasnevin Campus

Meditation: Cultivate Calmness, Clarity and Emotional Positivity (drop in) 
Thursdays, 16/10/2025 13:15 - 13:45 
Interfaith Centre, Glasnevin Campus

Crafternoon Tea: Express your Creativity and Make New Friends (drop in)
Thursdays, 16/10/2025 14:00 - 16:00
 Interfaith Centre, Glasnevin Campus

Elephant in the Room comes to All Hallows Campus

Visit Jia in All Hallows and engage with the Elephant Pledge Wall! 

Jia, our Elephant in the Room sculpture, will be displayed in the Main Restaurant, All Hallows Campus, from 13th - 17th October.

This is a space to show your commitment to breaking the stigma around mental health. Visit Jia and add your voice to the conversation!

The Elephant in the Room is about reducing stigma around mental health challenges – encouraging understanding and ensuring that all members of our university community feel supported in their wellbeing journey.

WIN: FREE DCU Sport Membership (Semester 1)

Want a FREE Semester 1 DCU Sport Membership?

How to Enter

1. Come to our DCU Sport Reception

2. Say you want to join the "Student Newsletter Competition"

3. Fill out the quick entry form

That's all! The winner will be picked and contacted next Friday morning. Come visit now!

Contact us

W: dcu.ie/students

E: student.support@dcu.ie