Head Start in the Community: Preparing for Higher Education
This winter, DCU in the Community in partnership with College Connect are launching a 10 week course to prepare those who wish to enter into higher education.
This course will emphasise the skills and knowledge that participants already have, build their confidence and address any issues of concern they have in beginning higher education. As well as this, there will also be insightful introductions into the hard skills needed for higher education; such as research skills and referencing. However, our facilitators will also stress that when beginning any higher education course all students are on par, beginning on an equal playing field – dispelling any myths that you need to know everything before you begin!
This course aims to prepare incoming mature students so they may maximise their enjoyment of higher level education. This course will offer seminars which focus on a blend on soft-skills and hard-skills, such as identifying challenges and presentation skills. Moreover, this course will offer example lectures and bring students onto Dublin City University (DCU) campus to learn of all the student supports and facilities available.
This course is funded by DCU College Connect. College Connect is a regional
project funded by the Higher Education Authority of Ireland. This course has been adapted from an existing DCU Access student support and development programme.
- Start Date: 15 November 2023
- Finish Date: 14 February 2024
- Course Length: 10 Weeks
- Day: Wednesdays
- Time: 10.30am – 01.00pm
- Venue (s): DCU in the Community, Shangan Road, Ballymun, DCU Glasnevin Campus, Collins Avenue.
- Fee: Free of Charge
Course Schedule:
- Week 1: Motivation, Identifying Strengths, Setting Goals & Reading Skills.
- Week 2: Being in New Surroundings, Asking for Help, Receiving Criticism & Research Skills and Referencing.
- Week 3: Overcoming Challenges, Transferable Skills, Identifying Challenges and Solutions & Group-work.
- Week 4: Critical Thinking, Decision Making, Being Confident & Presentation Skills
- Break for Christmas, 7 December 2023 – 9 January 2024
- Week 5: Starting Good Habits, &Using new technologies at University
- Week 6: Guest Lecturer Tutorials x 2
- Week 7: Tours of DCU; Library, Student Supports, Lecture Theatres etc.
- Week 8: The Value of Mature Students
- Week 9: Writing Centre Workshop (Delivered by DCU Writing Centre)
- Week 10: Reflection & Course Graduation for Participants
Qualification & Entry Requirements:
This course is not accredited and there are no entry requirements. A Certificate of Participation will be issued at the end of the course.
Registration:
If you are interested in registering for this course, please follow the link below.
If you have any questions or queries, please contact najwa.achour@dcu.ie
