Maynooth Life Podcast
By Maynooth Life Podcast
Created by Bret Zawilski (Critical Skills), Ciarán Coughlan (Chaplain) and Ian Russell (Student Engagment Officer), the Maynooth Life Podcast aims to help and support our students during their time here in Maynooth. In particular, we are looking to help our new students as they make the transition to university life irrespective of what route they took to get here.
Maynooth Life PodcastOct 24, 2022
Ep 2.7 - Clubs and Socs Awards
Today Ian chats with Mary Mac Court about the 30th anniversary of the upcoming Clubs and Socs Awards at Maynooth.
Ep 2.6 - Generative AI
Ian and Ciarán sit down with Dr. Adrian Kirwan to discuss the merits, perils, and possibilities of Generative AI in higher education.
Ep 2.5 - The SPUR Programme
Today Ian is here to talk with Máire Buckley and student participants of the SPUR programme at Maynooth.
Ep 2.4 - Exams and Results
In this episode, Ian and Ciarán are joined by Rose Donovan to discuss everything related to exams results and preliminary semester 1 marks.
Ep 2.3 - Taking Care of Finances
On today's podcast, Bret sits down with Ciaran to talk through the challenges facing students financially and the supports on offer at Maynooth University
Ep 2.2 - Commuting and Student Life at Maynooth
This week Ian sits down with four students to talk about the challenges and opportunities of commuting to Maynooth University. Listen in to hear tips on making the journey easier and more productive while staying active in the Maynooth community.
Ep 2.1 - Student Voices on the Transition to Maynooth
The podcast is back! To kick off season two of Maynooth Life, Ian and Ciaran sit down with four students who have already braved their first year of University life and have wisdom to offer the incoming first-years.
Ep 1.14 - St. Patrick's Pontifical University
This week, the podcast heads (virtually) to south campus, exploring the history and deep connections between Maynooth University and St. Patrick's Pontifical University.
Ep 1.13 - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Maynooth University
Ian and Ciarán sit down with Sam Blanckensee to discuss EDI initiatives at Maynooth.
Ep 1.12 - Making the most of the Student Experience outside the Classroom
This week Ian sits down with Máire Buckley to discuss opportunities for students outside of the classroom at Maynooth.
Ep 1.11 - Green Campus at Maynooth
Today we speak with representatives from Green Campus at Maynooth about the various sustainability initiatives underway on campus.
Ep 1.10 - Sports Activities at Maynooth
This week, we explore Sports at Maynooth University.
Ep 1.9 - Careers Planning at Maynooth
This week, the podcast sits down to discuss options for students looking to begin planning for their careers after university.
Ep 1.8 - Preparing for Exams
On this episode of Maynooth Life, we sit down to talk about the Exams Office and how to ready yourself for the upcoming January examinations.
Ep 1.7 - Men's Mental Health
Today on the Maynooth Life Podcast, we talk with the University's mental health nurse. Please check back soon for additional resources and information.
Ep 1.6 - Exploring the MU Student Helpdesk
In this episode, we talk about how the MU Student Helpdesk helps students and staff navigate the university.
Ep 1.5 - Critical Skills and Adapting to University Life
Bret fills in for Ciarán and Ian to talk with Brian McKenzie and Aneta Stępień of Critical Skills about the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning into third-level studies.
More information about Critical Skills can be found at https://maynoothuniversity.ie/critical-skills
The Critical Minute(s): Essay Writing Advice
With Ciarán and Ian on an academic journey abroad, Bret takes a few minutes to talk through some advice for that scariest of topics: writing essays for your courses. Listen in for some practical tips and tricks to defeat writer's block and avoid the anxiety of procrastination.
Another full episode of Maynooth Life will drop next Tuesday.
Ep 1.4 - Student Budgeting & Student Fees
This week Ciarán and Ian chat with Catherine Heffron-Roche (Assistant Fees & Grants Officer) and Ruth Killeen (Student Budgeting Advisor) about all things to do with student budgeting, Student Fees & Grants and other supports that are available to students.
Useful Resources
Student Budeting Advice Service
Student Budgeting website: www.maynoothuniversity.ie/money-matters
Book an appointment with the Student Budget Advisors by clicking on the BOOKING FORM LINK
Student Fees & Grants
Student Fees & Grants Website: www.maynoothuniversity.ie/student-fees-grants
Book an appointment with a member of staff of the Student Fees & Grants Team by clicking on the BOOKING FORM LINK.
Easy Payment Plan: Link to Easy Payment Plan APPLICATION FORM . For more information please visit the Student Fees & Grants Office website or book an appointment to chat to someone in the office about the Easy Payment Plan.
Laptop Loan Scheme: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/student-services/laptop-loans
Student Assistance Fund: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/access-office/SAF
The Study Break: A Time to Reflect, A Time to Rest!
This week, the Maynooth Life Team (Bret, Ciarán & Ian) take time to reflect on the semester so far but also on the study break which can in itself be a time for students to reflect on the 1st half of the semester as well as a time to rest.
Ep 1.3 - Our Mental Health
Ciarán and Ian chat to Kealan Hilley (MSU Vice-President Welfare & Equality) and Kirsten Baltazar (President of the MU Mental Health Society) about our mental health and the importance of minding our mental health.
Useful Resources Counselling ServiceMU Counselling Service: www.maynoothuniversity.ie/counselling
The Counselling Service is a professional, confidential service, which is available to all registered students of the University and is provided free of charge. The Service offers one-to-one counselling and support on a wide range of psychological and mental health issues, as well as academic, family and social concerns, any of which may impact on your personal health and well-being or academic performance.
We are here to support you. If you are experiencing any difficulties, please link in with us. It can be helpful to talk with someone in a confidential way about your worries and concerns.
MU Mental Health AdviserThe Mental Health Advisor, Sandra Fox is a Mental Health Clinician with over 20yrs experience in both community and hospital settings. She is available to all students who in confidence wish to speak about their mental health & wellbeing.
Sandra is based in the student health centre with her GP and nursing colleagues, she can offer face to face or virtual appointments .
For an appointment with Sandra please contact the student health centre on 01- 7083878.
ChaplaincyThe MU Chaplain is Ciarán Coughlan and he can be contacted at chaplaincy@mu.ie
Chaplaincy Website: https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/student-services/chaplaincy
Whatever the conversation, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I offer a friendly, non-judgemental ear to anyone who wants or needs it. I have regular drop in hours weekly (Accessed via telephone if you are not on campus) and you can make an appointment with me at any stage.
Chaplaincy is available by telephone, online or in person (Room 49 Arts Block, North Campus)
Chaplaincy is here for those of all faiths and none and is here to faciltate:
- Community (Bringing students together);
- Conversation (One to one support);
- Contemplation (Allowing you to explore and contemplate the deeper question of life & faith);
- Compassion (Working with and towards helping others, Charities etc).
The Student Support Officer, Dr Colleen Doyle, is available to offer personal support and practical guidance to students.
You can contact the Student Support Officer by email at student.support@mu.ie
Maynooth Students' Union / Welfare QueriesMaynooth Students’ Union (MSU) represents the students of Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College Maynooth. The primary objective of the Union shall be to provide for and promote and defend the interests of its members.
MSU Website: www.msu.ie
Welfare Officer email: welfare@msu.ie
MU Mental Health SocietyThe Mental Health Society (MHS) is for anyone who has an interest in Mental Health or who believes Mental Health is a topic worth talking about. The MHS slogan is "unleash the elephant", as Mental Health often feels like the elephant in the room - the thing everyone knew existed but no one wanted to talk about - and the MHS wants to get people talking. Over the last few years the MHS has begun to move the elephant out, but there's still a lot more work to be done!
The Mental Health society is for everyone, whether you've struggled with mental health yourself, know a friend or family member who has or just think mental health is worth talking about! Mental health is something we all have, just like physical health, and its something we all should be looking after!
Mental Health Society website: https://mulife.ie/society/mental-health
Ep 1.2 - Setting yourself up for Academic Success & Your Subject Choices
Subject Choices and Success at Maynooth
With the deadlines for academic enrollment and subject choices approaching, we speak with Rose Donovan (Academic Advisory Office) and Alex Balfe (MSU VP of Education) about how to make the best choices regarding courses of study at Maynooth University.
Ep 1 - Finding Your Feet with Clubs and Societies
With the successful re-introduction of an in-person Clubs & Societies Fairs Days, the annual drive by Clubs and Societies to recruit members, we talk to Lucas Jeanniot (MSU Vice-President for Student Life) and Mary MacCourt (MU Clubs & Societies Co-oridnator) about the impact clubs and societies has on campus life and why students should join.
Useful ResourcesThe Gateway to Clubs & Societies Life: www.mulife.ie
Maynooth Students' Union: www.msu.ie
Maynooth Life, Ep 0 - A Preview of Things to Come
Welcome to a preview of the Maynooth Life Podcast.
Created by Bret Zawilski (Critical Skills), Ciarán Coughlan (Chaplain) and Ian Russell (Student Engagment Officer), the Maynooth Life Podcast aims to help and support our students during their time here in Maynooth. In particular, we are looking to help our new students as they make the transition to university life irrespective of what route they took to get here.
Join us for new episodes each week on topics covering the full range of topics about life at Maynooth University.