By Darragh Nolan
The NUI Galway Students’ Union is continuing efforts to keep students connected as they enter a new semester away from campus.
Several events and activities are set to return for the second semester of this academic year.
The monthly SU Charity Challenge for February is a Kilometre Challenge in aid of Galway Rape Crisis Centre, Galway Autism Partnership and Helplink.
The weekly ‘Hump Day Hoolie’ via Zoom has been popular, providing students the opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy comedy from stand-up Steve Bennett.
A new ‘Stitch and Bitch’ online knitting group will meet every Tuesday throughout February.
“We want to help our students find friends and a sense of belonging at NUIG this year. Projects like our Charity Challenge are helping students to meet new people, have fun and raise funds for charity,” said Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey.
“We have been delighted with the popularity of our Hump Day Hoolies and the positive feedback we have received from students who still haven’t set foot on campus but have been able to make friends.”
“We want to highlight these ways to get involved in University life to all students and their parents who might be worried that loneliness and isolation could set in. Along with the SU officers there are lots of support systems available for students including our own CÉIM peer learning programming,” added SU Welfare & Equality Officer Róisín Nic Lochlainn.
“NUIG Sports Clubs, Student Societies and the ALIVE Volunteering programme are also working to ensure students have chances to make connections outside of lectures with a Re-Orientation Day happening this Wednesday.”
Additional information, Hump Day Hoolie tickets and sign-up for the Charity Challenge are all available through the Students’ Union website.
