Survival Guide 2010/2011

51 Johns Street, Waterford City Tel: 051-853350

THREE GREAT OFFERS ONLY FOR STUDENTS OF WIT OFFER ONE

ANY LARGE PIZZA FROM SET MENU OR UP TO FOUR TOPPINGS FOR JUST €12 SAVING €9.50.

OFFER TWO

STUDENT MEAL FOR TWO PEOPLE. Any 9 inch pizza with two side orders and 2 cans only €13 SAVING €9.50.

OFFER THREE

LARGE STUDENT MEAL. Any large pizza with medium chicken and dip with one side order and a bottle of 1.25lt coke for €19.50 saving €13.50.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 1.All offers valid monday to thursday from 4pm till 11.30pm 2. Not valid with any other offer.

3. Not valid on bank holidays.

4. Customer must inform counter staff they would like to use student offer when ordering.

S T N E T CON Welcome!

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If this is your first year in WIT, well then we would like to welco me you to our college, or should we say now, your college. We’re glad you picked WIT and we hope you’re gla d also!

As for people returnin g to WIT, welcome back! It’s good to see new and familliar faces around the college...

This Survival Guide is simply here to help all students, no t just first years, around the whole ide a of college life in Waterford. Even if you’re in your fourth year here, there ’s going to be something here that you didn’t know or will find useful. Please take the time to read some of the art icles in this diary as they could he lp you down the line or help you to help someone else.

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ion Addresses Students’ Un ers Useful Numb College Street Clubs & Socs

vice Budgeting Ad ort Student Supp

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24 LGBT ers Eating Disord 27 g Healthy Livin 28 Mens Health 32 lth Womens Hea 33 nancy 34 Preg ty Personal Safe 35 aception Sex and Contr 36 40 STI’s avior Antisocial Beh 42 45 46

From everyone here in the Students’ Union, we hope you en joy your time here in WIT and wish yo u every success in all you attem pt.

Your Union, Serving

You!

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Careers Exams Info Grant Maintenance omputers Library and C o...

20 Things to d Weekly Life ts Last Years Even

62 Diary

Produced by WIT Students’ Union Designed by Eamonn Kelly

WIT Students’ Union

Conor Doyle WITSU President

Hey Everyone, My name is Conor Doyle, I am your Students Union President for the academic year 20102011. On behalf of your Students Union I would like to extend a special welcome to all incoming students here at WIT. I hope that your time in WIT will open new doors for you and you create many new friends. My role as President entails overall responsibility for the daily running of the Union and to ensure that it represents all students in the college.

I would like to encourage each and every student of WIT to get involved in a club or society.

There are over 30 of such, something to cater for everyone and by becoming actively involved you are sure to create friendships and memories that will last forever.

As a student representative organisation we are only as strong as you make us. Get involved, become a class rep, attend our social events, give a helping hand with our campaigns. This year promises to be an eventful one with Denise and James co-ordinating many campaigns such as Positive Mental Health, Take Control of Your Future, Love your Body Week and many more. Eamonn, Communications Officer, will co-ordinate our monthly student publication and his role will be to communicate between the Union and the student body. Peter, Entertainment Officer, has an exciting year of events planned also, with the highlight of first semester being the inaugural WIT Fashion Show, which will take place in November.

One issue which WITSU have tackled hands on over the past number of years is anti-social behaviour. I encourage you to respect both the residents of this city and also your fellow students. The actions of a minority reflects on the whole student body. Any student of WIT who acts in an anti-social manner will be dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee in WIT. Personally I have thoroughly enjoyed every second of my time studying and working in WIT. If you get the balance right between your study and your social life you will have the best days of your life here. I cannot emphasise enough, to all students, the importance of attending lectures and putting in adequate study time. REPEATS are not fun, so get the balance right and you will not go wrong.

Your Students Union is here for you. So please, let us know if we can be of any assistance to you throughout the year. Our Sabbatical team were elected by you for you. Myself, James and Denise hope that you will find us approachable at any time, we are passionate about our roles here at WITSU, so whether you feel like stopping us in the corridor, having lunch with us, calling into our offices or having a sociable drink with us. We are here for you.

Look forward to meeting you, Conor Doyle 086-7854420 president@witsu.ie

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President

WIT Students’ Union

Denise McCarthy WITSU Welfare

Hiya!

My name is Denise McCarthy and I am your Welfare Officer for 2010/2011.

Let me begin by welcoming all the Freshers to WIT and to you returning students, well done for getting this far...! If you don’t know already college is where you will fall in and out of love, laugh, and cry, pull all nighters before exams and look back on for the rest of your life because it’s true, college days are the best days of your life.

My role as Welfare Officer is to help with non academic problems one may face throughout college. I’m here to provide support, representation and raise awareness for students in relation to sexual, physical and mental health, financial aid, accommodation issues and general welfare issues such as student security and even some information on grants. I also point students in the right direction in terms of accessing support for whatever problem they may be facing. If I can’t help you, I’ll know someone who can and this will be done with the utmost confidentiality and without bias.

This year I will be running various campaigns and awareness weeks for issues such as sexual health and guidance, road safety, respect and many more. I will also introduce an Emergency Student Fund in which I will allocate financial assistance to students in financial difficulty after an application process and will run various fundraisers during the year for the upkeep of this project.

Do not hesitate to get in contact with me, (don’t be afraid, I don’t bite) because there is no problem too big or small. We run an open door policy here at WIT Student’s Union and I’m here to help you! Feel free to call into the office at any time, give me a text, send me an email or even stop me on campus and have a chat.

It is important you use your voice and do what you can to make a difference so stand up and speak out and do what you can to make a difference so do your bit and get involved.

I wish you all the best of luck in the upcoming year, play hard, work harder and be safe.

Denise McCarthy 086 7854402 welfare@witsu.ie

Welfare

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WIT Students’ Union

James Lambe WITSU Education

Hey All and welcome to WIT, My name is James Lambe and I’ll be your Education Officer this year. Congratulations on getting into WIT as it shows all your hard work and study has paid off. Your college years will be the best of your life so make the most of them.

Education is a fantastic opportunity. You don’t have to spend hours in the library with your head buried in books to do well in college, and that is certainly not what college life is about.

The key to studying effectively is time management and getting those notes organised.

I’m here for all your academic needs whether it is grinds, exam appeals, grant applications, academic policies; basically I’m here for any nerdy issue you may have. Do not be afraid to afraid to stand up and speak out or express your opinions. Remember, no matter how big or small the problem, don’t hesitate to get in contact with me and I’ll do my best to help you out.

I am responsible for Class Rep Recruitment and Training and encourage all students to get involved in student life and make as many friends as you can. I also represent you on College committees where executive decisions are made that will affect your education. I will do my best to ensure that everything passed through these committees is in the best interest of students. The stance that I take on issues at this level is determined by SU Council and the SU Executives.

Make sure to check out the Education Section of the diary for helpful tips you can use throughout the year. Anyway I wish you all the best of luck with the year ahead. This is the time you will make the best memories for the rest of your life.

Hope you have a great year, James Lambe, 086 0499842 education@witsu.ie

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Education

WIT Students’ Union Eamonn Kelly Hi All,

WITSU Communications

My name is Eamonn, and I am your Communications Officer in the Students’ Union.

First of all, well done on getting into college. The next few years are going to be the best years of your life!

It’s my job to keep you up to date with all that’s going on in the Union. The Students’ Union is here for YOU! Make sure to keep an eye on our facebook page and our website www.witsu.ie Also keep an eye out for our posters advertising SU news and events.

If you ever need help regarding anything or need to talk about anything, please call into the Office. There’s always someone there to help. If your in College Street and there’s no Officers around, say it to our lovely Jacqui, the College Street Administrator and she will get someone down to you as soon as possible!

Good luck in all your exams!

Eamonn Kelly communications@witsu.ie 085 8342293

Peter Feeney WITSU Entertainments

Alright, what’s the story!

Peter here and I’m your Entertainments officer in WIT Student’s Union.

One of the most important parts of college is to get through it, pass your exams, and come out with a degree at the other side. However, what is also almost just as important as that is the social side. This is where I come in!

One of my roles as entertainments officer is the organisation of various nights where students come together and get to know each other. These nights normally involve live music with various themes. Wherever they are and whatever they involve, a good night is always had by all students.

Also, as entertainments officer I am responsible for the organisation of class parties and trips, where I provide classes with venues and locations where they can go for their party/trip.

My advice to you as first years is to get involved in the college as much as you can! Get involved with clubs and societies and make your mark on WIT. If you have any questions to do with entertainments, contact me and I’ll try my best to help.

Peter Feeney entertainment@witsu.ie 0861988431

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USEFUL NUMBERS Students Union • President: Conor Doyle - 086-7854420 • Education Officer: James Lambe - 086 0499842 • Welfare Officer: Denise McCarthy - 086 7854402 • Cork Road Campus Office: 051 378390 • Colleage St. Campus Office: 051 302275 Waterford Institute of Technology • WIT Reception: 051 302601 • Registrar Office: 051 302017 • Examinations Office: 051 302043 • Main switch Board: 051 302000 • Accommodation Office: 051 302615 • Campus Bookshop: 051 302701 • Careers Office: 051 302038 • Chaplains Office: Fr David Keating 051 302617 • Clubs and Societies Office: 051 302238 • College Bar: 051 302049 • Fitness Suite/Gym: 051 302484 • GAA Office: 051 302239 • Grants Office: 051 302088 • Library Cork RD Campus: 051 302823 • College Street Campus: 051 302262 • Medical Centre: Louis Nelvin 051 302086 • Secretarial Service Cork RD Campus: 051 302220

College Street Campus: 051 302276 • WIT Card Office: 051 302732 • Sports Hall: 051 302051

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Faculty Offices • Business: 051 302841 • Education: 051 302040 • Engineering: 051 302035 • Health Sciences: 051 302035 • Humanities: 051 302251 • Science: 051 302037

Emergency Numbers • Garda Barracks Ballybricken: 051 874888 • Community Garda: 051 305377 • Medical Centre: Louis Nelvin 051 302086

Barronstrand St.: 051 852999

Lisduggan: 051 87344 • Waterford Regional Hospital: 051 873321 • STI Clinic: 051 842646 banks / tax / post office/ public offices • AIB Bank Cork Road Campus: 051 372414 • Bank of Ireland Lisduggan: 051 355514 • City Council: 051309900 • Citizens Advice: 051304965 • Social Welfare Office: 051 356000 • PAYE tax office: 051 317100 • Motor tax office: 051 309952 Public Transport • Bus Eireann station: 051 879000 • Iarnnroid Eireann enquiries: 051 317899 • Rapid Express: 051 872149 • Rapid Cabs: 051 858585 Welfare • Alcoholics Anonymous: 01 4538998 ala@indigo.ie www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie • Aware info@aware.ie www.aware.ie • Bodywhys: 01 2834963/1890 200444 info@bodywhys.ie www.bodywhys.ie • Crisis Pregnancy Agency: 01 8146292 info@crisispregnancy.ie www.crisispregnancy.ie • Drug Advisory Centre: 01 6488600 info@dtcb.ie • Free Legal Advice Centre: 01 8745690 info@flac.ie www.flac.ie • Family Planning Agency: 01 8069444 www.ifpa.ie • Rape Crisis Centre: 021 4505577 Info@sexualviolence.ie www.sexualviolence.ie • Samaritans: 01 8727700/1850 609090 jo@samaritans.org

College Street College Street or the Good Shepherd as it is also known, is home to nearly 2,000 students. Studies here include Legal, Art, Design, Music, Social Care, Early Childhood and Psychology. Even though the number of students/courses may not be as big as WIT’s Cork Road Campus, College St is still a vital part of the WIT community. Do not hesitate to avail of the facilities here if it makes college life handier for you, e.g. using the library here to study instead of travelling to the Cork Road Campus (perfect if you live in Manor village!)College St may be small but it has loads to offer!!

THE STUDENTS UNION The Students’ Union is located on the ground floor, in Room CO17. It is from here that students are encouraged to come in and let themselves be known to our staff members and officers who will be on campus regularly. We strongly advise students to call in for a chat or if they have a problem we are always here to listen (there’s usually loads of freebies going around too!!)

Not only do we over an ear to rant to but we also have a full array of services for you to avail of including the cheapest photocopying on campus, scanning, fax, stationery, condoms, printing of Class notes and loads more...and if there’s anything that we don’t have which you need just let us know, we always want to improve the union.

COLLEGE STREET COUNCIL As part of the Students’ Union we are looking for each class to elect a Class Rep who will sit on Class Rep Council which takes place at least once a month. College St also has its own special Class Rep Council to deal with issues specific to the campus. This is to ensure that College Street has a strong voice. If you have any problems in the college then make sure to let your Class Rep know...we can only fix problems if we know there is one!

CAMPUS SHOP The Campus shop is located just inside the main doors right beside the AIB Bank Link (the only bank link on campus). The Campus Shop sells everything from stationery to phone credit, text books to sweeties so you’re sure to find whatever you need.

CANTEEN Whether you’re looking for a healthy homemade smoothie, a fry up to cure all hangovers or just a proper old school dinner with all the trimmings, the canteen is the place to be.

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The Staff here are lovely and would bring a smile to anyone’s face. Here’s few tips to make the most of the Canteen: • Make sure you use your WIT card as it will get you discount on your food • You have to try the double chocolate chip muffins at least once, they’re delicious!

• REMEMBER to go to class! It’s easy to forget the time when you’re hanging out on the sofas with your mates.

• Look out for music sessions going on in the canteen, there’s nothing better than eating your lunch and getting a gig in as well for free!

COMPUTER ROOMS There are computer rooms located all around the campus so if you can’t find one just ask a member of the Library or Teresa at Secretarial Services. However the number of computers in College St are slightly lacking due to the ever growing amount of students so if you are lucky enough to nab one please show respect for others and not spend all day on facebook or checking out videos on YouTube! Remember that you can also jump on a three minute bus up to Cork Road Campus where there’s always a computer free.

COUNSELLING College St has both a nurse and student counsellor available at any time of the day by mobile (check Useful Contacts) and are based on campus most of the time. Both Nurse Louis and Counsellor Anne-Marie are located just past St Dominic’s corridor on the left and are always up for a chat. So if you’re feeling a bit under the weather (physically or emotionally) there are no two better women for the job of getting you better. Fr David Keating is based in the Cork Road Campus but is never more than a phone call away.

SECRETARIAL SERVICES You’ll find the Secretarial Services Booth right beside the library. This is the perfect spot to hit if you’re looking for print outs of past papers or get your essays typed up, of course the service isn’t free but hopefully it’ll ease the stress of the exam period.

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Why Buy A Bike: mail: witbikeshop@gmail.com • Tel: (051) 374744• No • Mob:Parking 086 - 074 8010 Problems Location: IDA Park, Waterford Opposite WIT • Never Late For Class Beside AIB Bank Lisduggan • Save €€€ on Fuel • Heathy Alternative

Email: witbikeshop@gmail.com Tel: (051) 374744 Mob: 086 0748010 Location: IDA Park Waterford

(Opposite WIT, Beside AIB Bank Lisduggan)

Sales And Services

Turn Your College Books Into CA$H!

Simply call into your local SU to find out how or Ring James on 086 0499842 or email: education@witsu.ie

Hi there, My name is Gary Redmond and I am the President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI).

If you are reading this page, then the chances are you are not only a member of the Students!

Union in your college but also USI. USI is sole national representative organisation for students in Ireland which has a membership of over 30 students! unions and 250,000 students both North and South of the border.

While your local students! union fights for your rights on campus, USI is fighting for you on the national stage. We represent your interests on various government bodies and agencies, such as the Higher Education Authority (HEA) which deals with policy and funding of higher education, the agency that awards your degree, and bodies overseeing the quality of education to name just a few.

Over the coming weeks USI will be launching a number of campaigns including

$ ! ! ! $ !

$ ! # $ ! "

The best piece of advice I can give you is to get involved in college life and a great way to # " are also responsible for helping your class get to know each other by organising class parties and trips. It!s a great way to get to know people and its also great fun.

Wishing you all the best in the year ahead, Regards,

Gary Redmond, President, Union of Students in Ireland

Gary Redmond

President

Cathy Pembroke

Southern Area Officer

Sport and Recreation in WIT The WIT Sport & Recreation Department consists of the Clubs & Societies Office, the WIT GAA Club, the WIT Sports Scholarship Programme and the WIT Fitness Suite. This department is responsible for the promotion and development of sport and recreation in WIT. As part of the WIT Student Support Team, this department responds to the sporting and recreation needs of the students, and enhances the student experience while completing studies in WIT. The services provide include the planning, development and deliverance of sport, leisure and recreation promotional strategies to achieve maximum participation and involvement of all students, from the casual recreational student to the very elite sporting student and to encourage students to develop lifelong interest in sport and recreation.

Clubs & Societies Office The diversity of clubs and societies in Waterford Institute of Technology means that every taste is catered for. From basketball to badminton, swimming to surfing and frisbee to football; WIT has a club or society for you. Aside from academic learning, interacting with and socialising with other students can relieve the stress which college may bring.

By getting involved with a club or society in WIT you will broaden your horizons, experience new activities and have the opportunity to meet new people from all walks of life. With a host of clubs and societies from field, indoor and water sports, academic, cultural and political areas, there will be something to suit and interest all those seeking new challenges.

You can register to join a club or society in College Street Campus and the Cork Road Campus all year long so particularly look out for our Clubs & Societies Open Days in mid September on campus. The Clubs and Societies Office is located in the courtyard on the Cork Road Campus and is open Monday to Friday.

Contact details: Robin Croke, Clubs & Societies Officer. Tel: 051 302238, email: clubsandsocs@wit.ie

WIT GAA Club As the Institutes biggest and most successful club the WIT GAA Club has over 16 teams competing in a variety of 3rd level competitions; from Fresher to senior teams in hurling, camogie, ladies and men’s football as well as handball. A number of top-level GAA players from all codes have been past members of the club including Henry Shefflin, JJ Delaney, Brendan Cummins, Michael “Brick” Walsh, Declan Browne & Ursula Jacob.

The WIT GAA Club Office is located in the courtyard on the Cork Road Campus and is open Monday to Friday.

Contact details: Conor Phelan, WIT Games Promotions Officer. Tel: 051 302239, email: gaa@wit.ie

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WIT Sports Scholarship Programme Waterford Institute of Technology is looking to award sport scholarships to suitable candidates in September. The WIT Sport Scholarship Programme is open to a multitude of sports and students from 1st year to post graduate level are encouraged to apply. There are a number of different levels of Sports Scholarship in WIT; Bronze, Silver & Gold as well as Munster Council GAA scholarships.

The Programme provides services and benefits to all sport scholarship recipients in the following areas:

• Academic Mentoring Support.

• Strength and Conditioning/ Injury Management.

• Sports Science Support-access to nutrition, psychology etc.

• Technical Support (coaching etc)

• Financial support towards, books, catering services, and secretarial services.

• Medical

• Gym Use – access to Fitness Suite and Waterford Crystal Leisure Centre Applying for a WIT Sports Scholarship: Any prospective or current WIT student can apply for a sports scholarship and have their application considered; a condition of receiving a scholarship is that the applicant must be on or accepted onto a full time course in WIT. The closing date is late September so get your application in early.

Contact details: Thomas McCabe, Scholarship Co-ordinator. Email: tmccabe@wit.ie

WIT Fitness Suite The WIT Fitness Suite is situated on the Cork Road Campus, beside the WIT Sports Hall. It has a full range of user friendly aerobic and strength training equipment. With highly qualified staff providing programmes to meet your needs and highly competitive rtes of membership available the Fitness Suite is there to keep your body as active as your mind throughout your time here in WIT. Aerobics and Circuit Training classes take place throughout the week are open to both WIT staff and students.

Contact details: Tel: (051) 302484 Further information on Sport & Recreation in WIT is available on the Institute’s website: www.wit.ie/sportrec

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Experience the thrill of 11 pulsating live greyhound races, mouth-watering food & an electric atmosphere!

Kilcohan Park Greyhound Stadium Racing every Friday & Saturday night :: First Race 7.55pm

Student Admission just €5 :: Adult Admission €10 Includes Race Programme

Bar, Fast Food & Restaurant facilities available

Fantastic food packages available from just €9.99 For more information or to book Food & Group Packages call IGB Sales Centre 1890 269 969 :: Email: sales@igb.ie Visit www.igb.ie for more information or to book online!

Finance Many students experience financial hardship while at college so do not worry about ithelp is available. College is a very expensive period of your life and one in which can occur a lot of debt. While studying here at WIT be aware of the financial aids available to you.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is an organisation who provides advice and support for people with financial difficulties. Check out the website www.mabs.ie for more information.

Financial Tips • Shop in the typical low cost stores!!

• Buy in bulk, it’s much cheaper in the long run • Avoid convenience foods or other prepared meals • Keep your eyes peeled for special offers • Never shop when you’re hungry or you’ll buy unnecessary items • Always to make up shopping list • Go home for lunch if you’re near enough or bring lunch to college. It’s much cheaper.

• Printing in the Students Union is the cheapest For more tips visit www.mabs.ie Budgeting A budget is a simple way to make sure that the demands you place on your income can be met. A budget is an itemized summary of probable expenses and income for a given period. It is a plan for saving and spending.

There are some simple things to bear in mind when you start to look at your income and spending: • List all income to your house • List all bills you have to pay • Count all spending even bills or expenditure that only occur occasionally entertainments cost etc • Include the costs of special occasion; Christmas, birthday and so on.

• View MABS pre designed budget sheet www.mabs.ie/process/calcguide.html Managing Your Money PLAN how to spend your money before you get it. When money for any budget category is gone, stop impulsive spending in that category.

In regards to student loans, the longer you borrow money, the more interest you will pay.

KEEP a list of your goals to remind yourself why you don’t want to overspend.

Discover/define your financial situation and identify your objectives It is vital that you plan ahead with money. Be realistic and honest in your plans-not always easy! PRIORITISE your needs in your budget. Anticipate the unusual and even the unexpected-it will happen! Don’t leave yourself short but do limit yourself!

Examine your attitude! Consider budgeting as a reward system, not a deprivation system.

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Anne Marie Quigley WIT Student Counsellor The Student Counselling Service at WIT is here to support you in dealing with any emotional difficulties you may face during your time in college. We are here to help you work through problems related to college or to any other part of your life.

Students are sometimes nervous about what to expect from counselling so it might reassure you to know that the service is confidential and that you won’t be judged or criticised about anything you discuss with your counsellor.

The following are just some of the problems which students have addressed in counselling: anxiety, stress, panic, loneliness, depression, problems with food, eating and body image, alcohol or drug dependency, family or relationship problems, sexual problems and unexpected pregnancy.

The work you do with your counsellor will be about helping you to figure out the right solutions for yourself, rather than the counsellor telling you what to do. Your counsellor will offer you listening, respect and support while you do this. The Student Counselling Service is free and it operates from both the Cork Rd. and College St. campuses. Student Counsellors are available to meet you by appointment from 10 am to 5pm Monday to Friday and until 7pm on

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Wednesday evenings. As well as providing one to one counselling to students, the counselling service runs a variety of seminars during the year on many issues ranging from Exam Stress to Relationships and Sexuality.

Look out for ads for these seminars on college notice boards and in Students’ Union publications.

For additional information about the service you can read through our web page www.wit.ie/counselling.

Best wishes to you all!

Anne-Marie Phone: 051 302878 Email: amquigley@wit.ie

Louis Nevin Institute Nurse

A big welcome to all new W.I.T. students and welcome back to 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. My name is Louis Nevin and I’m the Institute Nurse here in WIT...

...I work with both the student support team and the Medical Centre to ensure that your time in college is both happy and healthy (and you can have both!).

You will already have got information on the Medical Centre Health Scheme, and forms are still available at Medical Registration stands in the Cork Road Campus and College Street Campus. I would strongly encourage any student who does not have medical cover to avail of this scheme.

As part of my role as Institute Nurse I am involved in organising health promotion education activities on campus throughout the year. Here in WIT we make every effort to work on the philosophy that prevention is better than cure! We will cover topics such as, health and fitness, alcohol awareness, mental health, relationships and sexuality, and environmental health. Some people think that health promotion is a bit of a myth, but I believe it can be magic, and with your help that can happen. So hopefully during the year many of you will contribute to our health/welfare events. Keep an eye out for upcoming events on college notice boards.

I will be based in the Medical Centre in College Street each morning 9.15am – 1pm and every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 2pm -5pm. If I’m not in the office, I can be contacted on my mobile. Please feel free to contact me at any time.

The very best of luck for the coming year and I’ll be chatting to you.

Louis Phone: 087 2724422

Fr. David Keating Chaplain The Chaplain provides pastoral care for students and responds to the personal needs of individual students on a day-today basis. Students are enabled in a confidential and supportive environment to discuss and concerns and difficulties they may have. You are most welcome to drop by and chat in a friendly and informal way.

This service is student based and follows through to home and family life particularly with regard to illness, bereavement and loss. The Chaplain’s priority is to treat students with respect and dignity in all situations within and beyond the institute. The institute Quiet Room is a special place provided for a special purpose. Located on the C corridor (C 41) this is a relaxing room to sit and reflect, to be still and heal the spirit.

All students and staff are welcome here.

With the expansion of the institute, it is possible that some things might go unnoticed. Should you be aware of a student illness, accident or bereavement, we would be grateful if you would let us know immediately.

Students are free to call to the Chaplain’s office at any time and the Chaplain is available to students of all denominations and none.

Phone: (051) 302617

(051) 378878 (After hours) Mobile: 086 3302086 Email: dkeating@wit.ie

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lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender?

However comfortable or confident you may feel about coming to college, it can be a daunting and intimidating experience. It can be even more difficult and isolating if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or have just recently started to question your sexuality. Many students see college as their first opportunity to be open about their sexuality.

Sometimes being out at home isn’t an option they felt they had, due to fear of a negative reaction from parents, family or friends. At college, LGBT students have to decide whether or not to be “out” about their sexuality. This does not necessarily infer being ashamed of being LGBT but is because society assumes everyone is heterosexual. LGBT students come out in order to be themselves, not what society assumes they are. They do it to be honest and to avoid the exhausting and often painful process of being “in the closet”.

coming out

Coming out is a very personal issue. You can scream “I’m gay” from the rooftops or simply say it through casual conversation. Often, the subtle approach is to be recommended: you may find that if you don’t make it an issue, it won’t be one. Regardless of how you feel about yourself and the people around you, coming ‘out’ and being ‘out’ can sometimes be a nerve wrecking time. lgbt on Campus Each experience of being LGBT differs uniquely from person to person.

For most, their experiences depend on how open they are and how comfortable they are with their sexuality. WIT SU wants to provide every student with a safe, relaxed, comfortable environment, where they can make friends with other people in similar situations and find support, inclusion, acceptance and social justice. If you encounter discrimination and harassment, whether overt or subtle, spoken or unspoken, verbal, physical or sexual, from fellow students or staff you do not have to put up with it and you do not have to endure it alone. Seek advice and support from your Students’ Union: they are there to defend the rights of students and to aid in their welfare. Your Welfare Officer, Denise McCarthy would be more than willing to help in this regard. The LGBTRO of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) will also always be available to help give advice and support. Siobhán McGuire can be contacted at lgbt@usi.ie.

LGBT Society

Above all, your college LGBT Officer and LGBT Society can be a source of support, understanding, fun, friendship and even refuge. The LGBT Society aims to create a safe place for you, so you can be yourself. Whatever your sexual orientation, they are there to make you feel welcome. Look out for the LGBT Society during your Fresher’s’ Week / Orientation Week / Clubs and Socs Day. Look it up on the LGBT section of the USI website. And finally...

Being LGBT need not be an issue at all in college but this can depend on circumstances.

Either way, it shouldn’t negatively affect your participation in and enjoyment of your time at college.

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MENTAL HEALTH Mental illness can be defined as the experiencing of severe and distressing psychological symptoms to the extent that normal functioning is seriously impaired, and some form of help is usually needed for recovery. Examples of such symptoms include anxiety, depressed mood, obsessional thinking, delusions and hallucinations. Help may take the form of counselling or psychotherapy, drug treatment and/or lifestyle change.

The more common mental illnesses include bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.

For help and support about mental health issues, feel free to check out our contacts page for helplines and resources, as well as: http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie This website is good for factual information on mental illness: http://www.nami.org/ Talking is a Sign of Strenght, Not a Weakness!

In our quest for physical health, it’s easy to overlook the importance of emotional health. It’s a stark fact that in Irish males aged between the ages 15 & 34 are more likely to commit suicide than be killed in a car crash. Unfortunately over 500 people died from suicide last year in Ireland. With the stresses of modern life depression is a real part of many people’s lives.

What is Depression?

Depression is a condition that can take many forms. We all may experience short lived feelings of sadness in response to disappointments in everyday life. Depression as an illness is more severe & not short lived. It may be associated with negative thoughts such as suicidal ideas, which require urgent treatment.

How to recognise depression: • Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or numb. These feelings are with you most of the day, every day.

• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy. You might no longer bother with hobbies that you used to love. You might not like being around friends. You might lose interest in sex.

• Irritability or anxiety. You might be short-tempered and find it hard to relax.

• Trouble making decisions. Depression can make it hard to think clearly or concentrate.

• Feeling guilty or worthless. These feelings are often exaggerated or inappropriate to the situation. You might feel guilty for things that aren’t your fault or that you have no control over. Or you may feel intense guilt for minor mistakes.

• Thoughts of death and suicide. The types of thoughts vary. Some people wish that they were dead, feeling that the world would be better off without them. Others make very explicit plans to hurt themselves.

Please just remember to talk to someone: Samaritans 1850 60 90 90 Aware Depression Helpline: 1890 303 302 Suicide Helpline: 1850 60 90 90 Fr David Keating: (051) 302617 (051) 378878 (After hours), 086 3302086 Nurse Louis: 087 2724422 Councillor Anne Marie: 051 302878 Or call into Denise(Welfare) in the Students’ Union Office.

Concerned About Suicide Warning Signs • Risk Factors What Are The Warning Signs?

Most people who feel suicidal don’t really want to die, they just want an end to their pain. These are some of the signs which may indicate that someone is thinking of taking their life: • A suicide attempt or act of selfharm • Expressing suicidal thoughts • Preoccupation with death • Depression • Becoming isolated • Alcohol abuse • Drug abuse • Sudden changes in mood or behaviour giving away possessions (such as books, CDs, DVDs)

• All acts of self-harm should be taken seriously • Self-harm is a communication of intense distress • Both males and females self-harm • It is a particular problem for young people • Many people who self-harm are

“If you are concerned about someone... ...show you care, ask the question, call for help.”

How To Respond If you are concerned about someone you can follow these three steps:

Show You Care Note: Some of these warning signs and risk factors can be associated with everyday behaviour. You should look at the overall picture for the person you are concerned about.

However, the more warning signs and risk factors, the higher the possible risk.

care. Say something like: ‘I’m worried about you and I want to help’ ‘ What’s up? I’m very worried about you’ ‘Whatever’s bothering you we will get through this together’

If you, or someone you know is in crisis now and need someone to talk to:

• Contact Samaritans on

1850 60 90 90 (Republic of Ireland) or 08457 909090 (UK including Northern Ireland)

• Contact your local doctor or GP

out-of-hours service, see “Doctors - General Practitioners” in the Golden Pages, Republic of Ireland / Doctors (Medical Practitioners) in the Yellow Pages, Northern Ireland

• Go to, or contact, the Accident and Emergency Department of your nearest general hospital

For details of local health services you can contact:

• Republic of Ireland - the Health

Service Executive between 8am and 8pm, Monday to Saturday on CallSave 1850 24 1850 or visit www.hse.ie

Ask The Question

Associated Risk Factors

• Access to a method of suicide, • Loss of someone close (such as a friend or family member) • Relationship break-up • Impulsiveness, recklessness and risk- taking behaviour • Alcohol / drug abuse

Self-Harm and Attempted Suicide

Many people carry out what are called acts of deliberate self-harm.

Some, but not all, of these acts can be thought of as a suicide attempt.

Don’t be afraid to discuss suicide, asking about it won’t put the idea in people’s heads: ‘Do you feel like harming yourself?’

‘Do you feel like ending your life?’

‘Are you so down that you just want to end it all?’

for Suicide Prevention, Ireland and the Suicide Awareness Coordinators for Northern Ireland with the support of CAWT (Cooperation And Working Together).

Call For Help

Encourage them to look for help: ‘Let’s talk to someone who can help’ ‘I will stay with you until you get help’ ‘You’re not alone and there are people who can help you out of this situation’

www.nosp.ie

www.dhsspsni.gov.uk

Eating Disorders The main eating disorders: Although the term ‘eating disorder’ is applied to a wide range of disturbed eating behaviours, only three conditions are listed in official classifications of eating disorders: • anorexia nervosa • bulimia nervosa • binge eating disorder Eating disorders are complex, life threatening conditions from which people can and do get better with appropriate treatment. Eating disorders can affect anyone, even male students. They can be seen as a way of coping with unmanageable feelings. The term ‘eating disorder’ refers to a group of conditions characterised by severe disturbances in eating, emotional and psychological distress or physical consequences.

People experiencing an eating disorder share many of the following features: • they are likely to have dieted • self esteem is low • there is an over-concern with body shape, weight and size • obsession with food • thinness is seen as a magical solution to problems while weight gain is feared • the person affected is likely to have difficulty identifying and expressing their real needs • they may view their body as larger than it actually is (distorted body image) • they may have problems around control • they may have find it hard to talk about their feelings and to deal with conflict • they may be depressed and may become isolated • they may experience mood swings

Much sensitivity, compassion, respect, understanding and patience will be needed by those around them (family, friends, G.P. and other members of the treatment team). If a person is to be successfully encouraged and supported on their journey towards recovery.

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Healthy Living

What we put in our mouths is big news these days. More Irish people (even students) are overweight than ever before - and it seems as though some new diet comes out every month to deal with the problem. When you’re in college and living away, you no longer have someone to take care of what you put in your mouth. It’s up to you to decide to eat a balanced healthy diet.

The better you eat, the easier you’ll find life in college – whether that’s running for a bus or trying to study for an exam.

But how is a person supposed to sort through all the stories about good carbs and bad carbs, good fats and bad fats, and figure out what to eat to stay healthy? The truth is, the principles of good nutrition haven’t changed, no matter what the latest diet says you should or shouldn’t eat. Whether you need to lose weight or just want to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs, a few simple guidelines can help, even for those of you who are on a tight student budget.

Find the right balance All foods are not created equal. Our bodies are designed to turn food into energy, but we need to fuel our bodies with the right foods for them to work properly. Since carbohydrate needs vary according to your activity level, you should think about how your body processes them. How often, for example, have you felt sluggish after eating a heavy meal, or felt your energy drop an hour or so after eating a high-sugar snack? If you’re an athlete you may need as much as 60 percent of your calories from carbohydrates. But if you’re less active or if you have diabetes, you may need less. Eating balanced meals will give you more energy and help you stay active and fit.

Know how much you’re eating As important as knowing what to eat is knowing how much to eat. As a first step, you should do a reality check on what really constitutes a serving. This is the standard unit of measurement used by nutritionists, and there’s a good chance your definition differs from theirs. For instance, a “standard” serving of meat or poultry is 3 ounces, about the size of a deck of cards. There’s no law against eating two decks worth of steak or chicken, but you should know what you’re getting: Double the fat and calories of a standard serving.

Snacks Avoid that afternoon slump Eating between meals can keep your energy up and your weight down - if you choose snacks that combine carbohydrates with protein for a pick me-up that lasts. Try these: carrots and hummus, apple slices and peanut butter, cheese on whole wheat crackers.

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Choose a frozen fruit treat For a quick and healthy sweet snack, wash seedless grapes, put them in a freezer bag, and toss them in your freezer. Grapes contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps protect your heart, and they’re even sweeter when frozen.

Foods to help you concentrate & beat stress According to doctors when you’re coming up to exams, in order to help to concentrate, you should target the B vitamins, the group largely responsible for the smooth running of the nervous system, and vitamin C, which experts believe we need in much greater quantities when we are stressed than the usual RNI (Reference Nutrient Intake) of 40mg – she probably needs more like 200mg a day. B vitamins are found in many foods but especially pork, bacon, nuts, dairy products, fortified breakfast cereals, lean meat, fish, eggs and wholegrains – so even if you can’t shop regularly, other foods can work in her favour. Tinned oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel (but not tinned tuna) are good, as their omega oils can block production of the enzyme that makes us feel tense when under pressure.

Fresh produce usually has the highest and best levels of nutrients such as vitamin C, but if you have a freezer you could buy frozen vegetables, which contain good levels. Fresh juice is another good source of vitamin C. You should avoid caffeine, as it increases the adrenaline generated at times of stress; water or herbal tea would be better. And drinking plenty of water can help concentration: just 5 per cent dehydration (not enough to feel thirsty) can reduce your ability to concentrate by 20 per cent.

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16 Beau Street (Off Catherine Street) Waterford

MENS HEALTH The fact is that young Irish men are more likely to have their backs waxed or their hair dyed than have their cholesterol checked. Health is a wimpy womans thing. This needs to change!

But you, you’re strong, you’re tough, you don’t care. You’re “a real man” and seeking medical advice would be like admitting to weakness. The end result is that the average Irish male is uninformed, unaware and at risk. The tragedy is that these very same ‘real men’ who ignore their health and become ill affect a whole bunch of other people including their family and friends.

So listen up, guys, and listen hard. Your life is in your hands.

• Health is everything. Every morn- ing you get to breathe in and enjoy a new day. Without health you can not enjoy even the simple pleasures in life.

• Prevention is the key – a few simple checks is all it takes to keep you well.

• Be positive about your health.

Think wellness, don’t think illness.

Keep that body maintained and it will serve you well.

• A healthy body will help you meet the challenges of your increasingly busy and demanding life.

You don’t have to end up poked, prodded and biopsied to within an inch of your life. All you need to do is to remember the important things, the basics. Keep fit, get exercise, eat correctly and consult your doctor if you don’t feel well.

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Most colleges have doctors on campus and they can check any issue that you might have and refer you on should there be a problem. Medical conditions are nothing to be ashamed of – no one chooses to be sick! Unless you jump off roofs for fun that is.

Testicular Cancer what is cancer of the testis? The development of a growth, tumour or cancer in the testicles.

Is it common? It is the most common type of cancer in young men. Almost all cases can now be cured by simple treatment, if found early. The risks are greater if the condition is discovered later, but even then there is a good rate of cure.

Who is at risk? Young men especially get the disease, but the risk is much greater if one testicle is missing or has not come down into the scrotum.

What might you notice? The first warning is generally a swelling, or lump on one of your testicles. This may be painful but is usually not.

What can you do? You must examine yourself once a month. The best time is after a warm bath or shower. Gently roll each testicle between the thumb and fingers. If you notice any lump or hardness see your doctor. It may be harmless but only a doctor can decide. treatment A small operation is performed. If the disease is discovered late, the x-ray treatment or special drugs may be given.

Breast Cancer why do i need to examine my breasts? Finding a tumour before the cancer has spread to other parts of your body can mean the difference between life and death. An annual exam at the doctor’s isn’t enough; breast tumours can grow fast, particularly in younger women. Most breast cancers are first detected by women themselves, so it’s well worth taking the time to do a monthly breast self-exam. It’s best to begin around age 20, so you can learn early on what’s normal for you, but it’s never too late to start. You can still have your GP examine your breasts once a year, but you are more familiar with them and more likely to discover a suspicious lump sooner if you’re checking every month.

How do I examine my breasts?

Some women hesitate to do a self-exam because they don’t know what they’re looking for. Generally, malignant lumps are firm, discrete and immobile. However, many malignant tumours do not fit this description, so any change you feel should be evaluated by a GP. It’s important to remember the old saying, “if it hurts, it’s not cancer” is not true. Also remember that if your mammogram is normal and you find a lump, you should still be seen by a doctor because not all lumps show up on mammograms.

Many women avoid self-exams for any number of reasons: they don’t know how, their breasts are too lumpy, they don’t have time, or they’re too scared of finding something.

GPs stress that women should do whatever kind of exam they’re comfortable with, as long as they get to know what their breasts feel like normally. Don’t, in other words, set yourself up to do something so difficult and time consuming that you don’t do it at all. In that spirit, here are a few guidelines: 1. Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides. Look for any changes in the size, shape, or skin of your breasts, including dimples or scaly patches. Check for dis charge. Any bloody discharge should be evaluated by a doctor right away.

2. Clasp your hands behind your head and again look for changes in the size, shape, and contours of your breasts. Then check again with your hands on your hips, bending slightly toward the mirror with your elbows and shoulders pressed forward.

Ideally you’ll want to get to know every idiosyncratic lump and bump in your breasts, so you can recognise anything unusual. Suspicious lumps may be particularly hard to distinguish if your breasts contain fibroids or cysts, usually harmless masses that occur more frequently as you age. Searching for irregularities can be scary and frustrating, especially since doctors strongly recommend that you have anything suspicious checked. Make an appointment with your GP if you do come across something that seems atypical. If what you’ve noticed is indeed suspect, he or she will probably advise that you have a biopsy.

This involves taking a small sample of tissue from the mass for closer analysis. But even so, it won’t be time to worry; 80 percent of breast lumps that are biopsied turn out to be harmless.

Remember ladies there’s lots of other illnesses out there that you need to be in the know about, get onto our website www.witsu.ie to find out more!!

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unplanned pregnancy Crisis pregnancy is a difficult time in anyone’s life. For students the difficulty of coping with such a dilemma proves daunting. However the resources and variety of support agencies means that decision making is easier. For more information log on to www. positiveoptions.ie For immediate referral to a trained counsellor phone the Irish Family Planning Association on 1850 49 50 51. In the case of a crisis pregnancy it is important to take your time when making your decision.

The options open to a woman are as follows: keeping the baby If you decide to keep the baby there are options and benefits open to you. If you and your partner decide to get married you must consider if pregnancy is a reason to do so. If you decide to stay single there are practical problems to be surmounted. Irish Family Planning and CURA are organisations that deal with single parenthood. The Federation of Services for Unmarried Parents and Children is also worth contacting in relation to housing problems. adoption If you have any doubts about keeping your child and are wondering about adoption, you should contact a Social Worker in an adoption agency (contact the Adoption Board for a list of societies). Many agencies now provide a much broader service for single mothers than just adoption and will help you to look at all the options. You should do this as early as possible as you will need time to arrive at the best decision for you and your baby. abortion The decision to terminate a pregnancy is not one which any person takes lightly. You will need professional non-directive counselling and friendly support from friends, family and/or wider social networks. The time to make a decision is limiting and very often isolating due to persistent traditional beliefs. It is important to remember it is your decision and no one should place undue pressure on how you yourself feel about being pregnant and the decisions you make afterwards. It is important to stress that any woman who does pursue the termination of a pregnancy undertake a postabortion medical check up and accessing counselling/befriending services. The Irish Family Planning Clinic and your Welfare Officer are there to listen and work through the different stages of your decisions in a non directive, non-judgemental and impartial manner.

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Pregnancy Counselling is free of charge to you no matter what your income is, how old you are, or where you live.

PERSONAL

SAFETY

PREPARING TO GO OUT 1. Determine the safest route of travel (the shortest route may not be the safest).

2. Inform your family of destination, phone number at destination, expected time of arrival and return.

3. Inform the person whom you intend to visit of your expected time of arrival.

4. Carry proper change for phone or emergency use.

5. Leave at least two lights on in your house.

6. Leave outside entrance lights on.

7. Lock all windows and doors, including the garage door.

8. Do not hide keys in mail box, above door, under mat, etc.

9. Carry penlight flashlight in your purse.

UPON GOING HOME 1. Locate your house key before approaching house if walking.

2. If you find evidence of intrusion, leave or call the police.

3. If you observe a strange car or person on premises, leave and call police.

4. Enter cautiously and be alert.

5. If an intruder is in your house, leave immediately and call police. Do not attempt to interfere with the intruder’s escape.

TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORT Know your timetables to avoid long waits – especially if you’re alone. Rather than sit in lonely, closed-in shelters, keep to open populated areas in full view of ferry, bus or train. Avoid empty train carriages, and where possible take an aisle seat.Phone for taxis rather than hailing them, and if possible have someone see you off and keep a note of the taxi number.

Sit in the back seat on the opposite side to the driver, and don’t disclose personal information.

AVOID WHILE OUT WALKING 1. Walking alone, if possible.

2. Dangling your purse.

3. Heavily overgrown areas.

4. Alleys and little travelled side streets.

5. Deserted parks and wooded areas, vacant lots and industrial areas.

6. High crime rate areas.

Do walk with authority, displaying an air of confidence!

But with less careful use three or more in 100 will get pregnant. To make the pill as effective as it can be, remember: To take it regularly.

There are a lot myths around about contraception and how a woman can get pregnant.

These are the facts: A woman can still get pregnant: If a man pulls out of her vagina before he ‘comes’. If she has sex when she has a period. If she is breastfeeding. If it is the first time she has sex.

If she does not have an orgasm. If she douches (squirts water or other liquid into the vagina). This can be harmful to women. In whatever position the couple has sex.

Choosing a method you like and feel comfortable with means you will be able to relax and enjoy sex more, without the worry of an unplanned pregnancy. The IFPA’s Virtual Guide to Contraception will give you an idea of all the methods available.

Combined Pill There are two main types of Pill which vary in hormone content and the way they work. The most widely used are the combined pills which combine two hormones, oestrogen and progestogen.

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How effective is it?

Tests show that for every 100 women who take the pill correctly for one year, less than one will get pregnant.

What are the advantages?

• It is a very effective method of contraception.

• It does not interfere with intercourse.

• It helps to reduce heavy or painful periods.

• It may prevent pre-menstrual syndrome.

• It reduces the incidence of noncancerous breast lumps and ovarian cysts.

• It protects against cancer of the ovary and cancer of the body of the uterus (womb).

• Its contraceptive effects are totally reversible.

Are there any side-effects?

When starting the pill some women may experience: breast tenderness, a mild head ache, a bloated feeling, or have some bleeding while taking the pill. Although these can be a nuisance they are not dangerous and should disappear within the first few months on the pill.

Male & Female Condoms Both are barrier methods of contraception. They work by preventing the sperm from meeting and fertilising

the egg. A male condom is a narrow tube, made from very thin, natural latex rubber which is soft and stretchy.

It is closed at one end, and fits over a man’s erect penis. Most male condoms have a ‘teat’ at the closed end, to hold the man’s semen once he has ejaculated (or come).

Are condoms effective contraceptives?

Male condom: 98% affective in proven tests if used properly. It is important to use a quality condom - care fully - every time you have sex, whatever your contraceptive method.

Can condoms help protect your sexual health?

Anyone, male or female, can get a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV, from vaginal or anal intercourse. Using condoms - carefully - every time - helps protect against STIs and HIV infection, what ever your family planning method.

Contraceptive patch It is a thin, beige patch about the size of a matchbox containing two hormones - oestrogen and progestogen.

There is only one type of contraceptive patch available at this time. It is called Evra.

How does it work?

It is the equivalent of a very low dose pill released into the bloodstream through the skin. Its action is the same as the combined oral contraceptive pill; it stops the ovaries from releasing an egg each month.

How effective is it?

When used according to the instructions it is as reliable as the oral contraceptive pill, that is over 99 per cent effective.

How is it used?

Patch is put on and removed in accordance to your GP’s instructions.

The Patch can be placed anywhere as long as it is a dry area and will not rub against any tight clothing. It is recommended that changing the position of each new patch will help to lessen skin irritation.

What if the patch falls off?

If the patch has been off for less than 24 hours no additional contraception is required.

If it has been off longer than 24 hours then another method of contraception is needed for the next 7 days and emergency contraception should be considered if appropriate.

Who cannot use it?

Women who are unable to use the combined oral contraceptive pill. Research has shown that the effectiveness of the patch is reduced in women who weigh over 90kg (14 stone), so for these women the patch may not be a first choice method of contraception.

What are the advantages?

You don’t have to remember to take it every day; you only have to remember to replace the patch once each week

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The Implant An implant is a small flexible tube which is placed just under your skin.

It releases a progestogen hormone over three years.

How reliable is it?

It is an extremely effective method of contraception. During all its initial trials there were no pregnancies reported.

How it works It is a small flexible plastic rod inserted just under the skin (but not seen) of the inner part of the upper arm.

It slowly releases progestogen into the body which stops ovulation. It also thickens the mucus at the neck of the womb making it difficult for sperm to enter. An implant works for three years.

What are the advantages?

- Does not interrupt sex.

- It works within one week of being fitted.

- No pills or injections to remember.

- Stops painful periods.

What are the disadvantages?

Needs to be inserted and removed by a specially trained doctor. In the first year of use, most women have irregular bleeding.

Other possible side-effects include headaches, acne, putting on weight, tender breasts and bloating. Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so you may need to use a condom as well. Removal may leave a small scar.

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Emergency Contraception If you have had sex and did not use contraceptive, or if you think your contraceptive did not work you can use emergency contraception. Where can you get emergency contraception? It is only available by prescription. The IFPA provides an emergency contraception pill service seven days a week from their medical centres. No appointment is necessary for their Sunday walk-in service.

What’s involved?

The pill should be taken within three days of having unprotected sex. They are more effective the sooner they are taken. However they are not as effective as other methods of contraception and do not protect against STIs. How do emergency pills work?

The pills may - stop an egg being released - delay ovulation - stop a fertilised egg settling in your womb How effective are emergency pills?

Very effective. They are more effective the sooner they are taken after sex. If taken within 24 hours they will prevent more than 9 out of 10 pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used.

If taken 72 hours after unprotected sex they will prevent more than 5 out of 10 pregnancies.

What are the disadvantages?

There are no serious short or longterm effects from using emergency pills. Some women will feel sick and have headaches, dizziness, tiredness, breast tenderness and abdominal pain.

S ’ I T S

Pubic Lice/Crabs Symptoms in both men and women: The lice, noticeable in pubic hair, cause severe itching. Some people develop a rash. Small nits or white eggs may appear on pubic hair or in clothes.

Treatment: Special solutions are applied. Wash all bed linen and clothes.

How it is passed on: Close body contact, not necessarily sex, from bed linen or clothes. Cannot be passed on through oral sex.

Genital Herpes Symptoms in men: Small painful blisters appear on genitals and then burst. Flulike symptoms, tingling or irritation in the genital area.

Symptoms in women: Similar to those in men but usually more severe.

Treatment: There is no cure, but an antiviral drug can minimise the severity of the first attack-, which is usually the most serious one.

How it is passed on: Close body contact, intercourse and oral sex. Can cause cold sores on mouth as well. Pregnant women can pass it to the baby at birth.

If untreated: There are no serious medical developments although sores do feel incredibly uncomfortable. On average attacks occur about four to five times per year and are rarely enough to require treatment again.

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Chlamydia Caused by bacterium Chlamydia Trachomatis, it was initially believed that this was a male problem only. Now it is thought to be the most common STI especially in young women.

Symptoms in women: Most women have no symptoms. There may be a vaginal discharge. Can cause recurrent cystitis and/or irregular bleeding. Abdominal pain. Can spread into uterus and pelvis and damage fertility.

Symptoms in men: Creamy yellow discharge from the penis and the need to urinate very frequently accompanied by a burning painful sensation.

Treatment: A two-week course of antibiotics.

How it is passed on: Close body contact, intercourse, very rarely through oral sex.

If untreated: The infection spreads to the reproductive organs in women causing inflammation and pelvic inflammatory disease with severe pain in the abdomen. If it spreads to the Fallopian tubes it will cause blockage and ectopic pregnancies and possibly lead to infertility. Pregnant women can pass it on to the baby during birth, causing eye infection.

Syphilis / The Pox Watch out for this one!

Symptoms in men: A painless, clearly visible ulcer in the genitals and sometimes the anus. The ulcer appears about two to four weeks after infection and lasts about six to eight weeks without treatment. It then heals but it does not mean that the disease has gone.

Symptoms in women: The same as for men, with ulcers usually appearing on or near the vagina and anus. Symptoms often remain undetected.

Treatment: A course of injections or tablets lasting about two weeks. A follow up test is vital to check that the disease has cleared up.

How it is passed on: Close body contact, sexual intercourse. It can also be passed on through oral sex. Ulcers may develop on the mouth as well.

Genital Warts Symptoms in men: Fleshy, painless warts on the genitals and in the anus.

Symptoms in women: The same as in men but harder to detect. Warts can appear internally on the cervix. Symptoms can appear several months after infection.

Treatment: A caustic fluid is painted on to the wart to destroy it. If this is not successful then warts may be frozen cut away or is given laser treatment. It is essential to seek prompt medical help; because untreated these warts can multiply rapidly.

How it is passed on: Close body contact, not necessarily sexual intercourse.

Trichomoniasis Symptoms in men: Yellow-green frothy discharge, but men often have no symptoms and may carry the germs and pass it on without realising it.

Symptoms in women: The same as for men. Discharge has a strong fishy odour, even smellier after intercourse without a condom. The discharge causes itching and irritation in the genital area. Symptoms appear four days to three weeks after infection.

Treatment: A five to seven day course of medication.

Gonorrhoea/The Clap Symptoms in men: Yellow odourless discharge from the end of the penis and burning pain when urinating. Irritation or discharge from the anus sometimes occurs. About one in ten men who have the clap experience no symptoms.

Symptoms in women: Yellow, odourless discharge and burning pain when urinating, pain in the abdomen just below the stomach may also be experienced If the back passage is infected, there may be irritation or discharge. If passed on through oral sex, a sore throat may

occur, such as a chill, abdominal pain just below the stomach, fatigue and painful joints. However, women may experience no symptoms at all.

Treatment: Usually a single dose of antibiotics will clear the infection completely. A follow up test is vital.

How it is passed on: Close body contact or sexual intercourse. Symptoms usually appear two to ten days after infection. It can be passed on through oral sex.

WHERE CAN HELP: Waterford: Waterford STI Clinic, Ardkeen Hospital Tel: 051-842646 (Appointment Only) Dublin: St James’s Hospital, James’s St., Dublin 8 Tel: 01-453 7941, ext. 231/2316 01- 453 5245 (by appointment only) Monday & Friday: 9.30am – 11.00pm Tuesday & Thursday: 1.30 pm – 3.00pm Cork: Victoria Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork Tel: 021-966 844 Mon/Tues/Thurs:9.30am-11.45am Wed: 2.30pm – 4.30pm (appointment only).

Helpline Number: 021-966844 Available on Tuesday: 1.00pm -2.00pm Website: www.ifpa.ie/sti/clinics.html

We’ve all seen Blue Waffle and Special Fried Rice! Dont let that happen to you!

Get it Checked!

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ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR College is the best time you’ll ever have in your life but things can easily go from great to awful if you don’t abide by the law. A silly dare to streak can easily turn into a court appearance!

To save you from the humiliation and shame here’s some simple do’s and don’t to keep you in check!

DO

• Do put away any valuables.

• Do have respect for your neighbours. Make sure you talk to your neighbours and have an agreed time when the party will be over and make sure you respect that agreement. Building good relations with your neighbours is essential.

• The big one!! Do try and keep the party inside and keep windows and doors CLOSED. • Do co- operate if the Guards arrive.

• Do clean up the next day, the longer you leave it the worse it gets, trust me! Don’t forget the front garden too!!!

• Do lock your rooms unless you want to change all the sheets too.

• Do keep the noise down going from the party to town, especially when everyone is getting into the taxis.

• Do have lots of fun.

DON’T

• Don’t let people in that you don’t know.

• Don’t let people wreck your house.

• Don’t be rude or hostile if people ask you to keep it down.

• Don’t take drugs..... Drugs are bad.

• Don’t get too drunk fall asleep and not even make it to town! Also pace yourself when it comes to alcohol, you “don’t want to see a good night wasted”!!!

• Don’t relieve yourself in public and get yourself arrested. Judges tend to come down hard on public soiling offenders. College is for degrees not criminal records.

• Don’t be the person who abuses other people when drunk, be it Guards or foreign nationals, no matter how hard you think it might make you seem, you’re actually just a tool!

Maintaining good relationships with our neighbours is in the interests of everyone. It is important that we are considerate of other people’s lifestyles and property. Criminal acts or behaviour which disturbs local residents or causes criminal damage, will not be tolerated.

NB: Please note under the WIT Code of Conduct if students are reported by local Residents or the Guards for the behaviour you will be called into Disciplinary hearing with the college Authorities, which stays on your Permanent Record and may stop you from graduating from college. So please don’t be stupid and make sure you respect your local community. We hear in the Students’ Union have been working hard to build positive relations with the local communities around the college for the last two years. When a small minority of students behave in a disrespectful manner they do not just disgrace themselves, but give ALL WIT students a bad name and this is simple NOT FAIR. So don’t ruin the fun for the rest of the students who act appropriately and let’s make sure that the good and well established name of WIT students keeps getting stronger.

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Q. Can the landlord increase my rent?

A. If you have a periodic tenancy then you have to pay the increase or try to persuade the landlord not to put the rent up. Legally the landlord can put up the rent as much and as often as he/she likes as long as you are given a week’s notice if you pay rent weekly, or a month’s notice if you pay rent monthly. Unfortunately, you have no option but to pay the increased rent or find somewhere else to live. If you have a lease then the landlord cannot increase the rent during the period of the lease unless it contains a condition that specifically states he may do so.

Q. Can I be evicted at any time?

A. No. The landlord must serve notice to quit in writing, no less than four weeks in advance.

Do’s

Housing advice, the do’s and don’ts guide :

1. Do sign a lease and get a copy.

2. Do take an inventory of everything in the house.

3. Do take note of any previous damage that may have occurred.

4. Do keep everything formal, texts are not sufficient.

5. Do keep a rent book.

6. Do know your rights (www. threshhold.ie and www.prtv.ie) 7. Do know what you’re entitled to in the house.

8. Do check out HYPERLINK “http://www.threshold.ie” www.threshold.ie for your housing rights

Don’ts

1. Don’t give any money without a receipt in return.

2. Don’t take the first place you see or find (chances are there is a better sport for you).

3. Don’t book accommodation without looking at it first.

4. Don’t pay a deposit unless you’re certain of moving in.

5. Don’t sign a lease for any more time than you plan to stay in the house.

6. Don’t let your landlord in unless he’s given at least 24 hour notice NB: At anytime throughout the year if you find yourselves if a spot of bother or may have a queries regarding your Accommodation rights, please just come into the Students’ Union and talk to Denise McCarthy our Welfare Officer (051) 378390 or (086) 7854402 .

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FINALLY: MAKE SURE YOU CALL INTO THE STUDENTS’ UNION TO COLLECT YOUR RENT BOOK, it’s a student must have!

PHONE: 051-856704

FAX: 051-856705

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If you book for the full academic year

2, 3 and 4-bedroom apartments Choice of single or twin bedrooms All bedrooms en-suite Free broadband in every bedroom Television licence fee included 15 minutes walk from WIT Professional on-site management On-site security and CCTV On-site parking Swipe-card access to all rooms Self-service laundry on-site Photocopying service available on-site All-weather sports pitch on-site Convenience Store on-site 10 minutes walk to Waterford City Centre Lift to every floor

Accommodation Office, Riverwalk, Inner Ring Road, Waterford City Phone: 051-856704 Fax: 051-856705 www.riverwalkwaterford.com email: info@riverwalkwaterford.com

Careers

[TOP

SEC • No idea about a career?

RET • Need some help with applications?

• Wondering how to make the most of your work experience? ] Whatever stage you are at with your career planning, we’re happy to help you.

The WIT Careers Centre enables students and recent graduates to proactively manage their careers.This allows you to set realistic goals, make informed career decisions and develop the skills necessary to accomplish your goals by offering a range of professional services including careers information, education, advice and guidance The service also works with employers to enhance their Graduate Recruitment activity in WIT and with academic community to develop careers education within the curriculum.

The following services are an example of what is offered to assist you: Careers Website www.wit.ie/careerscentreand dedicated careers resources on Moodle Careers Fair which is held in October each year Postgraduate Fair in February Quick Query / Drop in Service CV, Application and Interview advice and guidance Visiting Employer Programme Careers Information Library situated in the Luke Wadding Library Workshop /Class room work including Career Planning, transferrable skills, networking E-guidance Careers Newsletter It is always a good time to start thinking about your career and the WIT Careers Centre can offer advice, guidance and support at any stage throughout your time in WIT Careers Advisor and Head of Careers: Angela Collins Senior Careers Administrator: Annette White Careers Administrators: Marie Pickering and Mary Cronin Tel: 051 302038 Email careers@wit.ie Web: www.wit.ie/careerscentre

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General information expenCollege texts books can be ctive effe t cos e mor n sive, it is ofte year ond sec m fro m the se to purcha ut abo stu dents. Ask your lecturers s. tion loca year timetables and class nd atte to you Many courses require per labs. Failure to attend a certain ure fail in ult res may centage of labs t par m for may ts jec Pro of a course. r. yea the for ult res rall ove of your lead Failure to complete projects can are you If to failure of the year. unto due e unable to meet dea dlin ask the foreseen events you sho uld puters Com ion. ens ext lecturer for an availare ess acc t rne with the inte library, able to all stu dents in the ure Leis IT building, Tourism and nce Scie lth and the Nursing and Hea buildings.

Time management at all Keep your diar y with you s, han dtimes and record assignment soon as ups and appointments as -term long on you get them. Work the e hav you projects whenever and m” “cra to ing hav chance; avo id before “pull all-nighters” the night long for le edu sch a ke Ma e. a dea dlin and s oint ter m projects make checkp s Thi se. the give a date to each of reand k trac will help you keep on ore you duce stress. Ver y night bef ks for tas of list a ate go to bed cre ks by tas k Ran . day ng the followi m actheir priority and complete the ed nish unfi cording to their rank. Any rity prio h hig tasks fro m one day get in the following day ’s list.

46

Learning while you rea d le you Try to actively learn whi are you t wha ut abo k thin rea d and to d har rea ding. If the material is apar few a understan d, stop after er lou d graphs and sum marise, eith ow the foll ’t Don es. or by taking not also this as , ers fing r text with you it e mak can and n dow slows you l. eria harder to understan d the mat d rea you Sum marise the materials help in your own words, as this will n whe t ten con you remember the on. r late es not the g you are revisin trations Memorise diagrams or illus to help t tex the any omp that acc er the you understan d and rememb case a in material. Before you beg ns stio que at stu dy assignment, look us foc to e abl be n and you will the d. rea you as wer ans on finding the Assignments have As well as exams you will also dur do to s a number of assignment will s ent ignm ass ing the year, these is It de. gra rall ove r go towards you s ent ignm ass t star to nt ver y importa n tha when you get them rather ute. leaving them until the last min During the exam • Rea d directions carefully. n by • Listen to the directions give er. min the exa ween • Divide time out evenly bet all questions. are • Change answers only if you ng. wro certain they are ck • Use all the time allowed; che d rea reand s over answer time. directions if you have spare

Post exam

and • The minimu m requirement to achieve an ordinar y degree is 40% may ments require Other . degree s honour an achieve then 50% to apply depending on the course. best to • If you fail an exam it will cost you €150 to repeat so do your pass everything.

• Exam results are available on a given date after each semester via the internet.

Appeals: If you fail an exam in a semester and pass in the autumn repeats, you will usually be given a pass result regardless of marks achieve d. If there are extenuating circumstances during the summer exams during the academic year, inform your department immediately so these may be taken into account (e.g. illness).

NB: In the Students’ Union we have a dedicated Education Officer to help you with all your exam queries. So make sure you call into James in the office or contact him on 051378390 for any assistance you may need.

time Set aside a specific y every ud /st cts oje pr to do lp he ll night, as this wi . ine ut ro establish a blocks Study in one-hour self ur yo e and then giv k. ea br a of 15mins

www.pizzahutdelivery.ie OPENING HOURS:

Sun - Thur: 12pm - 12am Fri - Sat: 12pm 12.30am

Delivery Hotline: (051) 858000 Uluru Center, Dunmore Rd, Waterford

The Dummies Guide to Using The Library And Computers in WIT where are the two college libraries?

On the Cork Road Campus the Luke Wadding Library is the big white building with the dangerous revolving doors. In College Street, you can’t miss it; it’s the place with all the books. You cannot gain entry to the Luke Wadding Library without your WIT card. what facilities do the libraries offer?

Individual and group study areas, meeting rooms, computer and internet access, short/long term book loans, the book centre, Oscars (cafe) as well as being a great place to check out the opposite sex.

How to use the computers: When you get your WIT Card you will get a password with it, this along with your student number is all you need to log on to a computer anywhere in the college.

How to print stuff off: Once you are logged in you are able to print, simply select print in the toolbar, then go to the nearest printer scan your WIT card and you should see the paper with all the information you need magically appearing from the printer. Amazing! photocopying Like printing, firstly scan your card, then place the paper you want copied on the scanning table, close down the lid and select how many copies you want, once again you will see your pages popping out and your good to go! renting a book Different books have different tags. Some are short term only, some are long term and some can only be viewed in the library. It is important to know what you are taking out and how long you have it for, library fines are a serious pain and can end up being costly. To rent just take the book to the reception desk along with your card and you’re sorted!

the do’s and don’t guide to your library

DO • Attend here throughout the year.

• Use the many photocopying and printing facilities in the building for assignments.

• Use the computer service in the library.

• Get used to the opening and closing hours.

• Use the dedicated search computers to navigate information and material in the library.

• Familiarise yourself with the library, and where most of your course material will be based.

• Bring your WIT student card as this will gain you access to the library foremost and without it you cannot rent a book or use any of the copying or printing machines.

• Try your best to keep quiet at all time’s as the library is a study place and not a meeting point for a catch up with friends despite some students beliefs.

• Return books on time.

• Try to look your best at all times in the library as you are being checked out from the second you walk in. FACT! DONT • Annoy others by talking on your phone, texting constantly, listening to loud music on your ipod even if you think nobody can hear you.

• Have low funds on your WIT card when going to the library to photocopy or print material, come prepared.

• Bring messy food and drink into the library, there are canteen’s throughout the campus dedicated to providing comfortable area’s to eat in, the library is not one of these areas.

• Leave your books at a study space all day to hold a space for you when you’re not there, this will frustrate others at peak times.

• Have any overdue books as a fine will be implemented on your WIT student card for every day its late.

• Leave printing to the last minute as this could end up being a disaster!

F I X E D F A R E S -­ C H E A P E S T P R I C E S 051

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Templars Hall to WIT €5

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City Centre to WIT €6 Manor Village to WIT €5

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20 things to do before you leave WIT!!!

1. Do a J1.

2. Fail an annual exam, go on holiday, come back two weeks early, study your ass off, repeat exam and pass by the skin of your teeth.

3. Become involved in all the Students’ Union Fundraising activates (great for the old CV!!!).

4. Get addicted to social networking sites.

5. Do the walk of shame.

6. Run for election for Society/sports/ Class Rep/SU Executive.

7. Go into a lecture being a little bit tipsy.

8. Stay up all night with a friend solving the world’s problems.

9. Get STI tested.

10. Make up nicknames for all the girls/ guys in college.

11. Get drunk with your favourite lecturer.

12. Steel a garden ornament/stop sign on the way home from town.

13. Try and chat up all the cute first years.

14. Sleep through an exam and forget to get up.

15. Try and live on 10 euro a week (excluding rent).

16. Go on a class bonding/session on random occasions.

17. Fall in love.

18. Bask in the sunshine outside the library on a hot day with and nice cold ice cream in hand and enjoy people watching.

19. Have the craic during Raise and Give week and get involved in all the activities.

20. Get a degree and then leave!! (eventually...this is the toughest one!)

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Student Special

Special drinks promotions Mondays & Tuesdays All Day & Night Ideal venue for class parties, 21st Birthdays, Societies & Graduations

Weekly Life in WIT Sunday

Ruby’s nightclub is a must on a Sunday, with free admission it is the only way to start the college week. With bags of cash at the start of the week there is no better way to splash the cash. Ruby Lounge is also a great way to start the week with brilliant live bands that will have you singing along.

Monday

After a stressful first day in college with a sore head, what better way to cure all than hitting the Dome Bar for a fun filled night ahead. Last year the Dome bar produced some fantastic Monday night entertainment with many of the events sold out in advance!! Another spot to hit is Bad Bobs, with live bands playing on Monday’s, student deals and a great atmosphere Bad Bobs is a great place to be on a Monday night.

Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday’s all the way, with free admission to Ruby’s and a night full of old school 70s, 80s and 90s music, Ruby Tuesday’s is the place to be at. Also Dignity have a selection box night on a Tuesday where you decide the songs and video’s played and act as the DJ from 9pm on

Wednesday

Were not to go, on any given Wednesday any of the pub’s and clubs will have good DJ’s and live bands playing for your entertainment, late bars such as Mason’s, Muldoon’s, Revolution and the Kazbar are all popular . Electric Avenue is a great spot for live bands and gig’s while Oxygen is a young and energetic nightclub and as always Ruby’s never fails to disappoint on a Wednesday, however Harvey’s late bar is most popular with students on a Wednesday, with free admission, student deals, the most spectacular smoking room in the south east and not to mention the famous Long Island Ice Tea’s from the cocktail bar make Harvey’s a must on Wednesdays.

Thursday

It’s the end of the week, funds are low, and food is being rationed throughout Templers Hall so you need to make your money stretch. Ruby Thursday’s is Ladies night, with free admission ladies you will have a great night and lads if you can’t pull on ladies night, you seriously need to take a look at our how to pull guide. Again Harvey’s is most popular on a Thursday night as they always aim to please the student body. I will say to new student’s that the key is try out all the pubs and clubs and see which ones are right for you, and when you find your favourite club, don’t go there every week as you will be sick of it by the end of the college year, try to go to new place’s and try everything.

OPEN 7 NITES A WEEK Mon - Sun Late Bar & Dj Every Nite and IT’S ALL FREE!

Harvery’s - The No.1 Student Venue For a Great Night out !

This is your ideal venue for Class Parties, 21st birthday’s and Graduation Celebrations !

To arrange bookings contact Mark on 085-8227532

Waterford Institute of Technology Students’ Union Structure Supporting Student Life Waterford IT Students

SU Constitution

Class Council

Executive Committee

President

Deputy for Education

Deputy for Welfare

The Medical Centre at Waterford Institute of Technology

STUDENT MEDICAL SCHEME The WIT Health Centre was formed in March 1987. The aim of the healthcentre scheme is to provide medical and nursing care to students who often put their health low on their list of priorities. We at the Medical Centre provide a holistic approach to student healthcare.

This scheme is provided by Dr Sharon O’Donnell, Dr Sean McBrinn, Dr Lisa O’Neill, Dr Caitriona Mooney, Nurses Gerardine Harrison, Tara Bourke, Eleanor Rossiter, our Practice Manager Jean Hubbard and our team of secretarial and receptionist staff.

Dr Caitriona Mooney MB DCH DME DCP MICGP

We hope to be able to provide ongoing care for those with medical and psychological problems when they are away from their families.

Finally, we aim to help parents alleviate their concern for their children’s health while at college.

REGISTERING WITH THE MEDICAL CENTRE

Annual fee: € 100 (one hundred euro) for the Academic Year ( September - May).

This would entitle the student to unlimited visitations to the two surgery premises (WIT campus and City Centre) and to the Nurses, Week-days 9am - 5pm. (Friday 4pm).

Some procedures such as cryotherapy/smear test/travel vaccinations etc, may incur an extra charge.

Dr Sharon O’Donnell MB MRCOG MRCPI

MEDICAL CARD If you hold a current medical card, attendance at the Medical Centre is covered as with

your own GP. Students aged 23 years and over may apply for a Medical Card as MATURE STUDENT STATUS. This application to the Health Board is means tested.

Dr Sean McBrinn MB DCH PhD MICGP LFOM

OUT OF HOURS

Any visits outside the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday and on Bank Holidays will now be covered by CAREDOC @ 1850 334 999 and will incur a payment as per the doctor on duty. Medical Card holders are seen without charge in the Out of Hours Service.

NON REGISTERED STUDENTS TO MEDICAL SCHEME AND NON MEDICAL CARD HOLDERS

Dr Lisa O’Neill

Students who do not wish to join the scheme or do not hold a current Medical Card will be requested to pay the following fees every time they attend either at the College or our City Centre Surgery.

MB DCH DOWH MICGP

Attendance to Doctor €40.00 each visit Attendance to Nurse Out of Hours

€20.00 each visit As above

Please complete the Medical Centre Registration form overleaf should you wish to join our Medical Scheme for the year described above.

PTO

Nurse Gerardine Harrison SRN

WIT EVENTS 2009-10

! d e v l o v In t e G ! e r e h Get Out T