When I was in my first year of college in 2016 I was so clueless (not much has changed) that during my first day on campus I didn’t know my way back home.

Thankfully, the Vice President for Welfare at the time showed me the way, but just from that small conversation with him, I felt very welcome and started to feel enthusiastic about college. Rather than having the fear about making friends and getting involved with college life.

About a month later, I became a class rep and went on a bonding trip and that’s where I met some of my best friends nearly four years later. I’ve also met a lot of interesting people from attending class rep councils and national student union events.

Student Unions

The student union is there to advise, represent and assist students during their time in college. They provide a range of supports and services, and they definitely play a strong role in the development of students through non-academic student experiences.

We can help with anything – whether it’s related to your academic study or if you’re having personal problems. Student unions are not judgemental and they actually want to make sure that you’re happy and having an enjoyable college experience.

Student unions also organise events throughout the year on campus. Whether it’s supporting the annual Seachtain Na Gaeilge or recognising and encouraging students to speak up during Mental Health Week, they’re always very busy!

Students would not have the same experience without having somewhere chill to go and sit with friends during the day, or without all the fun events and campaigns student unions host throughout the year.

As well as that, they’re very good at handing out college necessities – whether it’s free tea and coffee, highlighters or pens during exam time, ice-creams in the summer, or the all year round condoms. All this stuff is appreciated by students and very handy to have.

I’d really recommend getting involved with your student union because it does make college a more enjoyable experience.

It’s not an intimidating thing, as everyone is in the same boat. You can join in on the craic at any stage; you don’t have to wait until the next class elections in September to do so. Just knock on their door to ask how you can take part in the councils and events.

My Experience

I’ve been a class rep for three years and was recently elected as DCUSU Postgraduate Officer.

I initially ran for the role because I wanted to help people and ensure that people in DCU have the same enjoyable experience that I’ve had myself.

One of my fave things I’ve done so far is working as a facilitator in DCU’s Smart Consent programme last year, where I was taught how to speak about consent in a way that made everyone feel comfortable.

We talked about consent and how it should be enthusiastic, sober, ongoing, mutual and freely given. We spoke about how consenting to one act is not consenting to all acts. These smart consent workshops were optional in DCU, but they always have a large attendance.

This is just one of the many things that DCUSU have done in aid of the students, but it’s one I would consider very important.

When I first started, college consent wasn’t a topic of conversation. But now, it’s so vital to know about it and to initiate it whenever necessary.

It’s great that DCU is bringing this topic to the table and making it a normal topic of conversation, rather than lecturing students and forcing them to learn about it.

Class Representatives

Class reps offer the voice of regular students up to their student union reps. This means that everyone from the Student Union President to the Welfare Officer know what students want and expect from them. They are literally the eyes and ears of any university’s student union.

Their interaction with the student union can have a genuine impact – even on a national level.

Class reps have made the headlines. They’ve spoken up and had their voices heard and student unions provide them the platform to make a positive difference and to inspire others.

Many class reps bring up the more taboo topics and lead a lot of movements. They have such a powerful voice and that’s why they should never be overlooked.

USI

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) represents 374,000 students in third-level education in Ireland. They're a membership organisation and have members in both Northern and the Republic, and host a congress every year which is the democratic heart of USI.

It’s the place and time where students from all across Ireland can discuss issues with their peers, and where the policy and leadership for USI is voted on.

Academic institutions send students to represent them and vote on important matters regarding campaigns, welfare, academics and much more.

It’s a pretty full-on experience which lasts for about four days, but it’s also an experience I will always remember.

It’s great craic and just lovely to meet people from other colleges with the same passions as you.

#BreakTheBarriers

#BreakTheBarriers is a national USI campaign that focuses on the high cost of third-level education in Ireland.

College education is becoming inaccessible for many due to high fees (from €3000 per year), and the USI is keen to tackle this problem.

The campaign launched in September 2019 and will last for a full year. The current support grants are clearly insufficient and even the highest grant wouldn’t cover the cost of student accommodation in Ireland.

#BreakTheBarriers was originally launched to ensure that the Government considered students in the 2020 Budget. But, unfortunately, they didn't.

Hopefully the campaign remains strong and politicians listen and act on behalf of students in next year’s budget.

Campaigns like this that highlight the important of student unions and engagement in the day-to-day running of your academic institution. Remember, you can always make a difference.