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Dear Agony Aunt,
by Grainne Coyne
I’ve recently started seeing this guy and things are
Overheard in NUIG
going really well. I’ve already met his family and friends, and now he wants to meet mine. The trouble is, nobody knows I’m gay, and I’m afraid of how to tell them. I’m really worried about how they’ll react. Scared and Confused, 23 Dear Scared and Confused, It’s natural to feel some apprehension at the thought of introducing a new boyfriend or
Matthew Sheridan: Girl coming out of
maths, Girl says to her friends: I saw our
the library: ''I really should read some
class rep yesterday and I was like ‘oh aren’t
books the next time I go to the library''
you our class rep?’ And he says ‘I have a girlfriend’”
Niamh Murphy: Random guy: "Ah yah wouldn't really call it a threesome with
Claire O'Malley: Two guys walking out
those two though... they'd like cancel each
of the Kingfisher
other out..!"
girlfriend to your friends and family. Don’t feel pressurised into something you’re not comfortable doing. Talk it over with your boyfriend; explain that your family and friends
Paul Colclough: Dr. Su-Ming Khoo while
don’t know about your sexuality and that you need some time to tell them before he can
talking about Quantitative Easing in a
be introduced. He may have had a similar experience when he came out.
lecture: “Sounds like someone taking a great big shit if you ask me.”
your life based on how they may or may not react. The best thing to do is be open and
Niamh Ruane: Random guy in the
honest. Don’t be discouraged if they’re a little shocked or surprised by your news; they
Concourse: "Yeah but you aren’t ever really
joining a religious organisation, or mentioned some political affiliation they never knew you had, they would react the same way. Their surprise is not necessarily indicative of homophobia.
Guy2: "I'll let you be 118 this time?" Guy1: "....okay." Kevin Pigott: Lad in concourse on the phone: “...if yah bring him to the vet...make
You may feel worried about telling your family and friends, but you know you can’t live
may just need to get used to the idea. Remember, if you suddenly expressed an interest in
Guy1: "I'm not dressing up as the 11850 lads again."
sure to take the hat off him”
friends with a girl unless you think there’s a
Fionn Murphy: Guy: “You know I share
chance you could ride her, right?" Followed
my birthday with Helen Keller”
by sounds of agreement from all the other
Girl: “Oh was she in Cuba last night?”
guys he was with.
Pantera Dowlers: Outside the Bank of Christopher Cosgrove: Overheard
Ireland on the concourse:
However, if you do encounter any discrimination or abuse take a firm stand against it.
outside lecture theatre: Girl 1:"Why do you
Speak to the SU Welfare Officer, visit the College counsellors or chaplains, or join
wear a bra?"
GiGSoc., NUIG’s LGBT Society. They’ll be able to advise you on how to treat these
Girl 2:"Because it would be kinda weird
instances, and where to report them. Additionally, they’ll be able to offer you support and
and uncomfortable if I didn't"
Guy 1: "Did yah stick it in?" Guy 2: "yeah, sure I rammed it in!" Guy 1: "and......" Guy 2: "I didn't get it back, so I presume it
friendship.
Girl 1: "I just where one to fit in!”
was swallowed" I presumed he just lost his bank card, that
Good luck! Agony Aunt
Hannon McGough: On our way out from
or he had an eventful night on the town
Mature Students – a big part of NUIG This year a record number of students applied for college places – a staggering 71,000 – almost twice as many as are available, and of these, 19% were classed as ‘mature’, up from 17% last year and a huge increase from the 9,000 who applied in 2007. So what is a mature student? It certainly is not an assessment of an applicant’s development, as most ‘mature’ students will tell you that they are very young at heart; I for one don’t see myself as anything but a teenager in an older body. As far as college applications are concerned, being mature only means that you are aged 23 or over and have never been in full-time third level education before. NUIG’s enrolment of mature students is one of the best in the country. There are currently 1,003 on campus, 384 of whom (myself included) are registered as freshers. This is approximately 15% of the undergraduate students, according to Trish Hoare, Mature Students Officer. While the majority of NUIG mature freshers are in the 23 to 28 age group, 9% are over 65, which makes for a really mixed demographic. With so many people either returning to college or attending for the first time after the first flush of youth, it isn’t hard to blame the recession on the rocketing numbers of applications. A survey of this year’s mature students showed that 77% were unemployed before starting college. However, getting a degree isn’t just something to do while waiting out the slump. Mature students all have a goal, be it self-development, a career change, increasing chances of employment or a particular field of study in which they hope to continue on to gain a postgraduate degree.
Support for mature students in NUIG is extremely good and this year 100% of applications came through Trish’s office. Over three-quarters of the new intake took part in the Return to Learning programme for mature students, all of whom would recommend it to anyone starting next year. There is only one Mature Students Officer for the whole campus (including post-grads) but Trish is readily accessible and she responds to emails very promptly. Facing the daunting prospect of returning to study after what can be a very long time is much easier when you know you have an understanding person to talk to – many of us have already availed of this support already! Of course, college has its ups and downs for everybody, not just mature students. The academic challenges are the same for all students on campus. However, while those who have come to NUIG straight from school have to deal with living away from home and all that entails, many mature students have families, some of whom will have moved to Galway with them. When the college day is over, instead of heading to the pub, or society and club meetings, it’s home to turn from student to parent for some; caring for elderly relatives for others; or just trying to hold down some sort of a job – sometimes all of the above! Whatever brought you to college, whatever your circumstances, just remember that being a ‘mature’ student is only an indication of what age you are on campus – forget being mature and just enjoy the experience of being an NUIG student! By Barbara Preston