NCI Blog

Starting college is an exciting time for any undergraduate student. Meeting new people, exploring a new campus and potentially living away from home for the first time are just some of the changes you may face as you embark on this next stage of your educational journey.

This week marks Dyslexia Awareness Week. Dyslexia is the label given to a learning difference that one in ten people have been diagnosed with. It affects the fluency and accuracy of reading and spelling.

As it's Dyslexia Awareness Week, we want to highlight that at NCI, we focus on abilities rather than difficulties which students with dyslexia may experience.

Your college years will be filled with so many enriching experiences. You will make friends for life, join a mix of clubs and societies, attend educational and social events, and it will all lead up to the day you graduate with your classmates.

This is a guest post written by Conor Thompson, Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Coordinator at NCI. Conor completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Further Education in 2020 after which he joined the NCI team to support students with a diverse range of educational needs and learning differences. He transitioned into his current role to promote inclusive learning strategies across the College. Conor explains what UDL is, how it is implemented at NCI and lists some useful resources in this article.

As NCI students moved to online classes almost one year ago, it’s time to check in to see if you’re engaging with the learning material, seeking support and advice when you need it and motivated to study independently.

Many of our prospective students are curious about what online learning might look and feel like as they commence their college careers during a time of global pandemic, which limits the amount of on-campus time they can enjoy.

To give students a certain level of certainty during this unpredictable time, National College of Ireland confirmed that classes would continue to be delivered online for Semester 2 in November. During this time, returning and new students have access to a number of useful resources from various departments in the college. We have compiled a list* of helpful links to websites, guides, tips, advice and other resources that will support you while studying away from the physical college environment.

As the new academic term approaches, we are excited to announce that National College of Ireland has partnered with Specialisterne Ireland to promote and support the employability of autistic students and graduates of the college.

Here at NCI, we realise that college life can sometimes get a bit stressful. The reasons for this can range from a heavy workload and deadlines, to personal difficulties. During college hours every student of NCI can avail of our Counselling Service, which provides an opportunity to discuss any difficulties they may be experiencing with a qualified person. However, what happens outside college hours?