Focus this Week:

• Registration, Orientation, Familiarisation with academic programme, staff, campus and other students

1. Attend all orientation sessions
2. Collect your student card
3. Print out your timetable for Week 1 lectures late in the week, as classroom numbers may change throughout the week

There are no formal lectures during Orientation Week. This is a week whereby you will complete all the relevant paperwork to register for University, get your student card, go to the different talks that are scheduled throughout the week and enjoy the many student events arranged by the Students' Union. It is a preparatory week and a week which allows you get used to your environment before the lectures begin. It is also a key week to meet new people and get to know your class group – these are the people with whom you will be doing projects, taking part in group work and socialising for the next three or four years. Relax and take it all in…this year is going to fly by!

Orientation Week Schedule

Map of DCU

Overview of Orientation Week

Talk 1 – President's Address

You will be welcomed by DCU's President, Professor Brian MacCraith, in The Helix. This is also the first time you will meet your fellow students and begin to get a feel for university life.

Talk 2 – Student Support

This talk will give you an overview of all the student support services available to you during your time at DCU and will provide a comprehensive overview of what you can expect at university over the coming years. Third level is quite different to second level education and this talk will point out how to successfully work through to an honours degree in 3 or 4 years time.

Talk 3 – Students' Union

At this meeting you will receive an introduction to Clubs and Societies in DCU, which is really important to help you settle in and make friends. You will also meet the members of the Students' Union Executive, the Senior Sports Development Officer and you will be brought on a campus tour.

Talk 4 – Academic Address

This is an important talk, as you will meet with the academic staff who will teach you during the coming year. You will also meet your Programme Chairperson (course leader) for the first time. Staff members will provide information such as booklists, timetables, module content and they will be able to answer any questions you may have about your programme at this time.

How to read your Orientation Schedule - In front of you, you will see terms such as CG12, HG20, J118, and XG01. These codes correspond to the buildings around DCU and what floor and room number you are in.

• A = Albert College
• C = Henry Grattan Building
• H = Nursing Building
• L = Computer Applications Building - Across from the Spar shop
• N = Physics/Electronic Engineering Building
• Q = Business School
• S = Engineering Building
• T = Terence Larkin Theatre (circular building opposite the Helix)
• X = Science Building

The next number/letter is the reference to the floor:

• G = Ground Floor
• 1 = First Floor
• 2 = Second Floor and so forth…

And finally, the last two numbers correspond to the room number itself. You won't need much with you this week, as you will receive your student information pack from Student Support & Development. In this you will receive all the information you need to know, a pen and a Student Diary & Planner. So your note-taking is made easy!