on a less self indulgent note - Bye Shizuka

Guess we all know by now that Shizuka has left the course. She's disappointed about leaving but hoping to defer til next year. We'll miss her on the team, she had many hidden talents starting to shine through. She was my first physics lab partner and got me through the procedure without a hitch. She'll be busy in the meantime, working and studying part time. We wish you all the best Shizuka and sorry we didn't all get to know you more. Mind yourself  xxx

This is the key to my new house in cork .........

...... which hardly seems relevant to college, but now it means I can take my stuff out of boxes, file my books and college notes and actually have the space to study, write, organise myself!!! I've been feeling temporary and stressed for the last 3 weeks, trying to get used to getting up in the morning, commuting, studying, meeting deadlines ......... while looking for a place to live.  Had to skip Botany in Clonakilty today to sign the lease, get the keys etc... but I can get the notes off my classmates. I studied Horticulture before so of all the subjects it'll be the easiest to catch up..... and yes indeed Olga, I know I'm not the only one when it comes to chemistry :) I'll have a more difficult commute but it's a lovely quiet area, ideal for the more mature student. Having my own place also means I can finally bring my dog down to Cork, which will give me that sense of permanency. She's being minded in Westmeath at the moment.

and this is my dog .........

..... couldn't resist putting this up cos she's sooooo cute. When she's here with me in Cork, it means I've arrived!!!

'Addicted to Caffeine'

   Week 3 and all going reasonably well.I now know all my classmates on a first term basis.We have elected our class rep. and there is talk of us all hitting the town for a social drink over the weekend.Sadly our japanese classmate seems to have dropped out but we as a group hope to stay in contact with her.

   Have decided to get up that little bit earlier in the mornings so as to secure a much sought after and necessary parking space.Have also noticed that my daily caffeine intake has reached new levels,I am finding it rather difficult to keep my attention levels up in the afternoon,must find a herbal caffeine- alternative as after all I am studying Herbal Science.Andy Duffy

Heading in the right direction (slowly)

Week 2 in college is done. I’m slowly finding my way around the CIT buildings and I can find the location of my locker.

Yesterday we had our first day in the chemistry lab. I have never been in the laboratory before so I was feeling anxious. We performed an experiment on Copper Sulfate. I enjoyed it a lot and now can’t wait for the next lab. Unfortunately I am not looking forward to the chemistry lectures. Their level is much higher than I expected (Maggie you are not the only one). I’d better get a good chemistry book!

People at work were very helpful and finally I have sorted out my working hours. I was very worried last week that I could lose my job but the stress has passed now. I’m moving house this weekend, thinking about packing gives me shivers... Hope you all had a good week!

Olga Lesniak

Week Two;only Ninety Four to go

Settling in nicely, know most of my fellow first year Herbal Science class by their first names, if only remembering the contents of some of the lectures was as easy !! Anyway have my accomodation sorted which is a huge relief, am staying in Ballinhassig, a little village roughly five miles from C.I.T.

College life seems to be going well. Am possibly drinking too much coffee during the day, it's the only thing that keeps me from falling asleep during the afternoon classes. My only bone of contention is the lack of parking space in the college. Too many students and not enough car spaces.

Andy Duffy

la la la la la la la............

Well I was never a great swimmer but I'm sinking already!! Day 2 Week 2 and I'm struggling. I go into Chemistry all eager and expectant and come out with a brain full of porridge. Luckily I can ask for help and I'm already tapping into support nextworks. Funny, I though Physics would be the problem, but so far it's just number crunching. I'm sure I'm not the only one struggling, though I'm probably the most vocal about it!

I'm usually exhausted after my day in college, Thursday is the only chance for a lie in. I'm hungry all the time too, my brain's not used to this level of usage and needs fuel - I'll be as big as a house by the time I'm finished this course. Eating 2 full dinners a day. It's not all doom and gloom, I am enjoying being a student. I love learning and I was expecting to be challenged. I can get the threads of most stuff, just have trouble knitting it into a recognisable garment.

We've been told in the Creativity Module that we have to produce a newsletter. We were all a bit alarmed at how quickly everything is moving, especially as our group is group 1 and we were chosen first with a deadline of 1st October - that's only Friday week! Siobhan agreed to give us a week's grace and hand it in the 8th October - collective sigh of relief and we'll have a group meeting Thursday.

It was societies day today so I  signed up for the Yoga. I keep forgetting my mantra of "slowly gently calmly..." or was it "get a move on I haven't got all day".  Had to resort to Rescue Remedy today to calm me down. Anyway, reminding myself to breathe..........
Maggie

Shizuka Nakashima - a busy bee

I moved to Ireland after having a bit of a hectic life in Japan, and decided to return to education to study herbal science, which I have been interested in for a long time. This is the first week in the college and I am still trying to get used to student life in Cork Institute of  Technology. I studied Food Science in a post leaving certificate school until this May. I hope the basic prior knowledge about sciences I got there will help me to have a smooth start here. Today I am in Clonakilty to do a Botany module with my classmates enjoying the picturesque sunny view from the window. Looking forward to the challenge !

Maggie O'Keeffe - calmly gently slowly

After 3 years of unemployment I was nervous and excited about relocating to Cork from Dublin to start the Herbal Sciences course. I'm midway through the first week and absolutely exhausted from the early mornings and the long days - and we haven't even had a full day yet! I spent the first two days like a headless chicken trying to find my way around the campus, think I've got the hang of it now. Day 3, Wednesday, the class went to Clonakilty for the Botany aspect of the course. I did my FETAC level 5 in horticulture, so felt I had a head start in this subject, but realise now that I've forgotten more than I know! Better start revising. I think for me the biggest challenges will be chemistry and physics. My sense of panic and anxiety is gradually subsiding and I'm remembering to breath ..........

Olga Lesniak - busy times

My first week in college is very stressful, juggling college work, housework, and my part time job. I've met many interesting people and other friendly faces. I'm stressed because I have a part time job, five evenings a week, working in a hospital, so my day begins at 7am and finishes very very late. However, hoping to sort out things and enjoy studying. My teammates are confident that everything will fall into place for me! Let's plant some herbs now!!

Andy Duffy - a fresher start

This is my first week in CIT. So far so good. Meeting lots of new people, trying to get my head around the new environment and timetable. Today I have come with my class to Clonakilty Agricultural College. What a beautiful view from the canteen! Looking forward to the future. Wish me luck. Peace and love.