Negative thoughts drain you of energy and keep you from being in the present moment. The more you give into your negative thoughts, the stronger they become. One small negative thought can turn into a negative mind frame (if you let it). A negative mind frame has a much worse affect than you realize. For example, your happiness suffers because you constantly see the world through a dirty window. However, one small positive thought can have almost the opposite effect and can completely transform your frame of mind and in turn, your life.

Personally, I have been an awfully negative person in the past. Events, people or things would make me feel happy and positive for a short period of time but between these highlights in my life I never felt optimally happy. I didn't even realize how negative my mind had really become. I couldn't single out negative thoughts because I was so used to thinking this way.

Now I'm older and I am trying to better myself and become more self-aware. I listen to people who have a positive mindset and are grateful for all that they have and are always trying to better themselves. People such as Aaron Smith and Rob Lipsett are fitness folk who use mediums like Instagram (@mrfly, @roblipsett), YouTube and Snapchat to spread their messages. Their positivity is literally infectious! Daily exposure to these amazing people through social media has really helped me to rewire my brain. The tips Aaron shares on his Snapchat have been particularly useful.

For those of you who find yourselves in a similar struggle with terrible thoughts, here are some other tips that I have been finding helpful in transforming my frame of mind:

Being Grateful

I have downloaded an app called 'Bliss' which allows you to complete different exercises which have been proven to increase happiness, positivity and other desirable mental traits. The exercise in the app which I use most often is the 'gratitude journal'. I typically list three things every day that I am grateful for (major or minor) and why I am grateful for them. For example, "I am grateful to have a roof over my head because many are not as privileged."
You will really start to perceive your life differently after just a few days.

Not Letting the Snowball Roll

Negative thoughts tend to have a snowball effect. One just leads to another and suddenly there is a large snowball of negativity rolling all by itself! The trick is to stop the negativity before the snowball starts to roll. Stop yourself in the moment and re-evaluate what is going on rather than just thinking negatively which will not solve any problems.

Putting a Positive Spin on it 

Okay, we all go through really unpleasant crap in our lives and it's hard to be 'positive Polly' all the time. However, almost every circumstance has some positive aspect that you can bring focus to when it feels like everything is falling apart. For example, maybe you got sick and can't go to that amazing party your friend is having. It really sucks but you will be feeling better in a week and just think of all the Netflix you can watch in the mean time!
I am so grateful to people like Aaron and Rob who make such a positive impact on myself and hundreds of others daily, purely fuelled by the desire to help others.

I won't tell you that I think staying positive is easy, because I would be lying. I find it challenging and sometimes I go off on a negative tangent. But I give myself a reality check and pick myself back up. If I don't take charge of my happiness no one else will.

Overall it is totally worth it and I am all the better for the effort I put into practising positivity.

If you’re over 24 and either unemployed, parenting alone, or you have a disability, and you receive certain payments from the Department of Social Protection, then you could be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) to take on a postgraduate course.

The BTEA can only be granted for certain postgraduate courses.

In this article:

What is Back to Education Allowance?

The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a payment that helps people who are unemployed, are getting a One-Parent Family Payment or have a disability, to attend approved second-or third-level education courses.

What postgraduate course can I study under Back to Education Allowance?

The types of postgraduate courses covered by the Back to Education Allowance include:

Other types of postgraduate qualifications are not recognised by the BTEA. This includes MA, M.Sc, M.Eng, M.Phil., MBA and Professional Graduate Diploma.

You cannot qualify for BTEA for a postgraduate course if you already hold a postgraduate qualification, unless it is a Springboard course.

Am I eligible for Back to Education Allowance?

To qualify for the BTEA as a postgraduate student, you must be over 24 and be getting a qualifying social welfare payment. You must have been accepted onto a qualifying course.

If you are aged 24 or over and getting Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Incapacity Supplement for the required period (3 months or 9 months), you may also qualify.

What are the qualifying social welfare payments?

The qualifying social welfare payments for postgraduate BTEA are:

How long do I have to be receiving payments before I qualify?

For higher level courses, you have to have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment for 9 months. For the Professional Masters in Education (PME) you must have been getting your qualifying social welfare payment for 12 months.

You must be getting the qualifying payment immediately before you start the course.

You do not have to have been getting your qualifying payment continuously. If you’ve been on other qualifying social welfare payments or getting credits over a period of time that was not broken up by up to 12 months, this can be used towards determining if you qualify for BTEA.

Other payments that can count towards you qualifying for the BTEA include time spent on:

This provision only applies where you have established an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment immediately before you start your course of study.

Getting the BTEA and other payments

It’s important to be aware of the other payments you can and cannot receive while on BTEA.

Student grants

You cannot get the maintenance component of the student grant and the Back to Education Allowance together.

Although you cannot get the maintenance component of the student grant, you must still submit a student grant application form. This means you can be assessed for a fee grant to pay your Student Contribution (or Registration Fee).

Other payments

If you are getting a One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment or a disability payment, you can choose either to stay on your current social welfare payment and apply for a student grant, or you transfer to the BTEA. If you transfer to the BTEA, you will not longer qualify for the maintenance grant. It is up to you to pick the option that benefits you most.

Normally, if you are studying full-time, you are not entitled to Rent Supplement unless you are getting BTEA.

Work and BTEA

You cannot work full-time while receiving BTEA. If you work part-time while receiving BTEA, you will be assessed under the rules (including means assessment) that apply to their primary payment. The primary payment is the payment that you received before BTEA. You will not get BTEA during the summer months if you are returning to college for the next academic year.

You might receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit during the summer period if you meet all the conditions associated with the payments. If you are getting a One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Transitional payment or a disability payment before getting BTEA, you will continue to be paid BTEA during the summer as long as you are returning to the course.

How do I apply for BTEA?

It will be up to you to make arrangements when it comes to getting accepted to a course. Here are some steps to start:

Contact a college or university

First off, contact colleges and ask for details of the courses available.

Apply for the course of your choice

It’s your responsibility to get a place on the course of your choice. Try to get your application in well in advance. You must apply for Back To Education Allowance before your course starts (or within 30 days of the course starting).

Complete the Back to Education Allowance Application

When you have been accepted on a course, you will be asked to fill out a BTE 1 Form. To access this form, contact your local Intreo or Social Welfare Office or find it online here. You must be recommended for the BTEA by a DSP Employment Personal Advisor, or if you’re a jobseeker making a new BTEA claim, a job coach.

You must get written confirmation that you have registered as a full-time day student from the college registrar or admission officer. You will not get payment of BTEA until you give this confirmation letter to the Department of Social Protection. Send your application to the section of the DSP that deals with your primary payment. 

For more information about the rates of payment, and where to apply, check out the Citizens Information Website.

If you’re over 21 and either unemployed, parenting alone, or you have a disability, and you receive certain payments from the Department of Social Protection, then you could be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA). This could give you the opportunity to take part in a third-level education course.

What is the Back to Education Allowance?

Back to Education Allowance are payments that can help you to advance your education. BTEA is only paid for courses that start in Ireland or Northern Ireland. You can get paid BTEA for a year abroad (Erasmus) if the year is a mandatory part of your course. This must be verified by the admissions office of your college.

What type of third level courses are covered by the Back to Education Allowance?

You can attend any third-level course in an approved third level institution. The course must be a full-time day course and be approved for the Student Grant Scheme or be approved by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Not all QQI courses are approved for BTEA.

You must be starting your third-level course at year one, generally. But you may be eligible for BTEA if you:

How do I qualify for Back to Education Allowance?

In general, to qualify for the BTEA you must be over 21 and have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment listed below for nine months or more. You must have been accepted onto a qualifying course.

The qualifying social welfare payments for BTEA are:

There are some exceptions to the age condition for BTEA. If you meet the following criteria, you may also qualify:

If you are aged 18 or over and getting Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, One-Parent Family Payment or Incapacity Supplement for the required period, you may also qualify.

Getting the BTEA and other payments

It’s important to be aware of the other payments you can and cannot receive while on BTEA.

Student grants

You cannot get the maintenance component of the student grant and the Back to Education Allowance together. However, you can apply for a fee grant. This covers the student contribution and any course tuition fees not already covered by the Free Fees Scheme. Essential field trip costs may also be covered under a fee grant.

Other payments

If you are getting a One-Parent Family Payment (or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment) or a disability payment, you can choose to stay on your current social welfare payment and apply for a student grant. Alternatively, you can choose to transfer to the BTEA (but you will not longer qualify for the maintenance grant). You can make the choice depending on which option benefits you most.

Normally, if you are studying full-time you are not entitled to Rent Supplement unless you are getting BTEA.

How long do I have to be receiving payments before I qualify for BTEA?

For third level courses, you have to have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment for 9 months. You must be getting the qualifying payment immediately before you start the course.

You do not have to have been getting your qualifying payment continuously. If you’ve been on other qualifying social welfare payments or getting credits over a period of time that was not broken up by up to 12 months, this can be used towards determining if you qualify for BTEA.

Other payments that can count towards you qualifying for the BTEA include time spent on:

This provision only applies where you have established an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment immediately before you start your course of study.

Can I work while receiving BTEA?

People getting BTEA who start work during the academic year will be assessed under the rules (including means assessment) that apply to their primary payment.  You will not get BTEA during the summer months if you are returning to college for the next academic year.

You might receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit during the summer period if you meet all the conditions associated to the payments. If you are getting a One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment or a disability payment before getting BTEA, you will continue to receive BTEA during the summer once you are returning to an approved course.

How do I apply for BTEA?

It is up to you to choose, apply to and get accepted to a course. Here are some steps to start:

Contact a college or university

Contact colleges and ask for details of the courses available.

Apply for the course of your choice

Try to get your application in well in advance to avoid any last-minute panic, and to be sure you’re making the right decision. If you want to start a course in September of any given year, it is a good idea to begin planning in January.

You must apply for BTEA before your course starts (or within 30 days of the course starting).

Visit your local Intreo Office

When you are accepted on a course, visit your local Intreo or Social Welfare Office. You must then fill out a BTE 1 Form.

You must get written confirmation that you are registered as a full-time day student from the college registrar or admission officer. You will not get payment of BTEA until you give this confirmation letter to the Department of Social Protection.

For more information about the rates of payment, and where to apply, check out the Citizens Information Website.

The Back to Education Allowance at second level gives those who left school early a chance to gain a qualification.

If you’re over 21 and either unemployed, parenting alone, or you have a disability, and you receive certain payments from the Department of Social Protection, then you could be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).

This could give you the opportunity to attend a second-level course at any secondary, community, comprehensive or vocational school.

What kind of course can I do on BTEA?

The course must be full-time and lead to a certificate recognised by the Department of Education and Skills or approved by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), for example:

How do I qualify for Back to Education Allowance?

In general, to qualify for the BTEA you must be over 21 and have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment. You must have been accepted onto a qualifying course.

However, if you are aged between 18 and 20, are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment, or One-Parent Family Payment for the required period (3 months, 9 months or 12 months), and have been out of the formal education system for at least 2 years, you may qualify.

If you are aged 18 or over and getting Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Incapacity Supplement for the required period (3 months or 9 months), you may also qualify.

Qualifying social welfare payments

How long do I have to be receiving payments before I qualify?

For second level courses, you must have been getting a qualifying social welfare payment for at least 3 months. You must be getting the qualifying payment immediately before you start the course.

You do not have to have been getting your qualifying payment continuously. If you’ve been on other qualifying social welfare payments or getting credits over a period of time that was not broken up by up to 12 months, this can be used towards determining if you qualify for BTEA.

Other payments that can count towards you qualifying for the BTEA include time spent on:

This provision only applies where you have established an entitlement to a qualifying social welfare payment immediately before you start your course of study.

How do I apply for Back to Education Allowance?

It will be up to you to make arrangements when it comes to getting accepted to a course. Here are some steps to start:

Contact a school or college

First off, contact your local school or college and ask for details of the courses available.

Apply for the course of your choice

It’s your responsibility to get a place on the course of your choice. Try to get your application in early. You must apply for BTEA before your course starts (or within 30 days of the course starting).

Complete the Back to Education Allowance Application

When you have been accepted on a course, you will be required to fill out a BTE 1 form. To access the form, visit your local Intreo or Social Welfare Office or find it online here. You must be recommended for the BTEA by a DSP Employment Personal Advisor, or if you’re a jobseeker making a new BTEA claim, a job coach. 

You must get written confirmation that you are registered as a full-time day student from the college registrar or admission officer. You will not get payment from BTEA until you give this confirmation letter to the Department of Social Protection. Send your application to the section of the DSP that deals with your primary payment.

For more information, check out the welfare website.

If you have no or low income, you could be entitled to Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

What is Supplementary Welfare Allowance?

Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly payment you can get if you do not have enough income to meet your needs or your family’s needs.

Am I eligible for Supplementary Welfare Allowance?

If you have claimed a social welfare benefit but it has not been paid and you have no other income, then you might qualify for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance while you wait. However, the amount paid while you are waiting will be deducted from your social welfare payment later.

If you have returned to work, you can claim the basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance for up to 30 days while you are waiting to get your wages.

To qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance you need to:

You will not normally qualify for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance if you are in full-time work or education, or if you are involved in a labour dispute.

What is the means test for Supplementary Welfare Allowance?

Your income must be below a certain level to get Supplementary Welfare Allowance. To find out if your income is low enough to qualify, the Department of Social Protection does a means test.

The means test will calculate your income from work, savings, social welfare payments and other sources. It will not take into account certain payments such as SUSI grants and Child Benefit. If you are living with a partner or in your family home, some of their income may also be taken into account. Find out more about what is assessed in the Supplementary Welfare Allowance means test.

How much is Supplementary Welfare Allowance?

The amount of Supplementary Welfare Allowance that you will receive depends on certain factors, such as your age and whether or not you are living independently. Find a current list of Supplementary Welfare Allowance rates.

How can I apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance?

It is a good idea to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance as soon as your need for it arises. You can contact the Department of Social Protection’s Community Welfare Service at your local administering office for more information. Find an office administering Supplementary Welfare Allowance near you.

What do I need to apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance?

To apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance, you will need the following:

For more information about this payment and other social welfare supports, contact your local Intreo Centre or social welfare office.

Find out more about receiving social welfare payments.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

Losing your job is tough, and it can be particularly hard if it happens through no fault of your own. Unfortunately, there will always be cases where businesses close or have to reduce their staff. In these cases, employees can be made redundant, meaning that their job has ceased to exist and they therefore won’t be replaced.

Redundancies can be collective, when a number of employees are made redundant in a 30-day period, or voluntary, where a company needs to cut jobs and asks for workers to volunteer theirs.

What is the difference between redundancy and dismissal?

Being made redundant is different from getting dismissed (“fired”). In a redundancy, your job has ceased to exist, while being dismissed means your employer intends to replace you with someone else. Head over to our article on Getting Fired if you think it’s more suited to your situation.

Reasons for redundancies

Redundancy can occur for a number of reasons, including the following:

What are my rights?

If your job is being made redundant you have certain entitlements if you’ve worked for the employer for a certain amount of time. These are redundancy payments and redundancy notice. You are entitled to at least two weeks’ notice of redundancy, and more if you’ve been working with the company for over two years.

In order to qualify for a redundancy payment, you must have worked continuously for your employer for at least 104 weeks while you were over the age of 16. This can be part-time or full-time work. Full-time employees must have been making Class A PRSI payments (the most common kind of PRSI). You are also entitled to any outstanding pay, including holiday pay for time off you’ve earned but not yet taken.

You should receive the pay owed to you from your employer on the day you officially become redundant. If you don’t, use this RP77 form to apply for what you’re owed. If your employer is refusing to pay, you can apply to the Social Insurance Fund using this online RP50 form from the Department of Social Protection.

Unfair redundancy

If you believe you have been made redundant for unfair reasons, you can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission via their website. If you’re a member of a trade union, you should talk to your union representative before taking this step. You can’t make a complaint and claim the redundancy payment.

Your redundancy may be unfair if any of the following is true:

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

Disagreements in the workplace can have a seriously negative impact on people’s abilities to do their jobs, particularly if it involves a dispute between workers and their employer. That’s why the Workplace Relations Commission offers a Mediation Service to help resolve smaller disputes in the workplace, such as a breakdown of working relationships or grievances over procedures.

What is workplace mediation?

Mediation is a confidential service that lets employees and employers work with an appointed mediator to try and find an agreeable solution to their problem. Both sides of the dispute need to agree to engage with the service for it to be a success, and one side can’t force the other into taking part in mediation. Anyone is free to withdraw from mediation at any stage.

How could mediation help me?

The main advantage to workplace mediation over more serious methods of dispute resolution is that it’s informal. It’s mainly there to facilitate effective communication between the sides and help them solve their problems without resorting to legal battles or industrial action. Mediation doesn’t impose a solution to the issue, just helps the parties find their own workable compromise. The mediator is neutral throughout the process.

Mediation strives to make sure every person involved in the dispute gets the chance to have their say and be involved in coming up with a solution. There isn’t a fixed procedure for how it should work. It can involve one-to-one meetings between individuals and the mediator, group meetings or other arrangements depending on the circumstances.

If the mediation process can’t produce a solution that is acceptable to all sides, the mediator will offer guidance for what to do next. This will probably involve moving on to more formal methods of dispute resolution, including adjudication by the Workplace Relations Commission and potentially an appeal to the Labour Court.

How to apply for workplace mediation

You can apply to the Mediation Service using this online form from the Workplace Relations Commission. You should include the names and contact details of all people involved in the dispute, the number of people it affects and a brief summary of the problem. It’s strongly recommended that both sides apply jointly for mediation. If only one side applies, the Mediation Service will work to get both on board but can’t force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.

If the issue is about employment rights and both sides have made the application, you may be offered the Early Resolution Service (ERS). If both parties find this acceptable, the ERS will offer mediation services over the phone.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

Taking industrial action is any action taken by a group of workers to try and convince their employers to do something, for example to raise pay rates or reverse a management decision. Industrial action is usually only taken after other options, such as talking with management, have failed.

What are the types of industrial action?

Going on strike

This is the most well-known form of industrial action. It’s when workers withdraw their labour, either for a set amount of time or until they receive a better deal. Examples of workers going on strike include the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) going on strike from the beginning of 2019.

A picket

This is an organised demonstration outside a workplace, usually done by striking workers to raise awareness of their demands.

An overtime ban

This is where employees agree amongst themselves to work only the set hours in their contracts, turning down any overtime work. The goal is to inconvenience workplaces that rely on extra hours without going on a full strike.

A work to rule

This is where employees agree amongst themselves to do nothing but the tasks explicitly set out in their contracts. The goal is to inconvenience workplaces that rely on employees doing extra tasks without going on a full strike.

What is the role of Trade Unions?

Employees taking part in effective industrial action will usually be members of a trade union. Trade unions act as advisers and representatives to workers in industrial disputes, and allow employees to be represented on a more equal level with management. You have more legal protections while taking industrial action if you’re in a trade union than if you aren’t. You have a constitutional right to join a trade union if you wish and can’t be penalised or fired for engaging in union activity. If your union advises industrial action, it will only go ahead if the majority of members in your workplace vote for it through a secret ballot.

Examples of Trade Unions in Ireland 

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is the single umbrella organisation for Trade Unions both in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The groups in the ICTU are organised under these headings: 

What are my rights?

You don’t have a legal right to take industrial action but there are legal protections for some workers who do so. These protections are stronger for workers who are members of trade unions.

The main protections are:

Risks of going on strike

There are risks to taking industrial action, especially striking, that you should be aware of:

For this reason, you generally shouldn’t strike without the support of a trade union and the majority of employees in your workforce. You can find more information on the laws surrounding industrial action in Ireland at Citizens Information. 

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

You’re an agency worker if you have an agreement with an employment agency to work for another person. The agency will contact you when a temporary job comes up in a company and you’ll carry out the work for a set amount of time. Companies contact the agency rather than you directly. As an agency worker you don’t have all the same rights and protections as other workers, but you do have some and it’s important to be aware of them.

Your rights as an Agency Worker 

When you go to work for a company as an agency worker, you must get equal treatment to the regular employees in your new workplace. This applies from your very first day until your temporary job comes to an end. Your rights are the same as everybody else when it comes to the following:

Temporary agency workers must also be told about any opportunities for permanent work with the company if and when they come up.

The agency and the company: who is responsible for my rights?

When you’re an agency worker doing a temporary job it can sometimes be a little confusing who your actual employer is. In terms of your worker’s rights, your employer is usually the person who is actually paying your wages. This can be the agency or the client company you do temporary work for. They are responsible for making your tax and PRSI contributions out of your wages. Always ensure you find out who is actually in charge of paying you before you start a job so you know who to talk to if things go wrong.

Some exceptions to this general rule are your rights to protection from unfair dismissal (firing without a good reason) and good standards of health and safety: both are always the responsibility of the company where you’re doing the temporary work, and not of the agency.

How to make a complaint

If you feel your workplace rights as an agency worker are being abused, you can make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission here. If you aren’t sure or just need more information on what your rights are as an agency worker, the WRC also offers an information service you can contact.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

New chapter in your life

We’ve officially waved goodbye to summer and have said hello to early mornings and 9am lectures. Thousands of Irish students will be entering a new and exciting stage of their lives this September, the start of their college years. It’s a daunting and overwhelming time for 1st year students, but it is a big moment that marks a brand, spanking new chapter in your life and in my opinion it’s one of the best chapters by far.

The most important thing to do is to study something that you’re passionate about, whether that’s English at Trinity, Culinary Arts at IT Tallaght or Radio Programming and Production at BCFE. Pick a course that is right for you. Don’t waste your time on a course if you don’t care about it or feel like it’s not right for you. There’s no better feeling than going into class and learning about something you love. Back in secondary school I used to hate sitting in my higher level Irish class listening to my teacher go on and on about the importance of Irish grammar. Studying something you dislike or have no interest in leaves you feeling drained, so make sure you are studying something you adore.

Preparing for day one

You don’t want to start your new course off by feeling unprepared and exhausted, so make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before. I know many of us would prefer to stay up late watching Stranger Things on Netflix, but you’ll regret it when you’re dozing off in your seminar about what books you’ll be analysing for English Literature class. Set a handful of alarms on your phone, hop into bed with a good book and a pint of water and I guarantee you’ll wake up feeling a lot better and ready to face your first day. Irish Mammies are right when they say “you need to get your full eight hours sleep”.

Another important thing to remember is transport. Your college may be a twenty minute walk from your house or it may be a two hour bus trip from the city, so give yourself plenty of time to get to college in the mornings. The Dublin Bus app was a lifesaver when I was travelling to college out in Dun Laoghaire. The real time app shows you how long your bus will take to get to your stop, so you won’t have to miss your breakfast before college (I understand how important that 8am bowl of Coco Pops is). One thing to invest in when you start college is a Leap Card. Transport fees are incredibly expensive, especially for us students who are only working part time. The Leap Card is my saving grace when it comes to saving a few bob. Instead of paying full bus fares you pay the Leap Card fee which is a lot cheaper than the regular fare (you’ll save yourself at least 65 cent per trip). Plus you don’t need to rummage around in your purse for change which is another bonus.

Looking after your body and mind

Your lifestyle is going to change a lot when you start college. You’ll become a lot more independent, especially if you’re moving out of your family home, so you need to remember to take care of your body and mind. The social side to college is a lot more hectic than it was in secondary school, mainly because everyone is now over 18 which means you can legally drink. College night outs will take up a lot of space on your calendar. There’ll be drinks in the local pub after a late lecture, late nights out in Coppers with the majority of first year and Society Balls where you can get another wear out of your debs suit again. These events may be the best fun but you need to remember what your limit is. Too much alcohol consumption will leave you feeling sluggish and lazy. There’ll be a lot of pressure on you to join in on taking shots or having another drink instead of getting the bus home, but do what feels right to you. Stick to your own limit and drink water in between drinks. When you’re going home make sure you stick with a friend or two, walking home alone or getting a taxi or bus alone at night isn’t a safe or wise option. Don’t forget that there’s nothing wrong with drinking at your own pace or leaving a club early. Do whatever you are most comfortable with.

I know eating leftover pizza for breakfast may seem like a dream to you but you can’t let it become a staple in your diet. If you do start drinking more in college you can’t neglect your diet either, it’ll have a dangerously negative effect on your health. Try and eat as much fruit and veg as you can. Do your best to avoid eating takeaway every night of the week, your body will not appreciate living off a diet of spice bags and pizza. Exercise is something you shouldn’t neglect either, go for a stroll with your friend after class or join the college gym and go two or three times a week. You don’t need to do anything strenuous, something as simple as a half hour swim will leave you feeling refreshed. Plenty of colleges will have running clubs, basketball teams and Maynooth even has a trampolining society.

Embrace your true self

The main message I’d say to any first year student is to be yourself. I know it’s a cliche, but it’s the most important thing I’ve learned throughout my college years. College is a place where you can embrace your true self. You’ll learn so much about yourself over the next few years. You’ll discover hidden talents, new passions and find your own sense of style now that you’ve waved goodbye to that hideous secondary school uniform. You’ll also make friends that will have an unbelievably positive impact on your life. Join the societies that interest you, go to social events that tickle your fancy and don’t be afraid to say hello to your classmates. Embrace every minute of your college years and don’t take them for granted.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr Seuss.

A migrant worker is anybody who works in a place that is not their country of citizenship. Around 10% of the Irish population is estimated to be made up of nationals of other countries, with the biggest groups being British people and citizens of other EU countries. Migrant workers contribute around €3.7 billion to the Irish economy every year, but many face difficulties knowing and using their rights in the workplace.

If you’re a migrant worker, you have the same rights and protections in work as Irish nationals. It’s not legal for your boss to discriminate against you based on your accent, your nationality or the colour of your skin. Use this handy guide to know your rights and stand up for them if you think they’re being ignored.

Who can work in Ireland?

Before taking up work in Ireland you’ll have to make sure you have official permission to do so.

Citizens of countries that are in the European Union have an automatic right to live and work in other EU countries. This means, if you’re an EU citizen, you can take a job in Ireland without an employment permit. You also don’t need an employment permit if you’re from Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland due to agreements between those countries and the EU. Although the United Kingdom has voted to leave the EU, the effect this will have on British workers in Ireland is currently unclear.

People who have been granted refugee status or permission to remain in Ireland on humanitarian grounds don’t require employment permits. Students from non-EU countries don’t require permits if they work up to 20 hours a week during term time, or full-time during holidays.

If you’re a citizen of a non-EU country that isn’t mentioned above, you’ll need to get an employment permit to legally work in Ireland. There are nine different types and you can find out how to apply here. Once you have a valid employment permit your rights in work are the same as any other employee’s.

What are my work rights as a migrant?

Your work rights as a migrant are the same as any Irish worker. There are no special rates of pay, annual leave or tax conditions for migrant workers. You have the same protections from workplace discrimination and bullying as employees who are Irish citizens, and discrimination based on your race or religion is illegal.

Some examples of workplace rights you are entitled to include:

How to make a complaint

If you feel your workplace rights are being violated, there are a number of things you should do. First off, make sure you write down the details of any incidents as soon as you can. You should also take down the names of any people who saw what happened in case you need to back your story up later.

If possible, you should bring complaints to your employer or manager directly. It’s also a good idea to talk to a trade union representative if your workplace has one. If not, you can try get in touch with a trade union branch in your local area to see if they can be of assistance.

If you can’t talk to your employer or the situation isn’t being fixed, you will have to make an official complaint. For most workplace complaints, you can fill in an online form at the Workplace Relations Commission website.

If your complaint is related to a Health and Safety issue, contact the Health and Safety Authority through the methods on this website. If your complaint is about non-payment of tax, you can contact the Revenue service directly. If your employer hasn’t paid PRSI, inform the Social Welfare Inspectorate here.

Make sure to carefully read the requirements of each body before you send in your complaint. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need some extra help, you can talk to the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland. The MRCI is an organisation set up to fight for the rights of migrant workers in Ireland and can offer advice and guidance on what to do if you’re unsure. 

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.

Having a tough time and need to talk? Text SPUNOUT to 086 1800 280 to chat anonymously with a trained volunteer. Standard text rates may apply.

There are many misconceptions about people who have suicidal thoughts or who die by suicide. As a result, there are people who could be feeling suicidal who might not reach out for help, because they might feel misunderstood.

In order to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important we understand more about the topic and be able to separate myth from fact.

8 myths about suicide

Here are 8 myths you might have heard about suicide:

Myth #1: Suicide happens without warning

People thinking of suicide may talk or act in ways that indicate they are planning to die by suicide. Find out more about some of the warning signs.

Myth #2: People who talk about suicide don’t actually go through with it

Most people who die by suicide have given definite warning signs of their intention. Some of these signs are direct, others are more subtle. Learn more about these warning signs. 

Myth #3: People with suicidal thoughts are absolutely intent on dying

People with suicidal thoughts can have mixed feelings about living and dying. They may not want to die, but they don’t want to live the way they are living, and may not be able to see an alternative other than suicide. Learn more about suicide.

Myth #4: Once a person thinks of suicide, they will have those thoughts forever

Suicidal thoughts may return, but they are not permanent. With support, it is possible to overcome suicidal thoughts and they might never return again. 

Myth #5: An improvement after a crisis means the suicide risk is over

Some suicides happen when things seem to be getting better because the person now has the energy and can turn suicidal thoughts and ideas into action.

Sometimes, people may appear in better spirits following a crisis because they have formed a plan in their mind to end their life. 

Myth #6: Suicide happens mainly among people from poor backgrounds

Suicide happens in all groups in society, and can affect anyone. Learn more about who is at risk of suicide.

Myth #7: You are either the suicidal type or you’re not

Anyone could feel suicidal, even if they don’t have a history of suicidal thoughts or behaviours. Suicide can affect anyone, and no one person is the “suicidal type” or not.

Myth #8. Talking about suicide is a bad idea as it may give someone the idea to try it

The best thing you can do if you are worried about someone is to talk to them about it. Often, people feeling suicidal don’t want to worry or burden anyone so they don’t discuss it. By asking about suicide you give them permission to tell you how they feel. Once someone starts talking they’ve got a better chance of discovering their options beyond suicide. Find out more about how to talk to someone who might be suicidal. 

Some content thanks to the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Visit yourmentalhealth.ie for information on mental health in Ireland, and how to support yourself and the people you love.

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