The internet offers people opportunities that they never would have had before. People can talk face to face with people across the world. People can find the answer to any question usually within seconds. And it gives people the opportunity to access education and develop new skills.

How to learn new skills online

There are so many different things you can learn online. A lot of them are free or cheaper than they might be in person.

1. Online courses

You can do an online course in almost anything. There are courses in coding, blogging, marketing, and photography to name a few. Sometimes websites offer bargain prices on courses for a limited time, but there are also free online courses available too.

If you are interested in doing an online course, do some research beforehand, particularly if it’s one you have to pay for. If they say you will get a qualification from it, look up where it’s accredited. Accreditation means that the qualification is approved by a recognised organisation. You can also look up reviews or forum discussions about the course you are interested in.

2. Tutorials

Searching for tutorials online is a great way to learn a new skill. The most popular kind of tutorial is a video tutorial, but there are written tutorials available too. YouTube is a great place to search for tutorials and will usually have lots of videos to choose from, so if the first one isn’t helpful, you’ll most likely find another.

Tutorials can help you with an immediate problem, such as:

They can also help you to develop a skill, such as:

Whatever you want to learn, there is most likely a tutorial online for it.

3. Apps

Another great way to learn new skills is by learning through an app. Apps can offer a different learning experience to other online resources. Multiple resources can be integrated into one app meaning your learning experience can be more accessible and enjoyable. Some can be free, maybe with the option to upgrade to premium, and some will have a fee.

Because apps are designed for smartphones you can access them more often, such as while on public transport or in a waiting room. Some of the things you can learn through apps are:

There are so many educational apps you should surely be able to find one that suits you.

4. Podcasts

There are podcasts on all sorts of topics available these days, which can make them a useful learning resource. They can also be a good accompaniment to something you’re learning elsewhere. Search for the topic you’re interested in online or on a podcast app. Podcasts are particularly beneficial for languages, as hearing the language on a regular basis can really help with your learning.

5. Audio Books

You can learn new skills through audiobooks. Audiobooks are recordings of books available to download or stream. There are audiobooks about most things you can think of. If you want to learn something new but don’t think you’ll be able to read an entire book on the subject, try the audiobook version instead. You’ll be able to listen while you do other things.

You can download audiobooks from your local library for free using an app on your phone, meaning you can listen to them anywhere.

6. E-books

E-books are another great way to access books online. Accessing an e-book means you don’t need to carry physical books around with you if you have limited space, and you can access them at any time.

E-books can be downloaded onto an e-reader, but it’s also possible to access them on your phone, tablet, or laptop. There are so many different skills you can learn from e-books – whatever you want to learn, someone has most likely written a book about it, and some college textbooks even come in e-book form.

E-books can be accessed for free from your library. Some people self-publish their e-books for free, but try to choose books written by people qualified or experienced in the subject.

7. University-run online courses

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are online courses run by universities. They are often free. MOOCs integrate different online resources like:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) started MOOCs in 2001. Since then, they have evolved and different colleges and universities have gotten onboard.

There are a lot of MOOCs available for free but some charge a fee to access content. Some, but not all, free MOOCs require payment for certain features such as assessment and asking the lecturer questions.

It’s fair to say that many of us often overlook the simple things in life. The simple things of having somewhere to be, of making a plan and then following through, does wonder for our sense of purpose. As a result of the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, I had to self-isolate for 14 days at home and fill my downtime by reading books, listening to music, talking to friends, watching Netflix and doing anything besides allowing myself to get caught in the vortex of Coronavirus anxiety. And you know what? All of that activity made me realise how many simple things I took for granted and why I should be more grateful for several things.

Here is a list of things I feel I took for granted before the Coronavirus. I’m sure we all have similar thing that we’ll be more appreciative of when this is all over.

1. Social interactions

A huge part of any relationship is about being there, about showing up, about listening and about the little things. Just meeting a friend to go hang out or a hug when one is needed, really means a lot more to me now that such activities are off-limits. I have come to realise that just having someone tell me a joke, no matter how childish, feels so much better in person than it does online. I also dearly miss having plans with people, not big, life-changing ones but little things like walks and chats in a coffee shop because to me, it feels more supportive than any social media conversation.

2. Going to the gym

To tell you the truth, I had never thought a lot about what motivates me to sometimes go to the gym. I really miss having something that gets your blood pumping, especially when you’ve spent the past two weeks watching TV from under the covers and how important exercise is in helping you feel strong and accomplished.

3. Being in college

It’s a great luxury for me to be in college, even though I often moan and groan about assignments. Going to lectures, meeting deadlines, having presentations to create and classmates to see, are things that I am beyond grateful for now. I learned that having someplace to go, like a university, is an amazing thing. Those few hours a day when you have something else to think about besides the coronavirus was a blessing in disguise.

4. Going to the shop

Is there anything more beautiful right now than the thought of a fully-stocked supermarket with shelves packed to the brim of all those bare necessities? Nowadays, the sight of a pack of pasta alone is one of the great miracles and has made me realise how easy it is to take food for granted. I can’t thank the supermarket staff enough for working so hard to keep the shelves stocked at a time like this and appreciate how hardworking you are with such challenging social distancing measures.

5. Eating in cafes and restaurants

Sometimes it’s all about the atmosphere, such as when you get a freshly baked bagel early in the morning and people-watch from a coffee shop. Then it’s dinner time and it’s all about tucking into the freshly roasted beef, topped with thick gravy, fluffy mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables from this wonderfully well-lit and nicely decorated restaurant. Or how about a few pints with some friends in the local pub while supporting a football match on TV. These are the atmospheres I can’t wait to dive into and enjoy again.

Being in self-isolation for 14 days is awful. It’s a full-body experience. Every nerve ending feels the strain constantly, and every second feels like an eternity in your head. But by allowing myself to lean on my family for support, their strength and love made me strong enough to endure some serious self-isolating times. Since I’ve finished self-isolation, I have set simple goals and am working on achieving a few of them every day, like maintaining a blog, working on my filming skills and generally inching my way back to living like normal. This is a hard time for most people and it’s ok to miss thing things you loved doing before, but it’s so important we stay at home and stay apart. If I can get through it, we all can.

Throughout primary and secondary school, I didn’t really take part in any extracurricular activities. I wasn’t a particularly sporty person, so I didn’t really know of any clubs I could take part in, apart from a chess club I was in in primary school. This all changed after I finished my Leaving Cert, when I was given the opportunity to start volunteering with a mental health service in my town.

My first volunteering experience

At first, I was quite nervous about joining, because I didn’t really know what to expect from it. As soon as I went into my first meeting, I found myself surrounded by friendly people around my age that all shared a common passion. It was a welcome change from the school environment I was used to. I had come to the conclusion that everyone who went to school was just there to get out of school, so to find a group of people that were working, not to get out, but to help make a difference for the better was inspiring.

Not long after I started volunteering, I was being presented with opportunities left, right and centre. From helping organise and attend events, to presenting to local politicians on the importance of mental health services. If you had asked me to do any of these things before this, I would’ve laughed and told you to find someone better suited to the task. With this organisation, I was able to put myself forward for these opportunities, knowing I would have a group of people surrounding me to help me along the way, to encourage and support me.

Confidence and happiness

Volunteering and getting involved also had an effect on my personality as well. I was finding myself more confident and happier in general. I was talking more openly with my friends, about how I was doing, asking how they were doing and making an effort to be nicer to them. I even started doing smaller things like holding doors open for people, just to try to spread a bit of positivity.

This spread into my college life when I started first year. Seeing how much I gained personally from helping out made me want to take an active role in societies and help out in the Student’s Union. I even ended up marching in Dublin for student rights after only being a college student for a month.

As with the mental health organisation, these activities had a range of benefits for me. I quickly made a group of great friends from across different courses and years; people I would never have met without getting involved. I was also ending up repeatedly in my local newspaper for my involvement in a few separate events. While that last part isn’t the reason why I was getting involved, it’s always fun to get a call from a family member saying they saw you in the newspaper.

Rising to a challenge

In semester two of first year, I set up my own society for watching movies, which I ended up chairing. I once again was really scared, because while I was fairly used to volunteering, I had never been in charge. It felt like a lot more responsibility, but it ended up being more than worth it because I felt a much greater sense of pride when we ended up being really successful. It’s helped me really learn the value of working hard and having a solid plan, especially when it comes to organising events. It’s also made me a lot more adept at dealing with stress and handling unexpected challenges. There were times where an event I was helping organise nearly ended up being cancelled due to one or two things coming up. But learning to get past those problems has made other problems seem a lot more manageable.

I’ve noticed that a lot of who I am today, specifically some of the parts I like best about myself, are thanks to the impact volunteering has had on me. It’s helped me to mature, to become more passionate in everything I do, to learn when to say yes to opportunities and also when to say no to something that you don’t have the time or energy for. It’s helped me become more appreciative of what I have, helped me realise my value as a person who can make a difference and even helped me improve a number of skills.

I’d highly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get involved where they can. Whether that’s helping out in a charity shop, helping your local Student’s Union or a local charity. It’s something that’s helped me grow as a person, and I’m so glad I was given that opportunity so long ago.

We are in an uncertain situation which can make it tough to focus on the positives and the things that we can do to look after ourselves right now. Practising mindfulness and making an effort to stay positive as much as possible can be helpful.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a useful way of helping us to stay in the present moment. It helps us to focus on what is going on for us right now. We tend to get caught up in our thoughts and sometimes spend a lot of time thinking about the past or worrying about the future. This can be unhelpful as a lot of the things we think about we cannot control or change which makes us feel stressed or worried.

How can mindfulness help me during the pandemic?

Mindfulness allows us to be aware of our thoughts and worries. Awareness gives us a certain distance from them, which is far healthier than getting lost in them. In the current pandemic, we may worry about things such as how much other people are following social distancing or washing their hands, even though we can’t control this. However, you can control how you follow the guidelines and set a positive example for those close to you. By focusing on what you can control rather than what you can’t, it can help to manage anxiety you may have about COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Mindfulness also encourages you to focus on your breath which can help to reduce stress and tension you may be feeling. Alternatively you could focus on whatever you are physically doing or on the feeling of your feet against the floor.

Practising mindfulness

Mindfulness can be practised in pretty much any situation. Most people who practise mindfulness tend to take some time to themselves each day. When trying to be mindful, figure out what works best for you. You might prefer taking a short mindful walk, making sure you follow the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus) restrictions, rather than sitting quietly by yourself focusing on your breath.

There are plenty of online resources and apps you can download to help you practise mindfulness. Headspace is an app which has short mindfulness sessions you can practise over time. Insight Timer also has many free mindfulness sessions. Mindfulness sessions can also be found on YouTube and many people are running live mindfulness practices on social media during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

What kind of things can help me to focus on the positives?

Here are some things you can try to help you stay positive:

Gratitude

Gratitude is when we focus on the things we have in our lives to be thankful for. This can be acknowledging little things such as the support from a family member, being able to have a video call with our friends or being able to make a nice meal for ourselves. It’s important that when things are changing a lot around us we are grateful for the little things that keep us going each day. Keeping a gratitude journal and noting three things you are grateful for each day is a good way of doing this. The scientific research shows that gratitude is good for our mental health.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT is a way of noticing thoughts we may be having that are affecting our feelings or behaviour in a negative way. It involves looking at how we can change these thoughts to allow us to feel better. Some organisations, such as Aware, offer online CBT through their Life Skills online programme. There is also an app called MoodGym where you can try out some CBT techniques for yourself.

Talk to someone

If you are struggling to see the positives in your life at the moment, talking to a family member, friend or loved one can really help. Other people can have a different perspective and can help us see positives that we may not have thought of ourselves. We can also learn tips from others as to how they stay positive:read our volunteer Méabh’s experience of practising positivity.

What should I do when I’m struggling to stay positive?

Remember that it’s normal not to feel positive all the time and it does not mean there is something wrong with you if you don’t. We are in a situation at the moment that none of us could have prepared for so it’s okay if you are worried at times. If this worry is making you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone about how you are feeling. There are plenty of mental health supports that are still available to you during Covid-19 (Coronavirus).

You can also use our text service for support.

If you cannot work due to caring for person with COVID-19 (Coronavirus) there are different leave options available to you from your employer and the Government. Employers are expected to be flexible during these uncertain times and if you feel your employer is not giving you what you are entitled to, there are supports that can help. FLAC (The Free Legal Advice Centre) offer some basic legal assistance for free and is currently available to contact via phone on Lo-Call 1890 350 250 or 01-8745690.

Employee Entitlements if you cannot work as your are caring for someone with COVID-19

There are various options available to you if you can’t work while caring for someone with COVID-19.

Paid Force Majeure Leave

It may be possible to claim Force Majeure Leave and, if so, you should be paid as normal by your employer. Force Majeure Leave is usually only available “for urgent family reasons owing to accident/illness of an immediate relative, or of a person in a relationship of domestic dependency” with an employee.

During the COVID-19 crisis, employers are being asked by the Government to allow employees to take Force Majeure Leave even where they do not technically qualify under the legislation. A maximum of five days Force Majeure Leave is allowed over a three-year period, with a maximum of three days in any one year. Your employers may be willing to allow you to take the full five days leave during this crisis. If you claim the full leave now, your employer may refuse a request for Force Majeure Leave if one of your children or dependant, such as your parents, becomes sick over the next three years.

Paid Annual Leave

You could ask your employer to allow you take annual leave. It is often up to your employer when you can take it, but there is an obligation on an employer to recognise the need for the employee ‘to reconcile work and any family responsibilities’ when deciding on leave. This means that they have to take your family responsibilities into consideration. If you work full time you are entitled to a minimum of four weeks paid annual leave per year, but you may have additional entitlements in your contract and may have carried over unused annual leave from previous years that you can use now. 

Your employer may also let you take “future” annual leave now. Your employer may make you take annual leave during this period. Normally, they should speak with employees one month prior to wanting this. However, in the current circumstances if you don’t want to take your annual leave ,your employer may give you the option of taking unpaid leave instead of paid annual leave. You may cancel the leave if you are sick and go on sick leave instead.

Unpaid Leave

Your employer may, if they choose to, allow you take general unpaid leave if you do not want to take paid annual leave to cover your absence.

Discretionary Paid leave

There is nothing to stop employers continuing to pay employees who are not in work. However, this would be up to your employer and may just be a temporary measure meaning your employer could stop paying you at any time.

Unpaid Carer’s Leave

Carer’s Leave may be available if you need to leave your employment temporarily to provide care for someone certified as in need of full-time care and attention for at least 13 weeks. This could include a person who has contracted COVID-19.

An employer is entitled to refuse a proposed period of Carer’s Leave of less than 13 weeks, but only on “reasonable grounds”, meaning a valid reason they can justify, and must set out those reasons in writing. In the current uncertainty, it might be difficult for an employer to show that it is reasonable to refuse you a period of less than 13 weeks of Carer’s Leave. You need approval from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and you must have one years’ service with your employer to avail of the full leave period.

Government Income Supports for carers of people with COVID-19

There are some government supports available to carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Carer’s Benefit 

Carer’s Benefit is a welfare payment available to employees taking Carer’s Leave, subject to a number of conditions. If you do not qualify for Carer’s Benefit you may qualify for Carer’s Allowance which is a means-tested payment.

Feeling overwhelmed or anxious around the current pandemic?

 

We’re currently living through an unprecedented event in human history. A global epidemic has not gripped the earth since the likes of Influenza in the late 1960s which killed an estimated one million people worldwide.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread across the world at an unbelievable rate. This can be traced to the easiness of travel for a huge amount of people, via plane and sea, linking every nation across the globe. While these links have been extremely important in the development of our global structure and political landscape, here it has led to the situation we currently face. The situation which has gripped the world has begun to expose some of the major issues and inequalities which still exist in the world today for millions of people

Our economy

We have seen the massive divide in our community and political structure exposed once more. The gap between the working and higher classes of society have shown once again the need for a universal basic income scheme and a living wage for all people. In a recent study, it was found that almost half of all people working are just three pay cheques away from poverty.

Our current minimum wage, coupled with the high cost of rent and living, shows that we need to rethink the importance of our economy versus our people’s livelihoods. People are struggling with the day-to-day cost of living. This was reflected by the change in the rate of the unemployment benefit due to COVID-19 job losses. The initial introduction of an unemployment payment of €203 per week then being increased to €350. Why is our standard Jobseekers Allowance only €203 maximum, when we have now seen that this isn’t enough for people to survive? Following this coronavirus situation, we need to increase our minimum wage to that of a living wage. We need to ensure rents are frozen in place until the housing supply is significantly increased and the cost of housing comes down.

Our healthcare system

We have also seen the issues surrounding our healthcare service in Ireland amplified. Hospitals and care homes are understaffed, nurses and doctors are operating without necessary resources and equipment, and many of them are not being paid a fair and equal wage for the work they’re doing. At the best of times in this country, our healthcare service capacity is severely stressed. Now, in the face of an infectious virus, staff are expected to perform an incredible amount of work, in very try circumstances. In 2019, there was roughly 300 people on trolleys every day in the country.

Standing to applaud our health service the other day felt so artificial to me. If these politicians really wanted to show support for our healthcare staff, their wages would be increased, their resources and equipment would be improved, more staff would be hired to ease pressure and reduce patients on trollies in normal times, not just crisis situations.

Once this pandemic is over, we must examine the structure of our health system. Is it fair to have a system divide of public versus private? Can we move to a national form of healthcare? We need to examine the positives of a system like the NHS in the UK and ensure that we never move towards a system that exists in the United States.

Looking at the positives

Greater sense of community

More positively, there has been a massive sense of community in the recent weeks also. People have been checking in on neighbours, Gardaí have been doing grocery shopping for older and vulnerable people. It’s unfortunate that it has taken this situation to do some of these things which we should look to continue doing in the future. Humans rely on each-other; we are pack animals. We should do our best to look out for the most vulnerable and less able in our society, always – not just a crisis.

Keeping in contact online

As well as a greater sense of community, we’ve once again seen how powerful a tool social media is. It helps us remain connected to each other during the weeks of social isolation. Hosting group calls with work colleagues, online games with friends, even our own SpunOut.ie Town Hall event via Zoom this year. People have been sharing exercise regimes, social media challenges and story templates to occupy themselves. The use of Netflix watch parties and YouTube livestreams has allowed us to continue our social activities and keep up with friends, albeit at a distance. These facilities are always available for use and we should continue to make the effort to check-in on our friends and family from time-to-time.

School and college work online

We have also seen that a huge amount of our work and schooling can be done from home. Whilst it may not be ideal, it is possible. This means people can spend more time with families, less time and money on commuting, and work at a more comfortable pace for themselves. We now have the opportunity to run exams online which can be helpful in the future for people who have accessibility issues.

Climate change

Lastly, we have seen the immediate effects to our planet’s climate and air pollution due to the restricted movement and travel of people. While this is not the method that I, nor many others, would like to curb climate change with, it has shown the potential for extreme action, which is exactly what this planet needs.

While this is a scary time for many of us, it’s also a chance to reflect on how we want to positively move forward once the pandemic is over.

Jigsaw Online groups chats are for young people from age 12 up to 25. The groups cover a number of topics such as managing stress, coping with feeling low, dealing with family conflict and staying positive, so you can choose the one that is most relevant to you.

Jigsaw helps young people (12 to 25) across Ireland with their mental health. They aim to provide support for young people when difficulties start for them, before they need more longer term mental health services. Find out more about the Jigsaw service.

How can an online group chat be helpful for me?

Getting involved in a group chat can give you space to talk about what is going on for you. You can also speak with other young people who may be in a similar situation. Connecting with others is a really good way of looking after your mental health during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

Who will be in the group?

The group will be made up of other young people in Ireland who have signed up for the same topic. There is a maximum of 10 young people in each chat to allow everyone to have a chance to get involved if they want to. There will also be a Jigsaw staff member who is trained in supporting young people with their mental health. They will ask questions, help to guide the conversation and make sure everyone is included.

What can I expect from the chat?

During the chat you will be able to hear from other young people who may be experiencing similar feelings to you or be in a similar situation. This can help to reassure you that you are not on your own. You will also have an opportunity to share ways that you cope with how you’re feeling and get ideas and suggestions from others in the group.

Will I have to share personal details?

There are group chat guidelines to explain the best way to interact to make sure the conversation is safe and supportive for everyone. You will be asked to use a different name other than your real one. It’s important not to share your contact details or any other information that could identify you to other people.

How do I sign up ?

You can sign up on the Jigsaw website in the live group chats section. There are currently two group chats daily, on different topics, from Monday to Friday. You will need to apply 3 hours before the group starts to make sure there is a free space.

When COVID-19 arrived, it completely changed the way we live our lives. We spent more time at home, it became harder to get outside or go to the gym for exercise, and the virus put our health at risk. This has also been a stressful time for many people.

This means it was easier to slip into unhealthy habits. It’s important not to be too hard on yourself if this happened., Instead, take small steps to introduce healthier routines into your life.

How to stay healthy during COVID-19

Here are some tips for staying healthy during the pandemic. Remember, it’s important to be kind to yourself during this time.

Get your COVID-19 vaccine

Understanding how COVID-19 spreads and the best way to protect yourself can help to reduce the risk of catching the virus. Getting vaccinated is the best defence against COVID-19, and it not only helps to protect you, but it also helps to protect those around you. This is especially important for more vulnerable people who are at higher risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19.

Follow COVID-19 guidelines

Although many of the restrictions have lifted, there are things we can all do to protect ourselves from COVID-19, including washing our hands regularly, covering your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze, and self-isolating if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

Contact your doctor if you’re unwell or you think something’s wrong

It’s important to contact your doctor if you’re not feeling well or you have an issue you’re concerned about. You may feel reluctant about contacting your GP because of the pressure services are under due to the pandemic, or out of a fear of contracting the virus. However, GPs have been working to treat patients with non-COVID symptoms throughout the pandemic, and it’s extremely important that you contact them if something’s wrong. They are there to deal with whatever issue you’re having.

Take your medication

If you are on medication for a medical condition, it’s important to stay on top of it. Check your prescription and make sure you have enough to keep you going – there’s no need to stockpile, but try and get enough to keep you going for a few weeks or months, depending on the type of prescription you are on.

Here are 8 ways to remember to take your medication

Eating well when you’re at home

It can be easy to graze on snacks when you’re spending more time at home, but try your best to plan for three healthy meals a day. It’s okay to eat less healthy food every now and then, but eating well is good for your mental and physical wellbeing and can help to give you more energy and feel better.

Planning out your meals can also help to bring more structure to your day, which can be a plus when spending a lot of time at home.

Get some exercise

It can be hard to get into an exercise routine after spending a lot of time at home. Whether you’re someone who used to exercise a lot and you want to get back into it, or you’re someone who is new to exercising, there are many ways you can ease yourself back in. Moving more and finding exercise that works for you can help you to feel better, boost your mood, and improve your health.

Here are some ways you can get started:

If you’re self-isolating due to COVID-19 but you feel well enough to do some exercise, here are some suggestions for exercising while self-isolating.

Get some sleep

Getting a good night’s rest is really important for your mental health. Sticking to a regular sleep schedule can be difficult when you’re spending all your time at home, but trying to establish a routine can help to bring structure to your day.

Creating a bedtime ritual, avoiding long naps, monitoring your caffeine intake and finding ways to manage stress and anxiety can all help towards getting a better night’s rest. Here are some ways you can improve your sleep.

Looking after your mental health

The pandemic has been a stressful experience for many people, and it can take a toll on your mental health. Remembering to take time for yourself and introduce some self-care into your day is important and can go a long way towards helping you feel better. This might feel difficult to do, especially if you’re responsible for others, but it will ultimately help to keep you going if you look after yourself.

Here are some ways you can introduce self-care into your day:

Talk to someone about how you’re feeling

This is a stressful time, and it’s normal to feel anxious, scared, or sad. It’s important to talk about how you’re feeling, whether that’s with a friend, a family member, or a support service. Talking helps us to feel better and understand what we’re going through.

Here’s some advice on opening up to someone about your mental health.

The recent measures taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19/coronavirus have affected everyone differently. For many, it means losing their jobs, being unable to visit elderly family members, or having to cancel important family occasions. All of these effects are extremely difficult to deal with. Young people are also being affected by these measures.

Of course, these measures are completely necessary to avoid the spread of the virus and putting further strain on our healthcare system, I wouldn’t argue with that for a minute. But that doesn’t mean that people aren’t allowed to feel disappointed, or upset by what they’re missing out on.

Schools and colleges closed

Up and down the country, young people in primary schools, secondary schools, and third level institutions should be beginning to bring the academic year to a close, in their classrooms, with their peers. But right now, young people are finishing academic work online and submitting assessments from their homes. There are many people, myself included, that should be preparing to finish up in primary school, secondary school, or college. It is only natural that you would feel disappointed, or at a loss, that these milestones are coming and you are unable to carry them out ‘normally.’ When the call for schools and colleges to shut came those few weeks ago, it did hit me that that day could, and probably would be the final time I sat in a classroom, with that group of people, in that college, during my undergraduate degree.

Final days of school or college

People often look back fondly and tell stories of their final days of school or college, talking about what they did, how they celebrated, who was there. But for the graduating classes of 2020, this experience will be looked back on very differently. While the reasons for it being different are completely necessary, feeling disappointment around this is okay. Young people are being told ‘at least you’re healthy,’ ‘it could be so much worse,’ etc., and yes of course these are positives, but I really believe we need to stop making young people feel guilty for feeling how they are right now.

It’s okay to feel disappointed that you’re missing out on your Leaving Cert graduation, your final College Ball, playing football with your school or club, your Foroige Ball or event. These feelings are all normal and valid, and they should be allowed to be felt, so that they can be dealt with. I think many people are forgetting what it was like to look forward to these events, and how devastated they would have been if they had to miss them. Letting young people feel this disappointment and open up about it is so much more beneficial to everyone, than knocking them back every time they try to process these feelings.

Supporting each other

This isn’t an article to blame anybody. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed with your own situation and feel that nobody else’s could be any worse. But our society is, now more than ever, displaying how helpful and understanding we can be of one another in these tough times. So why don’t we take this empathy and apply it to how we speak to and about our young people?

The Seanad, or Senate, is one of two Houses of the Oireachtas (the Irish Parliament), along with the larger and more powerful Dáil Éireann. Members of the Seanad are called senators or seanadóirí. They meet to debate and pass laws in Leinster House on Kildare Street in Dublin.

What is Seanad Éireann?

What do senators do?

The main purpose of the Seanad is to debate suggested laws (known as bills) which have been proposed by the Government. The Seanad can vote to change (amend) a bill, and can vote to delay, but not stop, a bill from becoming law. Senators can also introduce their own bills, which must be debated and approved by both the Dáil and Seanad to become law.

The Seanad is much less powerful than the Dáil. This is because, while the Dáil is directly elected by the people of the country, the Seanad is not.

Some more of senators’ main duties are:

Most senators are also part of Oireachtas Committees, which are made up of groups of politicians who take an in-depth look at laws and public policies. After reviewing these policies, Oireachtas Committees publish suggestions for changes that the rest of the Oireachtas could put in place.

If the Seanad disagrees with a decision made by the Dáil, they can vote to delay it for up to three months but cannot prevent it from coming into force. Decisions of the Seanad, however, can be overturned or reversed by a vote of the Dáil.

How are senators elected?

Every four or five years, the people of Ireland vote in a general election to choose their representatives (TDs) in Dáil Éireann. After a new Dáil has been elected, a new Seanad must be appointed within 90 days.

The Seanad is made up of 60 senators. Unlike TDs, senators are not elected by the public. Instead, they are chosen in a number of different ways:

Who can vote in Seanad elections?

Ordinary citizens can only vote in Seanad elections if they have graduated from certain universities, though this is due to be reformed after the 2025 election.

Currently, three senators are elected by the graduates of the University of Dublin (Trinity College). Another three senators are elected by the graduates of the National University of Ireland (UCD, UCC, NUI Galway and Maynooth University).

Graduates of other universities, such as DCU and the University of Limerick, cannot vote in Seanad elections right now. People who have not graduated from a university do not have a Seanad vote.

The deadline to register for the January 2025 Seanad election has passed. However, you can register to vote at any time if you want to have your say in the next Seanad elections, which could be any time in the next five years.

If you are a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, you can register to vote in Seanad elections at this link. If you are a graduate of UCD, UCC, NUI Galway or Maynooth University, you can register to vote in Seanad elections by emailing [email protected] or calling 01 439 2424.

How much are senators paid?

Senators get paid a minimum salary of €79,614 a year, which is taxed like any other income.

Senators are also able to claim expenses, or extra money to help them pay for their work. For instance, they can get additional money to fund their travel to and from the Seanad, to print leaflets explaining their work to voters, for their mobile phone bill, and more.

Senators also get an increased salary if they take on another job within the Oireachtas. This can include taking on a leadership role within their political party or group in the Seanad, or becoming Cathaoirleach. The Cathaoirleach is the chairperson of Seanad Éireann, who oversees debates between senators.

Retired senators can also claim a pension, which is higher or lower depending on how many years they spent in the Oireachtas and whether they were also a TD or Minister during their time in politics. The size of the pension can vary from a few thousand euro a year for some senators to tens of thousands for others.

How can I contact a senator?

If you would like to speak to a senator about their work or to share your views on a law or policy, there are several ways you can get in touch. Unlike TDs, senators do not represent specific parts of the country and so will not normally have offices outside of Leinster House.

You can contact senators by:

Email them: most senators can be reached at [email protected]

Losing a parent at a young age is something that impacts a person in so many different ways. It’s something that everyone reacts to differently. My personal experience has shaped me into the person I am today. I knew that how I reacted to the experience would impact my life for years to come.

The day before my very first day of secondary school, when I was twelve, my dad passed away. For most of my young life, my dad had been sick and receiving treatment for cancer. Sickness and treatment became quite a normal thing in our home. What was even more normal was the open communication, love and closeness between us. Having built strong communication skills at a young age definitely made this whole experience easier for me and without this, I wouldn’t have come so far so fast. Communication is a learnable skill and mine has definitely improved through talking about my experience and seeing a counsellor.

My experience

To be honest, I don’t remember a lot of the details. My mind has blocked out a lot of memories due to the emotional strain and my depression. Here’s what I do remember though. A lot of people say that the first year after losing a loved one is the hardest. In my experience however, I found the first year to be the easiest. It was almost like my mind was still in shock and I was running on adrenaline.

Over the next few years, things got progressively harder as school became more demanding with the Junior Cert exams coming up.The realisation that I would never see my dad again hit me astonishingly hard. That realisation is what makes me think of the first year as the easiest, because the longer it goes on the further away he gets. During this time I struggled massively with depression and anxiety. I also felt extremely fake. I was being strong because I had to and the people constantly telling me “how strong” I was and how “well I was doing” didn’t know how much I was struggling day to day, or at least that’s how I felt. I definitely presented as strong and this made me feel even more like a liar. I reached some extremely dark places which I won’t detail and I felt like my inside didn’t match the outside which was a huge struggle to come to terms with.

Asking for help

I came to the point of suffering that I couldn’t handle anymore. Thanks to my foundation of communication I was strong enough to ask for help. One of my most vivid memories from the time was the point where I actually asked for help, because once I made that decision, I felt a sense of relief, a weight lifting off my shoulders. I had a ways to go but taking that step was the start to it and I’ve only ever looked back on this with gratitude. I started to see a counsellor and with support from my amazingly patient and caring mum, and others around me, I was able to change how I was reacting to the experience.

After learning how to cope with my mental health and most importantly care for it, I accepted my situation and began living life as what I like to call “my new normal.” Acceptance is key to all change. We cannot change the situations we are faced with, we can only accept them and take control of how we react to them.

Self-care and self-awareness

Ultimately the message I want to share is this, look after yourself and don’t be afraid to seek help. I’ve been through this experience and it allowed me to realise how important self-awareness and self-care are. It can be a struggle sometimes but regular and consistent self-care is so important.

Remember also, we all have mental health and everyone’s is as unique as they are. Just because what I have gone through is different to what somebody else has or is going through does not make them any less worthy of help with their mental health, whether that be seeing a counsellor or availing of any other mental health service. You are one hundred percent worthy of help and never let anyone (including yourself) tell you otherwise.

With COVID-19/Coronavirus taking control of most of our lives, the thoughts of studying at home can be daunting and worrying. Nevertheless, it is so important to keep up with school and college work in these uncertain times. With this in mind, I thought I’d write up some tips and tricks for staying on top of work and study at home. As I am a final year university student I know how stressful it is at the moment and how lost you can feel when it comes adjusting to doing all of your schoolwork and college work from home. Hopefully these tips will point you in the right direction!

1. Stay connected

As a lot of our classes have been moved online, there is still an opportunity to talk to teachers and lecturers that way. For some of us, that is through video-calls, chat rooms or email. It is so important to keep in contact with teachers and classmates so you do not miss out on any information given about your subjects and modules. Do not be afraid to ask questions for further explanation or for extra help as schooling from home is new to everybody.

You can also try calling friends that you have class with to discuss topics or upcoming essays and assignments that are due to catch up with them while staying on top of work.

2. Stick to your timetable

Basing your day on your school or college timetable is the best way to stay on top of your work and stay productive. Wake up at the normal time you would during the weekdays and take breaks when you would in school or at college. Keeping a routine is a great way to stay focused and not treat these weeks like the summer holidays.

3. Study space

Set aside a separate part of the house to study in if you can. A spare bedroom would be ideal or a desk in your living-room or bedroom. Try not to study on your bed, on the couch or at the dinner table as it is more likely that you will get easily distracted here as these places are normally used for relaxing. A quiet area away from the rest of your family would be the best idea.

Use your chosen study space every time you are doing work because changing where you work can lead to more distractions and time wasting. It also means it’s easier to relax in the evenings when you physically move away from your study space.

4. Revision and homework

Even though we are studying at home, it is important to keep up to date with revision and homework. This could be simply reading articles and making notes on them for a college module or doing your schoolwork during the normal school hours and doing assigned homework ‘after school’ as you would if you were attending school normally. This will help keep on top of your work and you don’t have to stress out about falling behind.

5. Try not to get overwhelmed

As we all know, these are worrying and stressful times, and we don’t know when everything will go back to normal in our lives. Take the time to relax – while social distancing! – by reading a book, watching a good Netflix movie, spending time with pets or taking up a new hobby (Youtube is very useful for this). School work and college work is important but your mental health is worth so much more. This too shall pass.

Skip to content