Vote Anita O’ Halloran for Mature Student Officer
My name is Anita O’Halloran. I am running for the position of Mature Student Officer. I was born and raised in Galway city and currently live here with my partner and four children. I am currently in my first year of Bachelor of Law (LLB), making me a postgraduate student. I also have a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Microbiology, so I am very familiar with more than one school in the university.
As a potential Mature Student Officer, I believe I would effectively and faithfully represent the mature student population here at NUIG. Currently, being a Mature Student, I understand the many logistical and emotional difficulties facing individuals who choose to return to third-level education; having some of the same obstacles, such as juggling family obligations, work, finances, and education, I can fully understand the pressures mature students face. I see it as my duty to share my own experiences of overcoming such obstacles and hope to inspire others to the same. I aim to ensure that this crucial transition for any student is a smooth and enjoyable one.
My objectives as a Mature Student Officer will include:
- Working in partnership with the university and the Students' Union to raise the profile and awareness and be the voice for all Mature Students.
- Ensuring that enough is being done to support mature students and help them successfully integrate into the student experience.
- Ensuring services such as the Students Union, Computers Services, Disability Supports, Students Assistant Funds and Counselling Services are fully utilised, if and where necessary.
- Seeing the introduction of a support group for parents, including parent and child events, made available to all.
- Creating solid and supportive friendships within the university, and learning from each other's techniques and experiences, and help each other with the daunting prospects of returning to studying as mature students.
If elected to the role of Mature Student Officer, I can wholeheartedly promise that I will strive to successfully represent the mature student population as they deserve to be represented. I will endeavour to bring about a comfortable, open and friendly environment in which any student can reach out and ask for help or advice.
Thank you for taking the time to read my manifesto, and it would be very much appreciated if you vote for me on the 29th of April for the position of Mature Student Officer for 2021/2022.