Week 12: Final Week

Hello again!

Welcome to my final blog post of this semester! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. It absolutely flew by, didn’t it?!

This week I will be finishing off my blog and website for this semester;There was a lot of work involved in both of these assignments. It was continuous work throughout the semester, which I found difficult to keep up with. Reflecting back on my Week 11 blog I will be mentioning similar topics for example designing my website the struggles that came along with it.

As you might know if you read my week 11 blog post I mentioned that I used Google Sites to create the website. At first I thought it was really difficult to use. (I still do)

Image:
https://sites.google.com/a/cojusd.org/teacher-tech-welcome-to-grayskull/google-sites

What I like about Google Sites is it is really easy to access if you want to make a website or just practice your website design skills all you need is a gmail account. If not don’t worry it only takes a matter of minutes to create one. This blog and website are both part of an assignment for the same module called ‘Writing for New Media’.

I thoroughly enjoyed this module this semester. It was extremely different to the rest of my modules that I studied. It was a lot more independent for example we were given instructions on what to do and we had to do it.  Everyone in this module had access to guidelines we had to follow to create both the blog and the website. I think I needed more time to fulfill the website as much as possible but I did my best in the time given. They must both ensure a certain amount of criteria and information to pass the module. The blog and website are both worth 45% each and the remaining 10% will be going for participation/attendance.

This semester in general was a tough one for me, especially after coming back from Erasmus but it didn’t take me long to get back into the swing of things. Now unfortunately this semester is coming to an end and this is my final year as a 3^rd year student. Next week is a study week which will come in handy and my exams will commence in the first week in May.

Image:
https://www.videoblocks.com/video/the-end-sign-in-neon-style-turning-on-b2zime7ein6njxdl

Week 11: The end is near!

It’s now week 11 and its time for another Irish essay to be submitted. This one was more difficult as it had to be 2,000 words and about one or more of the poems we studied this semester. I had to include background information, discuss themes, images, metaphors and any hidden messages and include any references as always. It’s an easy mistake to forget them, it happened to me before! This essay is worth 20% of my final grade, again I will be hoping for a high enough grade in this as I done a lot of research for it and spent a lot of time on it.

image:
https://www.google.ie/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi

This week I’m also continuing to design a website. The website is part of my module called ‘Writing for New Media’. I really enjoy this module but I have to admit designing a website is very difficult and takes a lot of work.

Things I found difficult:

• Following a long list of steps/ instruction’s in order to create the website.
• I wasn’t used to using Google Sites.
• Creating different pages.
• Deleting things by accident and having to do them all over again. (sigh)
• It was a long process to create the website I could have done with starting it at the beginning of the semester to improve more on the website itself as I am not too happy with it at the moment.

I found these difficult as I am a visual learner. I like to be showed how to do something rather than given instructions on how to do it but everybody is different.

This benefited me as it pushed me to use my own initiative and make sure that all steps were completed to the best of my ability. ‘Google Sites’ is really good and useful if you are interested in creating your own website or just to practice website design or even if you are interested on sampling website design.

Image:
https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-google-sites-and-why-use-it-3486337

WEEK 10

Ever feel like everything is catching up with you all at once? Yep! That’s me this week. I feel like the ‘to do’ lists are never ending. They are getting longer instead of shorter.

Busy, busy, busy.

It’s getting closer to the end of the semester which means this week and the two following weeks its deadline after deadline.

Stress, stress, stress.

On Thursday I had my first essay due which was worth 20% of my final grade. This was for Irish. This year in particular there is a lot of work in both my Irish modules, more than usual. One down and another one next week, I can’t take a break just yet.

I also had my Irish oral this week. You can never do enough preparation for an oral no matter what the language. Overall I was happy with how it went but I believe it could have gone better. I didn’t get a chance to use everything I had prepared but I got to use some nice phrases and words which I was glad I remembered. I am so relieved to have this do as this is worth 20% therefore I am hoping to get a high enough mark on this.

image:
https://twitter.com/ScoilnetPPrim/status/951455773913214976

Seanfhocal: ‘Beatha tenaga í a labhairt’ The life of a language is to speak it.

image:
https://uccexpress.ie/beatha-teanga-i-a-labhairt/

Week 9: Reflecting on Irish Dialects and The beginning of my FYP

Here are some useful Irish phrases just to begin with that might come in handy for you!
image:
https://www.google.pl/search?biw=1229&bih=603&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=k66vXKSxMsSk1fAPmNKd4Ac&q=irish+dialects&oq=irish+dialects&gs_l=img.3..0l2j0i10i24j0i24l2.132059.137640..139651…0.0..0.247.1613.17j2j2……0….1..gws-wiz-img…..0..0i67j0i8i30.AltsEs51Hxs

This week was a really busy week for me, I’m sure it was the same for you! It was no surprise this week as I had another Irish test but this time based on Irish dialects.

• A choice between two questions
• Essay type
• Worth – 5%
• 60 minutes to complete

I chose a question where I had to write 500 words on an Irish dialect of my choice. I feel like it went ok, I will find out soon enough as the weeks are passing by.

If you are interested in finding out more about Irish dialects have a look at this YouTube video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuTIB7zGJrg

Moving on to my FYP (final year project). On Friday I had a 500 word brief due, thankfully I got it done on time. The topic it will be based the Irish language in the 19^th century and how it lost its official status in Ireland among people. I chose this topic because I have a lot of love and admiration for our language and our history that evolves around it.

Image:
http://www.ul.ie/artsoc/content/fyp

Back to Irish Grammar! Week 8:

Dia dhuit!

Hello!

So this week I had an official Irish grammar test during one of the weekly Irish tutorials. The test included:

• 5 Sections
• 10 questions to complete in each section
• Worth 5%
• 60 minutes to complete

I know 5% is not a lot but hopefully it will be a little head start before the written exam.

It was a mixture of questions for example:

• Translating
• Use of the correct form of verb
• Correcting the structure of the sentence

We are also encouraged to use our best Irish and answer the questions as direct as possible. Reflecting back on the test it was pretty tough. I’m sure if you have ever had an Irish grammar test at some stage you can relate! I mean fair play to you if you consider yourself great at Irish grammar but I for one do struggle. Hopefully we will get some feedback on this before the end of term.

Here are some phrases ‘as Gaeilge’ that might come in handy for you!

Image: http://www.pinterest.co.uk

Seachtain na Gaeilge

This week is week 7! (I know the weeks are flying by) This week is like any other week in the semester, deadlines are fast approaching BUT we have something to celebrate this week which is Seachtain na Gaeilge! (Irish language week) Tá sé ar ais arís. It runs from the 1st to the 17^th of March every year ending on Paddy’s Day so really it’s two weeks but we’ll celebrate both. Seachtain na Gaeilge was established in 1903 by Conradh na Gaeilge. An even better quality about Seachtain na Gaeilge is that it’s a non profit organisation that promotes Gaeilge during this two week féile.

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There was lots of events, guest speakers and Irish films shown on campus for this years Seachtain na Gaeilge. Its great we get this time dedicated to our native tongue. Seachtain na Gaeilge encourages us all to us our cúpla focal and also to learn something new as Gaeilge. Sechtain na Gaeilge isn’t just for Gaeilgeoirí it’s for everybody to embrace the Irish language and all it has to offer. Find more information in the following link if you want to make the most out if it! https://snag.ie/

 This week I have been reflecting on the Irish language and how we can all improve by using cúpla focal on the daily, I like to think as gaeilge so this helps words come to my head faster mar a deirfá ‘Beatha an teanga í a leabhairt’. The life of a language is to speak it.

Bain trail asti! – Surprise yourself

‘Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam’ A country without a language is a country without a soul – Pádraig Mac Piarais

‘Is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste’ Broken Irish is better than clever English.

Images:
https://snag.ie/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seachtain_na_Gaeilge

Raising and Giving

Last week was week 6 also known as RAG week which stands for Raise and Give. Another term for week 6 is Charity week. All events that take place on campus are for charity. A percentage of the profit would go to a chosen charity or a few different selected charities. RAG week is music to most students ears! There was also some bucket collections around campus if you wanted to give a donation.

RAG week creates a fantastic buzz around campus, everyone is happy and chirpy. There is all kind of events and games on in the courtyard in the day and night for example local DJ’s, international nights, eating challenges, different competitions and also a wellness morning for all students. We also got great weather last week for it in comparison to last year as it was cancelled because of snow! (Would you believe snow in March?)

Although classes run as normal it is questionable weather they have full attendance or not! I can speak from experience and say the library was like a ghost town during the week. RAG week happens in the 2^nd semester every year. It usually takes place at the end of February or the beginning of March. This week gives students a chance to give to charity making them feel good while going out attending events and enjoying themselves. RAG week is all about raising and giving like raising important relevant issues and giving what ever you can to those in need. It also puts things into perspective and shows us how lucky we are. Support one another and look after each other.

image:
https://kclr96fm.com/rag-week-celebrations-underway-in-carlow-town/

Routine Ready!

It’s now week 5 at University. I finally feel as though I am finally settling into a routine. I’m a 3rd year student studying 5 modules spread out across 20 hours a week from Monday to Thursday. I am off every Friday which is bliss.

I had my first class test of this semester this week. This wasn’t graded but we corrected it in class to get a rough idea of where we are at. It was an Irish grammar test which was pretty tough therefore I am glad I have a few weeks to study and improve my grammar skills! It really gave me an idea of my progress this semester, I still have a long way to go as we know there is always room to improve on everything! Taking this fake test will motivate me to do better for the real test. It is worth 10% so this is very important to get a productive result as it could be the difference between a grade. As a class we were lucky enough to have a go at a trial test because now we have an inkling as to what might come up on the real test. This does not happen in all my classes you only get one shot and you have to do your best. (or else you could be repeating at the end of summer which nobody wants, trust me!)

Sleep Routine

Getting into the correct sleeping pattern was also a challenge for me at the beginning of the semester so I decided to do some research and try and find some tips that might help me and you if you can relate! So I came across this image that I found really helpful. Although not all tips will work for everybody so it’s worth a shot to give different tips a try.

image:
https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/519251032035906270/

Challenges about this semester with Orls!

It’s hard enough getting back into routine being back at University but it has been a long wait for me to be back at the University of Limerick. After completing a ‘link-in’ I went on Erasmus the following semester. Now I am officially back at college.

Settling back in this semester is the hardest thing for me. Getting used to a different routine again is extremely difficult especially after being away in a foreign country. One thing I find challenging is the fact that while I was on Erasmus in Poland I only had one or two classes a day and they were on in the afternoon or evening. I was content with this as I am far from a morning person. I struggle to make my 9am lectures as bizarre as that sounds but it’s true!

Another slight challenge for me is adapting to the workload and the continuous work that has to be done. Now that I’m back at UL I have up to 4 classes a day this is hard for me to get used to but like anything it takes time. I’m sure in a few weeks it will be like second nature to me.

image: https://www.pinterest.ie/pin/284500901439390000/?lp=true