Work Experience Blog - Michael

I arrived in Tara Station on Monday at ten o’clock on my first day of two weeks of work experience with the Irish Second-Level Students Union. I went up to the 9^th floor in Liberty Hall and introduced myself to Charlotte. I started with doing the TY survey on the ISSU website. Unfortunately I could not complete all of the survey as I’m not finished TY let. I then started a survey for those who have completed TY to see student’s opinion on TY and see how it can be of higher quality for the students involved. Tuesday I arrived in and met Isobel I was told to go on twitter and follow any secondary schools in the country that were on twitter. When I first looked at the list of schools I was a little stunned as there were 722 schools in the country. In the first fifteen schools seven were on twitter. Around eleven me and Isobel went to Mount Carmel Secondary School were she was going to give a talk on Student Councils, how they should be run and what the different roles are. I found this talk beneficial for myself as I am a member of the student council in my school. When we went back I continued with following more schools on twitter with some success. On Wednesday I resumed following secondary schools on twitter. It was a bit difficult to find some of the right schools as some schools had similar names with schools in Britain and the U.S. Later on in the afternoon I tweeted all of the schools I had followed since Tuesday asking if they had registered for our Dublin regional seminar. On Thursday I was calling schools in Co. Dublin asking if they had received a letter from us about a Dublin regional seminar we were holding with the Department of Education about TY students giving there feedback on the programme. Some schools that I called had no knowledge of the letter or of the event so after talking to the secretaries I emailed the schools that I had connected. I could only hope that most of them would register for Monday. Friday I started calling schools from Co. Kildare asking the same as yesterday but I got the same response. One of the members of the Board of Directors came in and helped me and Isobel with contacting some schools. After lunch I was putting a cover letter and two posters in envelopes for schools in Connacht for our regional seminar in Galway City on the 18^th.  We decided to address the Letter directly to the TY Co-ordinators of each school to make sure they received them.  On Monday morning I went to the Department of Education & Skills instead of Liberty Hall. (I did get a bit lost trying to find the place) It was the first of a two day event we were holding with the Department in the clock tower on the grounds of the Department. My task on the first day was to observe and participate in the seminar. We were split in to groups of about 4/5 and were asked different questions of how we liked and disliked TY and if we had any changes for TY. After lunch we had a talk from Mark the president of the ISSU about student councils and student voices. There were then elections for the education panel, welfare and equality panel and regional representatives. I was elected for the education panel. Tuesday I was assisting Isobel and Charlotte with the seminar. My role was to give out paper, pens etc. and walk around and help the groups if they needed anything. I stayed with one group in particular as only one of the four in the group was in TY. I tried to persuade the other three about doing TY but they didn’t really seem keen. On Wednesday I was looking at the CSPE Curriculum to see how it can be reformed and how it can be more appealing to students. After searching up on ideas and coming up with some myself there is a demand for a greater look at politics and rights and to make it optional for Leaving Cert. I looked up other countries in Europe to see if they had any thing similar to CSPE in there own countries. France has ECJS which is quite similar to CSPE. On Thursday I was contacting schools in Co. Galway, Westmeath and Clare for our Galway regional seminar and asking if the TY Co-ordinator had received the letter and if they were planning on registering for Monday’s event. Most Co-ordinators couldn’t come to the phone as they had class but I passed the message about the seminar onto the secretaries. Now it’s Friday and I’m glad I choose to do my Work Experience with the ISSU I have learned a lot over the past two weeks and every one in the office has been great. I would recommend everyone to at least do one week of work experience here. 

Irish Second-level Students’ Union Welcomes Preservation of Pupil-Teacher Ratio

 

The Irish Second-level Students’ Union welcomes the preservation of the pupil/teacher ratio in both post-primary and primary schools. The fact that other funds relating to second-level education have been preserved is also welcome.ISSU President, Mark Caffrey said that ‘the Government budget proposal is supportive to education and respects its great importance. In a time of unprecedented reform of the education sector it is important that the necessary funds for these reforms are provided.’He also stated that ‘Whilst the Haddington Road agreement is the main point of contention within the Education Sector it is important to note that the budget has maintained the current pupil/teacher ratio in primary and post-primary schools.The ISSU also glad to see that disadvantaged school communities will be protected from budget cuts this year.ISSU Education Officer, Robert O’Donnell stated that ‘the education aspects of the budget are welcomed by myself and many other members of the ISSU.  The security of funding for DEIS schools is crucial for students in these schools, and we are glad to see that this funding will not be altered.’ The Irish Second-level Students’ Union welcomes will work with all other stakeholders to maintain a quality education system in Ireland at second-level.

ISSU Welcomes New Anti-Bullying Procedures

 The Irish Second Level Students’ Union has welcomed the launch of new Anti-Bullying procedures. These new procedures and guidelines, aimed at addressing and preventing bullying such as homophobic and transphobic bullying, and particularly cyper-bullying. This will be mandatory for all schools . ISSU Equality Officer, Conor Lynott, said; “These new mandatory procedures will greatly improve the lives of all of our young people in making the school environment a safe and happy place for young people to grow and achieve their full potential.” ISSU President, Mark Caffrey, said; "The steps taken by the Department have been very positive in recent years when it comes to bullying. Now that schools have had a good chance to look at the department regulations and recommendations it is clear that schools will no longer have any excuses for developing their own local policies on bullying. We wholeheartedly welcome the new regulations. These reforms fit perfectly into the ethos of our second-level schools and are built around the action plan on bullying which the ISSU had a direct role in developing".

CSPE Action Project Initiative : Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights in Ireland

IHRC invites CSPE students to submit human rights and equality images for national exhibition

 Ensuring that everyone can live "equal in dignity and rights" is at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).  Young people can play an active role in making this  principle a reality and in doing so help build a culture of respect for human rights and equality in Irish society. The Irish Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is inviting CSPE students to promote human rights and equality in Ireland through images, words and action. We are asking you to use your CSPE Action Project to demonstrate what human rights and equality mean to you and to display your work in your school or community for others to see, and at  Express Yourself! Young People Promoting Human Rights and Equality in Ireland, a national exhibition organised by the IHRC at the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield Dublin 7 from 25 March to 4 April 2014. The  Express Yourself!  initiative is being organised by the IHRC in collaboration with the Association of CSPE Teachers (ACT); Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU); the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST); and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD). See last year’s exhibition and find out more about human rights and equality in Ireland at www.ihrc.ie/cspe.  Closing date for entries is 29 January 2014. For further information please contact Fidelma Joyce at the IHRC. Tel: 01 8589601 or email: expressyourself@ihrc.ie 

NATIONAL STUDENT BODIES & TRADE UNIONS JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE YOUTH JOBS CRISIS

NATIONAL STUDENT BODIES & TRADE UNIONS JOIN FORCES TO TACKLE YOUTH JOBS CRISIS Three national student and trade union bodies today (Sept. 5) issued a joint call for immediate government action to address the youth jobs crisis and have proposed the adoption of a new National Jobs Strategy for Young People to tackle the problem. Together, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU), have called for an end to the ‘lock-out’ of young people from the jobs market and proposed a range of measures to improve access to the workplace and enhance employment skills. The three organisations are seeking joint meetings with “all relevant government ministers and departments” on foot of the proposals. The measures are contained in a new, joint publication - Locked out? Investing in a Future for Youth. 

The document is the result of a collaborative process between all three organisations, collectively representing more than one million people and includes a number of key demands: 

National Jobs Strategy for Young PeopleJobs StimulusMajor investment in the Youth GuaranteeA legal framework for work placementsThe creation of a new Career Information ServiceCreating a new National skills map  Speaking on behalf of the Congress Youth Committee, Lorraine Mulligan said: “We cannot afford to lose a generation to precarious work, joblessness or emigration. We need a clear strategy to tackle the problems facing young people, including investment in a Youth Guarantee, offering employment or training opportunities and ensuring decent pay and working conditions for those in the labour force.” USI President Joe O’Connor said: “Some 35,000 young people left Ireland in the last year, as a direct result of policies that didn’t offer them genuine opportunities, while a further 65,000 young people remain unemployed here. “Many are highly-qualified graduates who benefited from huge state investment through their education and would prefer to stay and contribute to our national recovery. But the opportunities just aren’t there. That has to change,” Mr O’Connor said. Mr. Mark Caffrey, ISSU President said: "The issue of youth unemployment and underemployment has not gone away. It is crucial that major steps are taken to ensure that opportunities are created for young people so their employment prospects improve. We need to end this 21^st Century Lockout of young people from work and opportunity.” 

Anxious whilst waiting for you results?

Waiting for exam results can be a scary time; it's like you have an appointment with fear! As the hype starts to ratchet up, your stomach may very well start to churn. Of course this is normal. It is to be expected that you feel stressed, nervous, panicky and anxious. You may not even realise that you are feeling the effects of stress.You may not even realise that you are feeling the effects of stress. The stress of waiting for exam results could mean that you are experiencing the following:

• Difficulty in concentrating
• Headaches, abdominal pain, tightness in your chest, pounding heart or breathing difficulties
• Difficulty in getting to sleep at night
• Recurring nightmares
• Abnormal eating habits – eating more than usual or having no appetite for food
• Irritability
• Loss of sense of humour and a feeling that things are out of proportion
• Increased intake of coffee
• Increase in number of cigarettes smoked
• Negative thoughts
• Withdrawal from friends and social situations
• Lack of motivation
• Overly tired despite adequate sleep
• Feeling run-down

What causes stress around exam results time? Apart from the obvious fear of receiving results that are not what you expected, a lot of other factors are at play during this time. These include:

• Wanting to obtain results that reflect the work you put into your studies
• Pressure to fulfil the expectations of others
• The need to obtain results to progress to the next step in your career, the course, university or area of work of your choice
• The fact that these exams results may signify a new phase in your life. You may be leaving home, leaving your friends, leaving the country or changing your normal routine
• The whole uncertainty of your decisions – have you chosen the right course for you, have you made the right decision?
• Wanting to get results similar to your friends and peers
• Fear of failure

What you can do before the exam results?Look after yourself: In the days leading up to the exam results try to allocate some time for relaxation. This is really important as we often are too busy or too worked-up to think about taking a certain amount of time to just do something that relaxes you. This could include a long soak in a bubble bath, a walk by the beach, time spent on your Xbox or Playstation or just listening to your favourite music. It will be different for everyone and that's ok as long as you know what relaxes you and you put the time aside for that activity.Exercise: Exercise is an excellent way of dealing with stress and pressure. You may find it difficult to start exercising but hormones such as endorphins released during exercise help you feel better about yourself and the challenges you face.Talk to your friends: Consider talking to your friends who no doubt are going through similar feelings as you.Acknowledge your feelings: During this time you may feel anxious, nervous, excited, hopeless, nauseous or down. It's important that you recognise how you are feeling and express those feelings. If you feel you don't want to talk to someone about them, consider keeping a journal or expressing it through art. Check out our Art from the Heart section that allows you to express your feelings anonymously through art.Realise your own expectations: Take time to realistically consider your expectations for your exam results. Find out what results you would be happy with based on your own targets and not on the expectations of others. What subjects are you good at? What results are you hoping for in that subject? What subjects are you not so strong at? And what results would you be happy with in these subjects? Remember everyone has strengths and weaknesses.Address the unrealistic expectations of others: If you feel your stress is the result of the unrealistic expectations of others, sit them down and talk to them about what you feel is realistic and why. Dealing with the unrealistic expectations of others can be very difficult to cope with. Once this expectation is discussed and managed properly, it can be a huge relief.Consult a GP: If you feel like the stress you are experiencing is impacting negatively on your daily life and normal activities, consult a GP for further advice and treatment.How to manage stress after you get your exam resultsOnce you get your exam results, the immediate stress may be reduced. Congratulations! The wait is over and now you can consider your next step. Some people will be celebrating; others may be a bit disappointed but it is important to consider the following:After you receive your exams results, trust yourself and have the confidence to know you did your best: It can be easy to look back over your study time and think 'I could have done more' but this is not a very useful thing to do. Retrospective thinking may not always be realistic thinking.One person's disappointment is another person's success: Remember that everyone has different expectations of themselves and goals in life. Be aware of this during the exam results period.Put your results into perspective: Whether you have achieved the results you expected or not, remember that exams are stepping stones to something bigger. Exams are not always goals in themselves; they can be a means to a goal. Stepping stones can be of different sizes and sometimes may be difficult but the important thing is for them to be used productively to reach where you want to be. Marks should not be the goal; they only help you reach the next class or a level closer to your desired career. If you are disappointed about your results, your goal does not need to change but how you reach that goal may be different. Check out the goal setting fact sheet in the well-being section.Learn to disassociate your performances from who you are: Everyone is made up of a lot of abilities and skills. Exams judge skills and knowledge; they are not a judgement about a person or a reflection of a person's self-worth. Remember this, it is important. If you find yourself thinking negatively recently, check out the Noticing Unhelpful Thinking and Changing Unhelpful Thinking modules in the Self Help section.Treat yourself: The exam results are a stressful time and the hours of work put into achieving them deserves a reward. Whether you are delighted or disappointed with your results, allow yourself the time to treat yourself. If big celebrations are planned, be careful around your alcohol intake. Visit www.drinkaware.ie for more information.How can I prepare mentally for receiving my Leaving Cert results?Looking after your general mental health is something we should always do but especially around stressful periods. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare mentally for your leaving cert results. Set aside relaxation time and include rest in your daily schedule. Do not allow other obligations to take up time set aside for relaxation. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and to recharge your batteries.

• Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.
• Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be exercising, listening to music or dancing or any of the suggestions listed above.
• Keep your sense of humour. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.

Learn the relaxation responseYou can control your stress levels with relaxation techniques that evoke the body's relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response. Regularly practicing these techniques will build your physical and emotional resilience.Adopt a healthy lifestyleYou can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health. The following can help with strengthening your physical health:

• Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
• Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
• Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you will feel more relaxed and you will sleep better.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don't avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.
• Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

How can I relieve the stress of exams results day?In the build-up to receiving your Leaving Cert results there are many things you can do to ensure that you are as stress-free as possible. If you have been keeping a stress diary, you will know what type of things stresses you out, how you react to stress and how to best deal with stress.If you have not been keeping a stress diary, you can still benefit from stress relief techniques. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it's helpful to think of the four As: Avoid, Alter, Adapt, or Accept.Avoid the stressor, which means changing the situationAlter the stressor, which means changing certain aspects of the stressorAdapt to the stressor, which means changing your reaction to the stressorAccept the stressor, which means accepting the stressful issue in your life and learning from it.You cannot change the fact that the Leaving Cert results will arrive but you can alter the stressor, adapt the stressor or accept the stressor. For example, if the idea of going into the school to collect your results, meet your teachers and friends causes you stress then get your results online or via telephone.In order to adapt the stressor you could adapt how you think about the Leaving Cert results. Instead of seeing them as a major milestone, view them as one step to where you want to be in your future life and career.In order to accept the stressor, just acknowledge that getting exams results is a stressful time but something that a lot of people go through in order to get to the next point in their lives.Suppose all my friends do better than me, how can I show that I am happy for them if I'm disappointed with my results?It can be difficult experiencing mixed emotions. On one hand you are disappointed with your own results but happy for your friends. Remember these people are your friends. Just tell them how you feel. Honest conversations between friends are what keep friendships alive. Don't let this situation be any different from others.Are there any physical signs to show that I'm stressed? How do I deal with these?There are some physical signs that may indicate that you are stressed. These include some of the following:

• Headaches
• Aches and pains
• Indigestion
• Feeling faint
• Constant fatigue
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Nausea, dizziness
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, tightness in chest
• Loss of sex drive
• Frequent colds

If these physical symptoms are persistent, consult your GP.What are the emotional symptoms that indicate I'm stressed? How do I deal with these?Some of the emotional symptoms of stress include the following:

• Moodiness
• Irritability or short temper
• Agitation, inability to relax
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Sense of loneliness and isolation
• Depression or general unhappiness

In order to deal with these symptoms, take some time to relax and look after yourself. Do something you enjoy and that takes your mind off all your worries. Talk to someone you can trust and tell them exactly how you are feeling.