Connect and Engage Induction Programme

Connect and Engage 2025 Event Schedule

TUS Connect and Engage Programme is designed to provide students with the necessary support and guidance to enhance their college experience. Over the 7 weeks, the programme offers a wide range of events and activities tailored for both new and returning students. You will get the opportunity to meet staff, connect with your peers, and access key information to support your academic journey.

The 7 week induction incorporates the following themes:- 

• Week 1: Welcome back students & First Year On-Campus Orientation
• Week 2: Get Connected
• Week 3: Financial Fitness
• Week 4: Mind Your Health
• Week 5: Mental Health Matters
• Week 6: Boosting Academic Success
• Week 7: Community and Culture

Week 1

New Students: We’re delighted to welcome you as a student and look forward to supporting you on this exciting new journey. To help you get started, please visit the TUS Athlone Induction webpage. There you’ll find the TUS Starter Pack, which will introduce you to the wide range of supports and services provided by the university, along with your timetables and other key information to help you settle into university life. You’ll also find details and schedules for the First Year On-Site Orientation.

Returning Students: In the first week of term, we will welcome our returning students back on campus. This week is a great time to reconnect with the TUS community, friends, faculty, and student support services. To support your return to university life, the TUS Starter Pack has been designed to highlight the supports and services provided by the university, as well as your timetables and other important information to help you get settled at TUS. As a returning student, please pay particular attention to Steps 3, 4, and 5 of the TUS Starter Pack.

Week 2

During “Get Connected” week there will be a variety of activities on campus to help students get off to a flying start at TUS. This week is all about settling in and engaging with fellow classmates, as well as connecting with the academic and professional services staff, who are here to help students throughout their time at TUS.

Student Leaders will be onsite to ensure our new students know where to go and help our Freshers in their first week on campus. Student Leaders are TUS graduates and will be available to answer queries, guide students to services and classrooms, connect with students on social media and encourage students to get engaged with college life at TUS.

• Make sure to “Get Connected” at our Clubs and Societies day on Tuesday 16th September in the MPH from 10am-2pm.
• TUS Gym will be offering First Years a free trial of the gym when they sign up as PAYG member.
• TUS Sexual Health Service will be active on social media during ‘Get Connected Week’ highlighting their services and how to get connected.
  
  

Week 3

Financial Fitness week is all about getting in ship shape, financially speaking! Students will be offered information and advice relating to third level financial supports and will be able to pick and choose from a variety of offerings ranging from information sessions on managing finances to how to budget for college life. Workshops and drop-in clinics will be held throughout the week to facilitate students’ financial queries and advise on available supports. Keep an eye on our social media for campus updates.

• Think you may be Neurodivergent? TUS Counselling are running an 8 week information programme starting on Wednesday 24th September in the Student’s Union
• The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) and the West Midlands Credit Union will be on campus on Thursday 25th September, to offer students free financial advice.
• We will also be joined by our own TUS Access office to help with students’ financial queries and offer advice on available supports. 
• Connect with your TUS PASS Leaders and follow the @tus_pass Instagram page for first year updates from TUS. Don’t forget to attend PASS to be in with a chance of winning cash prizes

TUS understands the financial pressures that many of our students and their families face when it comes to going to college. We provide students with as much financial support as possible to ensure that they can enjoy the experience of going to college. Please visit the TUS Financial Assistance page to discover all the possible supports available.

Week 4

Health and wellbeing are of vital importance and Mind Your Health week will focus on promoting our comprehensive health and wellness resources. From fitness and eating well, to managing illness and sexual health, we are committed to fostering a healthy and balanced lifestyle and encourage students to participate in events and opportunities to look after all aspects of their health while they study at TUS.

During Mind your Health week, many external organisations will be on campus to deliver awareness and promote health and wellbeing.

• Nutritionist Dr Marie Byrne (Athlone Community Food & Nutrition Worker) will be on campus to offer free nutritional advice to students on Monday 29th September from 10am to 12pm.
• Your Community, Your Care – explore support services around you on Monday 29th September in the main canteen.
• TUS Gym will be offering Free Gym Classes with PAYG sign up. You can also enter the PLANK CHALLENGE to win a free membership!!
• Mind Your Sexual Health with free, confidential STI/HIV testing and treatment, contraception (including PrEP/PEP), and pregnancy support.
• 1916 Bursary Fund walk-in Information Sessions for First Years on Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th September.
• UNIMAAP 8 Week Online Programme for Third Level Students with ADHD – starting on Wednesday 1st October.

If you have a pre-existing condition or any health concerns, please register with the Student Health Centre on a confidential basis. Please email studenthealth.midlands@tus.ie. Find out more about our Sexual Health Service here or email sexualhealth.midlands@tus.ie.

Week 5

During this week, Student Counselling Service will deliver awareness campaigns across campus. There will be a stand at reception so you can find out more about the service & Togetherall during Mental Health Matters Week.

• Meet the TUS Counselling team
• John Count McCormack Centre will “Light up green” for World Mental Health Day on Friday 10th October.
• Short Meditations will be available on the Counselling page on Moodle.
• PASS: Look out for the PASS Raffle – attend PASS to be in with a chance of winning cash prizes. Follow the @tus_pass Instagram page for first year updates from TUS.

Students are encouraged to register for free mental health support with Togetherall, a safe online peer support community for all students which is moderated by mental health professionals, and which can be accessed 24/7.

Week 6

This week is all about learning and boosting academic success. Students will be invited to engage with TUS Library to learn about all the wonderful resources and supports which will benefit students throughout their academic journey.

During this week, initiatives will be delivered across TUS including:

• The Academic Writing Centre will deliver workshops on “Mastering Presentation Skills” on Wednesday 15th October.
• Discover a variety of resources including services, apps, downloads and videos to support your academic success with the Learner Success Toolkit.
• Our Learning Support Tutors are available free of charge, all year round for Maths, Business, Science and Writing Skills.

TUS Athlone Campus Careers Fair will take place on Wednesday, 15th October 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Sports Arena. This year we are welcoming up to 90 participating companies from across a wide range of sectors. Exhibitors will be offering opportunities for graduate recruitment, internships, volunteering, and further study.

Week 7

For our final week of Connect and Engage we switch the focus from surviving to thriving. Community and Culture week is all about unlocking students’ full potential personally, academically, and professionally. We take a holistic approach, acknowledging that student growth and development also happens outside the classroom. This week students’ can engage with a tapestry of opportunities to help them thrive and engage with their own development. We promote an array of community oriented and cultural opportunities including food, music, clubs and societies and the arts.

• Join us for a Mature Student’s Coffee Morning on Tuesday 21st October – Book your place here
• Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure are running two exciting events on Tuesday 21st October – Vertical Towers Tea Tasting & 2Mato Student Showcase
• Don’t forget, you can Check In with us at any time throughout your journey if you are struggling with anything or just need a bit of guidance! 

This is a great time to explore volunteering and take the opportunity to celebrate each other and the wonderful diverse community and culture at TUS. By engaging beyond a disciplinary focus, students will broaden their horizons and begin to build their own narrative and personal brand. We believe that a well-rounded university experience and fostering wider holistic development will enhance the student experience and will contribute positively to graduate attributes.