And So, It Starts
As my pen scratches the paper I pause and think about what people said to me in the weeks before I started college. It is a tough question to answer because the world was a different place four years ago, but the most important thing that you need to hear is: welcome. Welcome to a place where you will learn about topics within your course; but more importantly a place where you will start a journey and become the person you will be at the end of your UCC experience. I’m sure that seems like a world away right now and hopefully you will be able to look back on your time here with more smiles than tears, but that’s all in the future. Right now, it is important to focus on the present and enjoy your college experience.That distinct college mentality waits in the wings of Cork City as the prospect of online and blended learning poses a new encounter for many students. The fusion of familiarity and novelty brings a new energy to this year; the warm embrace of college that leaves a sting of unfamiliarity on its tail. Many of us are approaching this year with an air of apprehension about the future. Our certainties lie within our own capabilities and how we can apply our knowledge to uncertain situations.There is no college map that clearly defines the road each person will travel down, the beauty of it is that you create your own map. Whether you are at the start of your college journey or somewhere in the middle of things the possibility for creation is always there for the taking; it is just a matter of having the courage to reach out and grab it. While our world has become more virtual in nature, this should not limit the possibilities that we can create for ourselves as we look forward to the future. I was told once, necessity is the mother of invention and over the past six months I have seen the core of that message come to fruition.The editorial team has been working tirelessly over the holidays to produce this paper in that familiar working from home fashion that we have all become so accustomed to over the past while. In this issue, Maeve McTaggart tackles student accommodation amidst the pandemic and Liam Grainger casts his eye forward to an optimistic season for UCC Sport. There is also a brand new section in Features this year called ‘Careers Corner’, detailing stories from the Career Services right here in UCC. All of that and lots more in the following pages.My reminder to every student; University Express is only as good as those who contribute their pieces to its pages each fortnight. Our editors are ready to work with anyone who wants to become part of the student media community here at UCC.Until next time,Fiona