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Student Testimonials
"Never would I have realised on joining Coláiste Stiofan Naofa on the Access to Social Studies in September 2008 that two years later that I would be heading for UCC, to study Law. Returning to education can be difficult, a daunting step that should you have a family you will be doubtful of taking. The support that I found from both the teachers and the course directors was astounding. Every aspect of your school life was encouraged and should difficulties arise, even in your private life they were addressed confidentially and concisely. The course itself, which took two years to complete allowed for a huge variety of subjects to be explored (seventeen in all). All participants had the option to do each and every subject and then to continue with the ones they liked. Some subjects were even outside the remit of Social Studies including Law, Economics and Folklore. The opportunity of being able to explore these areas was of enormous benefit to me as I discovered that opposed to my original plan of a career in the Social Care area I would now be better suited to Law. My study of Folklore culminated in the production of a book, “The Ship of Seven Murders”, would never have happened except for the choice provided on this Access course."
Kathy Bunney
"I am in my late 40s and was thrilled with the opportunity of going to college. It
was a lifelong ambition of mine. One that I didn’t think I would ever fulfil. I was
dubious about my ability to get through a social studies course because of a hectic home life and a part time job. I enjoyed every minute of it. I now know that I can do anything I set my mind to and that’s a great feeling."
Margo McCann
"I was a student of Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa 2007/2009 session. I studied the Access to Social Studies course and the experience was worthwhile. Having come from Nigeria where we have local languages, I struggled with reading and writing English language before attending Stiofáin Naofa. During the study period, I developed good communications skills in the English language. I was enlightened about current social issues in Ireland through the sociology module. As an adult I thoroughly enjoyed the method of teaching because lectures were delivered on a step by step basis. The assignments were looked into on a one to one basis and I personally received extra supports from career guidance and counsellors. Likewise, the Access course gave me an opportunity to integrate into Irish society through work experience and interacting with other adults in the college. Without the Access course I might not be able to participate in education in Ireland due to the fact that people learn at a different pace, and my educational needs were met through the access course. I would recommend this course for any adult who is willing to go back to education, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to learn, what matters is the achievement from learning. I have proceeded in my education and I am currently studying Community Development at Cork Institute of Technology."
Busola Julius
"As an adult Dutchman, after 23 years in the Hotel and Catering industry, I have just finished the two year social studies course and I feel blessed that I was enabled/allowed to do the course! The teachers practiced what they preached and were so supportive in this great college! This for me was integration to the max! I have learned so much about Irish culture (and other world cultures) from a social point of view!! I have done 14 subjects where I only needed 8 for the award just because I was so interested. All were challenging, but all worth it. I really felt included and even though I found it very hard to juggle multiple sides of my life at the same time (work, household, sports/relaxation, finance, enjoying life, volunteering) I am so glad I signed up for the course! Never mind what you will lose along the way, what you will gain for it with this course is indescribable and will last a life time!!!"
Marc Van Vliet
"I would like to advocate the Stiofáin Naofa Access Course which I attended during the years of 2004 - 2006. I left school in 1980 with very little notion of what I could or would like to do in life. Despite coming from a middle class background where many of my friends went on to college, I considered myself "too stupid" to even contemplate a third level education. Neither of my parents had been to third level and I felt always that someone had to be "highly intelligent" to go to college. For most of the 1980s I worked in various office jobs and indeed was very lucky to hold down a job at all because of recession but I always felt there was something missing in my life. I was an avid reader and always read factual books either about travel, history and current affairs. After marriage, moving to Cork and 4 children, I was encouraged by a friend who had worked in CSN to apply for the Access Course. Not really knowing what the course was about I took it on as a welcome distraction from baby talk and children! I have never looked back! The course gave a variety of classes in which one could experience different areas of learning. To be honest I wasn't very interested in the business side of things but enjoyed the human science and social studies aspects. I began to write essays again, not in a pressurised way, but actually enjoyed expressing myself and also being encouraged by very patient teachers. This skill of writing and self expression helped me to pass the entrance exam for an Arts Degree into UCC. That day in August, 2006 is still etched upon my memory as being one of the most important days in my life. I WAS ACCEPTED INTO A UNIVERSITY! I cried, I laughed and I hugged my husband and my children, who needless to say, thought that I had gone mad! In 2009 I completed my degree in Archaeology and Geography and am hoping to be accepted into a Masters Degree Course. One may ask what is the intrinsic value of education especially if one is deemed too old, the subjects too academic or non-commercial job producing? My answer to this is that I now have potential; I now have the tools to go further. Not just the academic tools but the self confidence tools which hold so many people back in life. I may go on and do a Higher Diploma in Education and possibly teach, I actually think that I would make a good teacher with my various life skills coming to the fore. I may one day be able to encourage another person to go on and do that course in Stiofáin Naofa. This whole experience has been invaluable for me but also for my children who have seen me struggle with course work and come through the other end. I hope that it has and will encourage them to go and complete a course in third level education. From the small seed of education many people have been affected and hopefully inspired to perhaps go to college themselves."
Cathy O’ Rourke
"As a mature student with children it would have been impossible for me to complete the FETAC Community and Health Services award over one year, five years ago. The two year access course gave me the confidence to believe
in the ability that I knew I had all my life but I was not given the opportunities in earlier years. The FETAC access course was an excellent grounding course
for the Bachelor of Social Science Degree which I have just completed in U.C.C. and has given me the confidence to keep going forward. I now teach adult literacy on a voluntary basis, and I know many of the students are working their way towards achieving a FETAC award. Access courses are the only way to build up the confidence in an able student for these students, most of whom did not get a fair opportunity as a child. I am an example of how these FETAC courses are indispensible. Thank you for the happy memories of my time in C.S.N."
Karen Mullane
"I availed of this opportunity to study a FETAC Level 5 Course in Business Studies at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa on a part time basis over the academic years 2001 / 2002 and 2002 /2003. I would not have been able to do this course in one academic year due to family commitments and the amount of study work need to achieve good results in this course. Since completing the FETAC Level 5 Course I have progressed to achieving a City & Guilds qualification in “Teaching the Adult Learner” at St. John’s College. On completion of this course St. John’s College offered and employed me as a City of Cork VEC Tutor."
Bernice Jones
"A mature student can not be expected to move at the same rate as their younger counterparts. Tutors have more time to help them along, more or less at their own pace. This for me was the whole point of Access to Education for Adults. I and 12 other students have gone on to complete third level degrees. This was in no small way, due to the way the education was delivered in C S N."
William J Martin
"I was very apprehensive starting out in first year having spent approximately 10 years at home rearing my children and did not have much confidence in my academic ability. However, having successfully completed the course, I am a new person! I have always regretted not attending college and think the main reason I never went was because a part of me always feared failure. My time at CSN has given me a taste of further education with huge support and guidance and has resulted in greatly improving my self esteem and whetted my appetite for further learning. I am no longer so fearful of moving outside of my comfort zone and am now involved as a volunteer with an Adult Literacy Scheme within my local community. I intend to undertake a course in a different field in September and although I may never pursue a degree at third level, it is a very different feeling I have now, knowing that I have the ability for university and choosing not to go, compared with the feeling I had prior to CSN thinking that it was beyond me! I highly recommend the Social Studies course at CSN as a very informative, enjoyable and motivating course and it has certainly been of great personal benefit to me. Thanks again."
Anne Donovan
"For me personally the Access Course was a most beneficial course. It had been several years since I had studied, due to family commitments, so it was somewhat daunting taking on the course but I found the tutors in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa gave each student wonderful tuition and great personal attention, which in turn instilled confidence and skills to complete the course and gain a Level 5 FETAC Award. In my case I gained a place in U.C.C. at the end of the two years, to study for an Arts Degree. The C.S.N. Access course gave me the confidence and skill to sit the examination for this, but unfortunately I was unable to avail of the U.C.C. offer due to a back injury."
Maura Cronin
"Before I started at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa in 2003 I had returned from the Middle East where I had worked as a Senior Cabin Crew Instructor. However in 2002, after undergoing a major operation for cancer in Dublin I found myself with little energy and fewer opportunities or degrees that would have me considered as valuable to the “Celtic Tiger” workplace. On seeing an advertisement for Stiofáin Naofa's adult education courses, I was fortunate enough to be accepted on the Social studies course. I had the opportunity to acquaint myself with the business studies course and while I found it fascinating I knew I did not have the energy that course would require but was grateful to be able to have the opportunity to make such a decision. The Social studies course was of great benefit to me as it was spread over two years and offered a variety of courses that opened up different ways of thinking about my abilities. Had it been over a year, my family circumstances of two demanding young children, health problems and energy lapses would not have allowed me to complete it and carry on to enter tertiary education at UCC. This course gave me back my self confidence and self esteem. The subjects covered were extremely valuable to me in updating and assimilating my family into Irish society and rediscovering my creative abilities. Stiofáin Naofa will always be a very special place for me and hold good memories because of the support of their much attuned staff in dealing with people who want a second chance at education."
Nina Sheehan
"As a mature student at CSN College for the past two years I would like to thank you, your fellow teachers and the college staff for providing me the opportunity to return to education after many years. It has been a wonderful and most enjoyable experience that opened up for me subjects that I would never have thought possible of studying e.g. Social Studies, Intercultural Studies, Equality and Disability, Work Experience in Literacy and Human Growth and Development. The course provided me with a perspective and understanding of matters that are positively life enhancing and would recommend anybody to take part in it. The fact that I was allowed to proceed at my own pace was a most vital aspect of the course - after all I had not been in education for so long - I know that I would not have been able complete the course (not a mind achieve the positively high grades awarded to me), but for that fact. "
Anne McCarthy
"I started Access to Social Studies in September 07 in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa. It enabled my re-entry to education after 20 years. I am married with two children, one of whom has special needs; this course suited me as I was always home before my children returned from school. Having it run over two academic years enabled me to participate while meeting my family needs. This course enhanced my life educationally and personally, I meet many like-minded people that helped to build me confidence to progress on the course. I found great support from the tutors and other staff members. Presently I am doing a BA in UCC, which would haven't been possible without first attending the Access to Social Studies in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to return to education."
Eileen Hegarty
"I found the Access course most beneficial and the teachers to be very accommodating. This has led to me having the opportunity of attending CIT where I’m currently a third year degree student studying marketing. "
John Crowley
"My name is Dave Walker and due to an accumulation of life circumstances by late 2003 it became apparent to me that I could not continue to earn my living as I had been doing. After a period of reflection, experimentation with other possibilities and as a result of advice from a “life coach” I applied to Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa for a place on their Access to Education for Adults with Social Studies course. I attended an interview and was accepted onto the course to start in September 2004.
At this stage I was unsure if I was still capable of academic study (I’d done well at school but had dropped out of education at age 18 and I was now in my late 40’s). I was unsure if I would enjoy studying and if I really wanted to follow this route. Over the course of the year I rediscovered my love for academic study. I realised to my surprise that I am good at it and that I enjoy the whole academic learning experience. As a consequence of which I was encouraged to apply to UCC for their Bachelor of Social Science degree programme. I completed my degree this year and achieved a 1st class honours qualification, as a result of which I am enrolling for a post-graduate course. I still don’t know what line of work I wish to follow but I am certain it involves academic study and research in some form.
I would have achieved none of this were it not for the faith and support shown to me by all the staff in Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa be from the ladies in the canteen, the girls at reception or the teaching staff. All the tutors were excellent and the atmosphere is exceptional. At no point did I feel unwelcome or out of place and any problems I did have (about VEC and Welfare payments actually) were sorted out quickly and sympathetically. I am especially grateful to Eddie, Heather, Siobhan and Liz without whom I would not be where I am now.
I have never experienced, before or since, a more committed, friendly and fun atmosphere in which to learn and am grateful to have this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation to you all."
Dave Walker. B.Soc.Sci (1:1)
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" I am thrilled at being given a 2nd chance at education.
Learning as an adult is completely different. CSN is a great place
to learn - very friendly and the tutors couldn’t be more
helpful. My advice to anyone thinking about doing this course
- don’t think about it any
longer, try it. No matter what problems you may think you will
encounter, there is so much help and support available that I’m
sure a solution will be found."
Sharon Mullins, Year 2, Access with Business
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