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Catriona Tighe started her third level journey at ATU Donegal in 2016 and chose the Bachelor of Business (Hons) as her number one CAO choice. Proximity to family friends and affordability were factors that Catriona considered when making her final decision on where to study, both of which could be achieved by studying in ATU Donegal.
Studying at home granted Catriona a lot of freedom, she embraced the college experience while enjoying the comforts of home. Rather than spending money on student accommodation, Catriona spent her money on travel because studying at home gave her the financial freedom to save and travel, which differed from friends who chose to study away from home.
Although a common misconception, Catriona did not feel like she was leaving anything behind by choosing to study at home. She still had the full university experience; she had the flexibility of coming in and out to lectures; had the opportunity to decide to stay in the canteen for lunch or go home; she made friends from all corners of the country (and further afield) while still keeping her childhood friendships alive – some of whom were studying alongside her and others who were studying down the country but who came home over weekends and holidays.
When it came to making her CAO choices, Catriona felt unsure about what she wanted to do.
“I wasn’t one of those people who was born with a burning desire for any particular career – there were so many things I could see myself doing and I never had that light bulb moment that I felt so many of my friends had! When making my CAO choices, I felt the business degree encapsulated a lot of the areas that I was interested in and studying closer to home gave me the time to explore these areas at my leisure. I got to have the college experience whilst also building a life at home. When I graduated, it didn’t feel like a shock to me as my way-of-life didn’t change that much at all. Many of my new friends stayed in Donegal and it gave me a chance to visit and stay in places nearby that I probably wouldn’t have visited previously. Old friends moved home again. I had met a lot of people locally and had the opportunity to “network”. I didn’t have that lost feeling that some people have when they graduate.”
Catriona Taige
Catriona further added, “Studying at home granted me a lot of freedom – without losing out on the things that I really valued at home, such as being close to family. I am glad I can look back and know that I enjoyed everything college had to offer while also spending time with my parents and family.”
When giving advice to students making their final CAO choices, Catriona commented, “Take advantage of being at home – learn to drive, explore your interests, skills and hobbies. Studying at home is the perfect opportunity to explore who and where you want to be.”
If you are hoping to receive a CAO offer from ATU Donegal this Thursday and want to check out facilities ahead of your university start date, attend the ATU Donegal Information Day which takes place in the Letterkenny campus this Friday 9 September from 11am to 4pm.
If you have not made a CAO application but have now decided that you would like to study at ATU Donegal this September, there is still time to apply to secure a place through the CAO’ Available Places’ facility. This facility opens this Friday 9 September. Students interested in the ‘Available Places’ facility should come to the ATU Information Day this Friday for support in making a late application, or alternatively, contact the Schools Engagement team directly on lauren.reynolds@atu.ie or tracy.sheridan@atu.ie
To register to attend ATU Donegal’s Information Day this Friday 9 September visit: https://forms.office.com/r/mVmA5XNQ52
For further information on ATU Donegal Information Day visit www.lyit.ie or contact ATU Donegal on (074) 9186104. Boost your future in 2022, choose ATU Donegal.
The future is here.
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