Jane Cowan: What the next government needs to do to make life better for students

From affordable housing and support for PhDs to the cost of living and mental health, Irish Examiner columnist JANE COWAN outlines her key priorities for the next government as part of the Irish Examier's "My Message to the Dáil" series.

The next government must address the big four challenges and provide accommodation; support PhDs; subsidise food; and provide more mental health supports. Picture: iStock

I remember my first tentative steps through my college campus.

Scrambling to read a map, trying to find the right lecture theatre for my induction. I walked up and down the same staircase three times, trying to get to the right room.