Trinity College Dublin Provost Dr Linda Doyle said there is a "palpable buzz" on the college campus as students make the initial return to in-person learning after Covid-19 shutdowns.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Dr Doyle said the university has seen a record number of first preference applications for places by this year's Leaving Certificate students, yet many second-year students were taking their first steps onto campus today.
Dr Doyle said it will be a "semester of two halves" as up to 22 October will see a mix of in-person learning and remote lectures.
She said the numbers in lecture theatres, laboratories and tutorials will remain reduced with a one-metre social distancing rule in place, before things relax further.
She said that along with mask wearing, this would ensure students can feel safe returning to classes.
Dr Doyle said that the financial cost of the pandemic to the university is high, with €20million spent on mitigating effects and more than €20million in revenue lost.
"We will have to work to overcome that", she said.
Dr Doyle said additional funding to allow for additional college places has been put in place, meaning that if the university takes in extra numbers of students, they can bring in extra support to cater for those numbers.
Meanwhile, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has moved to reassure students who do not get their first choice when CAO offers are made tomorrow.
"Please know that no matter what happens for you tomorrow there are so many options, opportunities and pathways for you to get to where you want to get to", he said.
During a visit to Cavan Institute, which is a centre for further education, the minister met students and teachers who are back at lectures for the new academic year.
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