Hi Dolls and Gents,
It's been quite a long time since I blogged - I've just been very busy and to be honest, I found the whole blogging thing tough, I was beginning to question myself and comparing my work to others - BUT I realised how wrong I was to do that, I really enjoy writing and if one of my pieces helps or is enjoyed by someone (E.g Mum), then that's all that matters! I write purely for joy and love! 💗
Summer of waiting for the lovely LC results and not to forget the CAO results can be a daunting one - we've all been there friends. Not knowing what is in store for us is ever so scary but kinda exciting - it's going to be a new chapter for you wherever it may lead you, whether it be college, working or travelling, life is just filled with endless opportunities for us all. One piece of advice I would give is, Don't be scared - just embrace life whatever it may throw at you!
My journey took me to The Big Smoke - Dublin City University or as the UCD ones likes to say D--C ---Useless ( Not anyway offended....), it was and still is the biggest change I had to date. Being a little citizen from Glen Village (population: 20 people, 10 dogs and 1 cat) it was a big adjustment moving to Dublin - going solo, not having Mum's laundry and cooking service at my hand. Here are a few college expectations for those who may need it come September!
1. Campus Accommodation = ShoeBox Goals.
I was extremely fortunate to receive campus accomodation in my first year - good old Larkfield. Larkfield was accommodation purely for first year students. You had your own room, which was tiny, a shared bathroom and kitchen with another housemate. Moving out was tricky- having to cook, clean and budget was a challenge. My roommate Debbie and I had a good bond which is always a good thing to have when sharing a place, however, we both found space extremely difficult, one person could only fit in the kitchen so finding the space and time to cook was tough as anyone who knows me is aware of how much I love my food. Also, the bathroom space was just terrible and sharing a bathroom is never easy. As mentioned, Larkfield was filled with first years - every night was filled with noisy drunk students and a smell of Domino's pizza and Jack Slats in the corridors. However, I did meet some lovely people being there and Pre-drinks were always warm and cosy as rooms that could only fit about 3 people max were jammed with 20 people if not more and filled with good fun and laughs. Campus accommodation is extremely helpful for first years settling in but do not expect it to be anyway glamourous and cosy like home! Here is a link to a previous blog post on how I made my room that little bit like home!( https://country2college.blogspot.ie/2017/02/college-room-how-to-make-it-feel-right.html )
2. College TimeTables = Free Time! (Arts Students Only)
I study Media with Arts - my major is Media and minor is English. With DCU now joining with Pats - it means I'm between campuses, I study Media is Glasnevin and English in Pats. I love it, I get a feel for the two campuses and have the chance to meet new people! My timetable however was filled with endless gaps and hours off. At first I loved this idea, as I meant I got to explore and relax, however come semester two, it began it get rather boring and I would begin wasting my time on Netflix when I should've been studying. When you are an Arts student you will have lots and lots of things to read and research in your own time. Now, I'm not saying you have to study all the time in your free time - gosh no, it's college for goodness sake. But it would be a good idea to study for maybe an hour as from experience, especially with English you can fall behind pretty quickly in your reading leaving you feeling rather confused in lectures and seminars!
3. You will never be happy with your first assignment result - Don't be too Hard on Yourself:
Getting your first assignment title is never easy, and it is so scary when your lectures rant about the dangers plagiarism and referencing. It's your first time and no matter how prepared and perfect you think your assignment is - it's not in the eyes of your lecturers. You will make endless mistakes as you still are in secondary mode but believe me you will improve big time and laugh/ cringe at your first assignment. Don't be disheartened and if you ever need help or tips for on it - feel free to message me or anyone at third level, we know the struggle starting off.
4. Don't start missing Lectures or Depending on Online Notes:
You're away from home, nobody is there to keep an eye on you and O'Connell Street with it endless shops are just a 10 min bus journey.... DON'T DO IT. Now, I was a wee goody two shoes, I'm not gonna lie, but I have friends who miss college lectures so much that they began to feel left behind, stressed and burned out towards exam time. Yes, they passed their exams but they have forgotten all the information now that they will need for their career. You don't get half as much information from the Online Slides, unless your lecture is very lazy and boring! One tip to remember - This isn't like the Leaving Cert when you think 'I don't need that in life anyway' - you chose this course to get a job at the end of it - you will need all the info you can get, plus you will have your free-time too. Don't waste it!
5. Friends don't come your way - Clubs and Socs:
One thing I regret is not joining clubs and socs as I tended to shy away from it which lead me to having few friends and being completely isolated. Friends just don't come your way, you have to make the effort to talk to everyone. If you are in a lecture hall and sitting beside someone you don't know, talk to them about the course! Here are a few starting convo topics: 1. What course you studying?
2. Where are you from?
3. What clubs and socs are you thinking of joining?
Joining clubs and socs is one thing I wish I had done, as seeing my course friends being so popular and having other friends made me lonely and a tad bit jealous, which was all my own fault for not pushing myself to socialise more.
6. Just Eat Will become your new Friend - And Enemy.
Simple note - no matter how hungry you are don't do it. The only gains you earn from it is extra weight, bad skin and a bond with the delivery man. Haha, however, it is quite the nice treat so do treat yourself from time to time 👍
7. You will be Homesick - But it passes:
At the start of college I was an emotional wreck - and I still do be little bit homesick when i'm away but it passes. It is a big change being away from home but try and get out more, meet with friends and just stop dwelling on it. You are at college to benefit yourself and make your parents proud. You've got this!
8. Have fun:
Despite it all, college is for memories so make it count! The Leaving Cert was a rotten year, let's move on from it and have fun! If you can manage the LC, you can manage anything!
I hope this helps anyone and thank you for reading!
Lots of Love,
Niamh
Xxx
Summer of waiting for the lovely LC results and not to forget the CAO results can be a daunting one - we've all been there friends. Not knowing what is in store for us is ever so scary but kinda exciting - it's going to be a new chapter for you wherever it may lead you, whether it be college, working or travelling, life is just filled with endless opportunities for us all. One piece of advice I would give is, Don't be scared - just embrace life whatever it may throw at you!
My journey took me to The Big Smoke - Dublin City University or as the UCD ones likes to say D--C ---Useless ( Not anyway offended....), it was and still is the biggest change I had to date. Being a little citizen from Glen Village (population: 20 people, 10 dogs and 1 cat) it was a big adjustment moving to Dublin - going solo, not having Mum's laundry and cooking service at my hand. Here are a few college expectations for those who may need it come September!
1. Campus Accommodation = ShoeBox Goals.
I was extremely fortunate to receive campus accomodation in my first year - good old Larkfield. Larkfield was accommodation purely for first year students. You had your own room, which was tiny, a shared bathroom and kitchen with another housemate. Moving out was tricky- having to cook, clean and budget was a challenge. My roommate Debbie and I had a good bond which is always a good thing to have when sharing a place, however, we both found space extremely difficult, one person could only fit in the kitchen so finding the space and time to cook was tough as anyone who knows me is aware of how much I love my food. Also, the bathroom space was just terrible and sharing a bathroom is never easy. As mentioned, Larkfield was filled with first years - every night was filled with noisy drunk students and a smell of Domino's pizza and Jack Slats in the corridors. However, I did meet some lovely people being there and Pre-drinks were always warm and cosy as rooms that could only fit about 3 people max were jammed with 20 people if not more and filled with good fun and laughs. Campus accommodation is extremely helpful for first years settling in but do not expect it to be anyway glamourous and cosy like home! Here is a link to a previous blog post on how I made my room that little bit like home!( https://country2college.blogspot.ie/2017/02/college-room-how-to-make-it-feel-right.html )
2. College TimeTables = Free Time! (Arts Students Only)
I study Media with Arts - my major is Media and minor is English. With DCU now joining with Pats - it means I'm between campuses, I study Media is Glasnevin and English in Pats. I love it, I get a feel for the two campuses and have the chance to meet new people! My timetable however was filled with endless gaps and hours off. At first I loved this idea, as I meant I got to explore and relax, however come semester two, it began it get rather boring and I would begin wasting my time on Netflix when I should've been studying. When you are an Arts student you will have lots and lots of things to read and research in your own time. Now, I'm not saying you have to study all the time in your free time - gosh no, it's college for goodness sake. But it would be a good idea to study for maybe an hour as from experience, especially with English you can fall behind pretty quickly in your reading leaving you feeling rather confused in lectures and seminars!
3. You will never be happy with your first assignment result - Don't be too Hard on Yourself:
Getting your first assignment title is never easy, and it is so scary when your lectures rant about the dangers plagiarism and referencing. It's your first time and no matter how prepared and perfect you think your assignment is - it's not in the eyes of your lecturers. You will make endless mistakes as you still are in secondary mode but believe me you will improve big time and laugh/ cringe at your first assignment. Don't be disheartened and if you ever need help or tips for on it - feel free to message me or anyone at third level, we know the struggle starting off.
4. Don't start missing Lectures or Depending on Online Notes:
You're away from home, nobody is there to keep an eye on you and O'Connell Street with it endless shops are just a 10 min bus journey.... DON'T DO IT. Now, I was a wee goody two shoes, I'm not gonna lie, but I have friends who miss college lectures so much that they began to feel left behind, stressed and burned out towards exam time. Yes, they passed their exams but they have forgotten all the information now that they will need for their career. You don't get half as much information from the Online Slides, unless your lecture is very lazy and boring! One tip to remember - This isn't like the Leaving Cert when you think 'I don't need that in life anyway' - you chose this course to get a job at the end of it - you will need all the info you can get, plus you will have your free-time too. Don't waste it!
5. Friends don't come your way - Clubs and Socs:
One thing I regret is not joining clubs and socs as I tended to shy away from it which lead me to having few friends and being completely isolated. Friends just don't come your way, you have to make the effort to talk to everyone. If you are in a lecture hall and sitting beside someone you don't know, talk to them about the course! Here are a few starting convo topics: 1. What course you studying?
2. Where are you from?
3. What clubs and socs are you thinking of joining?
Joining clubs and socs is one thing I wish I had done, as seeing my course friends being so popular and having other friends made me lonely and a tad bit jealous, which was all my own fault for not pushing myself to socialise more.
6. Just Eat Will become your new Friend - And Enemy.
Simple note - no matter how hungry you are don't do it. The only gains you earn from it is extra weight, bad skin and a bond with the delivery man. Haha, however, it is quite the nice treat so do treat yourself from time to time 👍
7. You will be Homesick - But it passes:
At the start of college I was an emotional wreck - and I still do be little bit homesick when i'm away but it passes. It is a big change being away from home but try and get out more, meet with friends and just stop dwelling on it. You are at college to benefit yourself and make your parents proud. You've got this!
8. Have fun:
Despite it all, college is for memories so make it count! The Leaving Cert was a rotten year, let's move on from it and have fun! If you can manage the LC, you can manage anything!
I hope this helps anyone and thank you for reading!
Lots of Love,
Niamh
Xxx
