Take My Advice
We asked students to let us know what advice or knowledge they would have liked to have been given as a first year student. And this is what they said……
- Accommodation
- Asking for help
- Assignments, coursework and exams
- Books, libraries and resources
- Careers advice
- Living independently
- Money and budgeting
- Orientation
- Professional courses
- Social life
- Student services
Many thanks to Trintiy College Dublin Student Union for contacting students, and a special thanks to all the students who took the time to respond.
Advice from lecturers
'Your tutor (pastoral) is your go-to person. Meet him or her in first week and never ever be afraid to ask for what you need'.
School of English
'Hand in all continual assessment assignments...it takes pressure off at end of year exams!'
School of Biochemistry and Immunology
'Ask, do not be shy etc., and keep on asking until you are sure, whatever your question is about'.
School of History
Accommodation
Halls is great for first year, but if you didn't get a place, privately rented accommodation works out pretty well, as long as you keep a few things in mind. In Ireland it's not mandatory for a landlord or letting agent to conduct an inventory of all furniture and appliances on the property, but it's definitely worth your while to do this, with photos (dated, if your camera has that function). On this inventory you should also note any damage to furniture, etc. that was present when you moved in. This caught my flatmates and I out big-time when we moved out of our flat (Read more....)
Sadhbh, 3rd year Psychology, TCD
Asking for help
I found the first few months of college extremely difficult when everyone around me seemed to breeze the way through it. I felt like I didn't belong and was finding the work very hard. I wanted to dropped out of my course and move back home. I did not enjoy where I was living at the time. My course, Nursing, demanded so much from me, both academically and psychologically. I was mentally drained and fed up. I contacted my Tutor who recommended me to speak to the people at the Student Counselling service as she did not want me to make a rash decision and drop out (Read more....)
Rebecca, 1st year Nursing, TCD
Assignments, coursework and exams
I cannot specify enough how important it is to just even know what is required of you in order to pass the year. I ended up not being aware of certain requirements such as mandatory attendance classes, important assignments, etc. My advice is to attend everything in the first few weeks to get an idea of what you will need to do throughout the year so as you don't fall behind without even knowing. (Read more.....)
2nd year Management science and information systems studies (MSISS), TCD
Books, libraries and resources
English obviously involves a lot of reading. It would be a bit expensive to have to buy everything, so when you get your reading list, check what's easily available in the library, and what's online. As well as that, check out Amazon - books are usually cheap, and if you spend over £25, you get free shipping to Ireland. (Read more......)
1st year English, TCD
Careers advice
I'm from a specialised course. I knew this is what I was going to be doing for 4 years. Nobody ever talked to us about what comes after. Internships are key to succeeding these days in the jobs market. Experience is required everywhere. Why, they even require experience for the next course that I plan on doing. Now, if I had been told all this in first year, I would've started hunting right away. (Read more.....)
4th year Human Genetics, TCD
Living independently
Get a routine at some point. Even if you never know what you're doing next, get transport and food options sorted in your own head early on and all the rest follows on easily! (Read more....)
3rd year, TCD
Money and budgeting
Try to pack a lunch every day and had breakfast every morning, nothing eats into your money more than spending about €10+ per day on food! Also, coffee is very expensive so try have one before you leave your house or buy a travel mug and bring it with you! (Read more.....)
Caoimhe, 2nd year Nursing, TCD
Use our budget calculator.xlsx
Orientation
Look up where all the different buildings are and the opening times for each (Student Records, etc). Also ask your course co-ordinator in the orientation meeting any questions you have, even if they aren't specific to your course, they will often be more helpful than your assigned College Tutor. (Read more.....)
Beth, 4th year European Studies, TCD
Professional courses
If you're choosing to study nursing (or midwifery) you need to understand that your course and college life will be very, very different to those of your peers. You are in a full-time, professional course. You will have to attend lectures from 9 to 5, these are not optional. You will have to complete a ten week clinical placement after Christmas, this means working a 40 hour week for free, and you really will be working, hard. (Read more....)
Grace, 1st year Nursing, TCD
Social life
Try to go to as many social events/mixers/society nights as possible in the first few weeks. This may seem daunting if you don't know anyone but by the end of the night, you will! Just knowing people's faces is a great way to feel like you belong a bit more, the friendships will build over time. ("Read more....)
Niamh, 1st year BESS, TCD
Student services
Also, take advantage of all the great services the college and the Students Union provide for you. If you need to chat to people about education issues or welfare issues just go in and as it is what they are there for. (Read more.....)
3rd year Irish Studies, TCD