nervous about college!

GSI

BamboozledFinn wrote: »

I don't bat for the home side as it so happens.:)

what does that mean?

BrianG23

Haha, I was like that last, im a shy little ***** too(just not on the internet :pac:)


Anyway the first day I went in, 10 minutes in standing in line, I made a friend. Sound bloke, left the college because i'm lazy though. up to 4 hours travel a day is not for me. Just don't worry and go in, ask if you're in the right place and all and you just end up talking crap eventually. I'm sorta nervous about it again but eh, just forget about it you can't do anything about it.

hokeypokey

Join societies and clubs things like that, you can make friends that way without even trying...

njd2010

I'm more worried about the financial aspect of it all... Mo' freedom, mo' problems.

Sarah?

I definitely recommend joining lots of societies, you should meet loads of people, and have great craic especially if you try something you've never tried before. Loads will be nervous, so you've already got something in common with others. And if you somehow get lost (which is unlikely), you could even meet someone really nice by just asking them for directions! :pac:

Even if you're shy, seeing as it's a new beginning for everyone, whoever sits beside you at any point early on will probably try to start a conversation with you so it'll be easier than you think to meet new people.

smeal

BamboozledFinn wrote: »

Yeah, my cousin goes to St. Pats and she sent me links to all these girls looking for flatmates but sure we'd have nothing in common!
My tea went everywhere when I seen that it's €88 to get a dublin bus/luas 30 day pass! That's €880 if I'm up in Dublin for 10 months! :mad:So only accommodation within a reasonable walking distance to Cathal Brugha St. is getting any thought from me.
SNAP.:eek: I have a ridiculous pair of high-waisted grey shorts made from my own school trousers!

88euro for 30 day pass? are you serious??!! that's mad!! I think I'll be getting DCU Accomodation so I don't really need to get one of them but I'll be going into the city alot for going out and meeting with friends from DIT so maybe! Wow I really didn't take into consideration the price of things before this:(!!

Jimmy Magee

GSI wrote: »

what does that mean?

That the user must be female and is not a lesbian.

LilMissCiara

Jimmy Magee wrote: »

That the user must be female and is not a lesbian.

Or a guy and is not straight..

Either way they don't like girls!

Jimmy Magee

LilMissCiara wrote: »

Or a guy and is not straight..

Either way they don't like girls!

The user said "home side" hence one would assume they are the same sex as the other persons in question who were girls.

LilMissCiara

Jimmy Magee wrote: »

The user said "home side" hence one would assume they are the same sex as the other persons in question who were girls.

Ya see I read that and thought the opposite..! :L

Doesn't make much of a difference anyway!

Edit: Just looked at her other posts and she is a girl! :P

BrianG23

The travel costs are a bit much imo. I hate the luas as well...every day I was on it, always some junkie or drunk person on it(or both) although I never had any problems on it they just keep to themselves unless they are exceedingly drunk(shout abuse at everyone)

Bus is 82 euro as well. Dart is about that too

Curlyhatescurls

Well, I am going into second year college in Dublin now and I was in your exact position last year. To be honest, freshers week was a disaster for me, I went home (back to the countryside) halfway through the week because I just couldn't hack it. If it helps, you can't do much worse than that can you? The problem was, I cared too much about having no friends, and no one will make friends with someone who is too shy and nervous to even speak. So the best advice would be to be open and smiling and friendly. Don't worry about having to go mad on freshers week, you're right, you can't go out if you don't know anyone but you have a WHOLE YEAR to go out once you make friends. And if you do find yourself going out with some new people than that's a plus.

Don't be too hard on yourself though, you will have a lot to cope with emotionally, living away from home, making new friends, settling into college, being in a city. So if you feel homesick, go home for the weekend and refresh yourself and the following Monday go into college and try again.

Being a little nervous is good, a lot of those people who are really excited could end up being dissappointed. The important thing is to not get too nervous and let it affect you meeting new people and making new friends. Best of luck

polkabunny

Going to Dublin from Roscommon, ahhhh! Big city! No tractors to skip across the street in front off! Many lights and crossings and shops and things!

But no, getting scared about it now. One of my friends was going for the same course as I was, so in my head we'd be there to support each other on the first day and everything, but it didn't work out for him
So now I'm going in alone and scared :P
And I'll be surviving on €6 a week or so, so I can go home at the weekends, so I'll be walking everywhere

Glad I'm not the only ones who's nervous and scared!

Rothmans

BamboozledFinn wrote: »

Yeah, my cousin goes to St. Pats and she sent me links to all these girls looking for flatmates but sure we'd have nothing in common!
My tea went everywhere when I seen that it's €88 to get a dublin bus/luas 30 day pass! That's €880 if I'm up in Dublin for 10 months! :mad:So only accommodation within a reasonable walking distance to Cathal Brugha St. is getting any thought from me.
SNAP.:eek: I have a ridiculous pair of high-waisted grey shorts made from my own school trousers!

Dublin Bus 30 day rambler is €82. Its very expensive alright, but at least the days are non-consecutive, unlike the €88 Bus/Luas ticket which is gone after 30 days regardless of how little you may have used it.

Saaron

Rothmans wrote: »

Dublin Bus 30 day rambler is €82. Its very expensive alright, but at least the days are non-consecutive, unlike the €88 Bus/Luas ticket which is gone after 30 days regardless of how little you may have used it.

The 30 day rambler is great! It lasts for more than a month as I don't always use it on weekends. If you calculate your travel costs for the month without the 30 day ticket you actually spend so much more money. In the long run getting something like that will save you so much money, especially if you take more than two bus journeys a day.

Scarlet 27

Everyone will be nervous at first please don't worry.

I was super shy when I went to college, didn't know anyone either but I was determined to turn over a new leaf in college and haven't looked back since. You have to remember so many people will be there and won't know anyone else either, just look at all the people that have posted here saying the same thing. The best advise I can give is to make an effort to chat with randomers.

In lectures sit down beside someone on there own and introduce yourself, nearly everyone will be relieved that you made an effort because they are feeling nervous too and wanting to make new friends. Seriously just try to talk to as many people as possible, where they are from, what they are studying, where they are living, who they are living with, do they know anyone else on the course, where is good to go out etc and if you do strike up some conversation try to include anyone who is on there own (invite them to come sit you, intoduce yourself, they will be so greatful you included them too) the great thing about college is that nearly everyone is open to meeting lots of new people.

Once you make a few friends you will be fine, as you will meet anyone they are friends with, their housemates etc, you will get to know most people on your course with course nights out, tutorials etc. Another great way to meet knew people is to join clubs, societies etc which will all want to recruit as many first year students as possible. Just remember that it may take a few weeks to settle in, but just try to take every chance to go out, socialise and meet knew people even if it means going a little outside your comfort zone.

Don't worry Dublin is fine you will find your way around no problem (google maps is your friend). Get yourself a city map and have a look at the main streets, O'Connell st, Henry st (pedestarn shopping st) both on the north side, Dame st, Grafton st (pedestarn shopping st), Harcourt st (where coopers and d2 nightclubs are), Lower Lesson st (where Legs and Buck whaleys nightclubs are) are all on the south side and how to get from one to the other and obviously the street you live on and the street your college is on and how to get from one to the other.

If you get lost don't worry about it just ask someone for directions most people are helpful and won't mind pointing you in the right direction. It may take a little while to learn your way around but really nothing to worry about. You prob won't have to many lectures at first so you will have plenty of time to explore.

You really will have a great time in college and you will make lots of knew friends, just give yourself a chance to settle in and please try not to worry to much.

hatethisfeeling

Just wondering, for any that went without any friends, what did you do for freshers?

pourquoi

I agree wholeheartedly agree with Scarlet 27.

Going to college can be a daunting experience, but at the same time, incredibly exciting. If you're a shy person you have the opportunity to "reinvent" yourself. When I say this, I do not mean that you should start liking things that you've previously hated or be something you're not. If anything you should really be yourself.

If you are a shy person, force yourself to be outgoing. This sounds incredibly daunting, but it's easier than it sounds. Imagine how you'd like to be - to be able to walk up to someone and say "Hi, I'm X. Nice to meet you!" Now make it a reality.

I used to be ridiculously shy during primary school and secondary school. However when I changed to another school I decided to be more outgoing and not to cover up my personality (my previous school had been a fierce GAA school--something that kinda clashed with my theatre-going, musical-loving self). I figured that I am who I am, and if people don't like me for that then that's their problem. I forced myself to introduce myself with a big smile and a handshake and you know what? It worked.

I'm beginning to waffle. I'll cut to the chase: be yourself and be friendly. Force yourself, even if you feel like the biggest eejit in the room (I guarantee that you're not). If you spark it off with someone, great! If you don't, it's no big deal, just excuse yourself and fade into the crowd.

I know all of this is easier said than done, but once you do it a few times, it becomes much more natural.

Another tip: remember names. It's the sweetest word a person can hear. And make sure you tell the person your name too! Introducing yourself is often the most difficult part of forming a new relationship. Once you're over that bridge, it's all plain sailing from there.

eoins23456

College is the most fun I've had so far in my life and I'm only going into second year so make the most of it lads!

ShamrockGirl

hatethisfeeling wrote: »

Is no one else nervous about college?! Im heading to DIT from westmeath on my own and Im sh*tting bricks! Im so afraid of not making friends or getting lost in dublin, yet all I see is people being excited about college? And for stuff like freshers week, who do you go out with if you have no friends in the college with you? Im stressing so much, please tell me im not the only one!

I know exactly how you feel and no you are most definitely not alone, I'm heading into 3rd year of my course in DIT this year!! When I started in 1st year most of my Leaving Cert Year went to Galway and Sligo and I decided to go to Dublin on my own. As terrifying as it may sound the first day you meet everyone you'll see that everyone is in the same situation, your nerves will just disappear after 5 minutes I can be certain. The inductions/fresher's week is so much fun you will make so many friends from doing group activities or events together, I can guarantee you will look back and wonder why you were stressing so much!!
And getting lost, just take your time to get to know the place slowly, I remember the first day I met up with a girl from my class on O'Connell st who I had actually talked to on this before hand and she knew Dublin well and we still ended up getting lost walking to the college!!!


One thing I will say about starting first year is join as many societies as you can, even just to try new things. its a great way of settling in and meeting a load of new friends. That's the week after freshers week(well in DIT anyways)

Finally, Best of Luck to Everyone starting college for the first time, the best days of your life lay ahead of you in the coming weeks.

smeal

Saaron wrote: »

The 30 day rambler is great! It lasts for more than a month as I don't always use it on weekends. If you calculate your travel costs for the month without the 30 day ticket you actually spend so much more money. In the long run getting something like that will save you so much money, especially if you take more than two bus journeys a day.

Where can i buy one?? Does it work for night buses??:)

Aragneer

I'm heading to UL on Sunday. I've only been to the campus once and didn't even look around that much. I have no idea how to get around the city or where the bus station is so I'm pretty scared. I'm not going with any friends but know a few people from here going. I'm really scared as I'm pretty shy and get extremely home-sick

I guess we're all in the same boat though so I'm sure we'll all fit in soon enough

Konata

smeal wrote: »

Where can i buy one?? Does it work for night buses??:)

You can buy them in most newsagents around the city. Just look for the little Dublin Bus logo that sticks out from the side of shops that sell tickets.

No, it isn't valid for night buses as they're more expensive.

evil thing

hatethisfeeling wrote: »

Is no one else nervous about college?! Im heading to DIT from westmeath on my own and Im sh*tting bricks! Im so afraid of not making friends or getting lost in dublin, yet all I see is people being excited about college? And for stuff like freshers week, who do you go out with if you have no friends in the college with you? Im stressing so much, please tell me im not the only one!

im the same going 2 dit and i know no 1 also never been 2 dit b4 and i dont no dublin at all (my advice is bring a map ) .im doing food inovation btw and im sure every 1 will get on well i hope:)

WatchOut

hatethisfeeling wrote: »

Just wondering, for any that went without any friends, what did you do for freshers?

I was wondering this exact same thing. I'll be going to UCD and although I know 2 people going, the college is massive and I might not even see them. Orientation Week is before Freshers week so I think you'll get to know a lot of people then.:D

EmacB

I feel so unadventurous after reading this :P my school was literally across the road from Ucd and thats where me and most the people i know are headed. Ive actually been there a million times over the years already as well.

njd2010

Actually I just realised what today's date is and now I am getting nervous... What the hell do we even bring? I presume nobody else got a booklist in their welcome back either?

guitarzero

Go to as many nights out for the 1st few weeks. Make sure to be confident even if you're not - insist on going to this shop here or that you found a good spot for cheap drink, find out a few bars that are decent and tell folks about it and if theyre up for it. Try and find about things going on in Dublin that you'd be interested in and see if others are interested, just make your self heard for the 1 few weeks.

Konata

njd2010 wrote: »

Actually I just realised what today's date is and now I am getting nervous... What the hell do we even bring? I presume nobody else got a booklist in their welcome back either?

Colleges don't send out booklists. Various lecturers will tell you want books (if any) they recommend for the course either during orientation week or in the first week of lectures. Note the word recommend: you're rarely requested to buy a book in college. They're really only for your study so it's up to you whether you want to buy a book, use it from the library or not bother with either!

Snacker

hatethisfeeling wrote: »

Is no one else nervous about college?! Im heading to DIT from westmeath on my own and Im sh*tting bricks! Im so afraid of not making friends or getting lost in dublin, yet all I see is people being excited about college? And for stuff like freshers week, who do you go out with if you have no friends in the college with you? Im stressing so much, please tell me im not the only one!

Hey, college will be the best years of your life. Please go up to Dublin with an open mind and be confident. Imagine, you won't even want to go home next summer!!

I'm starting at my 3rd college now(first time moving to Dublin too) to do a masters and am a bit edgy too but after a few weeks you'll have loads of new best friends. Just remember, there will be tens of thousands like you all over the country this September.

Look forward to growing as a person and the responsibilty that comes with cooking cleaning and all that.

And the most important thing.....NO MORE NAGGING