College....

YoureMA

Starting college on the 12th, i believe, now im the kinda person that likes everything planned out to the finest detail, just so nothing will go wrong.

Somehow, from going to a relaxed view towards college, ive gotten myself all worked up and worrying about it. Just looking for some info really i suppose.

The first week there what happens ? my dig's are right beside the college so like what the first morning i just head over and stand around waiting to be told where to go ?

This regisistration fee? when is that paid, should i have that paid already?

Do i need books before i go down ? should i be ringing to see what books the course needs and be getting them ?

I know i sound like a bloody ejit here, and im sure the replies will mirror this fact, but due to the fact i that i dont know anyone who has gone to college (well not that i want to say those stupid things to anyway) id appriciate any info you can give me to relax me

Repli

From what I've heard.. if you applied through the CAO, and accepted your offer, the COLLEGE will send you information about fees, registration, orientation etc. a few days after.
Maybe ring the college you're going to and ask them for some information

Acidflash

The first week there what happens ? my dig's are right beside the college so like what the first morning i just head over and stand around waiting to be told where to go ?

During the first week of college you don't really do much, you'll get an introduction to your course and all it's subjects from each lecturer, the students union will be around giving info on all their services etc. usually when you get your registration papers in the post you'll be told where to go on the first morning.

This regisistration fee? when is that paid, should i have that paid already?

You pay your registration fee by bank giro( it's attached to the bottom of the registration form).You pay the money to the bank just before you register.Registration is usually 1-2 weeks after you start college.You'll be told where and when, just give them the form and your sorted( if you'll be getting a grant the registration fee will be returned to you with th first grant payment afaik)

Do i need books before i go down ? should i be ringing to see what books the course needs and be getting them ?

NO . I've never bought a book for college, the notes the lecturer will give are always enoughfor the exams.Sometimes they'll recomend books but the decision to buy them is up to yourself.

sceptre

If you tell us which college there's bound to be someone here on boards who is going there/knows the place and can probably give you quite a few details before you go near the place.

phobos

When I started college I was just like that. I was confused, because I was going to college in a town I only found out existed when I was browing my CAO booklet thingy, a few months previous. I didn't know anybody going to college there, nor anyone else in the town. I admit I got worked up too, because I also need to know well in advance what will happen.

so like what the first morning i just head over and stand around waiting to be told where to go ?
I was thinking the exact same way before I started. But what I did is went straight for the reception area of the college. There they were able to tell me where I should go. I was even escorted to meet my course coordinator (which was nice). But probably the most important think to note is that if you feel confused, there will be 100 others in the exact same boat. Anyway after meeting my course coordinator I knew all the answers (where to go/what to do/etc). I was a feckin hero to the other people in my class

The Registration Fee
To put your mind at ease, there is nothing else you have to do before college, except turn up on the 12th. Everything that needs to be done will be explained to you in as much detail as you like, and there are plenty of people there to help you. College is different from secondary school, and it's for the better IMO. One of the hardest things to do before college is get a place to stay (which you've done, and even beside the college, which is better, well done ).

I firmly believe we share(d) the same concerns before starting college, but if you remember anything remember this. I didn't know what to expect before starting, I worried myself sick, I started college, and the years flew. I've just graduated with a B.Sc. in Software Development, and I firmly believe the last few years will be marked as the best ones of my life. The college is full of staff that are waiting for the likes of you to start, and will take you by the hand if need be (but not to the bathroom, you have to do that by yourself ). So take it easy, don't stress yourself too much, and remember in a month or two you will be fully emersed in what all postgrads refer to a the "college eXperience" (I know you will enjoy it).

Take care

;-phobos-)

DadaKopf

My advice is: learn to loosen up!

Everything will become apparent when you start college - they deal with new students every year so every effort is made to tell people what is happening and when. Just like a train station.

YoureMA

sorted me out great lads, put all my fears at ease

guess the only thing left now is the fact that i recieved no information from the college this year
(although i did last year, i defered my place for a year - hence being able to get good dig's, i was 3 weeks ahead of everyone else )

Suppose they did'nt send the information cause i got it last year....... anyway tnx for all the info, been a huge help tbh

Lump

I remember my first day of college, I just kind of wanderered up and started talking to people. I tend to fit in well at situations like that. (I'm in college in england) So I didnt have to worry about any reg crap, the letter for the fees came via the post about a month after I started college.


I advise you to just go in and wander around, find people from your course and start to get to know them, meet up and go out that night with them.



John

DadaKopf

If you deferred for a year, they'll send info out pretty late - there's still two or three weeks to go. That's just how they operate. If you have any worries about not getting anything from the college, ring adminstration.

Marlon

The first few weeks can be pretty scary - thousands of new faces and everyone seeming to know each other except you.
Just get talking to other people in your course - it's hard at first but after a few weeks you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.

Hobnail Monkey

Yeah, depending on the College or Uni, registration will usually take place in a big hall on the campus itself. Just ask someone in reception where registration is taking place and they'll point the way for you. After that, when you get there, just start chatting to people. With the exception of a small amount of people (repeats, mature students etc.) everyone else is in the same boat as yourself, so just try to mix as best you can.

D V

Has anyone received info. on registration and whatever else through the post yet?

With only a week or 2 to go I've still got nothing from UL.

Repli

I haven't heard anything from DIT either.. an i'm supposed to start on 15th september or something?! Might give them a call tomorrow..

phobos

That doesn't surpise me at this stage. I'm starting an M.Sc. on Monday in NUIG, and I only got stuff from the college, for the first time yesterday. With under a week to go these people are really pushing it?

I wonder if they'll delay in taking my fees off me?

;-phobos-)

Man U babe

I just got a load of **** from UCD today, they want the e733.50 by tomorrow. How stupid is that? Registration is next wed, i need more time before college starts cos I'm flat broke at the mo! Betcha theyre really gonna stall on that entrance scholarship money too! Grrrrr......

phobos

Originally posted by Man U babe
I just got a load of **** from UCD today, they want the e733.50 by tomorrow.

Jaysus that's a little steep for such short notice. Something tells me that if you sit down and talk to someone you won't have to pay it all straight away. But select the person you talk to carefully, I recommend someone in the college

;-phobos-)

D V

Well I finally did get stuff from UL this morning. As far as I can tell I don't need to pay until just before orientation. Hopefully the city council will be back to me by then so I don't have to pay the full registration costs, even if I will get the money back later.

irishguy

i am starting applied computing in LIT got all my stuff sent out 2 me a week ago,but i had to pay all the €670 reg fee b4 last thursday [registration day] and i am starting the 16th.the only proble i have with the place is they just put a new pub on campus i will get no work done

leeroybrown

I'm still waiting on research Funding for a Masters/PhD.

So I havn't had to deal with any Administrative hassle yet.

_sheep

doing applied computing in waterford, starting the 12th i believe, or so the website says and still havent gotten any info. They better not want that registration fee before college starts

po0k

I got some ramblings in teh post, including teh bank giro.
€720 total.
Hoes.

I register on teh 26th for 2nd year.

We were practicly spoon fed info last year. twas class.
pld to Matt Doran in NUIG. He's a good man for the packages and leaflets.

phobos

AFAIK you only have to pay 50% of that before registration if you want, John. Then you can pay the remaining 50% by January (or some time around then). I got the same thing, but I have to pay tuition fees (so that brings my total to a grand). But got the same stuff as you in the post the other day, nevertheless.

But I still for the life of me don't know which day I register. The stuff I got on the post rambled on about postgrads in Law, Engineering, and other such courses that have nothing to do with mine. So I had a look at: http://www.mis.nuigalway.ie/acadcal/
and still no joy. All I'm looking for is somewhere that will say, M.Sc. in Software Design & Development (or simply M.Sc. postgrads) would do me fine. But of course the registration dates fail to mention anything like that. :rolleyes:

Also the part that annoys me about the registration docs I either have on hardcopy or from the link above, only seem to identify two catagories of student.

1. First years (ie students that haven't enroled before)
2. Re-enrolers (2nd years+)

But I'm neither. I'm not a first year, and I haven't been enroled before. So my head is wrecked with these silly admin peons. :mad:

;-phobos-)

DRakE

I just started in GMIT 2 days ago..

paid the €640 and registering this coming friday.
Doing Comptuing in software Dev, and so far the lecturers seem ok...

anyway..

goe college!

damnyanks

Yeah I started college, we had a lecture on how to open up and create folders on a desktop.

They should do some sort of beginners course before hand. If I was starting a English course they would assume I already know the alphabet

DRakE

rofl gg sdbi

I'm keeeping on German as my main european language, and due to lack of people who are advanced in germna, they only have one class, and it's starting from the beginning.

gg I'll have an easier year than i thought
Tho, you can't really blame them starting from scratch...

po0k

you lazy sod.

I'll have to drag you down here someday and show you how to waste time effectively....

cournioni

I'm in Dundalk IT right now... fecking loving it! I'd reccomend it to anyone at this time anyway.