College Life

LegacyUser

This is more of a rant than anything else! Also I apologize for that bad grammar and spelling!

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Ok im in first year in college and im studying Computer Science & Software Engineering in Maynooth and I turned 19 in September.

So 10 weeks into my course I have found that college life is not all up to what I taught it would be!

Everyone I know is having a brilliant time but im not!

At the start I was always in my apartment talking to my house mates but as time went on I started to separate myself from the group as such. But the way it has worked out is that out of the five of us two of them get on with each really well and the other two get on well with each as well and im the odd ball as such. But we are very different from each other like out of everyone in my apartment I was the only person to join any clubs. And I am very into sport and none of them are. Also I NEVER see them around campus!

I knew 4 other people from my school who were also going to Maynooth but they were all girls, all doing arts and I didnt really talk to them at school. 3 of them were very close friends so they are always hanging round with each other and the other girl got on with her house mates very well.

At the start I tried out a few things like hanging round with my house mates and then hanging round with the girls I knew from my school but in the end we really didnt hit it off like we are friends but not close friends!

Then the people in my class. I got on very well with them and have a good laugh but I am the only person(out of 25) who lives in Maynooth during the week so after 6 they all go home.

So I had to meet people I could hang round with after 6. So I join 4 clubs
Paintballing - Went to the AGM and I have had noting to do with them since!!
Outdoor Pursuits - I joined to do caving and rock climbing but they have only done hill walking so far so I havent gone to any of there meets or trips.
Kayaking - Went to their AGM and training and got to know people but then my last training session me and a few other people where just standing there for two hours doing noting because they had noting to show us and I havent been since that night
Soccer - I really enjoyed this and I havent miss a training session yet got to know loads of people but then out of the blue I got a text message from the manager saying that the team is being terminated. Will find out next week the reason behind it!

Then for my course im finding it really hard. Like I have been always interested in computers like on my CAO everything I had down on it was to do with computers and my top 3 were all Computer Science(1st was NUIM). Out of all my 21 classes I only find ONE interesting and the rest I find really boring. Every week I find that I am falling more and more behind. But I have to say im not the only person in my class who is finding it hard. Like my course has the highest drop out rate and is one of the hardest courses you can do in Ireland for computers(mainly down to the fact that it is two courses in one).

I am now thinking if I dont pass my exams that I will drop out radar than repeat the year. But im unsure if I will go into computers again and I will definitely go to a college in a city because I find it really hard living in a really small town.

Thanks for reading this!

sweet-rasmus

if your not enjoying it (which soulds quite clear from what you've written) then you shouldn't stick the exams out to wait and see. perhaps you could talk to your student adviser? the social life will always work itself out, even if its a little slow, but how you enjoy the course if the important thing. plenty of people feel the same every year. you may have another course in mind that you'd perfer? you're gonna have to make some decisions.

sioda

Try getting involved with the Students Union. Did that myself in college and had a great time like being part of a big family always great nights out and great way to find out about the inner workings of a collge

MontgomeryClift

College life is the worst life there is. Don't believe what you hear about it.

Faith

Sorry, but welcome to the life of a student. Nobody I know particularly likes their course, myself included. It's hard and it's supposed to be. You have to work hard to keep up.

You keep joining things and never going again. How are you going to make friends that way? You're clearly not prepared to give anything a chance.

Get a job, that might help you meet people, and it'll keep you busy.

LegacyUser

Faith wrote:

You keep joining things and never going again. How are you going to make friends that way? You're clearly not prepared to give anything a chance.

Get a job, that might help you meet people, and it'll keep you busy.

Ok I will go into a bit more detail on the clubs I joined:

Paintballing - I have only every gotten 2 emails from them one telling me about the AGM & the other was about a match of some kind but I couldnt go because I was playing a soccer match in Dublin that day!

Outdoor Pursuits - Like I said the reason I joined was for rock climbing and caving but they havent done that yet all they have done is hill walking and I know this because one of the lads in my class is always going hill walking with them.

Kayaking - I went to about 10 lessons and for the last two me and a few people who had gone to most of the lessons had noting to do but just stand there and watch the beginners. I got to know about 4 people really well there and only one still goes!

Soccer - dont need to say anything more about this.


You say that im "not prepared to give anything a chance" but for the 1st few weeks I gave everything a chance

As for getting a job I do 21 hours a week in college and next semester I have 24 hours a week. So if I did get a job I would have little time to socialize.

LegacyUser

I think it is silly to drop out now, unless you have something else out in mind.
Your on a steep learning curve, it is always going to be tough making the transition.
I did engineering in college and it was 3rd year before I could see how the different subjects came into play.I had an awful living situation and nobody in my course talked to me at first because I was the only girl,I went home that christmas and I never wanted to go back, but I did and then I failed all but one exam.I stuck it out, got the hang of things and eventually graduated third in my class.

Try your best, always go to lectures and tutorials ,even if you do fail everything arseways this xmas because if at the end of the year you still hate everything then you know computers aren't for you.

Your an adult now and if someone else isn't making an effort to put the time into a club and your not happy about that then it is up to you to make things happen.
If that isn't you, then look at your student union website and find the awards for best clubs from last year and join an active one.

Overheal

Well I don't know anything about Maynooth but I find Carlow similarly. Though I have quite a few groups of friends I still find myself somewhat detatched from most of them, though I still enjoy hanging around with all of them.

Still, it could be worse. Going back at the weekend (ennis) is too complicated and/or expensive so I just work here, to which I've gotten to know even more people from that. Plus, you get money!

Also if you find you're having trouble in your course, its probably time to re-evaluate your motivations: its too easy to get caught up in the here and now; don't forget to remind yourself where you want to be in 5 years.

Smurfpiss

I go to maynooth, so while two of my close friends go there I still know a fair bit bout what your talking.
In first year i joined loads of socs but they never really amounted to anything. though one id recommend is the swimming club as they're good fun and friendly. and tend to go on the beer after.

so yeah anyway on the friends thing... its not the end of the world that you don't make great friends with your housemates, so long as ye get on ok! you'll find by the end of the year that you'll get to know people better and become good friends, so there'll be more occasions for you to go out.
Maynooth is really well known for its community, so given time you'll get to know nearly feckin everybody.

You'll also find your circle of friends will change over the years. there's loads of people from first year who i don't talk to anymore, but then there's people who i barely talked to in 1st year who i now consider as some of my closest friends.

Now about your course, i did comp science in 1st year and yes it was haarrrrd. but its not impossible. do the labs, do the assignments, play catchup if you have to. and use the lab assistants as they generally are sound.
what you'll find is that CSSE will all soon become good friends so i wouldnt worry too much. just go with the flow. dunno if they still have workshops (which are ****e) but at least theyre good for chatting.

I hope that helps, just work hard and be friendly and it wont be long till you're happily settled.

Duff

Ah Eamo, cheer up, you've always got your friends back here!! just stick out the course untill the end of your exams at the very least!! I'm not liking my course too much but sure i gotta finish this year and pass my exams anyway if i wanna transfer next year!

BrenC

In all fairness, college life in IRELAND isn't all its cracked up to be. Everyone seems to want to go and have crazy parties but no-one is willing to try and get into the spirit. College's in the UK are supposed to be much more fun.

LegacyUser

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SaxoDuff wrote:

Ah Eamo, cheer up, you've always got your friends back here!! just stick out the course untill the end of your exams at the very least!! I'm not liking my course too much but sure i gotta finish this year and pass my exams anyway if i wanna transfer next year!

Yea I know I was talking to you about this on the way home from Dublin on the bus! I reason I have gone unreg for this is becasue I dont want some people to see this ie my house mates!

BrenC wrote:

In all fairness, college life in IRELAND isn't all its cracked up to be. Everyone seems to want to go and have crazy parties but no-one is willing to try and get into the spirit. College's in the UK are supposed to be much more fun.

And I turned down Edinburgh(Heriot-Watt University) which was the same course to go to NUIM!'

Jonny Arson

collegestudent wrote:

So 10 weeks into my course I have found that college life is not all up to what I taught it would be!

Everyone I know is having a brilliant time but im not!

Here's the problem. You've been introduced to the greatest lie on this planet, ''the world of college life, drinking, partying, drinking, partying every night!!!!'' It's not like that for everyone.

I was the exact same as you 2 years ago. Excited about entering college, thinking about all the nights partying, getting to meet great people etc..... it never happened. My main issue is I go to UCD, i'm in a course of 1,000+ students so there isn't any sort of community or atmosphere in my course. Sure I sit with some people for a few lectures, bump into people for a quick chat but i'd never actively socialise with people there. I feel different to most people out there, i'd see people from my course once, twice at most a week, so not a chance to make lifelong friends. Everyone gives the advice to join clubs and societies and i see you've made a big effort but unfortunately sometimes the effort wont pay off be it some may not be particularly active or the club/soc may not be your type.

College life is incredibly hyped up. No doubt alot of people are having the time of their lives but not everyone is. College is a popularity contest, the most ruthless social animals will survive, people who don't enter with their 5 best mates from school or who are a bit different to the rest may well struggle. I've been out to Maynooth a couple of times and i like it, i would definitely say it's a nicer college than my place, i.e. i think the people seem friendlier but at the end of the day it can come down to pure luck who you meet or who you share your res with, if you bump into anyone you think you have a connection with make an effort, not all will repsond but some will, i can guarantee you you're not the only one who feels they don't fit in. There are other people somewhere in that college who you will bond with, it's about finding them, and that aint easy. Keep making an effort if you want to but if it takes its toll on you step back and concentrate on what is important...

You're main priority should be your course. Forget the people or college life, without doing well in your course you've got no college. If the course isn't for you and you don't like it then there's tonnes of options to try something else. Nothing wrong with giving your exams a shot but if you feel the course is beyond you then look somehwere else. Either way, if you're still in the college in a year or two, college life won't bother you whether you're partying 24/7 or in the library 24/7. Good luck

Aoife-FM104

You're thinking of giving up after 10 weeks. It sounds like you're another person who can't stick with anything.

How can your course, in 1st year, be hard after 10 weeks?

I did Computer Science and I remember the first 2 years were piss easy. The first 10 weeks are not difficult whatsoever.

You'll eventually make friends. Your situation is not so abnormal. Stop being negative and stick with things. It'll eventually work itself out.

Faith

BrenC wrote:

In all fairness, college life in IRELAND isn't all its cracked up to be. Everyone seems to want to go and have crazy parties but no-one is willing to try and get into the spirit. College's in the UK are supposed to be much more fun.

Trust me, it's not. Life is what you make of it. You can choose to be super-sociable and go out every night, or you can chose to be more reserved. I'm in Edinburgh, one of the most vibrant cities in the world and it's certainly not party party party. Maybe because it's a world class university and everyone works really hard, or maybe it's because, no matter where you are, fun is what you make it.

Don't try and blame your circumstances for your unhappiness or dissatisfaction.

Húrin

Maybe you are too young or immature to go to college. Try taking one or two years out before starting a degree. It would be very beneficial.

cooker3

Aoife-FM104 wrote:

You're thinking of giving up after 10 weeks. It sounds like you're another person who can't stick with anything.

How can your course, in 1st year, be hard after 10 weeks?

I did Computer Science and I remember the first 2 years were piss easy. The first 10 weeks are not difficult whatsoever.

Bit unfair, I found first year my hardest year and I am in 4th now, it comes easier to some people over others

For op, just stick with it and see how exams go

Aoife-FM104

cooker3 wrote:

Bit unfair, I found first year my hardest year and I am in 4th now, it comes easier to some people over others

For op, just stick with it and see how exams go

Yes, I was harsh, but having problems after 10 weeks? And claiming his course is "two courses in one" and one of the hardest in Ireland?

Sounds like excuses to me...

I do believe if the OP sticks with it, and in particular, studies so he catches up with his college work, he'll be much more stress free and happier in the course. His classmates will pick up on his positiveness and it'll be easier to make friends!

craichoe

College life here is Cr*p, but thats life in General in Ireland.

Fees are ludicrously high, canteen food in the colleges is in general disgusting and expensive! In general the Computer Science and Software Dev courses are shocking. I've seen much better ones in Colleges in Germany.

I was in for an Open Day in UCC looking for possible hires. They didn't seem to be doing anything in the course that would benefit them in the real world, all MS Visual Studio and .Net junk. We did a few sessions in the college in Mayo this weekend, hopefully it'll give students an idea of what to expect in the real world

Some of the courses in Germany are far better and its alot cheaper, registration is about 50 euros, a transport pass for the region is about 280 euros for the year. Plus theres alot more going on, student centre, cheap drink, parties, organized events. and eveything is just alot better planned out.

TBH I have had and i'm having a far better time since i finished college

Motley Crue

MontgomeryClift wrote:

College life is the worst life there is. Don't believe what you hear about it.

exactly

Aoife-FM104

I actually thought college life was great.

Wait until you reach the real world!!!

MonkeyWrench

I would say that I had a really good time in college a few years back but I didn't find the first semester the easiest either with study or making a social life. Its like anything in life, it takes time to adjust. I wouldn't go with the opinion that everyone else is having a great time in college, people can be very fake, especially around that age.

It sounds like you are a bit depressed and this is affecting your concentration while studying and your exam results will show that unless things change. College life in my opinion is actually easier to meet people than working life because there is a much greater oppurtunity to join clubs/socs and hang around with people your own age who are generally more sociable at that age. People who are a few years out of college are more inclind to stay at home with their partner or do stuff on their own. Don't feel like this is the way the rest of your college life will be, it will be as you make it.

Why not move out of your current house after xmas and into a new place. In a years time you will probably have a completely different social group. I wouldn't drop out just yet, give it another few months at the very least.

CathyMoran

Engineering is hard, is one of the reasons why I chose to do it apart from the fact that I love it. You will have good and bad years in college. Do not give up the faith, you can get through this year it is just that the course that you are doing is a tough one. Think of how great it will be to graduate. I am going to go back to college next year part time to finish my Masters in Engineering in DCU, I did Genetics as my undergrad and found it too boring but I got through it.