Any other 1st year DKIT'ers out there?

embee

Hey all,

Just wondering if there are any other 1st year DKIT students out there?

I'm starting the 4 year degree course in Midwifery in September as a mature student - anyone else starting in DKIT this September?

FunkZ

Might be doing Civil Engineering? Still unsure though!

EyeDeeOne

my mate is doing the film course,
maybe 2 friends.

im doing some computer thing in O Fiaich college which is right beside dkit..
:)

elderlymidwife

Hiya Embee
Snap Mrs Fancy being a study buddy ???
Ive got 2 kids and live in Trim , Have no idea how Im going to pay for this corse over the 3 years that we won't be paid!!Walking away from a 45k job that I hate and a boss that I hate even more but you know what I no longer care !!
BRING ON THE BABIES( and the poor unfortunates that have me in charge of their delivery someday!!!)
Looking forward to meeting you !

embee

elderlymidwife wrote:

Hiya Embee
Snap Mrs Fancy being a study buddy ???
Ive got 2 kids and live in Trim , Have no idea how Im going to pay for this corse over the 3 years that we won't be paid!!Walking away from a 45k job that I hate and a boss that I hate even more but you know what I no longer care !!
BRING ON THE BABIES( and the poor unfortunates that have me in charge of their delivery someday!!!)
Looking forward to meeting you !

OMG!!! Same course as me and everything!!!

I'm gonna PM you

Atomic Pineapple

are either of you not over 23? if you are can you not get the mature students grant? nice to see more and more people joining dkit anyway

embee

draffodx wrote:

are either of you not over 23? if you are can you not get the mature students grant? nice to see more and more people joining dkit anyway

I don't get the grant because I've been living with my parents since October of last year.

im...LOST

I'm doing Creative Multimedia as a 1st year.

Atomic Pineapple

im...LOST wrote:

I'm doing Creative Multimedia as a 1st year.

god stuff, anythhing you need to know about dkit just ask

elderlymidwife

yeah im ahem SLIGHTY over 24 but due to the fact that I have a BA already Im not eligible for any grant!!
This pees me off a lot coz way back then I had to pay fees and didn't receive a grant either!!

Evd-Burner

Im starting games developement...

Merrick

Evd-Burner wrote:

Im starting games developement...

Woo hoo, another gamer! I'm in third year of that now... Enjoy!

im...LOST

I was considering doing Games Development but i feared that it might have been too Mathsy for me. Not that I'm bad at Maths (B1 @ OL) but I just didn't really think that I'd enjoy it.

That and I'm kinda afraid of coding and programming >.<

I may do it after my Creative Multimedia course if I can afford it and I don't really have a job by then. We'll see....

BTW: PM sent to draffodx

annex

I'm doing computers, a first year mature student.
Any other mature students out there?

Gross Halfwit

Hi, All. I'm starting in DKIT doing the 3 year Film & TV studies course as a mature student. Anyone on here doing/done that?

smemon

doing computing also - see you there annex

anyone know what the story is with start dates? i know registration is the 3rd (monday)..

annex

When I went to the open night in January the woman I spoke with said that classes usually start at the end of September, apart from that I am as lost as the rest of you.
I would imagine that we will find out on Monday when classes start, so enjoy your last bit of freedom lol.

annex

smemon wrote:

doing computing also - see you there annex

You will have to find me first

smemon

annex wrote:

You will have to find me first

you'll be the mature one shouldn't be too hard to pick you out amongst all the teeny boopers

hopefully we won't start 'til late september.. a couple of extra weeks off would be nice..

annex

There is more than one of us, I know another mature student that is doing the same class.
When I was interviewed in early June there were a lot of applications on the desk and I was the first interviewed that day. My thinking is that there will be quite a few MS, I was offered a place the day after the interview and to me that tells me the number of school leavers going on the course is down. At the open night in January there was only two people interested in computers, everybody seemed to want onto multimedia.
I was told that the amount of people that will drop out of this course by Christmas is fairly high. Either its too hard or too easy/boring.

smemon

annex wrote:

Either its too hard or too easy/boring.

yeah that's what i'm thinking...

a lot of people see computers as an easy subject like working with MS office or opening and closing folders..

i've heard of people that walk out of computer courses once they hear the word 'maths'

i'd agree with you there'll be a lot of dropouts early on.. that will be due to lack of research.. but it will be nice if there's a few Mature students there as it will make me feel younger plus it sort of makes things more serious/focused which is what i want..

annex

smemon wrote:

but it will be nice if there's a few Mature students there as it will make me feel younger

You cheeky fecker

Thank god I am prepared for the maths, I am not great at it but I know it will be there. If I feel its too hard (I am out of school almost 20 years) I will just have to ask for help or get grinds. The help is there you just have to want it or admit that you need it.
When you look at it 3 years is nothing, I have spent longer than that standing in line once a month to put my name on a card or earning ****e money in dead end jobs.

smemon

annex wrote:

Thank god I am prepared for the maths, I am not great at it but I know it will be there. If I feel its too hard (I am out of school almost 20 years) I will just have to ask for help or get grinds. The help is there you just have to want it or admit that you need it.
When you look at it 3 years is nothing, I have spent longer than that standing in line once a month to put my name on a card or earning ****e money in dead end jobs.

yeah 3 years will fly past.. in reality it's 9 months, less about 2 months in holidays, so it's actually about 7 months 'work' per year for 3 years..

i always hated maths myself, and i don't know what to expect but it should help if you've an interest in computers as it has to be, in some way, related to computers..

the reason i hated maths was because i felt i'd never use 99% of it and couldn't relate it to anything only money/tax etc.. so hopefully i'll be a bit more interested/alert..

just out of curiosity, are you doing a language as an elective? i also hated languages in school so i think i'll be opting for computer architecture :cool:

annex

smemon wrote:

just out of curiosity, are you doing a language as an elective? i also hated languages in school so i think i'll be opting for computer architecture :cool:

What :eek:
Crap I forgot about that. I will talk to somebody about that on Monday if I can. Languages and me don't mix well and I would have to start off with the very basics, I would imagine it would be for students with a knowledge of their chosen language.
I don't think I am as prepared as I thought I was, now I know how a lamb feels before slaughter.

smemon

annex wrote:

What :eek:
Crap I forgot about that. I will talk to somebody about that on Monday if I can. Languages and me don't mix well and I would have to start off with the very basics, I would imagine it would be for students with a knowledge of their chosen language.
I don't think I am as prepared as I thought I was, now I know how a lamb feels before slaughter.

ha, sorry you had to hear it from me

that was the first thing that stood out for me.. i seen languages - french/german/spanish and said to hell with that, i'm not doing that course..

then i noticed you didn't actually have to do a language, you could do 'computer architecture' instead

more details here.

for all of us language haters, we're forced to take 'computer architecture' for semester 1 and 'personal skills development' whatever that is, for semester 2.

as far as i know you don't need knowledge off spanish but for german/french you need to have done it and passed at LC level.. i'm not sure if that applies to mature students though..

Atomic Pineapple

i'm goin into the third year of that course lads, first year is fairly easy and is a really gentle start to things, you get abit of everything in the first two semesters, i say its easy as in if you concentrate and do your work you wont find it to be overly stressfull or hard.

computer architecture is one of the most technical subjects make sure you attend these classes especially the labs as if you fall behind at all it will get confusing

Programming Principles is an introduction to basic programming, i think its changed since i done it but again you need to attend class and make sure you keep up with all the questions you'll be given as well as puting work into projects

Interactive Multimedia i enjoyed this alot, you get to use photoshop as well as other editing software and do grpahics and website type stuff, its fairly simple and enjoyable

Maths for Computing 1 ah the dreaded maths, always was my week point but was very easy i thought, the lecturers were very good and the content is actually easy enough and mostly leaving cert stuff repeated, we even got to bring in sheets with solutions to the tests during the semester

Computer Applications this is just using the basic pc programs like word, excel, powerpoint, really easy and shouldn't be a problem

Study & Learning Skills an easy enough part of the course, its more annoying than anything, you wont see the point in it, but it has to be done, we got a end of year bowling trip that was great craic through this though

any help you need with the course or anything just let me know

smemon

draffodx wrote:

i'm goin into the third year of that course lads, first year is fairly easy and is a really gentle start to things, you get abit of everything in the first two semesters, i say its easy as in if you concentrate and do your work you wont find it to be overly stressfull or hard.

computer architecture is one of the most technical subjects make sure you attend these classes especially the labs as if you fall behind at all it will get confusing

Programming Principles is an introduction to basic programming, i think its changed since i done it but again you need to attend class and make sure you keep up with all the questions you'll be given as well as puting work into projects

Interactive Multimedia i enjoyed this alot, you get to use photoshop as well as other editing software and do grpahics and website type stuff, its fairly simple and enjoyable

Maths for Computing 1 ah the dreaded maths, always was my week point but was very easy i thought, the lecturers were very good and the content is actually easy enough and mostly leaving cert stuff repeated, we even got to bring in sheets with solutions to the tests during the semester

Computer Applications this is just using the basic pc programs like word, excel, powerpoint, really easy and shouldn't be a problem

Study & Learning Skills an easy enough part of the course, its more annoying than anything, you wont see the point in it, but it has to be done, we got a end of year bowling trip that was great craic through this though

any help you need with the course or anything just let me know

cheers for that, always nice to get a bit of inside info before we start..

a bit off topic, but were what was the males:females ratio like?

edit: almost forgot, roughly how many hours per week does the course involve?

annex

smemon wrote:

ha, sorry you had to hear it from me

that was the first thing that stood out for me.. i seen languages - french/german/spanish and said to hell with that, i'm not doing that course..

then i noticed you didn't actually have to do a language, you could do 'computer architecture' instead

more details here.

for all of us language haters, we're forced to take 'computer architecture' for semester 1 and 'personal skills development' whatever that is, for semester 2.

as far as i know you don't need knowledge off spanish but for german/french you need to have done it and passed at LC level.. i'm not sure if that applies to mature students though..

Looks like I will be taking the computer architecture too, languages are out I think I read that the English is for foreign students. So not a lot of choice really.
The personal Skills development is a bit of a head scratcher tho, lol.

smemon

annex wrote:

Looks like I will be taking the computer architecture too, languages are out I think I read that the English is for foreign students. So not a lot of choice really.
The personal Skills development is a bit of a head scratcher tho, lol.

yeah, i'd be doing english if i could get away with it

No choice really unless you pick spanish.. but tbh i'd just be sitting laughing in that class as i wouldn't have a clue what's going on :rolleyes:

yeah the skills development sounds like a bluffers class.. probably involving better communication, organization etc..

Atomic Pineapple

out of the whole year there was about 50 males and 6 or 7 females, it didnt start to dwindle until the 3rd semester

i think theres about 28 - 30 hours involved in the first semester.

personal skills is annoying, its all about good study practices,
how to study, how to pick out important findings, you have to keep a dairy of your study schedule and how you find modules and how you think your progressing, there is a lot of work involved but it is the class i missed the most and i still got 69 in it.

annex

draffodx wrote:

out of the whole year there was about 50 males and 6 or 7 females, it didnt start to dwindle until the 3rd semester

There were only 57 students in a class that should have 120? Did I get that right? No wonder they offered me a place lol. Its all about bums on seats

draffodx wrote:

personal skills is annoying, its all about good study practices,
how to study, how to pick out important findings, you have to keep a dairy of your study schedule and how you find modules and how you think your progressing, there is a lot of work involved but it is the class i missed the most and i still got 69 in it.

I will fail this one, would put money on it. I am so disorganised, Wherever I go a mess follows me :rolleyes:

Atomic Pineapple

maybe there was more than 56 but there definately wouldnt have been anywhere near 120

i'm the same, completely unorganised, i hated the subject but trust me its harder to fail it than it is to pass it, if you have any motivation to pass at all then you will

smemon

yeah according to the dkit website, there's still spaces available on the computing course.. (open up the pdf).

not surprising tbh as like you said, most are into multimedia, plus they're put off by all the media jibberish about job losses/lack of stability etc.. in the tech industry here.

i'd be very surprised if all 120 spaces were filled. I'd be expecting maybe 70/80 at the start max, then a few drop outs as the year goes on..

annex

smemon wrote:

i'd be very surprised if all 120 spaces were filled. I'd be expecting maybe 70/80 at the start max, then a few drop outs as the year goes on..

70/80 is being very generous.

experiMental

smemon wrote:

not surprising tbh as like you said, most are into multimedia, plus they're put off by all the media jibberish about job losses/lack of stability etc.. in the tech industry here.

It's even harder to find a job in the media than the tech industry, and in all honesty, the standard of DKIT multimedia exhibitions isn't as high as NCAD or DCU. Most graduates of multimedia course are having a really hard time right now trying to find work.

Splat75

annex wrote:

There is more than one of us, I know another mature student that is doing the same class.
When I was interviewed in early June there were a lot of applications on the desk and I was the first interviewed that day. My thinking is that there will be quite a few MS, I was offered a place the day after the interview and to me that tells me the number of school leavers going on the course is down. At the open night in January there was only two people interested in computers, everybody seemed to want onto multimedia.
I was told that the amount of people that will drop out of this course by Christmas is fairly high. Either its too hard or too easy/boring.

There are a certain number of places put aside for mature/non-traditional applicants; not really anything to do with popularity etc

annex

Draffodx
Can you remember how much books cost for the first year?

Atomic Pineapple

annex wrote:

Draffodx
Can you remember how much books cost for the first year?

not a thing, there were reccommended books you could read and most were available from the library but no books that you had to purchase compulsary, its all photocpied and handed out, not exatly rain forest friendly but much handier for notes.

you may have to buy some books now though as i heard the course has changed such as programming is done in alice as opposed to vb so you may be asked to get a book for this.

a large memory stick/key is handy, about 3 or 4 refill pads, a folder to keep the notes from all the modules separate, lots of pens, a ruler and a really good calculator, if you've got a good calulator your allowed to use it to do some of the equations/calculations.

i was gonna through in directions to the college bar in this post but i'm sure you will find it easily enough

annex

draffodx wrote:

not a thing, there were reccommended books you could read and most were available from the library but no books that you had to purchase compulsary, its all photocpied and handed out, not exatly rain forest friendly but much handier for notes.

you may have to buy some books now though as i heard the course has changed such as programming is done in alice as opposed to vb so you may be asked to get a book for this.

a large memory stick/key is handy, about 3 or 4 refill pads, a folder to keep the notes from all the modules separate, lots of pens, a ruler and a really good calculator, if you've got a good calulator your allowed to use it to do some of the equations/calculations.

i was gonna through in directions to the college bar in this post but i'm sure you will find it easily enough

Nice one, more money for me lol.

I won't need directions to the bar, I don't drink

smemon

annex wrote:

Nice one, more money for me lol.

I won't need directions to the bar, I don't drink

yeah, no books wohoo

on the downside, that means we must attend all classes then if they hand out photocopies..

also, the bar won't see much of me either, i don't drink.. (well, rarely..)

Atomic Pineapple

yeh if you miss notes make sure you get them in the next class, there can be alot of stuff covered in some of the lectures.

ah such unsocial creatures, ya dont have to drink to go to the bar

do either of you know which branch you plan to take after first year or are you waiting to see which aspects of it you enjoy in first year?

smemon

draffodx wrote:

do either of you know which branch you plan to take after first year or are you waiting to see which aspects of it you enjoy in first year?

initially, i had applied last year to do applications & support.

i decided to take a year out so this year the new system came in and you have to do general computing for the one year (which is probably better imo)..

so i'll probably go on to applications & support in year 2.. then hopefully onto IT management

annex

I am thinking about applications and support too.

annex

I still don't know when classes start, the place was so disorganised. There wasn't a soul in the admissions office.

Splat75

annex wrote:

I still don't know when classes start, the place was so disorganised. There wasn't a soul in the admissions office.

All classes start on the 11th and maybe there was no-one in the admissions office because they were doing the registration??

annex

Splat75 wrote:

All classes start on the 11th and maybe there was no-one in the admissions office because they were doing the registration??

Get out of bed the wrong side?

That's all well and good but it was chaos, I asked about getting a letter from admissions and I got a brush off answer, ie I have no idea and I don't really care enough to check for you.

elderlymidwife

wahoo
i thought we started on Monday so I'll get a lie in on Monday !!!
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8888888888888

annex

elderlymidwife wrote:

wahoo
i thought we started on Monday so I'll get a lie in on Monday !!!
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr8888888888888

I was under the impression we start at the end of the month.

elderlymidwife

oh don't tell me that ! Thats way too tempting!!
No according to the academic calendar it is deffo next week !!
Did you not get some sort of timetable for next week ??
How are you supposed to know where and when to show up??

smemon

annex, just back from dundalk myself.. was stuck in a queue for about an hour or more :rolleyes: it was down past the atm when i joined :mad:

i got a sheet handed to me (don't remember by who or where) but it gives our class course and what room to go to, plus the start time/date.

room S217, 9am monday the 10th. i'll scan and upload it if you want

annex

Yeah same here, finally left the registration hall at 12.15

Don't remember that sheet, maybe I got it and didn't take in what it was, I am a bit scatty at times lol. No need for a scan, at least I know when classes start.
Ok well then i'll see you Monday morning, thanks for the heads up.