New to UCC?

KnifeWRENCH

I thought it might be nice to have a thread for the influx of newbies that will converge on our lovely campus in September.

So if any incoming first years have any questions/concerns about UCC and college life, then fire away!

AlihandroHayes

Accepted the offer yesterday, looking forward to going down there, bit nervous too thought naturally! Im doing arts, any tips or useful info bout life in UCC? thanks

Pulsar Eagle

AlihandroHayes wrote: »

Accepted the offer yesterday, looking forward to going down there, bit nervous too thought naturally! Im doing arts, any tips or useful info bout life in UCC? thanks

One good tip is get out of arts while you still can, its nothing more than a waste a time, but you will love cork on the other hand great craic there.

KeyLimePie

Pulsar Eagle wrote: »

One good tip is get out of arts while you still can, its nothing more than a waste a time, but you will love cork on the other hand great craic there.

that's kinda offensive cause arts is only a waste of time if you go in it not knowing what you want to be when you come out of it,

KnifeWRENCH

AlihandroHayes wrote: »

Accepted the offer yesterday, looking forward to going down there, bit nervous too thought naturally! Im doing arts, any tips or useful info bout life in UCC? thanks

Well I don't do Arts myself but I have friends who do.
One thing I would advise is to stay clear of Sociology - anyone I know who's done it has hated it. Only go for it if you really, really are interested.
Also I would saty clear of picking a language unless you really want to do it. Languages are fairly tough at 3rd level and require a lot of work.
Great thing about Arts is that you've plenty of subject options, and you can drop the subjects you don't like after 1st year.

Oh and prepare for people telling you that Arts is a dosser/waster course!

Pulsar Eagle wrote:

One good tip is get out of arts while you still can, its nothing more than a waste a time, but you will love cork on the other hand great craic there.

Ah that's not really true. If you put a lot of work into your degree and have an idea of what you want to do, it can work out very well.
You can always apply for a H.Dip and become a teacher.

KnifeWRENCH

A note to ALL 1st Years: If you're 18, make the most of Fresher's Week. I was 17 and couldn't go to any of the Fresher parties
Also you should join at least one club or society. One regret I have from 1st Year is not getting involved with anything.

Also to anyone commuting up to UCC from home, be prepared for a lot of early mornings and late buses. Move up as soon as you can, because commuting every day is NOT fun.

AlihandroHayes

Haha thanks for the advice and don't worry i know what i want from the arts degree but i don't mind being called a dosser:D I was told to stay away from sociology by a few people too so i reckon i'll give it a miss! Looking forward to living in Cork i've a lot of good things.

Flamed Diving

Pulsar Eagle wrote: »

One good tip is get out of arts while you still can, its nothing more than a waste a time, but you will love cork on the other hand great craic there.

:rolleyes:

One-Day-Juande

Things that I can recommend...
1. Definately join a society, do it straight away and you'll make new friends, be invited to good parties, etc.
2. Enjoy freshers week, great excuse for wasting a week, but be responsible all the same.
3. Don't get tempted to doss off class too much, it can turn very quickly into a very bad habit. (I speak from exp)
4. In your first couple of weeks, go into the library and just have a browse, it's good to get used to it.
5. Put the work in early with assignments and don't let anything pile up on you if you can avoid it. After all, it isn't just like the movies, college isn't all about drinking and getting laid.
6. As a student in UCC, you get membership to the Mardyke Complex, make the most of this, healthy body equals healthy mind.
7. If you're not from Cork, try and make a life for yourself in Cork, you'll end up getting pised off with the hassle of shuttling back and forth every weekend.
8. Also more for non-corkers, there is college Docter if you get sick.
9. Make the most of orientation week so that you don't feeling lost.
10. Don't walk across the quad!
11. 3/4 years will fly by, really make the most of your time.

insinkerator

Im coming in September! CK205 International Commerce and French!

Right who wants to start telling me i am making the biggest mistake of my life:( Or you know anyone with any insides on the course?

One-Day-Juande

Oh yes and I forgot,

If you are taking arts ignore the (insert expletive) who tell you it's a waste of time. They are only jealous because you are getting an education whilst they are shuttling towards the 9-5.

Arts and the humanities are the heart and soul of a university. Without them it would only be a glorified technical college. They allow people to develop maturity and insight into where they really want to go with their life. Think carefully about what four subjects you want to do, particularly your third and fourth choices. I only ended up doing Archaeology because I couldn't get into English and now i'm finishing it to degree level.

Parsley

I'll be starting chemical sciences come september.

I booked a place in Vic Lodge last february, anyone know what the story is with confirming everything there?

Drama & Theatre Studies - So hot right now.

Well that phrase is about 5 years old, but it's an interesting course. Also, look out for Dramat (UCC Drama society).

KnifeWRENCH

One-Day-Juande wrote: »

Things that I can recommend...
1. Definately join a society, do it straight away and you'll make new friends, be invited to good parties, etc.
2. Enjoy freshers week, great excuse for wasting a week, but be responsible all the same.
3. Don't get tempted to doss off class too much, it can turn very quickly into a very bad habit. (I speak from exp)
4. In your first couple of weeks, go into the library and just have a browse, it's good to get used to it.
5. Put the work in early with assignments and don't let anything pile up on you if you can avoid it. After all, it isn't just like the movies, college isn't all about drinking and getting laid.
6. As a student in UCC, you get membership to the Mardyke Complex, make the most of this, healthy body equals healthy mind.
7. If you're not from Cork, try and make a life for yourself in Cork, you'll end up getting pised off with the hassle of shuttling back and forth every weekend.
8. Also more for non-corkers, there is college Docter if you get sick.
9. Make the most of orientation week so that you don't feeling lost.
10. Don't walk across the quad!
11. 3/4 years will fly by, really make the most of your time.

Some very good advice there. Especially No. 10!

Never EVER walk across the cross shaped path in front of the Quad, and never walk on the crest under the arch in the Quad.
If you do this, you FAIL your exams. And may DIE.*

may not be true. but better safe than sorry!

Oh and for the love of God, DO go to your lectures/tutorials. Missing them is NOT a good idea - trust me, I know!

johnny-fatality

I'm doing arts as well but I really don't know what I wana do so I thought maybe a broad degree and then possibly a masters or sumthin after, good idea? i havent accepted yet so still time to go do that accounting course Iv always dreamed of!!

And what's the story with parking if your getting private accomodation, is a residents permit must-have?
:cool:

new2shooting

Help i just got my place in UCC arts ( i thought i was going to UCD), so i m moving down to cork sometime in the next 4 weeks problem is at the moment i have no where to move to, most of the student accomadation is booked up and the only free ones are the really expensive ones and all the houses i can find i would need other ppl to share it with (any takers?) and nearly all the houses only have a 12 month lease i only want a 9 month one HELP!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

KnifeWRENCH

new2shooting wrote: »

Help i just got my place in UCC arts ( i thought i was going to UCD), so i m moving down to cork sometime in the next 4 weeks problem is at the moment i have no where to move to, most of the student accomadation is booked up and the only free ones are the really expensive ones and all the houses i can find i would need other ppl to share it with (any takers?) and nearly all the houses only have a 12 month lease i only want a 9 month one HELP!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Have you contacted the Accomodation Office? If not, do so now.
http://www.ucc.ie/en/asa/AccommodationInformation/

There's usually houses available. Problem is, they may not be of high standard and you may end up living with people you hate.

KnifeWRENCH

johnny-fatality wrote: »

I'm doing arts as well but I really don't know what I wana do so I thought maybe a broad degree and then possibly a masters or sumthin after, good idea? i havent accepted yet so still time to go do that accounting course Iv always dreamed of!!

And what's the story with parking if your getting private accomodation, is a residents permit must-have?
:cool:

A lot of people do Arts because they don't know what they want.
In terms of subject choice, it's certainly the broadest degree you can do. It's always favourable though to have some idea of the area you eventually hope to work in. Hopefully, by the time your degree is done, you'll have a better idea of what you want.

As for parking, ask at the reception of whatever complex you're staying at. There are probably resident permits.

One word of warning to everyone: cars are often clamped around the area so make sure you park where parking is actually allowed!

Hingisfan08!

I'm starting in UCC in Sept! Doing law so should be an interesting course! I'm mad into tennis! Anyone know what the tennis club is like in UCC??

Failure

Woo...im startin B.I.S in ucc this year :pac: go me...good thing is a friend had same course down and got it because the points dropped by 5 so i wont be too lonely at the beginning Can't wait now

Hingisfan08!

I can't wait either! There's 10 people from my year going to UCC so we won't be too homesick at the start either! I'm staying in Farranlea Hall! Anyone know what thats like??:)

titan18

Failure wrote: »

Woo...im startin B.I.S in ucc this year :pac: go me...good thing is a friend had same course down and got it because the points dropped by 5 so i wont be too lonely at the beginning Can't wait now

I'm starting BIS too.Theres about 6 people form my class doing it and 2 of tehm ahave been in my class since junior infants

KnifeWRENCH

Hingisfan08! wrote: »

I can't wait either! There's 10 people from my year going to UCC so we won't be too homesick at the start either! I'm staying in Farranlea Hall! Anyone know what thats like??:)

I'm staying there too! Was meant to be moving in with two friends who were going to first year, but that didn't work out so I'll end up with strangers:( Hopefully they'll be ok.....

Anyway, Farranlea has a good reputation and is meant to be a very nice place to live. Tbh any accomodation would be better than commuting (did it last year for my 1st year, will hopefully never have to commute again!)

I have no idea about the tennis club, but I'm sure they have a website somewhere and you can e-mail them with questions.
And make sure you go talk to them on Clubs day

johnny-fatality

square_igloo wrote: »

As for parking, ask at the reception of whatever complex you're staying at. There are probably resident permits.
QUOTE]

Thanks, but were actually staying in a house nearby campus, not in campus accomodation!

Residents permit looks like the only way, but apparently its WELL hard to get it.
No other options but that so?

:eek:

Fuascailt

Dammit, I'm going to be commuting. Regreting it now... How far away did you live square igloo?

I'm going to be doing Law. Should be good, hopefully:)

KnifeWRENCH

Fuascailt wrote: »

Dammit, I'm going to be commuting. Regreting it now... How far away did you live square igloo?

I'm going to be doing Law. Should be good, hopefully:)

Mallow.

At the start it wasn't too bad, but I got sick of it after a while. Getting a train at half seven in the rain is not fun

Good news for you is that Law students have a lot less hours than other courses, so hopefully you won't have too many early starts!

Make sure you get a Student Travelcard if you're travelling by train.

Hingisfan08!

Fuascailt wrote: »

Dammit, I'm going to be commuting. Regreting it now... How far away did you live square igloo?

I'm going to be doing Law. Should be good, hopefully:)

Your doing law too cool!! See you there! haha
Not too many hours for law?? Thats good but i suppose there is course work and projects too!

Fuascailt

Mallow, Jaysus, I'm not doing too bad, i'm only twenty minutes away! I think its only about ten hours hingisfan, and apparently with fridays off:D I hope thats true. But I was also told at the open day that there's four hours of reading to every hour of lectures:P So it depends how fast you are at reading...

Hingisfan08!

O I hate reading! lol But if its got to be done, its got to be done!! Can't wait to start! Did you get well over 500 in the LC Fuascailt? I got 505 so i was hoping law wouldn't go up!!

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5

new2shooting wrote: »

Help i just got my place in UCC arts ( i thought i was going to UCD), so i m moving down to cork sometime in the next 4 weeks problem is at the moment i have no where to move to, most of the student accomadation is booked up and the only free ones are the really expensive ones and all the houses i can find i would need other ppl to share it with (any takers?) and nearly all the houses only have a 12 month lease i only want a 9 month one HELP!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

If I were you I'd take a walk up and down the roads around campus and just look for signs in the windows advertising rooms, friends of mine got a house on college road last week just completely winging it. Also remember that around september october a lot of people might drop out or move house so rooms might open up, even if you don't find anything before you start college keep checking.

On the general advice note, a general +1 to everything squareigloo said. Also... have your timetable with you in all your lectures for the first week, coz you'll be asked to pick your tutorial times. I didn't have mine with me and ended up having two 9am tutorials because they were the only times I knew I had free.

College bars=cheapest drinks in town, and the pub quizzes are really good fun.

Library toilets=nicest ones on campus, avoid the boole lecture hall ones at ALL costs (up to but not including messing yourself).

And yes, avoid sociology unless you're really interested in it. I'm "studying" for my repeat exam right now

Also, arts people, use your tutors, they're generally very helpful, they've heard every fresher question before and they're not going to freak out at you for asking. If you don't understand something about your course work, or just about how to format an assignment, use the library website etc, ask them.

Blackboard is not actually a replacement for lectures in some cases. You may wake up with a raging hangover, and decide "ah sure I won't go to my 10am lecture, it's all on blackboard anyway" and then discover that the department doesn't use it (some don't) or that this particular lecturor jst posts six pages going "HRS link w/ TCP, Hegel" and stuff like that. So be careful.

And arts is great, feck the begrudgers

KnifeWRENCH

Jayson Easy Dress wrote: »

Library toilets=nicest ones on campus, avoid the boole lecture hall ones at ALL costs (up to but not including messing yourself).

Ah yes, forgot that vital piece of advice.
Library toilets are nice. The ones in the O'Rahilly building are ok aswell.

Avoid the Boole and the Kane building toilets unless you're desparate.