College??? Panic Time

HouseHippo

This is probably a stupid thing to be posting about but I don't have much support at home.
I am going through a major crisis filling out my C.A.O.
What I really want to do is go to Art College,however a girl which tormemted me since primary school has decided she wants to do the same course,I have had alot of support from friends who assure me she wont get in,however our old art teacher basically did her portfolio for her.
I would like to do Journalism in DCU,however you are only offered one choice (your No.1)If I put art college down at No.1 I wont get DCU as it is a small very popular course and is not likely to be offered in round 2.
Unfortunately I wont know if this girl is going to the college until I turn up on the 1st day and she is there.

Another thing which is worrying me is my grandparents seem very disappointed in my choice to choose a creative route however(I want to be a graphic designer by the way) I am academic but really excel in art and music.


I really don't want to drop out of my course cause I will not be able to afford the 6 grand to go back the next year.I would like to do a course that will get me a job but with the current economic climate I'm not sure what that will be.HELP!!!!!!!:eek:


Just to elaborate a little.....The reason I'm so worried is that she always manages to manipulate the situatin so that I come out looking like the bad guy.I have had no friends through secondary school until this year as they are new in our school and don't know her.College was meant to be a fresh start A place where I would fit in,have friends and finally be happy but with ehr and her sociopathic ways I can't see this happening.

camel toe

chillax.

Catari Jaguar

Hey! Don't even think about dropping out for a start. No negative thinking!!

Secondly, don't worry about that girl. There's no guarantee she'll get in and even if she does you might hardly ever see her or who knows maybe once she's at college she'll realise being a petty bullying little wagon is pathetic?

If creative work is the road you want to go down then I suggest putting all the art colleges down in order of preference. These are NCAD, DIT, Dun Laoghaire IADT. If you want to do graphic design then Dun Laoghaire is your best bet.

You won't be finished college for 4 - 5 years. So don't worry about the economy of the country and job opportunities just yet!

Also, ignore the Grandparents. They seem to give you a hard time and seem to know fcuk all about anything in your life. At least you're going to college! They need to learn to butt out of your business and you need to grow a thicker skin and relax more.

Good luck!

HouseHippo

HouseHippo wrote: »

This is probably a stupid thing to be posting about but I don't have much support at home.
I am going through a major crisis filling out my C.A.O.
What I really want to do is go to Art College,however a girl which tormemted me since primary school has decided she wants to do the same course,I have had alot of support from friends who assure me she wont get in,however our old art teacher basically did her portfolio for her.
I would like to do Journalism in DCU,however you are only offered one choice (your No.1)If I put art college down at No.1 I wont get DCU as it is a small very popular course and is not likely to be offered in round 2.
Unfortunately I wont know if this girl is going to the college until I turn up on the 1st day and she is there.

College is a fresh start. It's a completely different environment to school. Bullies usually don't last long in college, where students are known for their sense of justice (if she is perceived to be giving you a hard time it is likely that she will be chastised). Besides, most colleges have ways of dealing with people like this.

Another thing which is worrying me is my grandparents seem very disappointed in my choice to choose a creative route however(I want to be a graphic designer by the way) I am academic but really excel in art and music.

Too bad for them. If it's what you're good at and you love it, then do it.

I really don't want to drop out of my course cause I will not be able to afford the 6 grand to go back the next year.I would like to do a course that will get me a job but with the current economic climate I'm not sure what that will be.HELP!!!!!!!:eek:

Don't worry about the economic climate. Do a course you enjoy.

SIBHCHEVIE

First of all don't panic. You have a few options.

Put the DCU course first, and if you get it first time round great if not maybe you'll get it in other rounds. You can still be offered your other choices the only time you don't get offered your other choices is when you accept your first one choice. So you can accept lets say your third choice and in the next round you may get offered your second choice which you can accept (which will override the previous one) and so on.

Secondly is there a teacher or careers guidance person you can talk to.

If you feel you may not get the course you want try an put down other courses as your other choices that would help you in your way getting there like english or something.

Finally F*** your one who cares what she is doing some of the classes are so big you won't even notice her or sometimes they even split the classes up into smaller ones either way don't base such a big decision on something so small as that

[WoW]

my advice is that if you want to be a graphic designer go for it! i made the worst decision of my life when choosing what to do for college. I, like you, thought their wouldnt be any jobs around where i live for someone doing art so i stupidly chose business and i hate it!
im in fourth year right now and have no motivation to do assignments/study because i find it so boring!
dont worry about the economic climate right now everyones on the same boat and it might get a little better by the time you finish.
and also, dont worry about the other girl their are so many people in college you'll barely see her, even if she is in your class!

nyarlothothep

[WoW] wrote: »

my advice is that if you want to be a graphic designer go for it! i made the worst decision of my life when choosing what to do for college. I, like you, thought their wouldnt be any jobs around where i live for someone doing art so i stupidly chose business and i hate it!
im in fourth year right now and have no motivation to do assignments/study because i find it so boring!
dont worry about the economic climate right now everyones on the same boat and it might get a little better by the time you finish.
and also, dont worry about the other girl their are so many people in college you'll barely see her, even if she is in your class!

There's a masters in Kent which trains you up in computer animation, photoshop etc + life drawing skills FYI. Also a similar masters in Bournemouth.

metaoblivia

Firstly, you're way too concerned with other people here. This girl shouldn't even figure into your decision on where to go to school. Bullies aren't always easy to deal with, but if you allow them to interfere with your life decisions, you set a terrible precedent for yourself.
As for your grandparents, you're not going to school to please them. This isn't their decision. Again, if you're aiming to please everyone around you, you're setting yourself up for failure.
So the issue then is what do you really want to do? From what you said, it seems that your first choice is to go to the arts school and become a graphic designer, and your second choice is taking the Journalism course at DCU.
My advice is to aim for your first choice. Don't worry about job prospects of the future right now. You first need to get into a school and get your degree. Have some other options for courses lined up in case neither DCU or the arts school works out.
Good luck.

Lollipops23

HouseHippo,you posted before about this girl applying for the same course as you; you need to forget about her and choose the course for you. if you don't pick art because of her you'll never forgive yourself, i promise you that. Don't let a person who isn't you determine your future.

With regards to Journalism courses/dcu, i have experience in that area so feel free to PM me.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't worry about the economic climate. Do a course you enjoy.

the hippie in me agrees with that except for arts.. if i want to learn about greek mythology, i'll do so after i come home from my actual job. i'll probably do this with the help of an expensive home theatre system, blue ray discs on the subject and a leather recliner.


anyways op, graphic design is a job that you'll love.. if this creative side of you is really what stands out, do the course you want to do. don't worry about this girl. or the grandparents. it's all pretty trivial in the big picture..

G86

I've see alot of your posts here and I really do sympathise, it seems that you've gone through alot in school, and you seem incredibly mature and well grounded for your age.

As for that girl - don't let her influence your life any more than she already has. I went to school with a fair few idiots, and met one of them last year in Coppers. He was all smiles and how are you's, not a word of how much of a ponce he used to be in school.

I, on the other hand, couldn't remember his name..

People change, they grow up, and even if she doesn't -no one in your class will pay any heed to her. The Journalism course in DCU is great - but if its Art that you really want to do then you should go for it - regardless of anyone else.

College will be a great experience for you, you can forget about all the crap from school and you'll make friends for life. Don't let her ruin that for you because you deserve it more than anyone. Good times ahead missus

LegacyUser

Please don't consider that girl while filling out your CAo. Jst don't. The people who are here telling you that college is a whole different place are telling you this because we've had experience of it, and we KNOW. It honestly genuinely is. Whatever about your grandparents, don't let her affect your decision, she's bullying you in real life, don't let her bully you indirectly like that.You've as much right to live as she does, and you don't know where she's applying to, or whether or not either of you will even get in. So please, please don't let her influence your decisions.

Secondly, you seem to really want to do art in your heart of hearts, so just go for it. It's a niche anyway, so don't worry too much about the economy. I understand your worry about your grandparents, but at the end of the day it IS your life and you've got to live it.they don't live it for you. If you really think that Art is for you then do it.

Finally, it's not the end of your days if things dont work out as you saw them working out. All things happen for a reasn. You seem to be looking for the "right" answer. There isn't one. You've got choices, and each comes with it's advantages and disadvantages, but at the end of the day you are closing your eyes and leaping into the unknown. So go for it; make as informed a decision as you can, but make it for you, not for anyone else.

LegacyUser

I can relate to a lot of things in your post. Firstly, and most importantly, as others have suggested don't take the slightest bit of noticed what your tormentor chooses to do. Secondary school can be tough; oppressive. But college life is so totally different.

My younger sister was ridiculously shy, cripplingly so in secondary school, was bullied and found it very difficult. In college though she has really blossomed; become more confident, found people and interests that she really likes and enjoys. All this despite some of her old tormentors being in the same lectures. A secondary school class can be really claustorphobic but university life allows, and enables, you to leave all that sh!t behind.

Secondly, choose a course that you think you'll enjoy, be good at and will help get you a job that you'll like (in that order). I did my portfolio during leaving cert. and was accepted to the art college of my choice, but during the summer I chose to go with the academic option (due in part to parental expectations). I've done well at university, and will probably end up employed in academia, but my hearts not really in it. I regret not taking the course I really wanted; wonder about the road not taken.

Fad

HouseHippo wrote: »

our old art teacher basically did her portfolio for her.

I would like to do Journalism in DCU,however you are only offered one choice (your No.1)If I put art college down at No.1 I wont get DCU as it is a small very popular course and is not likely to be offered in round 2.
Unfortunately I wont know if this girl is going to the college until I turn up on the 1st day and she is there.

Another thing which is worrying me is my grandparents seem very disappointed in my choice to choose a creative route

If she got a big amount of help for the portfolio maybe she wont last too long in the course.

If you think you might like Journalism, stick it down as No.2

Ignore your Grandparents, do what YOU want to do. If there was a course on Athiesm, Coke and Hookers and i wanted to do it (I wouldnt but whatever) and my granny dissapproved, id tell her to get stuff and do it anyway. Its a skill you have to learn, to be able to ignore it when people dont approve of what you want.

Messed Up Mind

I go to NCAD and in Core Year (1st Year) there's about 163 other students doing the course, so although you may run into the girl, there'll be 162 other people to talk to. There are also mentors in Core that help you fit in, bring you for a drink and so on. There's so many students, everyone's VERY helpful and you'll make great friends. You'll both find out in late March if you've been accepted into NCAD and other art colleges based on your portfolio, so you'll know then if she does or doesn't get in and can change your CAO before June anyway! Don't let someone else determine your life for you!! Go for whatever you want to do.

Pherekydes

metaoblivia wrote: »

Firstly, you're way too concerned with other people here. This girl shouldn't even figure into your decision on where to go to school. Bullies aren't always easy to deal with, but if you allow them to interfere with your life decisions, you set a terrible precedent for yourself.
As for your grandparents, you're not going to school to please them. This isn't their decision. Again, if you're aiming to please everyone around you, you're setting yourself up for failure.
So the issue then is what do you really want to do? From what you said, it seems that your first choice is to go to the arts school and become a graphic designer, and your second choice is taking the Journalism course at DCU.
My advice is to aim for your first choice. Don't worry about job prospects of the future right now. You first need to get into a school and get your degree. Have some other options for courses lined up in case neither DCU or the arts school works out.
Good luck.

Great post!

OP, read it over and digest it.

HouseHippo

Nice and simple I like it

HouseHippo

Thanks everyone for all your posts I really am feeling alot better.

Just wanted to say my main concern with this girl is,due to her manipulative, sociopayhic ways I managed to ahve no friends from 6th class until well now(she has treid to get to my most recent friends but it didn work too well)She seems to be always where I am always around.Standing with friends intimidating me.

College is going to be my fresh start i've met people in NCAD and i seem to fit in so well. I just can't go through another 4 years of her always in my business,screwing up everything that is going good.I also get seriously bad anxiety attacks around her but i'm deealing with that through cognative behaviour therapy

Gyalist

HouseHippo wrote: »

I would like to do a course that will get me a job but with the current economic climate I'm not sure what that will be.HELP!!!!!!!:eek:

I can tell you that it is very unlikely to be in journalism. A good friend of mine is launching a radio station early next year and started recruiting a few weeks ago. The first ad appeared in the Irish Times on a Friday morning and by 6:00 that evening he had almost 50 applications. There are a lot of journalism graduates chasing the very few available opportunities.

EamonnKeane

HouseHippo wrote: »

I would like to do Journalism in DCU,however you are only offered one choice (your No.1)If I put art college down at No.1 I wont get DCU as it is a small very popular course and is not likely to be offered in round 2.

No, that's not how CAO works. If you put Art #1 and don't get in, that will not hurt your chances of getting journalism. Round 2 only occurs when people turn down their offer

Dardania

Gyalist wrote: »

I can tell you that it is very unlikely to be in journalism. A good friend of mine is launching a radio station early next year and started recruiting a few weeks ago. The first ad appeared in the Irish Times on a Friday morning and by 6:00 that evening he had almost 50 applications. There are a lot of journalism graduates chasing the very few available opportunities.

I had a fleeting interest in doing journalism when I left school, but the advice given to me then was to either do a double degree (journalism & ...) or to do a topic that gets me knowledge and then do journalism subsequently. That way I would have the skills to write, and the experience to base writing on.

OP: if you see yourself as a journalist what do you see yourself writing about?

yellowcurl

HouseHippo wrote: »

College is going to be my fresh start i've met people in NCAD and i seem to fit in so well. I just can't go through another 4 years of her always in my business,screwing up everything that is going good.I also get seriously bad anxiety attacks around her but i'm deealing with that through cognative behaviour therapy

I'm really sorry to hear that you've had such a hard time You'll find college so much better though! I'm in my final year in Multimedia in DCU, there's a huge amount of graphic design options available in that course too and all of us in the class get on well with each other and help one another out if we need it. Maybe a visit to a careers counsellor would be a good idea? Just so you know all the options available to you? But you seem to have your heart set on art in NCAD so if that's what you want to do, then go for it. There's no point in having regrets later on in life. Best of luck with everything.