Really nervous about going to UCC in '09..

XboxHero

Hey, so I'm in 6th Year right now:eek: The thoughts of the Leaving Cert are annoying enough.. But I am VERY worried about College too!! Very worried:(I look verrrrry young for my age.. I look about 14-15 at best. I'll tell you one thing, I thought everyone at College would be all accepting but I got some funny looks at the Open Day.. It was embarassing:o

I dunno how I'm going to handle attending with people looking at me as if I should be doing my Junior Cert.. And I'm leaving all of my friends as they're going to CIT and elsewhere:( Any tips on how I'll cope?

Also, I'm not too sure of what course. I was thinking maybe Arts.. French, Spanish, Geography and something else! Or else Commerce/ Law with French but I might get bored.. I just love languages..

Thoughts are welcome.. This is my first post:pac: Thanks Guys.

AlihandroHayes

Alright man, eveybody has the same worries when they're nearing college.. I'm in my first year of arts in UCC and i've loved the year so far, coming from the leaving cert its a really nice change of pace. As for the looks and stuff your probably being a bit paranoid, there are so many people in the college and they all come in different shapes and sizes, so to speak ha, you'll be fine! And as for friends just join some clubs and societies at the start of the year or turn and talk to some people next to you in lectures.. You're bound to be worried about it all and it'll seem daunting but everybody's in the same boat and it'll all be ok!!

ReacherCreature

XboxHero wrote: »

Hey, so I'm in 6th Year right now:eek: The thoughts of the Leaving Cert are annoying enough.. But I am VERY worried about College too!! Very worried:(I look verrrrry young for my age.. I look about 14-15 at best. I'll tell you one thing, I thought everyone at College would be all accepting but I got some funny looks at the Open Day.. It was embarassing:o

I dunno how I'm going to handle attending with people looking at me as if I should be doing my Junior Cert.. And I'm leaving all of my friends as they're going to CIT and elsewhere:( Any tips on how I'll cope?

Also, I'm not too sure of what course. I was thinking maybe Arts.. French, Spanish, Geography and something else! Or else Commerce/ Law with French but I might get bored.. I just love languages..

Thoughts are welcome.. This is my first post:pac: Thanks Guys.

Hello I'm in first Arts - Politics, coming to UCC was the best thing I could have done. Sure it was daunting at first but you'll eventually slip in with the college. If you like or love the aspects of your course you'll have no problem with College. It's easy to read this and for me to say it but once you're there, liking it and settled in I'll bet you'll laugh at this post.

Your looks seriously do not matter - Is college about expanding your education or a place to be judged on your looks? I'm going with the first part. Doesn't matter on how you look at all. If people have a problem and are staring at you, stare the hell back!

You'll surely make friends easy. You love languages - the languge classes are small and have some great people in 'em. I done French last year, although I hated the subject the class were a riot. I was one of two lads in the class of about 14. Even today my best friends in college came out of that class and I still talk with the other ones. There are plenty of clubs and societes for you to join to make friends with too.

Entirely up to you on what subjects you choose. I only done the one language and for me it was fairly hard, it was a stupid decision for me to pick a languge considering I'm only average at it! But if you like them and are somewhat decent you'll do grand. There maybe other users who've done your course, they might be abe to offer more of an explaination!

Hope the post was somewhat helpful. All the best.

Luke

taram

Open Days and the first week or two of college is VERY different to day-to-day college. People turn up on Open Days and first bit of college dressed to the nines and stick with people they know, after a while people totally get into the college experience and your looks will not be a problem. I look about 18 right now (22), keep getting asked at work about my upcoming leaving cert despite having my degree done. :P

Societies are the best way to get to know new people, still extremely close to (and dating one) my friends from socities. It'll take a little while to get to know people in your class, everyone else is either alone and scared, or with people from school. Small tutorial groups and such will help lots and remember that there's tons of people in the same boat.

In terms of courses, only took modules from Geography and the department is lovely, huge range of subjects and tiny pokey offices And a friend of mine is in French, and loves it, my best friend studies Italian and German and raves about them too.

Don't worrry about college, it'll be a great experience. Good luck

1huge1

Im doing Business (commerce) and german in UL and can't recommend enough how great of a course it is, So I highly recommend going for commerce and a language as its adds so much more to your degree.

I had commerce and chinese on my cao last year for UCC but sadly didnt get it as I didnt get a C1 in German but luckily the language requirement in UL was a C3 but anyway check out the business and chinese course or hey you can't go wrong with the old german.

XboxHero

Thanks for all the support guys... Hopefully I don't stick out like too much of a sore thumb in September:(

What is the Commerce side of the course like? How long is the course and are the classes big?:)

Selphie

I do Law and French, I'm in second year, and I love it. You have slim chance of becoming bored, the people are so friendly, in most courses. You'll love UCC seriously... French is easy enough in first year, in second year it's slightly more challenging, but the language teachers are all lovely, so you'll have a load of fun! Any other questions?

XboxHero

Selphie wrote: »

I do Law and French, I'm in second year, and I love it. You have slim chance of becoming bored, the people are so friendly, in most courses. You'll love UCC seriously... French is easy enough in first year, in second year it's slightly more challenging, but the language teachers are all lovely, so you'll have a load of fun! Any other questions?

Thank you so much:) I hear the points for Law & French are very high though? Is it hard to get in? How big are the class sizes and what are the hours like?

insinkerator

Im doing commerce and french in UCC.. its a grand course, the french is pretty easy so far, not really much of a step up from LC, and the classes for the most part are ok. The only real problem is the timetabling. A lot of late starts, which may sound great, but it means late finishes, so you might find it hard to work during the evenings.. I'm stuck doing just weekends where i am.

yay_for_summer

XboxHero wrote: »

Hopefully I don't stick out like too much of a sore thumb in September:(

You won't. What I've found in college is that lots of people who felt like outsiders or had small groups of friends or went in on their own to a course or accomodation or whatever - anyone who felt they wouldn't fit in - have got on really well and made new friends. It's great because there're so many people there that it's near impossible to stick out, cos there's always someone interested in the same things as you, or who feels as awkward as you, or has the same problems starting in college. As for the looking young, don't worry about it too much - sure there's mature students in their 50s and nobody bats an eyelid at them, why should it be different cos you look younger than you are? Doesn't matter.

wolfpawnat

XBoxHero, whay are you upset that you are going to be in UCC while your friends are in CIT, they arent a country apart, you can get the no5 bus from UCC to CIT for lunch if you wanted:) I am in UCD and all my friends are in CIT, IT Tralee, UCC, St Johns and The Crawford. I dont get to see them very often but I appreciate it more when I do, plus you will make friends in the course your in, especially if you join societies and/or clubs.

As for the weird looks thing, I dont look my age(21) and went into nursing this year with a pregnant belly, so I got looks for about 2min off a small group of people but you have to remember that here are a few people that feel the need to stare and judge everyone they meet(but that says more about them than you!) I went to UCC before I started in UCD and it is a great college, we all get scared starting in a college but you will LOVE it. I have never seen someone unhappy in college unless they took a course they didnt really want, but thats a different scenario, you sound like you have a few things you would be happy with so you will be fine:)

p1akuw47h5r3it

If you still feel real insecure you can always defer your course for a year if you wanted.

ReacherCreature

Anderson Sharp Hand wrote: »

If you still feel real insecure you can always defer your course for a year if you wanted.

IMO I don't think that's the greatest idea, the OP is nervous about college, one more year out could make him even more nervous. OP, get stuck in there mate!

p1akuw47h5r3it

ReacherCreature wrote: »

IMO I don't think that's the greatest idea, the OP is nervous about college, one more year out could make him even more nervous. OP, get stuck in there mate!

But he's only nervous cause he looks really young. If he waited another year he may feel and look older therfore not be nervous

XboxHero

But he's only nervous cause he looks really young. If he waited another year he may feel and look older therfore not be nervous

That's exactly it. The only thing is I'd be stuck in some dead-end job wasting away a year (I'd still look really young working) instead of furthering my education:( I see your point though...

colblimp

My advice to you would be not to go to college. Get out and earn some real money. After your course has finished, you probably wont be able to find a job anyway, and you'll have a big loan to pay back. The amount of people I know with degrees who are unemployed is frightening.

Take my advice, give college a miss!

XboxHero

Take my advice, give college a miss!

Ummm... No.

colblimp

XboxHero wrote: »

Ummm... No.

Why? Give me some valid reasons for going to college?

thebigcheese22

colblimp wrote: »

Why? Give me some valid reasons for going to college?

Um i thought that argument was a no-brainer, but if you insist....

1. Its proven that in the long term you earn 2 or 3 times more with a college degree than if you skipped college. Granted you earn more in the short-term but you're not as secure in the long-term. I found that people who have the option to go to college (parents have the money etc.) but don't are the ones that are materialistic and want money right now. That's not a right attitude for life in my humble opinion...

2. It develops your mind (studying new things) and your whole personality and body (clubs, societies, endless sports etc.)

3. While its not free, it's certainly cheaper than in most countries. Look at the friggin US like, millions of kids would love to go to college but don't have the financial resources to do so. Also that idiot Batt if he gets his way will reintroduce fees in the next 12 months so better get in there now then later on when you'll have to pay exorbant fees

4. You make friends - a simple point but it's true.

To sum up, you will get further in life with a college degree! Sure there's the Bill Cullens and Alan Sugars who get far with their own entepreneurism but overall that's not the case for the vast majority of those that reject college.

To the dude that wants to take this opportunity, I'll see you in UCC!
For the other fella... *coughs* best of luck in life :rolleyes:

colblimp

thebigcheese22 wrote: »

Um i thought that argument was a no-brainer, but if you insist....

1. Its proven that in the long term you earn 2 or 3 times more with a college degree than if you skipped college. Granted you earn more in the short-term but you're not as secure in the long-term. I found that people who have the option to go to college (parents have the money etc.) but don't are the ones that are materialistic and want money right now. That's not a right attitude for life in my humble opinion...

2. It develops your mind (studying new things) and your whole personality and body (clubs, societies, endless sports etc.)

3. While its not free, it's certainly cheaper than in most countries. Look at the friggin US like, millions of kids would love to go to college but don't have the financial resources to do so. Also that idiot Batt if he gets his way will reintroduce fees in the next 12 months so better get in there now then later on when you'll have to pay exorbant fees

4. You make friends - a simple point but it's true.

To sum up, you will get further in life with a college degree! Sure there's the Bill Cullens and Alan Sugars who get far with their own entepreneurism but overall that's not the case for the vast majority of those that reject college.

To the dude that wants to take this opportunity, I'll see you in UCC!
For the other fella... *coughs* best of luck in life :rolleyes:

1. Absolute rubbish! I know plenty of people who are earning the same amount, if not more, than people who have been to college.

2. You don't need to go to college to be able to do that.

3. You've given another reason not to go to college - thanks!

4. You don't need to go to college to make friends, jeez...

As for 'the other fella' remark - I'm in my 40's and doing quite nicely, thanks very much.

So, you still haven't given valid reasons to go to college...

ReacherCreature

colblimp wrote: »

1. Absolute rubbish! I know plenty of people who are earning the same amount, if not more, than people who have been to college.

2. You don't need to go to college to be able to do that.

3. You've given another reason not to go to college - thanks!

4. You don't need to go to college to make friends, jeez...

As for 'the other fella' remark - I'm in my 40's and doing quite nicely, thanks very much.

So, you still haven't given valid reasons to go to college...

Just a simple question - Why're you so against college?

The OP said -

XboxHero wrote: »

Ummm... No.

The OP wanted some advice about college - see first post, not to give reasons for not going to college - if that makes sense.

IMO Going to college was the best thing I could have done, sounds cliched or whatever but it's damn true.

sm.org

The greatest point of all:

Everyone gets laid in College, as long as you have no standards :P

colblimp

sm.org wrote: »

The greatest point of all:

Everyone gets laid in College, as long as you have no standards :P

See now, THERE'S a reason to go to college all on its own lol!:D

p1akuw47h5r3it

sm.org wrote: »

The greatest point of all:

Everyone gets laid in College, as long as you have no standards :P

YYYEEEESSS... can't wait:D

To what Colblimp said.........

I'm still in secoundary school (6th yr) and the thought of leaving school and goin straight into a 9-5 is horrible...

Also we're a lucky generation in that we have a chance to go to colledge "free" of charge, a chance which your generation didn't, so we might aswell take it. We'll be working for long enough anyway.

And what you said about no jobs... there's no jobs at the moment but in 4 years there will be, so you've got that completely backwords. Maybe a colledge education would've enabled you to realise this.

D-Generate

Yeah colblimp is right. Now is the perfect time to become an apprentice! The market is only booming and they are being inundated with work!

Seriously in the current recession situation you might as well go to college. Its going to be tough to get a job straight out of school for the next 4 years and since everyone will be competing for what little jobs are there you will be in competition with those who already have a degree. Take the time to get an education and then get a job when the market starts to pick up again.

Oh and sure colblimp knows a few people who didn't go to college and are doing well but as he said, he is in his 40s. My Dad didn't go to college either and has an outstanding job but times were different back then and someone without good education credentials wouldn't be even looked at if they were re-hiring for his position. Colblimp should check out the stats of those employed aged 25-35 who didn't go to college compared with those who did to see their average salaries. It is glaringly obvious from these that the average salary for a college graduate is higher than for those who went straight from second-level.

waheyyy

you can add a few years by the way you dress if u need to!

i wouldnt worry about it, people wont judge u for looking young, and if they do, they'll get over it fairly quickly.

plus imagine how jealous they'll be if u still look young and good when you're old and they're all wrinkled and such

Selphie

XboxHero wrote: »

Thank you so much:) I hear the points for Law & French are very high though? Is it hard to get in? How big are the class sizes and what are the hours like?

Well it's high enough I guess.. 2 years ago when I did my LC it was 530, last year it was 515, I imagine it'll be around the same this year... But that's all relative if you're willing to put in the work. And it's so worth it.
Law and French on its own is about 15 people, which is lovely because you have a nice small class who you can get to know. There was 14 in my class in first year, we're eleven now. We have our French language classes together aswell as some Legal French modules. You're mixed in with the straight Law, Law German/Irish etc for all the law classes in first and second year, which is brilliant because it ensures a big mix of friends while still affording you the security of a little class group (difficult in courses like arts...)
The hours are pretty small - around 15 so far in both first and second year. Law has a lot of reading but French is pretty easy.