Did anyone not like UCD

logic123

Did anyone feel when they got to UCD they felt a little dissapointed, for whatever reason. Unfortunatly i was doing firt year neuroscience at UCD this year, coming from UK doing A levels, the general science year was pretty p**ss easy for me and so ive decided to come back to england and just go straight into the neuroscience degree. As spending thousands of euros on fees and accomodation just for a general science year is a little pointless. I feel a little dissapointed that the introuductory stuff was so easy. Anyone else feel like this. And for neuroscience the course dosent really start till second year.

thorbarry

My Ex studied in UCD, she came over from America to study for a year here.. She hated the college, she didnt think much of the classes/ facilities

You actually sound a bit mental tbh and I'm sure the girl you 'fell for' will be glad that she's not going to be stalked all year.

logic123

the classes are a little sucky escpailly for an A level applicant who has done all the foundation year stuff

logic123

but i just feel a little cheated by the course, i feel as thought UCD places alot more emphasis on sports of social wellbeing rather than the academic rigour of uni

It's the FIRST WEEK you mad thing. Everything is easyish for the first couple of weeks.

logic123

lol mate i got stuck with introducking maths and chemistry, those things dont get harder the point im making is everything in those options cover everything ive done during my A levels ans before and so i really dont have the money to plash out just for a general science course i cam here for neuroscience and even then all that is in the first year is reallya poster presentation focusing on one topic which is narrow is think

Chucky the tree

logic123 wrote: »

but i just feel a little cheated by the course, i feel as thought UCD places alot more emphasis on sports of social wellbeing rather than the academic rigour of uni

Did you not do any research into the course? Obviously if you did you would of figured out that 1st stuff for someone with A-levels was piss easy. Bit stupid not looking into the course you're doing especially when moving from another country.

I don't get what you're trying to say.
Is your course not specifically neuroscience? Or is it just a general course?

Sounds like you should have read up about it before you payed thousands of euro!

logic123

erm neuroscience? didnt say anything about doing option modules such as ''introducing maths and chem'' learning to add fractions, if i knew i was going to be spending a year doing general science rather than the course i wanted then i woulda had second thoughts.

logic123

over in england the neuroscience courseis only 3 years not 4 like in UCD which means they skip the foundation year which is what UCD appantly is doing.you mean hasent the irish done maths and chem before lolz

Chucky the tree

logic123 wrote: »

over in england the neuroscience courseis only 3 years not 4 like in UCD which means they skip the foundation year which is what UCD appantly is doing.you mean hasent the irish done maths and chem before lolz

Maths yes, but not everyone does chemistry. If Neuroscience doesn't have a chemistry requirement then some students wouldn't have done it since they were 15 for the junior cert. Looking at the website for straight neuroscience Intro to Math & chemistry are down as opitions. http://www.ucd.ie/students/curriculumarchive.html Under science->science-> Single major. Why did you pick them as an option? You might be able to switch and get out of them.

logic123

logic123 wrote: »

over in england the neuroscience courseis only 3 years not 4 like in UCD which means they skip the foundation year which is what UCD appantly is doing.you mean hasent the irish done maths and chem before lolz

Haven't you done English before?

logic123

probably why then, no im not getting at anyone, i just didnt really realise that they would have this sort of general year before starting your real degree, which would of been better if they said on the site. At least when i was doing my registration it gave me no choice but to do all these introductory courses which was a little pain. But getting in those lectures turned out to be a choir not to fall a sleep

logic123

probably why then, no im not getting at anyone, i just didnt really realise that they would have this sort of general year before starting your real degree, which would of been better if they said on the site. At least when i was doing my registration it gave me no choice but to do all these introductory courses which was a little pain. But getting in those lectures turned out to be a choir not to fall a sleep i didnt have any choice not to pick them i guess it didnt pick up the fact that i did acheive AAAB in my A levels.

logic123

what would you people do in my situation would you stick around and do the general science year, like the foundation year, or would you find somewhere that went straight into your course, taking into account all the money you would be paying for accomodation and such just for a foundation year

kavoweb

I'm guessing you fell asleep in "typing class" too :rolleyes:

logic123

im touch typing so kinda miss the keys lolz

Chucky the tree

logic123 wrote: »

what would you people do in my situation would you stick around and do the general science year, like the foundation year, or would you find somewhere that went straight into your course, taking into account all the money you would be paying for accomodation and such just for a foundation year

I'd love to do an extra year of college especially one that you'll find easy which will involve little work if I could afford it, however if it's just going to annoy you then it won't suit you. If money is a huge issue then you're better off leaving.

logic123

yer this is the reason i really cant afford to spend money on learning stuff ive done time and time again and would be better saving it for the 3 year course next year. Still miss this girl in UCD terribly haha

Chucky the tree

Pics? I'll tap her up while you're gone so she doesn't get lonely.

Donald-Duck

logic123 wrote: »

im touch typing so kinda miss the keys lolz

No you don't miss the keys, you just spell completely incorrect.

logic123

sos for my eyes only gotta go back there next week and see her anyways were actually still doing the same neuroscience course so we will be finishing at the same time. sos m8 shes mine

thorbarry

Rojomcdojo wrote: »

You actually sound a bit mental tbh and I'm sure the girl you 'fell for' will be glad that she's not going to be stalked all year.

Lol i think some people here are getting a bit defensive because you don't like UCD

logic123

it just depends on the type of person, for me i feel UCD is more of a sporting, social uni, with little emphasis on academic rigour. I much prefer to be in an academic enviroment, oviously i didnt know what UCD would be like until i came

littlefriend

thorbarry wrote: »

Lol i think some people here are getting a bit defensive because you don't like UCD

+1 How funny!!

Logic - glad you are happier now. Its a pity coming to Dublin didn't work out how you wanted to. Best of luck anyway

logic123

well im still a little upset lol but thats just because i dont get to see this hot girl every day lol but i cant really stay just for one person hehe

thorbarry

thorbarry wrote: »

Lol i think some people here are getting a bit defensive because you don't like UCD

Actually I've been to DCU, a PLC college and am only doing a night course in UCD. So I couldn't care less

Colpriz

Logic..as your name implies??..the course is designed to bring everybody up to speed in the first year with a foundation course. Your A levels are more focused on specific subjects, where as our we do more subjects in school than you but with less focus..you should have done your homework..

Seriously..the academic year has just started, you'll find it more difficult to fit in next year socially as groups and niches get formed in first year. Believe me UCD is academic focused the sports/social part is up to yourself...

bnt

I'm in 3rd year now, and have had disappointments with some aspects of the programme and the facilities, but I'm one of those folks who is largely focused on the expected outcome, and not so much on the "experience". I'm not saying that UCD is merely a means to an end, but I've learned to live with inconsistencies and duplication of effort, as part of the "experience". I have no right to expect courses to fit me personally.

For example: as a mature student, I really did need that 1st year Engineering Maths, because even though I had done most of it, it was 20+ years ago and in a different country, not straight from Irish Leaving Cert. (I had never touched Calculus in all that time - it is never required outside academia!) I did not need a courses on professional communication (report writing, presentations etc.) or computer skills: since I was in the workplace for 20 years before coming to UCD, that made them easy As for me.

So my advice would be: suck it up, think of 1st year as "filling in the gaps", and keep your eye on the prize. :cool:

misslt

Logic I really think you're being a bit hasty tbh - I did A-Levels too and got AABB and I'm finding the maths and introductory stuff easy too - but its only the second week!! I mean have you even been set any worksheets/problems yet? Cos I only got my first one the other day and although I'm following everything in the lectures and thinking 'oh i can do this' the problem sheets were a different story - it did exercise my brain.

What you got in your ALevels don't make a difference - there are 2 ppl on my course who got 4 A's and they, along with everyone else on the course, realise things are gonna get a lot tougher. Make the most of this introductory period - get to know Dublin, the people, the craic - it will toughen up. Plus a lot of the introductory stuff is to ease people back into the academic frame of mind - you can be sure that no-one going into first year at uni looked at any school work over the summer! 3 months is a long time to do no work and then get thrown in at the deep end!

Think about it - you haven't given the place enough time to grow on you - you've done so much and went through a lot to get here - it would be a waste to give up without really trying.

logic123

thanks for the advice msslt but im going to re applying for Kings, UCL neuroscience back in London as they have one of the best science departments in the country. I just need a more academic uni and i dont really feel that UCD is going to give me the academic rigour, to youand other people will fell differently.

ironclaw

logic123 wrote: »

thanks for the advice msslt but im going to re applying for Kings, UCL neuroscience back in London as they have one of the best science departments in the country. I just need a more academic uni and i dont really feel that UCD is going to give me the academic rigour, to youand other people will fell differently.

I felt the same way and it is a hard balance. UCD is very much about partying and drinking, lets be honest. Most clubs and Soc's tried to get me to join based on how "messy" the night was. But on the flip side, its the nicest place I've ever studied. I'd be confident enough that nothing would be stolen or messed with if I left it down with a mate anywhere. I can't say that about anywhere else.

Frankly, I think your over reacting. If you want to spend the rest of your life studying and never have any social side, leave UCD. I'm very studious (near max points in the LC) but even I acknowledge that the next 5 years (again studious as I'm on a 5 year course) of my life I would rather spend socially.

misslt

ironclaw wrote: »

I felt the same way and it is a hard balance. UCD is very much about partying and drinking, lets be honest. Most clubs and Soc's tried to get me to join based on how "messy" the night was. But on the flip side, its the nicest place I've ever studied. I'd be confident enough that nothing would be stolen or messed with if I left it down with a mate anywhere. I can't say that about anywhere else.

Frankly, I think your over reacting. If you want to spend the rest of your life studying and never have any social side, leave UCD. I'm very studious (near max points in the LC) but even I acknowledge that the next 5 years (again studious as I'm on a 5 year course) of my life I would rather spend socially.

That's a good point - yes a lot of focus is placed on the social life in UCD but as with any University, it's up to you how much study you do, how much work you put in - no-one is here to take you by the hand and say - do this, do that - you're on your own. You can spend your life in UCD partying every night and fail your course - or you can put the effort in.

I'm rambling a bit - what i'm trying to say is with any uni its always up to you how much academic work you do.

logic123

its not that i am incapable of socialising, but i have different few on socialising which dosent include drinking till late hours of the night or just partying at clubs. and your right, ibe been there two weeks and its very much the drink and social type uni, it dosent strike me as the most academic, oviously if you have been to britain then you will oviously see a difference.

dyl10

Academic Rigour, sounds like a porno...

OP, is your problem not that you've gone from the A levels to an Irish University, designed primarily for Irish school leavers?
Seeing as the A levels are at a higher level than the leaving cert, surely the fault is partly yours for not doing your research before coming here?

Anyway, good luck with your new university!

logic123

ok ok heres a plan, tell me guys what you think

I could finish off my year at UCD, probably spending alot of money already doing stuff i have done, still apply for Kings next year

But finish off my year at UCD, worth it?

Donald-Duck

logic123 wrote: »

its not that i am incapable of socialising, but i have different few on socialising which dosent include drinking till late hours of the night or just partying at clubs. and your right, ibe been there two weeks and its very much the drink and social type uni, it dosent strike me as the most academic, oviously if you have been to britain then you will oviously see a difference.

No its pretty much a worldwide thing.

University isn't for having your mammy hold your hand and bring you to it every day.

misslt

That's not totally fair.

What I'm trying to say is, the university is what you make it.

You could go to Oxford or Cambridge and still piss your first year away and fail miserably.

You get out what you put in.

@dyl10 - I don't think thats the problem at all - a lot of people do it - like me. (yes, I am also only in first year in my 2nd week and have no idea what i'm talking about )

Logic - finish the year. You might spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if I had have stayed in UCD...'. At least then you'll be totally sure and have made the right decision.

dyl10

logic123 wrote: »

its not that i am incapable of socialising, but i have different few on socialising which dosent include drinking till late hours of the night or just partying at clubs. and your right, ibe been there two weeks and its very much the drink and social type uni, it dosent strike me as the most academic, oviously if you have been to britain then you will oviously see a difference.

Have you even been to university in Britain?

logic123

lol some people on here arnt exactly nice hehe, no but seriously not all unis are about social and drink, some unis more than othes have a greater deal of people wanting to actually study and not go out on the bail every night, UCD has a higher % of drinkers probs than other universities, not all universities are the same

misslt

But logic - you haven't been to other universities!

And most of them, bar the elite of the elite, have a lot of emphasis on the social life.

Anyways.

Give it a chance and see. You might regret it if you don't.

Chucky the tree

logic123 wrote: »

lol some people on here arnt exactly nice hehe, no but seriously not all unis are about social and drink, some unis more than othes have a greater deal of people wanting to actually study and not go out on the bail every night, UCD has a higher % of drinkers probs than other universities, not all universities are the same

In Ireland they are and I'd even say the majority of English ones are the same as well.

logic123

lol i already decided to go, then i cam back for another 3 days now im back in england, i highly doubt its be able to slot myself back in tbh, the point im trying to make is, i wont have to do a foundation year in england, which means that first yer neuro over here is equivalent to 2nd year neuro in UCD, is it really worth coming back to UCD for a year, considering the enormous cost.

El Siglo

logic123 wrote: »

probably why then, no im not getting at anyone, i just didnt really realise that they would have this sort of general year before starting your real degree, which would of been better if they said on the site. At least when i was doing my registration it gave me no choice but to do all these introductory courses which was a little pain. But getting in those lectures turned out to be a choir not to fall a sleep i didnt have any choice not to pick them i guess it didnt pick up the fact that i did acheive AAAB in my A levels.

Hold on a minute, you spent like one week in the place, managed to fall in love with somebody and you found out you didn't like the course. Sounds a wee bit mental imo. Secondly, you're A levels, although excellent, nobody not least of which the lecturers will care what you got. Note to all freshers: you are maggot scum with lizard size brains, you haven't the ability to conjure a seminal iota of thought, regardless of how many points or As you get in your bullshit state exams. The 1st month is supposed to ease you into college, the first semester is to ease you into the material and first year is to ease you into academia. If lecturers were to start off on the tricky stuff first, it would be unfair to Irish students who haven't developed the breath and depth of knowledge required for the course (i.e. our leaving cert is a very broad course, not conducive to third level academia). This is Ireland, not the UK, the courses cater more or less to the requirements of Irish students in this regard (and this isn't just UCD, it's TCD, DCU, NUIM, BUIG, UCC etc...). You should have researched the course much more before coming over. But, I'm sure you were far too busy getting all of them As to begin with! Personally, I think you made a silly mistake leaving. If you found you could piss through the early course material then you could have enjoyed the social life a bit more because things will get harder pretty shortly. UCD is just great craic anyway and you would have grown to love the place, but sure shit happens!;)

i did acheive AAAB in my A levels.

You might think you've achieved something, you haven't. A degree is an achievement, a state exam is a requirement.

misslt

Is it not more worth is this year when the fees are free?!

Open to correction but I thought everyone in the EU could avail of the free fees scheme - I know I don't have to pay them this year.

Whereas in the UK you have min £3k per year?

TirNaNog.

Why didnt you apply for nueroscience in TCD if you knew UCD has a higher % of drinkers?

logic123

because TCD you have to do 2 years general science first so that would be pretty pointless lol.

and fees im talking about things like accomodation and stuff

Mikeyt086

You say the UCD course is 4 years, the UK one is 3. You knew this. You came over specifically to do the 4 years, what did you think the first year was? Bonus neuroscience skillz that only the Irish get?

You should have researched the difference between the 2 courses. If you were already able for the 3 year UK course then that is what you should have done.

You cant blame UCD for doing an introduction to a subject.

ravydavygravy

lol i already decided to go, then i cam back for another 3 days now im back in england, i highly doubt its be able to slot myself back in tbh, the point im trying to make is, i wont have to do a foundation year in england, which means that first yer neuro over here is equivalent to 2nd year neuro in UCD, is it really worth coming back to UCD for a year, considering the enormous cost.

With your attitude I doubt it. If I were you, I'd go to your university of choice, stick your head in the books for the next three years and emerge as another brillant-yet-socially-inept graduate.

There's more to university than what you learn in the lecture hall. Just like theres more to life than neuroscience.

Dave

Colpriz

Uni aint just about education, its also about personal development. You will learn a lot about yourself over the years. I think to do Uni in a different country/culture to your own is one of the best things you can do for yourself personally.

The studious part is up to you and only you. There are plenty of activities/ clubs in UCD that offer alternatives to the drinking nights out. You will find your own group of people who share your interests and can avoid the others if you really want to..give it a shot..maybe some other Irish gals will take your fancy..they may fall for your accent if nothing else!!