A bit of advice please

Xevkin

After being pretty flabbergasted by my 590 points on Wednesday, I'm confident that I'm going to get my place on the Science course (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) at TCD. Thing is, I have next to zero experience with Dublin and haven't really a clue about what to bring, etc.

My first query is about accommodation - I've been offered a room at my friend's aunt's house, where he'll be staying too (TCD, philosophy+sociology). The house is located in Crumlin - is this convenient in relation to Trinity? Would I have to take the bus daily, walk, or could I even bike...?

Secondly - should I get a laptop? My parents are offering to get me something, midrange max. Would I be best getting a cheapish Netbook, and a decent external hard drive to store files, music, films etc? And will I need to printing off information often? And stationary - will I be needing many hardbacks, refill pads, a calculater, etc?

I know I may come across very inexperienced, but I'm a worrier more than anything; I over think everything to death. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Jammyc

Xevkin wrote: »

After being pretty flabbergasted by my 590 points on Wednesday, I'm confident that I'm going to get my place on the Science course (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) at TCD. Thing is, I have next to zero experience with Dublin and haven't really a clue about what to bring, etc.

My first query is about accommodation - I've been offered a room at my friend's aunt's house, where he'll be staying too (TCD, philosophy+sociology). The house is located in Crumlin - is this convenient in relation to Trinity? Would I have to take the bus daily, walk, or could I even bike...?

Secondly - should I get a laptop? My parents are offering to get me something, midrange max. Would I be best getting a cheapish Netbook, and a decent external hard drive to store files, music, films etc? And will I need to printing off information often? And stationary - will I be needing many hardbacks, refill pads, a calculater, etc?

I know I may come across very inexperienced, but I'm a worrier more than anything; I over think everything to death. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Congrats on your results!

I can't really say much about commuting from Crumlin, but I'd imagine there's plenty of buses. Dublin Bus Website will sort you out in that regard.

I'd reccomend getting a laptop. During busy times, it can be really frustrating waiting for a computer to free up, meanwhile someone is 'Moving on up in Farmville'. Even besides that, it's handy to store notes on without having to print everything off. I would personally say get a netbook. I had a laptop at the start of the year and it was much more hassle to bring around. I got a netbook just after christmas and it's so much handier.

With regard to printing everything, thats what I did last year, but tbh it didnt really work out. I was left with piles and piles of random pages which didnt help at exam time. I'm trying the typing out notes and doing worked questions into a hardback notebook this year, so hopefully that'll work, but it really depends on which way you like to take notes. You'll get a cheap enough external in the likes of Peats or Reads on Nassau Street. A terrabite wont cost you more than about 100 quid.

For Science, you'll need to buy a labcoat, safety glasses, a calculator and a dissection kit for biology. These are all available from the SU bookshop, some people say Clarendon Medical on Clarendon Street is cheap though too.
Don't go buying books. Tbh they're all in the Hamilton Library and the lecturers usually give decent notes or at least call out decent notes during the lecture. They're bloody expensive too.

Make sure you register at the right time during fresher's week and attend your course meeting/general orientation. You pick your modules during the course meeting so make sure you attend. Once you've got those out of the way, all there is left is to enjoy yourself during Fresher's Week!

Hope this was some help to you! Like I said in the other thread, theres a Science thread here for questions and general chit chat about Science goings-on. Enjoy the course!

Craguls

Have you done either of biology, chemistry before?

Just a heads up at third level, biology becomes more like LC chemistry while chemistry becomes closer to physics. Maths on the other hand becomes a strange combination of philosophy and logic.

Jammyc covered most of the info above but don't hesitate to send a PM if you've any specific questions about what's covered in labs etc.

Aoibheann

Xevkin wrote: »

After being pretty flabbergasted by my 590 points on Wednesday, I'm confident that I'm going to get my place on the Science course (Biology, Chemistry and Maths) at TCD. Thing is, I have next to zero experience with Dublin and haven't really a clue about what to bring, etc.

Congratulations firstly on your results, those are excellent! I can't see Science climbing quite that high!

Xevkin wrote: »

My first query is about accommodation - I've been offered a room at my friend's aunt's house, where he'll be staying too (TCD, philosophy+sociology). The house is located in Crumlin - is this convenient in relation to Trinity? Would I have to take the bus daily, walk, or could I even bike...?

As Jammyc pointed out, there's a range of buses from Crumlin into town. I'd say you could probably manage cycling too if you're used to cycling a bit. Maybe bring your bike, test the route during freshers week and if it works, great.. And if not, there's no harm done! I'd say you'll manage it, apparently it's only a few kilometres! I'm planning on cycling from Dundrum which is further out, so I'd say your route is achieveable.

Xevkin wrote: »

Secondly - should I get a laptop? My parents are offering to get me something, midrange max. Would I be best getting a cheapish Netbook, and a decent external hard drive to store files, music, films etc? And will I need to printing off information often? And stationary - will I be needing many hardbacks, refill pads, a calculater, etc?

A laptop would be quite handy alright - rather than relying on college computers. From knowing the lovely Craguls (who has already posted), you can type up some lab reports for Chemistry etc, so being able to do that at home would be handy. I'd say there'd be quite a fair bit of printing, having 3 different subjects and all - but with maths making your own notes from what the lecturer says will be invaluable. And I mean using pen and paper, not your laptop. You need to pay attention for maths or it'll be harder to grasp the concept. I'd say the same goes for the others though, Chemistry especially.

Stationary-wise you'd need all of those things you mentioned. A folder for notes would be handy too (maybe one of those punchers to punch holes in your notes etc could come in useful too!).

Xevkin wrote: »

I know I may come across very inexperienced, but I'm a worrier more than anything; I over think everything to death. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Ah we've all been there, so don't worry about that. Best of luck with starting and if you need a hand with anything, send me a PM. I don't do Science, but I may be able to lend a hand where Maths is concerned.

Fringe

Walking would take too long but you can easily cycle from Crumlin to town.

Xevkin

Thanks Jammyc, that reply was just what I needed, you're a hero

Craguls wrote: »

Have you done either of biology, chemistry before?

Just a heads up at third level, biology becomes more like LC chemistry while chemistry becomes closer to physics. Maths on the other hand becomes a strange combination of philosophy and logic.

I did both Biology and Chemistry in the Leaving - that "strange combination" seems pretty groovy to me! I was never a massive fan of Physics during the Junior Cert., so I really don't know how Chemistry will go for me now

And thanks again Aoibheann, cleared up everything else for me. The responses to this have been really great, speaks yards for the people at Trinity. Cannot wait to start now

baby and crumble

Another vote here for a decent spec netbook + an external hdd- campus computers can be VERY hit & miss, and its handy to have a comp you can hook up to the college wireless network, means you can check stuff online in the library if and when studying (that can be a curse as well as a blessing though!;))

Oh, and congrats on the results!

El Siglo

Dowload and learn how to use R. It's free and very handy to have knowledge of, better than excel.
Scilab is pretty handy as well for more mathematical modelling, worth downloading anway.

Oh and congratulations on the results, that's excellent so it is!:D

Unregistered.

Xevkin wrote: »

The house is located in Crumlin - is this convenient in relation to Trinity? Would I have to take the bus daily, walk, or could I even bike...?

About 12 minutes door-door on the bike! If you are near (or walk to) the Crumlin Road then there are 5 or 6 buses and a bus lane all the way in to Dame street and they come fairly frequently.

Denerick

A laptop is a bid advantage. I got one halfway through third year and it made essays a lot less stressful (Just bringing it into the library and typing away)

Crumlin is fine, about ten minutes or so on bike or bus depending on traffic.

Don't worry. First year is all about drink (And/or drugs) You'll be fine.

Craguls

Xevkin wrote: »

Thanks Jammyc, that reply was just what I needed, you're a hero



I did both Biology and Chemistry in the Leaving - that "strange combination" seems pretty groovy to me! I was never a massive fan of Physics during the Junior Cert., so I really don't know how Chemistry will go for me now

And thanks again Aoibheann, cleared up everything else for me. The responses to this have been really great, speaks yards for the people at Trinity. Cannot wait to start now

Actually have done biology and chemistry and presumably getting A's in them based on your points you'll likely coast through first year. Chemistry does feature a lot of new material but it's thought well as is the same with Biology.

Sir Ophiuchus

Craguls wrote: »

Actually have done biology and chemistry and presumably getting A's in them based on your points you'll likely coast through first year. Chemistry does feature a lot of new material but it's thought well as is the same with Biology.

Be careful of this. It's easy enough to coast in first year based on Leaving results, but you will be utterly screwed in second year if you do. Take it from me. Pay attention as you go, and make sure you actually understand the concepts you're working with.

evercloserunion

I don't know anyone who has lasted long in college without a laptop/netbook of some description. What specs you go for depend on your personal preferences and circumstances but defo buy one. The college computers are handy of course but especially at peak hours chances are if they're not occupied, they're broken.