Tutors?

Aoiferz

I'm starting in science this year and I got a letter today about who my tutor is going to be aand how I must meet with them at some point during freshers week. There was a list of times that they're free during the week listed too.

I was just wondering, do I make an appointment at one of these times or just drop in or what?

zoom!

Pretty sure you just drop in.

Aoiferz

Alright, cheers

Craguls

Aoiferz wrote: »

Alright, cheers

Wouldn't hurt to send them an email to let them know when you're coming if you're worried.

Lawliet

What happens during these appointments anyway?

Larianne

I'd send an email and see what time suits.

They just tell you about themselves. That they are there for you if you need them etc.

You only ever need to see your tutor really if you've a problem with exams or you become sick for a long period of time.

bythewoods

Lawliet wrote: »

What happens during these appointments anyway?

You introduce yourself to them, bit of a chat for a few minutes about yourself, maybe a cup of tea or what have you.

It's a good idea to go see them though and make yourself known to them, because you never know when you might need your tutor for something.
I ended up seeing mine a few times over the year for various reasons, they can be a great help!

Larianne

bythewoods wrote: »

maybe a cup of tea or what have you.

My fella couldn't wait to get us out the door quick enough!

Scarinae

Larianne wrote: »

My fella couldn't wait to get us out the door quick enough!

Haha mine was the complete opposite, couldn't get away from him! A few people in my class had the same tutor and they all said the same thing, it was advisable to use the toilet before dropping in to see him

Mark200

You should be able to drop in during any of the times on your sheet, since presumably they're times that the tutor has said they'd be available. But sure no harm in sending an email anyway if you want.

Larianne

Fishie wrote: »

Haha mine was the complete opposite, couldn't get away from him! A few people in my class had the same tutor and they all said the same thing, it was advisable to use the toilet before dropping in to see him

:pac:

scoile

I've been allocated a tutor based on my first round CAO offer. Subsequently accepted my original first choice course on round 2 and have been allocated another tutor.
Both are in the same (law) department, do I choose my preference or are they specific to the course?

blubloblu

scoile wrote: »

I've been allocated a tutor based on my first round CAO offer. Subsequently accepted my original first choice course on round 2 and have been allocated another tutor.
Both are in the same (law) department, do I choose my preference or are they specific to the course?

I have a tutor in Pharmacy but I'm doing Medicine. Maybe go to both and see who's nicer?:P

scoile

I suppose my real question is, are they important to me?

bythewoods

blubloblu wrote: »

I have a tutor in Pharmacy but I'm doing Medicine. Maybe go to both and see who's nicer?:P

The tutors aren't necessarily from your department. Loads of people in my class have tutors who are Dentistry lecturers and stuff.
My guy's based out in James'. It's just a bit of a pot luck...

scoile wrote: »

I suppose my real question is, are they important to me?

They might not be, but they could be if you fail an exam or blahhhh, so no harm in keeping them sweet.

Sir Ophiuchus

It totally varies. When I did Science, I had a tutor who was involved in a department completely outside mine, knew nothing about me, who I didn't bother to see, and who got in my way and gave me completely incorrect advice about transferring course.

After I transferred (with help from the Senior Tutor's office, who are awesome) I changed my tutor, who's actually in my department and helpful, albeit crazily busy. I usually ask to meet briefly about three times a year, just to keep her up to date and ask any questions I have or bounce plans for further study or option choices off her. She's also great when I had difficulties with assignments (actually lost an entire essay from a computer and had to rewrite it!).

So getting useful help from a tutor involves making an effort to at least see them and talk to them occasionally so that they know your name. If you really really don't get on, you can change. But it's a valuable resource, and one it's good to make use of from time to time.

To answer earlier questions:

You can just drop in during their posted hours in Freshers' Week. Any other time, send an email and ask for an appointment.

Your meeting is very likely to be: Hi I'm X, what's your name, where are you from, what course are you taking, what subjects, how do you feel about it, what's moving up to Dublin/college like, any plans for later on in your degree, any questions, have a great week.

Aoiferz

Thanks everyone that helps a lot

JonJoeDali

Nothing like a glass of sherry with your tutor at 3 in the afternoon.

Groinshot

I met mine last year, useful guy(not) in the mech.eng dept. when I went to look for help from him, he said "sure, come see me at X.PM" so i showed up then, he came ouyt and said" oh, I'll eh be with you in eh.... 5 mins" and walked down the corridor, and disappeared

JonJoeDali

Groinshot wrote: »

I met mine last year, useful guy(not) in the mech.eng dept. when I went to look for help from him, he said "sure, come see me at X.PM" so i showed up then, he came ouyt and said" oh, I'll eh be with you in eh.... 5 mins" and walked down the corridor, and disappeared

Absent-mindedness is not uncommon in university.

M450

I never bothered to meet my tutor and didn't have a clue who he was, he wasn't in my department either. In third year I was out sick for a month with the mumps and I sent off an email to see what the story was with missed deadlines and such but he never got back to me...

So I'd say it's worth dropping in to them once in a while...

claire h

Standard of tutors does range wildly from 'very helpful' to 'totally useless', it's true... had two during undergrad, one who helped with sorting out a course transfer, another who didn't bother replying to emails. I presume many of them do it because it's seen as contributing to college life in some way and is something to throw in when you're going for promotion or Fellowship?

JonJoeDali

M450 wrote: »

I never bothered to meet my tutor and didn't have a clue who he was, he wasn't in my department either. In third year I was out sick for a month with the mumps and I sent off an email to see what the story was with missed deadlines and such but he never got back to me...

So I'd say it's worth dropping in to them once in a while...

Leaving it till you get a summons to No. 9 is not ideal.

SligoBrewer

My tutor is completely out of my department, (i'm doing science and he's in the school of education) but he was fantastic last year when I wanted to change course.

Should really have dropped him a mail during the summer but I'll just pop in sometime next week and sort it out.

vladglenin

SligoBrewer wrote: »

Should really have dropped him a mail during the summer but I'll just pop in sometime next week and sort it out.

We don't want to hear your flipping life story.

ohthebaby

I had a lot of not nice personal stuff going on last year which ended up in me sitting crying for ages in my tutor's office. All he really told me was to go and do a bit of clothes shopping as it usually cheers girls up. So I never really went back to him for anything...