feeling bad in college

mejena

Ive started nursing in dcu and Im feeling weird. Im living in larkfield which is full of noise its almost impossible to sleep and its a shíthole.
I havent really made any friends yet and my roommate is a bit of an annoying bitch with no sense of personal space. i feel homesick also.
Any advice from people who have been there on what to do to make friends and survive living in larkfield?
It seems like many of the cliques have been formed already at this early stage and I feel like im falling behind friend-wise.

Benny Lava

First things first, Larkfield is terrible for noise. I had the same problem with sleeping last year as it seemed every night there was some gobshyte having a singsong at 4 am. The way Larkfield is set up kind of forces interaction with other people, which is why it is good for making friends in a way. Once you make one you will be introduced to loads more. I enjoyed Larkfield despite its deficiencies in nearly every department. If you really can't find like minded people in Larkfield then you can try the Clubs and Socs, you're sure to find a few there.

Noodleworm

I completely had the same problem when I moved into Larkfield. Actually I still have the noise problem now in Hampstead.
It does actually quieten down, or you'll learn to sleep through it. Not sure what happened to me but I eventually stopped waking up several times a night.

Its not too hard to keep busy on campus. If you go join as many clubs societies as you can you should be able to keep busy most nights up until about half 10, there great for making friends too.
most people I know, I know from societies...while I never even knew the name of the people across the hall from me in Larkfield.

I really find Larkfield a tad overrated socially if you not into the whole drinking/clubbing thing...

Pygmalion

Clubs and Societies week is this week IIRC (Tuesday and Wednesday in the hub).
Join anything you're even a bit interested in and show up to events.

tinkerbell

I lived in Larkfield when I was in first year too. I hated DCU for the first three weeks as I was really homesick, left all my friends behind so it was pretty lonely. But then I joined a society and I made tons of friends. I wasn't friends at all with anyone from my own class (except for one person), so all my friends I made through joining the society. Loved it then after a few weeks.

Larkfield is good for if you want to make friends as there's always people around. As for your roommate, if she's no sense of personal space, just lock your door when you leave or when you're there if you don't feel like talking to her. Is she one of these ones that just comes into your room and plonks herself on the bed and just won't take a hint that you don't feel like chatting or something?

johnmcdnl

clubs and socs is on this week so join up to some club that you have an interest in and that'll really help when your trying to make friends - as for larkfield being noisy as **** - buy ear plugs or something - don't think there's gonna be a whole lot you can do about except try to get used to it I suppose

ldxo15wus6fpgm

Just go to the common room in the afternoon/evening. There's usually a few people in the one on 1st floor above door 4.

Daysha

If you're doing a 4 year course you'll have 96 weeks of lectures. You've only just finished 1 of those. Just give it time, some people take longer to settle than others.

Tiroskan

I was in Larkfield in first year and I loved it, although I didn't actually make any friends from the building purely by virtue of being in the same building, but rather by meeting people through clubs and societies and luring them back to my room with promises of chocolate. So the moral of the story is bribery works, keep a box full of chocolate on hand.

But more seriously, it takes some people more time to settle in than others and it may seem like everyone else has made friends already, but the people you meet in the first few weeks aren't necessarily the people you'll be friends with for the next 4 (or more :P) years. Clubs and socs days are on next Tuesday and Wednesday and I can only reiterate what most people have already said, which is to get out and get involved. I didn't *really* settle into college until last year when I was repeating first year, so if you're happy with your course I'd advise you to tough it out for a while. It will get better I promise.

(Join Strange Things. >.>)

phasers

First and foremost, buy earplugs. Everything seems better after a good night's sleep.

Green Hand Guy

Drop along to a few Clubs and Socs. Best way to make friends. If you're into boardgames at all, come to GamesSoc on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6 in C165. That's where I made loads of my college friends. Artsoc is good too. Not sure when that's on this year though. They're both fairly laid back, so good for just chatting to new people and stuff.

Or if they're not your thing, just take a look at the other ones on Clubs and Socs day. I'm sure you'll find something that'll interest you.

spockety

As others have already said, Clubs and Societies will help you in a big way to socialise and make friends.

As for "cliques being formed already", I wouldn't take anything from that. By the time the average student reaches the end of their first semester, never mind the end of their 4th year, I would imagine they have changed circles of friends umpteen times.

stringy

have a chat with Ruan or Helena, you make can an appointment with them, ring 01-7005165 or call into CG72 on the ground floor of the Henry Grattan Building or by email at counselling at dcu.ie

badradio

mejena wrote: »

Ive started nursing in dcu and Im feeling weird. Im living in larkfield which is full of noise its almost impossible to sleep and its a shíthole.
I havent really made any friends yet and my roommate is a bit of an annoying bitch with no sense of personal space.

It seems like many of the cliques have been formed already at this early stage and I feel like im falling behind friend-wise.

I feel as though I could be that "annoying bitch", I tend to have people over in my room alot and I play my iPod pretty loud too eg. I had 31 people in my room at one stage But I have found it difficult to sleep in Larkfield, bare in mind that our first week was orientation week and the following week was Fresher's week. So there was bound to be ALOT of noise due to drunkenness and slamming doors. I'm sure as everyone settles down and realises they actually have morning lectures it will all quieten down, so don't worry about that too much.

As for Larkfield being a ****hole...be lucky youre on campus, plenty of people would have loved to have had a room on campus, so be grateful eh? Lots of my friends had to go off in search of accomodation which was far more expensive than Larkfield.

Making friends was worrying for me too as no one from my school is attending DCU, I thought it would be difficult. So far I'm only friends with a group of guys, haven't made any girl friends yet, but the guys im friends with are lovely. I havent got many friends, but so far about 10 friends I talk to regularly, I met them by hanging out in the common rooms, so I suggest you go there more often. Eat your meals there, watch TV there, read the newspaper there, that kind of thing instead of being in your room constantly. I know what you mean about the cliques though, I dont really know many people in my actual class but today i put myself out there; everyones friendly because we're in the same position. "hey how are you, my names..." it's as easy as that.

It's college. No one knows you or your past. So come out of your shell and start new, be who you want to be. It's only the third week so join socs and clubs and speak to the person next to you in class. DO NOT isolate yourself. If i can make friends you can too lol.

adamski8

try ask accomodation office to switch you to hampstead college park or move the **** out, larkfield is a ****hole. cant believe that kinda **** accomodation is put up with for the price you pay for it.

g5fd6ow0hseima

Back when I first moved into Larkfield, it was mighty craic for the first two weeks - common rooms packed, parties in loads of people's flats etc. Then suddenly the vast majority of people realised there was an academic side to college, and the place died a death over night (drastic decrease in loud drunkeness parties, common rooms died down etc). Even rag week in Larkfield was very tame in comparison to orientation week the year I lived there.

Also, im sure most new arrivals had the 'give it socks for orientation week' mindframe. nobody can afford to keep up at that. I'd be very surprised if this commotion continues.

Alliandre

stringy wrote: »

have a chat with Ruan or Helena, you make can an appointment with them, ring 01-7005165 or call into CG72 on the ground floor of the Henry Grattan Building or by email at counselling at dcu.ie

+1. Helena got me through some tough times at DCU. Talking to a counseller will make you feel better and they might give you some helpful suggestions. And there's nothing wrong with going to one!

Also, as others have said, clubs and socs is a great way to make friends. Though most of my friends were classmates. It can take a while to get used to the college life and make friends. Just hang in there.

BULLER

Tiroskan wrote: »

I was in Larkfield in first year and I loved it, although I didn't actually make any friends from the building purely by virtue of being in the same building, but rather by meeting people through clubs and societies and luring them back to my room with promises of chocolate. So the moral of the story is bribery works, keep a box full of chocolate on hand.

Yeah, chocolate..... :rolleyes:

Urizen

OP, I can only repeat what's been said. Cliques are often a problem, but that can be overcome by getting to lectures early and talking to people on their own. It's difficult, but works.

Also, Clubs & Socs are awesome for getting people out of a funk. I myself had a moderately rough first semester in DCU, then joined BookSoc and it completely broke me out of my shell. Pick an soc you think you'd like, join and go along. They're there for the students.

Hope everything turns out ok for ya.

Celtise

Urizen wrote: »

OP, I can only repeat what's been said. Cliques are often a problem, but that can be overcome by getting to lectures early and talking to people on their own. It's difficult, but works.

Also, Clubs & Socs are awesome for getting people out of a funk. I myself had a moderately rough first semester in DCU, then joined BookSoc and it completely broke me out of my shell. Pick an soc you think you'd like, join and go along. They're there for the students.

Hope everything turns out ok for ya.

Since I am new to DCU I found the former to be quite useful and sure suggest going to lunch or a drink after the class if you get on well with someone. Food and drink always makes people friendlier.

I know this is kinda off topic, but Urizen can you tell me a bit about the booksoc? I totally skipped clubs/socs day because normally I have none I'm interested in!

Urizen

Celtise wrote: »

I know this is kinda off topic, but Urizen can you tell me a bit about the booksoc? I totally skipped clubs/socs day because normally I have none I'm interested in!

It's not really off topic. It helped me, my experience may help others. BookSoc were my catalyst to a better life, in a way.

BookSoc are basically a book club. They get together every two weeks, discuss a certain book, have some tea and chat. Members also get discounted books.

The reason it worked for me is that it could be considered the shallow end of a swimming pool. No massive committment, no pressure, relaxed environment and a core activity I loved. For breaking someone out of their shell, ideal.

Celtise

Urizen wrote: »

It's not really off topic. It helped me, my experience may help others. BookSoc were my catalyst to a better life, in a way.

BookSoc are basically a book club. They get together every two weeks, discuss a certain book, have some tea and chat. Members also get discounted books.

The reason it worked for me is that it could be considered the shallow end of a swimming pool. No massive committment, no pressure, relaxed environment and a core activity I loved. For breaking someone out of their shell, ideal.

I'm liking the sound of this soc more and more. Thanks for informing me of it's existence.

CreamCrackers

mejena wrote: »

Ive started nursing in dcu and Im feeling weird. Im living in larkfield which is full of noise its almost impossible to sleep and its a shíthole.
I havent really made any friends yet and my roommate is a bit of an annoying bitch with no sense of personal space. i feel homesick also.
Any advice from people who have been there on what to do to make friends and survive living in larkfield?
It seems like many of the cliques have been formed already at this early stage and I feel like im falling behind friend-wise.

If you think you have it bad try being a B.A in Pats (a sister college of DCU btw).

1. Us B.A's are out numbered by B.ED's. Theres 2 of them for every B.A.
2 We are mixed with B.EDs for our subjects so they are EVERYWHERE!
3. Pats is pretty much a bigger secondary school. I personally have never seen people form cliques so quickly.

As I'm sure you have realised, I havent made many friends on my course yet either. But alls good, most of my free time is spent in DCU anyway! If you want to hang out just send me a message!

ldxo15wus6fpgm

CreamCrackers wrote: »

If you think you have it bad try being a B.A in Pats (a sister college of DCU btw).

1. Us B.A's are out numbered by B.ED's. Theres 2 of them for every B.A.
2 We are mixed with B.EDs for our subjects so they are EVERYWHERE!
3. Pats is pretty much a bigger secondary school. I personally have never seen people form cliques so quickly.

As I'm sure you have realised, I havent made many friends on my course yet either. But alls good, most of my free time is spent in DCU anyway! If you want to hang out just send me a message!

1. Your course is always going to be outnumbered by another, get used to it. That's not a big deal, just because you're not in the same course as someone doesn't mean you can't be friends. I'm in 1st year, 99% of my friends aren't on my course or in any of my lectures. My class only has 40 odd people, out of maybe 1,500 - 2,000 firsties?
2. See above.
3. As are all colleges in 1st year. But I wouldn't worry about the cliques being formed so quickly. People will move between groups of friends like crazy this year. I've already seen it happen, and we're only in week 3.

If I were you I'd take the people on here's advice, and join a ton of clubs and socs, even if you're not that in to whatever the soc is about.

annaxxx

mejena wrote: »

Ive started nursing in dcu and Im feeling weird. Im living in larkfield which is full of noise its almost impossible to sleep and its a shíthole.
I havent really made any friends yet and my roommate is a bit of an annoying bitch with no sense of personal space. i feel homesick also.
Any advice from people who have been there on what to do to make friends and survive living in larkfield?
It seems like many of the cliques have been formed already at this early stage and I feel like im falling behind friend-wise.

I'm also in 1st year nursing in DCU and I was SO worried about starting because I'm 21 and obviously the majority of people in the course were gonna be 18/19. I decided to just put that insecurity to the back of my mind and try to talk to as many people as possible on my 1st few days and im happy to say I've become quite close to a few girls.
My advise would be just talk to anyone that you sit beside, and you can of course always come talk to me!! There's gonna be loads of nursing nights out in the near future so once they start up properly it'll all get a lot easier I think. Just don't be worrying, you'll be fine, it can just take some time to become comfortable!

Sephiroth_vg

mejena wrote: »

Ive started nursing in dcu and Im feeling weird. Im living in larkfield which is full of noise its almost impossible to sleep and its a shíthole.
I havent really made any friends yet and my roommate is a bit of an annoying bitch with no sense of personal space. i feel homesick also.
Any advice from people who have been there on what to do to make friends and survive living in larkfield?
It seems like many of the cliques have been formed already at this early stage and I feel like im falling behind friend-wise.

Been in the university and i CANNOT FIND ANYONE remotely intrested in Politics, Philosophy and Psychology...been 3 weeks and i have made only one friend so far but i have plenty of people i can make normal talk with...so if you just want someone understanding and really talkative to talk to come meet me on the campus...i am a first year in mechatronics btw...

The_Illuminator

I had the same problem when I started in college. I was quite shy but I was terrified of being left behind friend-wise, as you say.

I forced myself to be social and to talk to people, and as soon as you do that, you'd be surprised how many people are in the exact same situation as you. 9/10 people in college are looking to make new friends, same as you are.

My number one tip would be to join societies and actually attend their meetings. You'll get to know people quickly, you'll have something in common (whatever society you've joined) and you should make loads of friends.

I know societies really made my time in college the est of my life, more so than anything else. Join as many societies as you can, and get involved, even if you're apprehensive or unfamiliar. Plenty of people discover new passions and skills though their college societies.

Good luck!

CreamCrackers

Jemma Muscular Koala wrote: »

1. Your course is always going to be outnumbered by another, get used to it. That's not a big deal, just because you're not in the same course as someone doesn't mean you can't be friends. I'm in 1st year, 99% of my friends aren't on my course or in any of my lectures. My class only has 40 odd people, out of maybe 1,500 - 2,000 firsties?
2. See above.
3. As are all colleges in 1st year. But I wouldn't worry about the cliques being formed so quickly. People will move between groups of friends like crazy this year. I've already seen it happen, and we're only in week 3.

If I were you I'd take the people on here's advice, and join a ton of clubs and socs, even if you're not that in to whatever the soc is about.

I get what you're saying about making friends with people who are not on my course. I have done but its just a bit annoying not having friends on my course because there are only 2 courses for 1st yrs in Pats. Because I have such different timetables to my friends I find myself on my own when I have free time because they are usually in lectures. Ive joined a few clubs and socs in DCU and Pats.

Laydee

OP, I'm in first year nursing too, there's a night out tomorrow in town, you should come & get to know some of your classmates. Approaching people is not as easy as some people think, if you want to come with me to the night out that's no problem, I'll send you a PM with my details & you can make yourself known to me if you like.