TCD Fresher advice?

boggerbarbie

I'm an incoming first year and I'm a country girl, so naturally enough I'm fairly nervous about being am outcast in a sea of D4s. I have accommodation but it's not trinity halls, and I have an awful fear of not making friends

Also, any advice on what to bring to my accommodation, things i wouldn't think of off the top of my head? Any advice on what to expect, places to see or go would be incredibly gladly appreciated!

spoonbadger

Depending on your course, you'll make friends easy enough there. If not, then there's always societies. Pick a couple of societies you like the sound of in fresher's week (ones your actually interested in, that appear to be fun and active from the stand and the people manning it) and you'll make friends there no problem.

Go to some of the stuff during fresher's week, some of its fun and a good way to meet people.

If you make friends in halls, you'll end up going out there for drinks. To be honest, that's more than enough halls for anybody :pac:

When you move in, bring enough food for the first couple of weeks. Ideally **** that's easy to cook: pizzas, frozen dinners, that kinda thing. First couple of weeks are busy with fresher's stuff and whatever, and figuring out your budget and long-term eating plans can be a pain.

Friends-wise just go up to people during the first week in the same course. Everyone's in the same boat sure. I know it sounds easier said than done but what do you have to lose?

You'd be surprised at the number of country folk in Trinity btw!

Larianne

Dónal wrote: »

Friends-wise just go up to people during the first week in the same course. Everyone's in the same boat sure. I know it sounds easier said than done but what do you have to lose?

You'd be surprised at the number of country folk in Trinity btw!

Just on this note, if you're around at Freshers week make an effort to say hello to others that look lost or on their own. Going up to them and saying "hi" and starting a convo will make their week. Not everyone starting off college has (in my opinion) the absolute luxury of having friends going to the same college.

If you can't think of a good conversation starter, asking where the Pav is or offering to go find it with them shouldn't have too many rejections!

Also, don't get absolutely hammered the night before registration. That bastard photo will follow you around college for two years!

Just a thought Jonathan, you can banish my idea to hell, but what about having a starting college this year/wanna meet up at freshers week thread kinda thing? For people doing the same course or having the same interest to PM each other and meet up at Freshers week?

Thisismetrying

I have this worry too... (kinda!) I've been told that TCD first years that aren't in Halls struggle a bit to make friends! Is this true?

ED E

boggerbarbie wrote: »

I'm an incoming first year and I'm a country girl, so naturally enough I'm fairly nervous about being am outcast in a sea of D4s.

Haha, this isnt UCD.

boggerbarbie

Thisismetrying wrote: »

I have this worry too... (kinda!) I've been told that TCD first years that aren't in Halls struggle a bit to make friends! Is this true?

this is what i've heard too! *que frantic worrying*

Maybe_Memories

Thisismetrying wrote: »

I have this worry too... (kinda!) I've been told that TCD first years that aren't in Halls struggle a bit to make friends! Is this true?

I made a good few friends in my course and not a single friend in halls despite living there for first year.

t1mm

Go out on some of the pub crawls and pissups in general during Freshers week and you'll make some friends. I was in the same boat when I moved up!

Thisismetrying

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

I made a good few friends in my course and not a single friend in halls despite living there for first year.

Really? That's refreshing to hear! I really suppose it's up to the attitude you go in there with!

Thisismetrying

Thisismetrying wrote: »

I have this worry too... (kinda!) I've been told that TCD first years that aren't in Halls struggle a bit to make friends! Is this true?

Nope, I never stayed in Halls and I made loads of friends in the first few weeks. It's all about attitude. I know some people who did live in Halls but were so shy they didn't make any friends on their own.

partyatmygaff

t1mm wrote: »

Go out on some of the pub crawls and pissups in general during Freshers week and you'll make some friends. I was in the same boat when I moved up!

Nothing for people who don't drink then? Whenever I hear people talking about Fresher's week the main attraction people talk about seems to be the daily drinking sessions during the week.

partyatmygaff

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Nothing for people who don't drink then? Whenever I hear people talking about Fresher's week the main attraction people talk about seems to be the daily drinking sessions during the week.

Of course there's stuff for people who don't drink. Just because mad nights out are advertised doesn't mean there isn't anything else to do.

There's plenty of tea to be drank, pizza to be eaten, talks to be had and music to listen to, but yes, huge nights out are the main attraction. I don't see why that should be a problem, even if you don't drink.

Unfortunately you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Aoibheann

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Nothing for people who don't drink then? Whenever I hear people talking about Fresher's week the main attraction people talk about seems to be the daily drinking sessions during the week.

I don't drink, and I still had a great time. Sci-Fi do loads of film-screenings, games, etc. I went to the Silent/Headphone Disco one of the nights too, I think it's on most years, and I had a great time despite only knowing one of the people before I actually went to the club. Everyone (or most!) is dying to get to know new people during Freshers' Week and you definitely don't need to drink to enjoy a lot of the events. There's also comedy stuff, stuff/guests in the Phil/Hist and plenty more.

Oh, and to the person worrying about making friends if you don't live in Halls - don't worry. Join some clubs/socs that grab your interest in Freshers' Week and go to some of their events. Say hi to some people at your course meeting, and in your lectures. You'll find that they're probably as nervous as you about making friends, and most will be only delighted to have someone to chat to them. I know it's hard being the person who breaks the ice, but it has to be someone so you may as well.

bscm

fecks sake, I won't be able to go to most things then my bus stops running at 11 and there's no nitelink... may as well sign up for everything on during the afternoons

Unregistered.

bscm wrote: »

...my bus stops running at 11 and there's no nitelink... may as well sign up for everything on during the afternoons

Or get a bicycle.

bscm

Unregistered. wrote: »

Or get a bicycle.

48km on a bike each way... lovely workout there

Unregistered.

bscm wrote: »

48km on a bike each way... lovely workout there

Wouldn't have thought Dublin Bus services' would have extended 48Km from Trinity. That's as far as Drogheda/Navan/Newbridge/Wicklow :eek:.

How long is the commute? (time-wise)

bscm

Unregistered. wrote: »

Wouldn't have thought Dublin Bus services' would have extended 48Km from Trinity. That's as far as Drogheda/Navan/Newbridge/Wicklow :eek:.

How long is the commute? (time-wise)

<----Look at my location there

I'm on a Bus Eireann service (hence the reason why it cuts off at 11). In a car, to get to Dublin it would take 40 minutes. On my bus, 1 hour 30 mins the bus stops off in every town along the way

Unregistered.

bscm wrote: »

<----Look at my location there

I'm on a Bus Eireann service (hence the reason why it cuts off at 11). In a car, to get to Dublin it would take 40 minutes. On my bus, 1 hour 30 mins the bus stops off in every town along the way

Oh well in that case, maybe you should consider one of these.

KiwiMoll

I'm also from the country and was worried about making friends!! But reading this makes me feel way better! I haven't got any accommadation yet,as i'm on a waiting list for trinity halls because i'm doing dental nursing and haven't heard back from ncirl yet!!When is freshers week??

ED E

Week of the 19th. Halls does a fresher thing the weekend before that too.

Maybe_Memories

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

Week of the 19th. Halls does a fresher thing the weekend before that too.

And there;s a Frank Turner gig on the 17th I think, so it looks like I'll be ignoring halls fresher thing for the second year in a row!

Craguls

Can be a pain to queue up for but getting a locker can be so handy and a worthwhile investment in my opinion.

Maybe_Memories

Craguls wrote: »

Can be a pain to queue up for, but getting a locker can be so handy and a worthwhile investment in my opinion.

This

bscm

Craguls wrote: »

Can be a pain to queue up for but getting a locker can be so handy and a worthwhile investment in my opinion.

I'm getting a 5/6am bus to get a locker, I can't be lugging stuff about that I just just dump on campus

LukeDavfc

Hey, I'm starting TCD for Science in September, moving from Leitrim

Everyone says the friends you make at college are the friends you keep for life, there's got to be a reason for that. I don't think you have to worry about ending up friendless and alone in a big city, even if you're not living on campus!

Good luck and congrats

bscm

I'm starting Science too Another girl from my year is also

Iceuil

Hey guys. Im starting science too! But Im a Dubliner. I dont think you country people will want to be friends with me...especially considering that Im a foreigner too...

bscm

Iceuil wrote: »

Hey guys. Im starting science too! But Im a Dubliner. I dont think you country people will want to be friends with me...especially considering that Im a foreigner too...

You should seek my out on the 19th I live in Wicklow but my parents are from Killiney and Rathmichael. My South Dublin accent tends to strengthen when I get as far as Donnybrook

OrlaB12693

ooohhh, Im starting science too! coming all the way from ole Cavan.... quite nervous about the whole making new friends thing too!!