St. Pats 1st Years 2011

dreamer92

So whos heading to St. Pats this September as a 1st year?

davidj374

I am I'm only doing the BA though :P

dambarude

davidj374 wrote: »

I am I'm only doing the BA though :P

You don't need the 'only' surely:)

LittleMissLost

Me Doing the B.Ed and don't know a sinner Country girl off to the big shmoke, lol.

I'm excited, scared, nervous, happy, sad (to be done with school for EVER ) apprehensive...

Applied for on campus accommodation and got approved there this morning!

Any advice for the academic subjects? I was thinking of Bioscience and French in 1st year then French the whole way through?

Tulip11

Hey guys,

I'm starting in 1st year as a "mature" student

Can't wait.....have wanted to do primary teaching for years and finally took the leap this year.

I'm trying to decide on subjects too....you only do Bioscience in 1st year so you could be limiting yourself on choices, plus if you've done Bio for the LC it might be a bit basic. You'd be dropping Bio for 2nd year so you'd need to make sure you LOVED your other Arts subject. I've heard french is a good choice, not many in the class compared to English....200 odd doing English compared to 50 odd in French!

I'm thinkning maybe English and History or geography....but wonder would it be a lot of reading....they were my fave subjects in school but it's been a while.

LittleMissLost, I'm living about 15 mins from St Pats so if you've any questions about the locality, nearest reputable watering hole, best bus routes etc etc just PM me.

See you around at Registration
Tulip 11

monaghanmissus

Welcome to St. Pats, guys!

Going in to second year B.Ed now and I promise you'll love it!

Quick word regarding subject choices, think long and hard before choosing, especially with Bioscience. Don't know much about the course, but I know of a good few people who picked Bioscience & Irish, fully intent on keeping it on for the three years. Now they're stuck with Irish, which can be a pretty tough subject if you're not prepared to put the work in.

I studied Geography and Irish in first year, thinking I'd keep on Irish for and drop Geography. I've actually done the opposite- the Geography course is such an interesting one, with great lecturers. As much as I liked Irish, the course can be pretty tough.

Any questions, feel free to ask!

fearbainne

Going into 3rd year and I picked history and english, took english on, its a good course, the books are interesting and the exams are fairly easy as they tell ya whats coming up..

I wouldnt recommend bioscience at all to be honest, the amount of people that regret it because it limited their choices is sick.. just go for something else would be my advice!

If yous have any Qs gimme a shout..

emzz

What kind of fluency is expected for Irish?:)

delaraghlassie

Just wondering, if you don't pick Irish or English, what's this craic of having to do Irish and English in some other course thing? :S

LittleMissLost

Do you get to try all of the subjects for the first week or anything? I don't like the idea of going in and not knowing whether or not I'll like it :cool:

dubes

delaraghlassie wrote: »

Just wondering, if you don't pick Irish or English, what's this craic of having to do Irish and English in some other course thing? :S

If you don't pick Irish and English as your academic subject in first year, you have to do 'professional' Irish and English. I chose both Irish and English in first year so i'm not sure but ive heard both professional subjects are pretty easy but the downside is that they both add a few hours a week to your timetable.

Personally I would reccommend English, it has practically a zero per cent fail rate in first year and doesn't really get any harder in second or third year. There are three essays to be completed during the year but they count for very little marks, passing being the most important thing. With English, you will have 3 hours a week of lectures and a one hour seminar. Attendence is not recorded at the lectures and is supposedly compulsory at the seminar but i tested that theory and came out grand!

I also did Irish which I found very tough but on the upside, there are no assignments to be completed during the year with the Irish course, only an exam to do at the end. It is also 3 hours lectures a week and a seminar.

I would not reccomend doing bioscience for two reasons;
1: it limits your choice of subject in second year.
2: almost everyone finishes at 1 on a friday except bioscience who have to stay for labs till 3 or 4 i think. . . pain in the ass!

Most of the other subjects involve a lot more hours lectures every week.
If i was going back to do 1st year again, I would defo do English and maybe History of Goegraphy with it. Maths is meant to be incredibly difficult as is French - French involves a lot of work during the year.

No matter what you pick, Pats is some craic!

nlovewithtea.ie

Hey I'm heading into 1st year in September and didn't get into campus Don't know any one else at all heading to Pats and really don't know what to do. Does anyone know of any other 1st years that would be willing to look for accommodation together?

davidj374

I'm thinking English and Maths, maybe Irish for 1st year? Good or bad?

Tulip11

Hi Guys,

Came across the following aditional minimum entry requirements for dome Arts subjects in the 2011/2012 prospectus; sorry don't know how to link it but you should be able to find it on the net.

French: mimimum B in Honours LC French
Maths: minimum C3 in Honours or A2 in Ordinary LC Maths

Tulip11

Ciara5968

Hi
Im heading to st Pats this year, doing the b.Ed. I'm thinking of doing Irish and Music as my two subjects in my first year. I'm fluent in Irish as I went to irish speaking schools, and got an A2 in music in the leaving. Does anyone have any information on the english course that I'll have to do if I dont pick English as a subject?

I just got a letter about the HEAR orientation days that are on September 1st and 2nd. Anyone else on here going to be at that? I live close enough to go home at night but I think it'll be fun to stay overnight and meet new people, especially since I'll be living at home all year. Does been at the HEAR orientation before, or going this year?

Also what's the story with freshers week? When will we find out what events and stuff are planned? Can st. pats students go to the DCU freshers week and events during the year?

delaraghlassie

thanks! how many more hours of lectures a week would i have if i picked Geography and History?

DRUMorDIE

Might as well try make friends before enemies

Im doing the BA and doing History and Geography for the 2 years but cant stand English and Irish is a big no so Im left with Human Development. Anyone know what the story is with that? And if anyone wants to meet up for a chat or whatever give me a PM since I'll be staying on campus and know Dublin fairly decently. Dont wanna loose the head moving up to the big city :P

tiernel

Hey guys, I've did the three year b-ed in Pats and it's a great college. I have to say there's a really friendly atmosphere in the college n it's hard for anyone not to have a ball.

Not gonna lie, the course is tough, much harder than I expected. It requires a lot of work particularly in second year!

This wasn't helped by the fact that I did French for the 3 years. It is definitely the most difficult academic to pick and there are more lecture hours and outside work than any other subject. I did Irish in first year and there was no comparison with regards to work.

Only 7 of us did French in my year until 3rd year (that's 7 out of 400 b-eds!!!) and I have to say it has huge benefits concerning getting a job. Principals are really impressed with the French degree because so few people have it n it means that we can teach French to the school children after school. As well as this, there are already about 150 schools in the country which teach French during school from Junior Infants upwards and so you can see that this was hugely advantageous to me getting a job!

It also opened my options to working in France! You can do an erasmus for either one semester in second year or the entire year in third year(this gives you an international B-ed degree).

If I were to go back, I wouldn't change a thing, French was tough but now I have an additional language to my CV (and sure you have to keep on Irish as a professional subject anyway), and the benefits have definitely outweighed the downfalls. If you enjoyed French in school then I'd recommend it and you'll have great craic with certain members of the French lecturers!! Good luck to anyone starting pats and enjoy the three years cause it'll fly by!!

LittleMissLost

^^ Thanks so much Tiernel. I'm seriously considering taking French as one of ly subjects. I'm stuck on whether to do Irish, English or Bioscience.

I got an A2 in HL French in the Leaving Cert and really enjoyed it as a subject so hopefully I'll be able to keep up with it. The fact you said classes are small really makes me want to do it as well!

tiernel

With an A2 you'll fly it!! Like I said it can be a bit of a shock at first but I stuck it out and I still managed to pass everything n still enjoy the whopper social life that pats offers!

I did Irish in first year and personally have no interest in Irish media/literature etc which is what the course centers around, so I dropped it! However, no lectures are sign in. My boyfriend did it for the three years and did well with minimal effort but it's not really about your level of language as much as the poetry/stories etc (much like the LC)- not my thing but good for those who enjoy it.

Don't know much about English but I'm told English is a doss n there's a 0% failure rate...this academic seemed to have the most time off out of all the subjects!

Good luck choosing, no matter what you pick you'll enjoy it!

smileyell

Hello everyone
I'm heading to Pat's to do a B.ed this year too. Just wondering, did anyone get a letter from Pat's yet? I've been practically glued to the letter box but I haven't received anything from them yet.

emzz

smileyell wrote: »

Hello everyone
I'm heading to Pat's to do a B.ed this year too. Just wondering, did anyone get a letter from Pat's yet? I've been practically glued to the letter box but I haven't received anything from them yet.

You're the same as me so:) My mam rang them up there on Tuesday and they said they'll be posting out our registration packs next week!:)

smileyell

emzz wrote: »

You're the same as me so:) My mam rang them up there on Tuesday and they said they'll be posting out our registration packs next week!:)

Oh deadly thanks! I can't wait to start now!

Erry94

Hi guys just thought id post and see if there are many other first year st pats students who are nervous ! Im doing the B.ed and am so nervous its not right ! I didnt get on campus and dont no a soul up there so im sort of dreading leaving the countryside and moving up to dublin ! Is anyone or has anyone been in the same situation if so any advice !

smileyell

Erry94 wrote: »

Hi guys just thought id post and see if there are many other first year st pats students who are nervous ! Im doing the B.ed and am so nervous its not right ! I didnt get on campus and dont no a soul up there so im sort of dreading leaving the countryside and moving up to dublin ! Is anyone or has anyone been in the same situation if so any advice !

Have you found a place to live? If not,the Pat's SU facebook page has some advertised Don't be nervous,we're gonna have a great 3 years!

Erry94

smileyell wrote: »

Have you found a place to live? If not,the Pat's SU facebook page has some advertised Don't be nervous,we're gonna have a great 3 years!

Nope haven't found anywhere yet little disappointed I didnt get on campus thats probably why i'm so nervous but I know we'll have a great time And thanks i'll look that up now !

smileyell

Erry94 wrote: »

Nope haven't found anywhere yet little disappointed I didnt get on campus thats probably why i'm so nervous but I know we'll have a great time And thanks i'll look that up now !

http://www.facebook.com/pages/StPats-Students-Union/141273326101
Here's the link Yeah I'd say it's scary having to find somewhere, hopefully you get something soon

Long Term Louth

I am going into second year this September, if anyone wishes to pm me, I will gladly pass on current available accomodation information as advertised on St pats student website.

Erry94

smileyell wrote: »

http://www.facebook.com/pages/StPats-Students-Union/141273326101
Here's the link Yeah I'd say it's scary having to find somewhere, hopefully you get something soon

Thanks ! Hopefully I'll find something soon

tiernel

DCU offers campus to Pats students...I'ts about a 15-20 minute walk from Pats. I dunno if it's too late to apply but it's worth a shot.... having been in both I can tell you that DCU is much nicer, cleaner, more modern and they let you have people to stay!

davidj374

I got my pack today is there anybody else in Lismore House?

Tulip11

Hi Folks,

Got my registration pack today too Have to start thinking about subject choices.....it'll be English and either Geog or History but can't decide between the 2.

Anyone have any info on taking English and Geog or English and History...any advantages to taking one over the other where hours are concerned?

Thanks,
Tulip11

lilypot

Hey I'm starting the BA course in a few weeks But my long term goal is to do a post grad in B.ED in 3 years time. I definitely am doing music and I'm wondering if there is a particular subject I should do which would help me in the post grad? I think i'll do the human development course as well. I know this is a long shot but id be so grateful of any help! cant wait to start

Long Term Louth

lilypot wrote: »

Hey I'm starting the BA course in a few weeks But my long term goal is to do a post grad in B.ED in 3 years time. I definitely am doing music and I'm wondering if there is a particular subject I should do which would help me in the post grad? I think i'll do the human development course as well. I know this is a long shot but id be so grateful of any help! cant wait to start

The following will give you all you need to know about HD first year course http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/education/courses/HD/ba_hd.shtml

LittleMissLost

Got my pack yesterday and in Clonmacnoise house! I've never been to St. Pat's before so really don't have a clue what it's like.

I'm doing the B.Ed and thinking of doing French and either Irish/English for 1st year. Does anyone know if you can try out lots of subjects for a week or so first?

You know with the €2000 fee that you don't pay if you get the maintenance grant? What if you haven't been approved for the grant before the 16th? :cool:

lilypot

Long Term Louth wrote: »

The following will give you all you need to know about HD first year course http://www.spd.dcu.ie/main/academic/education/courses/HD/ba_hd.shtml

Huge help, thanking you

F8492

Im also doing the B.ed & was thinking of definately doing english & den for my other one its between Religion, Irish or geog? Could anyone give me an insight into what these are like & how many hours i would have a week with them etc? Also i didnt do geography as a leaving cert subject but heard its quite easy but would i be stupid picking this subject though if i havent studied it for the LC?

Any help would be appreciated thankss

dubes

F8492 wrote: »

Im also doing the B.ed & was thinking of definately doing english & den for my other one its between Religion, Irish or geog? Could anyone give me an insight into what these are like & how many hours i would have a week with them etc? Also i didnt do geography as a leaving cert subject but heard its quite easy but would i be stupid picking this subject though if i havent studied it for the LC?

Any help would be appreciated thankss

English is 3 hours a week of lectures plus a one hour seminar.

Irish is the same.

Not sure bout religion and i think geography could be more but not certain!

Daisyxx

hey! em...i still didn't get an info pack! anyone else in the same boat as myself?

delaraghlassie

how many hours a week is history? and is anyone else in Glendalough house?

F8492

dubes wrote: »

English is 3 hours a week of lectures plus a one hour seminar.

Irish is the same.

Not sure bout religion and i think geography could be more but not certain!

Thanks for that I've heard that if you do religion as one of your academics you get paid more when you graduate and start teaching? Is this true or just a rumour? :rolleyes: Gotta think of the future :P

fearbainne

davidj374 wrote: »

I got my pack today is there anybody else in Lismore House?

Well David, all the boys on campus live in Lismore.. It is absolute mayhem and proberly the best craic you'll ever have! Although 60 lads in one house.. crazy **** happens.. trust me you'll hear all about it!

PS get a small fridge for in your room.. some of the lads pissed in the fridge n froze some **** last year so the kitchen can sometimes be a dodgy place to keep your food!:rolleyes:

Tulip11 wrote: »

Anyone have any info on taking English and Geog or English and History...any advantages to taking one over the other where hours are concerned?

I done English and History, History - You have 4 essays to do through out the year, the essays you do are guarenteed to come up in the exams so its fairly easy if your good at learning off facts n essays etc.

English has a zero per cent fail rate apparently, its pretty easy too, you'll have 2 3 hr exams, one at xmas n one at summer... They give you loads of tips so you know exactly whats coming up.

F8492 wrote: »

Im also doing the B.ed & was thinking of definately doing english & den for my other one its between Religion, Irish or geog?

Geog is fairly hard ive been told, lots of learning and an hour or two more than other subjects, you have 3 1hr exams n 3 i n a half hr exams (6 in total) One of the lecturers doesnt give any tips on whats coming up so thats dodgy enough..

Religion - If you keep it on til 3rd year you dont have to write a thesis, (which you have too for all other subjects I think) also get paid more when you're qualified..

No assignments for Irish so you'd need to be fairly good in an exam situation to do well in it, if your more into assignments/continuous assessment do something else..

F8492 wrote: »

Thanks for that I've heard that if you do religion as one of your academics you get paid more when you graduate and start teaching? Is this true or just a rumour? :rolleyes: Gotta think of the future :P

Its true!

Theres my two cents, hope it helps some of yas and dont forget these are just my opinions!! any more Qs batter away, see yas all at the orientation, al be doing a few tours!;)

F8492

Thanks fearbainne you ledge One more q if i dont pick irish so as an academic i'l have to do professional irish, yes? & whats this like? Would it be better to have irish as an academic because we have to still do an oral at the end of the year dont we so would my irish be better if i picked it as an academic? Sorry for all the questions just confusedd

An Bradán Feasa

You don't get paid more for having Religion as an academic subject. This is a fabrication!

fearbainne

An Bradán Feasa wrote: »

You don't get paid more for having Religion as an academic subject. This is a fabrication!

Got this info from a 3rd year Religion graduate, who was the St.Pat's SU pres 2 years ago and is now in a permanent position..

He still vouches that this is true, he got started on a higher pay scale than other first time teachers because of the religion he told me!

Am no expert just relaying what i've been told.

Oh and with regards to Irish, professional Irish is basically just a Grammar exam, that all B.Eds havta take (academic and professional), you attend a grammar seminar once a week, so you get a chance to talk irish there to perfect your oral as well.. theres also the seomra caidreamh which is the irish speaking room, open at 11:00 break with free tea n biscuits! good place to practice and learn Irish.. So if your thinking of taking Irish academically just to work on your Irish/oral I wouldn't bother.. I'm a Gaeltacht Applicant and I didn't do Irish, but theres still plenty of opportunities to practice it!

dambarude

fearbainne wrote: »

Got this info from a 3rd year Religion graduate, who was the St.Pat's SU pres 2 years ago and is now in a permanent position..

He still vouches that this is true, he got started on a higher pay scale than other first time teachers because of the religion he told me!

Sorry, but that just isn't correct. It couldn't be. Your academic subject in any college has nothing to do with your salary as a primary teacher.

An Bradán Feasa

Fearbainne, this should clear things up a bit!

http://www.into.ie/ROI/InformationforTeachers/DESCirculars/DESCirculars2011/cl0040_2011.pdf

fearbainne

Sorry lads, just what I was told! Apologies future Pat's Heads!

Erry94

Hey everyone just thought I would ask ! Were we supposed to post any of the things we got in the information pack back to the college or just bring it with us on registration day ? Bit late asking now but oh well does anyone know ?

emzz

Erry94 wrote: »

Hey everyone just thought I would ask ! Were we supposed to post any of the things we got in the information pack back to the college or just bring it with us on registration day ? Bit late asking now but oh well does anyone know ?

If you're living on campus you have to post back the room contract and residents card thingymobob:)

ladybike

Well boys and girls.. I've 2 questions...?

1) How strict are these rules and the fines that go with them? I wouldn't be a wild young thang or anything, but the alcohol €63 fine seems slightly ridiculous? No extra electrical appliances either? Personally I'd find a electrical radiator fairly necessary.. :P Also, the line to the young ladies/lads on a night out would be 'your place or......yours?' :P

2) I want to do England and Irish in 1st year, does this mean I cannot qualify for the B.Ed International if I dont do French?