Early Years & Childhood Studies

Shonagh

I'm just wondering if anyone is doing this course, or knows someone that is? I'm thinking about doing it and I'd love to hear from someone who's experienced it! Thanks

pecker1992

Shonagh wrote: »

I'm just wondering if anyone is doing this course, or knows someone that is? I'm thinking about doing it and I'd love to hear from someone who's experienced it! Thanks

Ive just done first year..were getting our results tomorrow:pac:..any and all questions fire away:o

Shonagh

Awh, good luck with them! If you don't mind me asking, are you doing the course with intentions of going on to primary teaching?

pecker1992

Shonagh wrote: »

Awh, good luck with them! If you don't mind me asking, are you doing the course with intentions of going on to primary teaching?

Thanks id say ill need more than luck ....Well when I started i was..but the fact that the course has 3 main disciplines made me keep an open mind once i started. The 3 disciplines are Education, Social Science and Psychology...They're all interesting and to be honest I think i may do a masters In OT or a conversion to Psychology when finished...although if there is work in primary i may go down that road....you really have so many options its a great course.....i would highly suggest it... Is there anything you'd like to know about in particular??:)

Shonagh

I think I'm kinda ok with the aspects of the course! Is there anything that particularly stood out as good/bad to you?
Oh and what's the workload/hours like? I'm just after coming out of a year of arts so I'm used to like 4 hours a week haha

pecker1992

Shonagh wrote: »

I think I'm kinda ok with the aspects of the course! Is there anything that particularly stood out as good/bad to you?
Oh and what's the workload/hours like? I'm just after coming out of a year of arts so I'm used to like 4 hours a week haha

It was all great..lecturers and tutors were helpful, course is interesting and i can safely say its a great choice.....the hours were like 12 a week 1....the workload isnt too demanding..its no walk in the park but its not too difficult if you keep on top of it..haha its a BA so expect similar from it...what would you like to do primary is it??:D....dont expect many males...theres 2 of us this year as far as i know

Shonagh

Ah I'm not in it for the boys yeah it's primary I'm hoping for but I like the idea of keeping my options open The arts course i was doing was soooo boring and repetitive so I'm hoping this'll have a bit more variation! There's not really a whole lot more I wanted to know, I was just hoping I wouldn't get any horror stories that would put me off

pecker1992

Shonagh wrote: »

Ah I'm not in it for the boys yeah it's primary I'm hoping for but I like the idea of keeping my options open The arts course i was doing was soooo boring and repetitive so I'm hoping this'll have a bit more variation! There's not really a whole lot more I wanted to know, I was just hoping I wouldn't get any horror stories that would put me off

yeah this is a very interesting course....ill be in second year next year...passed everything .... so if you get it and need any advice dont hesitate to drop me a p.m.....best of luck in the cao i think the cutoff was 400 in 2011

StormGazer.11

Shonagh wrote: »

Ah I'm not in it for the boys yeah it's primary I'm hoping for but I like the idea of keeping my options open The arts course i was doing was soooo boring and repetitive so I'm hoping this'll have a bit more variation! There's not really a whole lot more I wanted to know, I was just hoping I wouldn't get any horror stories that would put me off

I finished second year this year and I'm heading into final year, it's a decent enough course. I did a year of general arts too and got sick of it and changed to EYCS mostly because of the fact I wanted to do primary teaching. The work load is similar to a normal BA for first year although the first semester of second year can be tiring with alomost a years worth of lectures crammed into four months. You'll be able to do one of your practical placements in a school so it'll give you a feel for teaching. None of us can comment on what third year is like though coz my year will be the first to do it under the new course layout. Best of luck with it anyway :-)

Emf_

Shonagh wrote: »

I'm just wondering if anyone is doing this course, or knows someone that is? I'm thinking about doing it and I'd love to hear from someone who's experienced it! Thanks

I'm starting Early Years and Childhood Studies in UCC this year. I know roughly 5 people who are also doing the course. It is meant to be a fantastic course with great opportunities. I'm doing it with the intention of going on to Primary Teaching. Got the points this year for Mary I but decided to do this course as I was not ready yet to move away from home. Anyone have any idea how many hours a week this course is? Really looking forward to starting.

StormGazer.11

How did ye get on in ye're first week?

Shonagh

I ended up not going to college this year, money things didn't work out for me! I'm still looking into doing this next year though so if anyone would take it upon themselves to keep me updated as the year goes on, I'd be eternally grateful! Thanks

StormGazer.11

Sorry to hear that. I hope it works out for you next year If working in a daycare, creche is what you want to do its a great course but if its teaching or something along those lines i would certainly look at the other options as the financial commitment for the three years and plus if you go on to do a post grad/masters is pretty big. Well you know i'm in my final year now so I've 'been there done that' if you have any questions or need any help post here or pm me best of luck!!

jigglypuffstuff

StormGazer.11 wrote: »

Well you know i'm in my final year now so I've 'been there done that' if you have any questions or need any help post here or pm me

seeing as you offered..any advice for the overload of assignments in 2nd year??:eek:

StormGazer.11

haha first semester of second year is pretty intense alright I dont have much advice on it other then STAY on top of it, I let my curriculum plan go because of essays and came way too close for comfort to not getting it done. The whole of second year is work laden, even on placement the portfolio and daily diaries are hard to stay on top of! are ye being given the choice of a business plan instead of one of mary/maura's essays ya?

jigglypuffstuff

StormGazer.11 wrote: »

haha first semester of second year is pretty intense alright I dont have much advice on it other then STAY on top of it, I let my curriculum plan go because of essays and came way too close for comfort to not getting it done. The whole of second year is work laden, even on placement the portfolio and daily diaries are hard to stay on top of! are ye being given the choice of a business plan instead of one of mary/maura's essays ya?

Unfortunately now we have to do all 3....Any tips for them??..its looking very intense alright..how are the exams after xmas?

StormGazer.11

Do you have Project EYE, that makes the curriculum plan a hell of alot easier. And as for the business plan, thats actually not too bad but you'll have to attend the lectures. I think it was Lisa something gave us the set of lectures last year and her power points were a full business plan all laid out, but she doesnt put that on BB so make sure you get the notes. As for the essays no advice there really do ye have the psyc research project to do?

LINE45

Hi gang just following your treads on the early years and childhood studies course. Just wondering was there many mature students on it as I got a place for it this year. Also wondering about the workload in year one is like and is it really managable being a parent of two smallies and a student.

shawki

LINE45 wrote: »

Hi gang just following your treads on the early years and childhood studies course. Just wondering was there many mature students on it as I got a place for it this year. Also wondering about the workload in year one is like and is it really managable being a parent of two smallies and a student.

Scroll down and click the codes for info about the modules

http://www.ucc.ie/calendar/arts/art007b.html

Also Timetable

http://timetable.ucc.ie/1314/programme.asp

LINE45

Thanks Shawki

jigglypuffstuff

LINE45 wrote: »

Hi gang just following your treads on the early years and childhood studies course. Just wondering was there many mature students on it as I got a place for it this year. Also wondering about the workload in year one is like and is it really managable being a parent of two smallies and a student.

The workload in year one isnt too bad at all..if i remember correctly

3 psychology essays
3 very brief practical reports

Thats for the psychology part of the course

The Education is as follows

1 Essay
1 reflection entry ( changed to a small project now i believe)

Then for social science

2 essays
1 small in class group presentation

Im going into 3rd year in september (hopefully) and thats how it was when i began the course in sep 2011

The staff are very helpful and excellent..Personally speaking i had a lot of issues this year at home and they honestly bent over backwards to help me..you would be hard pressed to find better help in fairness

If you have any questions feel free to ask

LINE45

Hi PONE2012 thanks very much for that insight. If you could just let me know is it very intense as I am returning to education not having done so for a few years. Just also wondering about books that I will need to get where and how much etc. Also in connection with the lectures do I need to be bringing the laptop with me or will the old A4 pad do!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for all the questions but I just need the insight into it all before I make the commitment, in terms of homework how many hours a week would I need to be putting in. Thanks again you have been a great help already.

jigglypuffstuff

LINE45 wrote: »

Hi PONE2012 thanks very much for that insight. If you could just let me know is it very intense as I am returning to education not having done so for a few years. Just also wondering about books that I will need to get where and how much etc. Also in connection with the lectures do I need to be bringing the laptop with me or will the old A4 pad do!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for all the questions but I just need the insight into it all before I make the commitment, in terms of homework how many hours a week would I need to be putting in. Thanks again you have been a great help already.

As regards to intensity I dont think its any more intense than any other college course...The lecturers are very helpful and will guide you but let them know do not be silent..i believe there is a mature students office where you could maybe avail of extra help if needed?

Passer and smith psychology book was the only one we were advised to get.

either or really, I prefer laptop but most use a4's..preference really

I cant advise you on hours unfortunatley..everyones different some can write a full essay on 3 hours others cannot. That will be something you will discover once you begin.

Best of luck :cool:

LINE45

PONE2012 you have been a great help, thanks.

StormGazer.11

Been awhile since I stuck my head in here. The info given is all spot on though, especially with regards work load etc. to be honest if you keep on top of it all the course is extremely manageable. There was about 10 mature students in our year, maybe more, some with very young families and they managed fine. Im sure if you want to talk to one of them they'd have no problem having a chat to tell you about their experience?:) so if you want I'll arrange that.

Anyway to the rest hope the course is going well.. I'm graduating in October.. No more EYCS

LINE45

Hi StormGazer.11 thanks for your info, if any of them or you have the books that I would need to save me buying new that you be fantastic. The thread here has given me a great insight and next week I have the two days for transition to uni for mature students. This should give me a good indication too if I will be able for it. I just suppose to be honest I am afraid of the big leap and commitment involved. I would hate to start it and then drop out. By the way congrats on finishing and for your graduation in October and sincerely hope that they're will be a job out there for you.