Commuting?

skyscraperblue

Hi guys!
I'm about to start into Maths in Trinity and I can't really afford to live in the city, so it looks like I'll be on the train. I'm a bit worried about how that's gonna affect me socially though, particularly in Freshers Week when I know basically no-one. Did anyone here commute, or anyone know anything about it, and how it will affect me? Is it going to screw me up?
Thanks!

partyatmygaff

Pretty much everyone who lives in Dublin commutes. It doesn't really have a massive effect unless you make it have a massive effect.

skyscraperblue

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Pretty much everyone who lives in Dublin commutes. It doesn't really have a massive effect unless you make it have a massive effect.

I'm in Laois though...
but thank you that's still very reassuring!

Maybe_Memories

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Pretty much everyone who lives in Dublin commutes. It doesn't really have a massive effect unless you make it have a massive effect.

I don't think that's what the OP meant...

First off there seems to be so much maths people this year.

Here's what you do, go to all your class stuff in freshers week. Talk to everyone. Make friends with people who live in halls, and then crash on their couch on nights out. Simple!

Morgase

I commute from a similar sort of distance. It helps if you try to use that time to get a bit of college work done seeing as you're stuck on the train in any case.

From a social aspect, there'll be loads of people in the same boat who commute into Dublin. So you're certainly not alone!

mathstalk

Maybe_Memories wrote: »

Here's what you do, go to all your class stuff in freshers week. Talk to everyone. Make friends with people who live in halls, and then crash on their couch on nights out. Simple!

That's such a devious plan. I like it. Just don't tell people that you're befriending them for their couches

polka dot

skyscraperblue wrote: »

Hi guys!
I'm about to start into Maths in Trinity and I can't really afford to live in the city, so it looks like I'll be on the train. I'm a bit worried about how that's gonna affect me socially though, particularly in Freshers Week when I know basically no-one. Did anyone here commute, or anyone know anything about it, and how it will affect me? Is it going to screw me up?
Thanks!

Hello! First off I would like to say I felt EXACTLY the same this time last year. I live in Balbriggan (which, admittedly, is not as far away as Laois, and the train is only 45 minutes) and get the train in to college everyday. I was convinced that this would somehow stop me making friends because I wouldn't be able to go home if we all went out.

Unfortunately I did not go out Freshers Week last year because I was 17 and didn't have anywhere to stay so I'm not sure what to say about that. My advice would be to try and make friends when you're around college during FW, like during your course orientation and general orientation and things like that. If they are going to be going to things maybe you could tag along :P or if you have anywhere (a friend's etc.) to stay in Dublin already that wouldn't really be so much of a problem. I also strongly suggest joining a few (you'll probably join loads and not go to half of them so pick a few you're REALLY interested in first) societies then as well. Some of them have daytime events during FW where you can meet people and societies are great for finding people to socialise with in college throughout the year.

Keep in mind that the majority of people don't know anybody else during FW and you're all going to want to try and make friends so don't be afraid to start talking to people, or get freaked out when people talk to you. It's kind of awkward but everyone's in the same boat.

As far as lectures and the like are concerned, it is a complete ... I can't swear can I ... pain in the neck to have to commute when you have a 9am lecture/compulsory tutorial. Again, I don't know how long your train journey would be but I've to get a half 7ish train to get in so I assume yours would be similar-ish. If it turns out that it's near on impossible to make them and get a decent night's sleep, I'd suggest finding someone (friend in halls, for example) that you could stay with the night before every so often.

Lastly, just make sure that you know the route you're taking, where you're getting off, buses you might have to get from the station. I only say this because I almost ended up in Bray and then when I eventually got off in Pearse Station I didn't have a clue how to get in to Trinity even though it was across the road.

TL;DR: commuting does not ruin your social life, it is inconvenient but not the end of the world.

If you've any questions feel free to PM me and I hope I've helped somewhat!

skyscraperblue

polka dot wrote: »

Hello! First off I would like to say I felt EXACTLY the same this time last year. I live in Balbriggan (which, admittedly, is not as far away as Laois, and the train is only 45 minutes) and get the train in to college everyday. I was convinced that this would somehow stop me making friends because I wouldn't be able to go home if we all went out.

Unfortunately I did not go out Freshers Week last year because I was 17 and didn't have anywhere to stay so I'm not sure what to say about that. My advice would be to try and make friends when you're around college during FW, like during your course orientation and general orientation and things like that. If they are going to be going to things maybe you could tag along :P or if you have anywhere (a friend's etc.) to stay in Dublin already that wouldn't really be so much of a problem. I also strongly suggest joining a few (you'll probably join loads and not go to half of them so pick a few you're REALLY interested in first) societies then as well. Some of them have daytime events during FW where you can meet people and societies are great for finding people to socialise with in college throughout the year.

Keep in mind that the majority of people don't know anybody else during FW and you're all going to want to try and make friends so don't be afraid to start talking to people, or get freaked out when people talk to you. It's kind of awkward but everyone's in the same boat.

As far as lectures and the like are concerned, it is a complete ... I can't swear can I ... pain in the neck to have to commute when you have a 9am lecture/compulsory tutorial. Again, I don't know how long your train journey would be but I've to get a half 7ish train to get in so I assume yours would be similar-ish. If it turns out that it's near on impossible to make them and get a decent night's sleep, I'd suggest finding someone (friend in halls, for example) that you could stay with the night before every so often.

Lastly, just make sure that you know the route you're taking, where you're getting off, buses you might have to get from the station. I only say this because I almost ended up in Bray and then when I eventually got off in Pearse Station I didn't have a clue how to get in to Trinity even though it was across the road.

TL;DR: commuting does not ruin your social life, it is inconvenient but not the end of the world.

If you've any questions feel free to PM me and I hope I've helped somewhat!

I like love you. This was the most helpful answer EVERRR
I don't think my train's that bad - if I want to get there for nine I think the train I've to take is at 7, which isn't ridiculously unmanageable so we'll see. I'm actually not that fussed about making lectures really, I'm just afraid for the social side of things. I'm so glad it seems to be possible to make friends and join in with stuff when you can't go out properly during Freshers Week! I was so worried about that

languagenerd

skyscraperblue wrote: »

I like love you. This was the most helpful answer EVERRR
I don't think my train's that bad - if I want to get there for nine I think the train I've to take is at 7, which isn't ridiculously unmanageable so we'll see. I'm actually not that fussed about making lectures really, I'm just afraid for the social side of things. I'm so glad it seems to be possible to make friends and join in with stuff when you can't go out properly during Freshers Week! I was so worried about that

About Freshers Week... I posted a (fairly cheesy) post about that last year. (Link here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=74532523&postcount=333). Basically, don't worry too much about Freshers Week. Everyone puts so much emphasis on it - but there are plenty of people who can't go out (due to age, location, not knowing anyone, job etc.) and they all get on fine. If it doesn't go as planned, don't worry. You'll meet loads of new people as the term goes on. You may never see your Freshers' Week acquantainces again :P

The first week of classes and the first society events are more important IMO. These are the people you'll see day in, day out. Talk to everyone and anyone at the start!! You'd be surprised at how many people are just waiting for someone to start a conversation

Lawliet

languagenerd wrote: »

Basically, don't worry too much about Freshers Week. Everyone puts so much emphasis on it - but there are plenty of people who can't go out (due to age, location, not knowing anyone, job etc.) and they all get on fine. If it doesn't go as planned, don't worry. You'll meet loads of new people as the term goes on. You may never see your Freshers' Week acquantainces again :P

This is the thing, a lot of freshers friends are just people you grab on to because you don't want to be alone. But after a while you get to know more people and you don't need each other any more so you drift away. The people I hung out with in the first couple of months of college I've barely spoken to since, the 'real' friends came afterwards.

Bottleopener

One of my friends commuted from Athy every day in first year, and he seemed to find it grand! You should be grand, you'll get used to it soon enough, and you just have to be open and willing to get involved in things. As a bigger plus maths is generally a pretty open course to be doing, pretty much everyone who does maths/tp/tsm is friendly, and it's easy enough to get to know people!

Enjoy it!

Pet

How much money will you spend on the train fare each week? If it's anything above €60, bear in mind that you could share a room for that price and live in Dublin.

XxshadowsxX

Just chucking it out there but if you're getting the train from Portarlington, you might want to look in to getting a bud called the Silver Dawn. It's a commuter bus and it's probably MILES cheaper than the train. Though, if I'm going to be honest, probably not half as comfortable. Just food for thought. (:

Gindle

I'll be commuting too sadly for the year and have the same worries, granted its only from Celbridge but I'm still unsure about FW nights out. Any names of cheap cab companies/late bus services (can get the 67 or 66) would be welcomed!

Irish_wolf

Gindle wrote: »

I'll be commuting too sadly for the year and have the same worries, granted its only from Celbridge but I'm still unsure about FW nights out. Any names of cheap cab companies/late bus services (can get the 67 or 66) would be welcomed!

I live in celbridge and have been commuting for the last three years. It's a pile of piss at first but you get ued to it. Just bring an ipod or something for the commute.

Dunno if you've been out in town much but it's €30 at the cheapest to get from town to celbridge if you miss the last bus home. Friday and saturday you can get the 67N from westmoreland street to celbridge mainstreet for a fiver at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00 unless they've changed those times over the summer, you can get the ticket for the bus from one of the shops on westmoreland street.

If you miss the last 67 on a week day you're pretty much screwed (unless there's a late night bus eireann bus I dont know about), especially if you live on the grove side of town. Once or twice I've had to get the 66 to the lidl near intel in leixlip and walked home from there.

Worst case scenario is getting out of a club at 3 am and spending the next 3 or 4 hours in mcdonalds waiting for the first bus home. Best case scenario is coming out of the club and heading to someone' gaf to sleep on their couch, or bed :cool:.

Gindle

Just what I wanted to hear! I'll be aiming for that last nitelink or the 66 if it comes to it, unless I've a friend staying in the Halls