I'm terrified, is it easy making friends?

Tcddentistry

Well, as the title states I guess. What's it like on the first day, do people know eachother beforehand? Is making friends easy? Do people form cliques quickly?

Unfortunately I'm a bit of nerd and thus not very good with people, any advice is appreciated including on how to dress etc

Ty!

areyawell

Well I see you doing dentistry so your all brain boxes ha! Just dont sit away on your own. Sit near them and try to make conversation. There probably all in the same boat with not knowing anyone. If ya see a group going together for lunch ask them do you mind if I join you. you'll be getting hammered in dublin with them in no time ha!

It's best not to overthink 'making friends'. Just get out and talk to people. Seriously, you'll think it's odd but everyone will be new to the course, so just start chatting to the person you're sitting beside/the person you're waiting in queue with to go in to the lecture/the person sitting in front of you.

Some people might know other people but they'll be in the minority. Either way, just start talking. Silly stuff like "hey how are you finding it" or something. Everyone (almost) will be in the same boat!

Just dress how you want to dress. An excellent thing about college is that you have such an amazing opportunity to do whatever you want! Enjoy it, don't fret.

Larianne

Everyone is going to be nervous. Just chat to people. You've one thing in common at least, you're doing the same course.

Dress however the feck you want.

Don't forget to join societies and sports clubs!! It's good to have friends outside of your course too.

Also, they are bringing in a new thing this year with Student 2 Student. Each course will have mentors (students in above years) assigned to a group of students to help classmates socialise with each other in the first few weeks and to be a point of contact for finding out about college related things. Going to the meetings aren't compulsory but they are a good idea.

languagenerd

You're doing dentistry, right? This means you have an advantage - everyone in your course will probably have the same/a very similar timetable, so you'll see the same people everyday (which wasn't the case for me in TSM) and more importantly, you'll have the same breaks (so everyone can go for lunch together).

Outside of your classes, the best advice for Trinity is that the social life revolves very much around societies - so join a few and go to the first few events. That way you'll meet people with the same interests as you

My experience: I should probably admit that I took aaages to make friends when I started. I was 17 (so I couldn't go out yet) and pretty shy. But at the end of third year, a few of us were out and I mentioned something about first year and finding it hard to make friends - and all of the others agreed with me and said that they were the exact same! It shocked me a bit, because, to me, they all seemed confident and whatever... but it turns out we had all been in exactly the same position back then.
Moral of the story: TALK TO PEOPLE! Chances are, they're just waiting for someone to start the conversation! Everyone is genuinely in the same boat and no-one will judge you for saying hi and asking what course they're doing and where they went to school. And if me and those four people had copped onto that earlier, we would have become friends so much quicker (which is what happened eventually).

I need to stress that lots of people do make friends straightaway though, so don't let me and my four amigos be a stereotype - we're the exception, not the rule, and even we got there in the end!

You'll be grand

EDIT: You asked about the first day - during Freshers Week, you'll meet people that you may never see again. So if it doesn't go quite as you planned, don't worry, you're gonna meet plenty of people when lectures start! Sorry about the wall of text, btw :P

Larianne

Just to add - most people who go to Trinity are nerds. So no worry there! :pac:

captainbirdseye

Run for class rep and you'll make a huge amount of friends and become very involved, very quickly.

the_syco

Tcddentistry wrote: »

any advice is appreciated including on how to dress etc

Dress as you usually would, and you'll attract other nerds. What are your interests? You'll find a club or soc that does it.

im invisible

Dress as a nerd, but dont do it in a hipsterish, ironic way,

nogivingup

Dentistry is actually known for being particularly clique-y.
Massive bunch from the Institute show up who all know each other from before.
Then you get a load of foreigners.

If you're from Dublin (and preferably from the Institute) you'll do fine.

KoolAidRelic

I think you've entered the wrong profession for making friends...

nogivingup

I hear that everyone is uber competitive.

nogivingup

Tcddentistry wrote: »

Unfortunately I'm a bit of nerd and thus not very good with people, any advice is appreciated including on how to dress etc

I also don't appreciate your comment that nerds are not good with people.
Some of us nerds are great with people.

TheAmateur

Dónal wrote: »

It's best not to overthink 'making friends'. Just get out and talk to people.

Some really good advice in this thread, I particularly liked this though. Don't overthink it (easier said than done I know) and you'll be grand.
My own personal tip is show up to every lecture, tutorial etc in the first few weeks, even the ones you think might not be on! I say this because it's likely that only a few people will show up to that 9am tutorial slot in the first week, and sure enough it won't be on, but you'll get chatting to the other few people who showed up (cringe-inducing ice-breakers like "So, it doesn't look like this tutorial's on!"). This is how I met a few friends in 1st year.

head_honcho

OP, don't worry too much about 'making friends', it's not a chore, it sounds a bit silly but it usually happens without you knowing it, you hang out with people, etc. When I went to college, I had no interest in making friends, I knew I was at college to do my work and go to lectures (even the crap boring ones!) and over time and awkward moments before classes/tutorials started you get to chatting and eventually I was on good terms with most of my year. Also, don't label yourself as anything before you even start ('nerd'), you're setting yourself up for a fall! Be yourself, cannot tell you this enough, be yourself and dress how you want, this is 3rd level and you are an individual. Join some groups or societies you are interested in. College years go by so fast in hindsight anyway so hopefully what you worry about at the beginning won't dog you through the college years

Irish_wolf

If you're not livin in halls it'll be a bit harder to find your place in the college but it is doable provided you make an effort. Head out on the nights out, and if you're under 18 make sure you go to all the freshers events that you are able to go to. Fresher week is the week to make friends.

That's all really. Make an effort to get to know people in your course. Also cant go wrong with societies.

You say you're a nerd so I can recommend at least the following societies; SciFi (obviously but it can get quite cliquey so be good to get on the good side of the committee members) Gamers, Netsoc/CSS, Comedy soc, The Hist, a few more but cant remember them.

If you're looking for a sports club the wind surfing soc seems to have a high number of engineering/science students, on that note also on freshers week have a chat with the people on the tables, a lot of them will be there to swindle a few extra euro out of you but if you are genuinely interested in the society you can get away with free membership to some of the smaller clubs or you can get the few sweets they have hidden away.

Tcddentistry

Thanks guys! This has calmed my nerves quite a bit!

Irish_wolf

Irish_wolf wrote: »

If you're not livin in halls it'll be a bit harder to find your place in the college but it is doable provided you make an effort. Head out on the nights out, and if you're under 18 make sure you go to all the freshers events that you are able to go to. Fresher week is the week to make friends.

I'd disagree with this. Freshers' Week is great, and a great time to meet new people, but it isn't as if it's the only time to meet people! There will be so many opportunities over the coming years, just get out there and enjoy it.

AnonoBoy

REMEMBER - the person you first get chatting to on the first day of college is the person you spend the rest of the year trying to avoid.

partyatmygaff

AnonoBoy wrote: »

REMEMBER - the person you first get chatting to on the first day of college is the person you spend the rest of the year trying to avoid.

Not always. I'm still very good friends with the first 2/3 people I met.

One tip though, try and get to know the names of everyone in your class. Getting to second year while still not knowing the names of about 20% of the class is a bit embarrassing.

NSNO

partyatmygaff wrote: »

AnonoBoy wrote: »

REMEMBER - the person you first get chatting to on the first day of college is the person you spend the rest of the year trying to avoid.

Not always. I'm still very good friends with the first 2/3 people I met.

One tip though, try and get to know the names of everyone in your class. Getting to second year while still not knowing the names of about 20% of the class is a bit embarrassing.

Both embarrassing and somewhat inevitable

Irish_wolf

Dónal wrote: »

I'd disagree with this. Freshers' Week is great, and a great time to meet new people, but it isn't as if it's the only time to meet people! There will be so many opportunities over the coming years, just get out there and enjoy it.

Yeah I should have clarified I meant it is one of the best times to make friends as everyone is in the same situation. It is an important week in setting yourself up for the rest of the year socially. But you're right there will be lots and lots of opportunities to make friends if you cant make to freshers week, but making friends freshers week will save you a lot of hassle.

AnonoBoy

partyatmygaff wrote: »

Not always. I'm still very good friends with the first 2/3 people I met.

Always.

If you can't figure out which person it is then I've got news for you..... it's you! :pac:

Saaron

I'm starting Dental Technology this year and am really nervous about it. It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one :P

TemptationWaits

Saaron wrote: »

I'm starting Dental Technology this year and am really nervous about it. It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one :P

I'm in the same boat, gonna be doing TSM and I know no-one! I was lucky to get halls though so that should make it easier to meet people.

Tcddentistry

Saaron wrote: »

I'm starting Dental Technology this year and am really nervous about it. It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one :P

Is that the same as Dental Science? So were in the same class right?

Saaron

Tcddentistry wrote: »

Is that the same as Dental Science? So were in the same class right?

Nope, it's in the same department but it's a different course

Gordon Gecko

I'm one of the peer mentors for 1st Dent this year PLEASE come talk to me after I meet with your class during Fresher's week!

CPFC IRL

Gordon Gecko wrote: »

I'm one of the peer mentors for 1st Dent this year PLEASE come talk to me after I meet with your class during Fresher's week!

Do dental science and dental hygiene have the same peer mentors?

Larianne

CPFC IRL wrote: »

Do dental science and dental hygiene have the same peer mentors?

Each course will have seperate mentors. And then depending on the size of the class, a number of peer mentors will be assigned to smaller groups.

You'll meet your mentors straight after course orientation so it's a good time to ask them questions and you'll be in a smaller group so easier to chat to your classmates.

Thisismetrying

All the above is good advice!

Also this year, all new first year will be assigned a peer mentor. So you'll have a group of students (around 10) in your year under the same "mentor". They organize events and stuff for the group and it can be a fun way to meet people in your course! On top of that, if you have any questions/worries, they are a great point of contact!

languagenerd

Just on the Peer Mentor thing - I think it very much depends on your group and mentors. We've had them in TSM for a few years now, and I never saw mine again after Freshers Week - they organised a lunch I couldn't go to (timetable clash) in Week 1 and we didn't hear from them again til the end of the year.

That said, definitely go to the first meeting, because, if nothing else, you'll meet some classmates. I met a two or three people from my course at it and went for lunch with them that day, meaning I at least had someone to say hi to and sit with at the first lecture.

Ravelleman

If you have friends or have ever had a friend you should be fine. It´s no different in college.

Axolotl

If you're musical, join the chapel choir, cos we're a sound bunch ^_^

Michael Collins

Axolotl wrote: »

If you're musical, join the chapel choir, cos we're a sound bunch ^_^

Not as good as the Biosoc bunch tho, they're ultra...

It won't insult you or myself by finishing that.

Axolotl

Michael Collins wrote: »

Not as good as the Biosoc bunch tho, they're ultra...

It won't insult you or myself by finishing that.

Weh weh weh!

Owenw

Saaron wrote: »

I'm starting Dental Technology this year and am really nervous about it. It's a relief to hear I'm not the only one :P

Good to see another Tech starting out! I did the course a few years ago and just started the post grad course in Clinical Dent Tech 2 weeks ago.

Don't worry, you will make friends easily in the Dental Hospital. The lab staff / tutors on your course are a great bunch and you'll be in a small class of maybe 5 - 7 students. Just be prepared to put in long hours and a bit of effort and you'll be grand!

Oh and everyone gets lost around the place for the first few weeks

Make sure you go to the meet 'n' greet. It's a very relaxed affair with the wine flowing freely! You'll also get a quick tour of the labs and some inside info/gossip. I'll probably see you there!

Saaron

Owenw wrote: »

Good to see another Tech starting out! I did the course a few years ago and just started the post grad course in Clinical Dent Tech 2 weeks ago.

Don't worry, you will make friends easily in the Dental Hospital. The lab staff / tutors on your course are a great bunch and you'll be in a small class of maybe 5 - 7 students. Just be prepared to put in long hours and a bit of effort and you'll be grand!

Oh and everyone gets lost around the place for the first few weeks

Make sure you go to the meet 'n' greet. It's a very relaxed affair with the wine flowing freely! You'll also get a quick tour of the labs and some inside info/gossip. I'll probably see you there!

I'm excited now
Only thing that really worries me is starting Chemistry. I'm incredibly bad at it. I guess I'll find out soon enough anyway!!