Struggling

pencilsharp

Hi all,

I'm writing on behalf of my sister. She started Arts in Maynooth in September and chose English, Psychology and Sociology. She missed induction because she was away and now is finding it really hard to settle in. She is quite a sociable girl but says she finds it really hard to make friends because the classes are so big and that one day she may talk to someone but that the next time she has a lecture with them she cannot always find them because classes are so big. Is this true for others also (although sociable she can be paranoid!!)? She's hearing stories now of all her school friends in other colleges making loads of friends and going on nights out with them and shes feeling very isolated, my heart goes out to her. I have encouraged her to just start talking to people or to join activities but I just think at this stage shes so disheartened that her confidence is shot!

As well as the social aspect shes finding adjusting to a lot of self directed learning quite difficult especially doing assignments. She really seems to be struggling with them and is coming to me for a lot of support, which I don't mind, athough I've never formally studied these topics in third level education. I do find the topics fairly easy to understand (and I'm not academically minded!!) but I think she is just so used to being basically spoon fed at school that she has a mental block! Are or have others found it difficult to adjust to changes in teaching methods? Do others find the subjects particularly difficult or is it just her? And if so how have you overcome this? I've told her to go to her tutor/lecturer and look for support but she says they've been told that it isn't school and basically they have to learn themselves, surely this isn't 100% true? There must be some support for new students. I'm sure they don't want anyone to fail!

I hate seeing her miserable! Thanks for your help in advance!

theNewGirl

I am doing first year english now too, and there is a peer mentoring thing for help with the essays and assignments in general on a few times a week, a quick search of the forums on moodle and she'll have the timetable, or even look through e-mails because we were sent one or two about it.

Nitochris

pencilsharp wrote: »

As well as the social aspect shes finding adjusting to a lot of self directed learning quite difficult especially doing assignments. She really seems to be struggling with them and is coming to me for a lot of support, which I don't mind, athough I've never formally studied these topics in third level education. I do find the topics fairly easy to understand (and I'm not academically minded!!) but I think she is just so used to being basically spoon fed at school that she has a mental block! Are or have others found it difficult to adjust to changes in teaching methods? Do others find the subjects particularly difficult or is it just her? And if so how have you overcome this? I've told her to go to her tutor/lecturer and look for support but she says they've been told that it isn't school and basically they have to learn themselves, surely this isn't 100% true? There must be some support for new students. I'm sure they don't want anyone to fail!

I hate seeing her miserable! Thanks for your help in advance!

I'm one of the sociology tutors, firstly if your sister needs advice she can come along to her tutor's office hour in room B.4 Auxilia or their own office. Alternatively if she is more comfortable with it get her to email her tutor, just allow a day or two for a response.

Secondly while it is true it is not school that does not preclude the student from asking for help.

pencilsharp

Thank you both for your response. I have passed this information onto her so hopefully she will act on it and it will help with some of her anxities.

areyawell

she hot?

Kiwi_knock

Clubs and societies are a great way of making friends, and it is definitely not too late to join up to them. She should get in contact with any of them she has an interest in. They certainly would be happy with more numbers.

theNewGirl

Oh and if she is really stuck sitting by herself in lectures me and a friend normally sit in the front of the 152b lectures [shortness is a terrible thing...)

pencilsharp

Nitochris wrote: »

I'm one of the sociology tutors, firstly if your sister needs advice she can come along to her tutor's office hour in room B.4 Auxilia or their own office. Alternatively if she is more comfortable with it get her to email her tutor, just allow a day or two for a response.

Secondly while it is true it is not school that does not preclude the student from asking for help.

Sorry can I just ask one more thing? I have passed on your information to her but she tells me that tutors are only available to talk to on the day they have them for lectures, is this correct? I don't know now if shes just coming up obstacles intentionally.

theNewGirl wrote: »

Oh and if she is really stuck sitting by herself in lectures me and a friend normally sit in the front of the 152b lectures [shortness is a terrible thing...)

Thank you! I wish i could pass that on to her, but she'd kill me if she knew I was doing this!!

theNewGirl wrote: »

I am doing first year english now too, and there is a peer mentoring thing for help with the essays and assignments in general on a few times a week, a quick search of the forums on moodle and she'll have the timetable, or even look through e-mails because we were sent one or two about it.

Can I ask, are you finding things particularly difficult to grasp?

ghostdancer

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Clubs and societies are a great way of making friends, and it is definitely not too late to join up to them. She should get in contact with any of them she has an interest in. They certainly would be happy with more numbers.

agree with this. even things that she has a curiosity about doing would be welcoming, and the Clubs and Socs are always thankful for more people, plus there'll probably be people doing Arts in a many of the Clubs and Socs too.

Novella

I do English and Psychology and pretty much all of the lecturers provided consultation times, so she could arrange appointments with them. Alternatively, there is a counselling service which is useful for advice and could help if she is finding the transition overwhelming.

I would suggest that she speak to somebody sooner rather than later, because the longer these things go on, the worse they seem.

Of course the assignments are going to be difficult. Assure her that all she can do is her best. People always say that the first semester is the hardest so keep reminding her that there are only four weeks left, and it will get better.

Nitochris

pencilsharp wrote: »

Sorry can I just ask one more thing? I have passed on your information to her but she tells me that tutors are only available to talk to on the day they have them for lectures, is this correct?

The tutor's office hours are usually on one of the days that we teach (Most of us teach over the course of two days), so for some students it would be on the same day.
The lecturers on the other hand have two hours when they are available for consultation so they are another option.