NUIG advice!

LadyLuck50

Hey all Okay I know it's a bit far off, I know that, but basically I'm going to NUIG next year (at least it's pretty likely, fingers crossed!) to do Arts, and I'm fairly nervous! I know it's not for awhile but it would be great to try and calm myself down a bit so that I can be excited instead! I'll probably be staying in Corrib. I'm basically just looking for some advice. I'm pretty nervous about making friends especially! Are the people you share a home with usually nice, is it easy to make friends there? I've seen loads if things saying it's easy to make friends if you just strike up a conversation with someone, but I'm pretty shy and find that difficult to do.. Obviously joining societies helps, but is it really that easy to try make friends? How long does it usually take for you to settle and find your proper friends?
Thanks for any advice!

Cathalog

LadyLuck50 wrote: »

Hey all Okay I know it's a bit far off, I know that, but basically I'm going to NUIG next year (at least it's pretty likely, fingers crossed!) to do Arts, and I'm fairly nervous! I know it's not for awhile but it would be great to try and calm myself down a bit so that I can be excited instead! I'll probably be staying in Corrib. I'm basically just looking for some advice. I'm pretty nervous about making friends especially! Are the people you share a home with usually nice, is it easy to make friends there? I've seen loads if things saying it's easy to make friends if you just strike up a conversation with someone, but I'm pretty shy and find that difficult to do.. Obviously joining societies helps, but is it really that easy to try make friends? How long does it usually take for you to settle and find your proper friends?
Thanks for any advice!

It's late so this is only going to be a brief reply.

Relax. It's easy to settle in here. You reckon you'll be living in Corrib which will make settling in/making friends even easier again.

Chances are you'll have very nice roommates. There's no guarantee that you'll get along with all of them - that's just the way it is.

However, you'll have so many opportunities to meet people: sitting beside people in lectures, societies and clubs, your housemates, people you meet at Corrib house parties etc.

My advice: relax, concentrate on doing well in the LC. When you get to college, strike up conversations (you'll get better at it with time), and you'll naturally make friends. And finally....

Have fun - the first year of college is a great experience.

Pen Rua

I was in a similar spot. Honestly, there is no need to worry. Focus on the LC for now.

I don't live in Corrib, but that will help immensely with meeting people.

I'm sure you'll hear this over and over - but Socs. Socs, Socs, Socs. Go to them. Don't be like me, and wait until halfway through the second semester to go. Go in Week 1!

Chat to people in lectures, introduce yourself to them.

There are Clubs, the Chaplaincy and so many other ways to meet people in college. It'll be awesome, don't worry.

I happened to meet one girl in my first week (through a school friend) and she helped a lot being all outgoing. It took my just a few weeks to settle in with a group of friends c:

Reveuse

Hi,
I'm French and I arrived in NUIG in September only. As I'm in final year, I was a bit afraid that people would already know each other, and that I would have no other choice but to stay with other Erasmus people.And indeed some of them have been friends for two or three year already. But societies! I joined one on socs day, went to all events. This very first day I met someone who I'm now sure to keep in touch with. I also joined Lit&Deb in second semester, being so "late" in the year didn't prevent me to meet people. Even if you're shy, it is very likely that people will go to you and ask what your name is, ans start a conversation. Plus you're a home student so you should be able to meet people who go to the exact same classes as you.

I'm sure you'll hear this over and over - but Socs. Socs, Socs, Socs. Go to them. Don't be like me, and wait until halfway through the second semester to go. Go in Week 1!

I would have said: "I'm sure you'll hear this over and over - but Socs. Socs, Socs, Socs. Go to them. Be like me, go in Week 1!" But Pen Rua is right anyways. Socs, socs, socs, socs. Don't have any in France, and I can promise you it made the whole difference. I would even go further and say, join a committee.
I'd like to wish you good luck, but there is really no need for any, so I'll just say bye instead. And maybe goodluck with your leaving cert.

Mr. G

LadyLuck50 wrote: »

Hey all Okay I know it's a bit far off, I know that, but basically I'm going to NUIG next year (at least it's pretty likely, fingers crossed!) to do Arts, and I'm fairly nervous! I know it's not for awhile but it would be great to try and calm myself down a bit so that I can be excited instead! I'll probably be staying in Corrib. I'm basically just looking for some advice. I'm pretty nervous about making friends especially! Are the people you share a home with usually nice, is it easy to make friends there? I've seen loads if things saying it's easy to make friends if you just strike up a conversation with someone, but I'm pretty shy and find that difficult to do.. Obviously joining societies helps, but is it really that easy to try make friends? How long does it usually take for you to settle and find your proper friends?
Thanks for any advice!

I wouldn't worry about it. It's very easy, everyone is in the same boat and people are very nice. Societies and clubs mean an awful lot. There's 17,000 students so you are bound to find people whom you share something in common. As others have said, focus on the LC and it will all come together. Within a matter of weeks you will be wondering why you were worried.

You get as much as you put in however

ohanna

I'm starting in September too! I'm sure we will be fine!