Nervous of NUIG next year

Irishgirleegcm

I'm super shy and not really into the typical college life of parties and clubs etc.. I'm really afraid that I won't meet people like me? Anyone have any similar experience

The Lost Sheep

I have bad social anxiety and am just finished my degree but never had any issues.
What course are you looking at doing?
There is no "typical college life" and especially one being made centrally of parties and clubs.
You make of university what you want.
There is over 100 societies, nearly 50 clubs. Join those that interest you and you will certainly find likeminded people.

Irishgirleegcm

Thanks so much that makes me feel so much relaxed honestly.. I was looking into arts history and Irish and later teaching it's a long draw altogether.

The Lost Sheep

Irishgirleegcm wrote: »

Thanks so much that makes me feel so much relaxed honestly.. I was looking into arts history and Irish and later teaching it's a long draw altogether.

Did arts. Did History in first year. Cant speak for irish,
Arts is good course. Has changed since I did first year in you now do just 3 subjects not 4.
Like I said you will always find someone similar to you between societies, clubs, student union. University is what you make of it yourself.

mansize

Find a society that matches your interests.

I graduated 14 years ago and my best friends now are the friends i made in societies, we shared common interests

mansize

History Soc is good, Im friends with a former auditor

Irishgirleegcm

Is there a lot less peer pressure. It just seems a lot wanna go for partying etc in my year and it's the opposite of what I'd do for fun.

mansize

Hey that's where clubs and societies are best. It's more about the activity than going out and getting sloshed. Fansci had rpg and compsoc had lan gaming. Litndeb and history had debates ave guest speakers. I am such a political nerd. I met former taoisigh, ambassadors presidents etc

mansize

Don't believe the tv sitcoms

experiment626

Irishgirleegcm wrote: »

I'm super shy and not really into the typical college life of parties and clubs etc.. I'm really afraid that I won't meet people like me? Anyone have any similar experience

Hi! I'm in exactly the same boat, I don't drink and I'd rather go to the cinema/bowling etc than go partying but I think with over 17,000 students, we're bound to find someone at NUIG.

elefant

Irishgirleegcm wrote: »

Is there a lot less peer pressure. It just seems a lot wanna go for partying etc in my year and it's the opposite of what I'd do for fun.

From my personal experiences, I would say there is much less peer pressure in University. I went to an all-boys secondary school, and the level of machismo and general anti-intellectualism was stifling. And I was far from stereotypical 'nerdy' type in secondary school; it must have been horrendous for some of the guys there.

In University you can feel much freer to just be yourself. Your peers will, in general, be more mature, more diverse and more self-aware. Everyone can find their own place in that kind of environment.

The Lost Sheep

experiment626 wrote: »

Hi! I'm in exactly the same boat, I don't drink and I'd rather go to the cinema/bowling etc than go partying but I think with over 17,000 students, we're bound to find someone at NUIG.

Join societies. Over 100 societies so there will always be places to find people with similar interests.

JamesLawless

Hello!
Sorry if this a wee bit too late,

My name is James and i'm the current Vice-Auditor for FanSci (we do boardgames and RPG mostly), so feel free to shoot me a message if you have any questions!
I was shy and socially anxious when i started college but have found a good few friends.
NUIG has lots of supports in place for students, for example there is the Community Connector (we have had him contact us so a student, who was afraid of going to a society without knowing anyone there, would be able to meet some of the committee beforehand and could be more gently eased in) Counselling service and a couple more.

But yeah, feel free to message me with any questions on Societies, college life etc

Oh! I'm friends with a couple final year students whom have never drank or gone out.

I hope this helps!

Irishgirleegcm

Heya this is so late!! My boards account messed up and stuff!! Thanks so much for that , I relate to you! And it does help me feel better. Over all months later, I am feeling ALOT positive about it all..

meganlars123

Join GUMS it's the musical society, kinda known for partying but there's a few members who don't drink and honestly even if you attend the parties there is zero pressure on anyone to drink. If you don't go to parties, there's still song & dance rehearsals twice a week, everyone loves to hang out it's like a giant co-dependant family, and in the end of it all you're working on your confidence to go and get up onstage! It's so rewarding c: It's so familial too, I really love GUMS i'm this year's head of costumes, we're doing the Producers and i'm not a mad drinker, commuted last year so I went out a lot less than my peers and had no issue with keeping friends. Most of my friends are society friends, not arts friends though, and that's the absolute truth. Also surely you'll have history tutorials in 1st year that will be made up of about 20 kids and you'll get to know them well enough- i went to about 2 of my english tutorials (... go to all of your tutorials) and i knew all of my tutorial class fairly well!