17 too young to enjoy uni?

Bryson

I'm a bit apprehensive. I've been accepted into Trinity but I feel too young, like i'll be laughed at. Are there a fair few my age?

I mean for starters, I won't legally be able to drink. Drinking seems like a pretty big part of socialising. Will I be some kind of outcast loser if I don't drink, or if everyone in my course is 18+?

angeldelight

I'm not at Trinity, just noticed the thread. I was 17 for first 3 months of college last year and I still LOVED every minute of it. There were people younger than me on the course, and also people literally twice my age. You'll still make lots of friends, and tbh it didn't stop me drinking!

Creamy Goodness

just because you don't drink/or can't legally drink doesn't mean you can't enjoy college.

conterary to believe college has more to it than socialising with drink - it does help - but it's not necessary there are loads of clubs and societies around to socialise within without having to drink.

Bryson

That's cool, thanks. And these societies - how do they work?

I hear that on your first day you're coaxed into joining loads of clubs. Are they all taken seriously, or are some just for the sake of being in a "clique"?

Are they run by students, and what happens when the leaders graduate?

If I join a jazz club, do I have to be able to play jazz? If I join a film club, do i need to be doing a film course, or even know what i'm talking about?

Give me a general idea, because i'm intrigued.

oq4v3ht0u76kf2

A good friend of mine was 17 for most of his JF year in Trinity - he was also staying in Halls as he lived in Sligo - he had an absolute blast and what started as a vaguely introverted type fella has now become someone who has no problem being the life and soul of the party.

As for the whole not being legally allowed drink thing, well, where there's a will there's a way! See ya Freshers Week!

Creamy Goodness

Bryson wrote:

That's cool, thanks. And these societies - how do they work?

I hear that on your first day you're coaxed into joining loads of clubs. Are they all taken seriously, or are some just for the sake of being in a "clique"?

Are they run by students, and what happens when the leaders graduate?

If I join a jazz club, do I have to be able to play jazz? If I join a film club, do i need to be doing a film course, or even know what i'm talking about?

Give me a general idea, because i'm intrigued.

you don't have to do studying film to join the film club (as far as i know)

clubs and socities are set up to relax students and to make sure college isn't just work work work, think of them like a P.E but substitute sport with a much broader selection of subjects.

Meh, I was 17 when I entered college, and didn't get legal til February. You'll have a great time.

wayfarer

I was 17 when I started in trinity as well and I never had any problem getting drink in campus; they never check in the pav or buttery or at any of the receptions around freshers week. There is a stripe on your student card when you get it that means you were 17 when you registered which is the only indication but nobody ever asks for it.

The only instance I can remember when anyone ever said anything to me was when I was returning pool cues in the JCR after lunch one day, and the guy behind the counter was giving me back my student card. He blurts out after Id already turn and started making for the door "AAAH LAUGHED AT, YOUR ONLY SEVENTEEN!!"

They can be stricter in town but where there's a will...

EDIT: and btw there are loads of other 17 year olds so dont worry

jellie

i found it a bit frustrating being 17 in college, was 17 for all of first year. it is MOSTLY fine, but theres the odd night out where everyones going to some place and you cant go cause no ID so you get stuck.
But then i always looked young so that was a problem. don't worry about it. college is what you make of it anyway

randomfella

Don't worry bout being 17 through first year cos u can't drink.
I've heard of a girl who got her garda i.d forged. She photocopied birth cert ( even though many people have 2, u could ruin one and do it legit but anyway...) after she had changed birth date. THen her mam showed that at the garda station. Basically got her i.d.

Meh i'm bit sketchy on details but i know it can def be done if u want it bad.
Plus drinking isn't the only way of socialising. If it is, the place will be full of alco's which i highly doubt.

randomfella

randomfella wrote:

Don't worry bout being 17 through first year cos u can't drink.
I've heard of a girl who got her garda i.d forged. She photocopied birth cert ( even though many people have 2, u could ruin one and do it legit but anyway...) after she had changed birth date. THen her mam showed that at the garda station. Basically got her i.d.

You can get done for that, you know. Is it really worth the risk? I heard of "that girl" when I was 16 or 17 too, but you'd be mad to try.

Chardee MacDennis

yeh but the point is you dont need fake id or to be 18 to enjoy college its great fun anyway. there is no requirement to joining societies on freshers week you will see every society on front square and they will try and convince you to join their society, generally about €3 but you generally get so much more than the €3 euro you spend. hope it helps

fade

i wouldnt worry about it in the slightest. I was 17 coming to college, and it was never an issue, yea you might have a bit of hassle tryin to get into places, but most venues during the week arent too strict, just dont turn up at the door legless and expect the bouncers to let you in. Other than that there was no problems that i had, although i was heavily stoned for the first year, so im not really sure....

and anyway, theres plenty of things happening in the college during the night, so dont worry, just come along, join some societies and have a laugh!

yea, and score and minger, its kinda unwritten rule, everyone scores a minger during freshers week!

Sisu

I think that if you're very young it might be taken into account when you apply for accommodation. I heard there were a number of sixteen year olds in Hall last year.

SéamusK

Seen as Bob has already mentioned me i think i'll give my 2 cents on the matter. I came to college as a bright eyed seventeen year old, and it stayed that way until well into trinity term. I had by far and away the best year of my life. Being seventeen really didn't have a noticable impact on my life, other than i had about 6 different identities through out the year. Whether or not you drink you're probably best off to get your hands on some sort of I.D. Seen as almost all college nights are held in venues where it will be required. Luckily they don't seem to be too strict on the matter. Once your I.D. puts you at age 18 or above, and is the same sex and has the same hair colour as you, you'll be fine. (Not that in anyway encourage the use of other peoples identity to fraudulently make your way into nightclubs etc. hehe ). And at some point during the year you get to have an 18th party which is most definitely good fun.

As for societies, well you'll probably join nearly all of them at the start of the year. They all convince you that they're is the best, and they'll you'll love all of the services they have to offer. Of course none of this is true and they all just want to increase their membership. But giving your money to stangers for a card that says your a member of a club that you really don't care about seems to be an essential part of freshers week. But at some stage during the first term you'll probably realise what clubs/societies you realy want to get involved in, and well it's all up to you from there on.

So enjoy yourself, and have a great first year of college.

Crash

as for societies, let me introduce you to a great little secret - AGM season.

foxy, care to take it from there?

drunkenfool

you should difer till next year and get a job or travel. its only a year anyways

DrIndy

wayfarer wrote:

I was 17 when I started in trinity as well and I never had any problem getting drink in campus; they never check in the pav or buttery or at any of the receptions around freshers week. There is a stripe on your student card when you get it that means you were 17 when you registered which is the only indication but nobody ever asks for it.

The only instance I can remember when anyone ever said anything to me was when I was returning pool cues in the JCR after lunch one day, and the guy behind the counter was giving me back my student card. He blurts out after Id already turn and started making for the door "AAAH LAUGHED AT, YOUR ONLY SEVENTEEN!!"

They can be stricter in town but where there's a will...

EDIT: and btw there are loads of other 17 year olds so dont worry

I think I know who had the laugh in the JCR, he's a loony tunes and a good mate of mine and the only one I can think of who is so extroverted there!

Its fine, don't worry.....

air_vent

AGM season not good for brains but as much cheap beeer as you can handle.

DO NOT JOIN ANY SOCIETIES just turn up and drink and have a laugh very easily done and its FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

Chardee MacDennis

terrible attitude!!! join at least one society;)

Miley

I was 17 until the 2nd term of 1st yr and it had no impact at all. dont worry, you wont be the only one.

fade

yes, join just one at the start, in fairness, i joined about 20 on the first week in first yar and have only gone to about 3 or 4.

join the surf club, it has the best trips ever, and if any doubts that there will be blood shed!

punka

air_vent wrote:

AGM season not good for brains but as much cheap beeer as you can handle.

DO NOT JOIN ANY SOCIETIES just turn up and drink and have a laugh very easily done and its FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

or you could, you know, support societies that you've a genuine interest in and help them boost membership numbers........

article6

I was 17 when I entered TCD and I currently control many aspects of student college life. OK, that's a lie, but the general point still stands - you don't need to drink, or to get into clubs, to have a good time.

"Get active in societies that meet regularly" would be my advice, if that counts for anything. I don't say "join" those societies because ideally freshers will join half the societies in College anyway. There's always Phil and Hist people hanging around their rooms (like, um, me) and I've made great use of the Phil's foosball table. Similarly the SFSOC room always has a few souls around. These are great societies in which any fresher can get involved, and will feel welcome.

Bryson

article6 wrote:

I was 17 when I entered TCD and I currently control many aspects of student college life. OK, that's a lie, but the general point still stands - you don't need to drink, or to get into clubs, to have a good time.

"Get active in societies that meet regularly" would be my advice, if that counts for anything. I don't say "join" those societies because ideally freshers will join half the societies in College anyway. There's always Phil and Hist people hanging around their rooms (like, um, me) and I've made great use of the Phil's foosball table. Similarly the SFSOC room always has a few souls around. These are great societies in which any fresher can get involved, and will feel welcome.

Thanks everyone.

If you join a society, and never contact them, do they ever seek you out and tell you what's happening, or is that up to you?

Does anyone know how the jazz society is run? Do you have to be a musician, etc?

Ron DMC

You'll be put on their mailing list and they'll inform you of any goings on, and no, you can join jazzsoc if you just like jazz, no need to be able to play.

John

You can join Jazzsoc even if you don't like jazz.

Seriously though do join a society that is of interest to you. Don't join too many as it's just a waste of money. Jazz do run lots of events during the year so if you do like jazz they're well worth joining. Societies are a great way to meet people outside of your course and to get experience in things that are worthwhile (if you get deep into society life and become a treasurer or whatnot it'll look good on your cv and you'll have fun).

wayfarer

DrIndy wrote:

I think I know who had the laugh in the JCR, he's a loony tunes and a good mate of mine and the only one I can think of who is so extroverted there!

Its fine, don't worry.....

It was an american guy who said it. I dont think hes there any more. I think his name was Partick or some such.

air_vent

punka wrote:

or you could, you know, support societies that you've a genuine interest in and help them boost membership numbers........

Why bother get boozed up for free who gives a ****e about the societies in the end most people join the Phil and Hist for the free booze that all people wnt to hear in the end of the stands in freshers week.

So feck this support molarcy, there all corupt inanyways

John

air_vent wrote:

So feck this support molarcy, there all corupt inanyways

DURNS now offers spelling and grammar lessons in addition to its regular services.

Scarinae

randomfella wrote:

I've heard of a girl who got her garda i.d forged. She photocopied birth cert ( even though many people have 2, u could ruin one and do it legit but anyway...) after she had changed birth date. THen her mam showed that at the garda station. Basically got her i.d.

You heard of a girl? Loads of people do that

Crash

i heard their periods attract bears.



the bears can smell the menstruation.

snorlax

euwwwwwwww

punka

John2 wrote:

DURNS now offers spelling and grammar lessons in addition to its regular services.

John2, you're breaking the law of pedantry by not having at least one error in a sentence correcting someone else's grammar/spelling. For shame, sir!

air_vent

John2 wrote:

DURNS now offers spelling and grammar lessons in addition to its regular services.

Well excuse me you arrogant **** ,Mr. im so perfect oohhh well done on picking up a spelling mistake go hump a dictionary if it means that much to you!!!!!!!

fade

and so it begins..

John

air_vent wrote:

Well excuse me you arrogant **** ,Mr. im so perfect oohhh well done on picking up a spelling mistake go hump a dictionary if it means that much to you!!!!!!!

Hump what you like, it's your lifestyle choice.

air_vent

Was refering to you estranged "lifestyle" choice or maybe you cant read, strange that you have a fettish about spelling though.



Can sense this thread getting locked for some reason!!