Do's and don'ts for first year students?

Dave!

Hey, anyone got some secret advise for us freshers? Basically stuff that isn't in the booklet or whatever, but that we need to know...! I presume a "do" would be to join societies Any others?

BTW, my brother told me that if you're under 18, it's marked on your student ID! :eek: Does this mean I won't be able to go into the campus bars? Or that i just won't get served? Do they even ask for ID there? Are there bouncers? Some ways of getting past them? Thank!

Scraggs

great idea DaveMcG!!
i'll be paying close attention to this thread....

rainbow kirby

Don't join up for everything you see in Fresher's Week.
Go to your lectures, tutorials and all of that. Though you'd *think* that'd be obvious. *runs*
Get involved with something! Clubs and societies are a great way to get to know new people. And to learn something new too.
Only join the gym if you actually can get to use it regularly.
Having a job in the Square if you're in UCD is not such a good idea. (yet I stay in the same job I've been in for over 2 years now...)

And yes, if you are under 18 at the start of the year, it is marked on your student card. Which brings me to another thing: Don't lose it! It's 13 euro for a replacement.
And bring your library books back on time. The fines are extortionate.

jellie

Do: talk to anyone and everyone. whoevers beside you in a lecture etc. after a few weeks ppl will already have some friends, so if the person beside you is alone, talk to them! make friends!

zap

join everything that u even have a slight interest in, in freshers week. if your under 18 they print your date of birth on the card, when you go into campus bars during reg week, freshers week etc, they take ur card when ur goin in so u can't get served but u do get in. During the rest of the year you will not get asked for your card or ID unless ther eis aband or soemthing playing,

BAm MArgera

Just relax and have a lot of fun, everyone passes 1st year and don't stress too much over exams.

Blut

Lectures are mostly pointless, just go to ones that either have a really good, interesting lecturer or ones you absolutely have to (really hard piece of the course or whatever)..make sure your tutorials are on at decent times that youll go to though, youll get a chunk of points which'll come in useful at exam time.

Also, you can avoid the underage problem for the student bar by either going in there really early in the day during freshers (midday), usually before the bouncers go on the door. Or you can go in the fire escape thats a bit up the side, sometimes they have a bouncer at it but not usually. After freshers they wont have bouncers on the door apart from big events or the last day of college.

Clive

Back in the day you could get your DOB off the student card with nail varnish remover, but these new fangled cards have a blue background I believe, so I don´t know if that would work.

John_C

Don't buy an expensive new bike and lock it with a cheap old lock.

The Gnome

DON'T get addicted to heroin. WHAT?!? It could happen! Alright fine, seriously DO enjoy your self but don't go mental which is easy to do if you're living away from home the first time.

irlrobins

this is the first year of modulation in UCD. You should be sent a info pack tomorrow (list of acceptances arrives in admin tonight) so by end of week you'll have the pack. Pack will contain your login for UCD computer network. DONT lose that! you'll need it for your first day to register your modules.

Read the info on all the modules for your course. Some courses (law, vet for example) don't allow you a lot of choice for your core modules. Others (arts, science) need you to choose all your modules. It is much easier to choose modules of you read up on whats on offer in the booklet.

On the first day there are 5 things to do.

1. Submit your personnal info. (name, address etc)
2. choose core modules
3. choose optional modules and practicals etc.
4. pay fees
5. collect student card

(6. go to the bar!!!)

The first 4 are all done online. They don't all have to be done on the first day (read booklet in your info pack for more info) But on your first day there will be lots of help in the computer labs on how to use the system if you need it. and also people to advise on what to pick. So don't be afraid to ask.

The sooner you choose your modules the better as some are limited in size.

Thats all the advice I have. Boring but practical!

Enjoy UCD! I did!!!!!!

Dave!

Thanks for that post, twas very good A question: is it not cutting it a bit close to only have the information reach us by the end of the week, and then we have to be in the college on the 5th or the 6th? It doesn't leave much time to think! Nearly all of my friends didn't even know that we had to pay fees in the region of €750! So imagine if they only found out 2 or 3 days before they had to pay it! It might be a bit of a shock!

For our student card, do they take the picture there and then or do we bring our own? Is there a deadline for picking the modules we wanna do? Do we have to pick the modules for first AND second semester at the start of first? Or do we just do it again for second? Thanks

Young Siward

DaveMcG wrote:

Thanks for that post, twas very good A question: is it not cutting it a bit close to only have the information reach us by the end of the week, and then we have to be in the college on the 5th or the 6th? It doesn't leave much time to think! Nearly all of my friends didn't even know that we had to pay fees in the region of €750! So imagine if they only found out 2 or 3 days before they had to pay it! It might be a bit of a shock!

For our student card, do they take the picture there and then or do we bring our own? Is there a deadline for picking the modules we wanna do? Do we have to pick the modules for first AND second semester at the start of first? Or do we just do it again for second? Thanks

You'll go into admin to sort out your details, then they'll give you a slip which you'll present down at the Student Centre (astra hall last year), where they will take a photo and give you your student card there and then.

BTW DO go to a few different subjects in first year and get a feel for the them. I tried stats for the first few weeks and didn't like it, but gave it the benefit and hated it for the whole year! I passed, but others weren't so lucky.

DO get a disc key from computer services, and if you're smart, go on their course and get a second one!!

Dave!

hehe, thanks

Am I given a disc key automatically or do I go and ask for one? What does it do? Why would I need 2? lol. To sell it?

irlrobins

DaveMcG wrote:

is it not cutting it a bit close to only have the information reach us by the end of the week

You'll prob get the info before the end of the week. You've loads of time. Don't stress!

DaveMcG wrote:

It doesn't leave much time to think!

Info on all the modules is online at http://www.ucd.ie/horizons/ Click on Undergrad Studies on the left for details of modules for each course.

DaveMcG wrote:

So imagine if they only found out 2 or 3 days before they had to pay it! It might be a bit of a shock!

Loads of time to pay fees. Doesn't have to be on the first day. They'll chase u after 4 weeks if u forget.

DaveMcG wrote:

For our student card, do they take the picture there and then or do we bring our own?

They take the worst pic ever witha digital cam. so no need to bring your own.

DaveMcG wrote:

Is there a deadline for picking the modules we wanna do?

you have until the 30th to decide. But if you leave it too late, some modules will be filled. And you also have to choose tutorial slots etc. The sooner you do the less likely you'll be stuck with the 9am monday morning slot!

DaveMcG wrote:

Do we have to pick the modules for first AND second semester at the start of first? Or do we just do it again for second? Thanks

you have to do both. But will be allowed change 2nd semester ones just before the 2nd semester. But again choice might be limited....

irlrobins

Young Siward wrote:

You'll go into admin to sort out your details, then they'll give you a slip which you'll present down at the Student Centre (astra hall last year), where they will take a photo and give you your student card there and then.

No its all changed. You need to logon to registration page and enter personal info. Then you go pick up your card. Each course has a different location. So check your info booklet.

Young Siward wrote:

DO get a disc key from computer services, and if you're smart, go on their course and get a second one!!

I think you'll only get one if u attend the intro course. But its easy and quick. and worth the key. Think its a 128Mb one this year.....

NEVER save your college work on floppy! Guaranteed to fail. The amount of times I was handed an assignment on a floppy that was knackered.....

Dave!

You're helpful, thanks!

When do we get our timetable for lectures and the likes? Do we not get that until we pick our modules and the likes? What about our tutor... what do they do? We don't go to reg every morning, I presume, lol. Do we have a tutor group or anything? Thanks, and sorry for the questions, I'm sure there'll be more soon! xD

Dave

irlrobins

http://www.ucd.ie/regrecords/firstyearreguide.pdf

Has good info on what you need to do on your first few days.....

irlrobins

DaveMcG wrote:

You're helpful, thanks!

When do we get our timetable for lectures and the likes? Do we not get that until we pick our modules and the likes? What about our tutor... what do they do? We don't go to reg every morning, I presume, lol. Do we have a tutor group or anything? Thanks, and sorry for the questions, I'm sure there'll be more soon! xD

Dave

Well obviously as there is so many possible combinations of modules you can do everyone needs their own timetable. But as you pick your modules on the website you'll be able to view (presumably print) your timetable of your lectures/practicals/tutorials.

Tutorial content varies from course to course. In arts it might be a discussion on lecture content, in maths it could be working on maths problems.

Some tutorials are held by lecturers. Others by postgrad students.

All questions welcome!

Vainglory

DaveMcG wrote:

Thanks for that post, twas very good A question: is it not cutting it a bit close to only have the information reach us by the end of the week, and then we have to be in the college on the 5th or the 6th? It doesn't leave much time to think! Nearly all of my friends didn't even know that we had to pay fees in the region of €750! So imagine if they only found out 2 or 3 days before they had to pay it! It might be a bit of a shock!

For our student card, do they take the picture there and then or do we bring our own? Is there a deadline for picking the modules we wanna do? Do we have to pick the modules for first AND second semester at the start of first? Or do we just do it again for second? Thanks

Student cards : They take your picture there and then, you don't have to bring one along.

Deadline for picking modules : 30th September, but you can do this from 10am on Friday 2nd.

This is how it all happens ; The college get notification of acceptance of first round offers tonight at 9pm from CAO. Then they work like the clappers for the next couple of days to get all your computer logins, reg details etc printed off and put into envelopes. These are sent out to all new first years on Thursday, and you can use that computer login from 10am on Friday to register for all your classes.

Second Semester Modules : Will be picked after the first semester .. all you need to register for on Friday is your core subjects (if applicable) and your electives.

Disk keys : You get one if you attend an IT Induction class which as far as I know is about 30 mins long and run all during Reg week. There will be IT people walking around wearing orange tshirts..just ask them.

Hope this helps..

On a somewhat related subject, I'm in the process of organising what I'm going to put onto my Education-related stands in the SU Marquee which will be up between the Comm Block and the old bar during reg week...any ideas? Most education stuff, eg grinds, first years won't care about during their first week.

I was thinking of putting together a sort of "What do I do IF" guide...eg "What do I do IF I fail an exam in UCD", "What do I do IF I want to change course"...and then maybe some info on dyslexia, signs and symptoms, how to get yourself assessed etc?

Anyway, input and ideas much appreciated as always.

Jane
Education Officer, UCDSU

PS I had a look at all the available modules..some of them look great. You guys are lucky

Stabshauptmann

Donts
Dont get banned from the student bar, it will ruin your year
Dont spend all your money on clubs you wont use regularly
Dont try and cut costs by eating a lot less
Dont make enemies
Dont go out of your way to be different/unique untill after you've gotten to know ppl
Dont be the first person to throw a party on campus
Dont **** someone in your class on the first class night out if your planning on a one night stand

Do
Learn to play pool/snooker
Eat in the restaraunt/bar once or twice a week. You'll be spending time with classmates and getting a good meal at a good price
Join at least one club (clubs are better than societies for socialising) even if you wont stick with it for the entire year
Go out as much as possible at the start of term
Go on one of the tours of the libary, I didnt and dont know how to use the libary
Go to at least 60% of lectures and 90% of tutorials
Get your free memory stick and set up your UCD email account

If you are underage, get a fake ID, siblings passport or garda works best and just show it to the doorman. If he asks have you a student card the answer is yeah but its at home or Im here with friends from UCD Im (somewhere else); but some bouncers wont let you in with that excuse.

Alternativly go in before the bouncers arrive, maybe as early as 6 Im afraid. Dont act the magget and nobody will ask questions.

Stabshauptmann

[disclaimer]While underage drinking is wrong and illegal, your student life will suck if you dont go to the bar from time to time. I disagree with the rule that you have to leave by 10, hence my above suggestions, but these suggestons are not made to facilitate underage drinking. In fact if there is a society/club event in the bar you can arrange with management to attend so long as you agree not to drink and hand in your student card[/disclaimer]

Dave!

Thanks alot, very helpful I have my provisional licence "fixed" so that I'm actually 19 not 17 Haven't had any trouble with it to date, so let's hope it works!

Mr.Nice Guy

- Join clubs and societies (trust me)

- Show up for lectures and tutorials and do your essays (trust me)

- Return books on time (seriously trust me)

the_obsolete

Kaptain Redeye wrote:

Go to at least 60% of lectures and 90% of tutorials

That is crucial, you'll learn qucikly enough that tutorials will literally save your ass for the exams, also if you're feeling unsure bout coursework there should be a help centre around open at various times, don't be afraid to hop into one (saved my bacon last year! ).
Also pick up an instrument...

Slash/ED

Young Siward wrote:

BTW DO go to a few different subjects in first year and get a feel for the them. I tried stats for the first few weeks and didn't like it, but gave it the benefit and hated it for the whole year! I passed, but others weren't so lucky.

The man speaks sense.At the start goto a few lectures from different subjects (you can walk into any lecture at any time no matter what), it'll leave you in a better position ultimately and you'll know if you hate a subject that there's others there you change to easily that you might like better.

Dave!

the_obsolete wrote:

Also pick up an instrument...

I play guitar and ukulele, and a bit of piano and drums!

Oh, is it easy to get a band together in UCD?

LovelyHurling

Do:


1. Talk to absolutely anyone and everyone you come within a 20m radius of. Chase them until they talk to you too.

2. Take the on-campus accomodation or if its too late move very very close to college, thats where all the freshers will be be in 2005 and you don't want to miss out on parties/ gatherings/ drop ins

3. Drink. For the love of God until the doctor tells you to stop, drink.

4. Buy a student Travelcard (Irish Rail/ Bus Eireann)... the change is in your pocket!

5. Try to mix with other faculties. Il Presidente's modular fiddling should facilitate this nicely

6. Take advantage of free internet access for games

7. Discover Dutch Gold. Also discover Clonskeagh and Spar off licences respectively.

8. Keep up, try not get left behind by going "too crazy" - yes it exists

9. Pay attention to your lecture notes as opposed to veering off into the books too much. Mostly all you need study for a pass are lecture notes - if you have satisfied that and want a higher mark hit the books.

10. Give up cigs, if you smoke - you'll be the richer for it. Health? No forget that, it just means you can buy more pints of Fosters- wohooo yeah!!



Do not,under any circumstances:

1. Get involved with a girl in your class (shudder). Nobody forgets. Nobody. Ever.

2. Fall behind with your study - you don't want to know where Blackrock (repeat exams hall) is

3. Take the pledge (drink or sex)

4. Lose your Cavan accent. You gotta love yourself man!

5. Stick to just one group of friends - spread yourself out dude - you are utterly butterly

6. Forget that Librocop is always watching

7. Blow all your easy-earned funds in the first week - drink at home first!! (drinking at home is like having sex - its respectable as long as you do it with someone else)

8. Walk alone at night, girls

9. Try to outshine your lecturers - they are all smarter than you thats why there here

10. Break a leg while jumping off the walkway shelter (but do climb it in a drunken mess, thats the law)

Okely dokely I think that sums up my contribution

Jonny Arson

Attend at least 75% of lectures and all of your tutorials if possible. Tutorials are especially vital. You get marks just for attending.
Do all of your coursework. Even if you don't have a clue to do a certain assignment... just do it. In many courses your coursework accounts for up to 25% of your overall grade.
Take as many notes as you can at your lectures, write the date and lecturer on them (sounds nerdy but come the end of the year I guarantee you it will be helpful!)
Another vital thing no one touched on is DO YOUR READINGS! Had I done this I'm certain I would have passed 1st year!
Don't be naive and think you will breeze through the year. Have a good attitude to your course.
Check out other subjects within your course.

Get to know other people and be sociable unlike all the unsociable c*nts in courses like Arts. Be polite, friendly and if you see someone who is maybe a bit isolated go talk to them......... I wish someone had made the effort with me.
Don't hang around with school buddies all year round like most people will do and don't spend the whole year with the same people you met in the 1st few weeks. You will rip your hair out hanging with the same people all the time.
Get involved in college life. Join clubs and socs that appeal to you and are geniunely motivated and trustworthy. Don't waste your money on D4 money grabbing socs like B&L, C&E etc.
Don't spend too much of your time working in a part-time job.... you want time to enjoy college life.

and whatever you do..... don't fail 1st year like I do!!!!!!!!!! and enjoy yourself unlike I did!

john^doyle

post #28 should be made into a giant poster

im just starting at ucd (commerce) so all this stuff is very helpful, but wow there is so much to do. im gona have to make a list or sumthin.

very good topic

Dave!

john^doyle wrote:

post #28 should be made into a giant poster

I agree, it was great!

Ruskie4Rent

Yeah this is a cool thread apart from it depressing me even more about not having accomodation for the year.

pretty*monster

rainbow kirby wrote:

Don't join up for everything you see in Fresher's Week.

I have to disagree with that, the societies I got most involed with were the ones I just joined for the sake of it, because I still had change in my pocket.
It's only two euro and as a fresher you really don't know what clubs and societies you're going to click with.
I was bitterly dissapointed with many of the societies I joined and plesantly surprised by others.

If you don't live on campus make friends with someone who does, so you'll always have a place to crash.

If you don't have a car make freinds with someone who does, because a set of wheels is unbelievably handy.

Go to your tutorials and do the reading for them, this will usally be enough to make your tutor love you and if you're a boarderline pass/fail in the exams you're going to want a tutor who's going to argue for you.

Get to know your lecturers, go drinking with them.

Do all of your essays.

DON'T expect to love(or even like) ucd from day one but DO expect to love it eventually

pretty*monster

LovelyHurling wrote:

10. Give up cigs, if you smoke - you'll be the richer for it. Health? No forget that, it just means you can buy more pints of Fosters- wohooo yeah!!

Terrible advice, I made so many friends and spent many a lovely, though cold, afternoon outside the arts block with a 20 pack.

And as for don't...

LovelyHurling wrote:

8. Walk alone at night, girls

Hah, as if we all have a choice :rolleyes:

Clive

pretty*monster wrote:

Hah, as if we all have a choice :rolleyes:

This is another DO.
DO make an effort get to know all the little things that it takes most people years to cop on to.

If you´re not comfortable walking across campus at night, ring services and ask for someone to walk with you (or more likely they´ll just give you a lift). Services are there 24 hours a day. They might grumble, but they´ll do it.

Dave!

Is there much crime on campus at night or somethin? I would imagine it's fairly safe...!

Clive

There have been a few rapes over the years, and plenty of scraps.

irlrobins

there have not been "a few rapes"!

Thats jsut rumours. Campus is very safe. More so than walking down city centre.

Same as anywhere u just need to keep your wits about you. i.e. if u start slagging off a bunch of guys when drunk then its obvious someone is going to knock some sense into you!

No need to be scared!

Dave!

No I'm not scared or anything, I just never imagined there was any crime there, as it appears really safe, and I mean, it's a college campus, so I thought there'd be security guards all over the place too -- was just curious to know why some are apprehensive walking through there alone!

irlrobins

well i can understand some girls being wary of walking alone thru campus after dark.

But as somone said ring services (716 7999) and they'll provide an escort. Or if u get off the bus at the main gates, go up to the reception office and ask.

There are security patrols and CCTV around campus. I feel safer on campus than I do walking in the city centre at night.

LovelyHurling

DaveMcG wrote:

I mean, it's a college campus, so I thought there'd be security guards all over the place

No they're called services, but they're fat

Clive

irlrobins wrote:

there have not been "a few rapes"!

Thats jsut rumours. Campus is very safe. More so than walking down city centre.

Same as anywhere u just need to keep your wits about you. i.e. if u start slagging off a bunch of guys when drunk then its obvious someone is going to knock some sense into you!

No need to be scared!

Bull. I personally know of one girl who was raped on Res. Most rapes go unreported to the guards and anyone who thinks that there has never been someone raped on such a large, poorly lit campus, with numerous wooded areas, and numerous drunken people late at night are absolutely fooling themselves.

Just because it´s UCD doesn´t make it any safer than the rest of the city and common sense applies.

upmeath

has anybody any idea...
1. when the college tells us we've been accepted (i got cao's acceptance slip this morning, wed aug31)
2. when freshers are due in, is it different for every course, if so, anybody got any idea when architecture students are due in?
3. what happens to young students when they turn 18? ill be 18 in mid october so is my card gonna be changed then or will i still be going round in 5th year with my dob printed on the card so everyone can still slag me then?
4. when scholarship recipients get their cash/cheque?

and is it really unadvisable to score people in your class?

Red Alert

your DOB will be on your card for the entire year but then the next year it won't and you'll be like everybody else.

... and no scoring people in your own faculty or own class isn't always a bad thing

Ruskie4Rent

Apparantly UCD will send out info packs to all first years before Friday and all will be clear then.

Kate_17

This is a little OT but I'm curious about it. Is it true that you shouldn't walk at night on your own ANYWHERE at night in Dublin? Even on O' Connell Street/Bridge, Westmoreland, Grafton Streets? Like, is there much of a garda presence? Also, when you say don't walk around campus at night on your own, do you mean in the early hours of the morning? Even for short distances, like from bus terminus to residences?

upmeath

kate, you a fellow bogger?
dublin isn't all too dangerous, although i've had some very strange guys approach me with strange stories looking to scab a few quid or an ipod in the past year or so... ucd is outside the city centre, all areas of the city are fairly safe until night, but i've had ****ers try mug me in middle abbey street and the north quays near o'connell bridge in broad daylight on a saturday afternoon twice this year.
grafton street, harcourt street, temple bar, westmoreland street are all very safe 24/7 in my opinion, if someone shouts profanities at you or tries to intimidate you or attract attention, the best possible way of dealing with it is to keep your head down and up the pace. im a 17 year old country guy, ive never felt really intimidated in dublin but im a little more cautious on o'connell street, parnell street and abbey street because ive heard tales over the years and ive experience myself.
i cant tell you anything about ucd though and what its like at night, ive only been there at open days!

irlrobins

upmeath is spot on his opinion on city centre. (I'm a dub).

UCD is grand at night. You prob only ever have drunk students to deal with, and u'll prob be one of them! :-P Stick to lit areas. If in doubt ring services. Or if in Res one of the RAs.

Kate_17

Me is a bogger certainly. Have plenty of experience of Dublin, but mostly during the daytime. Was on streets on my own one night, only thing happened was some guy came up to me outside GPO and started asking me questions about myself. Something like that is trivial though compared to some of the stuff you hear, like people being killed or raped.

LovelyHurling

Personally I think of UCD as being as safe as a playground. Think about it, its slap bang down the middle of Mercedes Valley - and we can be comforted by the fact that drunks and ne'er do wells cannot afford the no. 10 because of the rising bus charges (nice one dublin bus, I knew you had our interests at heart, haw haw). That said I think lovely girls are never safe anywhere anytime and always need my gallant protection and knightly chivalry.

But seriously, girls walking alone on campus are easy targets for weirdos.
Especially the oompa loompas they glow.

Mr.Nice Guy

I would advise against walking around the city on your own. I myself don't like doing it. The same goes for the Campus as well.

If I'm not mistaken, the homeless man who hangs around the restaurant in UCD once saved a girl who was almost raped by some guy. I think the homeless man gets free meals now from the restaurant for his actions.

I'm sure someone on here knows the details better than I do.