Things you wish you knew when you were finishing college...

cobweb · 09-05-2008 01:04AM

cooperguy wrote: »

Im analyzing that coment for sarcasm and im not sure whether you are or not?? Its probably just cause it late

nope not sarcasm tthe best friends i have i met in college 11 years ago

nkay1985 · 09-05-2008 08:55AM

Do what I did and do a job that will give you a broad range of experience but isn't too stressful. It would be a very big leap to go from what is essentially doing very little - well, structured stuff at least - to working 9 - 5 in a high-pressure job!

Nuggets of wisdom?

You think you'll spend less time on the internet, you probably spend more tbh - just look at boards!

Having money is unbelieveable for the first six months or so because you were so used to not having any, you spend very little. And you're getting a couple of thousand euro every month. Save what you don't spend and buy something you've always wanted - a car and an electronic drum kit in my case!

If there are a few people you get on really well with, make the effort to stay in contact even though they'll probably live hours away. It's not as easy as strolling down to teh pub that's five minutes away, but is worth the effort.

Xavi6 · 09-05-2008 09:01AM

rb_ie wrote: »

I'll tell you this much though, the "real world" fcking blows, college life is so much better than 9-5 bollocks and the stresses that come with it. That's what I've picked up after two years of it and plan on avoiding it again for as long as possible and enjoying college life while it lasts.

+1 to that. College life rules.

I wish I'd known that doing a journalism course doesn't necessarily make you a better writer, mainly cause they teach you feck all about writing. It's all laws, ethics, history, sociology, computers etc etc but no real tips on what makes a good writer. Pretty much everything I've learnt in that regard has come from stuff I've read personally or from those I've subsequently worked with.

ruskin · 09-05-2008 09:10AM

I finished college last summer after 4 years. One year on since finishing, Im sad things have changed so much. We had a good class that got on great, but even so, none of us have met up for a drink or catch up since finishing. I just guess people will always go their separate ways. I miss college greatly, even though I spent every day there complaining about it! I work now, where I dont spend any time with people my own age; they are all older than me. I did a difficult course (Engineering) and after the 4 years of intense projects, etc. Im only on a average-good wage. I feel like I dont have fun any more and I wish I had went out more and had a greater laugh in college. Its been a downbeat year for me since finishing

nyarlothothep · 09-05-2008 11:26AM

rb_ie wrote: »

After two years out of it, I'm returning to college in September (hopefully).

I'll tell you this much though, the "real world" fcking blows, college life is so much better than 9-5 bollocks and the stresses that come with it. That's what I've picked up after two years of it and plan on avoiding it again for as long as possible and enjoying college life while it lasts.

Thats true imo, the "real world" sucks ass

biko · 09-05-2008 11:30AM

You're not gonna end up doing what you studied.

Spud83 · 09-05-2008 11:55AM

DONT START WORK STRAIGHT AWAY!!!!

So many people do this it scares me. They leave college and go straight into there career without ever taking some time to enjoy life. You have plenty of time for the career and mortgage, and every other ****ty thing life will throw at you.

Go travelling for at least a year; I don’t care where you go whether it is around Ireland, Europe or the world. Whatever you do don’t start a career get stuck in it and then look back in ten years and go man I wish I done all that stuff while I had the chance.

Sounds like advice from PI

Earthhorse · 09-05-2008 12:08PM

Dimitri wrote: »

Yes please keep the wisdom coming, for the record i'll have some class of B.A in Economics in a few weeks!!

Well, at least you'll know why you're unemployed.

Tar.Aldarion wrote: »

wednesday = me engineer \o/

Female engineers? What will they think of next?

Dudess · 09-05-2008 12:09PM

I did a degree (three years but had to repeat one), a PLC cert and a masters. I finished college life at 28 (worked cushy office jobs whenever I wasn't studying). Dragging it out as long as possible ftw.

Earthhorse · 09-05-2008 12:11PM

I finished college when I was 19. Didn't care much for it. Don't care much for work either but hey, at least I gets paid for it.

tribulus · 09-05-2008 12:16PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

DONT START WORK STRAIGHT AWAY!!!!

So many people do this it scares me. They leave college and go straight into there career without ever taking some time to enjoy life. You have plenty of time for the career and mortgage, and every other ****ty thing life will throw at you.

Go travelling for at least a year; I don’t care where you go whether it is around Ireland, Europe or the world. Whatever you do don’t start a career get stuck in it and then look back in ten years and go man I wish I done all that stuff while I had the chance.

Sounds like advice from PI

Meh I've as much interest in traveling(other than holidays) as I do in ever going back to college, which is to say, none. It never appealed to me at all.

Gingervitis · 09-05-2008 12:20PM

As of today, (all going well) I am in possession of a BA in Psychology in NUI Galway...

*looks outside bubble*

Right, where's the nearest post grad?

Nah, might do some living for a year for a change; 17 years through the education system sounds like a rut to me!

Sabre0001 · 09-05-2008 12:23PM

On Wednesday I become one of those thousands of Business students leaving with a degree (major - marketing, minor - entrepreneurship). Not sure what I really want to do as yet - have some idealistic dreams but not sure if it's feasible or possible

ibh · 09-05-2008 12:51PM

Since I finished college 2 years ago myself and my degree subject have led completely seperate lives, and our paths have not crossed.

Edit: Sh1t, just realised that it is now 3 years since i finished college. Not 2.

Naos · 09-05-2008 01:00PM

Finished college last year, working in a pretty cushy & stress free job at the moment.

Pay isn't great but people are. I'm here for some money & experience then going to
travel/work abroad for a year or two and then come back and do some more college

Only advise I could offer is don't jump into a career straight away, you'll have plenty of time for that. You're young so enjoy it while you can.

For the record: Business & Spanish, 22.

09-05-2008 02:10PM

kowloon wrote: »

I was under the impression that the engineering companies were not handing out many jobs these days, and i'd say a good portion of the ones going are the usual experience required types that are the bane of all graduates..

Nope, my place of work is looking to double the number of staff.

Advice: You'll realise that you'll have learnt more outside the lecture hall than in.

funk-you · 09-05-2008 02:25PM

Best advice i can give is; don't get caught up in the bullsh*t and every now and then take a step back and see if this is what you want right now. The place will be there long after you're not.

25 Senior Engineer

-Funk

Pythia · 09-05-2008 11:25PM

biko wrote: »

You're not gonna end up doing what you studied.

Not always true.

Creature · 09-05-2008 11:37PM

Work harder :pac:.

andrew · 10-05-2008 12:08AM

Any advice for someone finishing school on Wednesday? (probably). Sorry in advance for making anyone feel old

Creature · 10-05-2008 12:22AM

andrew wrote: »

Any advice for someone finishing school on Wednesday? (probably). Sorry in advance for making anyone feel old

Oh no..you said the 'o' word. Dudess will be on any minute now explaining how young you are and all about the wonders of the 1980s. You've really done it!

mental07 · 10-05-2008 12:42AM

Pythia wrote: »

Not always true.

+1

bluedolphin · 10-05-2008 01:14AM

Myth wrote: »

Advice: You'll realise that you'll have learnt more outside the lecture hall than in.

Have already come to that conclusion also. Well, I suppose it couldn't have been too hard considering I study.....ahem, studied history, economics and public administration: 12 hours was the most I ever had in a week back in first year!

Four years later and on the brink of being spurted out into the daylight. Next Tuesday, at about 6pm, once I put my pen down for the final time and hand up my last exam script, I'll have a degree of some sort in History, Politics, Sociology and Social Studies.

I knew it wasn't going to lead to any directly-related career options. I have a job starting in a few weeks though (in the Students' Union as a sabbatical officer)...strangely, two others (out of a total team of five) are also to-be graduates of HPSS. Hmmm seems a viable employment option for our course.

Can't believe the four years have gone so quickly; I can still remember my first semester so clearly.

10-05-2008 01:21AM

andrew wrote: »

Any advice for someone finishing school on Wednesday? (probably). Sorry in advance for making anyone feel old

If you're finishing school, then I presume you still need to get the leaving cert over and done with.

Don't feel pressured into going into college. I didn't straight away- I took a year off and worked fulltime in between. The right decision completely, as I felt more prepared and capable with tackling college.

Captain Darling · 10-05-2008 02:07AM

I wish i knew that i shouldnt have finished college.:pac:

rainbow kirby · 10-05-2008 02:36AM

Well I'm going back in September... have been out for a year, and I'll be going back into final year. I'm scared...

kowloon · 10-05-2008 02:55AM

Myth wrote: »

Nope, my place of work is looking to double the number of staff.

I stand corrected, I suppose the moaning of the newly unemployed gets more attention.

constitutionus · 10-05-2008 11:08AM

wish i knew that this would be the best selection of available pussy you'd ever get in your life!

clubs and pubs just aint the same.

10-05-2008 11:17AM

bluedolphin wrote: »

I have a job starting in a few weeks though (in the Students' Union as a sabbatical officer)

Been there, done that too, and have several t-shirts and hoodies (not bought) :pac:

You'll have a madly interesting year, enjoy it.

Dudess · 10-05-2008 11:33AM

Creature wrote: »

Oh no..you said the 'o' word. Dudess will be on any minute now explaining how young you are and all about the wonders of the 1980s. You've really done it!

Ah the 80s... If only you'd been there. Admittedly I was only aged between 2 and 11 for that glorious decade so technically I wasn't really "there" myself, but... sorry - what are we talking about again?

Things you wish you knew when you were finishing college...

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