For 2nd year UCD students...did you enjoy it?

beautifulmeath · 12-08-2009 12:04AM #1

Not meaning to deter any potential UCD students getting their results tomorrow, but I've a year done in UCD now and frankly, I hated it. So, for those others who are going into 2nd year, did you like it? Did college life live up to your expectations or were you stressing over exams the whole time?

I'm wondering if I'm the only one for whom it was hell

kev_s88 · 12-08-2009 12:18AM

best year of my life!!!

made great friends, had so much fun, and did not stress about exams once lol i suppose it all really depends on how quickly you make friends, and if you really open yourself to the experience of college...i know loadsa ppl who found it really difficult to make friends and therefore found the whole college experience tougher.... but i for one absolutely loved it!

rainbow kirby · 12-08-2009 12:21AM

Hated my first shot at 2nd year, liked my second one. (Different courses, and I wasn't taking a full courseload the second time)

mops · 12-08-2009 12:23AM

beautifulmeath wrote: »

Not meaning to deter any potential UCD students getting their results tomorrow, but I've a year done in UCD now and frankly, I hated it. So, for those others who are going into 2nd year, did you like it? Did college life live up to your expectations or were you stressing over exams the whole time?

I'm wondering if I'm the only one for whom it was hell

why didnt you like it?? Was it the course or the social aspect??
Did you start UCD and know anybody??

beautifulmeath · 12-08-2009 12:29AM

I was homesick and kept stressing over exams, and even though I made some close friends early on, we rarely went out, which was probably a good thing, because whenever I did go out it I felt incredibly guilty for it-the study thing dominated my life. I found it 20 times harder than Leaving Cert. And exam stress aside, I just hated it. It ruined my life and I'm simply dreading going back

muffinman · 12-08-2009 01:13AM

kev_s88 wrote: »

best year of my life!!!

made great friends, had so much fun, and did not stress about exams once lol i suppose it all really depends on how quickly you make friends, and if you really open yourself to the experience of college...i know loadsa ppl who found it really difficult to make friends and therefore found the whole college experience tougher.... but i for one absolutely loved it!

+1.. Best year of my life hands down.. Can't wait to get back up to Dublin.. Obviously there were times when I felt like I'd prefer to be at home, but that's normal.. Overall, made loads of friends (went up knowing only 3 or 4 people, and of those only one was a proper friend friend), lived on campus, went out a few times a week, and finished off with a first in my exams.. Great year!!

beautifulmeath wrote: »

I was homesick and kept stressing over exams, and even though I made some close friends early on, we rarely went out, which was probably a good thing, because whenever I did go out it I felt incredibly guilty for it-the study thing dominated my life. I found it 20 times harder than Leaving Cert. And exam stress aside, I just hated it. It ruined my life and I'm simply dreading going back

What course were you doing? Exam stress? I don't understand how study could have dominated your entire first year... I found it a doddle compared to LC.. Sorry you didn't enjoy yourself..

beautifulmeath · 12-08-2009 01:23AM

muffinman wrote: »

+1.. Best year of my life hands down.. Can't wait to get back up to Dublin.. Obviously there were times when I felt like I'd prefer to be at home, but that's normal.. Overall, made loads of friends (went up knowing only 3 or 4 people, and of those only one was a proper friend friend), lived on campus, went out a few times a week, and finished off with a first in my exams.. Great year!!

What course were you doing? Exam stress? I don't understand how study could have dominated your entire first year... I found it a doddle compared to LC.. Sorry you didn't enjoy yourself..

TBH i still can't understand. I'm doing Arts so probably it was because of all the reading; it just seemed that there was so much more work involved compared to the LC. I finished with a 3.56, so just off a first, but it was hardly worth it. Put the parents through hell; and today I mentioned how I don't want to go back and it just ended in a massive row because I know I put them through hell too, worrying me.

This time last year I was ecstatic about college but due to my experience I've been drifting in and out of worries about the future etc. I just wish I knew why it didn't work out for me.

I lived on campus too, but I never even knew of a party or anything like that. So yeah, on the whole, worst year of my life.

Mr.Nice Guy · 12-08-2009 01:35AM

beautifulmeath wrote:

I was homesick and kept stressing over exams, and even though I made some close friends early on, we rarely went out, which was probably a good thing, because whenever I did go out it I felt incredibly guilty for it-the study thing dominated my life. I found it 20 times harder than Leaving Cert. And exam stress aside, I just hated it. It ruined my life and I'm simply dreading going back

Does first year matter towards your grade because it didn't when I was there? I did little to no work in my first year and was just was happy to pass, also I was a guy extremely stressed about the LC exams.

I found first year hard going on the socialising front but second year a lot more easier and enjoyable.

Have you considered talking to a student adviser? They're good with this sort of stuff. I went to one after being unsure about sticking with the course and found the chap I spoke with helpful.

Jev/N · 12-08-2009 01:53AM

What course are you in? Try and go to class parties if there are any, join societies, go for nights out etc etc.

Best piece of advice I can give is learn how to do UCD exams and how to study for them (sparingly). Exam technique, timing an answer and ability to predict the paper are more important that studying for the whole year IMO

GobBass · 12-08-2009 02:02AM

I came into UCD with two Leaving Certs (one from public school,one from a now-defunct private school) behind me and I was ready to take everything by the balls by cautiously combining social engagements with some good ol' fashioned book

I learned very quickly of my abilities (or lack there of when it came to Microeconomics) but managed to get 60 out of 60 credits and two unexpected A's.If you manage to do essays on your break and then go for a drink or two (drink sensibly :eek:),you will see the real benefits of third level education.

As regards to making friends,it came relatively easy as I was in quite a mixture of classes and quickly made a circle,then a thingy outside a circle,then a potential relationship circle,then a go-to group circle..the circles are endless

Just gimme the mouse and let me click on my 2nd year modules already.:rolleyes:

samsamson · 12-08-2009 09:26AM

I'm in Arts too beautifulmeath, and knew nobody going in, so I feel your pain with regards to it being tricky to get to know new people.

I literally made 1 friend in tutorials, the rest are all from clubs/societies. Join a few and stick at them for a solid couple of months (till the numbers thin out and a core group of regulars emerges) and you'll find that things should fall into place!

Most will have something on every week - even just a meeting with some tea or whatever - which will force you to get out of your house and socialise!

muboop1 · 12-08-2009 11:19AM

It's going to be what you make of it tbh...

If you sit in all day stressing and studying... well you wont enjoy it! but it will be like that anywhere you go if thats how you operate..

UCD is full of pleantly of societies, clubs, groups whatever... Plenty of people who think and act in different ways... the diversity is brilliant

Find one that suits you and you will make some great mates!

Arts can be harder class wise because a guy in one or two of you classes might not be in the other 4, so can be messy friend wise...

So... join a society or sport!

First year counts for nothing, so don't stress..

Enjoy it!

Do the work, but not at the neglect of the entire social aspect!

tbh, i guess you spent hours stressing when you could of been relaxing with mates!

There is a balance there, find yours!

Good luck

btw, i know about stress, going into final year engineering, insane amount of work. spent half of last semester in ucd pulling 14-16 hour shift a day in library...

Its ****, but you shouldn't have to do that as a first year!!!!

The problem isn't the structure or the college but how you time manage it all.

i done those shifts maybe 4 times a week, so i had 3 days i hung round with the lads and rested... had a great year!

Kid V · 12-08-2009 01:27PM

Did I enjoy it???

Eh.....

Well i knew a lot of people going into first year ucd last year and i did make a few new friends so its not the social aspect that worried me.

Its the course. Its just SO big. I feel like im just a statistic or a number. Also im just not all that interested in the subjects i picked. Enjoyed semester one for the most part but semester two really dragged. Absenteeism was my curse. It definitely stemmed from my lack of interest. Like i'd still go into college but a lot of the time i'd just be hanging out. I've been kicking myself all summer and stressing my parents out over what to do. I dont know whether i should stick it out or drop out work for a year and do something i know im interested in. In a smaller college!

I can completely identify with your disillusionment. Plenty of people have doubts about 2nd year Arts.

beautifulmeath · 12-08-2009 02:39PM

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Does first year matter towards your grade because it didn't when I was there? I did little to no work in my first year and was just was happy to pass, also I was a guy extremely stressed about the LC exams.

I found first year hard going on the socialising front but second year a lot more easier and enjoyable.

Have you considered talking to a student adviser? They're good with this sort of stuff. I went to one after being unsure about sticking with the course and found the chap I spoke with helpful.

Yeah I went to one in November. Very helpful but still not quite enough

ChocolateSauce · 12-08-2009 08:46PM

It was the best year. I was older and my science course narrowed the fields of study, enabling me to drop biology, physics and maths!

TDOie · 12-08-2009 10:08PM

easiest and greatest year of my life.

Tea-a-Maria · 12-08-2009 10:23PM

Yes,college has been one of the greatest experiences of my life!:)

I was a very shy person at the start of the year,literally hiding in my room for the first week,but between living on campus and joining societies I've made many friends.People who know me at home really think I've come out of my shell!

Course wise,I couldn't be happier either,I find what I'm studying very interesting,and while I had trouble dealing with my first few essays,I know how to deal with them now.

Still can't believe how quickly the year went,I can't wait to get back!

Infernon · 14-08-2009 08:08PM

It was kinda hard and daunting in the beginning, I had to adapt to the academic life spend hours on comuting, but in second semester I began to really enjoy it,especially the tutorials.And now I can't wait to go into my second year - do miss my classes a lot,despite the fact that I'm on campus several times a week.UCD is a great university for those who are ready to take what it offers to them! I am doing Philosophy btw

IxM · 15-08-2009 03:40PM

First Year was amazing. Arts was not as daunting as it appeared when I first heard the numbers in it. Assignments were easy enough if you studied the relevant material. Definitely would advise incoming students to try and live on campus, excellent way to meet new people and mid night wanderings to the secret lake were always good craic (although if the new gate system comes in....:()
First year went far too quickly, luckily im moving back up to Dublin in 2 hours and start again monday:D:D:D
Roll on 2nd year!

Gingy · 16-08-2009 12:59AM

Loved every minute of it. Looking forward to heading back in September! Heard 2nd year is the best because you know loads of people and don't have finals looming.

fillefatale · 16-08-2009 11:38PM

I enjoyed second year far more than first year - that was all about settling in. I made some friends in second year that I hope to have for life. Altogether I felt more comfortable.

As regards the course, it was stressful, I study history and the lectures and tutorials seem so anonymous. I know few people in my classes. I'm going into my final year now and can't help but wonder where the first two years went?

stayconnected · 03-09-2009 01:32AM

beautifulmeath wrote: »

TBH i still can't understand. I'm doing Arts so probably it was because of all the reading; it just seemed that there was so much more work involved compared to the LC. I finished with a 3.56, so just off a first, but it was hardly worth it. Put the parents through hell; and today I mentioned how I don't want to go back and it just ended in a massive row because I know I put them through hell too, worrying me.

This time last year I was ecstatic about college but due to my experience I've been drifting in and out of worries about the future etc. I just wish I knew why it didn't work out for me.

I lived on campus too, but I never even knew of a party or anything like that. So yeah, on the whole, worst year of my life.

Hi i'm startin arts dis year. I wuz lookin at yer posts bout arts durin d year coz u seem 2 knw wat ur talkin bout. U said ages back dat

despite the fact that I was annoyed to discover that I could've done a similar degree through Arts Omnibus, I love it, especially the fact that my best friends are all on my course. Arts is a hug department and it's very hard to make friends in it, but we didn't have that issue because a wine reception was organized for us in the first week and from that evening on we've been joint at the hip also the 2nd years arranged a night out for us in week 3 and since then they've been our guidance, and we will definitely do the same for next years first years. UCD is an amazing place but I was very homesick at the start and I think that if it wasn't for HPIR (that's what we call ourselves) that I still wouldn't have settled now. I love it though!

n now ur sayin u hated it

wuz jus wundrin wat changed 4 u?

For 2nd year UCD students...did you enjoy it?

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