Schols Schols Schols, information and venting thread.

Has anyone here sat the Business I schols paper?

According to the BESS website there are 4 sections in this paper (based on the JF module and the 3 SF business modules).
https://www.tcd.ie/bess/downloads/FoundationScholarship.pdf

But in the past papers it seems as if there are only 3 sections.

Is the information on the website wrong?

user1 wrote: »

I was just looking through the calender for the schols and I seem to understand most of it except for the part where it states 'No scholars may have their names transferred to a lower class without the expresspermission of the Board'. What does this mean?

It means that you can't drop a year in college. So, you can't fail, and you can't switch to an earlier year of another course without their permission. However, I do know of someone who got schols in TP and switched to second year Zoology straight away, so it can be done.

ac021193 wrote: »

Can anyone tell me what time Commons is at? I can't seem to find an actual time anywhere. I'm probably just not looking in the right places though. They might have sent it in an email, but my Gmail account is down. Thanks.

Doors close at 6:15 (don't be late, they won't let you in after doors close).

partyatmygaff wrote: »

When does it change to mid-day commons?

After exams end.. not sure of the exact date, you should be emailed.

rockygsd123 wrote: »

Hi, I'm in JF and I want to do pharmacy schols next year, even if I don't get them I will be prepared for the end of year exam's.
How much is it to apply for schols?

Its free

Anita Blow wrote: »

I'd recommend anyone to go for schols as you've nothing to lose really, but I wouldn't fall into the whole "I'll be sorted for the end of year exams anyway" idea. In reality it doesn't always work out like that.
Can't speak for other classes, but myself and the other people who sat schols in my class were completely burned out after the exams. Combined with having to catch up with the modules in the first term that you'll have neglected because they weren't on schols, while keeping on top of the work from the 2nd term, a first isn't guaranteed in your end of year exams.
I'm only saying this to warn people going for it not to get complacent after schols, as I know I and the other people who got schols in my class did, and we ended up being incredibly stressed out for the annual exams.

That's exactly what I was thinking!! what a pity

user1 wrote: »

I was just looking through the calender for the schols and I seem to understand most of it except for the part where it states 'No scholars may have their names transferred to a lower class without the expresspermission of the Board'. What does this mean?

It also means you cannot drop your standing. So upon completion of a BA or BSc. you can't use one of your Scholarship years to do a diploma, you can only use it to further your education, i.e. go up in qualifications. A diploma is a standing below a Bachelor, a Masters or PhD is above a Bachelor.

As far as I know, you're encouraged but not absolutely required to inform people if you decide not to take the exams once you've applied. There are no formal repercussions for doing really badly (or not sitting them AFAIK), but it might piss off your lecturers if they've written a paper needlessly (if you're the only one going for it), and it probably wouldn't help their opinion of you if you put yourself forward for very ambitious exams and did really terribly. I don't think there's any point in putting in for it if you're not expecting to do respectably, though we all of course have bad exams etc.

JeaicMaG wrote: »

Are there any repercussions if you decide not to do schols/ perform very poorly? Does it impact your student record in any way?

I'll tell you what I was told.

If you attempt it and bomb them it really is not the end of the world, the end of year exams are where you stake your claim and base your reputation. The fact that you have willingly elected to sit exams during your holidays shows a level of commitment, even if you do not do too well then it is still impressive to see someone give it what they can. It shows a bit of character.

People who pull out of exams needlessly are not held in such high esteem. It won't impact your record but honestly unless there's illness then there is no reason not to sit them. It makes you do a bit of study, perhaps gives you some hints for Summer and in general is really something to be proud of regardless of how you do. You can always pull out if you really are that nervous but I honestly think if you commit to them then just go for it, sometimes it's worth putting in a bit of effort even if it's just for yourself.

Your lecturers will think absolutely nothing bad of a student who pulls out of sitting Schols. It is a completely voluntary effort and a monumental one at that. The lecturers understand this.

As said above, I believe the only repercussion this year for signing up but not sitting the paper is a fine

Is it possible to attempt the Schols exams in first year? No chance of doing anywhere near decently, but I would like to get a feel of how it all works.

Never mind read up on it.

I had such great plans for study over reading week which never materialised :P Assignments and general laziness just got in the way. I'll start Monday... probably.

Reading week doesn't exist for Pharmacy students :P

Hi, Im a TCD scholar and have started a postgrad as part of my schols privileges. I wish to pull out of this course due to time commitments. Does anybody know does this have implications for the rest of my schols privileges? Would I still have 4 years of schols left to do another course? I know if you fail an assessment you lose schols but am not sure what happens if you pull out. Theres nothing on the calender about this.

Time to lock myself in a room and avoid all things Christmas :P