Going back to first year arts?

dreamlings · 07-02-2015 06:35PM #1

Basically, can this be done? I'm very unhappy with my subject choice, and I'm now in second year. Yes, I have been in contact with the Academic Advisory, but before I begin this subject, I'd like a fair idea if this is achievable.

I'd really appreciate any advise/information. Thanks.

mickstupp · 07-02-2015 06:49PM

I don't see why you can't do it, but you'd probably have to pay full price for the year, since you've already completed a year in college. When you factor in the student contribution, you're probably looking at over €5,700 to sit that first year again. Plus, a semester of 2nd year once you get there, since you've by now sat your first semester of 2nd year as well. It might only be when you get to second semester of 2nd year Arts that your free fees would kick back in, but you'd still have to pay the student contribution for the whole year, probably. That is, you can't keep getting free fees. If you have to repeat a year, or choose to start fresh, as far as I know you're liable for the full costs.

If you're intent on switching... honestly I'd say spend some time sitting in first year lectures for the subjects you're interested in. See what they're like. Lot of people choose subjects because they think they'll like them, and then get stuck with them.

Not sure what you mean with the word achievable, though. If you mean 'is switching achievable'? Can't see why not. If you mean 'is getting through whatever subjects achievable'? That depends on how much work you put in. If you pick subjects you like, the work won't feel so much like work... but you'll still have to work your ass off to get good marks, no matter what you pick.

But take all that with a pinch of salt, I don't know the details.

EDIT: I don't know what the story is with grants, but if you're on the grant, I honestly can't imagine the council would cover you for what amounts to a repeat year, but again, I don't know the details.

dreamlings · 07-02-2015 07:00PM

mickstupp wrote: »

I don't see why you can't do it, but you'd probably have to pay full price for the year, since you've already completed a year in college. When you factor in the student contribution, you're probably looking at over €5,700 to sit that first year again. Plus, a semester of 2nd year once you get there, since you've by now sat your first semester of 2nd year as well. It might only be when you get to second semester of 2nd year Arts that your free fees would kick back in, but you'd still have to pay the student contribution for the whole year, probably. That is, you can't keep getting free fees. If you have to repeat a year, or choose to start fresh, as far as I know you're liable for the full costs.

If you're intent on switching... honestly I'd say spend some time sitting in first year lectures for the subjects you're interested in. See what they're like. Lot of people choose subjects because they think they'll like them, and then get stuck with them.

Not sure what you mean with the word achievable, though. If you mean 'is switching achievable'? Can't see why not. If you mean 'is getting through whatever subjects achievable'? That depends on how much work you put in. If you pick subjects you like, the work won't feel so much like work... but you'll still have to work your ass off to get good marks, no matter what you pick.

But take all that with a pinch of salt, I don't know the details.

EDIT: I don't know what the story is with grants, but if you're on the grant, I honestly can't imagine the council would cover you for what amounts to a repeat year, but again, I don't know the details.

Thank you so much for your reply! Fees might be a difficulty, but I am registered with the Disability Office in Maynooth and I could get a doctor's note if there was any chance of still paying the same amount as I am already paying? But this is probably something I'll have to raise with the Academic Advisory.

I think that's a good idea, though - sitting in on first year lectures. This week I'll definitely give that a go, once I get a response from the Advisory Office.

Yes, what I meant was is switching achievable. I probably should have phrased that better... And I don't want to give my life story, but I do have epilepsy, and I noticed my seizures are getting worse because the of the stress of having picked what I feel are the wrong subjects for me.

Thanks again.

challengemaster · 07-02-2015 07:04PM

mickstupp wrote: »

I don't see why you can't do it, but you'd probably have to pay full price for the year, since you've already completed a year in college. When you factor in the student contribution, you're probably looking at over €5,700 to sit that first year again. Plus, a semester of 2nd year once you get there, since you've by now sat your first semester of 2nd year as well. It might only be when you get to second semester of 2nd year Arts that your free fees would kick back in, but you'd still have to pay the student contribution for the whole year, probably. That is, you can't keep getting free fees. If you have to repeat a year, or choose to start fresh, as far as I know you're liable for the full costs.

31st October is the deadline to withdraw to maintain full free fees. 31 Jan is the deadline for 50% free fees.

Op has passed both deadlines - so they would be required to pay full tuition fees for 1st and 2nd year should they decide to start over.

~€5700 would be the tuition fees, then you still have the €2750 contribution fee to pay. So you're already looking at around €17,000 to repeat two years. If you've received any grants/maintenance for those 2 years you also wouldn't be entitled to these grants for years you've already completed should you start over.

XxMCRxBabyxX · 07-02-2015 07:31PM

dreamlings wrote: »

Thank you so much for your reply! Fees might be a difficulty, but I am registered with the Disability Office in Maynooth and I could get a doctor's note if there was any chance of still paying the same amount as I am already paying? But this is probably something I'll have to raise with the Academic Advisory.

I think that's a good idea, though - sitting in on first year lectures. This week I'll definitely give that a go, once I get a response from the Advisory Office.

Yes, what I meant was is switching achievable. I probably should have phrased that better... And I don't want to give my life story, but I do have epilepsy, and I noticed my seizures are getting worse because the of the stress of having picked what I feel are the wrong subjects for me.

Thanks again.

It is possible to apply for a medical repeat so you wouldn't have to pay fees but that's only to withdraw from the year you're in and return to it the next year or later. I don't think you'll be able to do that if you want to go back to first year. You're essentially asking to totally restart your course.

Have you been to counseling about your stress?

mickstupp · 07-02-2015 08:25PM

dreamlings wrote: »

Yes, what I meant was is switching achievable. I probably should have phrased that better... And I don't want to give my life story, but I do have epilepsy, and I noticed my seizures are getting worse because the of the stress of having picked what I feel are the wrong subjects for me.

Thanks again.

Listen, you have to take care of yourself above all else.

I know three people, who I did my undergraduate degree with, all of whom had an arrangement to do half of each year at a time. So one lady, for instance, did third year Classics one year, then third year English the next year. Bit more expensive in the long run, but it really lowered the amount of stress she was under. Might be an option for you too. Worth considering at least.

Don't worry about it taking longer, gotta look after your health first and foremost.

Going back to first year arts?

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