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First days
Dealing with nerve wrecking first days of college.
Article by : SpunOut.ie
- Everyone feels nervous on their first day at college. Even the people who appear supremely confident are bound to be feeling nervous too... ah sure, they are, of course!
- You are not alone! Most people will be hoping to make new friends and this should make it easier to meet new people.
- Big lecture halls aren't so bad. It may seem intimidating if there are hundreds of people all packed into one lecture hall. However, you can use this opportunity to start talking to the people sitting next to you.
- Work the tuts! Every subject you do will have a tutorial group you must take part in. This can be a great opportunity to make new friends, as the tutorial groups are generally small.
- You'll find your way around soon enough. During your first week or two, college may seem like a strange and alien place. However, you will quickly get into a routine and soon find the place is as familiar as the back of your hand.
- Don’t be afraid to ask people for directions to rooms, the library or cafeteria. Nobody will mind and people are used to the influx of new students every year.
- Societies are great spots for new friends. Socs can range from clubs that focus on sport, such as karate, to groups that focus on knitting.
- Step outside the comfort zone, at least baby steps. This could mean chatting to someone you wouldn't normally chat with, going to a pub or club you don't really like, checking out a gig, or just sitting down to eat at a table with people you don't know. Good things can come from unexpected places!
- Volunteering or helping to fundraise for the student union can be another great way to meet people and feel a part of your new uni community.
- Get some help if you're in a rough patch. Many third level institutions have mentoring programmes for first years. These programmes aim to help students get used to life at college.
- Do what you love, and the rest will follow. Go to the gym, go shopping, go to gigs, watch matches, take walks, paint pics; whatever it is you like to do, do it, and chances are like-minded people aren't too far away.
Further Information
Fresher Fears
Thesite.org
Studentsmart.ie
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