First Year Advice thread

(Be sure to add anything relevant)

- Bring extension leads, you'll need at least 2.

- Lemsip stockpiled

- bring a lil bin with a lid

- bring more than one glass / set of cutlery

- buy proper bin bags

- Laundry basket, dont be the one bringing wet clothes in your sports bag

- Take photos and videos of your whole room and apartment for records

- get Unidays

- join CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

- apply for the Financial aid fund

- actually go to lectures and not get caught behind cos it’s just a never ending cycle of missing lectures and will end up failing
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|-> harder this year duh but for the love of god even if it's 2 hours a week. Be there.

- Get lost - go for walks around the campus and Galway. Get to know it. Know your bus stops, how long it takes to get to the train station etc. Figure out how much a taxi home costs and always have that change on you somewhere.

- Try something new. Go to an event you're not sure about, try an activity that you've always wanted to. Clubs and docs are a great way to do this. Sign up for everything and get the free food too.

- Speaking of food, learn to cook a couple decent meals for yourself. Pasta and rice are great cheap carbs but don't forget some protein like chicken and some veggies like peppers etc. Cheap lunch snacks like aldi pizzas etc are great but I wouldn't advise living on them.

- Make friends- Easier said than done but ask the person beside you for a pen. Ask them where they're from. Most if ye are in the absolute same boat. You might know some people going to uni but it's doubtful you'll be in all their classes etc.

- Ask someone along to an event. They might not want to go alone. Ye could both meet people there.
The mentor groups are also a great way to meet people. I met my best friends, roommates and more all starting from my mentor group. [Awh happy for u anon]

- learn to use the busses and /use/ them, so many routes from the college to town and the 404 will drop you at the back of Cairnes or Goldcrest for about €3.70. stupid amount of walks in the rain home or to town otherwise.

- If you have any form of disability, register with disability services. Even if you don't need help right now, 3 or 4 years is a long time and you don't want to be trying to get in a couple of weeks before exams.

- There are free counselling services! If you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed they are there for you. Talking about how you feel is very powerful and does help. You are not weak, it takes strength to look for help.

- If you are struggling with a class then email your lecturer. They're very helpful and have extra material or books to help students who are struggling. If you stop showing up and stop handing up work then they assume you aren't interested in the class, they are not mind readers

- For anyone doing any level of maths SUMS is there to help. If you have always struggled with fractions or algebra they can help. The people working there are all masters and PhD students, they know how it feels to struggle with college work and they are eager to help in any way

- Get one of the student union points cards and use it. You will earn free coffees and points you can exchange for actual money to spend in the campus shops.

- speaking of the Student Union, they're great !! And even if You're not going to become a class rep or run for president down the line, make sure to keep and eye on what they're up to! And they're always around to help !

- Nights out,

Know your limit, bouncers aren't thick and they'll pull you everywhere in town if you're too drunk, you won't get in, and ALWAYS have ID with you, Age Card is €10 if u order it now you'll have it for freshers

Feel free to add on to this and message us if you've got more !

Look after yourself! Parties and nights out are great but you dont have to go out every night. And you dont have to drink no matter what anyone says.

If you share a room, keep your side tidy. Seriously. Learn how to talk to your housemates if theyre not pulling their weight.

Go to your tutorials. Theyre important. And dont hand in assignments late, it's an easy way to lose marks and it pisses off lecturers.

In regards to socs and clubs, dont take on too much. Committees are great but dont let them take up your whole life.

One day a week, make time to go over your lecture notes. And take notes! Especially if youre doing psychology. And ask questions! Chances are, everyone else in the lecture hall has the same question!

People will tell you theyre not studying or doing their assignments
, but a lot of them are. So do your work regardless of what other people are saying.

Asking the lecturer a question after class is a great way to let them know that you're interested, and they will look out for you in future.

If you're about to have sex with someone, make sure they have protection. The SU gives out free condoms. Educate yourself on STI's, HIV and AIDS and go to the sexual health clinic if you are concerned. Ask your partner about their history and if they have ever had an STI - this

is so important. If they wont do that much, then get away x