Each year, thousands of incoming third-level students grace the halls of institutions around the country for the first time. Here, a university transition officer tells us how to swim, not sink.
The common pitfalls of incoming college students, Transition to Trinity officer Eimear Rouine says, fall into a few different categories.
“So there are academic challenges,
particularly for, say, students who are used to being a big fish in a small pond. All of a sudden they come into a class of 100 people, all of whom did equally as well, if not better, than them, and that can be a struggle. Others can struggle with what is expected of them in university, too. In secondary school, particularly in Ireland, you’re tested on what you know rather than what you think, which is flipped at third level.
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“That can be a difficult transition.
“But, it is a skill, one you can learn. Other things are logistical. For example, when your course doesn’t quite match your expectations. And that does happen. You might want to build robots, so you go for engineering, only to discover it’s more like applied maths. You might eventually get to tinkering with physical items, but those first few weeks can be quite jarring if you believe you’ve chosen wrong. Depending on your institution, there are ways around that. Honestly, there are ways around everything – that’s what I’d like students to know most of all. The only thing they have to do to help us find that way is tell us. Everything can be sorted if you just tell us what’s going on.”
The first days of college are overwhelming, for everyone.
“Whatever institution you join, you should expect to be a little overwhelmed on the first day,” Rouine says, laughing.
“Here, it’s particularly loud: 170 clubs and societies on front square are all trying to get you to join, you might not know a soul and you might have more people in your first lecture than live in your town. It’s a lot, but it’s exciting. And while the expectation is that it’s going to be amazing, know that it might not be perfect. And that’s okay.”
Some of those imperfections might come with your course – so, what to do when you realise it’s not a fit? “There are so many reasons your course might not be what you want any more,” Rouine says.
“You might have changed your mind over the summer, your parents or guidance counsellors might have suggested you do it and you didn’t think any further on it at the time, or a million other different reasons. There are ways around it; however, it’s not as easy as simply jumping from one course to another – it’s not a cheat sheet.
“First of all, you need to ensure you have the points for the course you want and, secondly, there needs to be space for you. If those two don’t work out, then you may need to take the year and reapply next year. If that’s the case, it’s worth noting that if you withdraw and reapply before October 31st you retain free fees.
“And if you do the first semester and then reapply, you’ll just pay for one semester and then retain free fees thereafter. In that way, you change your mind and have minimal financial responsibilities. You’ll still be out a year, but sometimes those years are the most beneficial for students who are still figuring out their next move.”
Rouine, who has been in her current role since its inception in 2016 – “I’ve had everyone in here, from fighting flatmates to a girl who was too embarrassed to ask anyone where the bathroom is” – spent much of her first day in college queuing.
“In UCD, we had a freshers’ week, and a welcome from the president, but for most of it I stood in a queue for 4½ hours to get my timetable and student card,” she says. “To this day, the girl I met there is a close friend.”
The passion she feels for her current role, as well as an appreciation for student concerns, stems from this time. “It wasn’t until after my master’s that I discovered there’s a counselling department,” she says.
“I will say, the first few weeks are complicated for anyone to grasp. You’re given so much information and you can only retain so much.” It’s not immediately obvious to students what questions to ask, or who to ask, but Rouine says knowledge and communication are the keys to a symbiotic college relationship for students.
“In every institution there are peer mentor groups, faculty members dedicated to student wellbeing, administrative staff who can help, lecturers you can turn to, fellow students – you’re not alone, there are people everywhere to help.”
Almost every student who meets Rouine and her team has one thing in common: they believe that everyone else has it all figured out
The freedom that comes with third-level education can come as a culture shock to students of traditional schooling. Not being told what to eat, where to go and what time to go to bed can feel overwhelming and exhilarating in equal measure – particularly for those who went to boarding school or had a strict upbringing.
“That can really come into play a few weeks in,” Rouine says.
“The excitement of the first few weeks wears off and suddenly you have assignments due and your body is crying out for vegetables. That transition can be difficult, so pat yourself on the back for getting this far, and remember that you need to look after yourself, too.”
Although attending lectures and handing in assignments on time is important for any student, college is about much more, Rouine says. “You’re learning skills that you will use forever without even realising.
“How to cook, budgeting, sticking to deadlines, balancing a work and social life all of those life skills are important as well. And, you know, if you’re struggling with any of these aspects there are supports and services in all universities to help. We know you’re not coming in the door a perfectly formed adult.
“And so if you find yourself needing help on anything, the biggest advice I can give is to seek support early. If something is going on and you need, say, an assignment extension, share that information. If you fail an exam and then say, ‘This was going on in the background,’ then we can’t help. We can’t help if we don’t know. So come and tell us. It’s what we’re here for.”
Almost every student who meets Rouine and her team has one thing in common: they believe that everyone else has it all figured out. “They’re seeing a group of people who already know each other, and thinking ‘I’m the odd one out,’” she says.
“The reality is that those people probably just arrived 20 minutes earlier and put themselves out there.” Even the most confident people in the world will walk into a room and panic when they see no one they know, she says.
“The best things you can do to counter that is by going to events – even if you tell yourself you’re just going for an hour – smiling at people and saying hello. You don’t have to be friends with them for the rest of your life, and chances are they’re dying for you to make a move.
“There are people in life who are just at home anywhere, but that is the vast minority. Most people are faking it, which is something that I’d recommend remembering on your first day.”
Top tips for incoming students
- Look after yourself
“That’s a skill that we all have to learn. Learn how to cook two or three simple meals, keep an eye on your sleep – as a change in sleeping patterns is an indicator of something going wrong – and try your best to get some exercise. A 30-minute walk a day is perfect.”
- Remember everyone is in the same boat
“Everyone is feeling how you are, some are just hiding it better.”
- Be brave
“Take a chance and speak to someone new. You don’t have to be best friends with them. Having someone nice to sit beside is all you should be looking for.”
- Find your classrooms ahead of time
“With staggered starts for freshers, sometimes the first time you’ll be on campus is for your classes. If you can, arrive a little early, or a day before, and scope out your classrooms. Trying to do so when the whole college is on the move is quite difficult.”
- Go to class
“When it comes to exams and assignments, you’ll quickly find that the classes you missed are much, much harder to research. Do your future self a favour.”
- Read your email
“This is how you will be contacted for everything to do with your college existence – keep an eye on it.”
- Wait for instructions
“You won’t need to have bought books or anything like that for your first day. Wait until you hear what you need. You’ll have reading lists, yes, but most of them you won’t need to buy. And of the ones you do, second-hand book sales exist. You will need a laptop, but wait until you’re here to get one.”
- Keep communication open
“Your institution works for you – if you need anything, tell them and they can help.”
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