As I embark on the final semester of my four year undergraduate degree, I feel like I have finally come to master this whole college thing. Although I wouldn’t change my own experience for the world, there are some things I wish I had known sooner that would have made the whole process a little smoother, saved me some precious time and probably opened more doors to opportunities. Starting college is a whole new world & one that will definitely take some getting used to. But you’ve worked hard to get here in the first place – so why not skip the hard part and set yourself up for success over the next four years? Knowing what I know now, here is the advice I would give my first year self to do just that:
Yes, this sounds obvious, but getting to know people requires a conscious effort. Were it not for the friends I’ve made in college, I would not have enjoyed the last four years nearly half as much. In a big course like mine it can be daunting trying to make friends at first & because I didn’t have many hours in college to begin with, I used to come in solely for my lectures before going straight home. I eventually came to realise that this wasn’t an effective strategy if I wanted to make long lasting friendships, and in order to do just that I needed to actively seek out friendships with people who had more than just my lectures in common with me. Solutions?
Make an effort to talk to people before and after class instead of rushing in late and dashing off as soon as the lecture’s over: Again, this may seem obvious to those who are naturally drawn to big groups of people, but for students who struggle in large social situations, this is an easy way to challenge yourself to break a bad habit. Once you start making a conscious effort to engage with the people around you, you are sure to find people with similar interests who want to develop deeper connections just like you do.
Be engaged in group-work: Group projects may seem like a hassle, but they are another excellent way to make friends. I met my best friend in college during a group project we were assigned to together in first year. Break the ice over lunch and celebrate together when the project is finally submitted. In short, make sure to devote time & effort to get to know your group for it is not only proven to result in a good grade, but good friends can come out of it too!
Join clubs & societies: Probably the best way to find your tribe is to join clubs and societies based on where your own passions, hobbies and interests lie. Admittedly late to the game, joining UCD Ladies Hockey Club in second year was something I wish I had done the year before simply because I was back playing a sport I loved and meeting & socialising with so many new people from not only my own course, but also various other disciplines. A team setting will inevitably allow you to form bonds like no other, in addition to giving you a much needed break from college work.
When I say join societies, I don’t just mean paying the €2 for the society card at the freshers tent during freshers week. Obviously, be smart enough to fork out the €2 for the society cards that gives the best entrance & drinks deals on Harcourt Street (another great way to make friends). My point, however, is that there’s a difference between ‘joining’ societies and being actively involved in one. Start small, choose one that’s most aligned with your subject discipline or perhaps one which is associated with the career path you desire, if you know that already. Going to society events - such as talks, debates, skill development workshops & of course, nights outs, – is not only a brilliant way to meet like-minded people, but also ways to build & demonstrate your own personal brand as your interests clearly reflect what you get yourself involved in. This will come in handy when you eventually start applying for jobs, something I will touch on again below – but don’t stress for now, that’s not for another while!
Final word on friends: Remember, you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, so choose wisely – college is a journey and it can be tough, but great friends make the experience a whole lot more enjoyable.
Go to class & do the work: Simple as. Nobody wants to be the person who asks people for everybody’s lecture notes come week 12. Studies show that actually going to lectures will save yourself a lot of hassle when it comes to exams, simply because you sat in there for two hours taking in at least some of the topic at hand, regardless of whether or not you took notes (but seriously guys, take notes - you'll thank yourself later). I can vouch from personal experience that this is 100% true.
Start condensing your notes from the very start: Easier said than done, I know. I told myself to keep on top of my notes from the very start of all 8 semesters over the last 4 years. Starting sooner rather than later, however, saves so much hassle by the time it comes to study week, allowing you to actually study your notes rather than looking at them for the first time since you sat in the lecture. Try to spend an hour or two at the end of each week reflecting on what you learned, tidying up and structuring your notes and most importantly making sure you understand the concepts covered. If you are unsure or totally confused, it’s okay – read on to my next point:
Ask for help before it’s too late: I wish I did. Maths & numbers were never my forte, so in my first finance module I felt completely out of my depth. A two hour lecture once a week moved very quickly and left me feeling confused and diffident to even attempt to try understand the various formulae and concepts. I thought I could ‘rote-learn’ for the final exam, but I was so wrong. This isn’t Leaving Cert Irish anymore. I have had to learn the hard way that like everything else, the more you understand a subject, the better you can apply it in context & the less you need to memorise. It was only when I failed the module I realised there was so much extra help available that I should have made use of. If you feel the same way I did, don’t be afraid to get help, especially before it’s too late! UCD offer great services like student advisors & peer mentors, as well as the Maths Support & Writing Centres which are both located in the James Joyce Library & provide totally free 1-1 tuition, as well as a range of workshops. Failing is definitely not worth the time or the money, trust me!
Final word on academics: Consistency is key. Find what works for you & stick with it. Staying on top of your work will mean you’ve more time to chill out & do fun stuff with friends instead of stressing about all the work you haven’t done.
I wasn’t thinking about a career in first year & honestly my advice would be to not stress too much about it at this stage. College will bring to light new experiences over the next few years that will point you in the right direction, but there are a few things to keep in mind as you progress:
Do an internship or get work experience: Allocate a few weeks of one of your summers to complete an internship or some sort of work experience (penultimate year is the most common time do this among students). This will be particularly important if you are interested in getting a graduate role in a certain company as internships are not only a great way to get your foot in the door, but they also provide you with a good feel of the company before you make a decision to commit to 3 or 4 years working there following your degree. Even if you absolutely hate the job, you’ll learn a thing or two and at least have some work experience to add to your CV. Not to mention it’s good money you can spend on travelling over the rest of the summer!
Your grades count even if they aren’t going towards your degree: Yep, I know. Most people don’t realise by the time they are applying to jobs that generally all applications ask for every grade of every module you’ve sat so far. I know too many people who wish they had applied themselves a little more in 1st or 2nd year because their grades precluded them from applying to certain companies. Employers want to see that you take your grades somewhat seriously and that you are able to work in a consistent manner. Don’t worry if you slip up once or twice though - we’re all human. Once you have an explanation of why it happened and how you have applied yourself since, you can demonstrate resilience & growth, which I believe also makes you an excellent candidate for a job.
Actively seek out opportunities that excite & scare you: The most important piece of career related, but also general advice I would give students of any stage & discipline is to be brave, get out of your comfort zone and embrace your curiosity. Something as simple as signing up to talk from a guest speaker, choosing a module which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but that you know you find interesting or are curious to find out more about, coming up with ideas for your own start-up company, going for class-rep, applying to a company’s business-case competitions, debating, volunteering locally or abroad – the list is endless! The highlight of my college experience was when a group of 3 friends and I applied to a KPMG business case competition totally by chance, and ended up on an all-expenses paid trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, representing KPMG Ireland in the international final of the competition. Irrespective of what you choose to do, you’d be surprised how many opportunities can come from interests you actively explore & pursue, not to mention you are also guaranteed to develop your network and further your own personal development as you become a more well-rounded individual. Without even realising you will have plenty to talk about in job applications and interviews!
Final word on careers: In all honesty, you will work for the rest of your life. Don’t wish away your college experience for a career too soon, focus on relishing your time as a student doing the things you enjoy. Take advantage of your summers off & absolutely go travelling, but use one summer at least somewhat strategically!
To finish, I really wish someone had told me these things as I began my first year in college. So, by sharing what I have learned along the way I hope it can help you better navigate the road ahead. College is an extremely rewarding experience and I hope you enjoy every minute as much as I have, if not even more with these tips to help you get settled in!
Have you already started college? Is there something else you wish you knew? Please share it in the comments with me & my readers!
Until next time, best of luck!
Please like & subscribe to my blog before you go😊