Top Tips for Starting in Sligo IT this September
So, it’s finally time, the dreaded Leaving Cert is in the rear view and you’re about to start your first year in college. You may be excited to finally get out from under the parent’s noses or you may be a little apprehensive about it. It’s both an exciting and nerve wrecking time of year for a lot of students. To make sure you don’t lose the run of yourself, here are some top tips to get you through the first year.
Orientation
We cannot stress this enough – ATTEND YOUR ORIENTATION !! Despite what people will say, we can tell you from first-hand experience that getting a head start will benefit you. The majority of the time the people you sit beside and spend the day with at Orientation will become your new best friends. It also gives you a chance to ask some questions about the college and learn where your lectures are being held. There’s nothing worse than showing up on the first day of lectures knowing absolutely no-one and not having a clue where anything is except ‘The Big Fish’. Figure out your way around campus, learn which canteen is the best, find your locker, sign up for the gym and get familiar with your new home.
Second-hand books
Regardless of the course, college books can be extremely expensive. Some of these books might be worth buying new as they’ll be used throughout the duration of your course but not always. A lot of the time books are only required for one module for one semester. Spending €100 and upwards on new books for one semester just isn’t smart. There are plenty of second-hand book shops in Sligo which stock academic books, there are also Sligo IT groups on Facebook which people offer their second-hand books for cheap, or sometimes even for FREE!
Budget
The key to college life is to budget. We’ve all been guilty myself of spending a months’ worth of grocery shopping on a night out, and the living off pasta, beans on toast, or whatever else we could find for the next few weeks, and it’s just not worth it. Figure out how much you need to spend on grocery shopping, college supplies, etc. and budget your money accordingly. Bringing lunch with you to college can be a massive help, walk for 20 minutes to Lidl or Aldi to buy your groceries instead of going to shop across the road. The student union shop is non-profit so buy all your stationery and supplies there. All these little differences add up at the end of the week/month.
Clubs and Societies
Joining a team/club or society could be one of the best decisions you make in your college life. If you’re a bit shy, it’s a brilliant place to make new friends with similar interests or even just to try out some new activities or interests. Sligo IT has a wide array of clubs and societies available so there is sure to be one to pique your interests. Just remember, going to their first meeting and meeting other freshers is the hardest part. The minute you get yourself there, you've already done the hard part! Friends are waiting, with similar interests to you in every club and society on campus!
Transport
Being savvy with your transport is another must for your first year in College. Walking is your new best friend, so, weather permitting, you should walk where and when you can. There is a bus service which stops right outside the IT and goes into the town center, so when the weather is bad avail of the bus. Buy a leap card for the bus too, every trip will be cheaper if you have one. If you’re getting a taxi, then get the drivers number and use him again. When it’s busy, being a regular will be far more beneficial than trying to ring different taxi numbers or booking through an app.
Lectures
Attend your lectures, this is another point we cannot stress enough. The biggest difference between those who finish their degree and those who drop out is attendance. Just going to your lectures can make all the difference. You will often have access to power points for your lectures and feel it’s not necessary to attend, we assure you it is. The power points are often just skeleton notes and the lecturer will explain the topics in far more detail in class. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you’re in the lecture either, most students tend to be shy in big lecture halls but no matter how stupid you think the question is, ask it, odds are at least one other person in the room has the same question. Take notes either by hand or on your laptop, these will be invaluable. Finally, if possible, befriend someone doing the same course who is in second year. They will be able to tell you what to expect and they may have some books or notes which will help you.
Strike the balance
The most important thing in college is to strike the correct balance. Learn how to balance your studies and your leisure time. Going out and having a good time with your friends is a vital part of life in college but not at the expense of your degree. Correctly plan your time, do your assignments as you get them, instead of when they’re due, or at least do a rough draft/outline. Keeping on top of the academics gives you more time to spend socializing in the long run. You don’t want to be stuck inside for the night when your friends are heading because you’ve an 8am deadline and you haven’t even started. Striking the balance is key to a happy college life.
