How to get the most out of your first few weeks at TU Dublin

Published: 3 Sep, 2019

Starting college is an exciting time, but with some of your new-found freedoms, you may find college a difficult transition from school. Here is our guide to help you get the most out of those first few weeks in college.

Go to your orientation: We cannot stress how vital attending your course orientation is, it is your opportunity to meet your lecturers, your classmates and staff from various services at TU Dublin. You will also learn about what you'll be studying, get a tour of your new campus and instructions on how to use the library. Find the details of your induction here.

Join a club or society: The best way to meet new people at college is to find a club or society where you can make friends with people with the same interests or hobbies. TU Dublin has over 55 sports clubs and dozens of societies with something for everyone, including the arts, fashion, photography and music, soccer, yoga, horticulture, basketball, tennis, and scuba diving.

Get into a study groove: At this early stage, it may feel like ages away to your first set of exams, but the sooner you start getting yourself into a study pattern, the better off you will when exam time comes around.

Eat well: During your first couple of weeks, you may be bombarded with student offers from burger joints and greasy spoons, but if you're cooking for yourself for the first time it is an excellent time to get into a healthy eating habit. Sign up for supermarket emails to find out what's on offer each week so you can stock up on proteins, fresh produce and essentials for your kitchen press. Avoid shopping in convenience stores as they often charge a lot more for standard fare, for example, a bag of pasta may cost you less than a euro in a supermarket but €2 to €3 in a smaller shop.

Enjoy yourself and keep an open mind: If your friends are in TU Dublin with you, it is great to have someone to explore your new University with, but don't fall into the trap of mixing with the same crowd all the time. Have an open mind, join a club you might not know anyone else in or if a classmate asks you to join them for lunch take them up on the offer. Most of all relax and enjoy yourself!