Choosing what (and where) to study...

Deciding what to study at university is a very daunting decision. Being a highly indecisive person, I considered everything from law, veterinary science, teaching, to photography and journalism. I changed my CAO countless times, and had many a meeting with my career guidance teacher. The possibility of doing an Arts degree had always been there in the back of my mind, but at the time I only considered it as a back-up option. It was getting a job after college that worried me - what career did an Arts degree lead to? At least with something like Law or Vet Science you were being trained for a specific career; there was a planned and clear path for you to follow.

My favourite subjects in secondary school were Classical Studies and Geography, and as I progressed through 5th and 6th year I realised that I didn't want to give them up once school ended. This is when I really started considering Arts. My career guidance teacher told me to study what I was passionate about, and not to worry too much about job opportunities down the road, because if you love something enough you will make it work. Choosing Arts also meant I didn't have to decide on the career I wanted for the rest of my life, which is a pretty terrifying decision for an 18 year old to make. Before I had been worried that Arts didn't offer enough direction or training for a specific career, but then I realised the beauty of Arts was how open and flexible it is; it provides you with valuable skills and training for a wide range of career paths. It opens up so many opportunities. This is something you don't get with vocational courses - eg. studying primary teaching only trains you to teach primary school - if you decide somewhere down the road that you no longer want to teach you don't have many options open to you. Arts keeps your options open.

And so Arts in UCD ended up being my first choice on the CAO. I chose UCD first and foremost because it was the only university that offered the subject combination I wanted (Classics and Geog is a bit of an odd mix), but also because I loved the atmosphere on campus. My sister studied in UCD so I'd seen the place before and knew a bit about it. I went to open days for other colleges like Trinity and Maynooth, and UCD won hands down. It was a lively place, there was always something going on and it had such a welcoming and friendly atmosphere. I loved that it was all on one large campus with loads of places for the students to hang out - be it the student bar, student centre, global lounge, one of the many cafes, or outside on one of the grassy areas by the lake. It felt a bit more homely than the smaller campuses in the middle of the city. Some of the colleges I looked into, particularly for teaching, were quite small. I went to a very small secondary school and I realised a small college was not for me. I wanted to go to a big, vibrant college. I wanted an exciting university experience, and UCD certainly provided that.

A bit about UCD Horizons

So I thought I better explain something about how UCD courses work. UCD has this great programme called UCD Horizons, which allows you to take classes (called electives) outside your main area of study. You usually take two elective classes each year. So for example, someone studying Science could take a class or two in Politics or English. You can choose electives that compliment your area of study (eg. I chose a Geology elective which really helped me understand some of the material in my physical geography class), or you can choose something completely different that has no connection to your current degree - it gives you the freedom to try something new or study something you find particularly interesting.

But don't worry - if taking classes outside your current programme doesn't appeal to you, you don't have to. You can take an extra class in the subject you're already studying instead. This is what I'm doing this year, I'm taking an extra class in both Classics and Geography  rather than choosing something different. This is great too because it deepens your knowledge of your chosen subjects.

The UCD Horizons programme was one of the reasons I chose UCD - not many colleges offer such freedom and choice in course structure.

Starting in UCD - Orientation Week

Every year in September, the week before classes start, Orientation Week takes place. This is a week dedicated solely to those starting in UCD for the first time. It's a chance to socialise, make new friends and familiarise yourself with the campus before the semester starts, all while having the craic.

Current UCD students volunteer to help out during Orientation Week. I was really struck by the strong sense of community during my orientation week - all the volunteers are 2nd/3rd/4th year students who are giving up their free time and coming into college a week early to help new students settle in. It was a lovely, warm wlecome and made me feel at home so quickly, especially since I didn't know many people going to UCD.

Some of the highlights of Orientation week include:

• The President's Welcome
• movie nights
• comedy debates
• salsa dancing
• scavenger hunts
• The Orientation Barbecue
• meeting your peer mentor group

The President's Welcome is the ceremony that officially marks your start in UCD. All first years are formally welcomed by the President of UCD and are presented with their UCD scarves. It takes place in O'Reilly Hall, the same hall graduation ceremonies are held in - for all the sentimental people out there, this means you graduate in the same hall it all started in, with the same people around you. 

UCD scarves in O'Reilly Hall - image from ucd.ie

Movie nights and games evenings are usually held in the Global Lounge (sometimes with free tea/coffee/pizza :D), although from now on the movie nights could be moved to UCD's very own cinema that recently opened in the Student Centre. The L&H Society organise comedy debates during the week, as well as a club night. UCD International organise tapas and salsa dancing in the Global Lounge and Music Soc often host an Open Mic Night. The scavanger hunts are always a bit of craic (often involving filming your team making fools of themselves), and help you learn to navigate your way around the large campus.

Global Lounge - image from ucd.ie

The Orientation BBQ is held every year. This year, the BBQ was preceded by a Rock the Boat world record attempt - UCD Arts Soc made a video!

When you arrive in Orientation week you'll be assigned to a peer mentor group. A peer mentor is a second or third year student studying the same course as you - they are there as a friendly face to help you settle in both academically and socially and to share their own experiences of UCD. There will be around fourteen other first years in your group, so it's a great way to make friends and get to know your class mates. You'll take part in some of the orientation activities with your group, such as scavenger hunts and a social event organised by your peer mentor.

Apart from all the fun activities, Orientation week gives you the opportunity to organise yourself and sort out some of the basics - like completing registration, taking an IT induction course, going on campus tours and picking up your student card - before classes start.

This year we had great weather during Orientation Week