Literary Editor Katie Byrne interviews a group of final-year students across different degrees in order to curate the perfect student guide to UCD
Starting university is no doubt a scary experience. You meet new people at every corner, decide which societies to join, and try your best to explore the campus and all its hidden gems.
To settle your nerves, here is a student guide on navigating life in UCD. It answers six potential questions you may have, incorporating advice and insights from fourth-year students we talked to on the subject.
(Q.1) What actually happens on the day-to-day in UCD?
4th Year Science Student:
Life at UCD is generally quite relaxed! You’ll find that most people simply attend lectures and spend time with their friends throughout the day. That being said, the library is usually bustling with students especially during exam periods, with the gym and sports center also being fairly busy day-to-day. It's also not uncommon for students to be running around campus, or engaging in sports on the basketball courts or football fields. Some students also enjoy going for a drink in the Clubhouse.
An important thing to note is that there is a wide variety of society events that run throughout the day. People often assume that society events typically take place after lectures, but there is always something happening around campus!
(Q.2) Where can I eat on campus?
4th Year Science Student:
The options really are endless regarding places to eat on campus. Most buildings have either a cafe or designated eating area such as the PI restaurant in the Science building or the cafe in the Sutherland School of Law.
The student centers, both old and new, are always full of people enjoying their food at all times of the day. There are also microwaves in both the old student center and in the Newman basement, but be prepared to wait in line for warm food! Just below the library there is an SU shop with a myriad of benches located just outside, but this area tends to be busy so keep that in mind.
Of course, there is plenty of room on the greens beside the lake or opposite the gym, so definitely make use of those spaces on a nice sunny day. The Global lounge is also extremely popular.
(Q.3) How do I navigate campus?
Ria Brown, 4th Year Social Science Student :
As a previous Peer Mentor, I’ve found that one of fresher’s main concerns is how to navigate campus. This is completely understandable as UCD is quite a big campus and it can be daunting at first.
My main piece of advice would be to spend some free time simply walking around and getting used to the layout. Some buildings will be harder to locate than others, but there are plenty of signs around the campus that will point you in the right direction.
Google Maps can also be really helpful in terms of navigation. You can actually link your college timetable to your google calendar and the location of each class will transfer over too! This way, you can find your way to your classes week after week by simply consulting your calendar.
(Q.4) How do I find societies?
Ria Brown, 4th Year Social Science Student :
Freshers week is definitely a great place to start when it comes to finding societies. A whole week is dedicated to showcasing all of UCD’s societies and with as little as 2 euro you can sign up to as many groups as you like.
However, my advice would be to stick to quality over quantity. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of societies so try your best to stick to a few that really interest you and commit to going to their events!
Instagram is also a great place to look to when in search of new societies. There is a whole instagram account dedicated to UCD societies (@ucdsocieties) and they follow all respective accounts, so be sure to continue your research there.
(Q.5) What should I bring to college everyday?
Aoife Whelan, 4th Year French and History Student:
I started college thinking I needed to have my entire life packed into my bag, but I quickly came to realise that a few essentials will do the job.
A water bottle is probably the first thing I’d recommend. There are refill stations around campus so definitely make use of them. Your Ucard is another obvious but important one. It’s your little passport to college life! There will probably be more occasions where you’re asked for it than you expect.
My other piece of advice: bring an umbrella. The campus is big and often includes a decent walk between buildings, so an umbrella living permanently in your bag is probably the best decision you can make!
Of course, I would also always bring a laptop and charger, notebook, headphones and a pencil case.
(Q.6) What if I don't drink?
Aoife Whelan, 4th Year French and History Student
Although it may seem like everyone around you is drinking and making friends through nights out, you really don’t need to drink to have a good college experience.
I think a lot of it comes down to just putting yourself out there in spaces where you feel comfortable. Join a society, say yes when someone asks you to get coffee, or just start chatting to the people sitting beside you in a lecture.
It can feel awkward at first, but it's important to remember that everyone is in the same boat! A lot of the best parts of college come from the random things you nearly didn’t go to, and being yourself will get you a lot further than trying to act like someone you’re not.
Remember: there is no rule saying you need a drink in your hand to be part of the fun.”
Finally, there’s no perfect way to do college. So while this “Golden Guide” is here to help you, it’s also important that you embrace the experience, get involved, and make the most of it. You’ll be in your final year before you know it!