Four freshers tell Barry McCall how they're getting on
Pamela Smithwick, UCD - arts
Why arts?
Arts wasn't my first choice, physical education in Limerick was, but that is very difficult to get into. I picked arts in UCD as my second choice mainly because I wasn't very sure what I wanted to do. I picked a fairly general degree and chose geography, sociology and economics as my subjects mainly because I liked geography and the other two sounded like good choices.
Hopes for the future?
I wouldn't mind being a teacher or something like that, something with personal contact with people anyway. But it's still a bit early to say. There are lots of options open to me still, so I'm not really making any decisions for the moment.
Living arrangements?
I come from outside Nenagh, Co Tipperary and I went to boarding school in King's Hospital in Dublin so I'm used to living away from home. I'm sharing an apartment with three other girls in the Merville student accommodation on the campus. It's really nice there and I'm enjoying it.
The craic?
The craic is just great. There's always something on; places to go; people to see; there's loads happening. I joined the Commerce & Economics Society because that's one of the biggest and has the best events. It's early days yet, but the social life is really very good.
How different is it from school?
For the first few weeks it is really very different from school. You have to motivate yourself to go to lectures and tutorials, to do the reading, to go to the library and so on. Some people say you can afford to miss a few lectures, but you've still got to motivate yourself to go. But the lecturers are very good, they make the subjects interesting and that helps.
Margaret Heavey, NUI Galway - biotechnology
Why biotechnology?
I studied chemistry and biology for the Leaving Cert, so biotechnology was a relatively natural choice. It was my first choice. I always liked science at school and wanted to continue it at college. I also wanted to do something which would involve genetics or cellular biology, so this was a good choice for me. I was interested in languages as well and the course includes a language - I chose German and I'm really enjoying it.
Hopes for the future?
I'm not sure what I want to do really. It's a four-year course and there are lots of options. Hopefully I'll do something in the area of genetics.
Living arrangements?
I come from near Mullingar in Co Westmeath and this is my first time living away from home. I am really enjoying it. I am living in student accommodation in Corrib Village, just a 10-minute walk from the college. I share with five other girls and it's really great. All the first years seem to live in Corrib Village and everyone seems to know everyone else. I also chose Galway because I don't really like big cities, Galway is small and so friendly and welcoming. I really like it.
The craic?
The social life is just great. Living in Corrib Village means you don't have to go out on the town to enjoy yourself. There's always people about and you can have a great time with each other.
How different is it from school?
It's not too much different. My class in biotechnology is quite small, with around 20 students, so that's pretty similar to school. Some of the other subjects are in the big lecture theatres with a lot more students. But I've got used to it pretty quickly. I'm just delighted to be here.
Sean Fitzpatrick, IT Tallaght, - marketing
Why marketing?
Marketing wasn't really my top choice, but I'm glad I got into this course. It means I'll get a business degree and that's what I want. Also, I'm happy to be here out in Tallaght, the classes are smaller than in other places like UCD and that's good.
Hopes for the future?
I'm hoping to go into business after college. I would like to work in a financial institution such as a bank, preferably in the marketing end. The course I'm in is very career-oriented and that's what I was looking for.
Living arrangements?
I'm still living at home with my parents in Sandyford, Co Dublin. That's a fair distance from the college, but I get a lift in a lot of days with a friend. It's a bit of a hassle on the days I don't get a lift though - there's only one bus, the 75, and that goes only once an hour. If you miss it, you've got a problem.
The craic?
The social life is brilliant. I'm really having a great time already. We had the ball in the Red Box in town last week and there are lots of other events going on as well. I've joined the boxing and rugby clubs and they should be good fun. I'm really looking forward to the year ahead.
How different is it from school?
It's pretty much all up to yourself. We have continuous assessment here so you have to do the work, if you don't you're out. Nobody hassles you to do the work, but they'll give you as much help as they can if you need it. In the end, though, it's up to you to get down to it and do it. If you don't pass your exams you get a chance to repeat in August, if you fail then you're out - it's as simple as that. It's very different to school, but you know what you've got to do.
Cathy-Anne Lennon, Trinity College Dublin - science.
Why science?
Science was my second choice, my first was physiotherapy, but that is extremely difficult to get into and was never really a runner. I put it down in hope more than anything else. I picked science because I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but it opens lots of options in the future. For example, I might even be able to go on and do physiotherapy later. Also, I loved science at school and I did chemistry and biology for the Leaving Cert, that's why I chose chemistry and biology as my main subjects for first year.
Hopes for the future?
I don't really know what I want to do. It's a long time before I finish college. I might like to do physiology in third and fourth year or there is neural science and that interests me as well. Physiotherapy might not be an option for me in the future, but things can change.
Living arrangements?
I live in Clontarf with my parents and it is very easy to get into college every day on the bus or the DART.
The craic?
I've only been here a day and it's absolutely brilliant already. There is a great buzz about the place - there are so many people here that I know already and I'm having great fun. I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks and months.
How different is it from school?
I went to a pretty small school - Holy Faith in Clontarf - so it's a huge difference. The college is just so big, I've already got lost more than once. I do enjoy the freedom though - there's no one on your back telling you what to do. I've only been here for a day, but from what I've seen and experienced already, I'm just delighted about everything.
