What will college be like? Websites, talks and prospectuses can give a sense of what to expect from a course, and open days can give prospective students a sense of life on campus. To really get a sense of the day-to-day, however, there’s nothing more helpful than simply talking to other students.
We caught up with two students – both called Hannah, but on different campuses on either side of the country – and asked about their experiences so far.
Hannah Costello is a final-year social science student in UCD and lives at home. She co-edits the College Tribune, one of two student newspapers on campus.
Hannah White is a third-year environmental science student at ATU’s Sligo campus, and she rents accommodation nearby.
Hannah Costello
Four deadlines, two exams and two master’s applications to go. The rumour mill spinning wildly after an L&H debate. Utter chaos. Let me take you back to the beginning of the week…
As a 22-year-old final-year student, my weeks are a whirlwind, but I’ve managed to strike a good balance between work and fun. Even during the intense deadline season (mid-October to mid-December), I still have fun. For context, I’m pursuing a BSc in Social Sciences at UCD, double majoring in Politics, International Relations, and Archaeology.
My degree and the two-hour commute on the illustrious 39A bus keep me busy, but I still make time for drinks, debates, friends and my role as co-editor of the College Tribune. It’s proof that even with challenges and responsibilities, you can make the most of university life – though it leaves little time to yourself.
Like many students, I’ve planned my schedule to avoid early starts. Gone are the 6am alarms from first year – this year, my earliest start is 7am. However, my lectures often stretch until 4 or 5pm. Taking care of yourself amid the hustle of university life is crucial, and managing time wisely has been vital.
Mondays are my days off, and I usually stay home unless an interesting society event tempts me to campus. Tuesdays are for Communicating Archaeology and Spanish (my elective), with a three-hour gap in between. I’m usually in the College Tribune office, studying or catching up with friends who drop by during this time.
Wednesdays are dedicated to my research project class – essentially a mini-thesis – investigating whether political frameworks are underrepresented in archaeological studies. After class, I like to switch up my study environment by heading to the health science library. The glass roof on a rainy day? A 10/10 study spot.
Thursdays mean double Northern Irish politics lectures. Afterwards, I spend hours in the Newman Basement with classmates, chatting about everything under the sun. Fridays bring my favourite lecture, News Media Today, where I explore the pivotal role of media in today’s world. Depending on my workload, I’ll either go home or stay on campus to study.
UCD is incredibly social. There’s always someone to talk to at the Clubhouse bar or by the main lake. The sheer number of clubs and societies can be dizzying. I’ve been part of the College Tribune, attended PolSoc events, and participated in L&H debates. The debates are particularly memorable – like this week’s abortion debate, where protesters chanted outside the Fitzgerald Chamber: “Not the church. Not the State. People must decide their faith.”
Cooking has been my way to decompress since I learned the skill at 15. It’s invaluable at university – being able to cook frees you from the monotony of instant noodles or takeout. While I still live at home (thanks, cost-of-living crisis – really appreciate that), I budget carefully, cook at home and limit snack spending. That said, I do allow myself occasional treats on particularly stressful days.
Living at home has its ups and downs. Affordable housing near UCD is scarce, so I’ve come to appreciate the 39A bus; it might not be glamorous, but it keeps my degree journey moving. It’s not what I imagined for my university experience, but I know I’m lucky to have reliable transport and supportive parents who make my degree journey a bit easier.
To freshers: your first year might be tough (mine was), but you’ll find your people and place. University weeks often feel like Groundhog Day, but they’re filled with fun, even during the chaos of final year.
Hannah White
I’m just out of a four-hour lab for my course, environmental science at ATU. I chose this course because it’s the oldest such course in the country, with a particularly strong focus on marine science. Sligo is also much cheaper than other cities, especially Dublin, Cork and Galway.
I’m sharing accommodation with a friend from back home in Wexford. I’m lucky enough to live near campus, so I can walk to and from college. My flatmates and I support one another and get on well, sharing all the chores and household duties.
I’m in most days from 9am to 5pm, with six modules of three to four hours a week. Like almost everyone I know in college, I work part-time. On the plus side, I can do it from home, on the downside, it’s from 5pm-9pm, so I do miss out on club and society events during the week. I consider myself lucky, however, as many of my friends are working in hotels and restaurants and, often, don’t get home until 1am.
Living away from home, I have to be careful with my budget; I learned that the hard way after my first few months in college. The rising cost of living is a real challenge for everyone, particularly students. I pay my rent at the start of each month, and then try to budget with whatever I have left. I feel fortunate to have support from my parents, and that I am eligible for a SUSI grant, but there are many students who have to avail of the food bank for basic necessities. I’m involved in the students’ union as a class rep. I ran to help highlight and address the issues facing my classmates and I, because I saw the need for change and realised I didn’t want to just leave it to someone else.
[ Why do so few students from Northern Ireland attend college in the South?Opens in new window ]
I would have liked to join more societies and clubs, but some were disbanded, and work makes that tricky. In particular, it’s a shame that the LGBT Society has not been active during my time here.
I’m a non-drinker, and that did feel a little isolating in my first year, especially as it seemed that almost everyone else was going out drinking. But I did find others who don’t drink either, and are happy to do other things like grab a bite to eat or go to the cinema. It helps that Sligo is a nice town, with lots of cafes, pleasant spaces by the river and even an ice rink in the winter time.
The rising cost of living has really taken its toll on students. Accommodation can be scarce and some of ATU’s accommodation was repurposed for international protection applicants; of course, I’m glad for them and they deserve safety and security but, while I don’t want to pit asylum seekers against students and am aware they didn’t choose where to live, it has meant 500 fewer beds for students.
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