Living away
from home
For many, the move to third level education is the first time you will be living away from home...
W
hether you anticipate the move with dread or with delight, it is a major landmark in life. For some, the move will mean moving in with friends from school who are moving to the same town or institution, but for most, it will mean moving to a new town where you don’t know many, if any, people. There is plenty that you can do before you move, and in the first few days, to make the transition go as smoothly as possible for you, and of course to make it an experience you enjoy rather than fear.
Before you move Get your hands on as much information about your chosen college as you can, as well as the area in which it is situated. If you can, visit the campus before term starts in order to familiarise yourself with your future surroundings. Get a feel for where you would like to live in relation to the college. Read the information under the ‘Accommodation’ section later in this guide. Walk around the local area and collect any maps or information leaflets that are available. Find out about the public transport links and get copies of the relevant timetables. Also get a copy of the bus or train timetable so that you know how to get home on the weekends or holidays. Try to have your college fees and any grants organised well in advance. You don’t want the added stress of trying to complete paperwork and application forms while freshers’ week is going on
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The Definitive Guide to Going to College
around you and everyone else is out getting to know each other. By having as much done as possible beforehand, you will be giving yourself the best opportunity to use your first few days away from home to the best advantage.
The first few days If you are worried about your first few days in your new surroundings, take comfort in the fact that everyone around you is feeling the same, no matter how much bravado they show. If your third level institution offers an orientation week before classes or lectures start, it is a good idea to take part in this. It offers the opportunity to get to know the campus – quite a lot of time may be spent trying to find where the various lectures and classes are held! Larger campuses have canteens, cafes, shops and even bars that are there to be explored. Orientation week is also a good time to introduce yourself to your tutors and find out if they have any book lists that you need. You may find yourself bumping into other future classmates who are doing the same thing. Make sure to get your official college ID also, as you will need this for pretty much everything, from borrowing books from the college library, to registering for clubs and societies. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the Students’ Union. Many students’ unions distribute a ‘freshers’ pack’ that will contain
things like information on college clubs and societies, timetables, year planners and sometimes even some free edible goodies!
Homesickness Despite the madness going on around you, you are bound to feel homesick on occasion during your early days. Keep in touch with friends from home. Some of them may be in other parts of the country or abroad, in their own new college, feeling exactly the same. Try to keep enough money with you to have credit on your mobile phone. A text home during those tough moments can help lift the spirits. Avail of invitations to coffee or for a sociable pint. Even if you don’t feel like you have much in common with the person issuing the invitation, you are sure to meet ‘friends of friends’ with whom you may strike up lasting friendships. Don’t forget that your college will probably have a welfare or student officer who is there to help. They are used to people feeling disorientated during their first few days away from home and will be able to offer some words of comfort and advice.