NCI Blog

Starting college is an exciting time for any undergraduate student. Meeting new people, exploring a new campus and potentially living away from home for the first time are just some of the changes you may face as you embark on this next stage of your educational journey.

However, given how vastly different college life is compared to secondary school, some students may feel overwhelmed by these changes and may need time to adapt.

If you are one of these students who feels nervous about starting college and are unsure of what to expect, don’t worry, we have you covered. We have prepared a couple of easy-to-follow tips to help you settle into college life.

1. Meet New People

While you may be worried about starting college and not knowing anyone in your course, just remember – everyone else is feeling the same way!

There are plenty of other ways to meet new people in college too, including:

• Joining a Society – Clubs and societies are a great way to meet people with a shared interest to yourself and are often managed by students, meaning your voice can be heard and you can get involved with the management of it.
• Attending SU events – Students Unions’ will often host a range of events to welcome new students to college and help them settle into their first week in college. Join in with as many events as possible!
• Try out for Sports’ teams – If there is a sport you enjoy playing, why not join the college team? It’s a great way to continue your passion as well as meeting some new friends with similar interests.

If you are interested in learning more about the NCISU, then check out NCI Students Union, which highlights all of the clubs and societies currently running.

2. Get to Know Your New Environment

One of the biggest changes you will experience when starting college is attending classes on a brand-new campus. College campuses will often be larger than secondary school grounds, so it may take some time for you to get your bearings and to learn where everything is located.

There are some things you can do to help acclimatise to your new surroundings quicker:

• Take a Campus Tour – Contact your colleges’ school liaison team or student support team and ask to be given a guided tour of your new campus. They will be able to highlight key areas of the college, including the library, study spaces and classrooms, and can answer any questions you may have about the campus facilities.
• Research your Commute Options – Not only is getting to know your new campus important, but you also need to research how you will arrive there every day! Make sure you research your commute options well in advance of your first day to see which is the fastest and most convenient for you
• Learn about Local Amenities – Another useful tip is to find out what is on offer in the area around your new college campus. Discovering new restaurants for lunch, sports clubs for post-study activities or finding local parks to take a break from your study can be a great way to find your bearings and feel more comfortable in a new area.

3. Know Your Timetable!

Another significant change between secondary school and college is the way in which classes are delivered. Secondary schools will often have a standard 6–7-hour day, 5 days a week. Colleges are different, in that your lectures may vary from week to week, depending on what modules you are studying, and you may have some days which have no lectures!

This flexible schedule brings many benefits but can also take some getting used to. That is why is it important that you review your timetable when it becomes available so that you are aware of when and where you need to be on campus.

Your timetable will also highlight when exams start and end, so familiarise yourself with these dates to ensure you plan your study accordingly.

• Routinely Check Your Timetable – Class timetables are often subject to change, such as lectures moving from online to in-person or vice-versa, so it is important you regularly check your timetable so you are up-to-date with where you need to be. Timetables will be available to students online so you will be able to access it whenever needed.
• Find Study Spaces – Colleges will often have designated study spaces for students to carry out their work. It is important you know where these areas are on your campus so you can work on your assignments in a calm environment.
• Create a Study Plan – Alongside your lecture timetable, we advise creating an additional timetable for your study plan too. Adding some structure to your study will ensure you stay on top of your workload as well as putting yourself in the best position possible to succeed in your exams at the end of the semester.

4. Get a Helping Hand 

Colleges will often provide several support services to ensure every student feels supported in as many ways as possible - practically, emotionally and academically. Be sure to take time during your early days on campus to familiarise yourself with what your college provides and learn how you can avail of the supports if or when required.

Examples of resources that may be offered include:

• Financial Support – Your college may be able to offer you financial support in the form of a different payment plan or scholarships to suit your financial situation. Further information on financial support options can be found on NCI Financial Support.
• Computing Support – For computing students who may be finding some of their modules tricky, NCI offers a Computing Support service, which provides additional to help students overcome these difficulties. You can learn more about this service by visiting NCI Computing Support. NCI also provides a Laptop Loan Scheme to students, allowing them to avail of a laptop to help with their studies during their degree.
• Counselling and Wellness Support – The majority of colleges now offer students counselling, where they afforded time and space to explore issues that may be troubling them, including stress, anxiety and depression. Further information on this can be found on Student Counselling & Wellness Service.

5. Finally, have fun! 

Starting college represents the start of a new chapter in your life. Yes, it can be scary and nerve-wracking but it will also be exciting, challenging and open your world up to new opportunities. So embrace this new stage and enjoy it! Hopefully we will see you soon at NCI.

Interested in learning more? If you are a new student to National College of Ireland, be sure to check out our New Students section, which provides useful information on how to get settled into college life.