Things every UL fresher should know
1.
Realise that the 304 is never on time:
The 304 is the bus service from UL into
Limerick and vice-versa which runs as regularly as I do, which isn’t very
often. Please do not depend on the bus if you need to be anywhere on time. Even though it is only roughly 15 minutes
into town it can take up to an hour sometimes. Try get the bus a lot earlier
than the time they need to be in by.
2.
DON’T use your house for the first house party:
Especially not during Freshers’ week. Seriously.
Your house will get wrecked and covered in drink, puke and other weird shit and
looking back on it, it’s definitely not worth it.
There will also be some really ignorant lad
who doesn't even go to your college who will trash your house and you WILL end up despising him for
the rest of the year.
3. Be 5 minutes early to a class if it’s on in the main building:
The main building is a maze. There are
fourth years who don’t know how to navigate the main building. If you have a
class in the main building try get there early because you will end up wondering
where the hell B1023 is for the first three months (or years).
4.
Download YikYak:
YikYak is an app where people in your area can
put up funny posts and it’s fair to say UL YikYak is up there with the best of
them. Posts are checked by YikYak before they are posted so no bullying is
tolerated. Click to make UL your herd and you’ll wonder how you ever lived
without it.
5.
Respect Black Dog:
It’s an unwritten rule but it’s probably
one of the most crucial ones. Black Dog has roamed UL campus for God knows how
long and must be respected. He’s just a friendly black dog that likes biscuits
and sitting outside of the library waiting for a pet down.
6.
This won’t apply to every first year but if you
like handsome rugby players, Munster rugby train on the Kilmurry pitches every
Monday around midday. Do with this information what you will.
7.
There are people to help you settle into college
life:
It sounds corny
but UL is a great place to go to college. It’s relaxed and friendly and a lot less
scary than most big universities.
If you’re struggling,
feeling a bit lost or a bit homesick there are a lot of people you can talk to
including the First Seven Weeks team, the counselling service, the chaplaincy
service, your academic advisor or any lecturer you feel comfortable talking to.
College is a
great opportunity and experience but that doesn’t mean that people don’t ever
feel down or worried about something both inside and outside of college life.
The main thing is that it’s okay not to be okay and there are support services
that can help with whatever you may be feeling. J
