Being a freshman in a new place is never easy, but when you have some advice to help guide you along, it can make a world of a difference. Here are 20 things I wish I knew as a freshman at Ulster University in Coleraine, Northern Ireland.
Whether or not you’re Christian, the CU is the best way to meet some of the nicest people at the university. And there’s almost always free food.
CASS is the arts group on campus and one of the most welcoming, next to the CU. They have everything from drama and dance to music and comedy, with the potential of radio and television coming soon. So get involved and don’t be afraid to make suggestions and talk to the committee.
This is crucial at every college, but at Ulster we’re especially lucky because most of the professors are completely down to chat and talk about life, as well as school. So let yourself become friends with them. They’ll become invaluable resources in later life.
These cards are great, getting you up to one third off your fares in Northern Ireland on buses and trains, and cross-border into Ireland. They’ll save you a lot of money in the long run.
Kelly’s in the only nearby club, located in Portrush. It’s a generic club, with some token oddball things, like an ice cream truck that occasionally serves as a DJ stand. But it’s packed almost every week. So be prepared for that.
Some of the pubs in Portstewart host karaoke nights every so often, and they’re so much fun.
Morelli’s is a Portstewart institution, and is the oldest ice cream shop in Ireland. It’s done up like an old-style ice cream parlour with modern twists, and looks over the gorgeous bay at Portstewart. It’s super yummy too.
Stews and soups are great because you can cook them in big batches, and then freeze individual portions, giving yourself food for weeks. I always do this at the start of the year, cooking up something every night for the first week or two, and freezing the rest. Yes, it takes up a lot of space, but it’ll save you a lot of money; especially if you take advantage of the discount sections at Tesco.
Ireland’s weather is notorious for being all over the place, and Coleraine embodies that. You’ll need everything from snow and rain gear, to shorts and tees to deal with the changes. It’ll go from summer to winter over the course of a day too, so be prepared.
There are some really amazing little cafés around Ulster with great food if you just look past the Starbucks. Coleraine has some great little hidden gems, but you’ll see them packed with the locals. And everywhere will have a great soup to warm you up on the cold winter days.
Ryanair is notorious for being a cheap airline. The planes are fully functional, but the flights are just cheap. It’s great. Take every opportunity to explore every inch of Europe you can get to. And if you have the time to go Interrailing across the continent, do it. It’s something you won’t ever forget or regret.
The professors at Ulster are pretty cool about office hours. So talk to your mentor about anything you need. Whether it’s advice on where to take that cute girl out to later, or trying to deal with not understanding what you’re supposed to be studying. Talk to them. They really want you to, and you’ll both appreciate it and get a lot from it.
Ah, my favorite haunts. I get everything in these, from new clothes, to costume stuff, to props for plays, to presents for friends and family. They are really good shops that usually get a lot of donations in. It’s great.
Moka is located on “the bridge” at Ulster, which is the main, giant corridor after you walk up the stairs of the main entrance. The Streat is straight down the end of that hall. Both are great for a pick me up. I prefer the Streat, because I usually get food while I get coffee, and the Streat has much better food options. Or, if you want to go even cheaper, and are okay with pretty mediocre coffee, head on down to the Student’s Union, or the SU. It’s a little slow, but the food is good, and it’s a nice place to park yourself and work or study.
But don’t forget to try to do the same if you live off campus. Whether you’re living on campus or off, you’re almost certainly going to be surrounded by students. So take note of it. And don’t be afraid to say hi.
They’ll make life so much easier. This is a given. You can get by without them, but your grades will skyrocket if you do them. So it’s your choice, but I’d recommend it.
I’d recommend looking into ISEP programmes. I’m currently on my year out, studying at Eckerd College, and I’ve had this planned for a long while. The ISEP process is long and arduous, but if you find people who did it last year and talk to them, your professors, and the ISEP coordinators at Ulster, you’ll fly right through it.
The gym at Ulster is a little pricey, but if you can get yourself to go, it’s nice. It’s a small gym, but it has pretty much everything you might need (except a punching bag). It’s good to have the membership, and you’ll thank yourself if you manage to work to avoid the freshman fifteen.
Wetherspoons, or Spoons, is a chain around the U.K., but they have great deals every day of the week. For example, £5 curry, or £5 steak, along with really cheap pitchers of cocktails.
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