Orientation for new undergraduate students is under way this week at MIC Limerick and MIC Thurles. With a full schedule or tours and talks taking place throughout the week, new students will receive all the essential information to ensure they have a successful start to their first semester at MIC.
Here are some top tips from MIC staff and students as you begin your third-level journey with MIC.
1. ASK QUESTIONS
The most important thing to remember during Orientation is to ask questions. And there are no stupid questions! Orientation is a great opportunity to ask questions about your programme and life at MIC, so whether online or on-campus, our lecturers, support staff and students will be happy to help with any queries you have.
According to MIC Thurles student, Denis O’Sullivan, “One thing I wish I had known when I was a fresher was just how helpful the staff and students are. They’re extremely helpful! Any queries you have they will be happy to help.”
2. TAKE A CAMPUS TOUR
During the week-long Orientation, you will have the chance to tour our Limerick and Thurles campuses with our student guides. This is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with your new surroundings and to learn about the location of faculty offices and student support services such as the Medical Centre, Academic Learning Centre, Chaplaincy, Counselling Service and more.
Aisling Cusack, President of MISU (MIC’s Students’ Union), says “This is definitely a favourite part of Orientation where new students can chat with current students and enjoy hearing inside tips from someone who is currently studying at MIC.”
If you are unable to visit our campuses this week, you can still tour our campuses in Limerick and Thurles virtually. Take a tour here.
3. TRY NOT TO GET OVERWHELMED
You’ll be receiving lots of information throughout your week-long Orientation programme but don’t worry or get overwhelmed if you don’t remember everything. All of our online Orientation talks will be available on our website or on MIC’s Student Portal.
According to Dr Geraldine Brosnan, Director of Student Life at MIC, “We know that this is all new so please don’t be afraid to ask for help in the weeks and even years ahead. You are starting a new journey, which might be a little daunting but just know that you are not the only one feeling like this, so if you are feeling overwhelmed don’t hesitate to get in touch with any member of the MIC team.”
4. SIGN UP FOR CLUBS & SOCIETIES
During Orientation, MISU (MIC’s Students Union) will speak to you about all the different clubs and societies at MIC. Getting involved in clubs and socs is a great way to make new friends. MIC Limerick student, Philip Wall, says “The best piece of advice I can give to incoming first years is to make sure you get involved in what you’re interested in, whether that be sport or music or drama and you’ll immediately make friends.” From Harry Potter to Hurling and Live Music to Ladies Football, there’s something everyone.
And if you can’t find a club or society that interest you, you can set up a new one! Just get in touch with David Cuddihy, MISU’s Clubs and Societies Coordinator, who will be happy to help you set one up.
Find out more about MIC’s clubs and societies here.
5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO NEW PEOPLE
While there may be not as many opportunities to socialise due to COVID-19 restrictions, you will still be able to get to know your classmates and make new friends. This is what college life is all about! So, even though you will need to keep your distance in order to protect yourself and others, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to make meaningful connections with your classmates.
MIC Limerick student, Nóra Burke, says “Some advice that I would give to freshers is to not be afraid to talk to new people. It sounds simple but it can be fairly daunting but just remember that everyone in your year is in the same boat and you’re all there to have the best college experience possible.”
For MIC Thurles student, Denis O’Sullivan, social media will play a big part this year in helping students feel connected while off-campus. He says, “It’s going to be a lot harder this year with everything going on to socialise. Get to know each other’s social media – your Snapchats, you Instagrams, your Twitters. At least if you have each other’s social media you can socialise through that.”
For more advice from our students, check out MIC's Orientation Hub and check out MIC’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (Limerick and Thurles).
