Starting University

 

This blogpost is an overview of my time at University so far, with some of its ups and downs. As many of you may know I did a course at a further education college before coming to Maynooth, you'd think I'd have the whole University experience under my belt.

So I'm writing right now as I go. It's my first week at Uni, I'm still nervous and trying to find my way around, wondering if I'm in the right place at the right time. I called my dad and friends and talked to them about if I'm really making the right choice by taking this course, I'm not sure if it because I'm doing three courses in one or if its the fact that I just feel out of place in this massive University where all of my classes have different people in them.

Everyday I try my best to make new friends but its so hard, everyone here seems to know each other already. I haven't been to any of the freshers night outs because I know no one and I know I'd feel so out of place. I try to make it a goal to talk to two new people everyday, it's hard getting to know new people with 60+ people in my class and they already seem to be in friend groups.

Its the start of my third week of Semester 1 now and I want to drop out. I went to the Program Advisory Office to try and talk with them to get advice, they couldn't see me because they were busy. I think having done a PLC last year is a big pat of why I'm wanting to drop out, I had 8 people in my class then, while now I could be in a lecture with 200+ students. I wake up and go to sleep everyday thinking am I studying the right course? and Am I even at the right Uni?

I just go straight home, throw my bed covers over me and just don't want to leave. I couldn't even go to Hockey and Swim practice today because I was feeling so depressed and emotional, even though I knew it would of taken my mind off of everything.

My friends have to be my biggest supporters, I explained to them that I was having a really bad day and here's all the things they had to say:

"You didn't get in because you were lucky you got in because you worked so hard for it!"

"I know but hey your smart I know you can do it, I believe in you "

"I just wanna remind you that your great at anything you choose to do"

Continuing on from my third week, everyday  just seems to be repeating. I finally got to talk to someone at the Program Advisory Office and they basically ran me through my options and what I can do right now and when I'd be restricted and cant do no more.

I then called my friends again and talked it out with them. I decided to change my subject choice. I also rang my dad and he said to contact and meet with as many people as I can that will be able to help me. I went to several meetings with different departments across the University the next day and I have started my process of changing my subject choice.

 

I'm now just going into week 6 of Semester 2 and my whole university experience has changed within a matter of weeks. I'm in my third week of Semester 2, I took my chances with the IESN Society which stands for International Erasmus Student Network. They help exchange students settle into Maynooth University and run events and meet ups every week. 

Since joining the society three weeks ago, I've became the first year representative, got to lead a trip to Kerry with all the students and made so so many new friends from all around the world. Everyone in the committee are the most amazing bunch of people I've met at Uni, we are already like a little family. University is finally starting to feel right, I have so much to look forward to in the next few months. Our ball is coming up at the end of March and I'll be heading to Berlin to learn a lot more about the Society in April.

There's a lot more about Semester 2 that's looking better already, I'll for sure be updating you guys soon!

Mark x

IEP - Corkscrew, Business Start-Up

"Corkscrew are an innovative provider of internships and business startup programs located all over the world. We’re based in the vibrant city of Exeter, UK, and our focus is clear. We want to create the best opportunities for personal and professional development on the market."  - Corkscrew

The Internship:

This was a 14-day international experience which took place from the 7th - 21st of February 2016, I got a taste of entrepreneurship and learned how to start my own business from scratch. I didn't go with a business idea in mind, extensive mentor support was available for idea development throughout the program.

I needed no knowledge of business prior to starting the program and each section was designed to leave us with a broad working knowledge of several key business areas shown below:

• Chapter 1: Here we learned how to find a viable business idea, creatively think outside of the box,  find gaps in the world around us and create a business solution for it.

• Chapter 2: We learned fundamental business skills and learned how to tell if an idea has the potential to be a feasible business.

• Chapter 3: We learned the technical skills needed to kick start our new business by starting small and growing big, when we finished this we built a website for our business.

• Chapter 4: Here we improved our professional skill set and learned vital employability and networking techniques that helped us stand out from the competition.

• The Finale: Worked on our idea throughout the program and pitch our idea to creators at the Pitch Day finale for judgment.

• Worked On A Real Client Project: Here we were consulting on a live business project for a startup company while on the program.

Why I did this Internship:

I did this internship because it was suitable for any person with an interest in entrepreneurship and business startup. The whole trip my accommodation, travel, and training was all provided for me so I didn't have to worry about anything. I learned new skills that will aid in future employment, entrepreneurship and further education.

During the Internship, I got to live with a local family and experience a new culture. The Internship was suitable for a range of career interests including hospitality, business, tourism, HR, and marketing. Overall it was a fun and worthwhile travel experience that I'm so thankful for.

On this program, I got to work with 24 other students of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds. The Internship was 9 to 4 daily, five days a week with weekends off so I really got to socialize outside of the workplace.

We were all in the same situation so it was easier to connect and work with them. After we finished our day we would either go for dinner together, the cinema or a lot of pubs and clubs. I didn't just take away a range of new business skills but I came back to Ireland with a lot of new close friends.

If you'd like to ask me any other questions about my experience please don't hesitate to ask in the comment section below.

Thanks for reading, Mark.

2016: My Top Five Highlights

1. INTERNSHIP IN EXETER 

I started off this year nervous and still in the closet but while on this Internship I got to see what it was like to have an openly gay life, even if it only lasted two weeks. The Internship was run for further education students by Irish Education Partners and was training in entrepreneurship and business startup. 

I got a new perspective on the business world which was completely different to my Multimedia degree. While here, we may have just partied the most of the time but I came away from this experience with some of the best friends I have today.

2. NEW BEGINNINGS 

Next up was graduating from my PLC in Stillorgan. This course may have been short, but it brought me so many opportunities and gave me such a great insight into Multimedia.

Getting accepted to Maynooth University was always a dream of mine and when I came home from America it was now a reality. Starting University and moving to Maynooth was one hell of a rollercoaster but I slowly started to fall in love with it. 

3.  A SHORT AMERICAN DREAM

My summer started off so different to any other as I flew all the way to San Francisco and got to explore this massive city for a few days before heading to South Lake Tahoe. I owe this crazy experience all to Americamp.

I started working at Camp Concord, which is now no doubt my second home. When I was there I really fell in love with my job as a camp counselor and working, while also getting to experience new things every day. One of my favorite memories was road tripping around California. I got to visit Yosemite National Park, LA and so much more with amazing friends.

4. NEW FRIENDS & FAMILY

As I mentioned this year was completely different to any other and that is all because of these amazing new friends you see above. They gave me the most amazing support without even realizing it and for that, I am forever grateful that they accepted me for me.

This year I got to spend a lot of time adventuring with friends which is one of my favorite things to do. I also turned 20 and spent my birthday with friends who no doubt I would call my family.

5. COMING OUT 

Coming out to my friends and family was an emotional rollercoaster this year but it was all worth it in the end. After coming out to family and close friends, I decided it was finally time to try and tell everyone so I created this blog and wrote "Today Is My Day" while also touching on the important topic of mental health. I got some of the most unexpected and loving responses from everyone.

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2016 was no doubt an extremely amazing year for me. Despite the above achievements and highlights, it was a year of realization and new beginnings. We also lost so may people this year all over the world and had so many tragedies, with that I would to just like to take a moment to remember all those we've lost and hope 2017 will be a year of peace and support for everyone.

Here's to a new year. 

Thanks for reading,

Mark x