Dear Fresher Domhnall,
2014 Domhnall here. I have 10 pieces of advice I really need you to remember.
1) First things first: in the next week or so, you are going to go shopping in search of some hip and trendy college clothing. However, beware: that pair of corduroy trousers is cheap for a reason. Do not buy them. Cords are neither hip nor trendy. People in Trinity do not wear cords. Nobody wears cords. (Actually, as a general rule, just don’t go shopping by yourself at all. Ideally make friends with a girl at some stage and maybe she will help you.)
2) It might not feel like it yet, but Trinity is a very special place and you are very lucky to be here. Possibility and opportunity extend out before you in every direction you look, and never again will you find yourself at this crossroads.
3) Go to lectures. You are not allowed to complain that your course is boring if you are at home playing Tetris.
4) I know it’s annoying, but try not to get too impatient with the lack of facial hair. I’ll keep you posted, but sadly it looks like we’ve another few years to wait yet. I’m currently setting my sights on Movember 2018.
5) Be gentle with yourself. You are neither as stupid as you feel nor as smart as you wish. (You are, however, a nerd, whether you hide it or not. You might as well accept this now and move on.)
6) If you happen to be standing in Front Square or the Arts Block as you read this first edition of the University Times, look around you: look at all the people, all doing something or meeting someone or going somewhere. Don’t worry! They are most likely not doing anything or meeting anyone and, like you, the only place they are planning to go is the jacks to eat their lunch.
7) Please, save your work as you go. Please, back up your notes on a USB key. And please, do not keep jugs of water near your laptop.
8) You are going to spend a good deal of Second Year studying for and then recovering from Schols. Unfortunately, you are going to fall short. Though you might feel like it has been an immense waste of time and effort (see point 7), everything is alright. Apart from having to live in Bray for another few years, nothing has changed and you are still you.
9) Be yourself.
10) Your instincts are correct: you should in fact go for Class Rep. (In retrospect, I suspect that this may prove to be one of your better snap decisions. )
Domhnall McGlacken-Byrne is this year’s SU President and can be contacted at [email protected].
