Getting Involved at the University ...

Earlier I stressed the importance of viewing your University experience as much more than just an academic one.

The following is a short overview of what I got involved in whilst at university, I used the following in a presentation at an Arts Open Evening for prospective Arts Students to show just SOME of the things you can do whilst at university: 

All of the above helped make my university experience something I will remember for the rest of my life as well as greatly adding to my C.V.

Societies:

When it comes to sport you have around 60 sport societies to choose from. Ranging from sports like Rugby to Ultimate Frisbee.  

I got involved in Lau Gar Kickboxing as a means of keeping fit, and although my attendance was very poor throughout the years I did always enjoy a get together (especially the annual Martial Arts Ball).

Societies are a fantastic way to keep up current interests as well as developing new ones. There are so many societies & clubs you can try out. 

There are tons of student societies as well. For me playing poker with GameSoc was what I liked to do on a Wednesday evening.

As well as getting involved in different societies there are lots of events you can attend regardless of if you're a society member or not, such as silent discos (you wear headphones instead of there being music - great for meeting people!), mystery bus tours (a whole day adventure on a bus!) and University Balls (which are always classy affairs) to name but a few.... 

Other Extra-Curricular Involvement.



Class Representative: 

I was elected the Third Year History Class Representative which involved attending meetings with the department throughout the year. I was also responsible for dealing with class problems relating to academia, keeping my class readily informed and up to date whilst organizing class events.


I organized some parties for my class throughout the year and being the 'witty' individual I thought I was, I organized class hoodies for my class with 'Historians Make All Dates Memorable' on the back. Needless to say, that hoody was never worn once I graduated! 



Students Union Representative:

This involved representing and defending the rights of all our members. Taking an active part in Union Campaigns, Elections, The Student Union Council and Welfare Events. We marched against fees, we held awareness campaigns about many issues such as mental health & sexually transmitted diseases and we raised money for causes such as the Student Welfare Fund. It was really enjoyable. I was delighted to have got involved if only for a year and it was a great way of meeting a load of different people. 

It was also a nice insight into politics in practice - for me it ultimately helped me decide that I'd prefer to stick to the books then get further involved in politics. 

Part Time Jobs.

Because of the jobs I undertook whilst at UCD & for UCD .. most importantly my time as a Student Ambassador, then a Senior Ambassador…  I developed some transferable skills that helped me get a full time job in UCD straight after I graduated.