I can’t believe I haven’t gotten anyone writing in to me about a work Christmas party yet. Could it be that everyone has finally learnt their lesson?
If you haven’t, or you’ve got some other issues you need to get off your chest, I’m always looking for new problems to solve.
I started college this year in Dublin and I’m finding it difficult to adjust, would you have any advice?
To answer your question, I did something a little new this week for Dear Fifi. I asked people on Twitter – people who’ve been through it all before and have advice gleaned from experience - to share their wisdom.
Amy O’Connor, writer for places such as Second Captains, the Irish Times, 8/10 Cats and formerly of this very parish, had this to say:
Gavan Reilly, political correspondent with TV3 and a former staffer of Today FM and TheJournal.ie, said:
Author of Asking For It and Only Ever Yours, Louise O’Neill shared this…
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And Irelandopedia illustrator Fatti Burke:
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Here are some more anecdotes, so you know you’re not alone in this. Sometimes, as a newcomer in a strange and seemingly unfriendly place, it can feel like you’re all alone in your feelings. Trust me, you’re not. (There are even more replies if you click into these ones.)
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See how many voices chimed in to help you? All of those people felt like you do now, once upon a time.
You see, everyone feels a little adrift and lost in their first while in a new place. College is a big life shift, and it takes some getting used to. In addition to the above, my advice would be to stick, stick, stick at it.
Keep trying – go to things, talk to people, quell your nerves, do your work, show up, ask for things, look up events, join those clubs. Don’t give up. It won’t be easy. There are times that you’ll feel very lonely and like it’s not worth it. But it is worth it, and with some effort and time, it will get better and easier. One friend will become two, and suddenly things will click into place.
One day, you’ll realise it’s all come together somehow and you won’t even be able to say when it happened. Then you’ll be the one giving the advice.
Want to talk?
- Email me on dearfifi@dailyedge.ie
- Get in touch via my Twitter DMs here - open to all
- Check out this anonymous and untraceable way to chat
Confess a story, ask for help or just shout into the void for a bit and see if that helps. All welcome. Anonymity totally guaranteed always.
