The Next Chapter

June 28, 2019
|
Posted By: Martina Conway

College: the next chapter

Completing your leaving certificate is a great achievement and you should be proud of yourself. The summer after your leaving certificate is always a great one for having fun now you don’t have to worry about studying and exams, but college is just around the corner and it can feel very different and daunting for some people, so here are some tips to help you go into your next chapter as a college student.

 

Always be friendly

Remember there may be some people who have a group of friends going to the same college and there may be people who have one friend who may not be taking the same classes and there may be people who have no friends at that college. So always be friendly, we can always do with some new friends.

Welcome the change

College is very different to school, a different routine completely, it gives you a sense of freedom while studying what you wish and may seem very strange at the start, but if you are willing to welcome and adapt to the change with open arms it may be easier for you to get used too.

Stay focused

College is not like school in the sense that your lecturers will not be as strict as your teachers. It is important to stay focused and always push yourself to do the best you can, after all you are doing this for yourself and nobody else.

Have fun

A great benefit of going to college is the social side of it. There will always be some sort of social activity going on somewhere. Weither it be table quiz’s or parties or fundraisers, you are bound to find a social event most nights of the week. Try and get to some of them as they are a great way to say social and make new friends while having fun!

Related Blog Posts
July 6, 2026
Orthodontic Confessions: July 2026

I had a patient in today who lost his brace. I asked him what happened.

“I took my brace out and tucked it into the waistband of my football shorts”

Me: “…and then you played a game of football?”

He: “No, I ate a packet of biscuits”

And when he’d finished the pack of biscuits he went to put the brace back in, but it wasn’t there any more.”

I’m not a nutritionist, so I can’t comment with any authority about the merits of eating a pack of biscuits between meals, but if you have a brace that you’re meant to wear then take care of it.

In practical terms, for ...

June 15, 2026
Charging extra to write a letter - we don't

A while ago, I had to cancel a holiday to help a relative with some medical appointments. I notified the airline, and although I had the cheapest version of my ticket and it was not refundable the people I spoke to suggested I ask the refunds department and if they didn’t refund then go to customer care. My general advice with sudden changes to flight arrangements is always call the company rather than try to work it out through a website.

It remains to be seen if I can get a refund, but my travel insurance does have a feature that allows me to make a ...

June 14, 2026
Farewell to The Betsy

A few days ago, I heard that The Betsy in Swords closed suddenly. I was sorry to hear this. It was just across Swords Main Street from the practice and it was a location for many Swords Orthodontics lunches for birthdays and maternity leaves and even a Christmas party.