Studying at University College Dublin has been a joy. That does not mean it can’t be stressful, especially with assignments getting more difficult over the semester. Responsibility to oneself is as important as garnering success through one’s diligence, and that balance should not be disturbed when you’re living in a new environment.
When I feel overwhelmed, I come back to places on campus that give me the ability to recenter myself, like the pond near the UCD Engineering Building, and its seemingly perennial avian inhabitants. Or you could visit the third level of the James Joyce library, if you want a change of space for your studies.
Beyond campus, Dublin has plenty of attractions; with my own interest in the museums the city has to offer, that so many of them are either free or have discounted prices for students should not be disregarded. The National Gallery of Ireland, for instance, is home to hundreds of works of art, without mentioning the building itself. The National Museum of Ireland for Archaeology carries exhibits that reflect the lived experiences of people who settled on the island, dating back to the stone age.
Rather than just interest in what’s presented through these exhibits, they also give me time to think, and recontextualize what I’m working for. Sometimes, taking a breath before coming back to resolve a conundrum can be more worthwhile than just powering through it. In that case, I would hope these suggestions prove helpful at UCD, and the sentiment transferable to other regions around the world.
Miles Stennett
Fall 2024
GW Exchange - University College Dublin
Columbian College of Arts and Science
Political Science Major