I noticed recently that one of my most-viewed posts on this blog is the one I did about on campus accommodation, which leads me to believe that a lot of prospective students have been checking it out. This gave me the idea to do a post especially for people who might be thinking of coming to DCU to study Multimedia specifically.
Presumably you have an interest in media, though you're probably not sure exactly what career you'd like to have. This is fine, because you have plenty of time to decide. The great thing about this course is that it allows you to experiment in lots of different areas. Although you do have to be a bit of an all-rounder, don't worry if you're not good at everything.
Don't think that this is a 'doss course' just because it's ten hours a week. If you're thinking of doing Multimedia because it seems like an easy option, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. We don't have exams in first year, but that's because we are assessed on the assignments we do. You will have two assignments in most modules and they will take up a lot of your free time, particularly as the weeks progress. You will be expected to put the work in outside of lecture and seminar times, so make sure you use those free hours!
If you've read the course information on the DCU website, you'll have seen that you don't need previous experience before studying Multimedia. This means that you will be taught the basics of every piece of software you use, but you will also have to teach yourself some things too. The lecturers are always there to help if you get stuck with anything, but there's a lot to be said for practising in your own time and developing new skills.
Group work is a huge part of Multimedia, so if you're not used to working as part of a team, you're going to have to work on that. We probably do more group projects than individual assignments, but it's really good for your personal development and also something you'll more than likely have to apply in the workplace. It's great for making friends too.
A lot of people seem to ask what the difference is between Multimedia and Communications. The two courses are similar, and we share certain lectures and do some of the same things, plus they can both lead to some of the same careers. The main difference would be that Multimedia is more 'hands-on' than Communications, and our course is much more software-based than theirs. For example, Communications students don't do web or interface design at all, whereas Multimedia students do. One of the main things you should have as a Multimedia student is a love of technology and computers, because almost everything you do will be based around that.
I've said how important it is to work on things outside of class time, and this includes extracurricular activities. We are blessed with many amazing societies at DCU, and getting involved in them is so important. Every Multimedia student should make it their business to join the Media Production Society, which comprises DCUfm and DCUtv. The real-world experience you gain from this society is invaluable, and it will make your CV stand out from the crowd.
Finally, if you're a person who thrives on creativity and you are willing to work hard, this course is perfect for you. You will only get out of Multimedia what you put into it, so if you never go to lectures or do any work, you're not going to gain anything from the course. If you really throw yourself into everything it has to offer, it will be the best experience of your life.
Showing posts with label DCU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DCU. Show all posts
Friday, March 8, 2013
Monday, September 17, 2012
Settling In
I'm sitting here in my new bedroom in Larkfield, looking out the window at lecture halls and people walking by for orientation. Mine doesn't start until Wednesday morning, which explains why I'm not out there at the moment. I'm currently experiencing mixed emotions. I can't wait to actually get stuck in to my course, but at the same time I'm trying to deal with the overwhelming apprehension at the prospect of living away from home - even though, technically speaking, as I'm in Dublin, I already am home.
The weekend was a blur of packing and last-minute shopping. To say I was nervous on the drive up yesterday afternoon would be a massive understatement. I was gripped with a brief but very real moment of terror the minute my parents left and I was on my own in a quiet apartment, but I've kind of adjusted now. First impressions? The campus is a nice size (although I'm counting on getting lost for a while) and very modern. I immediately fell in love with The Hub (that's the Students' Union building). The bar is lovely and it just looks like such a nice place.
As for Larkfield itself, it's not as bad as I was expecting it to be. The rooms aren't quite as enclosed as people would have you believe and it's clean and comfortable. I've seen far worse! My bed is comfortable, though I did wake up this morning with a pain in my leg, which I always seem to get whenever I sleep in a single bed! Spoiled or what!
My only complaint is the size of the kitchen. It's true, you can barely fit two people in there. I haven't tried cooking yet, but I hope it works out okay!
I haven't seen all that much of my flatmate, but she seems pretty nice. As far as friend-making goes, I've been unsuccessful so far. There was a rave for first years in the courtyard of Larkfield last night, but although I hung around there for a while and spoke to a few people briefly, I didn't exactly click with anyone. Plenty of time I suppose. I'm not a party animal anyway, so I expect that my friendships will come through my course as well as clubs and societies.
The good news is I'm meeting up with a couple of people from my course in The Hub at lunchtime on Wednesday, before we meet the rest of our group properly. That should be a good chance to get to know some people.
My orientation finishes up on Thursday evening at six, so I might go back home for the weekend before lectures start depending on if there's anything happening or not. I don't know how true it is, but I've heard that the campus is extremely quiet from Friday to Sunday evenings due to people going home for the weekends, not to mention the fact that the bar isn't open. I'll see how it goes.
More updates on university life as it progresses!
The weekend was a blur of packing and last-minute shopping. To say I was nervous on the drive up yesterday afternoon would be a massive understatement. I was gripped with a brief but very real moment of terror the minute my parents left and I was on my own in a quiet apartment, but I've kind of adjusted now. First impressions? The campus is a nice size (although I'm counting on getting lost for a while) and very modern. I immediately fell in love with The Hub (that's the Students' Union building). The bar is lovely and it just looks like such a nice place.
As for Larkfield itself, it's not as bad as I was expecting it to be. The rooms aren't quite as enclosed as people would have you believe and it's clean and comfortable. I've seen far worse! My bed is comfortable, though I did wake up this morning with a pain in my leg, which I always seem to get whenever I sleep in a single bed! Spoiled or what!
My only complaint is the size of the kitchen. It's true, you can barely fit two people in there. I haven't tried cooking yet, but I hope it works out okay!
I haven't seen all that much of my flatmate, but she seems pretty nice. As far as friend-making goes, I've been unsuccessful so far. There was a rave for first years in the courtyard of Larkfield last night, but although I hung around there for a while and spoke to a few people briefly, I didn't exactly click with anyone. Plenty of time I suppose. I'm not a party animal anyway, so I expect that my friendships will come through my course as well as clubs and societies.
The good news is I'm meeting up with a couple of people from my course in The Hub at lunchtime on Wednesday, before we meet the rest of our group properly. That should be a good chance to get to know some people.
My orientation finishes up on Thursday evening at six, so I might go back home for the weekend before lectures start depending on if there's anything happening or not. I don't know how true it is, but I've heard that the campus is extremely quiet from Friday to Sunday evenings due to people going home for the weekends, not to mention the fact that the bar isn't open. I'll see how it goes.
More updates on university life as it progresses!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Why Multimedia?
I've decided it's about time I explained a little about how I came to this point. Why did I choose to study Multimedia, and why did I choose DCU? I haven't really gone into the specifics yet, hence why I'm doing this post.
To answer the first part of that question, it's an area I've always had a huge interest in without ever quite being sure why. Maybe it's down to a love of computers and technology in general, or maybe it's that I've always had a creative streak. All I know is that I wanted to study something that would allow me to combine the two if I could. In that sense, Multimedia fit the bill perfectly.
When I was in Transition Year at school, I spent a week doing work experience in Beat 102-103, a radio station in Waterford. I absolutely loved it and learned so much. I got to use new software and do some basic editing, put together some sweeps (which ended up being broadcast) and sit in on broadcasts. I came away from the experience thinking, "I wouldn't mind doing this for a living" and ultimately it was an idea that I returned to when considering Multimedia.
Audio production is an area I can see myself specialising in for the reasons above, but what sold Multimedia to me was the fact that I also get to learn about so many other things. I don't know how good I'll be at things like video production, photography and animation, but they are certainly all things I am interested in and would find a lot of fun. I'll also get to learn about web design, which I'm fascinated by and have always wanted to pursue, even if only as a hobby. In short, it's the perfect course to suit my interests.
Which brings me to the second part of the question - why DCU? Well, as I've just mentioned, the course was everything I wanted. I looked at similar courses in other institutions, but nothing appealed to me as much as the one in DCU. With other places, there always seemed to be something that would hold me back. For example, a focus on maths. With DCU I was lucky enough to be able to meet the entry requirement for maths, which was a C3 in Ordinary Level. I was also relieved to find out that there is no maths involved in the course, which is just as well because maths was my weakest subject at school. I was utterly hopeless at it.
I always knew that I wanted to move back to Dublin some day. Within Ireland, I can't think of anywhere better to be a student (though as it's my hometown, I would say that). It's a great city and there's always something to do. But why did DCU appeal to me over the other Dublin universities? Apart from having the exact course I wanted, which the others did not, it just seemed to have more to offer me. I wouldn't want to knock the likes of UCD or Trinity College, as I have friends who are studying at both and I'm sure they'll all get great degrees there, but they just weren't for me. Trinity is so prestigious that I would feel extremely intimidated, while UCD has always struck me as a little too overcrowded. DCU, on the other hand, seems compact enough to feel like a community, while also being a top modern university. I have heard nothing but good things about it from people who have studied there. The support they provide to students is supposed to be excellent. It is ranked in the top four per cent of universities worldwide and has an excellent record in terms of employability of graduates. Basically, I have no doubt that I will get a great education there.
To answer the first part of that question, it's an area I've always had a huge interest in without ever quite being sure why. Maybe it's down to a love of computers and technology in general, or maybe it's that I've always had a creative streak. All I know is that I wanted to study something that would allow me to combine the two if I could. In that sense, Multimedia fit the bill perfectly.
When I was in Transition Year at school, I spent a week doing work experience in Beat 102-103, a radio station in Waterford. I absolutely loved it and learned so much. I got to use new software and do some basic editing, put together some sweeps (which ended up being broadcast) and sit in on broadcasts. I came away from the experience thinking, "I wouldn't mind doing this for a living" and ultimately it was an idea that I returned to when considering Multimedia.
Audio production is an area I can see myself specialising in for the reasons above, but what sold Multimedia to me was the fact that I also get to learn about so many other things. I don't know how good I'll be at things like video production, photography and animation, but they are certainly all things I am interested in and would find a lot of fun. I'll also get to learn about web design, which I'm fascinated by and have always wanted to pursue, even if only as a hobby. In short, it's the perfect course to suit my interests.
Which brings me to the second part of the question - why DCU? Well, as I've just mentioned, the course was everything I wanted. I looked at similar courses in other institutions, but nothing appealed to me as much as the one in DCU. With other places, there always seemed to be something that would hold me back. For example, a focus on maths. With DCU I was lucky enough to be able to meet the entry requirement for maths, which was a C3 in Ordinary Level. I was also relieved to find out that there is no maths involved in the course, which is just as well because maths was my weakest subject at school. I was utterly hopeless at it.
I always knew that I wanted to move back to Dublin some day. Within Ireland, I can't think of anywhere better to be a student (though as it's my hometown, I would say that). It's a great city and there's always something to do. But why did DCU appeal to me over the other Dublin universities? Apart from having the exact course I wanted, which the others did not, it just seemed to have more to offer me. I wouldn't want to knock the likes of UCD or Trinity College, as I have friends who are studying at both and I'm sure they'll all get great degrees there, but they just weren't for me. Trinity is so prestigious that I would feel extremely intimidated, while UCD has always struck me as a little too overcrowded. DCU, on the other hand, seems compact enough to feel like a community, while also being a top modern university. I have heard nothing but good things about it from people who have studied there. The support they provide to students is supposed to be excellent. It is ranked in the top four per cent of universities worldwide and has an excellent record in terms of employability of graduates. Basically, I have no doubt that I will get a great education there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)