u/idkanymorelol19

Hi! I’m currently looking at my CAO options and I’m considering MT871 (Biomedical Science, joint UCC + MTU). I’m from Galway and I’m thinking about moving away for college, so I’m trying to get a better idea of what Cork and student life there is actually like.

I’m a bit confused about how the MT871 experience works since it’s between UCC and MTU — like whether students still feel involved in UCC life, societies, events etc. I’m also interested in hearing what people think of Cork as a place to start fresh, especially coming from outside the city.

A big thing for me is community as well, so I’d love to know what the Indian/South Asian student scene is like and if it’s easy to meet people and make friends.

I’m currently deciding between Cork and Dublin for college, so I’d really appreciate honest opinions from anyone who studies/lives in Cork or knows about MT871. Thanks :)

I’m looking for some advice/perspective because I feel really stuck right now.
I just finished my Leaving Cert (June 2026) and I’m taking a gap year mainly because of fees/residency reasons. I moved to Ireland a while ago and had to repeat a year because of differences in the school system, so sometimes I feel like I’m already behind and delaying things.
I’m from Galway and my first preference was to go to Dublin for college (looking at places like DCU/UCD/TUD). My parents are basically against me moving to Dublin and want me to stay closer to home.
I completely understand their concerns — cost of living, safety, and worrying about me living alone. But for me it’s not just “I want Dublin because it’s Dublin.” I want the experience of moving out, becoming more independent, meeting new people, and having a fresh start. I also feel like being in a bigger city with a larger Indian community/societies would help me feel more at home.
My parents are good people and I know they’re trying to protect me, but I’m struggling with feeling like I don’t have much say in my own future.
Career-wise I’m also unsure. I’m interested in healthcare/science and considering things like nursing, pharma/immunology/biomedical-type courses, but I’m still figuring it out.
I’m just wondering:
Did anyone else move away for college when their parents were against it?
Did anyone stay at home for college and regret it/not regret it?
How did you convince your parents (if you did)?
Is moving away actually worth it, or am I romanticising it?
I’d really appreciate honest advice from people who have been through this.

I don’t really know where else to put this, I just need to vent and maybe hear from people who have been through something similar.
I’m 18 turning 19 and I just finished my final exams. I’m from a South Asian family and I feel like I’m at that stage where I’m supposed to start building my own life, but I feel like I have no control over my choices.
I moved countries a while ago and had to repeat a year because of differences in the school system. I’m now taking a gap year mainly because it makes sense financially, but sometimes it feels like I’m constantly delaying my life.
The thing I’m struggling with right now is university. I really want to move away for college. I’m from a smaller place and I want a fresh start — new people, independence, a bigger community, and honestly being around more people who understand my background. I was thinking of moving to a bigger city because I feel like it would help me grow.
My parents are against it. I understand they’re worried about money, safety, and me living alone, and I know it comes from caring about me. But at the same time, I feel trapped because I’m nearly 19 and I want to experience becoming my own person.
I also feel pressure because my parents have worked hard for me, so I feel guilty wanting something different from what they want. It feels like I’m choosing between making myself happy and disappointing them.
Career-wise I’m also confused. I’m interested in healthcare/science and I’m considering things like nursing or other health-related careers, but I feel like I’m trying to figure out my whole future while also dealing with family expectations.
I’m not trying to say my parents are bad — they’re genuinely good people and they want the best for me. I just feel lost and overwhelmed.
Has anyone else dealt with wanting independence but having strict parents? How did you handle it?

I just finished my Leaving Cert and I’m honestly feeling really overwhelmed about everything right now.
I’m from Galway and my first choice was to go to Dublin for college (thinking DCU/UCD/TUD). My parents are basically not allowing it and want me to stay closer to home. I understand their reasons - money, safety, and they’re worried about me living away..but I feel really frustrated because I genuinely want a fresh start.
My reasons for wanting Dublin aren’t just “because it’s Dublin”. I feel like I want the independence of moving out, meeting new people, building my own life, and being somewhere with a bigger Indian community/society. I moved to Ireland a while ago and I already feel like I’ve had delays (I had to repeat a year because of syllabus differences), and now I’m taking a gap year mainly so I can hopefully qualify for EU fees instead of paying non-EU fees.
I know taking a gap year isn’t the end of the world, but sometimes it feels like I’m constantly waiting for my life to start. I’m 19 and I really want to experience independence.
Career-wise I’m also confused. My mum is a nurse and suggested nursing because it’s stable and you can get jobs, but I’m not sure. I like helping people and healthcare, but I’m also interested in science (pharma/immunology/biomedical stuff). I feel like I’m trying to make huge life decisions while also dealing with family expectations.
I’m not trying to hate on my parents because I know they care about me, but I just feel stuck and like I don’t have much control over my own choices.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Did you move away for college despite your parents being against it? Or did you stay home and regret/not regret it?
I’d really appreciate some advice/perspective.

heyy so im new nd have always been intrigued about what people say about subliminals.. Does it actually work or are we just being delusional? im sorry i have no cluee how it works so if someone could explain itd be nice

I'm soo stressed fr the exam tomorrow!! why do we have ours so earlyy man..

anyone got any advicee/tips on answering the paper & coding tmrw.. especially people who have already done the lc ?

I got an email from GTI saying I have to attend an online pre admissions meeting/interview thing for my plc application nd attendance is mandatory to be offered a place

What do they usually ask? Is it formal or just casual? Lowk nervous cus idk how prepared I should be lol

Final CAO List??

REPOST! The last time i asked about my options I didn't get any replies, hence a repost.

I would like to know if my list is good? How these courses are like content-wise and future employability - wise? Anything you know about these courses, please let me know, it would be much appreciated!!
Also to talk about myself - I will be deferring a year and taking a gap year and I'm from Galway(ik about the rent and the expenses but I think I can manage it nws)!

• DCU Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence
• TU Dublin Health Informatics
• MTU Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
• DCU Chemical & Pharmaceutical Sciences
• TU Biomedical & Molecular Diagnostics
• MTU Software Development
• DCU Biological Sciences
• TU Medical Science
• MTU IT Management & Cybersecurity
• TU Chemical Sciences with Medicinal Chemistry