Irish Times Debate: UCD In Finals

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Post on Jan 24, 2025

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Irish Times Debate: UCD in the Finals – A Personal Journey to the Podium

Hey everyone! So, the Irish Times Debate is huge, right? I mean, seriously huge. And this year? UCD was in the finals! Let me tell you, it was a wild ride getting there, filled with more twists and turns than a Connemara road.

My UCD Debate Experience: From Nervous Newbie to (Almost) Champion

I've always been a bit of a motormouth. Always have been. My teachers used to tell me to "Use your words, not your fists!" So, debating seemed like a natural fit. But, man, my first few debates at UCD were rough. I mean, really rough. I remember one early debate – it was about the ethics of artificial intelligence. I froze. Completely froze. My mind went completely blank. My carefully crafted arguments evaporated like morning mist. I felt like a total idiot.

I mumbled something about robots taking over the world, which, I guess, was kind of relevant, but certainly not the polished, insightful argument I had planned. It was a total disaster. I wanted to disappear.

Overcoming Stage Fright and Mastering the Art of Argumentation

After that, I knew I needed to improve. So, I dove in headfirst. I started practicing constantly. I joined the UCD debating society – which is, by the way, amazing. The people are supportive and incredibly skilled. I practiced with everyone, even the people who could demolish my arguments before I could even finish my first sentence. (Seriously, some people are just that good.)

I learned so much. I practiced my delivery, my timing, and – this is key – my research. You can’t just wing it in debating. You need facts, figures, and strong arguments to back up your points. Plus, you gotta know your opponent's possible arguments as well. That's like, half the battle.

The Irish Times Debate: The Pressure's On

Then came the Irish Times Debate. The pressure was intense. The competition was fierce. Teams from Trinity, Galway, and even some smaller colleges were there, all gunning for the top spot. I mean, it's the Irish Times; everyone wants to win! It's like the Champions League for Irish debaters.

We – the UCD team – had some close calls. We won some debates by a hair; others, we just got totally schooled. One debate about the merits of universal basic income? Let's just say our arguments could have used a little more oomph. We lost that one badly.

But we learned from every debate, every win, and every loss. We honed our skills, tightened our arguments, and really learned to work as a team. And, of course, we did our research on each debate's topic.

The Final Round: A Moment of Truth

And then… the finals. We made it. I swear I could feel my heart pounding like a drum solo. The atmosphere was electric. The judges – all seriously impressive individuals – were watching our every move. The crowd was engaged, and it was nerve-wracking, but also thrilling.

We gave it our all. We presented our arguments with passion and conviction. We even used some humor to keep the audience engaged. We won some points, but ultimately, we came up just short. It wasn't a win, but it was still an incredible experience. Winning or losing is secondary, it's about the skill, the teamwork, and the passion for debating. The experience was invaluable.

If you're thinking about joining a debating society, just do it. Trust me, it'll change you in ways you never anticipated. You'll learn valuable skills, meet amazing people, and push yourself beyond what you thought possible.

So, yeah, UCD didn't win the Irish Times Debate this year, but the journey itself was worth it. Maybe next year… 😉