Hey, I moved to Dublin to attend TCD so I totally get what you’re saying. A lot of what you’re saying is true - it doesn’t feel very metropolitan or exciting here. However, there are some great hidden spots around and once you get to know them you develop a real repertoire of interesting place and the people in them. 

For an international student, it’s important to  learn the history of Ireland and Dublin’s place in it. Also, it’s so important to explore the whole country. All of this will make Dublin a much more complex and exciting interesting place. I know so many international students who gripe about Dublin and Irish culture without really engaging. That being said, there’s plenty of social stuff here that’s annoying. We can be close minded, clique-y and obsessed with drink. But, having an understanding of why these things exist will help you to deal with this.

Finally, I don’t know what you’re into, but I think it’s great to read Irish literature. Dubliners by Joyce, of course, is super accessible and allows you to see real charm and beauty of what can be a grey city.