The Best & Worst thing about NUIM is...

Duddy

Elections are over, the 1-post shillers/campaigners/trolls have all crept back into the dark recesses whence they came.
And I'm bored:(


So, in an effort to cheer us all up, post your favourite and least favourite things about NUIM


Best Thing: Still a relatively small campus/student population, and most people aren't completely up themselves.
Worst Thing The Prices, EVERYWHERE on campus!

declan06

Interesting,
Best thing The sense of community, the fact that I can walk through the campus and meet 10 people I know.
Worst thing I think student activism needs to grow on campus. The elections were good, but I'd love to see that carried through to national issues.

kisaragi

Best thing: No joke... I'd have to say my lecturers! I don't know about anyone else, but I'm at the end of my degree now and can't say I've ever had a bad experience with any of them! They've always been enthusiastic and interesting, which I'm going to assume isn't always the way.

Worst thing No canteen anymore

There's lots of other things I could list in both categories but I'll stick to just one each for now :P

philologos

Duddy wrote: »

Best Thing: Still a relatively small campus/student population, and most people aren't completely up themselves.

I agree with you on this. I love the fact that you keep seeing people you know around. It adds to the friendliness of the Maynooth scene.

I also like the fact that the campus staff are particularly willing to help you out with anything, and for the most part most of the lecturing staff (at least in the Philosophy and the Computer Science Dept) are obliging when one needs help with anything.

Duddy wrote: »

Worst Thing The Prices, EVERYWHERE on campus!

Ah but if one merely pops across the road, ALDI is right across the road, Dunnes a little further up. If one wanted to go further up, Tesco at the top of the Leixlip road.

If think the Clubs and Societies scene needs to be developed further.

However, if these are the two "worst" things, we are clearly doing very well to begin with.

K4t

Best thing: I'll echoe Declan's thoughts and say sense of community. It really is incredible. No matter where you go on campus, you will always run into somebody you know or say hello to. Mostly a good thing, sometimes not after a mad night out....Also, it's a really nice campus, especially the South. Free stuff: Gym, astroturf, pitches etc.)

Worst thing: Prices on campus definitely. Londis shop is a joke, O'brien's is a farce (I've heard it's the dearest O'brien's in Ireland..), the drinking culture can be a bit unnerving at times (not a good university to come to if you have a drink problem, great place to develop one)

philologos

K4t: It's particularly a joke now that there is an O'Briens in Manor Mills as well. Literally pop outside the campus gates and compare the price.

As for the drink issue, it is hardly the fault of the campus for students not controlling their drink is it? Although, I do think that more should be done to help students be sensible with alcohol or if they have a severe problem to do without.

allandanyways

Best Thing: Banquo is VP Comms elect!




*I'm going to ponder this and post later to avoid a rant akin to my anti-facebook one :pac:

K4t

Jakkass wrote: »

K4t: It's particularly a joke now that there is an O'Briens in Manor Mills as well. Literally pop outside the campus gates and compare the price.

Much cheaper prices in Manor Hills I presume? Shocking alright. They must be targeting staff and stupid students with the campus shop. I don't know anyone who eats there or who would even if starving.

Jakkass wrote: »

As for the drink issue, it is hardly the fault of the campus for students not controlling their drink is it? Although, I do think that more should be done to help students be sensible with alcohol or if they have a severe problem to do without.

I know the campus isn't to blame. It's just a fact that there is a massive drinking culture here. Yeah there is AA on campus but more could be done to make students aware alright.

philologos

K4t wrote: »

Much cheaper prices in Manor Hills I presume? Shocking alright. They must be targeting staff and stupid students with the campus shop. I don't know anyone who eats there or who would even if starving.

Much cheaper, and it's only just in the doorway of Manor Mills, 2 shopfronts down on the left. One could hardly say it's much further to walk to.

K4t wrote: »

I know the campus isn't to blame. It's just a fact that there is a massive drinking culture here. Yeah there is AA on campus but more could be done to make students aware alright.

Yeah, the only real notice given of AA is in the "What's On" thing sent by the chaplaincy every week and a very brief notice on their website. Not the most clear.

CnaG

Best thing - my class. My friends. Legends.

Worst thing(s) - the blue chairs in the arts block, the lack of places to sit generally on campus (a few more benches wouldn't go amiss), no canteen on north campus, the lack of parking, the fact that most cars don't know the red road and red pavements are meant for cyclists, the lack of a sheltered bike shed (though this is changing with the new canteen), the distinctly lacking careers department, certain staff who treat students as a nuisance, being told that I couldn't eat in juicee luciee with my friends because I brought sandwiches even though a)they'd bought stuff and b) there was hardly anyone there so it wasn't like I was taking a seat from a paying customer, the fact that the SU is a five to ten minute walk from pretty much everywhere on campus, union council.

K4t

Jakkass wrote: »

Much cheaper, and it's only just in the doorway of Manor Mills, 2 shopfronts down on the left. One could hardly say it's much further to walk to.

Sickening, but they'll always have a market with thousands of students and staff to target.

Speaking of prices. The price of text books is a disgrace. €62 for a new book this semester for one new module. I'm just getting the old edition out on loan from the library.

allandanyways

Ok

Best Thing: How small the Spanish department is, and how by Final year, you have a really close-knit class group in which you know everybody, and you know who you can turn to if you need help with something. Also love the library on a Friday after 2pm, the smell of the bookshop (I worked in a bookshop and never stopped loving the smell), campus at 8.30 on a frosty morning, the pond behind St. Pats on a summer's day, the fact that it's a relatively small college so, as other posters have said, you get to know people really easily (and even if you don't know them, you still get to know faces, which is quite comforting in a way)

Worst Thing: The walk from the 67a stop to the North Campus, the selective heating choices of the Library (i.e. freezing in January, heat roaring in May), the way people are incapable of having respect for other students and talk all the way through lectures and laugh when they're shushed, the general ignorance and lack of respect by students for other students regarding facilities like the PACRs, the reading room and the Library, the bridge, the blue chairs and the extortionate prices, esp. in the shop and at Bewleys.

Duddy

K4t wrote: »

Speaking of prices. The price of text books is a disgrace. €62 for a new book this semester for one new module. I'm just getting the old edition out on loan from the library.

Damn right - the college bookshop in particular is pretty bad, about 8 euro more than the rrp on average, for biology books anyways


Have we got the Finance Officer's price analysis thingie yet?

banquo

The Best: Again, like everyone else says, the great little community. We really do have our own unique little culture.

The Worst: Actually, this is kinda annoying. I can't say anything now because I'm Su-elect and can't say anything that might damage relations with anyone I'll need to work with next year... especially the obstructionist luddites at the computer centre who make enrolling for the ECDL about as straightforward as working out 15 years of personal tax history.

allandanyways

banquo wrote: »

especially the obstructionist luddites at the computer centre who make enrolling for the ECDL about as straightforward as working out 15 years of personal tax history.

I forgot to ask you this when you were only a candidate, but it might have prevented people from voting for you :rolleyes:;

As VP Comms, will you "communicate" (;)) with the Computer Centre about the Facebook thing? A member of the current exec told me they would "look into it" and "talk to the Computer centre" but I never heard anything more about it. It's still really bothering me, but I've given up complaining because nobody will fcuking listen. I will actually physically assault people when it comes to Finals time, I'm so sick of it.

Have heard a few people giving out about the ECDL issue (just to keep things OT)

Kiwi_knock

Best: As most have said the small community feeling, knowing the local characters. Small size of the campus, easy enough to get around.

Worst: Train times, the fact that you arrive an hour before a lecture or 5 mins before a lecture, neither very helpful. The last train leaving at 23:10.

banquo

allandanyways wrote: »

I forgot to ask you this when you were only a candidate, but it might have prevented people from voting for you :rolleyes:;

As VP Comms, will you "communicate" (;)) with the Computer Centre about the Facebook thing? A member of the current exec told me they would "look into it" and "talk to the Computer centre" but I never heard anything more about it. It's still really bothering me, but I've given up complaining because nobody will fcuking listen. I will actually physically assault people when it comes to Finals time, I'm so sick of it.

Have heard a few people giving out about the ECDL issue (just to keep things OT)

I've heard through the grapevine (read: may not be true) that they are, to their credit, working on a proxy that stops people from using farmville (etc) and other facebook apps, but still allow people to use facebook.

boscoroxx

Best: As everyone else has said, the small community within Maynooth. I had a friend from home up last week and she was astonished at the amount of people I knew, and it wasn't even half of them!

Worst: Train/Bus times. I live in Maynooth so it's not that big of a deal but whenever I'm getting a bus after class I either have to sprint down to make the one that leaves at 5 past the hour, or hang around for ages to get the one that leaves at 25 to the hour! Also kinda sickened by the prices of printing on campus! 8 cent a sheet may not seem like much, but it all adds up.

barleybooley

Best thing: It's where I met my lovely gentleman friend and also how I can walk 5 yards and see someone I know. Also, it's close(ish) to town for nights out but far enough away so that it's still friendly.

Worst thing: The stupid bureaucrats who keep insisting on closing off the shortcut!

Rozabeez

Best: The feel of the place, people seem to look out for each other and its so easy to make new friends. The south campus is also beautiful, I like that too.

Worst: This might be just me, but I feel suffocated a lot of the time. Everyone knows everyones business, I can't deal with it for much longer

m-a-i-

Best Thing: The friendliness of the college. Everyone is so friendly, like you can meet someone you have never met before and find something to talk about

Worst Thing: The prices, lack of facilities for parking....Like seriously. Its incredibly frustrating for a commuter to know that someone in your class who lives in maynooth would rather drive to the college and take up the spaces for people that need it....also the weather can tend to be more of an annoyance in Maynooth as there is muck everywhere when it rains....I don't think NUIM has any in blame in that though

allandanyways

banquo wrote: »

I've heard through the grapevine (read: may not be true) that they are, to their credit, working on a proxy that stops people from using farmville (etc) and other facebook apps, but still allow people to use facebook.

Now that I think of it, I don't know if it's because the computers are shít or because it's already in effect there, but you can't do much else apart from look at facebook and other people's profiles in the SALL room (Self Access Language Lab for non-language students), i.e. you can't chat or play games or comment. I shall investigate further and report back.

Forgot to add that I hate the chairs with the wee tables attached. I need SPACE to put all of my stationary. My paperchase folders do NOT go on the floor.

Cpt Beefheart

Best, the places to walk and think around south campus especially the pond behind st. pats.

Worst, the parking. I don't even want to think about Monday and a one way system until I have to negotiate it. Or perhaps no one turn up on 4 wheels during rag week so there will be tons of parking.

PrivateEye

Best:

The walking paths behind Pats, brilliant with the Mp3 player.

A good breakfast in the cafe by The Roost, Kehoes? Dear enough, but guaranteed a chat and a good feed.

The general vibe. It sounds cliche, but trust me- a few mates from UCD were up over the USI stuff and fell in love with the place. Believe the hype.

The pint in Caulfields, beautiful. Your Only Man.

The 80c Irish Times in the bookshop, thank you.

The fact I'm still finding things in the town. The Chinese by Rebel Pizza (seriously), the hidden gem that is the Newtown Inn pints, the 1798 memorial at the top of the street....

Maccie D's.

Hopefully, next years NEWSPAPER.


Worst:

Bertie Ahern. This is a serious University, go eat crayons somewhere.

mickstupp

BEST: Have to echo the previous, remarkably friendly place. Considerable lack of tossers compared to... any other college I've visited really.

WORST: The seating situation in general. As allandanyways pointed out, those little chairs with bits of broken wood attached are awful in every way, most of my classes this year involve them. The blue seats in the arts block count as a cruel and unusual punishment, however when I'm feeling too sleepy to study they cause enough pain to keep me awake, so that's a win right?:rolleyes: The lack of places in general to just sit down... would it hurt to get a few benches around the place?

I'm still feeling incredibly lucky to have picked this place, and got in, instead of some of the other places. So although there's lots I could complain about, they're all minor things for me when you look at the positives.

DingChavez

Best: Bertie Ahern
Worst: **** parking.

Michellenman

PrivateEye wrote: »

.....


Worst:

Bertie Ahern. This is a serious University, go eat crayons somewhere.

Hahahaha!

wha

Best: The way you can't walk across campus without knowing about 10 people

Worst: The way you can't walk across campus without knowing about 10 people

Really depends on my mood...

meganj

The Best: Sense of community, I remember when I was filling out my CAO and my cousin who went her about 11 years ago begged me to put Maynooth down she said it would change my life and it did much more so then I'd imagine UCD or Trinity do.

The Worst the litter on the main st. I suppose I've just become an old woman since I started living down here permanently Maynooth is such a beautiful little town but to see drunken fools littering the place with maximus wrappers, bottles of wine/beer/spirits etc. really fricking annoys me. Also the Taxis, once again living on the main street, any time I walk out the door I get harassed with "do you need a taxi luv" no I don't need a bloody taxi you SWINE!

Also... The first years. Every year they seem to get more inconsiderate, loud, annoying, dumb and slutty*. I put my bin out at 11 o'clock only to walk down on two first shagging each other. I knew they were first years because I subsequently ran into two of them in the first year history lecture I was sitting in on.


*note may not be representative of all first years.

Red_Niamh

This is a brilliant topic, loving it!!

But I'm gonna have to think about it and come back to you on it.... hmmmm...!

Ataxia

Best: Like everyone else said, the sense of community, the fact that I can walk across campus and meet about 20 people I know.

The drinking culture, the fact that if I wanted to I could drink 5 nights a week, and there would always be people to drink with.

The relative absence of the shades.

A large group of lefties who organise marches and rig elections.

On-campus accommodation being literally on campus.

The Roost smoking area.

Jazz in O'Neills.

Boycotting large commercial night clubs.

Worst:

The fact that the new canteen will have no SU shop, but will have two private dining rooms for John Hughes and his friends.

The Clubs & Socs scene is really underdeveloped here, probably because we're a small campus; in particular, the lack of a debating tradition.

The fact there's nowhere cheap to eat on campus.

Paths that seem to take the longest possible route to your destination.

The Maths Dept. being as far away from my house as physically possible.

Bertie Ahern being somehow considered worthy of honour.

No headshop.

No Nitelinks during the week.

Ms. Koi

barleybooley wrote: »

Worst thing: The stupid bureaucrats who keep insisting on closing off the shortcut!

Do you, by any chance, live in Moyglare Abbey?!?!

Ms. Koi

Best Thing: Being from Maynooth, I was worried I was going to get stuck with the same bunch of people for the entire time I spent in college...which I didn't want! I wanted a change from all that drama! Now I've found the best bunch of mates, have so much fun all the time and I'm loving it!
The South Campus is soo pretty, I have happy and sad memories over there and I just find it so peaceful.
The free gym...even though I am yet to use it! (This week I promise!)
I'm also really enjoying lectures at the moment...hopefully it will mean better results in second semester!!

Worst Thing: The fact I can never get the timing right on the walk from my house in Moyglare Abbey to the college! So I'm either a half hour early or rushing in the door! You would think after 12 years living here I would know how long it takes to get to the college! Also...that bridge can be a killer!
I don't like that misty rain we always get in maynooth...it's very annoying!!

Aurongroove

I dunno

Best: the community

Worst: prices of things. you're honestly better off getting dinner in one of the resturants up town then coffee and a sandwich in John Hume

Seren_

Best: Echoing pretty much everyone else, I'm going to say the friendliness of the place And if you're having trouble, people are really willing to help you out, all you need to do is ask.

Worst: I didn't realise this until I got properly involved with clubs and socs this year, but the lack of interest in clubs and societies on campus. It's a bit sickening to organise and advertise something yet nobody turns up to it.

banquo

Ataxia wrote: »

Worst:
No headshop.

Heh.

barleybooley

kellief wrote: »

Do you, by any chance, live in Moyglare Abbey?!?!

I do! Seven minutes with a shortcut, twelve without, that five minutes difference is the difference between getting a cup of tea and not! :mad:

banquo wrote: »

Heh.

I think he means a different head, banquo dear *ewww, gross gross gross*

Ms. Koi

banquo wrote: »

The Worst: Actually, this is kinda annoying. I can't say anything now because I'm Su-elect and can't say anything that might damage relations with anyone I'll need to work with next year...

IT GETS SO HARD BEING SO PC!!!! I'm a pretty outgoing person who says what I think so it's so hard biting my tongue over the SU! Not that I'd be saying anything bad about them but I always have to remain neutral over everything!

banquo

What is it exactly you do?

Ms. Koi

kellief wrote: »

IT GETS SO HARD BEING SO PC!!!! I'm a pretty outgoing person who says what I think so it's so hard biting my tongue over the SU! Not that I'd be saying anything bad about them but I always have to remain neutral over everything!

I have no recollection of writing this?! As in I have never seen this post before!
I'm trying to remember!

Ms. Koi

barleybooley wrote: »

I do! Seven minutes with a shortcut, twelve without, that five minutes difference is the difference between getting a cup of tea and not! :mad:



I think he means a different head, banquo dear *ewww, gross gross gross*

Damn shortcut closing is very detrimental to my sleep! I thought I saw someone walking towards it earlier, a girl who lives beside me so she doesn't live down there. I may investigate later!

XxMCRxBabyxX

K4t wrote: »

Speaking of prices. The price of text books is a disgrace. €62 for a new book this semester for one new module. I'm just getting the old edition out on loan from the library.

Unfortunately that's nothing! The cheapest law book I could get was €90. But that's not even the college's fault! That's country wide unfortunately!

Aurongroove

whatever about the moyglare short cut, (you're losing lots of time walking out of the estate, but atleast you can entre via the village apartments entrance, so it's not the worst thing ever)

the difference between jumping the wall at logic house or going round the river, in through the south campus gate and back up to logic house probibly spells the difference between getting to a lecture with time to spare, or missing the first 15 minutes

funky penguin

Ugh, the Logic House wall is so annoying.

On the plus side, once I hop it, I'm always happy, on my way to see my awesome mates, practice piano, hand in an assignment, have a music soc meeting or practice for one of two choirs.

God I love this college.

Rozabeez

Worst: Library being closed on Sundays.

Kinski

Best: Small and friendly. Approachable staff. The fact that it's not Trinity or UCD.

Worst: Walking over that bridge (I'm lazy). The SU is ugly and a bit tacky. And commuting - commuting to NUIM really sucks.

5Aces

the locals are very sound.

PrivateEye

The SU is ugly and a bit tacky.

Leave Rob alone.