Tips for first years

angelxx

Starting in A.I.T. as a first year, Any students here like to share tips or
info about the college, best places to go out etc
Also does anyone know when first years need to move down! Thanks

cherryghost

The college itself isn't too big if you're going to be a Business/Science student. Everythings all under the one roof and easy to find. The library is also located in the same building, as is the canteen, so everything is well within walking distance of each other. If you're an Engineering/Social Studies/Vetinary, they are located mostly outside of the main building, with Engineering in the newly built Engineering block, while the other two are in an area located just outside of the campus. Again, the whole area is fairly small so they're also well within walking distance.

The Gym is located just off the main building and is pretty popular with both students and non-students. The office beside the Gym deals with Astro Turf bookings and such.

Things can be nervewrecking at first, just be yourself and relax, you'll be chatting away with your new classmates as if they've always been your friends

The lecturers around AIT are (mostly) very friendly. Some will even join you for a few drinks for a night out! They're very approachable, and if you're in doubt or need any help of any kind, they're happy to help you.

The Student Union would be of help for anything college/accomodation/social life related too.

The best place to start off on a night out is the student bar, Scribes. After a while, you'll get to know the area better and take trips out to the town, there's a far better choice of places like Sean's bar. There's 3 main nightclubs in the town. Genesis is located 3 minutes from the college, while Q and Karma are in town, both close to each other and a taxi rank sandwiched between.

Once you get your CAO results and your offers, I suggest you start looking for a place to stay asap. Most 2nd, 3rd and 4th years would have snapped up the best accomodation, leaving 1st years with sub-par accomodation. Steer clear from anything Willow Park related, it's not the best area to be living in. Anywhere else is fine and reasonably priced. The Student Untion usually provides a large list of registered college accomodations for anyone, so if you got time to pop down there before college starts, I recommend going there.


Hope that helps, good luck with your college course, and enjoy your stay in Athlone!

angelxx

Thanks for that Cherryghost, really helpful information. Have already been looking at accomadation would advise anyone to steer clear of willow park. A.I.T. sounds like
a great place to study.

Popple3

And if you happen to get lost (it's easy enough to find your way around, but it's not impossible to get lost), ask anyone around you. I'm sure the vast majority of students will point you in the right direction.

Bottom line, relax, be yourself, and don't be afraid to ask anyone for help.
Hope you enjoy your time in AIT

ColeTrain

The area around the college is like a little village itself, shop, pubs, takeaways, pharmacy, bookies and a lot of students around. Hardly any need to go into the town itself.

Scribes is a good spot, it's inside the college itself and is a very student orientated as you'd imagine. The TackRoom is a good pub for a quiet drinks, Charlie Browns is a good spot to watch the football if that's your thing. You'll probably end up in Genisis, but you will get sick of it quick. Q is good on a Wednesday, Karma on Thursday, both in the town itself.

Willow is probably the cheapest area to live in, wouldn't live there myself, better areas to live imo. There a good few estates the otherside of the college, opposite to Willow, generally they are more quieter but there should be plenty of options.

I think first years are back two weeks into September sometime, not sure though. Anyways, Athlone is a good spot, not too big and not too small. I'm sure you'll have a blast

EDIT Seems the first years are back the 6th

Irishchick

Is the gym free for students? Also I was wondering what sports/societys are there besides hurling/hockey??

Whats the parking like?

Thanks!

Popple3

Not sure about gym/sports, but the parking has generally been quite packed and hard to get a spot during the day, as far as I know. However there's a new parking area coming along with the new engineering building, so that should help it.

- bo -

Irishchick wrote: »

Is the gym free for students? Also I was wondering what sports/societys are there besides hurling/hockey??

Whats the parking like?

Thanks!

Section here on the clubs/societies:
http://www.ait.ie/informationforcurrentstudents/clubsandsocieties/

As far as I know the gym is €100 for the college year

Irishchick

Thanks. Do you have to pay for the parking?

- bo -

I don't drive and this is my 1st year in the main campus so I'm not the ideal person to ask, but I think there's some sort of disc/ticket type thing you pay for and it does you for the year or a certain period of time - check out yourself the exact details though i'm not 100% sure on it

cherryghost

You pay a yearly fee and stick in your car, can't remember how much it is though. I remember they brought it in and there was uproar, cars getting clamped everywhere. :rolleyes: Parking can be a nightmare too unless you're in for classes at 9, anytime after it's very difficult to park on campus.

angelxx

I found the information on accomadation here much more helpful than looking
online myself, Might be a help to other first years
http://www.aitsu.ie/accomodation.html

Does anyone have any recommendations for club/societies? How often they meet etc

BoB_BoT

Regarding parking, you need a permit. Permits are available to every student and is tied to your cars registration, and were 10 euro in 2008/2009, I think they were 10 last year as well, I can't remember.
Unfortunately while permits are unlimited, spaces are not. It's first come, first served. If you park illegally (i.e. on a curb, in a staff car park etc..) you will be clamped. Fines were 90 euro last year, don't know what the story is this year.

I think first years are supplied with a college map, showing the car parks and which are for staff, students or both. If you're close enough to the college, walk in, it saves a lot of hassle, for you and other students.

Irishchick

BoB_BoT wrote: »

If you're close enough to the college, walk in, it saves a lot of hassle, for you and other students.

Im not unfortunatly. i live 45 mins from Athlone.

Irishchick

Thanks angel. What are the first 2 weeks like? do they ease you in or is it straight into lectures lol?

Popple3

You'll probably start lectures properly in the 2nd week, maybe a little bit at the end of the 1st week. But the first week will be mostly about what you're gonna be doing through the semester/year, and just familiarising yourself with your surroundings and facilities.

BoB_BoT

Irishchick wrote: »

Im not unfortunatly. i live 45 mins from Athlone.

Then if it's anything like last year, you'll need to be there at 8.45 to get a spot. (on the main campus, there'll still be spaces at across the road near the nurses campus, but that fills up quick around / after 9).

Irishchick

Where's the nearest parking after those have been taken up?

angelxx

Thought this might be helpful regarding parking.
http://www.ait.ie/aboutaitandathlone/parking/

ColeTrain

Irishchick wrote: »

Where's the nearest parking after those have been taken up?

Some brave characters chance parking up on the curbs in Willow, right across the road from the college and at no cost

conor86

Any one know were you can get a cheap place to stay for a few nites in athlone?, i have to take a test

BoB_BoT

no places that are particularly cheap for one night. Think most b&b's are about 50/60 for a night.

angelxx

Does anyone know if a bus service operates form the college to the town, how often
and what they charge? Thanks

Popple3

There's two services, Bus Éireann and and Flagline. You generally won't be waiting much more than 10-15 mins (usually shorter), but there's the odd time you can be waiting longer, so leave plenty of time just in case.

angelxx

Popple3 wrote: »

There's two services, Bus Éireann and and Flagline. You generally won't be waiting much more than 10-15 mins (usually shorter), but there's the odd time you can be waiting longer, so leave plenty of time just in case.

Thanks popple3 10-15 minutes is a short wait, thought it would be a lot longer.

- bo -

Popple3, is Flagline still going? I thought they'd finished..?

angelxx

Is there an area in the library for charging your laptop if you need to bring it
with you?

BoB_BoT

Flagline are still on the go. Think they reduce services during the summer but start full service around the end of August.

angelxx, there are limited plugs in the library, but not officially intended for laptop charging. Remember to mute your sound or disable operating system sounds, can be quite annoying. :P

teaholic

angelxx wrote: »

Is there an area in the library for charging your laptop if you need to bring it
with you?

Ya if you go to the tables around the edge they ususally have plug nearby, or near a pillar.
The librarians come around every now and again and give out if the wires are raised off the ground, so make sure that they are on the ground and not a trip hazard.
And bring earplugs or earphones, the library is the noisest place in the college :eek:and the librarians are the biggest culprits! :mad:you are better off going down into one of the corners (with earplugs) and you will be grand!!!

angelxx

teaholic wrote: »

Ya if you go to the tables around the edge they ususally have plug nearby, or near a pillar.
The librarians come around every now and again and give out if the wires are raised off the ground, so make sure that they are on the ground and not a trip hazard.
And bring earplugs or earphones, the library is the noisest place in the college :eek:and the librarians are the biggest culprits! :mad:you are better off going down into one of the corners (with earplugs) and you will be grand!!!

Thanks for that, Thought it might be the best place to get study done. I know they
use moodle etc so will probably need to bring the laptop up.

cherryghost

Yeah, Flagline is 1.50 for a return ticket last time I checked.

The Library also facilitates laptops at the study desks, some of them have plug points nearby, not all of them though. Otherwise, theres 6 PC labs right above the library that are usually open til late

teaholic

angelxx wrote: »

Thanks for that, Thought it might be the best place to get study done. I know they
use moodle etc so will probably need to bring the laptop up.

You can access wireless in the canteen anyway. And you will end up needing your own laptop too for any assignments etc you get. OpenAccess, where all the college computers are can fill up very quickly and even with the computer labs around you are still better off using your own comp because of the restrictions on the college ones. There are alot of sites like boards, which cherryghost is trying to get unblocked, facebook, among others.

angelxx

Thanks Cherryghost and Teaholic, It is probably best to bring the laptop up then, sounds
much handier than waiting to use a pc.

Popple3

cherryghost wrote: »

Yeah, Flagline is 1.50 for a return ticket last time I checked.

The Library also facilitates laptops at the study desks, some of them have plug points nearby, not all of them though. Otherwise, theres 6 PC labs right above the library that are usually open til late

You really need to get with the times :P

Flagline stopped the €1.50 return ticket a while back because of a cut in government funding or something like that. It's €1 each way, no returns anymore

Offy

The first week is freshers week, its a big party with only first years in the college. After that its work as normal.

angelxx

Does anyone have any dates/ Info on freshers week? Is it available yet?

ColeTrain

angelxx wrote: »

Does anyone have any dates/ Info on freshers week? Is it available yet?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scribes-AthloneIT/106449626984

It will be up there soon enough!

BoB_BoT

Offy wrote: »

The first week is freshers week, its a big party with only first years in the college. After that its work as normal.

Ya sure about that? Pretty sure every other year is back earlier than 1st years.

angelxx

BoB_BoT wrote: »

Ya sure about that? Pretty sure every other year is back earlier than 1st years.

Yep first years are not back until the 6th.

SoupyNorman

Put yourself forward for class rep, you'll meet everybody in one fowl swoop plus you'll get to go on the class rep training excursion (20mins training, 8 hours boozing)

Get Accommodation in one of the many apartment complexes opposite the college...warmer, safer and more craic then living in Willow Park.

Dont live in Willow Park.

Studying in the computer labs was quiet mana from heaven.

Dont try studying in the library, you'll end up having 'the chat' with everyone.

Do not view lecturers in the same light as teachers.95% of AIT lecturers are made of sound material...The only way you will not get on with them is if you try not too.

Have a bloody blast, I know I did!

- bo -

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Put yourself forward for class rep, you'll meet everybody in one fowl swoop plus you'll get to go on the class rep training excursion (20mins training, 8 hours boozing)

I'm a class rep the past 2 years and have never heard of this

SoupyNorman

- bo - wrote: »

I'm a class rep the past 2 years and have never heard of this

WHAT! That is an outrage, sure that was the whole point of being a class rep

For shame I say to the Students Union...for shame!

BoB_BoT

I can back up -bo-s statement, class rep for 3 years. No excursions, the two years there was "training" were a lot longer than 20 mins. First year, I think we got a beer token... the other year we got dinner. There was no mad boozing session

SoupyNorman

BoB_BoT wrote: »

I can back up -bo-s statement, class rep for 3 years. No excursions, the two years there was "training" were a lot longer than 20 mins. First year, I think we got a beer token... the other year we got dinner. There was no mad boozing session

Sounds horrendous. Class rep is in the most part a thankless job, the class rep training (which was an over night trip by the way) was a great way to keep the reps motivated for the hassle they were to experience going forwards.

For it to become formalized in any way for me is not the way to go...the last thing you want or need is to have to attend ANOTHER lecture.

An offshoot of my training was me meeting my GF (6 years now) on the trip

angelxx

SoupyNorman wrote: »

Put yourself forward for class rep, you'll meet everybody in one fowl swoop plus you'll get to go on the class rep training excursion (20mins training, 8 hours boozing)

Get Accommodation in one of the many apartment complexes opposite the college...warmer, safer and more craic then living in Willow Park.

Dont live in Willow Park.

Studying in the computer labs was quiet mana from heaven.

Dont try studying in the library, you'll end up having 'the chat' with everyone.

Do not view lecturers in the same light as teachers.95% of AIT lecturers are made of sound material...The only way you will not get on with them is if you try not too.

Have a bloody blast, I know I did!

Great advice! Sounds like all past students have had great experiences and
the lecturers seem very helpful from what I've heard. Just have to wait for the dreaded cao monday Did anyone here use the gym? Are the facilities good?

- bo -

BoB_BoT wrote: »

I can back up -bo-s statement, class rep for 3 years. No excursions, the two years there was "training" were a lot longer than 20 mins. First year, I think we got a beer token... the other year we got dinner. There was no mad boozing session

I didn't get training, a beer token or a meal I got a crap hooide at the end of each year. Then again I was in Northgate St, nobody really knew that place existed so there was no attention paid to it. Being a class rep in the main campus is probably gonna be a lot different so..

BoB_BoT

Yeah very few knew about the Northgate Campus in town. Don't think you missed anything with the "training" all common sense kinda stuff. The beer token thing was in 1st year after the training iirc. The meal was this year I think, the training was in the Radisson so had that during lunch. We were promised a reps tour / session in 1st year, but that was never made good on.

Luckly my class were fairly content, just had to visit heads of dept. a few times, but I could see how a larger class would fairly tax a rep.

angelxx, have used the gym myself, it's grand, all the standards, can get busy at times, just need to avoid rush hour :P

rossie1977

the library advice is spot on, you cannot study in there, just becomes one big chat-session with someone you know

some more advice for first years, enjoy yourselves but don't go overboard because before you know it projects will be due and christmas exams will be on top of you. quite a few in my class didn't make it as far as christmas.

wednesday night is (was when i was there) the main night to go out, rag week is insane

Conor_M1990

Go to all your lectures and study believe me its harder said then done but its worth it

conor86

Anyone know were i can get a single room in a share house or flat in athlone? head it 4th year their.

angelxx

conor86 wrote: »

Anyone know were i can get a single room in a share house or flat in athlone? head it 4th year their.

There is some great advice on accomadation here. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055999128 The cao offers are out monday so I imagine most people are booking by now. There are apartments across the
road from the college still advertising.