Advice for freshers...

TwoFeetJoe

Anybody in NUIG or who has gone to NUIG that would like to share some advice on what the college is like?

Where are the best places for going out, best student accomodation to get, or anything useful that you've learned over the years would be much appreciated!!

dmcg90

TwoFeetJoe wrote: »

Anybody in NUIG or who has gone to NUIG that would like to share some advice on what the college is like?

Where are the best places for going out, best student accomodation to get, or anything useful that you've learned over the years would be much appreciated!!

Going out:
Depends on what you're into, mainstream is served well by CPs (but pretentious) Karma and Club K (cheapest). Dance by Carbon and indie/electro by the Roisin Dubh.

In terms of pubs the College Bar, Fibbers and the Hole in the Wall are pretty good for first years.



Accomodation:
Student wise the biggest are Corrib Villege, Gort na Coiribe and Cuirt na Coiribe. Corrib is brilliant for first years, Gort and Dun are much nicer but less close and don't have a lot of first years. Private accomodation is much cheaper.

Other:
Really do keep a check on studying thought the year, its invaluable in exam time.

Get to the library/reading room early coming close to exams, it gets packed very quickly.

Don't join too many clubs or societies, make a commitment to a few and do go to them, they're great craic.

Ask! First years never ask when they need help, we're a friendly bunch!

Do the library tour, its really handy. Also always have money on your print credit account. Its a real hassle if you're in college and you're far away from a kiosk to top up.

Be nice to your first year mentors! I'm gonna be one this year so go easy on us!

If you need anything else just ask

Kinky Slinky

If you have a girlfriend/boyfriend dump them now.
Buy food for when you comeback from a night out instead of spending money on fast food.
If you have an option of going to a club or a house party go to the house party.
Read past papers so you can tell what parts of lectures you should really be paying your full attention to.
Always do your continual assessments as fast as you can don't let them drag out.
Don't sit up the front of lectures and start texting.
Don't bring a laptop to a lecture and spend the whole time on Facebook.
Try and be nice to everyone even if you don't like them at first.
Don't a have a full conversation with your friend during a lecture.
Try and do different things through out the year e.g. comedy gigs, live music ,cinema etc.

Da Shins Kelly

Best places for going out:

As already said, it depends on what you're into. If you like clubbing then CPs is probably your best bet. Karma and Club K are cheaper though. Carbon is a new place, I haven't been there, but apparently it's dance music they play there mainly? The Roisin Dubh is my particular favourite. It's got a nice vibe about it. They play mainly indie music and dance, and they have some brilliant gigs there for cheap. It's more of a pub than a club, so it's better for going to with friends if you want to be able to sit and talk as well as dance, and the music isn't really overbearing so you can't hear anything anyone is saying. However, as has been said, house parties are usually way better than anything you'll find in town. House parties are the bizness.

Accommodation:

Getting a house somewhere with friends would probably work out a lot cheaper than living in somewhere like Corrib. However, Corrib is famous for being a great first year spot. A lot of partying and craic there for first years. Corrib, Gort and Cuirt are all pretty expensive, I think. If you do decide to get a place that's not part of student accommodation, be careful to make sure you get a good place and don't get done on rent.

Studying:

This is important. If you're doing something you really enjoy, it won't seem like hard work. Keep up to date on any continuous assessment work you have to do, it will pay off come results time. You don't have to overdo it on the studying in first year, but keep working away over the year - handing up any work that you have to hand up on time, going to all the lectures and tutorials you can and going over the material regularly - it will pay off in the exams. Also, you won't need to buy every single book on the list. A lot of the books you need will be available in the library, you just need to get there quickly before they're all gone!

Lectures:

It's important to go to the lectures. There is a Blackboard system in place (lecturers put up notes and such on Blackboard for students to use), however don't stop going to lectures just because Blackboard is there. There really is no replacement for actually being in the lecture and hearing the lecturer talk about the topic. It helps with understanding it better. However, don't go into a lecture and then spend the whole time talking, texting or on Facebook on a laptop. There's nothing more annoying than this. Lecturers usually don't say anything, however there are probably a few who will call you out if you are talking through their lecture.

Other points:

Always keep you student ID on you for the library and such.
Join a couple of societies or clubs (but not too many), they're a good way to meet new people.
Don't be afraid to ask anyone if you get lost or something.
Bring all your friends from other colleges to Galway for RAG Week - it can't be bait.
Throw at least one house party, and go to everyone else's.
Drink!

Have an awesome time, but keep working!

johnk92

Best student accom is by far Cuirt Na Coiribe. Really sound and nicest apartments to live in for year. Security are sound and really good craic all round, not to mention the talent!!!! Trying to get back in this year, fingers crossed!

johnk92

johnk92 wrote: »

Best student accom is by far Cuirt Na Coiribe. Really sound and nicest apartments to live in for year. Security are sound and the village is really good craic all round, not to mention the female talent!!!! Trying to get back in this year, fingers crossed!

dont go near anywhere too far awat you ll regret it in the winter and cuirt is right beside college so handy out.

f1dan

johnk92 wrote: »

dont go near anywhere too far awat you ll regret it in the winter and cuirt is right beside college so handy out.

Cuirt is most definitely not right beside college

MariaS111

Prob Gort and Cuirt is best option, too hard to get into Dun need to deal with private landlords etc.. Heading into 3rd year and still wanna live this side of bridge. Cuirt is nearer to Gort to college, 12-15 min!!