Want to go to NUIG but not a Party Person

HugsiePie

So yeah, I'm currently in LC and when I finish I hope to go on and study science at NUIG. However whenever anyone mentions NUIG to me they always tell me what a great place it is for partying/clubbing/great nightlife etc, it seems to be the main attraction for a lot of people. I actually hate partying, will this go against me, or is the whole partying thing over stated. Will I be a social outcast if I don't go partying, will I be the odd one out? Could anyone offer any advice please. I know that nothing cn be stated as a fact, but from your own impression, what do you think?

iliketomoveit

Maybe at the first week and rag week you might feel a bit excluded, but usually half the night is spent pre drinking and then at around eleven or so people go out to nightclubs.

If its more your style to have conversations than go crazy then you'll have a great time, as half the night is spent usually without loud music and just lols and bants.

I wouldn't imagine any other colleges differ wildly from Galway, its just that when you do go out in Galway you have a wide range of nightclubs to choose from, and rag week is supposedly crazy.

Ficheall

You'll be grand. I don't drink and don't party yet am easily the most popular person in NUIG.

>_>
<_<

Squeeonline

Ficheall wrote: »

You'll be grand. I don't drink and don't party yet am easily the most popular person in NUIG.

Seconded.

Also there are lots of clubs/societies that do things other than drink. I have quite a few friends that don't drink and I hate clubs myself and I don't feel left out at all.

##You can drink if you want to, you can leave your friends behind...##

Conor94

I'm in pretty much the exact same position as you... I'm in LC, I'm probably going to go to NUIG to study science next year and I'm fairly introverted... I don't like partying much. So... you're not alone. I'm sure there's plenty of other people who aren't mad about parties... especially in science? I've heard NUIG has some of the best clubs/socs in the country, so I'm sure there's plenty to get up to for people who don't really like partying.

LoonyLovegood

I rarely go out, and I love it here. I've a great group of friends that I've made through societies, and we just have a laugh. There's not as much of a drink culture as some people think.

challengemaster

HugsiePie wrote: »

So yeah, I'm currently in LC and when I finish I hope to go on and study science at NUIG. However whenever anyone mentions NUIG to me they always tell me what a great place it is for partying/clubbing/great nightlife etc, it seems to be the main attraction for a lot of people. I actually hate partying, will this go against me, or is the whole partying thing over stated. Will I be a social outcast if I don't go partying, will I be the odd one out? Could anyone offer any advice please. I know that nothing cn be stated as a fact, but from your own impression, what do you think?

Conor94 wrote: »

I'm in pretty much the exact same position as you... I'm in LC, I'm probably going to go to NUIG to study science next year and I'm fairly introverted... I don't like partying much. So... you're not alone. I'm sure there's plenty of other people who aren't mad about parties... especially in science? I've heard NUIG has some of the best clubs/socs in the country, so I'm sure there's plenty to get up to for people who don't really like partying.

Yeah, at LC that's pretty much the only thing that gets said about NUIG. It's why most of my class went to NUIG, and why I didn't even have it on my CAO.

Big mistake. I ended up transferring to NUIG after 1st year.

Don't get me wrong, NUIG is brilliant for partying/etc, particularly because it's so close to walk to 'town' and there's loads of pubs/clubs. It's also brilliant for lots of other things that never get mentioned at LC level, or you just don't think about because you have no idea what college will be like, and you're not used to living somewhere else.

Galway in general is just a great city to live in. It's a really mellow place to live and there's a big student vibe to the place (in a good way) and people/students are quite friendly. Also pretty much everywhere is within walking distance.

Same applies to the campus from pretty much all student housing areas, all short walking distances. It really doesn't take that long to find your way around and settle in. Its also a pretty safe place to live in general.

Also, in terms of NUIG itself -

Despite the state of the campus with building going on at the minute, it's got a lot of pretty good facilities and lecturers. Particularly in terms of science.

There's over 50 clubs and over 100 societies that you can join. Take a look through them and see if there's anything you're interested in. They're a very good way to make a small group of friends that you'll probably know for your entire degree.

Making friends in first year science is probably the most difficult part of things. There's over 300 in the year. Chances are in the first week or two you might not see the same person twice. The thing to remember is that its the same for everyone. Don't be afraid to say hi to people you're sitting next to in lectures. It's also much easier to get to know people once labs start and you're put in groups. And as you go into 2nd/3rd/4th year and filter into different subjects, the classes become much more tightly knit and everyone knows each other.

You will make friends. Don't worry.

So in a bit of summary: The partying is a bit over stated, although some people do go crazy in 1st year. You won't be a social outcast, don't worry. It might go against you slightly in the first week or two when everyone is going out pretty much every night, but when things settle down it'll make no odds.

I sincerely recommend you put NUIG first on your CAO.

mockshelp

I'm currently in 1st year undenominated science. I was in UCD doing arts the year before and dropped out and now I'm in NUIG. Getting on campus accomodation (or any sort of student village) is a good start for making friends. When I was in UCD I didn't get on campus accommodation and ended up having to accept digs (which I didn't like) as it made it hard to make friends especially when I went up there on my own knowing nobody and the lectures were so big for arts. This year I'm in NUIG and got Gort na Coiribe student accommodation. It's off campus accommodation but one of NUIG's official student residences. (Corrib village is supposedly best for making friends as its all 1st years there but that accommodation is not good. Gort has the nicest accommodation but its mostly 2nd years here but a good few 1st years. I got put with other 1st years to live with. In fact there's quite a good few 1st years in Gort and I've gotten to know a lot of people.

1st year undenominated science is all large class lectures. Compared to other courses like environmental science and biotechnology which have small groups (for the modules unique to these courses). (I know this because in my chemistry labs my lab partner does environmental science. Because I asked him on 1st chemistry lab we had how did he know the people opposite us in the lab...ans they do the same course as him.

I've gotten to know a few people in undenominated science but still sit on my own a lot. I'm introverted too. But after a while people tend to sit in the same places and I've gotten to know some people. Like if you make a friend, I make friends with their friends etc. Just make the effort to make a few friends at the beginning of the year.

I bet you have loads of questions about the course. You can PM me with any questions.

I'm much happier here than UCD. Galway is nicer. It's smaller and I find the course good. There's a lot of options with undenominated science. Don't be put off if you haven't done chemistry or physics for the LC. I only did biology and am doing fine. I got 3Bs and a C in maths in the Christmas exams. Everyone thought they failed maths but most people came out with Cs. Same for physics most people think they failed but most pass most people I know got a C. I think they made the Christmas exams easy enough, the Summer exams will probably be a lot harder. As long as you go to lectures, tutorials and labs and do a bit of study as you go along you'll be fine.

Some lecturers are good, some not so good but that's same as anywhere really. Quality of teaching in NUIG on par with UCD imo. I reckon you should pick Galway for your CAO!

Dnlduffy

I am currently a final year science student in NUI Galway and I personally think that the party element has been totally blown out of proportion. Whilst of course there is an element of people going out to bars etc there is also a huge social scene based around societies and clubs where you can go and meet like minded people.

I came to Galway from Wicklow completely alone and I now hate the thought of leaving after making so many life long friends. I would definitely say that if you have found a course that you are interested in that you should go for it