Anyone heading to St.Pats drumcondra?

aislingbgalway

So it looks like I'll be doing primary school teaching in St.Pats in September and I know nobody else going there so I'm pretty nervous but also really excited!
I'm 18 and from Galway and I'm not sure where to look for accommodation? I know campus is probably the easiest but I've heard its awful strict
If anyone else is going to Pats and wants to get in touch pm me!
Also if anyone has any accommodation advice that would be great!

emzz

Hey!:)

Huge congrats on getting into Pats! - sure it's pretty much in black and white at this stage!
I'm in my final year and If I could give you any advice - GO FOR CAMPUS! Strict, yeah, reasonably..BUT it's GREAT craic, a huge leg up in terms of making friends and a stones throw from the college which trust me, once the weather turns bad you'll be happy about:)
It's also so much easier as you've no bills, the rooms are decent sized - compared to what I had in a house last year anyways! Most of us wanted to go back to campus when we got into our own houses 'cause everyones in the same place!

It's strict when it comes to drink usually, but you'll find there are ways around that :P

I can honestly tell you, you are about to begin the best few years of your life! I'd do anything to be at the start again! If you've any questions just fire away:)

PashaMasha

I've got a place in primary teaching in St. Pat's as well this year but I'm still not sure whether to go on campus or off campus. Not too worried about the strictness of being on campus but rather the facilities. All the recommendations I'm getting are to go off campus. I was told today that the bedrooms don't even have sockets (Don't know if that's true or not) and other people I know doing the course are saying that the overall quality is quiet shoddy. How many people would you be sharing kitchen and shower facilities with? I'm getting confused with people telling me to go on campus or go off campus and it would be great if someone could set the record straight. Thank you!

emzz

Here's the craic with campus!

There are roughly 60 rooms in every house of which there are five. 60 rooms, over four floors!
The buildings are divided into two sections so there are seven or 8 girls or lads to each floor so you're sharing two toilets and two showers with that amount of people. Same as a house really!
The kitchen is another matter, there are two per house, one big one and one small one, there's two fridges, a hob for cooking, microwaves and toasters.. though when I was there, there were no ovens! Most people had pasta, microwave meals and stuff you could cook in a pan or boil anyways so it wasnt a huge issue. Just annoying if you wanted to have pizza or something like that! Anyways, those two kitchens are for 60 people.. and you'd be surprised at how it just works out, people are coming and going at different times, you'll only ever have a handful of people in each kitchen at a time and a lot of people make dinner with their friends so it cuts down on a lot of things!

The rooms are fine, theres a decent sized wardrobe, a desk and.. ehhh a sink..! the no sockets thing is bull to me 'cause when I was there two years ago there was two by your bed and two by your desk, sure how could they charge phones and use laptops and stuff?! They probably mean in the common room! - thats the big conservatory type room in all of the houses with seats and a television.

Campus is by no means perfect, but when you get out into living in houses you could be dealing with worse! Our house was damp, there was ants even though it was clean, the oven buttons came off after a few weeks, the landlord never answered our calls,the carpet was dusty and the rooms were much smaller than campus! We were all sick throughout the year and we were paying 450 a month for the privilege without bills! Obviously that's not the case for everybody but those kind of complaints are common. For a first year, particularly if you're going to Pats on your own, campus is great for making friends, it's safe, it's so close to the college..it's across the road from Tesco, near Derwins, there's a bus stop outside and across the road. There's always someone around the place.. I definitely recommend taking if you get the chance!
I know laods of people speak negatively of it but we were all wishing we could go back after a month on the outside!

If you dont get on campus, all hallows across the road offer accommodation, as does Marino but that's a bit of a treck! There'll be houses on collegecribs, grabagaff, daft.ie and on rent.ie! If you're still stuck drop a mail to the SU, you can find them on Facebook and they have a list of accommodation to let! That's all I can think of! If you have any other questions about Pats.. just shoot:)

PashaMasha

Thanks very much for clearing this up, apparently whatever people have been telling me is a load of bull so! :pac: I've applied for on campus anyways and we'll find out on Thursday whether I get a room or not. Plus the price seems reasonable, 97 euro a week (Could be much worse). By the way is there a canteen or anything like that? Thanks a lot for your help again!

emzz

Oh definitely and no bills! Happy parents :P I know there'll be times where you'll be like.. "whatta kip" but other times you'll love it:P

There is indeed, there's a big canteen that has breakfasts, wraps, sandwiches, dinners, salads.. soups and all that craic 'til 4 O'Clock!It's reasonably priced for the portions, but just wait until you meet Bia Blasta! It's the sandwich shop beside Pats on Millbourne Avenue.. it's one of the best things about Pats!! And it's fairly okay price wise as well! Then there's a smaller cafe type loungey place called Java and that does coffees, pastries chocolate and those kind of snack type things! Beware of the vending machines by the way, they're evil! Especially the one that has all the sweets in it!:P

Not at all, any questions at all I'm happy to answer them! I wouldn't be surprised if ye start wondering where the registration packs are, ours didnt come out til really late so dont panic!:) We're one of the last colleges to go back so..!

You're in for the best few years of your life!:)

Kevin95

Hey emmz, I'm just wondering how strictly enforced the "no electrical appliances in room" rule is enforced? I wanted to bring a tv and xbox for my room but now I'm not sure if I'll risk it.. I remember seeing a thread on this website before where someone who had campus accommodation advised to bring a mini fridge for your room, so I presume they got away with electrical appliances! I was wondering could you help me out? Also, is there any form of Wifi or internet in the rooms? Thanks!

emzz

Hey Kevin95!
It's strict but once you plug things out when you're not using them and put them away, they dont really have much of a case against you! I think they're more strict with alcohol! If you dont draw attention to yourself you'll be grand:) and with internet, there is access, I dont know the technical term but there's a thing on the wall at your desk where you can connect by buying a lead in the resource centre in the college, they're around five euro! But limits you to your desk, so if you dont like the sound of that you can get one of those dongles where you top up by 20 a month! I had one for o2 and it was terrible, but three have really good reception and the data iss almost impossible to use up! Hope that helps:)

monaghanmissus

I've just finished my course in Pats and I can't really give any more advice than emzz already did, she's basically covered everything! :P Like she said, definitely go for campus! It's easily the best option for first years in terms of making friends and settling in.. If you're not successful with campus you'll find an accommodation list for the surrounding area here - http://stpatssu.com/index.php/accommodation/

All I can say is enjoy your 4 years! I'd love to do it all over again.

LCert

I got offered Pats campus accommodation and accepted. The joys of not having to look for somewhere to live. I've heard that its fairly strict about having people over. Is that true? From what people have said it sounds worse than living at home. Gaaaah!

emzz

Yeah I'm afraid it's kind of strict in that respect! Some people have managed to have people stay over but by the rules on campus, no one is allowed stay over! To be honest it's something you kind of take for granted 'cause most people you are friends with will be on campus anyways and off-campus friends will usually put up visitors!

It all depends on security really, ye might be luckier than we were:)

cicid

hi everyone hope you can help
i just missed out on campus accomodation but am number 28 on waiting list
what are my chances of getting in ???
i dont want to go looking elsewhere if there is a chance of getting in
any advice greatly appreciated

PashaMasha

cicid wrote: »

hi everyone hope you can help
i just missed out on campus accomodation but am number 28 on waiting list
what are my chances of getting in ???
i dont want to go looking elsewhere if there is a chance of getting in
any advice greatly appreciated

I'm number 31 on the waiting list, my advice is to go looking off campus, very unlikely that 28 people will reject the accommodation

emzz

Guys if ye're looking for people to share join the freshers group on FB:) https://www.facebook.com/groups/1410720872476517/

computer44

Girls and Guys go on-campus if you can get it. I am a mature BA and it certainly saves a lot of hassle. You have friends from day 1, no bills or landlords chasing. Must say the craic is always good.

PashaMasha

computer44 wrote: »

Girls and Guys go on-campus if you can get it. I am a mature BA and it certainly saves a lot of hassle. You have friends from day 1, no bills or landlords chasing. Must say the craic is always good.

Already got rejected for on campus unfortunately, not too sure where to look now! Anyone wanna share :P

computer44

You will have to go off-campus, which is dodgy at the best of times. I am a mature BA living in Clontarf west and especially in the good areas you will need references and that you have the ability to keep up with your studies.(They actually take that as a part of reference) With rent gone up in Dublin you will have to look at Santry and maybe Whitehall which are all DCU students anyway.

computer44

I am a mature and live in Clontarf have my own place and your blessed. Its actually great craic and you will make friends from day 1. Well look at the lads and girls here wishing they were in your place. In digs, not nice. Traipsing around looking for a place even worse. Dublin is different this year rents are up and accommodation is scarce for good accommodation.

emzz

If you drop a line to Pats SU, or search "Pats Primary teaching" there are is plenty of accommodation in the Drumcondra area and lots of people looking for others to share with!

nifheorais

Can off-campus students call in/viait friends on campus accom?

emzz

They can visit up til 10pm..as in they can get in the gates 'til that time, but they're not supposed to stay after night.. it's risky business after that :P

computer44

I am a mature student but you will have a great time in St.Pats. Its a lovely small college and everyone looks out for each other and I think most of the counties are represented. I'm Tipp myself but have been living in Dublin for abt 6 years. (Wheres Kilkenny).

Enjoy your college years

timewilltell

I can't even begin to describe how jealous I am of all you freshers/ current students. I lived on campus in Pats and loved every minute of it. They year I lived there was the year before it got strict. We had a ball.Yes the rooms are a bit draconian and it is a bit annoying not being allowed guests but it's the best way to make friends! THe girls I lived beside on campus became the girls I moved in with in 2nd year.

Few years finished now and the nostalgia is eating me alive! Enjoy

Orlab2013

Anyone still looking for accommodation ?

Dlowry

Hi. I'm a mature student starting B Ed the 23rd sept. I received my subject choices today and I'm not sure what to pick. I was thinking Music and Geography. Does anyone know if those subjects are tough? Any advice/help would be much appreciated

timewilltell

Dlowry wrote: »

Hi. I'm a mature student starting B Ed the 23rd sept. I received my subject choices today and I'm not sure what to pick. I was thinking Music and Geography. Does anyone know if those subjects are tough? Any advice/help would be much appreciated

Geography has a lot in it but friends that did it found it extremely interesting. I believe there is a lot of human geography etc. Music also required a lot of effort, but of course if you are interested it makes all the difference! I did Irish and English in first year and kept on English. It was extremely manageable!

irishlad.

timewilltell wrote: »

Geography has a lot in it but friends that did it found it extremely interesting. I believe there is a lot of human geography etc. Music also required a lot of effort, but of course if you are interested it makes all the difference! I did Irish and English in first year and kept on English. It was extremely manageable!

Hey heading to Pats this year too, and wondering how hard does English and Irish get in first year if you pick it as a specialism, like i got a C1 in irish and wondering if i would be able for it...

PashaMasha

Anyone ever do history in Pat's. Is it difficult? Or would I be better off pick Biology? Think I'll pick Irish and English anyways

computer44

Do subjects that appeal and interest you. It would be a nightmare to do a subject
that you would have no interest or aptitude in.

PashaMasha

computer44 wrote: »

Do subjects that appeal and interest you. It would be a nightmare to do a subject
that you would have no interest or aptitude in.

Yeah it's hard to judge, some subjects I hated doing was because of the teacher we had :P Think I'll just pick subjects I got better grades in

Long Term Louth

PashaMasha wrote: »

Anyone ever do history in Pat's. Is it difficult? Or would I be better off pick Biology? Think I'll pick Irish and English anyways

Just finished three years of history, there is a lot in it. Lots of essays and long exams, enjoyable and manageable though. Sure if it were easy everyone would be doing it.

emzz

Geography has LOTS of work in it, but apparently very interesting - lot of assignments

History is ok, if you're interested or a history buff it's a great move! Though I found a lot of the lecturers hard to listen to. Quite a few essays involved, which cause a bit of stress, but a lot of people get essays from other people - so it can be a bit annoying if you're working off your own initiative and others are handing up other peoples essays! there's 3-4 lectures a week and a tutorial!

Irish.. hmm. I got an A1 in my leaving cert and thought I was great at it...then I got to Pats! I tend to be very average with grades there now! Still passable though with a bit of work. The department as a whole are so lovely, the lectures are ok, there are no assignments, but everything depends on your exam/oral so the end of the year sees the bulk of the work. You'll have an Irish seminar every week and you'll get little bits of homework but they're grand! Don't make the mistake of not attending them 'cause the work counts towards your grades at the end of the year! *Ye'll have seminars as well if ye don't take Irish as an academic, but they're generally quite basic and not too full on:)

English - essays spaced throughout the year, if you can keep on top of it.. go for it! Seems to be marked quite easily but they're VERY tight on plagiarism! Interesting lectures, if you don't do english as an academic with your B.Ed, you'll have to do an extra english class anyways so you'll be cutting down on lecture time if you do it by an hour a week!

Music - I hear a lot of work, stressful, and not highly recommended unless you have a great aptitude for music, written exams and practicals for assessment! I think there are assignments too!

Religion - I hear it's crazily easy and you're not over burdened with work! Again by doing it as an academic you don't have to attend certain B.Ed lectures to do with religion so you have less lecture time (for certain lectures now, not all of them!:))

Human Development for anyone doing the BA is supposed to be great! easy enough, kind of like psychology from what I gather!

Maths.. unless you love maths it's best to steer clear! Most people I know who took it regret doing it, but then that's just a section of people I know! If you have a head for numbers, go for it. I notice that maths people tend to work together a lot so there should be lots of help if you need it!:)

French is fairly full on from what I gather and a lot of variety in it.. there's exams and an oral exam and I don't know what the craic is with assignments!

I would say if possible take a taster of everything - and don't do something just cause you were good at it in Leaving cert, do something you reckon you'll enjoy or at least something you might attend lecture-wise! Everything is do-able, and in fairness most things have a relative amount of work/difficulty involved.. but sure that's college for you. Stay on top of it and you'll be more than fine!



I think that's everything!:)

PashaMasha

Long Term Louth wrote: »

Just finished three years of history, there is a lot in it. Lots of essays and long exams, enjoyable and manageable though. Sure if it were easy everyone would be doing it.

Yeah I'll just pick history to hell, I can drop it if I really hate it anyways. Thanks!

computer44

And that does sum it up. There's nothing too easy at 3rd level.

There will be assignments, exams and a little pressure at times.

But most of all enjoy your Uni years.

computer44

Do not forget your GAA jerseys as Pats is the biggest teacher training college in the country and highly respected we expect to know where you come from.

Tipp myself, but you will see everyone wearing their county jersey.

And no slagging to Dublin, God bless them but they are a good team both in football and hurling.

They demoralised Kilkenny.

JackyDaydream

So I got a C2 in higher maths and was thinking of doing it at Pats, could anyone help me by telling me if its very difficult and should i pick another subject?

PashaMasha

JackyDaydream wrote: »

So I got a C2 in higher maths and was thinking of doing it at Pats, could anyone help me by telling me if its very difficult and should i pick another subject?

I got a C2 as well but I'm not willing to take the risk picking it, anything more than that project maths course and my brain will explode

JackyDaydream

PashaMasha wrote: »

I got a C2 as well but I'm not willing to take the risk picking it, anything more than that project maths course and my brain will explode

What subjects have you picked?

PashaMasha

JackyDaydream wrote: »

What subjects have you picked?

English, Irish and history (Still might switch history with biology, might go to some biology classes too and see). What about you?

JackyDaydream

PashaMasha wrote: »

English, Irish and history (Still might switch history with biology, might go to some biology classes too and see). What about you?

I've picked Irish maths and religion, but I'm in too mind about maths and might do English instead! Wouldn't mind doing biology aswel! Aaaah this is so confusing!

PashaMasha

JackyDaydream wrote: »

I've picked Irish maths and religion, but I'm in too mind about maths and might do English instead! Wouldn't mind doing biology aswel! Aaaah this is so confusing!

I'm sure they won't be strict about switching classes, if you want to do maths go for it and go to the biology and english classes as well, make an informed decision after a couple of weeks. Bit of a shambles because I didn't do a single subject in group D for the lc so my choices are limited to the other 3 groups

JackyDaydream

PashaMasha wrote: »

I'm sure they won't be strict about switching classes, if you want to do maths go for it and go to the biology and english classes as well, make an informed decision after a couple of weeks. Bit of a shambles because I didn't do a single subject in group D for the lc so my choices are limited to the other 3 groups

Oh are we allowed to switch classes when we get there? I didn't do religion for LC but I heard its a good one to have and is handy enough with not too much work involved in comparison to the others!

PashaMasha

JackyDaydream wrote: »

Oh are we allowed to switch classes when we get there? I didn't do religion for LC but I heard its a good one to have and is handy enough with not too much work involved in comparison to the others!

I'd imagine so, as long as you change within the first couple of weeks I'd say! Yeah religion could be a good one alright, might be like history but from a religious aspect! Argh it's annoying though, getting recommendations for different subjects the whole time

JackyDaydream

PashaMasha wrote: »

I'd imagine so, as long as you change within the first couple of weeks I'd say! Yeah religion could be a good one alright, might be like history but from a religious aspect! Argh it's annoying though, getting recommendations for different subjects the whole time

Oh ok, I think I might do English instead of maths! Yeah could be! haha really? What are they recommending to do? :P

PashaMasha

JackyDaydream wrote: »

Oh ok, I think I might do English instead of maths! Yeah could be! haha really? What are they recommending to do? :P

English seems to be the main recommendation, very low failure rate! Like English was my weakest result in the lc but I'll still give it a go Irish seems to be recommended a lot too. The thing about religion though is it would be irrelevant on a CV if you're applying for a job in an educate together school. Sure at the end of the day you'll be dropping 2 of the subjects at the end of 1st year so it's not a major issue

karkar athlete

@JackyDaydream and @PashaMasha - I am going into 3rd Year now and I am studying Maths and Geography - both my worst and best subject in LC got a D2 and B2 respectively. Maths is quite hard I must admit but on the plus side there is only 20 in my class so any problems can get ironed out quickly as lecturer's know the student quite well. Sometimes I wish I didn't pick maths but I didn't fancy doing human development. Last year however I heard there was ~50 B.Ed's doing Maths in 1st Year. However the Maths is nothing like school Maths really a bit of differentiation and bits and pieces are the same but the majority is quite different.

Also on the note of taking Irish as part of the B.Ed you'll then be qualified to teach in a Gaelscoil so I am told.

computer44

Do not worry, just ground down. There is no point in this forum discussing the differential between Math or English, you are making it like a leaving cert all over again.

Uni is meant to be a happy time and you have even got in the door yet.

I am sure as an adult going into 3rd level, you can think for yourself.

Think for yourself, nobody can tell your strong points only you,

computer44

No teaching posts in any Irish school in Dublin. there's a few down the country ok.

Spotted one in Naas,

Do not be pig headed, in that you have not have started at college yet.

Konata

Gentle reminder for users to be as civil as possible to other users (i.e. no name-calling and the like). Thank you

22322

i know this post is like a year old but just read it and wondered is St.Pats really that strict! Tbh im kinda turned off living on campus, cos my sister and boyfriend are in Dublin like and i presumed they would be able to stay over, but clearly not!
If i get the points and accepted i'll be going alone and im not sure would living off campus be a bad idea as it would be harder to make friends?

PashaMasha

22322 wrote: »

i know this post is like a year old but just read it and wondered is St.Pats really that strict! Tbh im kinda turned off living on campus, cos my sister and boyfriend are in Dublin like and i presumed they would be able to stay over, but clearly not!
If i get the points and accepted i'll be going alone and im not sure would living off campus be a bad idea as it would be harder to make friends?

I'm in Pats now and I'd say go for the on campus, even though they're strict. I didn't get on campus and I'm in digs now and not enjoying at all, as you said it's much tougher getting to know people outside the group you're put in when off campus. If you're really against the idea of going on campus I'd say try getting in the Marino Student Accommodation, it's pricey (Going up to 135 a week for next year I think) but the security there are meant to be very soft compared to Pat's security (No fines for alcohol, easier to let friends stay over). As well as that the quality of the accommodation is much better than pats, sharing a kitchen with only 2-4 other people plus the bedrooms are en-suite. (You'd need to be applying for that ASAP though because that accommodation goes quick enough) I know people who've been able to get others to stay over in Pat's accommodation overnight but you'd have to bring them in before 11 at night so that's pretty useless when going out.
If you get the course you'll be put in a group with about 35 other students and you'll be in a lot of lectures with your group that year so making friends in that respect isn't that difficult if you're off campus, however it'll be much easier if you're on campus. Look at the digs and housing list on the Pat's SU if you definitely don't want to live on campus. All in all even though on campus is strict Id say just go for it, you'll find ways to drink there if you're cute enough (The Cat and Cage is across the road anyways) and it's much handier to get to 9 o'clock lectures since you don't have to walk/commute. Hope that helps ya anyways