Should I still try to secure accommodation for college??

30blue06

Hi all,
I'm currently in Leaving Cert, planning on going to college in Dublin in September. My first choice on my CAO is Primary Teaching in St Pats, second choice is Primary Teaching in Marino and third is Arts in St Pats. I have applied for on-campus accomodation on St Pats campus, as from friends and cousins that have gone to St Pats, I have heard that it is handy for your first year (especially when coming from the north west like me and not being hugely familiar with Dublin!), and also it is a good way to make friends with people in your course. However, it is a lottery system that selects those who get accommodation on campus (if you get a place in the college), so i was wondering, should I still try now to secure somewhere to live near the college, in case that i don't get campus accomodation? And then what do i do with that accomodation if i do get a room on campus? Any help/advice appreciated! Thanks in advance!