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Things First Years should know...

  • 25-08-2010 08:47PM
    #1
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭


    So I'm putting together the First Year Handbook and I figured it'd be better to see what stuff people thought n00bs first years should know.

    (Before I forget: Welcome!)

    For those who don't know, the First Year Handbook is a guide to the college, town and university life from the Student's Union. All first years get it during Freshers'.

    I already have all the obvious stuff. I'm looking for those little tips that you'd only know from living in a certain area / working in a certain place / just living here for a few years.

    Also, what kind of stuff do ye first years want to know? I'm open to all ideas to make this a decent guide.

    *Rob


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Comments

  • #2
    luv-eirexx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 57 ✭✭luv-eirexx


    Hey!!!

    I'm heading into 1st year, was up to see maynooth for the first time today!!!

    I think you should definately put in a map of the campus and the town, marking all the supermarkets and pubs and stuff.

    Possibly bus times from maynooth to all sort of big towns in Ireland on fridays and sundays, that'd be handy to have for the first few weeks for going home at weekends.

    Possibly a top 10 of the best take aways in town??(i'm very hungry as I'm writing this!!!!)

    just a few thoughts, :)


  • #3
    LeixlipRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,081 ✭✭✭LeixlipRed


    I know it's boring and study related but mention the Maths Support Centre!


  • #4
    kenon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,262 ✭✭✭kenon


    I'm going to be a 1st year post grad and I'd like tips to filling in large gaps (> 2 hours) between lectures/labs/tutorials etc.

    Ideally it won't involve getting plastered as I've already figured that one out. :)


  • #5
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    LeixlipRed wrote: »
    I know it's boring and study related but mention the Maths Support Centre!

    Brilliant. I'd totally forgotten about that. Don't know much about it, can you send me the details to communications@nuimsu.com? Would be savage!
    luv-eirexxx wrote:
    I think you should definately put in a map of the campus and the town, marking all the supermarkets and pubs and stuff.

    Possibly bus times from maynooth to all sort of big towns in Ireland on fridays and sundays, that'd be handy to have for the first few weeks for going home at weekends.

    Possibly a top 10 of the best take aways in town??(i'm very hungry as I'm writing this!!!!)

    All good ideas. And welcome! :)

    just a few thoughts,


  • #6
    freeze4real
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,540 ✭✭✭freeze4real


    I was in maynooth today and my mate asked if the AstroTurf was free?
    Is it?
    What about the gym?

    Are we allowed to use it anytime is there a schedule or we have to book in advance.

    Thanks.


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  • #7
    J.D.R
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭J.D.R


    freeze4real wrote: »
    I was in maynooth today and my mate asked if the AstroTurf was free?
    Is it?
    What about the gym?

    Are we allowed to use it anytime is there a schedule or we have to book in advance.

    Thanks.

    That'd be good. A list of the prices of the things to do around the town. Be very handy to have


  • #8
    clikityclak
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 470 ✭✭clikityclak


    5 ways to sneak a naggin into mantra


  • #9
    LeixlipRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,081 ✭✭✭LeixlipRed


    Just check out the website Rob, the hours, etc, for this year haven't been finalised but info will be given at orientation.


  • #10
    LeixlipRed
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,081 ✭✭✭LeixlipRed


    freeze4real wrote: »
    I was in maynooth today and my mate asked if the AstroTurf was free?
    Is it?
    What about the gym?

    Are we allowed to use it anytime is there a schedule or we have to book in advance.

    Thanks.

    It's free to use for students, you just book in the gym in advance. But you'll never have injuries like you will on that thing. Missed the whole of pre season because of that stupid surface. Gym is also free, opening hours yet to be determined for term time but pretty decent during the week.


  • #11
    princess_calico
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 373 ✭✭princess_calico


    A bus and train timetable would be fantastic...

    Also, remind students that they do in fact have a first year rep... I was this year's one and no one ever came to me with a problem! Did that mean that there were no problems that they needed sorting??


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  • #12
    hypersquirrel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 227 ✭✭hypersquirrel


    I'd actually recommend a list what buildings the various rooms are in. Most of them are pretty obvious but I also know a lot of people who missed tutorials and the like in the Arts Annexes and a huge number of students get confused regarding Lower/Middle Loftus.


  • #13
    mp3guy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,979 ✭✭✭mp3guy


    Perhaps a list of colloquial names for different things around campus.

    Like the different acronyms, JH = John Hume, CS = Computer Science, "Callan" = The building on the other side of arts, Biosciences = The Engineering Building, Electronic Eng = The Engineering Building.


  • #14
    irish_goat
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 5,890 Mod ✭✭✭✭irish_goat


    Mention the fact that Maynooth taxis are cheaper than the metered ones that land in from Dublin at night time and charge way more.


  • #15
    mickstupp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,764 ✭✭✭mickstupp


    Free refill pads from the Academic Advisory Office!
    Highlighters too.

    Actually, there's something else that might be useful, and Banquo's most likely the man to find a solution... for those of us with an iPhone or iPodTouch or some newfangled Blackberry or whatever else is being used these days... not just how to get onto the campus network, but also how to get the blasted inbuilt email program to receive mails! Works fine everywhere except on campus. Would rather use that program because it handles multiple email accounts, rather than logging in separately through a browser. Is such a thing possible on the college network?


  • #16
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Some great ideas here. @mickstupp: that always worked for me, though it can be finicky. I'm en route to meet the computer centre right now, I'll ask why, though I've a string feeling it's the app's problem...

    @mp3guy: quality idea.


  • #17
    BuroniKiisu
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 298 ✭✭BuroniKiisu


    princess_calico wrote: »
    A bus and train timetable would be fantastic...

    Also, remind students that they do in fact have a first year rep... I was this year's one and no one ever came to me with a problem! Did that mean that there were no problems that they needed sorting??

    I believe the position is currently penciled in for good coverage in the booklet after having the chats with Rob yesterday.


  • #18
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    mickstupp wrote: »
    Free refill pads from the Academic Advisory Office!
    Highlighters too.

    Actually, there's something else that might be useful, and Banquo's most likely the man to find a solution... for those of us with an iPhone or iPodTouch or some newfangled Blackberry or whatever else is being used these days... not just how to get onto the campus network, but also how to get the blasted inbuilt email program to receive mails! Works fine everywhere except on campus. Would rather use that program because it handles multiple email accounts, rather than logging in separately through a browser. Is such a thing possible on the college network?

    Yeah. It's just you I'm afraid! If you're around Maynooth soon drop into the SU offices and I'll configure it up nicely for you :)


  • #19
    Seren_
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,810 ✭✭✭Seren_


    Probably a good idea to put the whereabouts of Rooms 61 and 62 in the handbook as well. Good few tutorials/seminars tend to be held in there and they're almost impossible to find. Or maybe it's just my poor sense of direction :pac:

    How about a few cheap recipe ideas? It'll be a lot of the first years first time away from home and cooking for themselves, so they'd find something like that useful I think. Unless they want to live on Pot Noodles and toast, like my brother. I can email some into you if you want? :)


  • #20
    wonton
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,214 ✭✭✭wonton


    a list a places with student discount would be handy, elverys in maynooth do 10 percent and i never realised that till yesterday.



    i'm not sure if putting a dublin dus timetable in it would be useful because as far as i know they're rearranging alot of buses, so maybe you could ask dublin bus for an advanced copy of the new one if they have one made out, although it could probably change so i dunno.


  • #21
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Your Text Here wrote: »
    How about a few cheap recipe ideas? It'll be a lot of the first years first time away from home and cooking for themselves, so they'd find something like that useful I think. Unless they want to live on Pot Noodles and toast, like my brother. I can email some into you if you want? :)

    Have some stuff on that. It's essentially:

    1. The Basics of Food - this is, like, the absolute basics for people who've never had to make their own food.

    2. Basic Subsistence: food for no money, working up to...

    3. Tasty Subsistence: food for almost no money, but is edible, working up to...

    4. Tasty and Healthy: Normal meals that aren't 48% crap

    The whole section is essentially a ''Welcome to Adult Life'' theme, peppered with all the things your mammy knows about food and the kitchen.

    But I'll take any recipe ideas! Forward them on to communications@nuimsu.com with your real name and I'll credit any we use to you :)


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  • #22
    mickstupp
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,764 ✭✭✭mickstupp


    banquo wrote: »
    Yeah. It's just you I'm afraid! If you're around Maynooth soon drop into the SU offices and I'll configure it up nicely for you :)
    I appreciate it! Should be some time next week. Much obliged.


  • #23
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    Do! :)


  • #24
    Wendero
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 490 ✭✭Wendero


    Do not powernap during class

    It's essential knowledge that I learned the hard way ;)

    Will this guide be published online? I'd like to read it, figure I probably have some stuff left to learn :P


  • #25
    JellyBeans92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 489 ✭✭JellyBeans92


    1. A comprehensive timetable including all clubs and societies, a rough one anyway if the times would vary slightly each year?.

    2. List of 1st Year Reps

    3. A map of the campus detailing the location of EVERY lecture hall/room

    4. List of resources/sites for general study

    5. Details on how to use Moodle

    6. Details of where we can avail of free stuff such as highlighters?. :P

    7. Bus/Train timetables from Maynooth to major towns/cities


    .. I'm bound to think of more.


  • #26
    J.D.R
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,200 ✭✭✭J.D.R


    JellyBeans92 wrote: »

    5. Details on how to use Moodle correctly
    Just had to add to your post. It'd be nice to teach people how to use forums correctly unlike some who have obviously never typed B4 n der livs:pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac::pac:


  • #27
    encryptix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 230 ✭✭encryptix


    mickstupp wrote: »
    Free refill pads from the Academic Advisory Office!
    Highlighters too.

    Actually, there's something else that might be useful, and Banquo's most likely the man to find a solution... for those of us with an iPhone or iPodTouch or some newfangled Blackberry or whatever else is being used these days... not just how to get onto the campus network, but also how to get the blasted inbuilt email program to receive mails! Works fine everywhere except on campus. Would rather use that program because it handles multiple email accounts, rather than logging in separately through a browser. Is such a thing possible on the college network?

    If you mean setting up the email in the app ive a post here from a while ago that works. Never tried it in the college but i get the emails fine anywhere else ive been on an iTouch.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=62236310#post62236310


    And also about the trains (Incase its gets included): There is a new timetable coming out soon:

    http://www.irishrail.ie/your_journey/printed_timetable_pdfs/2010/Dublin%20Maynooth%2010-2.pdf


  • #28
    freeze4real
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,540 ✭✭✭freeze4real


    I was in maynooth yesterday and my iPhone had a hard time locating the wifi.
    What's up with the wifi.
    My mates nokia located it. But after joining it he couldn't go on the internet.


  • #29
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    See other thread!


  • #30
    CnaG
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 433 ✭✭CnaG


    banquo wrote: »

    The whole section is essentially a ''Welcome to Adult Life'' theme, peppered with all the things your mammy knows about food and the kitchen.

    I have about 42 really easy recipes to make with baked beans, if you're interested. However, if you use the phrasing 'everything yer mammy knows about food and the kitchen', or similar in the handbook I will have to hunt you down. And lecture you. At length. Just so you know.

    One of the worst things I saw in a first year handbook was a list of the types of groups you were going to encounter in Maynooth. This included things like jocks, nerds and various other stereotypes, I would not recommend including something like that.

    How to Get a Locker might be useful though. Along with arrows drawn on a map to wherever you can get your locker key this year and how much it's going to cost.

    Also, basic nutritional information might be nice to include in your cooking section, as in eat 5 portions of fruit and veg a day, 8 glasses of water, eat lots of fibre, it's good for you, but not too much or the results may not be pleasant. Oh, and don't drink tea within 30 minutes of a meal as the tannin in it reduces your ability to absorb iron. You could include a food pyramid? A few good veggie/vegan recipes would be nice.

    What else? Maybe a quick study guide? How To Take Notes in College? How to write a Really Good Essay/Lab Report?A reminderer for commuters that they can get a 30 day Dublin Bus student ticket for €75 (2.50 a day)?

    Also, (I know it's on the website but) a list of the services the Medical Centre in college can provide, and a list of the local doctors and what they charge students.

    And an idea of what union council is, and how to get yourself elected (and why you really shouldn't run if you're going to be unable to attend)

    I think that's about it for now. Can cycling have a section? Please nicely thank you :D

    Oh, and the pool in Maynooth is free to access for students. Opening hours 12-4 on week days, 7-8.30 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and 12-2 on Saturdays and Sundays. At least, that was the timetable last year, it's unlikely to change too much. For staff (or post-grads) there's an additional session 5.30-7 on Thursdays. MUCK (the kyaking club) have the pool 7.15-9 on Mondays and Wednesdays, NUIM Devils (the swimming club) have it the same sort of times on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are adult lessons on from 9 to 9.45 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as far as I know, if any students can't swim. I think it might be a good idea to have seperate swimming lessons for students though, as lessons in Maynooth could prove a bit pricey for your average student. A life-guarding course for students spread out over a semester might be nice too. What do you think?

    Don't forget to mention boards.ie for instant access to a lot of knowledgable NUIM students if they're really stuck :)


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  • #31
    banquo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,487 ✭✭✭banquo


    CnaG wrote: »
    I have about 42 really easy recipes to make with baked beans, if you're interested. However, if you use the phrasing 'everything yer mammy knows about food and the kitchen', or similar in the handbook I will have to hunt you down. And lecture you. At length. Just so you know.

    I was going to put it in the ''Women'' section. That cool?

    But seriously: some great stuff there.

    /shoves into handbook


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