Considering a move to the midlands? Get the low-down on AIT from SU President Jamie Costello. With an excellent sporting tradition and a social life to complement this, AIT could well be the college for you.

What is your local like?
Athlone is a growing vibrant town that benefits greatly from the students and the college as we bring more business to the town. There are lots of things to do from leisure centres, sports centres, theatres, snooker halls, pubs, restaurants etc.

Is it easy to get around?
Athlone has a shuttle bus service every 10 minutes from the college to the town and all services are within walking distance.

What are campus facilities like?
Campus facilities are very good. We have many computer rooms and expanding library and the photocopying situation has improved in the last year. There is a Bank of Ireland on campus as well as a USIT office and a nurse is available 9–5 Monday to Friday. Doctors attend the health centre at various times. It is good but could do with a bigger space.

What’s the college bar like?
With a capacity of over 700, Athlone IT has one of the best student bars in the country. Scribes bar has been the venue for many top bands including the Saw Doctors, Bell X1, Wolfe Tones, Aslan, Hot House Flowers, The Revs, The Blizzards and many more, all of which make it the number 1 venue in the midlands.

What are the canteen and campus eateries like?
The canteen is the central and focal point of the college. It caters for all tastes, and has variety. Soup and sandwiches are also available in the college bar.

What kind of sports facilities are there?
Sport in the college is very big and Athlone I.T competes at a high level in most competitions. There is an excellent gym facility as well as a sports hall and G.A.A and soccer pitches. AIT also has a cross-country track surrounding the campus and is now developing new all weather pitch facilities as well as an athletics track and field area. Students can join any club or society from football to drama, rugby to chess as we provide for the needs of practically every interest. Personally I have been involved in the hockey team and coaching G.A.A freshers. The experience has been great as hockey I had never tried before and I have a keen interest in G.A.A. It is a great way to meet new friends and faces.

What are the cinemas like around your college?
Athlone has a 6-screen IMC cinema with student rates Monday-Thursday.

Is it easy to find a part-time job? Are there any places with a good reputation for hiring students?
There are businesses always looking for staff e.g. pubs, local shops etc but you have to be in quick to get them in September.

What's accommodation like? How expensive is it?
Accommodation ranges from EUR60 – 65 for single rooms in a house to EUR80- 90 for a single room in an apartment. This rate doesn’t include bills; accommodation supply is more than demand in Athlone so there is no problem getting a place to stay.

What's the "worst thing" a new student at your college can do?
The worst thing a student could do is go through college not experiencing all college has to offer.

What's "the best?"
The best thing is to get involved in a club or society and meet friends you will have for life.

What advice would you offer new students?
Advice I would give would be to enjoy the college experience. Have a good balance between study and socialising, and don’t live to regret these years. College days will be the best days of your life.

In what way do you think your college is superior to others' in the country/its rivals?
What Athlone has that is superior to other colleges is its community feel and spirit. The college is located on the outskirts of the town and it is a village in itself with shops, chemists, laundrettes, pubs etc. There is not one night you will go out without seeing someone you know where as in a city people are living and going out in different places.

And we are the best I.T. in the centre of Ireland