It’s rock hard abs and buns of steel as far as the eye can see.. allegedly.  You'll probably have to head up and find out if that's true for yourself, but for more information about Dublin City University from Education & Welfare Officer Hazel Hayes, read on... Oh, and don't forget to take your duvet days!!

What's your city/town like?
DCU is located in Glasnevin, on Dublin’s North Side. It’s a handy place to be, with easy access to the City Centre. This is a great place to meet friends and take a break from campus life. Closer to home, you’ve got everything you need nearby. The Omni Park Shopping Centre in particular has a great variety of shops and cafés/restaurants, as well as a large Tesco (essential to every student) and an excellent cinema.

What's the vibe like?
The vibe on campus is brilliant and the Students’ Union, coupled with Clubs and Societies make sure that there’s always something happening. You may feel like you don’t know anyone at first, but pretty soon you won’t be able to get from one lecture to another without bumping into someone you know. The students are a friendly bunch, but be warned; the entire campus turns into a giant ball of moody stress around exam time.

Is there a lot to do there?
Between DCU and Dublin you’ll never be bored. As I’ve said, there are always events taking place on campus. And if you venture into the City Centre you’ll find more pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and shops than you can shake a stick at. Best not shake sticks at them though. They don’t like that.

Is it easy to get around?
There are plenty of bus stops within a few minutes walk so it’s never hard to get to where you’re going. The DART and the Luas will also help you to get around Dublin. Taxi’s can be quite expensive, but if you’re heading home from a night on the town, at least they’ll drop you at your door.

What's accomodation like? How expensive is it?
Accommodation around DCU varies a lot in price and quality, but tends to be cheaper than trying to live near Trinity or UCD (although why you’d want to is beyond me). Living on campus in Campus Res or in Larkfield for example can be a great experience. It’s a great way to meet new friends and it also means that you’ll be close to the action and always within stumbling distance of the bar. There are also some purpose built student accommodations off campus. These include Shanowen Hall, Shanowen Square and The Gateway, which are all near DCU. You’ll also find tons of houses, apartments, and digs available in the area. But, of course, check everything out before signing any contracts!

What's the "worst thing" about the college?
There aren’t any major problems with student life in DCU. The only things I can think of are that prices on campus are higher than average, it’s a little too easy to get your car clamped and sometimes it’s a bit difficult to navigate the campus (this is just because of the confusing abbreviations given to each building).

What advice would you offer new students?
Oh Lord, there’s just too much to fit in here so I’ll try to make it snappy…1. Don’t live on a diet of coffee and Spar rolls. 2. Absolutely do get involved in Clubs and Societies. 3. Don’t let your printer account run out of credit the day before you have to hand in a massive assignment. 4. Do work hard on assignments and exams. 5. Don’t let them rule your life! Find some time for yourself to relax and get away from it all. 6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you have any problems or questions. The Students’ Union are always here to help. 7. Do take a ‘Duvet Day’ once in a while. It’s your right…no your duty as a student. 8. Don’t overdo it with alcohol. Seriously, just try to drink sensibly.

What are campus facilities like? Is there easy access to computers, library and photocopying?
The facilities on campus are all in great nick and everything you need is within easy reach. There’s a few nice cafés/restaurants on campus, as well as The Helix Theatre, Spar, Starbucks coffee, a barber, a book store and plenty more. The Library and Gym are particularly useful facilities and The Hub (our student centre) deserves a mention too. It houses two bars as well as the Venue Theatre, the Clubs and Societies offices and the Students’ Union. And the whole building turns into one kick-ass venue for major events.

What kind of sports facilities are there?
DCU has the best reputation for sports facilities in the country, so it’s rock hard abs and buns of steel as far as the eye can see. Our Sports Academy pumps out top-flight athletes (who may or may not go thirty three and a third per cent longer) all the livelong day but if you’re just looking to stop seeing stars every time you climb a flight of stairs there’s a range of facilities for us mere mortals. A 25-metre swimming pool complete with sauna, steamroom, Jacuzzi and tepidarium (whatever that may be) is overlooked by a state-of-the-art gym which is packed with treadmills, weight rooms, rowing machines, a spinning room (which is not as fun as it sounds) and the sound of deep grunting, among other things, all for a student rate of €220 for twelve months. What more could you ask for?

What kind of clubs and societies can students join?
There are hundreds of clubs and societies on campus, and they are ridiculously wide ranging. Some of the biggest societies include Music Soc, Drama Soc, Debate Soc, Style Soc and Games Soc. If you’re into sport, then there’s everything from Snowboarding and GAA to Rugby, Soccer, Caving, Canoeing, Surfing and more. The list is so long and varied that you’re bound to find something to suit you. You’re welcome to join as few or as many as you like and you can also get yourself elected onto a committee and try your hand at organising events instead of just participating in them. Check out our site http://life.dcu.ie for a comprehensive list and some more info on what us crazy kids get up to.

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