All work, no play? No way!

BY B. SIEJA, H. KUBO

Turning twenty one opens up a new world for you. Now you have to learn how to balance work and play. Dublin City University just celebrated its 21st birthday and is one of the youngest universities in Ireland. As such, it offers lots of events and entertainment. There is something for everyone, particularly newly arrived international students, allowing you to both study and socialise.

 Academic life

NuBar in The Hub by B. Vysoky

To begin with, make sure that study comes first. Do not forget that you are in the university and you have to adapt to new environment. It is beneficial that you learn new academic skills to keep up with classes and exams. DCU provides you with various academic workshops. Here is a list that might interest you:

• Note-taking Lectures
• Introduction to Reading Techniques
• Academic Writing for Assignments
• Coping with Culture Shock
• Working in Groups
• Time Management
• Presentation skills
• Managing Stress, Focus & Energy for Exam Performances

DCU Library by B. Vysoky

Workshops usually take up to two hours to complete and are presented in a relaxed and friendly way. For example, in the  ‘Working in Groups’ workshop you will be practising how to cooperate with your peers, talk about your ideas, propose new plans, etc. Training includes simulations of working on a group project.  Also, you get handouts and notes for free!  

We attended some of the workshops and what we have learned helped us in our studies and private lives. Skills such as effective time management, verbal and written communication and team work can also be practical to your future workplace. If you want to find out more, go to “Academic and Study Skills Support” on DCU homepage.

Social life

So what can hard working students do with their free time? They can participate in many of the exciting events that happen in DCU. In this article we list some of these events focusing on The Hub and The Helix. These facilities can be enjoyed by all DCU students regardless of membership of clubs and societies.

Events in the NuBar

Inside NuBar by B. Vysoky

The NuBar is a social outlet in The Hub where students can enjoy food and beverages, chatting with friends, listening to music or playing billiards. It also hosts some official DCU events. For example, last year the Inter Faith Centre organised a Christmas party for international students at the NuBar.

Every Tuesday is Toxic Tuesday at the NuBar. Drinks are available at discount prices and DJ's play the latest hot club sounds. This could be a good opportunity for stress management and utilising your communication skills. This is one of the most popular events during the semester.

The Music Society in DCU hosts Open-mic events at The Venue. You can enjoy this particular event as an audience member or participant if you wish. They provide some of the instruments and all you have to do is give your name and your chosen instrument before the event starts.

Every once in a while the NuBar offers free food for students and soft drinks at discount prices. You would be advised to get there early because the free food is limited and offered on a 'first come-first served' basis.

These and other events can be discovered on GreatCraic.ie which is the official DCU social website.

Events in The Helix

The Helix by B. Vysoky

The Helix is a state of the art theatre on the grounds of DCU. It has three performance spaces which are used by student societies and professional touring companies alike.

You can enjoy various art forms including drama, dance, film, and pantomime. The Helix also hosts guest lecturers from around the world. During the day its warm cosy atmosphere attracts students and staff. Students meet there to discuss their group projects and to socialise. At night you can attend dance recitals, live music shows, dramatic performances, old movie classics or the annual panto.

Dance recitals can be anything from hip-hop to ballet to Irish dancing. Second Age Theatre Company is well known for staging their Shakespearean productions here. Live music shows at The Helix include Orchestral, Gospel, Rock, and Pop. It is also the venue for RTE's talent show The Voice of Ireland which is a competition to win a recording contract with Universal Music. Tickets prices for all these events vary so check their website for regular updates.

DCU provides us with all the social and academic events we need in order to have a balanced college experience. Enjoy!

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Cinemas in Dublin: pure entertainment or playful culture?

BY J. TREILLAUD

Are you tired of university work? Looking for some entertainment without spending too much of your money? Going to the movies may be your solution! Dublin is here to provide you with different kinds of cinemas depending on your mood or where you live, be it near the university or around the city centre.

For those of you living on campus or around it, the most convenient place to go is the Santry Omniplex. This eleven-screen complex shows box-office films and is only ten minutes’ walk away from DCU (in the Omni Shopping Centre). Its scheduled programme has mainly American and British films for the general public, which are always popular amongst students.

DCU's DVD collection by B. Vysoky

If you wish to go to the city centre to watch a movie, the Savoy is easy to find (on O'Connell Street). This seven-screen cinema has a programme similar to the Santry's, with identical prices: €6.20 with your student card. But this is far from being the only cinema in town there is a large number. The Screen, situated near Trinity College, is a charming place to go and have some fun. Take a peek at their special events schedule as this is a good way to see some of the classics. If you love blockbusters and have time to go often, you should check out Cineworld: they offer a monthly unlimited card at €19.99 which gives you the opportunity to see as many films as you want in the month. Also situated in the city centre, the bar 4 Dame Lane organizes free screenings every Thursday. It is worth having a look at their programme if you fancy a beer and fish and chips as well. But Dublin offers a wide variety of film genres and if you’re a film addict or feel like discovering something different, try the Lighthouse in Smithfield, which has just reopened, or the Irish Film Institute (IFI) in Temple Bar.

The is a diverse range of films shown at the IFI: many Irish films are to be found here if you want to discover Irish culture in a way that does not involve museums or books. The IFI does not focus only on Irish cinema, however, but also shows an assortment of European and international films. It offers both recent hits as well as retrospectives of famous film-makers organised throughout the whole year. Homesick? Chances are high that you can find a film from your country in the programme. If not, their DVD shop is full of European and Asian films, including most of the classics. If you want to improve your knowledge of Irish culture, you can have a look at their collection. It includes classic films about history such as In the Name of the Father or Michael Collins, and if you think books are too boring or time-consuming, there is a wide selection of screen adaptations of classic novels such as Joyce’s Ulysses or A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and the must-see film version of Roddy Doyle’s The Commitments.

Though those DVDs can make good gifts or souvenirs from Ireland, DVDs are quite expensive and not every student can afford them. I advise you to take a look at the university library which has a wide selection of films. The loan period is quite short so be sure to return the DVD within the next two days, as the fines increase quickly. Another good fact to know is the DCU Film Society which organises regular screenings (as part of a society you can join it for €2 and have access to the showings for free).

In Ireland the films are released on Friday so the cinema programmes change before the weekend. The last screenings are around 8.30-9pm so don’t expect to go there late at night. Be sure to check different programmes as cinemas such as the Lighthouse offer late-night showings at the weekend.

As you may have noticed, Dublin offers different types of films which can be a pleasant break between the work and the parties of student life. And if you are an international student who wishes to learn English, going to see a film in its English version is a good way to improve whilst still having fun.

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