Please see below for answers to frequently asked questions about the Academic Advisory Service. If your question isn't answered here, please email us at [email protected]
Student Skills and Success
Academic Advisory Office
1. What can I do if I can’t make it to a lecture?
Contact a friend who may be able to supply you with lecture notes and check Moodle where most Departments add their notes. Please follow any notification procedures prescribed by the Department concerned, which will be available in your Handbook on Moodle.
2. What can I do if I can’t make it to a tutorial?
Follow the directions issued by the Department concerned or, in the absence of such directions, notify the Tutor and the Department Office and submit any medical certificates if appropriate. You should also consult your Handbook for the subject.
3. What is the procedure if I decide to change subjects?
Note: absolute final date for changing subjects is Friday 4 October for Continuing Students, and Friday 18 October for First Years. Make sure you have had some contact with your newly selected subject. (Did you sit in on any lecture?) Does your new choice restrict your second year options? You may wish to discuss your ideas with the Programme Advisory Office ([email protected]).
4. What are the best subjects to study?
You should choose those you enjoy most consistent with the allowed combinations and your long term career wishes. Note you cannot choose new subjects in second year of your programme.
5. Where can I get past exam papers?
In the Library. Please see https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library/exam-papers
6. Do Tutorials count towards exams?
Usually yes, you should check the departmental information booklet on module requirements, the departmental notice-board or enquire from your First Year Course Co-ordinator. Irrespective of their direct contribution towards your examination they are an essential component of your programme of study and should always be attended. Information is also available on Course Finder for each module.
7. How do I cope if I feel I’m falling behind?
Contact your Tutor, Lecturer or Year Co-ordinator delivering your course. You may also email the Academic Advisory Office.
8. What is a 1st / 2H1 etc?
9. When should I start studying?
You are registered on a semesterised modular programme and should commence to study immediately. Examinations take place in early January and May. However all the work you submit throughout the semester contributes to your module mark. Try to target a weekly investment in study outside of class of at least twenty five hours. You should draw up a study schedule to take account of this and optimise the use of timeslots available between lectures.
10. What do I do if I can’t get an essay in on time?
Follow the directions issued by the department concerned or by checking your departmental handbook or, in the absence of such directions, contact the departmental office and your tutor.
11. How do I take notes?
Use your own personal style but additionally attend any advertised study skills session and visit the Writing Support website for resources and to book an appointment. You can also email [email protected]
12. How do I borrow from the library and what are its facilities?
Check with the Library website for further details.
13. How do I know if I am eligible for a grant? How do I apply for a grant?
Check out www.studentfinance.ie or www.susi.ie.
14. I am a Mature Student – where do I get information on my welfare entitlements during the summer months?
Contact your local Social Protection Office.
15. How do I get a refund or credit if I retire from university during the year?
Contact the Fees & Grants Office in Rye House, North Campus or email them at ([email protected]).
16. Where do I get Tax receipts or duplicate receipts?
Follow the instructions on the Fees Office webpage here.
17. When do I receive my grant?
All new recipients will receive their grant on a monthly basis from SUSI directly to their bank account.
18. How do I access financial aid?
Contact the Maynooth Students’ Union Vice-President Welfare & Equality ([email protected]) or our contact our Student Budget Office and speak to a Student Budgeting Advisor. You can arrange an appointment by emailing ([email protected]).
19. How do I obtain a subsidy towards Crèche charges?
Check with the Crèche Manager or www.Welfare.ie
20. Are there other sources of financial support apart from state grants?
Contact the Maynooth Students’ Union Vice-President Welfare & Equality ([email protected]) or speak to a Student Budgeting Advisor ([email protected]) who may have details of funding available from your Local Area Partnership.
21. Where do I go to get accommodation?
Please see the Acommodation Office webpage for details about on-campus accommodation (email [email protected]). You may also view the MaynoothStudentpad website for details about off-campus accommodation (email [email protected]).
22. Where do I go if I have difficulties with my accommodation / landlady / landlord?
Contact the Accommodation Office for advise, or the Maynooth Students’ Union Vice-President Welfare & Equality ([email protected]).
23. What if I require medical or other personal support?
Please see below for MU services which may be able to help:
- The Student Health Centre is situated in Student Services Building.
- The Chaplaincy is situated in Student Services Building.
- The Counselling service is available in Student Services Building.
- The Maynooth Students’ Union Vice-President Welfare & Equality may also be in a position to assist and may be contacted at ([email protected]).
24. Is there support for a person with disability?
Contact the Access Office, which is located in the MAP Lodge Building.
26. How do I join a club / society?
Please see the MU Life Clubs & Societies page. New members are welcome all year round. You can also call into the Clubs & Societies Office in the John Hume Building.
27. How do I get to use the gymnasium?
Contact Paul Davis, Sports Officer in the Students’ Union Building at 01-7083824 or ([email protected]). The MU Sports website is here.
28. What do I do if I am being harassed or stalked?
Contact the Head of Security at 01-7083589.
29. I need information on transport rail/bus.
See the websites: www.irishrail.ie, www.dublinbus.ie, www.buseireann.ie or check the Student Union noticeboard for the up-to-date list of private daily bus services currently being operated to and from the University.
30. If I have developed a dependency problem in relation to alcohol or drugs?
Contact the Student Health Centre at 01-7083878 and/or Counselling at 01-7083554. The Student Health Centre website is here. The Counselling website is here.
31. I need information on prenatal and single parent allowances.
Contact the Maynooth Students’ Union Vice-President Welfare & Equality ([email protected]) or check out www.welfare.ie.
32. There are difficulties at home and I need information on state support.
Contact the Maynooth Students’ Union Vice-President Welfare & Equality ([email protected]) or check out www.welfare.ie.
33. Where is Callan HALL?
South Campus.
34. Where is Callan BUILDING?
North Campus. It houses Biology, Computer Science and Science Lecture Theatre.
35. Where are the computer facilities?
Public-access computer rooms are available through IT Services. Further details are available on the IT Services Computing Facilities page.
36. Binding of essays - where can this be done?
Contact the Maynooth Students’ Union at 01-7083669 or by email ([email protected]).
37. What do I do if I lose property?
You may contact MU Security in the John Hume Building.
38. How do I set up my email account?
See the details in the Computer Centre’s sheet provided (please do not discard this!) in the pack supplied when you are registering. Follow the instructions and then you can email right away. Otherwise, contact the Computer Centre on the South Campus by phone at (01) 708 3830.
39. How do I contact security?
Dial (01) 708 3929 from your mobile or phone 3929 from the phone on the wall to the right upon entry to the Arts Building or the phone on the desk of the Callan Building foyer or the phone on the desk inside the Library door or the payphone (dial 708 3929) in the rear lobby ground floor Logic House. After phoning you await contact on security radio. In an emergency dial 3333.
40. USIT Cards, Bus Tickets
Contact the Maynooth Students’ Union at 01-7083669 or by email ([email protected]).
41. What happens if I lose my student card?
Contact Security (phone 01-7083929 or email [email protected]) to see if it has been found, if not then inform Central Registration Office, Ground Floor, Humanity House by phone at 01-7083813 where a new card can be issued. There is a charge for replacement of ID cards.