NCI Blog

Gerard McQuillan

Recent Posts

10 Reasons to Study at National College of Ireland

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 04 January 2023
For many prospective students, choosing a third-level institute that is right for them can be a harrowing task. To make life a little easier, we've put together ten reasons why you should choose NCI to further your education.
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5 Tips To Get You Through Your First Year at College

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 18 September 2017
Starting college can be an exciting but daunting prospect. New friends, new places and a new approach to learning, college can be the beginning of a great journey. However with this promise also comes a new level of independence and responsibility. So we here at National College of Ireland have put together some useful tips to help make your transition as easy as possible. 1. Show up for class While this one may sound obvious, many people fail to adhere to this and just see college as one big party. While the party aspect of this is true to a certain extent, college life is also about getting an education. Make sure you balance your studies with your social life and maximize your investment by attending class. This will ensure you won’t miss out on valuable information that will impact not only on your final grade but your overall future too. 2. Learn to cook Whether or not you plan on moving away from home for college, learning to cook is a skill you really should acquire. Being a dab hand in the kitchen will not only save you money in the long run, but it also means a healthier intake of food. And with hundreds of websites offering tasty and cheap recipes you really have no excuse not to indulge. via GIPHY 3. Budget For most of us, college is the first time we essentially gain independence from our families. With this independence comes the responsibility of managing our own finances. Sure, when your first grant payment comes in it might seem like lots of money. But when you factor in your accommodation, transport and general day to day living costs it really isn't that much and is usually just enough to get you by. With this in mind, you should start budgeting from day one. This will ensure you'll never go hungry and you'll always have enough money for class trips and big nights out. 4. Back up your files Whether you decide to take notes on a laptop or by hand, it’s always a good idea to back them up. It only takes a few minutes to make a copy of your notes and this can save you untold pressure if your laptop decides to stop working or you misplace your folder. So, if you decide to take notes by hand, photocopy them. If you’re using a laptop, back your files up to a cloud or USB. 5. Have fun and ask for help if you need it College is about having fun. If you find yourself feeling down, missing class or encounter issues with your roommates, don’t be afraid to talk to someone about your problems. NCI has a wide range of free support services on campus, so don’t hesitate to use them. You won’t be the only one to do so.
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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Part-Time Course

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 21 November 2016
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Five Things To Know Before #CareerZoo

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 11 October 2016
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Good news for Brite:Bill! Former NCI Incubation Software Firm Acquired By AmDocs

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 04 October 2016
We love to hear a home-grown success story - especially one that started right here on campus! So we were delighted to hear that the Dublin-based billing software company, Brite:Bill, has recently been acquired by AmDocs in a deal estimated to be worth in the region of €60 to €70 million.
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Find Your Feet at NCI | A Guide for New Students

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 13 September 2016
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Higher Options: 4 Benefits of Attending

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 07 September 2016
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Studying at NCI this year? Meet your Students' Union!

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 31 August 2016
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An International Student's Guide to Dublin

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 29 August 2016
Are you an international student considering Ireland as a destination for your studies? If you answered yes then I’m sure there are plenty of questions you need answered – like how much money will I need? What accommodation options are available? How do I travel to Dublin?
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The BA Hons in Psychology at NCI: is it funded under SUSI? All you need to know.

Posted by Gerard McQuillan on 23 August 2016
The BA Hons in Psychology at NCI is a psychology degree that is accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) and an approved course under SUSI’s tuition fees and grant award scheme.
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