Maynooth open day, would be the second university open day we would go to. I was looking forward to visiting Maynooth University, as I knew near to nothing about it, and had never seen or visited the campus before! Quite a lot of people did not come along to Maynooth, for various reasons. So out of 90 students only 54 came! This meant that the bus was almost empty, we had lots of space to pace our bags and coats, and sit comfortably for the hour and a half drive to Maynooth! During the bus ride I sat next to Lily, and we discussed what careers we have an interest in. We also decided which talks we would go to at Maynooth.
The two buses arrived at Maynooth University around 10.30AM, this meant that we had narrowly missed the first set of talks. With a little time to space I wandered around the university campus. As it is quite spread out, compared to DCU, I made sure I got my bearings, so I could avoid being late for the talks! Considering it's winter, it is starting to get very cold outside! While walking around Maynooth University, my hands started to feel numb so I quickly ordered a warm hot chocolate to keep me going for the rest of the day! Actually, every student was given a voucher from Maynooth University, for a free drink, so I obviously used it.
The Phoenix Restaurant!
The first talk I attended was on Philosophy, Politics and Economics, three things I am very interested and fascinated in. Seemingly, most of my friends did not share this interest with me, so I planned to go on my own! Then Eleanor changed her mind, and came to the talk with me, I was very grateful as it's much for fun going to a talk with a friend. The talk proved very worthwhile and mind-opening. My family is quite interested and involved in Philosophy. My parents actually meet at the school of philosophy in Belgium, and decided to call their first child (me) Sophie after philoSOPHY! So throughout my childhood I have been surrounded by philosophy and have gained interest in it. Keeping this is kind, I chose to go to this talk. I learned a lot of valuable information about studying philosophy as a subject in university, and about the careers it can lead you to. Studying the PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) in university definitely appeals to me.
Following this talk, I went to a talk on the History course provided by Maynooth University. This, I attended on my own, as most of my friends went to Criminology which I admittedly do not really have an interest in! If only Emma and Dillon came to the Maynooth Open Day, they would have gone to History with me! The talk was good, and gave me a flavour of what studying History would be like. However although it is an alluring and intriguing course I am not entirely certain what practical benefit it could provide for a future career (unless of course you might want to be a historian, or history teacher!)
The History Building and the a lecture room!
Then I went to a talk on Law. By the time I got to the designated room (it was quite a trek from the other talk!) the room was practically full, and I just about managed to squeeze in. I enjoyed the talk and learned some useful facts. The fact that you could study law through arts, or law with another subject will be something I will consider as an option for the future.
Last, but not least, I attended a talk on European Studies, a talk I was really looking forward to. Unfortunately the speaker arrived late, as he had gotten the times wrong! Eleanor, Robyn and I waited patiently along with the other people waiting. Eventually the speaker arrived, although we missed a valuable 15 minutes from the talk! European Studies seems an extremely fascinating subject to study. You learn all about the History of Europe, and how it came to look as it does today. You discuss major issues happening in Europe today such as Brexit and many more. You learn all about the European Union, and World War one and two...etc. This course is one of the most interesting I have yet heard about.
Last, but not least, I attended a talk on European Studies, a talk I was really looking forward to. Unfortunately the speaker arrived late, as he had gotten the times wrong! Eleanor, Robyn and I waited patiently along with the other people waiting. Eventually the speaker arrived, although we missed a valuable 15 minutes from the talk! European Studies seems an extremely fascinating subject to study. You learn all about the History of Europe, and how it came to look as it does today. You discuss major issues happening in Europe today such as Brexit and many more. You learn all about the European Union, and World War one and two...etc. This course is one of the most interesting I have yet heard about.
For the last 40 minutes, we sat in the cafe and sipped on warm, frothy coffees and sandwiches! We all came from different places around the campus from different talk, as we all have different interests! It was intriguing to listen to how other people spent the day at Maynooth.
I enjoyed yet another university open day, and was actually quite surprised the school would bring us to Maynooth, as it is quite a distance! To conclude, I had a fun day and have learnt a lot from it!