Undergraduate Student Profiles

Colette Maloney
2nd Year B.A.Th. (2006-2007)
Studying at St Patrick’s College has turned out to be the best decision I have ever made, although at first I wasn’t so sure.

I remember when I told my family about my decision to start university at the age of 27, they all teased me, joking that it would be like that episode of "Only Fools and Horses" where Rodney has to join the "Groovy Gang" and pretend to be a teenager again! Thankfully though, I didn’t stand out too much as St Patrick’s is full of a great variety of students of all ages and from many different countries. When I made the move from Scotland to Maynooth, I really was met with a thousand welcomes.

Coming through those gates for the first time is so exciting and yet daunting too. You can just imagine yourself getting lost more than once! This is not too much of a worry though as the staff here are only too happy to help in any situation. During my first year, if I even looked at a photocopier the wrong way it would break down, but the staff in the library were always there to come to the rescue! Even in the weeks running up to the deadline of my first essay, the women in the Theology Office were kind enough to offer their free time to give me advice. The warm welcome has continued over the years and what I love most about studying here, is that I am never made to feel like a number or just another student.

The best part of my time in Maynooth is when I am with my class. In first year I thought I’d never get to know all the faces. Now, as I enter my third year I have made life-long friends. Perhaps it’s even better to describe them as a second family, as we are all there to support each other through both the good and the difficult times. All in all, I’ve been made to feel very at home here at St Patrick’s in Maynooth. I took a leap of faith moving over here and it really paid off. In this relaxed, warm and friendly atmosphere I have no doubt that anyone could reach their full potential.

 

Lydia Henry
1st Year B.A.Th. (2006-2007)
After finishing the first year of the BATh course, I cannot help but reflect on how quickly the year has gone by and what a good year it has been. The first thing, which struck me in St Patrick’s College, along with its beautiful grounds, was the warm and friendly environment in which there is a great rapport between students and lecturers. I had enrolled on the BATh course taking Music and French as my two Arts subjects in N.U.I. Maynooth. As much as I thoroughly enjoyed my subjects there was certainly a lot of work involved. Nevertheless I soon found my enjoyment of these subjects overriding the workload. Moreover during the semesters and exam periods I always found that there was someone to offer their support and that lecturers were only too happy to help.

What I really liked about my theology class was the variety of students in it. There was a great diversity of students - young and old; Catholic and non-Catholic; clerical and lay; Irish and International - all contributing to the building up of a community. From my very first lecture I began to realise that I had made the right decision. Theology became a fascinating discipline leaving me with the urge to explore more into what I was discovering, particularly in the fields of Systematic Theology and Sacred Scripture. Given that theology is such a vast and complex subject, it is imperative that you study beyond your lectures, for which the library here is a rather valuable resource. Although completing an essay before a given deadline was taxing, my enthusiasm for the subject proved that I could enjoy working under pressure.

It is important however, to realise that life exists beyond the classroom. The response to such a statement would perhaps be the annual Theology Ball, an event that is always a great success. There are also many clubs and societies running in N.U.I. Maynooth and St Patrick’s College. This year I have enjoyed participating in the N.U.I. Choral Society, the Pro-Life Society and the John Paul II Theological Society. The Theological Society in particular offers the opportunity to hear talks on theological themes, which are enriching to the course. The society also offers two competitions during the year for undergraduate and postgraduate students, inviting them to deliver a short presentation on a theological topic. I entered this competition myself and have to say it was a worthwhile experience.

To conclude, I have had a wonderful year - academically, socially and spiritually - and I would encourage anyone to consider studying theology here. Although my first year is not long after finishing, I can’t wait to begin second year and embrace new topics within theology and continue to enjoy college life. See you next year!

 

Tom Finegan
3rd Year B.Th. (2006-2007)
Many young people finishing secondary school view college as a time of opportunity, excitement and of new beginnings. When I first walked through the serene and autumnal St. Patrick's campus, I bore within an air of unsure expectation. There was an element of risk in choosing to study theology, especially as I had recently decided to abruptly end studies in accountancy.

Theology soon captivated me. More than that, my class was full of friendly faces - diverse people from all sorts of backgrounds who shared in common a willingness to reach out to each other and to learn from each other. The weeks flew by and I found myself completely immersed in college life. I met some great people through some wonderful societies, people and causes that will stay close to my heart for the rest of my life. On top of this, a classmate and I were fortunate enough to be selected to travel to Colombia to work in an orphanage during our first summer vacation.

My last exam in undergraduate theology passed by two months ago. The subject captivated me to the extent that whichever future studies I pursue will be at the service of more profoundly understanding and articulating my faith, a faith which has been nurtured and inspired throughout my three years in Maynooth. Just as the questions raised during class will never leave me, nor will the friendships. It was worth the risk.

 

Cliodhna Edwards
3rd Year B.A.Th (2006-2007)
"Calling all 'Acorns'", is a term used by Father Tom Norris, one of the Lecturers at St. Patrick’s College, in order that we might understand our lives as students to be an adventure of new experiences, new thoughts, new ideas and new friends. And true to his word since that first day in St. Pat's, I have come to experience so much and cherish every moment spent there. The community spirit felt around Loftus Halls is both unique and rare to find in colleges. With a friendly face to greet you almost all the time and a chat to be had around every corner, it can be hard to make it to lectures on time!

The beauty of this atmosphere however makes for a truly relaxed and pleasant study environment, while the coursework keeps you busy and active. It must be said that any fears of third level education are soon dispersed by the extremely friendly nature of the relationship between students and lecturers. Having finished my degree, I simply couldn't get enough of St. Pat's and so will be commencing a Master’s Degree in Theology in the coming academic year, along with many of my classmates. This in itself is a testimony to the wonderful times to be had in St Patrick’s College.