Studying in Cafe MIA As the end of the semester gets closer, us students are in dire need of the perfect place to study for exams and finish our essays, while also needing to balance all this stress out by spending time with our friends. But where to go for this?
Here are my favourite places to go in Limerick:
As mundane as it sounds, I still like doing assignments from home. While waiting for my laundry to finish washing, I can sit down on the couch and get my laptop out. Sometimes, my housemates will join me, and working side by side can either lead to very productive days or end in a nice chat. However, finding the motivation to work has on some days been a bit more difficult at home. That is why, when I really want to get things done, I tend to search for a study spot outside of the house. My go-to right now is still the library on campus. It’s free, nearby, and provides (almost) all the resources I need! The large windows allow for enough daylight, and finding a free seat has, so far, not been a problem for me. I love the quiet there, and the rows of bookshelves do not only provide a nice atmosphere, but they also come in handy whenever I need to look something up for an essay.
Another place that I love to go to is a good old café. I’ve been trying different ones out, always bringing my laptop with me to work on my assignments. So far, I haven’t had any luck in finding a nice one with free wifi, but the beverages have always made up for this shortcoming. That is why I only study there when I don’t necessarily need an internet connection, with all my sources already downloaded. My favourite coffeeshop so far has been MIA, located on Honan’s Quay, next to Dunnes Stores. The best seats here are definitely by the windows. Looking out towards the river and enjoying that view while drinking a hot chocolate has done wonders for my productivity. If you don’t feel like studying, you can of course also go there and just enjoy the stylish interior and well-made drinks with a friend.
Card game in the pub This brings me to the places I love to go to for socializing. Cafés are nice for the afternoon, but most of them close at around 5pm. Meeting up at home is not always possible for everybody, even if it is nice to cook together or chat in the living room. That is why I love, although I do not drink, the pubs here. Pub culture is about more than just alcohol. It’s about providing community spaces.
Going out for a drink is a way to catch up and spend time together or get to know new people! Pubs as meeting places are very versatile: you can just drink and chat, but you can also bring along a card game, with some bars, like Hunter’s, providing games such as darts themselves. Very often, there will be live music playing, of all kinds of genres! For example, Mary I’s Traditional Music Society comes together every other week at Sexton’s. There are also other events: every first Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm is Poetry Night at the White House Bar, with a poetry reading and open mic. I have participated there myself and not only have the poems been funny, moving, and impressive, everyone has been also more than welcoming!
If you would like to get to know new people from the college, you can also join a society or go to one of their next events. Whether you craft with the Arts Society, test your strategy skills with the Chess Society, join a sports club or come to the next event by the International Society, everybody is always happy about seeing a new face. The next event hosted by the International Society is a game night – and everybody is welcome: internationals and Irish students, it will take place on Tuesday 18 November at 6pm in Hunters Sports Bar. We hope to see you there!
By Nadia Durakovic, Germany
