Using either pleasure or leisure as a valid reason for choosing one college over another is enough to make any right-minded parent or careers adviser wince. However while most students choose a college on the basis of its academic strength or course profile, they are more likely to remember it through tales of extra-curricular activity and alcoholic indulgence. "The whole issue of going to college revolves around not just academic learning but life learning and that's why joining clubs and societies and meeting new people is so important," says Union of Students in Ireland President, Philip Madden.

He says: "Students should make use of their clubs and societies and colleges should try to have as good a mix of activities as people"

For those nostalgic school leavers seeking to recreate the heady days of student radicalism of the late 1960s, University College Cork could prove an interesting port of call. Earlier this year a violent demonstration against the right-wing historian David Irving made headline news and established UCC as the last bastion of the left. Since then however, three socialist societies and Sinn Fein have been suspended by the Societies' Guild for two years: now there's a ready-made campaign for any determined fresher to get their teeth into.

However most colleges have political societies representing the major parties in the State while Trinity even boasts a Unionist Society to keep the large northern Protestant contingent happy.

Debating societies are very popular in many colleges, the most prestigious examples of which are probably Trinity's Hist society. However this year the University of Limerick's debating society has excelled. A delegation from the college competed in the world debating competition in Sydney, Australia, recently and has picked up awards at a competition in Cambridge.

Also at UL, the Historical Society has been on the up and up. Last year they did a full-scale Viking re-enactment and on foot of this won the best society award at UL and went on to gain a merit of achievement award at the Board of Irish College Societies. Next month they will host the Irish History Students' Association conference from February 4th-6th where 80 undergraduates re expected. Explaining the success, secretary of the History Society Dave Fleming said: "It's not the boring lecture which history is usually known for."

Many other quirky societies exist to suit every taste and fetish. The Redbrick Society at DCU has a huge following of computer-literate fans, while NUI Maynooth has a juggling club.

But for any budding Trevor Giles, sporting considerations often take precedence over both frivolous and academic matters, according to the chairman of the GAA's Higher Education Council, Des Cullinane. "Obviously there are geographic factors that school leavers have to take into consideration, but most top-class players will end up going to the best colleges for Gaelic sport," he says.

The colleges with the best reputation for Gaelic sports are UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, Waterford IT and Tralee IT. Better standards of competition are certainly important but there are also financial rewards in this semi-professional era. For the last five years scholarship schemes have been available to talented players. Worth between £1,000 to £1,500, it certainly isn't to be scoffed at: last year £200,000 was paid out. "The money is certainly not huge but it helps the guys avoid working in bars and hamburger joints to keep themselves at college," says Cullinane.

For minor players interested in attaining a scholarship, there are three potential sources of funding: the colleges themselves, the GAA's provincial councils or private business. Rugby is another sport which tends to attract school leavers to particular universities. University College Cork has maintained a powerful rugby tradition and its 1st XV team are the current European student rugby club champions. However there are signs that University of Limerick may be able to capitalise on its location within the traditional heartland of Irish rugby through its merger with local club Bohemians.

Other colleges have managed to build formidable reputations in particular sporting fields. Trinity College Dublin was involved in the establishment of several sports in this State including rowing, rugby, squash, hockey and athletics. Famous old boys include rugby player Brendan Mullen and the "Muhammed Ali of the squash world", Jonah Barrington, explains director of sport, Terry McAuley.

UCD's strongest sport is probably soccer. The first team is in the Premier Division of the FAI National League after winning promotion from the FAI 1st division in 1994-'95.

Rugby is also strong with Brian O'Driscoll and Denis Hickey among the old boys - and ladies' hockey is particularly strong at the moment. In all, 68 sporting scholarships were awarded this year.

Even smaller colleges without their own sports facilities can act as centres of excellence. Tallaght IT, Dublin, has managed to secure the support of the local community. One of its most popular sports is basketball, while in individual sports it has nurtured talents such as swimmer Donal Hart and downhill mountain biker Paul Gilsenan.

So whether it's sports or societies, college life should provide a wealth of options for keen students.