Colleges use social networking sites and smartphone to aid new students

COLLEGES are using social networking sites and smartphone applications to help new students find their feet over the coming weeks.

As first-year entrants finalise their search for accommodation after the second round of Central Applications Office (CAO) offers yesterday, efforts are stepping up to make the transition to third level as smooth as possible.

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) has released an application for iPhone and Android operating platforms to give students access to information about the college and their own courses, including e-mail access, library and online learning systems.