Written by Mina Subesa
We’ve all heard horror stories about living on campus, and as a third year on-campus resident in Bathurst campus, I’m gonna share some advice on how you can make your stay worthwhile.
In this blog I will address the following:
· Living on-campus perks
· The first thing you should do moving in.
· Living with others respectfully
· House rules that will save your dormie friendship
Living On-Campus Perks
Okay, let’s get straight to the point, what are the good stuff that actually made me stay in the uni dorms this long?
Firstly, you can basically roll out of bed and land in your lecture room. That’s right! All the uni facilities (library, gym, café) are just a minute walk away and that is already a big advantage.
Meeting new friends is also one of the best things I got out of staying in the dorms. I’ve met people from different courses and cultures which lead to great friendships and learning. Getting around uni events was much easier. If you’re an international student like me, this is also a good opportunity to understand the Aussie culture and slang. Besides the newfound friends, your Resident Leader will also make sure that you get the best out of your dorm living experience by keeping you posted on all things uni life.
And let’s not forget about rent reduction, which has helped me a lot financially when I had to go on clinical placements for a couple of weeks.
Moving in Checklist
Alright, so you’ve just decided to live on-campus and don’t know what to do next. Don’t worry I’ve got a checklist for you before moving in:
o Know what you should and should not bring
o Make sure you have access to your dorm (ID card ready and keys collected if needed)
o Make sure you know your exit points in case of fire once you get in your dorm
o Secure your own cupboard in the communal kitchen
o Check what appliances are already available to you
o Unpack
o Get your resident leader’s contact details
Living with Others Respectfully
It can’t be helped that you are going to see different personalities and backgrounds, but how do you actually live with them harmoniously? Respect and proper communication.
First, you have to understand that you are going to be living in a shared accommodation. Everyone will be different and will come from different household settings. What is normal to them might not be normal to you. When something doesn’t seem right, talk to the person and ask. This is the most effective way to avoid conflicts.
A good way to communicate would be through social media. You and your housemates will usually not have the same schedules. Taking your communication online will keep everyone in check.
House Rules to Save Your Dormie Friendships
o Bin roster- schedule on who takes out the rubbish next
o Clean after your self
o 10-10 rule- this is a “quiet time” guideline, typically from 10 PM to 10 AM, you might have dorm events which will lead to an eventful night, this rule will be enforced by your Resident Leader and the hours might vary.
o Personal things in personal area only
There you have it! These are the reasons why I chose and enjoyed living on campus. But still, everyone is different. There’s absolutely nothing bad about living off-campus as well! It’s just a matter of knowing yourself and what you would be comfortable with. Weigh your pros and cons. 🙂
Charlie blog is a SSAF funded initiative
