Finally got past the long waitlist and scored a spot on campus?
Congrats and welcome to the fun, the chaos, and yes, sometimes the slightly annoying world of residence life. I remember I felt a little overwhelmed at first; I was suddenly sharing my space with strangers and was surrounded by hundreds of other students. But trust me, it also opens the door to so many fun opportunities and new friendships.
As I begin my 4th year of living in residence, I feel like I’m well equipped to recommend some of my go-to resource and tips that honestly made my experience so much better
- Residence Events: Okay, hear me out. I know residence events can sound boring but trust me and just go to one. They’re actually a great way to meet people in the building (and to find a buddy for those random late-night walks across campus) Recently, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” watch parties and sports screenings have been super popular. If you find yourself loving these events, I would recommend running for a position in your residence council next year to help plan and host them.
- Fitness in Residence: Truly a hidden gem: free fitness classes in residence! Yep, no registration, no subscription, nothing at all! I usually just drop in whenever I can. They usually run yoga, mat pilates, cardio-core, and more on weekends. Whenever I am not sure about the schedule, I check online or just swing by my front desk and ask. It’s such an easy way to get moving without committing to a gym membership.
- Overnight Mobile team: I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve locked myself out of my room (always at the worst times, of course). The first time, I ended up crashing on the couch in the lounge because I didn’t know what else to do. Later, I found out that the overnight mobile team could’ve let me back in within minutes. Their number is posted around the building, or they can be reached via help from the front desk of each residence. Honestly, a lifesaver
- AMS Safewalk: This one’s my personal favorite. Whenever I am staying late at a friend’s place, finishing up an assignment, or just don’t feel safe walking alone on campus at night, AMS Safewalk has always had my back. I usually call them, and they’ll either send someone to walk with me or even a car to drop me off if it’s a bit far. I used to call them almost every night when I lived on the opposite side of campus and didn’t feel comfortable doing that 15-minute walk alone at midnight. And a fun fact: this service also covers Wesbrook Village! You can reach them at (604) 822-5355. Save that number in your phone, you’ll thank me later.
Living in residence can be a wild mix of awkward, exciting, and unforgettable. But with these resources, you’ll feel way more at home (and way less stressed when things go sideways at 3 a.m.). Let us know some of your favourite campus resources in the comments below.
