This blog is an archived post written by Celeena during her 3rd year in the Environmental Management stream.
As an international student, it was necessary to find a reliable and comfortable 'home away from home' for the time of my studies. Before I came to university, I was an avid researcher looking up what YorkU had to offer and checking out the on-campus residences!
There are two different types of student housing for undergraduate students:
- Traditional Style
- Suite Style
In traditional style residences, the rooms are single (where you have your own private room) or double (where you share a room with a roommate). You also share common spaces such as a kitchen (in some residences), bathroom and living space.
In suite style residences, however, you have your own private room and share a kitchen and bathroom with just one other roommate. These styles are mainly reserved for upper year students, but in my first year I got a spot here!
Residence life is a great experience as a first-year student. You meet many people through floor meetings, events, or just hanging out in common rooms. Now it is my 4th year at YorkU and after living on residence for two years, it's safe to say that most of my good friendships and great memories were made in residence!
I was very shy coming into university and since I came to York after Orientation Week I did not have the chance to meet new people this way. However, I decided to voluntarily join the Residence Council at the residence where I lived, and this was the single best decision I made as a first year! Res Council is a team of students and a Don (one of the student assistants for the residence) who plan and coordinate events for the students in their specific residence.
We planned many stress buster events like bringing dogs/exotic animals for students to interact with, trips downtown like for Nuit Blanche, movie nights, and fun events like rock climbing and laser tag. Not only do you gain event planning, organizational and social skills but you also make friends and meet great people along the way.
Residence also allows you to be a little more independent than you're used to. This may be scary at first, since you may have to buy your own groceries now, clean on your own, do your laundry, manage your time more efficiently, and as an international/out of town student you may have to learn and adapt to a new transit system or a transit system in general as well as a new area. However, once you get used to it you learn so many new skills and may even surprise yourself with how well you work on your own!! I know I did.
The sense of community you find in residence life is unmatchable and with some good friends or people to help you out (trust me, people are always happy to help), it makes the adjustment super smooth!
