The Martlet

Going from high school to university is an overwhelming process for many students. On-campus living offers convenience, enhances personal and educational growth and provides greater opportunities for developing lifelong friendships. It provides assistance with developing a sense of responsibility, independence and maturity in a balanced way.

Off-campus living is overwhelming: one has to deal with the enormous change to a university environment at the same time as house hunting, utility bills, furniture, cable, rent, contract leases and Internet. On-campus residence covers all this, but still pushes students to be responsible, independent, and mature. It helps to ease pressure and smooth the transition, and helps time management substantially. University is more than academics: it’s about the overall experience.

Living on-campus requires students to take responsibility for their actions being overwhelmed. Numerous campus resources are easily accessible: the library, faculty, academic advisors, computer labs, health centre, residence dining halls and more. Students save travel time and there’s easy access to transportation. At UVic, a wide selection of bus routes is minutes away. Students living on campus can sometimes do better academically; living closer to the library can encourage frequent visits that lead to better productivity and higher grades.

Living off-campus, students deal with the hassle of transportation every morning. Waking up late can still land a student in class on time, if that student lives on campus. Living on-campus guarantees new friendships that are not available when walking into a new, empty apartment.

“You are living close to your friends,” says Ike Levinson, fourth-year psychology major. “There is a good social atmosphere.” It challenges students to deal with different types of personalities and find their niche. Living on-campus increases opportunities to meet fascinating and diverse people from around the nation and world. Residence students are bound to find someone who shares the same interests and increases their social circle growth.

Being involved in events and activities is a large part of residence life. From sports clubs to Halloween events to exam study groups, on-campus residence offers many ways to help people get settled and encourages involvement. The overall experience enhances and promotes interaction, community spirit, and personal development.

On-campus living requires a student to act responsibly and abide by residence rules such as quiet hours, tenant cleaning chores, and doing laundry. Cluster housing at UVic requires students to learn how to cook for themselves. UVic is only minutes away from a variety of supermarkets, restaurants and movie theatres. Downtown is a short 20-minute bus ride away. For dorm students, the university offers large selections of dining venues and accommodates special dietary needs.

“It’s close to the university, so I didn’t have to worry about transportation,” says Melanie Cassel, fourth-year education major. “I don’t need to worry about food, which was beneficial.”

For parents, it is also a comfort because security is offered. UVic’s campus security responds to all emergencies and offers 24-hour service every day. Useful services such as Campus Alone and SafeWalk maintain safety and comfort for students, especially during late hours.

University is a chance for individuals to explore other cultures, groups, environments, improve their independence and develop a mature character. University is about intensifying responsibility and academics, but it is also about enjoying a new experience and essentially having fun.

Nobody wants to look back on their lives and say they had a horrible university experience. Living on-campus provides a balance of increasing responsible duties such as following residence rules and regulations and doing your own cleaning and laundry. However, it eases the learning process by providing convenience, and a diverse, dynamic and cultural social experience. It increases the motivation for academic success and integrity. University is the epicentre, and what better place is there to live than in the centre of attention?