hey there,
after just finishing a three-part guide to incoming commuter students (parts 1, 2, 3), i thought i’d give some attention to those of you who will get to live on campus this year.
firstly, a quick rundown of the residences: st. george, UTM, UTSC.
between these three campuses, there is every kind of living arrangement you could possibly imagine: townhouses, apartment-style residences, single rooms, double rooms, suite-style…etc. however, here are?some tips which make communal living a whole lot?easier no matter where you’ll be this year.
1. your residence don will likely make you sign a suite/roommate agreement. try to follow that. otherwise, both your roommate(s) and don are totally entitled to speak with you about it and enforce the rules you agreed to.?besides, it’s just easier for everyone involved if there are some rules everyone can be counted on following.
2. learn where and how to do your laundry, preferably before the first time you have to do your laundry. it’ll make things go a lot more smoothly.
here are some tips before you get there:?most public washer/dryers?require either change or, in some residences, a card loaded with money, to operate. dryer sheets are worth it. it’s rude not to clean the lint tray after you use it. finally, leach, laundry detergent, and fabric softener are all different things and cannot be indiscriminately interchanged.
3. school comes first, but investing a bit of time in participating in rez?life?pays off.
even if you don’t feel comfortable being part of a residence/house council or hosting events, hanging out in rez with your door open on a regular basis is a great way to become more comfortable with the other people in your residence. you might even have fun.
4. talk to your don about stuff that’s bugging you.
that’s what they’re there for. and if they can’t help you, they’ll set you up with people who can.
5.?plan for the weather.
even if your building has AC/heating, a portable heater and fan is a great idea. they’re inexpensive, and if you prefer unnatural?temperatures that your floor- or roommates aren’t down with, it’s a way to regulate the temperature in your room without affecting anyone else.
just make sure that your residence is cool with you bringing one first, because?i don’t want to make life more difficult for residence?staff. i’m sure they already have a hard enough time enforcing the no pets policy.
best of luck with your living arrangements, chums,
aska