My experience and advice for incoming students
This data was pulled from discussion with three residents of each neighbourhood/housing-style from both this year and last year (27 total).
Before coming to UVic, I found it nearly impossible to find any pictures or advice regarding the various residence buildings and dorm options.
I sifted through what information I could find, and made my decision. When I applied for on-campus housing, I was sure I would get into the pod housing and wouldn’t be subject to the dreaded meal plan like those living in the single and double dorms are. I wrote my application essay about wanting to make new friends and how I have irritable bowel syndrome, so the meal plan isn’t exactly ideal for me. To my dismay, I did not get in. I instead ended up in one of my other top choices, a Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ single dorm.
Until move-in day, I had no idea that the dorm I accepted was the size of a shoebox.
Trust me, I’m grateful to have a roof over my head. But when it costs $274 more than the other single dorms, I expected the accommodations to be a bit more impressive. However, I quickly realized that this was not the case. When you share a building with 400 people, things get worn down quickly. The elevator and bathrooms are constantly out of order and the washing machines are always leaking. It’s noisy, the rooms are tiny, and the large number of residents makes me feel like an insignificant speck of dust in the cosmos.
I thought these might just be my own introverted complaints until I heard the same opinions from other students living on campus. When residents from the smaller buildings go into the new buildings, they tell me that they get an uneasy vibe from the way we interact with each other. Not many people know or talk to each other in the common areas. There’s no real sense of community, outside of a select few friend groups. I now think that it would be better to live in a smaller space that forces you to get to know each other.
After discussing with 27 friends and/or strangers (three from each residence neighbourhood) I had my suspicions confirmed. Those living in smaller communities were more satisfied overall. Sure, they might have to deal with cold water, broken appliances, and electrical issues more frequently than I do, but the downsides are outweighed by the comfort of having a tight-knit community.
So, the best advice I could give to someone planning to live on campus is to get your priorities straight. Which do you value more: comfort or connection? If it’s comfort, go for Tower, or South Tower, or maybe even Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ or Sŋéqə ʔéʔləŋ. These newer residences tend to have more trustworthy appliances and better washroom situations. And yes, I did complain about those things earlier, but from what those in residences like Craigdarroch and Lansdowne have told me, the new building might be a bit more reliable when it comes to sturdy furniture, heating, electricity, and hot water (which apparently some of the other buildings rarely have). They might not be cozy in a social way, but when contrasted with UVic’s older residences, they might be easier to get a good night’s sleep in.
If you think you could overcome the issues I just mentioned, I would recommend Park, McGill, Lansdowne, or Craigdarroch. These are the buildings that I’ve seen really strong bonds come out of, that read kind of like a found family. Everyone knows each other. They’ll say hi when passing each other in the hallway. If I could do it all over again, I probably would have put these options near the top of my list.
If you want something in the middle, go for Ring Road or Gordon Head. I’ve heard very mixed reviews, but from the short amount of time I’ve spent in these neighbourhoods, they seem like great options.
I’ve heard from my friends in Cluster and off-campus housing that they much prefer their accommodations to mine. However, off-campus housing is inaccessible to some, and Cluster is not usually open to first-year students. That being said, I would recommend on-campus housing to first-year students, regardless of what residence or housing style they end up in. Despite all my moaning and groaning (which I love to do). I’m glad I lived on campus for one reason and one reason only: the experience.
I’ve dreamt my whole life about what ‘the college experience’ would be like. Sure, it was absolutely not what I pictured, and I complained about it constantly, but I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t try it. Living on campus was my first solo experience. I might not have had to cook for myself or clean very much, but there was no one to tell me if I was living the right way. It was close to my classes so I barely ever showed up late (which was a big issue for me in highschool), and I did occasionally invite new friends up to my dorm since it was so convenient.
I now have stories about the fire alarm going off in the middle of the night, my neighbours messing up the bathroom and it being the most antagoizing thing in my life for a couple months, going to lame campus parties and overall moments that I will remember for at least the next couple years.
Most of the friends I made were from my classes, so it wouldn’t have made a difference socially if I’d have spent my first year off campus. However, not everyone is like me. I’ve seen plenty of my neighbours living their best college lives, going out on the weekend and running down the hallways at 1 a.m. All in all, your on-campus experience will depend on your personality and the luck of the draw.
So, to sum up my advice, give campus living a try. I still wish that the pod housing would have accepted my application, but if I could do it again, I would put places like Park, McGill, and Craigdarroch in my top five choices. Regardless of where you end up, you’ll make some memories. And if you end up regretting it, you can always look for a place off-campus for your second semester
Hopefully, this article pops up just when you need it, so you don’t make the same uninformed decision that I did.
