People say that your first year of university is as much about the experience as it is about the learning, and for that reason more first-years tend to live on campus than the higher-level students. As an outgoing first-year myself, here are the 5 things I’m going to miss most about living on campus.
1. My room
Some may say it’s tiny, cramped, and more akin to a closet than to a bedroom, but it was my den, my own little kingdom, and I rather liked being able to prop my feet up on my desk while lying in bed. I think it’s safe to say I’m going to miss this little room more than any other place on campus.
2. The walk to class
UBC Vancouver is a beautiful place, but the most beautiful things of all are the trees lining Main Mall. From the changing leaves in autumn to their beautiful winter silhouettes, and now the fresh greenery, they never failed to make my morning trek to class that much brighter.
3. Making my own schedule
Maybe not always a great thing, but the freedom to stay up until 3 a.m. when the muse caught me was divine. Extra points for when the muse caught me when I didn’t have 9 o’clock class the next morning.
4. Midnight McDonald’s runs with friends
For someone who grew up living 40 minutes from town, the proximity of everything on campus was an unexpected joy. Is there anything that screams “independence” more than teaming up with a few buddies for a late-night trek to the nearest house of McNuggets?
5. Impromptu homework parties
Picture it: you and a friend are studying quietly, then your roommate shows up with a couple friends, then your other roommate shows up with a few more. Your friend and a few of your roommates’ friends discover they’re working on the same thing, new friendships blossom over shared assignment dilemmas, and at 10:30 you all order pizza. Is there any better way to study?
There you have it, HCUBC Cuties! For any incoming first-years, I definitely recommend the residence experience (especially if you get into Ritsumeikan-UBC House). As I leave campus and my first year at UBC behind I know I’ll miss it all, but the important thing is that I’ll miss it fondly.
Photo credits: vancouversun.com, Birdmeetings.org, educ.ubc.ca, Shutterstock.com, salon.com, sundial.csun.edu