Education & Reference Res Colleges

[turk36]

Did anyone go to a uni res college? (or hall of residence)

Just wanted to know as I am in the process of applying for them (either Melb or Monash), and wanted to know what I'm getting myself into. Any info on specific colleges/halls beyond the stuff you find on their websites - (what it was like there, kind of students who went there, the negatives, etc.) would be appreciated too.

Cheers.

 

[kfc1]

It's like living in a giant share house. If you're social, you'll love it. If you're not, you will probably grow tired of it pretty quickly. One of my closest female friends loved it at first but got sick of the constant gossip/busybodies and moved out after 18 months

 

[checkraiseulite]

It will take over your life and be all you talk about for 12-18 months.

Then you will realise how much of a douche you were during this period.

Still worth the experience.

 

[bradrowe#32]

They're incredibly lame.

 

[JD11]

I think it's great for first year uni, keeps everything easy and almost high school like in how cliquey they can be.

Beyond that it gets tiresome when the whole place becomes a law unto itself and nothing exists beyond the walls of your university, much like high school. I went to Ormond for 1 year, had a hell of a time, but was completely ready to move out after my first year.

 

[Skeppersap]

I think it's great for first year uni, keeps everything easy and almost high school like in how cliquey they can be.

Beyond that it gets tiresome when the whole place becomes a law unto itself and nothing exists beyond the walls of your university, much like high school. I went to Ormond for 1 year, had a hell of a time, but was completely ready to move out after my first year.

When did you go to Ormond? I was there for 3 years between 2000 and 2002.

 

[Skeppersap]

It will take over your life and be all you talk about for 12-18 months.

Then you will realise how much of a douche you were during this period.

Still worth the experience.

This is the truest thing I have seen written on Big Footy!

The sense of elitism that goes with being in these places is ridiculous.

But it is awesome while it lasts!

 

[Caesar]

I lived in a residential college for 3 years, spent a year on the national executive for college students and travelled to most major unis and their on-campus accommodation during that time. Have quite a few mates from Ormond and St Mary's at Melbourne, and Mannix at Monash.

It's definitely a very elitist and insular culture in some ways - colleges have their own parties, go out on the town together, play in their own sporting competitions, and generally speaking are a completely self-contained social environment. The constant party atmosphere also gets old fast - by the end of my third year I was heartily sick of it, and regretted not leaving 12 months earlier. But it is a fantastic way to start uni if you are coming from another area and don't know anybody. Day students do not even get half of the uni experience compared to those who live on campus.

College, like boarding school, creates lifelong bonds that people who haven't experienced it can't really appreciate. Not only do you make strong friendships with the people you meet there, but at the older colleges you become a member of an extensive alumni network. Several times I have met men many decades my senior who previously attended my college or one of its rivals, and we have quickly bonded by reminiscing over shared experiences. You can be fresh out of university and meeting a crusty old man of 70, but remind him of the time he carried a brick around campus and introduced it to people whilst dressed in full academic robes and you will instantly create a strong sense of camaraderie.

Not all on-campus accommodation is like the private colleges, however. Uni-run halls of residence tend to have far less of a distinctive or cohesive culture (particularly if they are self-catered). Some student villages, where everyone lives in self-contained units, are not a whole lot different to living in a house near a university where most of the renters are students.

 

[raskolnikov]

I lived in one for a year(LaTrobe). Didn't mind the social part of it. The biggest issue for me was the cultural barrier. Let's just say that the Chinese have a completely different idea as to what constitutes acceptable hygiene practices and that I refuse to eat at a Chinese restaurant anymore.

 

[kfc1]

I went to Faber College

 

[magic_johnson!]

Currently at halls at monash, and it's far different from the collages at melbourne in my opinion. Self catered, there's some people you see every now and hten and think to yourself, i've never seen that person in my life. It can be very social and you've always got mates around, but at the same time there is the problem that you can find yourself going to your bedroom and just staying there with no real excuse to leave... Can be an extremely lonely experience for some, but at the same time i've found that it's awesome to just be able to go have a drink with someone whenever you want, or go kick the footy. Also plenty of people to help you with uni related problems.

I do want to, however, get out and go into a share house. One year's enough, get friends, have a good time then get out.

 

[JD11]

When did you go to Ormond? I was there for 3 years between 2000 and 2002.

2008, so pretty close I guess.

 

[stmookeyj]

Found my time at Res (early part of the decade) very convenient as it had everything I needed in close range (many a night spent dribbling tripe in threads like this one, all paid for!) Did get very dull at exam time when there was a no noise policy, had to even put earphones in my TV to make sure the noise didn't get too loud so I would get kicked out.

The one thing that it did help me with was meeting half the world (so it seemed). In my time I made contact with plenty of Asians (Japanese and Indian students, and Singaporean Army personnel that liked to set off the fire alarm 4 times a night!), Americans and Norwegians amongst others.

 

[Gasometer]

College equals-

 

[Gasometer]

Don't miss out. It is the one of the best times of your life.

 

[Tex_21]

Lived on campus for 18 months (ANU). Never met the people who lived next door to me.

I'm not very social. Convenience to class was good though

 

[Silent Alarm]

It's shit.

I'm a social enough person. I had no trouble doing the old handshake and g'day, where you from, what are you studying (some people are really shy – I have no idea what half my house was studying), and I like going out and having beers. But I lived with seven others at Curtin Uni in Perth last year. It was shit. I was infuriated and depressed.

One bloke and his disgusting missus were appalling. The most disgusting people I've met. They'd live off potato bake and muffins. Which is fine if you want to eat that shit. But they'd leave out the saucepans, the bowls, and be completely unpleasant. They were anti-social and had no social graces.

The other people were just immature, despite them all being a good two or three years older. They gossiped, talked about who kissed who, and played Aliens v Zombies and the cringeworthy games on campus. They were just weird people and it become a bit awkward. Had a Swede for six months who was good value; into soccer, FIFA, beers, and even came to some Freo games. The other decent bloke had a girlfriend and so I never spoke to him too much. Got the feeling he thought he was a bit cool for me too, but that's Christ Church Grammer boys for you.

My mates back in Perth all lucked out and got decent houses. But they're different people to me. I'm sure it'd be alright with good blokes and normal girls, but it's hell if you're with annoying, gross pricks.

House-sharing is way better. People tend to be way more respectful and can actually hold a conversation.

 

[checkraiseulite]

It's shit.

I'm a social enough person. I had no trouble doing the old handshake and g'day, where you from, what are you studying (some people are really shy – I have no idea what half my house was studying), and I like going out and having beers. But I lived with seven others at Curtin Uni in Perth last year. It was shit. I was infuriated and depressed.

One bloke and his disgusting missus were appalling. The most disgusting people I've met. They'd live off potato bake and muffins. Which is fine if you want to eat that shit. But they'd leave out the saucepans, the bowls, and be completely unpleasant. They were anti-social and had no social graces.

The other people were just immature, despite them all being a good two or three years older. They gossiped, talked about who kissed who, and played Aliens v Zombies and the cringeworthy games on campus. They were just weird people and it become a bit awkward. Had a Swede for six months who was good value; into soccer, FIFA, beers, and even came to some Freo games. The other decent bloke had a girlfriend and so I never spoke to him too much. Got the feeling he thought he was a bit cool for me too, but that's Christ Church Grammer boys for you.

My mates back in Perth all lucked out and got decent houses. But they're different people to me. I'm sure it'd be alright with good blokes and normal girls, but it's hell if you're with annoying, gross pricks.

House-sharing is way better. People tend to be way more respectful and can actually hold a conversation.

Lol sample size.

Back on topic, most of the places people are discussing itt aren't even res colleges. A res college will provide you with meals, social functions, sporting teams, academic support etc.

You have no choice but to get to know people. Some of the most withdrawn, shy and socially awkward people I know went to res colleges and it changed them completely into confident, outgoing and fun people.

A proper res college will have more in common with an APS boarding school than uni housing or halls of residence imo. Whether that's a good thing or not is a matter of opinion.

 

[kfc1]

Lived on campus for 18 months (ANU). Never met the people who lived next door to me.

I'm not very social. Convenience to class was good though

You were an ANUS? teehee

(ANU Student)