dorms

More than just a place to sleep: how Residence life builds community at TRU

As part of their everyday routines, students at Thompson Rivers University live on campus and spend every evening moving between their dorm rooms, kitchens, and study areas. Depending on who you ask, residence life in East Village or North Tower appears different.
University housing is frequently marketed as a means of creating a sense of community and helping students in adjusting to campus life. That promise is true for some people.

East Village
photo credit- Daniela Duran

East Village resident Abdulai Shalom, a second-year student studying software engineering, claims that living there has facilitated her making friends.
“Yes, I have made a few friends since moving to East Village,” Shalom said.
She frequently attends some of the events held in the building’s communal areas and studies in the reading room. Those common areas have given her the chance to socialize outside of the classroom.
However, different students have different experiences living on campus.

– Photo credits Daniela Duran

Alejandra Lainez, a first-year communication student living in North Tower, said most of her friendships were formed in the classroom rather than in her building.“I have made most of my friends in class,” Lainez said.

While she has visited common areas occasionally, she said she mostly watched television there and does not use them frequently.

Both students said that they would suggest living on campus. They did, however, highlight many elements that influence the experience. Lainez emphasized the significance of keeping “a clean environment,” pointing out that residents must cooperate and show respect when sharing appliances like washers and dryers.

On the other hand, Shalom noted that East Village’s location sometimes feel “a bit far from school,” which makes daily routines more difficult.
Residence life at TRU is not the same experience. While some students see residence as simply a convenient location to live while making friends elsewhere, others discover a sense of community within their buildings through study areas and events.
Depending on individual habits and expectations, university homes play a variety of roles as students continue to manage freedom, shared responsibility, and academic responsibilities. They serve as a social center for some people. Just a home base for some.

East village common center
Photo credit – Daniela Duran

(feel free to add a comment about your experience on housing here at TRU!!)