After a year on campus, I can say with some confidence that the halls of residence help you make the most out of your time at university.
There are the obvious benefits including close proximity to classes and transport money saved. But the best part is the people you meet and the friends you make.
Staying in Howitt Hall has been fantastic. Sure, the room seems small at first, but after adding a few personal touches you'll soon be calling it 'home'. It's a five-minute walk from the university (great when you're running late for classes - and I usually was).
The hall is well-equipped with a kitchen and laundry on each floor. There is a cafeteria for those who are not skilled in the culinary arts or just want a quick meal for a reasonable price. The lawn right outside the hall has BBQ facilities used extensively by residents. There is also a jogging track around the lake for those who like to keep fit.
There is a shopping complex not far from the halls - a twenty-minute walk or quick bus ride. Public transport is easily accessible from the halls with bus stops just outside.
But as I said earlier, the best part of the entire experience is the friends you make. There are people from literally all over the world. It's a truly multicultural environment. You will eventually graduate and/or move out of halls, but you will definitely carry the friendships you make for the rest of your life.
Daksh
Master of Business Systems