For many students, university can represent a chaotic and unfamiliar territory where all the rules of grade school do not apply. Similarly, living in residence can embody the freedom of leaving home, the comfort of a welcoming community, and the pressures of adjusting to a new environment. To students experiencing the emotions of living in residence for the first time, or even those looking to get acquainted with U of T’s campus life — here are some tips for surviving in your home away from home.

Know your residence options

While UTSG is home to 11 campus residences, not all students are eligible to live in each one. For example, first-year undergraduate students can only live in one of the seven colleges’ residences or in Chestnut Residence and student family housing, while graduate students and second-level professional faculty students live in the Graduate House or Loretto College, which is the University of St. Michael College’s women-only residence.

Both undergraduate and graduate students can live in University Family Housing; however, they must be studying full time and living with a spouse or common-law partner or have custody of one or two children. Every residence except Trinity College has wheelchair access, while Chestnut Residence, University College, Victoria College, Wordsworth College, and Graduate House also have braille signage.

UTM offers eight areas of residence, made up of townhouses and apartments. First-year undergraduate students have the choice between living in single- or double- occupancy suites, or having a single room in a townhouse. Upper-year undergraduate students live in single occupancy rooms in Putnam Place, a townhouse, while families and graduate and medical students live in the campus’ Schreiberwood neighbourhood.

Every suite-styled hall — except for Roy Ivor and the townhouses — has wheelchair access. All students are also able to select same-gender housing or mixed-gender housing, though mixed-gender housing is not guaranteed and could be rejected due to capacity limitations.

UTSC is home to two types of residences: suites at the campus’ residence building, Joan Foley Hall, and townhouses. Both residences have wheelchair access, provide the option of single or shared bedroom units, and have the option of mixed-gender or same-gender housing. Requests to be assigned with students who are part of the LGBTQ+ community are also accepted.

Prep your meals

Any U of T student may buy a meal plan, though most residences make this purchase mandatory for their students. At UTSG, the only residences that don’t require the purchase of a meal plan are those at Innis College, Woodsworth College, Graduate House, and Student Family Housing. At UTM, all students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. At UTSC, no student is required to buy one.

All residences with a required meal plan at UTSG also offer some halal and and vegan meal options, although they are limited.

If you’re interested in cooking your own food, kitchens or kitchenettes are available in all residences across the three campuses, except for Chestnut Residence and the University of St. Michael’s College.

Don’t underestimate what you need

Packing up to move into residence can raise a harrowing question: what do I need to survive at university? If you’re anything like me, you were tempted to pack half of your house’s contents. However, dorm rooms can be deceptively small, despite the efforts of each college to convince you otherwise. There won’t be much space left in your room after you move in your PlayStation, fairy lights, and K-pop posters, so you’ll have to be strategic about what you bring. Luckily for you though, most residences’ websites have a list of all the items that you should prioritize.

All that being said, don’t take your life at home for granted. While residence can be a great place to socialize, you might find yourself missing home without your personal essentials. Most residences have the basics — a desk and chair, bed and mattress, and shelves and drawers — but don’t count on them to have much else. You’re responsible for bringing your own sheets, stationery, and toiletries — depending how much you can squeeze in your room, you may have to appreciate the small luxuries and decorations that make your dorm comfortable.

Know your network

As you settle into residence life, you’ll find yourself bombarded with new organizations, people, and events. However, the most important people you should know are your dons — or residence advisors (RAs) — who are responsible for crisis intervention, enforcing residence policies, developing a community, and the overall wellbeing of the residents. RAs also plan social and education events tailored toward the residence they are in charge of, which are optional to attend. These events, which can range from board game nights to soap-making to skating at the Varsity Arena, are great for meeting your residence neighbours of all interests.

The residence life may seem foreign, alienating, and lonely, especially if none of your friends from high school join you at U of T. Most people here are in the same situation, so there will be tons of people looking for some new company.

Residence neighbours make for fantastic friends — it’s very easy to eat and study together or hang out in common rooms. Once you meet some strangers you’re fond of, you might end up forming friendships that last throughout your years at U of T — and, if you’re lucky, maybe even longer.