Coming to Bishop’s, one of the first decisions I had to make was to decide to live on or off campus. At first, I was convinced I was ready for the independence of apartment living, even though I’d never lived away from home before. But like many parents, my mom was a bit worried. She thought that living in residence would be a better transition from Cegep, and to ease her mind, I followed her advice.
I spent my first year living on campus and moved off campus in my second year. Having experienced both, here’s what I learned.
Dorm Sweet Dorm: My Life in Bishop’s Residence
Looking back, I’m glad I started in residence. From the moment I stepped foot into my building, I knew that my mom was right. Being around other first-year students who were also away from home for the first time made me feel less alone. It helped me bond with people quickly. I saw familiar faces in class, at Dewies, or at the gym. Right away, I felt part of a community.
I lived in Munster, the 24/7 quiet residence. While it was sometimes harder to socialize with friends there compared to other buildings, it ended up being perfect for me. I was able to study or have quality sleep since it was always silent. In Munster, I also had my own bedroom and only shared the bathroom with my bogmate. As someone who had never shared a bedroom before, the privacy was really appreciated.
Munster also has great amenities like study rooms with TVs and a basement with a kitchen and lounge. Some of my best first-year memories happened there, from cooking birthday dinners to watching movies and pretending to be productive during late hours because of our questionable studyhabits.
Another major perk of living on campus? Everything is close. I never had to stress about being late to class, and meals at Dewies or the Purple Pod meant that I didn’t need to cook every day. Some of my favourite moments during my first year were the late-night meals with my friends after long days of classes and studying.
My first year in residence was a fun time. I was able to build strong friendships and get comfortable with university life. It really set off my journey at Bishop’s on a good start.
New Space, New Pace: Living Off Campus
After my first year of residence, I felt ready to take on more independence, so I moved off campus. I teamed up with two friends I met in residence, and after checking out Bishop’s University’s off campus housing webpage, we found a duplex about a 15-minute walk from campus.
Since the place had four bedrooms, we had to bring in another roommate. Luckily for us, it worked out amazingly. I ended up forming new friendships that I never expected, and I learned a lot about sharing space and managing responsibilities. Also, we live close to local stores, which makes grocery shopping super convenient.
One of the biggest changes is having more freedom. I can cook whatever and whenever I want, host dinners, stay up late chatting in the living room, and really feel like the space reflected me. Being off campus is a great way to separate my academic life from my personal life. Coming back to a quieter, family-friendly neighbourhood gave me the chance to unwind after a long day on campus.
Sure, the 15-minute walk isn’t always fun, especially for my 8h30 a.m. classes in the winter. But with a little planning, it became part of the routine.
Over time, the house became more than just a place to sleep. From Christmas dinners and sushi nights to group study sessions around our big dining table, it became a place full of memories, just like residence had been.
Finding Home, Wherever You Land
So which one is better: living on or off campus? There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. It depends on what you’re looking for.
For me, living in residence during my first year helped me meet people, find my rhythm and settle into university life. Moving off campus later gave me the independence and space I was ready for.
So don’t stress too much about choosing the perfect place to live. Where you call home might change, but the feeling of belonging doesn’t. At Bishop’s, it’s not just about where you stay. It’s about the people you meet and the memories you make along the way.
