Residences vs. Off Campus Student Housing Part 3 - On Campus Traditional Style Dorms

Now you may be thinking that I have forgotten about traditional dormitory style residences. If you really want to go and experience what it's like to live in a dorm, then go ahead. Personally, I find that it is over hyped and a terrible living situation to be in. From experience, it is actually very inconvenient way of living. Imagine, taking a shower when suddenly someone walks into the washroom and has the worse stomach ache ever. Not only will you have the liberty to bask in the smell and all its glory but you'll have a rare opportunity to enjoy the ensuing symphony of human excreta make contact with a shallow pool of water. 

And what about food? The mandatory money grabbing meal plan... Yeah sure, everything is 50% off but that's only because they take half of what you paid for your meal plan away immediately, so you only get to spend half of what you paid. Now, what once may have seemed like an amazing discount is nothing more than a lie.

I really don't like eating on campus, especially at the cafeteria. I'll admit to going to the coffee shops around campus though. They are really convenient if you only want a hot drink and a pastry for a reasonable price. Everything is just so expensive, small in size/portion, and lacking in flavour. Plus, if you check the nutritional values of what they serve, you might actually be better off going to McDonalds and eating there everyday, which could be "meh" at best if you count calories and make smart choices. Everything they serve is just so loaded with fat, grease, sodium, and sugar. Instead of buying lunch/dinner on campus, you're better off walking over to the plaza. The plaza generally have better quality food, more selection, and better deals.

University of Waterloo has two traditional style residences (not including the colleges, since I have never been to any of those, I can't comment on them other than it is still cheaper to live off campus than in one of those colleges), Ron Eydt Village (REV) and Village 1 (V1). At V1, you have your own room with a desk and a bed and have communal washrooms. REV is similar to V1, the only difference being is that these are double rooms, so everything is doubled and you have to share the room with someone. So, V1 has more privacy than REV. 

Here's a tip, avoid living in REV at all costs. My friend used to live there and he said everyone there would be smoking weed all of the time. He used to get high in his room just from the second hand smoke. If you care about your marks and, most importantly, your health and lungs, don't live in REV. If you do end up in REV, speak your don about switching into another residence as soon as possible.

V1 is a lot more tame in comparison to REV. You can get work done in your room or in the study areas without getting disturbed generally speaking. The lobby area, where the cafeteria, recreation area, study rooms, and front desk are, is often packed with people, so that could be a great place to meet new friends. If you really want to live in a traditional style dorm and want to actually be able to get work done and study, then pick V1.

Part 1: Here

University of Waterloo Blog

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