Your Brescia Rez Questions

Hey everyone!

If you are a student who is thinking about coming to Brescia or who has recently been accepted, there is probably one big question on your mind: what is Residence like!?! When most of us think about moving away to university, one of the first things we usually think about is Residence. How does it look? Who will I live with? What will the food be like? Will it be too noisy/quiet/crazy/boring/etc.?

The “Official” Answers

Many of your questions about residence are answered on the Brescia website. If you look on the left there is an FAQ section, which answers many of the common questions about residence. This year’s Residence Handbook is also available to look at.

These resources contain information answering questions like:

• Can I get a single room?
• What items am I not allowed to bring to Residence?
• How do I apply for Residence?

The “Unofficial” Answers

As for the unofficial answers, I am here to share my experience with you. However, I have to emphasize that this is my experience. My needs, interests, preferences, and beliefs are likely different from yours! Also, people’s experiences are different based on what year they stay in Residence, what floor they are on, who they are roomed with, etc., so I can guarantee my Residence experience was not the same as yours will be! I’m hoping, though, that my experiences might put you a little more at ease and give you an idea of what you can expect.

So please: I really encourage you to post your questions here! If you wish, you can even use an alias, like “A New Student” or “Anonymous” so no one will know who you are. No question is a stupid question– there are probably many other students wondering the same thing!

Here are the questions I have gotten so far:

Q: What do the rooms look like?

A: There are two main parts of the Residence: the main building (Ursuline Hall- the one that looks like a castle), and MRW (the Marie Rosier Wing, an addition that connects at the back). Because Ursuline Hall was built a long time ago (in the 1930’s, in fact), the rooms are not all standardized like some other residences you may have seen. This means that many of the rooms are *different* from each other.  Some have windows with window seats, some have a ton of floor space, many of them have beds and desks in different arrangements. In MRW, the furniture is mostly fixed, whereas in Ursuline Hall some of it can be moved. Every room has something in common, though: they are all carpeted, have blinds over the windows, and are equipped with a twin sized- bed, dresser, desk, chair, closet/wardrobe, shelves, wastebasket, bulletin board, and mirror (per resident). Also, Brescia is a very charming place to stay-  all the rooms are nice in their own way (and you can decorate yours with posters, etc. to suit your taste)!

Q: What is the social scene like in Brescia Residence?

A: When I was in Residence, there were lots of fun social activities put on by the Residence Life Team, including the Resident Assistants and Residence Council. These would include things like Ice Cream Sundae parties, a costume party for Halloween, floor movie nights, a Casino Night with Huron & Kings, etc. Also, there was lots of socializing between friends in residence and there are almost always people hanging out in the common rooms studying, talking, or watching TV. Also, people from Residence attend events at Brescia and at Main Campus. When I was staying in Residence in 3rd year, I would go to the Wave Resto-Bar on Main Campus to meet friends for a pub-night atmosphere Rick McGee’s. Some people also visit friends in other residences on campus, or go off campus to socialize.

I will be honest, though: when I was in Brescia Rez there was not a raging party scene. However, that turned out to be a great benefit because I wanted to be able to come home and sleep, study, or hang out in my PJ’s. My favourite thing to tell incoming students is that, if you want to go to a house party, you want to have it at someone else’s house: you can have fun and leave them with all the mess and hassle when you come home to your nice, quiet bedroom to sleep.

Keep sending your questions…