![\"construction\/demolition](\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2022\/03\/275521182_286805843438828_7290797518200935035_n-768x1024.jpg\")
Why I chose residence as an upper-year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m only in Toronto during the academic year. Because that\u2019s the case, it\u2019s difficult for me to find a short-term lease as most leases are a year long. Many people sublet their apartments when they move out for the summer but I personally didn\u2019t want to go through that process. Additionally, I didn\u2019t know anyone well enough to share an apartment with and a one-bedroom unit was too costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"desk](\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2022\/03\/275191388_346235687452829_7820994323463346768_n-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nI lived in my residence for a whole school year, I was already familiar with it and comfortable enough that it served as the most feasible option. I didn\u2019t have to worry about roommates since I\u2019d be matched with other students and only had to worry about my fees. I had the support of my don and residence staff 24\/7. Safety was also another factor I considered; renting is safe for the most part, don\u2019t get me wrong. But filtering out potential scams and unlawful landlords was what cautioned back into choosing residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now for an overview of the pros and cons of living in residence as an upper-year:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residence pros:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime location.<\/strong> Living on campus means that you have less transit fees to get to class. Additionally, you are in walking distance to grocery stores, shops, and other essentials around campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reliable and safe process.<\/strong> You don\u2019t have to stress about potential scams or any complicated procedures for applying for residence and paying fees because it\u2019s directly with the school and likely a familiar process for those who have lived in residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Community and events (free food!).<\/strong> Residences at U of T do their best to create a community for their students. Dons will often run events which usually have food and games or maybe themed nights. Residences typically give their dons a budget to run these events so that\u2019s always an incentive to look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Residence cons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cost.<\/strong> Residence is more costly than renting off-campus. And if you choose a residence with a mandatory meal plan, that\u2019s an additional cost to account for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mandatory floor meetings and residence tasks.<\/strong> Attendance for these meetings is important for being a resident at a U of T accommodation. They create a sense of community in residence and if you\u2019re more independent and have other priorities then residence life may not be the best fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Involvement in residence is important for securing a spot as an upper-year. Similar to the previous point, involvement is important for upper-year students because first-years are prioritized in residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Spot is not guaranteed. <\/strong>The points above address how involvement is important for getting back into residence. But as always, it all comes down to space, and sometimes there just isn\u2019t enough. I know there are some residences that accommodate upper years more than others so it\u2019s important to check in with your own residence and their upper-year process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Final takeaway: If you want to live in residence, don\u2019t let the cons discourage you from applying. My best advice is to have a backup plan in mind for whatever you decide to do for your housing options for the academic year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are looking for housing while juggling your workload and assignments, you\u2019re doing great and I commend you for your diligence! Good luck in this process and I hope everything works out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"lights](\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2022\/03\/272927814_7107992749242609_431059022752578962_n-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n