Live. Learn. Lead.
When I was a student at Eastern Florida, I practically lived there (without physically living there). I was always on campus for my classes, student life activities and my student job. Those who knew me at the time would say I loved school. Considering I now work in higher education, I don’t think they were wrong! Going to class may have felt like a chore to some, but I had a sense of community on campus because I was so involved — and it was an opportunity to see my friends and mentors. Little did I know, that sense of community was just beginning.
After I graduated from EFSC with my A.A. degree, I went on to the University of Central Florida to earn my Bachelor’s degree. It wasn’t until I moved into the Rosen Dorms at UCF’s School of Hospitality that I realized how much more awesome my college experience could be.
Eastern Florida didn’t have student housing when I went there, but they do now, and I truly believe that living on a college campus as a young adult is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. Could I go back and do it again now? Sure. But it wouldn’t be the same as it was when I was younger. Living on campus after high school gave me an opportunity to learn both inside and outside of the classroom, and in the end, I carried what I learned with me into future relationships and jobs.
While I was excited to be on my own, with my own space and my own schedule, I did have some hesitations about living on campus. Not knowing who I would be living with was probably my biggest fear — but that fear ended up turning into some of the best memories of my life. I got the chance to room with women who had different experiences and different backgrounds than me, and it taught me how to live with different personalities. It showed me that there’s a lot you can learn from others. We also had a ton of late-night study sessions and fun times around town!
Living on campus made it so easy to roll out of bed and head to class, or to run home and take a nap between classes (because of those late-night study sessions, of course). It was also convenient to catch a college sporting event or to participate in campus activities. In the process, I learned a different kind of independence. For the first time ever, I was solely responsible for my own needs. That meant I did my own laundry, my own cooking (thankfully I never set off the fire alarm) and my own shopping — all on my own schedule. With this newfound independence, I definitely made mistakes along the way, but that’s what college is for: learning.
Having the chance to live in student housing also creates leadership opportunities. For example, at most colleges and universities, you can apply to be a Residential Assistant (often referred to as an RA). The primary role of an RA is to help residents adjust to their new surroundings, both socially and academically. As an RA, you also get to know many of your fellow residents. Not only does it look great on your resume, but it’s also an excellent way to network and make lifelong college friends.
EFSC’s new student housing provides an opportunity to live in a brand new facility that is close to home, while still experiencing everything college has to offer. Right now, like most of us, you may feel very uncertain about your future. There are a lot of unknowns, and that can make it difficult to make decisions, such as where to go to college, whether you should live on campus or what to study. It’s still important to do your research, even if you don’t know exactly what the Fall Term will look like. This will help you figure out what’s best for you, as well as to identify what kind of college experience you’re looking for. Talk to your friends and your family. Share your fears and your desires with them. Just because life is on pause at the moment doesn’t mean that planning for the future has to be.
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