See how some students are taking a leap of faith into dorm life

Luke Anderson, Amber Devine and Truc-Mi Hoang (left to right) stand in front of the Oak Hall sign, ready to welcome in new and incoming students. (photo by Destiny Barrett)

By Destiny Barrett | Contributor

The scary question many freshman students encounter: to live on campus or to not live on campus? The question is frightening because students often do not really know what to expect.

One student who took the leap of faith was Truc-Mi Hoang, a freshman majoring in pre-nursing.

“I really wanted a fresh start to this new phase of my life and thought experiencing something new would be a great way to do so,” Hoang said, who opted to move into Oak Hall.

A common student concern is uncertainty about living with new people. But according to Hoang, this uncertainty has led to happy memories instead.

“I was so worried about making connections with complete strangers but now it’s really become a big highlight of living here!” she said. “Being able to hang out with friends and my roommate at late hours at night since we live in the same place has been really nice. Makes my heart happy knowing I’ve got such amazing people in my life!”

For Oak Halls Residential Life Coordinator Amber Devine, making these memories is one of the most important parts of freshman year.

“I think residence halls create memories,” Devine said. “It’s like a family, you know? You really create bonds and really create a family outside of your family.”

Luke Anderson, a resident assistant for the fourth floor of Oak Hall, also associates some of his best memories as a resident assistant so far with these first-year bonds.

“I have a group of residents that stay in the kitchen on my floor, and it makes it seem like everybody’s a little family here,” he said. “That’s so cute to me.”

Other than hanging out, one way to make these memories are through events held at the resident halls by Resident Assistants. Many of these events come with incentives to participate.

“You have multiple programs a week where you get free food, stress balls, free advice, career stuff, just things that bring you comfort in your own home,” said Devine.

Hoang had a tough time picking her favorite event since there were so many, but she decided the program where residents made ornaments for the holidays was her favorite.

“It was very festive, we got loads of paints to choose from, plus some pretty solid cookies and eggnog.” she said.

Living at the dorms is what you make it. Hoang said that whatever experience you want to achieve in the resident halls is up to the residents and their choices.

“Prefer some peace and quiet? Plenty of chat rooms to choose from! Wanting to get to know some new friends better? Going to all the events held and living right next to people can get you talking, and you can definitely find some mutual interests,” she said.

Devine encourages those who are wary to live in the dorm to take that leap of faith and experience new things.

“You will never get an opportunity like this again! Utilize your freshman year to bust out those classes and pay attention but also make those bonds and create those memories,” she said.

Contact Destiny Barrett at debarrett@augusta.edu.