Independence – If you feel that living in the Student Residence has increased your confidence in your ability to live independently, you are not alone.  Over the past few years, student residents have consistently ranked improvements in independence among their top outcomes of living in the Residence.  As young pre-professionals, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to develop this independence as students, among our supportive Student Residence family.

Patience – Whether it be a scuffle with a roommate or a long line at the hall cafeteria, opportunities to practice being patient abound.  Be thankful for this skill: I bet it is one that will come in handy for the rest of your life.

Organisation and Self-motivation – There is nothing like that first missed deadline or that first sleepless night of cramming for an exam you put off studying for to make you appreciate the joys of staying organised and on schedule. Right now, we may curse the fact that we became that ‘responsible’ student we promised ourselves we never would, but I venture to guess that as soon as we enter the post-university working world, we will appreciate this valuable skill.

Conflict resolution – You know what I mean: talking to that floormate who you are just sure is “borrowing” your eggs, creating an agreeable sleep schedule with your night owl roommate, deciding whose turn it is to supply toilet paper for the bathroom; whatever the case, we have all had a chance to practice handling tough situations.  Whatever the outcome of those conflicts, try to view them as positive moments in which you learned something about yourself and your own conflict management style.