Right about now marks the midpoint of my first year at university.
Now that I've settled in, everything feels more routine. The initial chaos of finding my way in a new country and way of life has subsided.
But between tackling exams and finding time for friends, a new challenge has arisen: I need to hunt down a budget apartment or house to rent for next year. The dorm guarantees residence only for first-year students. The only way around this is to apply to become a residence sophomore, or 'soph', a person in charge of taking care of new freshmen.
I thoroughly enjoyed living on campus this year for a couple of reasons. First, I've been living smack bang in the middle of campus - a five- to 10-minute walk to just about any university building. So in terms of sleeping hours, I am pretty much cream of the crop. Second, living in residence allows me to get to know people a lot easier during 'floor hopping'. In a lecture hall packed with 200 students, it is not as easy just to walk up to someone and start socialising.
These are the two main reasons I am interested in applying to be a soph. That, and the added benefit of reliving Orientation Week, one of the best experiences of my life.
I got to try out new things and make new friends. It'd be great to participate again in hyping up incoming students at the residence parade - screaming our chants and doing dances. Seeing all the sophs have so much fun strengthened my resolve to apply for a position this autumn.
