This issue we are speaking to Chelsea Hopkins-Allan about her thoughts on living at a Residential College and her course of study.
If you have a question for a UWA student or would like to see an interview with a student from a particular course let us know at prospects@uwa.edu.au.
College: St Catherine's College
Years at College: one year
What are the amenities like?
It's like living in a big apartment building or a hotel, but everyone's rooms are different. (We change them around to suit ourselves!) Each wing of the college shares a big bathroom (toilets, sinks and showers). It's all very clean and cozy.
We have plenty of other facilities- a swimming pool, courtyards with beautiful gardens, a theatre with a big projector screen, a computer room with photocopiers and printers, a library, laundries and kitchens for us to use, common rooms, a party room and a dining hall where every meal of the day is made for us. You walk out the back door and you are in Kings Park. And walk out the front door and you are at uni!!!
What kind of things can you get involved in at College?
There are a number of clubs and committees, sports (WICSA), and a college magazine. We also have a fair few social events, (river cruise, ball, cocktail parties, parties n general , formal dinners).
I am studying Science Communication (Environmental Management) at UWA. So here at College I write for Cathexis (the college magazine) and I am a member of the Environmental Committee.
At St Catherine's we have made a commitment to being 'green' and living more sustainably, so we are bit by bit working towards that. We already have water-saving shower heads and the new energy efficient light globes among other things. Our next major step in the plan is to change over to Green Power. This would mean that all the power our college uses would come from renewable sources such as solar and wind. I hope that St Catherine's college can become a fully-functioning example of sustainability in practise for all the people who live and work at St Catherine's, and the wider community. Not only are we contributing to a better future for everyone, it wastes less resources and saves money- which means more benefits for all of us living here.
What support services are available to the students at the college?
We have tutors, who are students who live here that are there to help out, and the staff. So there is always someone there 24/7 to help out with almost anything!
Best thing about living at a College?
All the opportunities and experiences that college provides.
For myself, (as well as the fun and friends), it's getting the experience and the chance to put my ideas into action. I want to see this practise and understanding of sustainability in all colleges, primary and secondary schools. From here it spreads to the homes, businesses and workplaces. It becomes the norm in the new generation. Every individual will have a sense of how to live well and make a difference, while pursuing their own dreams
By the time I graduate I hope to have helped put this into practise in at least one college and found what works and what doesn't. The Staff and Students here are great and it's fun to try to do this as part of a community. These opportunities are here for anyone who has an idea and the get-up-and go to make it happen.
Would you recommend living at College?
Yep. Definitely.
Chelsea, thanks for filling us in on a little bit about college life. Now tell us, what made you decide to study at UWA?
I thought it was very pretty and I liked the gardens! It's also meant to be one of the best.
Why did you choose the particular course you did?
I think that all the information we need is already out there. So we need to get the information out to individuals in a way they can use it, get things happening. I like this course because it combines writing/media/creativity/communication with science. Basically I chose it because I enjoy it!
What are you planning to do when you finish your degree?
I'm keeping my feelers out because so much can unfold between now and then. I think the worlds gone a bit mad and there has to be a better way of living, so I want to work on that. Communication/media sort of stuff to do with the environment. I'll see what happens.
Do you have any advice for future students of your course?
I've only done one semester of it so far but it's definitely worth doing and I'm actually really enjoying it. I haven't done any of the Science Communication units because that doesn't start until next year. But the other people I've spoken to who've done it have loved it and said that it's been really valuable.
Describe your typical day from waking to sleeping:
Wake up early, go to the gym (If I'm being good!), then come back to college and shower, dress, breakfast etc. Then 9am to 5pm I do uni stuff. 5pm to 6pm I go for a walk in Kings Park or along the river to relax. Then I have dinner and do what I like in the evening. I see friends/family in between and work on Saturday or Sunday.
