Category: Residence Life

Current Location: Marine Drive UBC.
Status: Unpacked and officially moved in.

Back in the day, (first year) I remember gazing at Marine and being like, “one day I will live there.” Well turns out that day is today. Yay! But is Marine all it cracks up to be? This UBC student investigates the pros and cons to Marine life.



Take 1: The Location

Last year, most of us either lived in Totem or Vanier, so Marine is quite the middle ground. Can’t complain. But who cares about the location if you got an AMAZING view. (Lucky me, I’ve got a breathtaking view of Commons..) But no I’m talking to you, 17th floor balconies/18th floor penthouse people, million dollar view baby! (That’s right, I hate you Amy)

Take 2: The Roommates

This one is all your LUCK. UBC housing does its best, but more than likely you’re gonna end up not living with all your friends. (Case and point, ME) So keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best, thats pretty much all you can do. Or start your countdown for September 10th (first day to make a room transfer).

Take 3: The Living Arrangements (kitchen, bathroom -apartment style)

I’m lovin’ it! Goodbye White Spot and Vanier caf! Hello to setting off the (ultra-sensitive) smoke detectors and grocery shopping sprees! (Tip: first tuesday of the month=10% off at Safeway) I’m getting better; over the past few weeks, I’ve gone from instant noodles and hot dogs to pasta and salmon. Any easy recipe suggestions guys? The bathroom= more work than I’m used to. I MISS you cleaning lady.

Take 4: The Residence Life

Obviously incomparable to Vanier or Totem. Maybe it’s because its summer housing right now, but everyone’s saying upper year residences have less of a res life. So if you’re all about that, then stay in Vanier or Totem. Personally, I enjoy not being woken up every Sunday morning by Ultimate.

BTW, fun fact about Marine:

Did you know that people like to congregate outside building entrances at 3am? People also particularly like to have heart-to-hearts, spazz attacks and sometimes even makeout sess in front of buildings. Well GET A ROOM! Because mine happens to be too damn close to the main entrance. So yes, I (and about 10 other people with rooms on this side of the bldg) can hear EVERYTHING you are saying. Next time don’t be surprised if you get a bucket of water on the head. Especially you, lady with the hyena laugh. And guy with the baseball cap, I’m sure you’ll find a research position eventually.

“UBC Student Housing and Hospitality Services | Vancouver is pleased to offer you a place in residence for the 2010/2011 Winter Session, beginning September 4, 2010.”

I swear I feel like I won some million dollar lottery. Huge rounds of applauses and fireworks are going off in my head. I feel damn lucky that I’m spared one more year of apartment hunting/renting in Vancouver. But unlike me, many MANY people I know didn’t get accepted. If you’re living on res, chances are you’ve heard all about this – UBC and the lack of housing placements. And if you haven’t, maybe climb out from under that rock and visit the facebook group? (Sorry no link, I’m on fb detox. But I swear there’s one, I’ve heard lots about it.)

I know I really shouldn’t been complaining as I’m fortunate enough to get a placement next year, BUT seriously everyone I considered living with next year didn’t get in. BLAAAAHH. What if I get put with some creepy stalker or some high maintenance “OMG I just broke a nail” barbie?

In the meantime, for those who have apartment hunting/looking for a place to stay next year on their to-do list, here’s a good place to start. A website many of my friends found useful:

http://www.amsrentsline.com/

Best of luck.

For those who live at KU or Tec at Vanier, I found a way to close the room doors without locking it!

To fill everyone else in, the deal with our room doors is that they self lock when they close. There’s good (you never have to worry about forgetting to lock your door) and bad (you’ve locked yourself out so many times because you forgot to take the key when you go to the bathroom that the guy at the front desk in commonsblock knows you by your name). But sometimes the self lock is such a hassle, so why not take it off?

Okay, so everyone knows to turn the lock to the left to lock the door. But not many people know that turning the lock to the left takes off the self lock feature.

Yes this is my EUREKA moment, does everyone else in KU or Tec already know about this?