If you’ve ever been in your room with the intention of plunging into work only to be distracted by the comforting, magnetic pull of your bed, then this article is for you.

Succumbing to the repose of your loving bed too frequently may cause you to mess up your academics, health and even sleep cycle. And so, especially for me personally, sometimes all it takes to get into intense study mode is a change of environment.

While most people find libraries and such study spaces to click for them the most, I love studying in my residence, Totem Park itself! This is because while I want to venture out of my room, I prefer not going too far, so that I have easy access back to my room as and when required.

Here are my favourite study spaces within Totem:

1. My floor lounge

   This is arguably the most easily accessible study space in not only Totem but every single first year residence I know of! Floor lounges are in fact meant for the very purpose of getting together with your floor mates and either engaging in quiet self study, group study and project work, or social and cultural floor activities! Nearest to your room and comfortable seating – what more do you need!
   

2. My House lounge

   Finding a good study place can be like making a new friend. After seeing each other a couple times you become more comfortable and start wanting to spend more time together. You can rely on them when you need to, but they also don’t get angry when you spend time apart. That’s what the həm’ləsəm house lounge is to me! I’m not always there because I do prefer hanging out on the floor lounges, but when I wish to be in a different room but within the same proximity, house lounge is where I will be!

3. Totem Park quiet reading room

   This room is in the commonsblock and is designed for some quiet reading time of your own! To the extent that you are literally not allowed to be loud. It’s great if you want to get out of your room but not really study with other people, enjoy some alone study time and do so alongside the picturesque view of the totem field and greenery that the floor to ceiling glass windows offer.

4. Totem Park group study room

   Want to meet with your friend from another house but don’t want to fight over whose house to meet at? This common space for study should be your best choice! Again, this is also in the commonsblock and contrary to the quiet room is meant for students all across Totem or anywhere else to come together and study in small groups. What I exceptionally find useful about this room is that it is home to other useful study resources offered in residence, namely the weekly AMS tutoring service and also the biweekly study hall at night.

5. Totem Dining hall

   This is not a very typical study space but I actually use this one the most! The totem dining hall is cozy enough to make you feel comfortable but not to an unhealthy extent that will make you feel lazy and sleepy. Plus, the view is great and nearly every table has access to a plug point, which is good for someone like me who never charges their laptop on time! Another plus: unlimited access to food (limited res dollars and limited hours the food services are open, though)

6. Outdoors between həm’ləsəm and q’ələχən house

   When Vancouver’s rain gods are in a festive mood and bestow us with sunshine and no rain, the benches and the field in between these two houses is amazing for: a picnic, a study space, or both combined! The fresh air and the relaxed atmosphere is a huge juxtaposition from any other space on campus, making this a refreshingly new idea of a study space.

As a first year student, I am in one of the three first year residences on campus, which are Place Vanier, Orchard Commons, and TOTEM PARK! <3 In Totem, I live in həm’ləsəm’ house in a single connected room.

As evident, I have a clear bias for Totem, and that’s because I LOVE living here! Needless to say, I spend most of my time here and most of my friends reside here as well.

I believe Totem, and residence life in general, offers space and time for studying, the comforts of home, and a relaxed atmosphere like no other place on campus. As an international student who combats frequent homesickness, Totem gave me a place to always find someone to walk to class with, talk to, or have dinner with, effortlessly.

Right from Jumpstart to now, I have always found myself engulfed in this amazing, warm sense of community which is always buzzing with activity, to the extent that the Commons Block or one of the 10 other houses is host to a unique event nearly every single day of the academic calendar! These events are central to fellowship, stress-busting, and community-building and can range from low-key karaoke evenings, movie nights to something as fancy as the Yule Ball.

Another thing that makes residence life so enjoyable for me is that it allows me to get as involved as I want. This is because there are opportunities for students to grab of all kinds- leadership, work related as well as volunteering, in various areas of interest such as sustainability, health & safety, dining, outdoor, floor representatives of their respective houses, and so on.

Personally, I am a part of the TPRA (Totem Park Residence Association) House Council and I am a representative of my floor and house alike. Being at the forefront with the rest of the council as far as residence life in our capacity as first year students is concerned is an incredible experience! I have found myself to walk into the dining hall at any given time and never feel alone because I’ll see at least a handful of people I know. Additionally, I have been nurturing my interest in res life in many other ways, such as partaking in the house/ floor events, showing up for residence-wide activities and so on.

Truly, I feel lucky to be a part of a safe, inclusive and enjoyable community at Totem and amidst UBC’s campus in general. Every day I learn something new, whether it’s about sharing a space with over 2000 people or about the traditional lands of the Indigenous peoples.