Living at College is an amazing experience, but it can be hard to know what to expect. To help you better understand what life at St Catherine’s is like, take a look at some common misconceptions about College.
Myth= College is only for rich people
College can seem expensive at first, but when you compare the costs of living at college to the cost of renting in Perth, there is only a marginal difference, if any. At College you also get experiences and assistance that you won’t find when you’re renting or living in other student housing.
St Catherine’s was founded with a mission to make education accessible for the disadvantaged by providing affordable accommodation to those who needed it. This is still a priority for St Catherine’s today, and we offer the most generous scholarships on College Row.
Myth = College is super strict like boarding school
College is a place for young adults, and we value your independence. There is no curfew and you are free to come and go as you please. Any rules we do have are put in place for the safety and comfort of our community, such as noise restrictions on weeknights and around exam time. When you live at St Catherine’s, our College is your home!
Myth= People just drink and party all the time at College
College is primarily a place for people to live while they study, and it’s important to us that everyone feels comfortable here. As mentioned above, our residents are independent young adults and they are free to have fun and party if they so choose. However, St Catherine’s has practices in place to ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves safely and without disturbing those around them.
St Catherine’s hosts many different events throughout the year, most of which do not involve alcohol. However, at our more celebratory events where alcohol is served, we always ensure there are plenty of non-alcoholic options available too. College is a place where we look out for each other, so everyone can have fun and relax however they choose.
Myth = College is for lazy people who don’t want to cook and clean
While having your room professionally cleaned and eating meals prepared at the dining hall feels like a great luxury, it doesn’t mean our residents are incapable of looking after themselves. You still have to clean up after yourself and you can prepare your own food if you want to. It is very important to maintain a healthy diet and a clean living environment, but the reality is that it can be difficult to balance university and work commitments with things like cooking and cleaning.
The benefits of having more free time can help you relax and make the most of your time at College. Eating at the dining hall is also a surefire way to make new friends, have interesting conversations and can be a great break compared to eating at your desk or spending money on food at uni.
Myth= You don’t get any privacy at College
You don’t have to share a room at College, and your space is entirely your own. Nobody else will have access to your room except for a staff member in case of emergency. If you use the communal bathrooms, there are unisex or female only facilities available. While there is always something going on at college, sometime you’ll just want to chill out in your room alone and that is totally fine.
