Meet Olivia: Helping to create a happy, safe and supported community on-campus

Blog
4 min read
•
Posted April 2021

had always had her heart set on studying her dream course, Exercise and Sports Science, at Deakin University. Having completed her high school studies at Flinders Christian Community College (Carrum Downs Campus), Olivia notes that choosing to also live on campus as part of her studies was an easy decision, saving her a ton of travel time, alleviating any possible homesickness and opening herself up to new experiences.

Meeting new people and forming new friendships was particularly important for Olivia, as she didn’t know anyone from her hometown who had also chosen to make the big move. “It was really unknown, but I was excited to jump in the deep end!” By signing up to attend events (during orientation and beyond) and striking up a conversation with other residents equally as nervous, Olivia was able to make plenty of new connections and gain new skills.

My first day was incredibly nerve-wracking, but I was the most excited I’ve ever been with the opportunity to move to a new and different place and enjoy some freedom. I found that once I broke the ice with other students it was such a fun and enjoyable experience.

Olivia Dufourq, Waurn Ponds Resident

Three years on since her arrival in 2019, Olivia notes that her time on campus has been jam-packed. Some of her favourite events have been those hosted during Orientation but also regular Res Sports events, intercollege football, Trivia Nights and “….any event that included free food!”

The sense of community has also been a huge bonus of residential life.

I’ve felt safe knowing there's a support system in place including other residents with whom I’ve made friends, volunteer Residential Leaders, Campus Life staff if I need to escalate any concerns and even the Reception staff being able to call and ask questions at any hour of the day and night.

Olivia Dufourq, Waurn Ponds Resident

Being so close to campus has also benefited Olivia’s approach to her studies. “It’s great to be able to study with others studying the same course as me. I also know if I was in a share house it would be a hassle to travel to the library or a study space on campus where I wouldn’t have any distractions. But here I can find those spaces easily and it’s one of the reasons why I’ve been living on campus for three years now.”

Olivia returned to res at our Geelong Waurn Ponds campus this year in the role of a student Residential Leader. She was motivated to apply for the position so that she could connect others, guide students to be able to reach their full potential and “…help to create an environment where all residents felt included, supported, happy and safe.” She notes that being a leader has also helped her to enhance her interpersonal skills which she knows will be of immense value in her planned future career as an Exercise Physiologist. “I’m so much more confident now and taking on the role has helped me to get to know more people, step out of my shell, and develop my leadership skills.”

Whilst this will be Olivia’s final year living on campus, she encourages other students to make the most of the opportunity to have a res experience. “Making new lifelong friends, going to fun events and gaining independence are a couple of the many positives of transitioning to university and living on res. It’s an experience that I wish I could do all over again.”

Are you interested in finding more about what life is like living on campus? Join us for a Campus Tour.

Written by

Laura Burge • Student Experience and Engagement Manager

Laura is widely regarded as an industry expert in the theory, planning, and delivery of exceptional student experiences, having honed her skills over the course of a career spanning two decades and multiple higher education institutions.