Your 2023 Residential Leaders

From the Sunshine Coast to India and everywhere in between, our Residential Leaders (RLs) come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them a range of interests and personalities. It is this unique mix that enables Deakin Res to create such a welcoming place for you upon arrival.

Our RLs play an incredibly important role in our communities, providing transition support and assistance, event management and mentoring to residents throughout their time on campus. They model our RESPECT values and receive comprehensive training including topics such as respectful relationships, bystander intervention, mental health and leadership.

But the best part is our RLs have lived experience. Less then a year ago they were feeling much the same way you are now. They were overwhelmed by the prospect of moving out of home. Unsure if they would fit in and wondering how they were going to get on living with so many different people. We recently sat down with some of our 2023 RLs and this is what they had to say!

Warrnambool Campus – Olivia Bales

Olivia travelled from the Sunshine Coast in QLD to Warrnambool to commence a Bachelor in Environmental Science (Marine Biology). It was a big decision to leave the familiar, but one year on Olivia is settled in her new home and ready to support our 2023 cohort. Olivia reflects:

I chose to live on Res because of the opportunities it would provide me, not only being on campus, but it gave me a hand in making friends in a place where I knew no one”. Olivia goes on to note that “Living on res has changed me for the better as I’ve been able to come out of my shell and live so close to my friends.

It was thanks to this growth that Olivia has decided to become an RL in 2023. She hopes to be able to give people support and help people feel at home. If you are thinking about making Warrnambool home Olivia can’t wait to meet you and has the following piece of advice for you.

I would encourage people to just get out there and give things a go. For me I avoided heaps of events because I didn’t know anyone or felt out of place. But as soon as I built up the courage it really made me realise how much I missed out on. Everyone is so so so nice here it’s unreal, and everyone is welcoming.

Geelong Waterfront Campus – André Vitti

Bachelor of Nursing student André is also looking forward to being an RL in 2023, so he can use the skills gained this year to help incoming students settle into Uni life and make the most of the new friendships, experiences and memories that come from life on Res.

André notes his time on Res “Has given me the time to ease into independent living and make decisions at my own pace with the support of other students in the same position.”

André has some great advice when it comes to connecting with your room mates and looks forward to meeting those who will call Waterfront home in 2023, saying,

To feel settled in your apartment, I would recommend planning things with your roommates, whether shopping for bath mats and cups to a day at the beach. Staying off your phone and focusing your attention on the people around you will make it infinitely easier to settle in and feel comfortable on Res.

Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus – Sakshi Mehta

Bachelor of Biomedical Science student Sakshi travelled from the subcontinent (Gujarat, India) to study at Deakin and we are excited to have her as one of our growing group of International RLs.

Sakshi had many reasons for living on Res;

1. She liked that everything was within walking distance whether it be lecture rooms, library, shops, or fitness centre.

2. She wanted to maximise her chance of meeting new people from different backgrounds and people who were studying the same course as she was and

3. She wanted to live in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Sakshi joined our RL team because she knows how overwhelming it is when you start to live independently away from home, making decisions, and meeting new people. Sakshi notes that by “Being an RL, I want to make it a smooth, enjoyable, safe, and welcoming environment for everyone”

When asked what advice she would give to people considering life on Res, Sakshi says,

You will be surrounded by awesome people so don’t stress and everyone is unique so don’t try to change yourself to align with majority.

Considering life on campus in 2023? Now is the time to apply.

Read more about our safe, inclusive community and support services offered on Res in the blogs below!