Emmanuel College was my home for the first year and a half of my university days. Moving some 600km away from my parents to study, a room in a college on the UQ campus was the perfect choice.
Study, however, became something I did on the side, college being my main occupation. Funnily enough, my GPA soared when I left college! But let's not focus on that aspect. I wouldn't have had my university experience any other way, as my time at Emmanuel College remains the funnest year and a half of my life to date.
I think anyone who's stayed in any of the ten colleges on the UQ St Lucia campus would say they had a pretty awesome time. But there are a few reasons I chose Emmanuel. Firstly, it's co-ed. I wasn't interested in going to a women only college. Secondly, I liked the look of the place. Emmanuel is one of the biggest colleges, has river frontage and all of its accommodation is no higher than 3 stories. Thirdly, they offer lots of extra little services that most other colleges don't. For example, you get three meals a day, every day; you have your room cleaned once a week; and, they do a load of washing for you once a week. Finally, Emmanuel has a strong reputation for being one of the most social and convivial colleges on campus, heavily involved in inter-college activities. Sports include rowing, rugby, tennis, swimming and hockey; cultural activities include choir, debating and dance; and, there are regular social activities such as balls and parties hosted on the grounds of each college.
Probably the best thing about staying in a college, particularly Emmanuel, is that you make friends there that you'll have for life (even if you don't get much study done!) read more