Over 1,100 First-Year Students Move into TMU Residences

On Sunday, March 15, 2024, more than 1,100 first-year students officially began their university journey by moving into residences at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). This transition marks a significant milestone for these students, who are preparing for academic life just one week before classes commence.

Among the new residents is Cailey Dirksen, who traveled from Ottawa. She expressed a mix of excitement and apprehension as she settled into her dorm room. “I’m really excited but also nervous, understandably,” Dirksen said. “I’m going to miss my mom. I’m going to miss my home. But there’s going to be so many new adventures.” She noted plans to personalize her space with a bulletin board for photos, reflecting the anticipation many students feel in this new chapter.

Housing Challenges and Costs

The reality of living expenses was not far from the minds of students and their families. Natalie Dirksen, Cailey’s mother, highlighted the financial burden associated with university life. “It’s quite expensive,” she remarked, noting that housing and food costs total over $12,000 for three semesters alone, not including additional expenses like laundry fees.

Valerie Bruce, TMU’s Director of Student Housing and Strategic Partnerships, acknowledged that housing can be a significant challenge for many students. She explained that there is a priority system for housing applications, favoring those who live farther from the university. “It’s for sure a challenge. We have limited space and lots of demand,” Bruce stated. Despite these challenges, she noted that the demand for on-campus housing has decreased compared to previous years.

According to Bruce, “Obviously, downtown is small; we have a limited number of beds. Based on the first-year population in residence, we have quite a small group with us.” This year, TMU reports a diverse student body, with 73 percent of incoming residence students under the age of 19 and 83 percent hailing from Canada. The remaining 17 percent are international students, primarily from the U.S. and Trinidad and Tobago.

Student Experiences and Concerns

For some students, the path to securing housing was fraught with uncertainty. Claire Cormier, a first-year student in image arts, described her experience of waiting to apply for housing until she received acceptance into her program. “It was definitely stressful,” she admitted. “At one point, I was like, ‘I won’t have anywhere to live.'” Her experience underscores the pressures many face as they embark on their university journeys.

TMU facilitated the move-in day to allow students to acclimatize to their new environment before classes begin. The university believes this early transition will help new residents feel more at home in their new community.

As these students settle into their residences, they are not only moving into dorms but also stepping into a new phase of life filled with opportunities and challenges. The support from family, the excitement of new friendships, and the realities of financial commitments will shape their experiences in the coming years at TMU.