Sydney Life

Since it's that time of year when people start planning where they're going to live when they come to uni next year, I thought a few blogs on accommodation options on campus would be timely. First up, we have St Andrew's College. St. Andrew’s, or Drew’s, as it’s known to residents, is located just inside the University gates. Once you enter the gates to Drew’s, you continue along an open path, beside a football oval. If it’s a weekday afternoon, you’re likely to see students enjoying a game of footy, soccer, or cricket. They might be training for the Rawson or Rosebowl Cups; but most probably, they’re just letting off steam after a tough day of classes.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere springs a castle-like building. How long have you been walking? You scratch your head and furrow your brow. Are you in Scotland?

Nope - it’s just St. Andrew’s College, Sydney University’s most beautiful residential college.

Established in 1867, Drew’s now houses 230 students (both male and female) each year. Each student has the luxury of their own bedroom, with a private phone and Internet connection. Unlike many other colleges, where three meals are served on weekdays, but students are often left to their own devices on weekends, at Drew’s, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided seven days a week.

Though the College is now non-denominational, it was originally Protestant, and has the chapel to prove it. Students are welcome to use the chapel, or to attend Sunday services, but these activities are not compulsory.

During peak times (like the start and end of semester, and exams), students at Drew’s needn’t worry about standing in line for hours at Fisher Library, waiting for a computer. Nope - at Drew’s, students have their own library, complete with computer labs and photocopying facilities.

Just as Mandelbaum has RESOC, Drew’s has a Students’ Club, to administer student concerns. The Club is also responsible for the Junior Common Room, which sounds ace. Pay TV, a mini-cinema, daily newspapers and magazines, a pool table and even a ‘student buffet’ - a kind of grocery store for students (again, I’d imagine this would be incredibly useful during exams, when all you can think of is how to source your next Bounty Bar).

Like the other colleges, Drew’s is not without its share of social liaisons. There’s the College Formal, dinner dances throughout the year, a Mother’s Dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day, and a Father’s Dinner to celebrate Father’s Day.

Aside from being beautiful, Drew’s also looks after the academic wellbeing of students - the College has its own resident academics and tutors on hand. Imagine having trouble with an essay, and simply walking down the corridor to consult your own personal mentor. That’s pretty amazing.

9565 7300
www.standrewscollege.edu.au
principal@standrewscollege.edu.au