Which Residence is Right for You?

A photo of the North Tower residence building taken from a high vantage point at dusk.

At some point in your college search, you may have thought to yourself “Where am I going to live?”. Well it turns out, you’re not alone. Being new to Kamloops for me meant that I had to secure on-campus housing. On-campus student housing is an important aspect of the college experience. It provides students with a sense of community and a convenient location close to classes and activities. Student residences at Thompson Rivers University offer a variety of options to suit different needs and preferences, each with its own unique features and amenities. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at three of these on-campus student residences: North Tower, McGill Residence and East Village.

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My Experience: Being Away from Your Furry Friend

Pet owners are aware of the benefits of owning an animal, and the beautiful bonds of companionship that can exist between humans and animals. Moving away from home to a new place can be challenging. Leaving friends, family, and pets can be one of the hardest adjustments to overcome. We’ve all heard people say that pets are “just” animals, but they miss us just the same.  Leaving our furry friends at home is difficult.

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How to Budget for University- A Former Student’s Experience

Applying to university can be an exciting experience. You are imagining what classes you will take, how you will decorate your dorm, and picturing all the fun things you will do with your friends. But there’s one thing you may not be thinking about just yet; How you will budget for all of this.

Luckily, I have already been through this, so in this blog I will go over some options and examples on how to budget for university.

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My Experience: An Odd Transition from Arts to Nursing

A photo from the back of the Nursing and Population Health building overlooking the campus greens.

It feels like my future student days were ages ago, but it was only Fall 2019 when I first applied to university. From Fall 2019 to Fall 2022, a lot has changed. First off, I’m not in high school anymore, and secondly, I am now a TRU graduate and a 1st-year student in a completely different TRU program. When I initially applied for university in Fall 2019, I only submitted one application to one university. I put my full faith into that one application, and although that seems stressful, I was applying for a non-competitive program, and I was confident I would be accepted. Amongst the non-competitive programs TRU offers, I was applying for the Bachelor of Arts intending to major in psychology. My parents really wanted me to go to university and my sister suggested psychology could be of interest to me.  

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Abby’s Stars: Restaurant Edition

A collage, including photos of Earls, Arigato Sushi, and Casa Azul restaurants.

Whether you grew up in Kamloops or the city is new to you entirely, I’m sure we all struggle sometimes when it comes to picking out the best spots in town. Lucky for you, I love food and I love going out to get food. Especially since it means I don’t have to cook it! Thus, here we have: Abby’s Stars – Restaurant Edition. I’m about to tell you my top 3 favourite places to eat in Kamloops using my favourite star level rating system. Each of these restaurants have a variety of dishes that are sure to attract your tastebuds, while staying in your student budget!

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Finding Peace of Mind on Campus

A student works on a tablet in the horticulture gardens.

Places you can Find Peace of Mind on Campus

Do you ever want a little bit of time for yourself? As university students, we feel a lot of pressure with assignments, work, and keeping up with our family and friends. Sometimes you may feel you cannot rest even in your own room, but let me tell you that you will not be alone. We all feel the same at one point in the semester. However, I want to let you know that there are places on campus where you can relax and chill for a little bit to restore your energy and complete the semester. 

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The Brown Family House of Learning: Gems You Need to Discover

The Brown Family House of Learning: Gems You Need to Discover  

The Brown Family House of learning, also known as HOL, is a place that every TRU student needs to explore. You’ll find your own hidden gems, but these are a few of my favourite parts of this four-story building. While people tend to know that HOL has a Tim Hortons and the library within its walls, there are other features you won’t want to miss.  

The Quiet Study Pods and The Library  

Image of study pods on the fourth floor of HOL taken from above.

HOL has new study pods that were created to isolate you from the person next to you. You cannot see what they are doing, nor can they see what you are doing. Therefore, everyone is minding their own business, focusing on their studies. These pods also have an outlet where you can charge your laptop or phone – fully charged devices mean you can stay for a longer time if needed! The quiet study pods are located on the third and fourth floors of HOL. On the third floor you will also find the library, your go-to place to find resources to help with any research journey. Here is a small tip: if you need help with your research, you can always book an appointment with your library advisor, who is there to assist with questions and concerns.  

The Makerspace 

Image of two people working in the Makerspace podcast studio.

I call this place the “wow place” because there are so many different technologies for learning and experimenting. For instance, you can make a button with a design you’ve created. There is also a podcast room, with a microphone and green backdrop, giving students the opportunity to record a podcast while even green screening their background. If students have an interview assignment, they can record the interview in the podcasting room, provided they email the makerspace ahead of time. One of the many things I love about TRU is that they encourage students to be creative in a variety of ways. You can check them out here.

HOL 190 or British Columbia Centre 

Photo of the university Senate meeting in HOL 190

TRU has prioritized the indigenization of campus, and you can find many examples of this in House of Learning. HOL 190 is the largest lecture room on campus, holding up to 300 people. It is in the shape of the traditional Secwépemc Pit Home, also known as a winter home. There is also a piano in this room, so if there is not a class in session, students are free to play the piano.  

Indigenous Artwork  

Have you ever wondered why there is a Coyote on top of the HOL building? Well, it symbolizes our commitment to realizing the potential opportunities Higher Education can provide. The coyote, known as Sk’lep in Secwepemctsin, is a symbol of change and it is here to remind and influence the faculties within TRU. Sk’lep is just one example of the artwork present around House of Learning.

The Salmon Stream  

Photo of the Salmon Stream floor artwork in HOL taken from above.

When you are waiting for your order from Tim Hortons, just look to the floor and you will see a Salmon Stream running through the ground. This Salmon Stream is beside what was originally the living wall in HOL. Just look closely and you will be able to see large salmon and the rocks on both sides of the stream. 

TRU is a wonderful place, each building with different gems to discover. I’m grateful to pursue my education on this land and at TRU. 


Future Student Ambassador, Maryam – Bachelor of Arts, “The Brown Family House of Learning: Gems You Need to Discover”, 10 Nov. 2022.

3 Essential Services Offered at TRU for a Successful Career

The TRU crest next to the text "Thompson Rivers University - Career & Experiential Learning"

TRU offers a range of services to help you achieve your career goals. Whether you’re a new student trying to navigate your way through your academic program or alumni looking to transition into your professional career, there are resources available to support you. Here are three essential services that can help you succeed both academically and professionally.

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5 Things I Wish I Knew Before University

If I could go back in time to give myself some advice about university, there are many things I would tell my 18-year-old self.

1. Don’t Overwork Yourself

In my final years of high school, I tried to do it all, balancing school, sports, a part time job, and a social life all at the same time. If I could go back, I would spend less time trying every extracurricular and more time making memories with my friends.

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Receiving Guidance from a Peer Academic Coach

Thompson Rivers University offers many useful services for students for free! It is vital to take advantage of all the different supports offered; these services can assist you in your studies and enhance your learning experience. There are student services for helping with writing, mental health, math, and many more. This semester, I noticed my stress level was quite high due to working multiple jobs while being a full-time student. I felt as if I didn’t have any time for myself, so I was recommended Peer Academic Coaching by one of my coworkers. 

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