student life – Your Path to TRU

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Four ways to Beat the Winter Blues: Things to Do in Kamloops This Winter

With the Fall semester behind us, winter is well and truly upon us. Although there are lots of lovely things about the winter season, it’s easy to forget them in light of darker, shorter days, and cold weather. So if you’re looking for some fun ways to beat the winter blues, here’s a list of four things to do in Kamloops this winter. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life, or you’re new to the city, you’re sure to find something that will give you an excuse to go out, grab some friends, and have some fun this winter!

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.

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.

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.

Unleash Your Creativity at TRU’s Makerspace: A Hub for Innovation and Learning

Thompson Rivers University (TRU) is proud to offer its students, staff, and faculty an innovative and collaborative space to explore and create: the TRU Library Makerspace. This unique facility encourages experimentation with technology and hands-on learning in a supportive and inclusive environment, fostering growth, creativity, and the development of new skills. In this blog post, I will delve into the wonders of Makerspace and how it can enrich your university experience.