Written by Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Laws(CRICOS 093912A) student, Maeve Moroney.
Starting university is undoubtedly one of the biggest moments in a young person’s life. This change signifies the start of the next path in your life, exciting career prospects, new friends, and for some, a different place to call home. In a world where remote and on-campus learning are simultaneously possible, you might be wondering where to live when you commence your studies at Bond.
During my time here at Bond, I’ve lived in two different buildings on campus and loved both experiences. I know people from every building, and each has its own unique experience – all of which are great! If you’re considering living on campus and are wondering where’s right for you, here’s a breakdown of your options.
In total, there are five residential buildings on campus – Building 7 (West Tower), Building 8 (East Tower), Building 9 (The Accommodation Centre), Building 11 (A Block) and Building 12 (B Block). Together, Buildings 11 and 12 are colloquially referred to as ‘The Halls’ or ‘The Blocks’.
Every room in each of these buildings is furnished with a king single bed (except West Tower, where the rooms feature double beds), a desk, a chair, a bedside table and built-in wardrobes. Given COVID-19 restrictions, rooms at Bond are single occupancy.
For food, each student living on campus is required to purchase a dining plan at the start of each semester. You load your money onto your plan, and then access it using your student ID card at any of our on-campus food outlets. I’ve found that the dining plan stretches the entire semester quite easily, so you won’t have to stress about purchasing groceries or about ways to eat healthily on a budget.
Now that you know the lay of the land – AKA Bond’s campus – a little better, let’s talk about each of the different student accommodations.
The Halls
Before I started at Bond in 2019, someone had told me that The Halls – also known as The Blocks – were a ‘fun place to live’. This was essentially the only thing I knew about on-campus accommodation back then, and on this whim, I went into the housing portal and booked myself a room in A Block. I ended up living there for the next two semesters and absolutely loved my experience!
If you’re wondering whether The Halls are the right fit for you, here are a few considerations. The first is that you’ll have a rather spacious bedroom to yourself, but on the flip side, your common facilities are all shared. This means that you and 8-12 other people in your corridor will share a bathroom, kitted out with a few toilets and showers, and a common room with basic cooking facilities like a sandwich press and kettle. In my experience, sharing facilities was very manageable, especially because differing schedules mean that you’re usually able to shower and use the common room at a time that suits you.
I must say, if you’re rather extroverted and looking for an incredibly social atmosphere, The Halls is probably the place for you. There is always a fun activity to join or people to hang out with, so it’s a great place to be surrounded by friends and make lifelong connections with your fellow Bondies.
East Tower
East Tower is another fantastic option for on-campus living… are you sensing a trend yet? This building is positioned directly above Security in Student Court, meaning that it’s close to a whole range of important services, including the Medical Centre and the Academic Skills Centre. Similar to West Tower, rooms in East Tower have private en suite bathrooms.
I currently live in East Tower as one of three Resident Fellows, and I absolutely love it. Every residential building has a team of Resident (‘Res’) Fellows, who are around in the evenings and on weekends to assist students with any issues they’re experiencing.
East Tower is a great option for those looking for a bit more privacy, and it has incredible views – I can see the Surfers Paradise skyline out of my bedroom window!
West Tower
West Tower is another great option for on-campus accommodation here at Bond. It’s located in the same precinct as Lakeside, the restaurant where on-campus students typically eat dinner, as well as Bond Express, our onsite convenience store that stocks plenty of snacks as well as basic goods.
The rooms in West Tower boast incredible views of the lake or the hinterland that surrounds Bond and are a short walk from most classrooms. All West Tower rooms have private bathrooms, so you won’t have to share these facilities with other people on your floor – a great perk if you like your own space. Given that West Tower is one of the newest buildings on campus – and the only option with a double bed – it’s understandably at the top end of the pricing scale.
The final option for on-campus living is the Accommodation Centre, AKA the AC. This building is located opposite East Tower, and is also above Student Court, meaning that you’ll have the same easy access to support services. Just like East and West Towers, these rooms boast private en suites, which can provide more privacy than The Halls – but don’t worry, there are still plenty of opportunities to socialise!
Some rooms in the AC overlook the pool and sporting fields, which means you’ll be able to see elite athletes in action (of which Bond has many!). Rooms in the AC and East Tower typically cost less than West Tower but more than The Halls but be sure to check the prices for your specific starting semester.
All in all, I can say that living on campus is an incredible experience, and the reason I’ve met so many of my friends here at Bond. If you’re nervous about connecting with your fellow Bondies, living in on-campus housing is definitely one way to ease those fears and forge friendships that’ll last a lifetime.
Where to live at Bond
Looking for additional information about on-campus accommodation options? Get in touch with our Student Housing team to have your questions answered.