Deck the Halls at Deakin Res: Spending Christmas on Campus

Whilst many of our residents have vacated for the summer break, Deakin Res continues to provide a home for our students year-round, with staff and support available 24-7. Residents who remain on site over the Christmas period also have the opportunity to attend and engage with a diverse range of events (both online and face to face).

Residents at both our Melbourne Burwood and Geelong Waurn Ponds campuses have been kept busy over recent weeks with daily competitions to be the first to spot the Deakin Res ‘Elf on the Shelf.’ He’s proven quite sneaky thus far, hiding in our elevator, hanging out in the communal laundry, learning more about our RESPECT values in the study room, and being busted climbing our Christmas tree.

In addition to ‘Elf spotting,’ in Burwood, approximately 130 of our residents will enjoy a communal lunch with all the trimmings on Christmas Day, as well as the invitation to participate in ‘Zoom Room Hangouts’ over coming weeks. A food pantry has also been established to assist students struggling to purchase food over the summer break.

Meanwhile just under 180 residents remain onsite at our Geelong Campuses (Waurn Ponds and Waterfront). Residents located here will have the opportunity to decorate gingerbread houses, tour local Christmas light displays and enjoy a decadent Christmas lunch.

Nehchal Narula, studying Architecture, is staying on campus at Waurn Ponds over the summer period, having first arrived at Deakin in 2019. “As an international student from (Punjab) India, staying on res has helped me to become more aware of how Christmas is celebrated in Australia."

Whilst being away from family during this time can be challenging, Nehchal notes that Deakin Res truly does provide a home away from home. “My parents were initially very overwhelmed when I decided to study my Masters at Deakin as I was going to be so far away. However, living on campus has given them assurance about my safety and security.  Deakin Res’ support throughout COVID has also been phenomenal as the Campus Life team maintained contact with every student through online events and frequent welfare checks.”

Similarly, Ashleigh Skidmore, studying Arts, also living on campus at Waurn Ponds, notes that “…the best thing about living on campus at Christmas time are the activities both on residence and around Geelong that you can do with your friends. This year, Elf on a Shelf has made it even more fun, as we are all out hunting for the elf on a daily basis!" Ashleigh highlights that living on res has been one of the best parts of her journey at Deakin, and she’ll miss it greatly when the times comes to depart.

For those still considering accommodation options for 2021, thanks to the easing of COVID restrictions, our accommodation can now be viewed in person at our Melbourne Burwood Campus, Geelong Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool Campuses. Interested students and their families can book a time by contacting the campus direct. 

Deakin Res wishes our extended community a happy and safe festive season!