My entire summer before freshman year was spent anxiously awaiting my dorm placement. Most mornings, I would wake up and text my two friends, also attending, to see if they had gotten their housing emails yet. After they had secured a Markley dorm together, I got so excited, assuming I’d soon receive my housing email and maybe even end up in Markley with them! Two weeks later, I finally got my email. I opened it, hoping for anything but North Campus. But, of course with my luck, I got stuck in Bursley. North Campus, a random roommate and two friends total. I was doomed to have zero fun all year.Â
If you’re reading this after receiving your Michigan Housing email, you’re probably experiencing some similar feelings. It’s definitely daunting to be placed in a North Campus dorm. All you ever hear is how “bad” it is living up there, and whenever the icebreaker “which dorm are you in?” pops up, you get apologies in response. But here’s some hope: not only did I survive, I actually had so much fun during my time there! Here are four reasons not to dread your North Campus placement.Â
1. Bursley and Baits are both primarily freshmen dormsÂ
Though Bursley (and Baits) both have reputations of being socially stunted, most halls and floors are actually quite social! Remember, both dorms are primarily freshmen, so the majority of residents are just like you – looking to meet new people! If you talk to your neighbors, sit by random people in the dining hall, and keep your door open, you’ll definitely make friends. North campus is social if you make it social, just like any other dorm. So, go in with a positive mindset!
2. North Campus is full of natural beautyÂ
While the distance from Central Campus can be extremely aggravating on days you want to sleep in before an early class, the views make up for the lost sleep. Hot girl walks on North Campus are gorgeous. The wooded pathways make it feel like you’re not even on a college campus, and North Campus is so full of wildlife that every time I went on a walk, I saw a deer! Even Bursley has some nice views. My window looked out onto a road surrounded by forest! The best views were when the leaves started to change colors and during the first snowfall.
3. The rooms aren’t that bad
After Googling “Bursley dorm room” for the first time, I was horrified to move in: the notorious blue door, the classroom tile floors, the tiny size. None of it looked remotely appealing. But honestly, before moving in, there’s no way to know exactly what your room will be like because every hall and floor is so different. I lucked out! My room had wood floors, high ceilings, and was a decent size. But even my friends who had dorms that looked like the Google pictures made theirs cozy and cute. Making your Bursley dorm a little less scary is simple and only requires two investments: a rug and a lamp. Avoid the overhead lighting, bring posters and trinkets from home, and get a rug to make the space feel less cold. You’ll find that Bursley can actually be quite charming. If you make it homey enough, you might even miss the coziness after moving out.Â
4. North Campus has the best study spots
If you’ve ever attempted to study between classes on Central Campus, you’ve probably struggled to find a seat. North Campus does not have that problem. The Duderstadt Library is enormous, open 24/7, and booking private study rooms is pretty easy! In addition to “the Dude,” North Campus has other nice study spots that never get too crowded. Feeling lazy? Bursley has two study spots on the first floor. If the weather’s nice and you want to be outside, there is a beautiful fountain near the IOE building with benches where you can sit and work. Don’t hesitate to explore North Campus and find your favorite place to work when you don’t feel like catching the bus to Central Campus!
Let’s face it: North Campus definitely has its flaws. Your room won’t be as big as your friend’s living in a quad, you’ll probably see a centipede at some point, and four Bursley-Baits buses will arrive within two minutes of each other, only for there to be no more for the next 30 minutes. However, living on North Campus is something many students don’t get to experience. Rather than feeling “stuck”, view it as a unique opportunity and go in with a positive attitude. Trust me – you’ll miss it when it’s over. Maybe not the commute, but definitely the memories made!