Finding the right place to live is an important part of your student experience. Living on campus gives you the chance to be part of a close-knit community and connect with other students from day one.
Saint Mary’s offers a variety of comfortable, fully furnished residence rooms with common spaces for socializing and easy access to academic buildings, dining, and campus amenities. On-campus living is designed to support your success both academically and personally.
Learn more about housing options and how to apply on SMU’s Housing & Residence page.
Before packing, check what’s already provided in your residence room, what you might want to bring, and what items are not allowed. For full details on each residence and what’s provided, visit SMU’s Housing Options page.
To help with your planning, our Residence Advisors have put together a list of suggested items based on their own experiences moving to campus for the first time.
Staff tip – Nova Scotia is known for its changing seasons and range of weather. We suggest bringing comfortable clothes and accessories (shoes, jackets, etc.) for the season you are arriving in and shopping locally at the malls, thrift shops, or periodic campus clothing pop-ups to expand your wardrobe as the seasons change.
See the Residence Handbook page of the Housing & Residence website for the most up-to-date list of items prohibited in residence.
Moving in and starting life at Saint Mary’s is exciting, and maybe a little overwhelming. To help prepare you and ease those nerves, here’s what to expect during your first couple weeks after moving in.
Information about move-in procedures can be found on the Move In / Move Out page of the Housing and Residence website.
Review the New Student Checklist from the Student Success Centre to help you get organized and stay ahead.
Residence Assistants (RAs) are student leaders who help create a positive and inclusive living environment in residence. They’re here to support you, answer questions, and connect you with campus resources. RAs plan fun floor events, promote community engagement, and enforce residence policy. For some students, their RA is the first friend they make at SMU!
After moving in, students in residence will get a chance to meet their Residence Assistant (RA) and fellow floor members. Your first-floor meeting will take place sometime during the move-in weekend. Details will be sent by email from your RA.
For Loyola and Vanier residences, your floor meetings will take place in your floor’s common lounge. For Rice residence, your floor meeting will be held in your RA’s room or the Rice Common Room. This kick off floor meeting is your first introduction to your RA and your floormates and will cover all initial information and first connections, so you don’t want to miss this one!
In addition to your floor meeting, Residence Life will host events like Welcome to Res, where you’ll get a chance to meet the residence staff and learn about the residence policies.
Early in the Fall term, Residence Life also hosts the RAD Cup where teams from all three residences and Off-Campus students compete in fun games and challenges that will bring out your competitive and creative skills. This is a fun and exciting way to solidify those early friendships and meet students beyond your own floor and residence!
Check out the Residence Life Events page and follow on Instagram to stay in the know!
Watch this short video to learn the most common “dorm don’ts” and start your residence experience on the right foot.
Please see the Residence Handbook page of the Housing & Residence website.
In addition to Residence specific welcome events, Saint Mary's offers a full range of welcome activities known as Welcome Weeks. Beginning a couple weeks prior to the start of term virtually and in person events beginning during move in weekend, Welcome Weeks is designed to introduce you to campus life and academics, with events ranging from social fun and academic success to practical outings and excursions around Nova Scotia. These events are designed to help you make friends, meet your faculty, discover key supports, get to know campus, and start discovering all that Saint Mary’s has to offer!
Check out New to SMU to learn more and explore the Welcome Weeks calendar of events, and be sure to follow on Instagram to stay in the know!
Once you’re settled in, consider exploring ways to get involved: