Otago Halls of Residence

[rustyedges]

Hey guys,
My friend is wondering if she should stay at an alcohol free floor (she is going to stay at carington next year). She says she likes COMPLETE SILENCE when she studies so that is why she wants to go on an alcohol free floor. However, she is scared (her words not mine) : "weird" people or something only pick the alcohol free floors so she doesn't know what to do. Can anyone give some insight?

A lot of people have already answered this, but I wouldn't recommend choosing an alcohol free floor. From what I have seen, the students on alcohol free floors tend to be a bit segregated from everyone else (major generalisation here). And while there is less likely to be any drunkenness late at night on an alcohol free floor, that doesn't necessarily mean there will be less noise, or no noise from another area.
If it does get too loud to study, there are alternatives such as earplugs or the library, like others have mentioned.

 

[Axwe8]

the students on alcohol free floors tend to be a bit segregated from everyone else (major generalisation here)

hahahaha you make it sound like they have no life and study all day

 

[Wongtong]

hahahaha you make it sound like they have no life and study all day

Well....

 

[haru630]

A lot of people have already answered this, but I wouldn't recommend choosing an alcohol free floor. From what I have seen, the students on alcohol free floors tend to be a bit segregated from everyone else (major generalisation here). And while there is less likely to be any drunkenness late at night on an alcohol free floor, that doesn't necessarily mean there will be less noise, or no noise from another area.
If it does get too loud to study, there are alternatives such as earplugs or the library, like others have mentioned.

Depending on where you are at Carrington, you can be segregated or be part of a pretty large 'flouse' (floor/house)
This year we have 4/5 flouses which are alcohol free. A couple of them are really close, and a couple are "segregated" from the others (pretty much by location - some people don't even know they exist ) Though, most people end up making friends with and hanging out with people from their own floor/house.

IMO there is pretty much noise everywhere whether you are on an alcohol free floor or not. It really depends on who else is on your floor - I've heard of people complaining that their neighbours are talking too loud/all the time. There are always good alternatives as rustyedges mentioned.

 

[musica209]

Hey guys,
My friend is wondering if she should stay at an alcohol free floor (she is going to stay at carington next year). She says she likes COMPLETE SILENCE when she studies so that is why she wants to go on an alcohol free floor. However, she is scared (her words not mine) : "weird" people or something only pick the alcohol free floors so she doesn't know what to do. Can anyone give some insight?

I stayed at Carrington, and was in an alcohol-free floor - it was quieter, which was also helpful on the rowdier nights when everyone migrated to the alcohol-allowing houses to drink. Personally, I don't regret it. I made a lot of really good friends even amidst the so-called 'segregation', and I'm also the type to study in complete silence (use earplugs. They're fab.).

And no. It's not just weird people who pick alcohol-free floors, thank you very much

 

[Axwe8]

Depends on the hall. It's possible at the independent ones, such as Knox and Selwyn, but I think the university run ones typically just have first years. Also, the RAs/subbies at all the halls will generally be in their third year or above.

who/what is a RA?

 

[stevo140]

who/what is a RA?

Residential Assistant.
Essentially they're like big brothers/sisters. Paid by the College (or discounted board) to provide help for all the first years. Usually one per floor. They're usually 3rd year or above. I thoroughly recommend doing such a thing when 3rd/4th year comes around, its a great experience

 

[Letsgobeadoctor]

Hey guys, i think i applied late for a residential college, (completed the app but didnt fill out the CCRF form because i had thought it was taken care of by the school due to a miscommunication between the careers dpt. and me ) anyways
i believe i applied for Carrington first and Hayward and Aquinas 2nd and 3rd ( sadly i hadnt found this forum before applying >.<)
and today i got offered a place at Carrington!!!
im more than likely about to accept it, just wondering if anyone here has anything to say as in Auckland v Otago, most of my friends are going Auckland and i dont know many people going Otago (for med atlst ), but it seems that its easy to make new friends
feeling excited ! ( i assume this means second offers are out now? no idea )

 

[Voldemort]

Hey guys, i think i applied late for a residential college, (completed the app but didnt fill out the CCRF form because i had thought it was taken care of by the school due to a miscommunication between the careers dpt. and me ) anyways
i believe i applied for Carrington first and Hayward and Aquinas 2nd and 3rd ( sadly i hadnt found this forum before applying >.<)
and today i got offered a place at Carrington!!!
im more than likely about to accept it, just wondering if anyone here has anything to say as in Auckland v Otago, most of my friends are going Auckland and i dont know many people going Otago (for med atlst ), but it seems that its easy to make new friends
feeling excited ! ( i assume this means second offers are out now? no idea )

Congrats on your place at Carrington! And welcome to MSO. Carrington is definitely one of the more sought after colleges.
Just about friends: I can guarantee you 100% that you will make friends XD so either will work for you, whether you choose Auckland or Otago.
There is heeeeeeeeaps of information on Auckland vs Otago on this forum, and you only need to do a quick search in the box on the top right-hand corner of the webpage.

 

[zephyrm]

Hey guys, i think i applied late for a residential college, (completed the app but didnt fill out the CCRF form because i had thought it was taken care of by the school due to a miscommunication between the careers dpt. and me ) anyways
i believe i applied for Carrington first and Hayward and Aquinas 2nd and 3rd ( sadly i hadnt found this forum before applying >.<)
and today i got offered a place at Carrington!!!
im more than likely about to accept it, just wondering if anyone here has anything to say as in Auckland v Otago, most of my friends are going Auckland and i dont know many people going Otago (for med atlst ), but it seems that its easy to make new friends
feeling excited ! ( i assume this means second offers are out now? no idea )

haha what class are you in at grammar? i might know you

 

[Letsgobeadoctor]

7E, you quite possibly could, honestly though i know like 1 person doing HSFY in Otago>.<

 

[frootloop]

Guys, can we please at least try the whole grammar and spelling thing? Aside from the fact txt sp33k makes my eyes bleed, it's a forum standard.

Other than that, congrats on getting your first choices in colleges! If you do HSFY, there are ~1300 other people doing the same thing (and plenty at your hall doing other things), chances are you'll make plenty of friends.

 

[Letsgobeadoctor]

Does anyone know where i can find the Carrington College Handbook?
cheers

 

[Axwe8]

Does anyone know where i can find the Carrington College Handbook?
cheers

I think contacting them is your best hope, probs email or if you request any college they will mail it to your mailing address at home! (for free cause i asked Knox for one, they posted it to Sydney).

© Carrington College
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin 9054
New Zealand[h=3]Tel 64 3 479 5533
Fax 64 3 479 5530
Email [email protected]
[/h]

 

[Letsgobeadoctor]

OK so guys,
i got into Carrington and personally dont want to stay in a alcohol free dorm ( not so much because i want to drink, I'd just rather not be labelled as being no fun, cos i dont plan on going out to drink), but my mom thinks i should, (dads relatively impartial), so I'm just wondreing what are the pro's and con's of being in a non-alcoholic floor/dorm/house both social and (academic???).
If it matters im not going to be 18 till late july soo...... I won't really be able to go out and drink till then
THAT being said, I don't really drink and just wanna focus on HSFY mostly next year, but also wanna make some good friends >.< (preferably people who do not mind a few drinks so after HSFY i can have some fun! ).
So to me mostly the whole non-alcoholic floor thing is more a social barrier than a actual drinking barrier, I would appreciate your thoughts on this (It's not that i think people who don't drink are boring at all, but that being said i would like to be able to go out drinking with my (future >.<) mates later on....)
I have heard that the alcholic dorms get loud on thursday and saturday nights, and personally i dont think this will be a big problem for me as I'm sure i can work around that,
Also one more thing, i would MUCH rather stay in a dorm than a villa, so if anyone of u Carringtonians know, ( INFLOW ) are the non-alcoholic dorms villas?
Cheers guys any help is appreciated

 

[Zion]

OK so guys,
i got into Carrington and personally dont want to stay in a alcohol free dorm ( not so much because i want to drink, I'd just rather not be labelled as being no fun, cos i dont plan on going out to drink), but my mom thinks i should, (dads relatively impartial), so I'm just wondreing what are the pro's and con's of being in a non-alcoholic floor/dorm/house both social and (academic???).
If it matters im not going to be 18 till late july soo...... I won't really be able to go out and drink till then
THAT being said, I don't really drink and just wanna focus on HSFY mostly next year, but also wanna make some good friends >.< (preferably people who do not mind a few drinks so after HSFY i can have some fun! ).
So to me mostly the whole non-alcoholic floor thing is more a social barrier than a actual drinking barrier, I would appreciate your thoughts on this (It's not that i think people who don't drink are boring at all, but that being said i would like to be able to go out drinking with my (future >.<) mates later on....)
I have heard that the alcholic dorms get loud on thursday and saturday nights, and personally i dont think this will be a big problem for me as I'm sure i can work around that,
Also one more thing, i would MUCH rather stay in a dorm than a villa, so if anyone of u Carringtonians know, ( INFLOW ) are the non-alcoholic dorms villas?
Cheers guys any help is appreciated

Not from Carrington (I'm from Knox actually) but seriously, getting stressed over things like this is foolish. But anyway, if you don't mind the noise then I think you should go for alcoholic dorm. It all comes down to you at the end, no matter where you are.

 

[inflow]

The alcoholic dorms are equally as loud as any other room I guarantee you. Just because people aren't drinking does not mean they do not make noise. Their are no academic advantages to a non-alcoholic dorm as you will find smart people in all sections of the hall (if anything more in the alcoholic sections) and the college tutorials are free for everyone to utilize. The only benefit to putting a non-alcoholic dorm is that you are (possibly) more likely to be put into a hall-style building - namely Stuart or Dawson. In conclusion, I suggest you do not put down an alcohol-free hall. Also, I wouldn't worry to much about it! They take lots of care of you at Carrington - don't start stressing now because by the time you finish HSFY you will be looking this!

 

[Letsgobeadoctor]

In conclusion (lel), I wouldn't personally put down for being in an alcohol free dorm (other than the chance of not being in a villa, although I was in a villa and found it great!). Their are no academic benefits as I think you will find smart people in every part of the hall and the tutorials run by the college are free to everyone to utilise.

Dam >.< wanted to be able to tell mom that alcohol free floors/dorms were the villas, O well i best keep that a secret then hehehe, but yeah hopefully she will allow me to stay where i want.
I sent in my contract like 2 or 3 days ago and did not choose alcohol free, but she wants to call the Warden (Peter?) and get that changed, is there any chance she will be denied............ heheh....heheh.....heh....
nah alg il try convince her, kept telling her that generally people in the alcohol free dorms drink too but she thinks its a a better study environment

Not from Carrington (I'm from Knox actually) but seriously, getting stressed over things like this is foolish. But anyway, if you don't mind the noise then I think you should go for alcoholic dorm. It all comes down to you at the end, no matter where you are.

Sweet, now im even more convinced i wanna stay in the alcholic dorms, was kinda worried mom might be right
haha sorry for pestering eh, just really really really cbf studying for A2 now and I find everything not directly related to study 10000X more interesting now



Oh just one more thing, how would you describe living in the villa's, haven't really heard much of it but just from browsing on these forums it seems less desirable, are you more secluded from the general Carringtonians,
what happens on the off chance u dont really get along with your villamates >.<........... ooooor is that just not gonna happen eh,
sorry if im bothering you, just need to try to convince mom to allow me to live

 

[inflow]

Dam >.< wanted to be able to tell mom that alcohol free floors/dorms were the villas, O well i best keep that a secret then hehehe, but yeah hopefully she will allow me to stay where i want.
I sent in my contract like 2 or 3 days ago and did not choose alcohol free, but she wants to call the Warden (Peter?) and get that changed, is there any chance she will be denied............ heheh....heheh.....heh....
nah alg il try convince her, kept telling her that generally people in the alcohol free dorms drink too bu tshe thinks its a a better study environment

It is not a better study environment, I guarantee you that. There will be as many distractions as any other section of the hall. Also, If you want an area free of distractions Carrington has a great study center open like 24/7. I personally don't drink and I went into an alcohol dorm and I (and everyone else) found it fine!

To be honest, the alcoholic sections were generally quite I found as everyone has to leave for town by 10pm (and there is no drinking in exam period). Whereas if your in a non-alcoholic section you can hear everyone skyping their overseas parents till like 2AM.

I was in a Villa and I would of MUCH preferred it to the halls. Remember there are still like 12+ people in each villa so you are not socially excluded. And in terms of people not getting a long that happens in every house don't think that is excluded to just the villas . All the sections of Carrington are VERY nice (in comparison to some other halls) so I would not be worried too much which section I get put in - other then the fact that there are one or two non-alcoholic villas that are REALLY excluded.

If you got any more questions feel free to ask, either on here or you can PM me

 

[Letsgobeadoctor]

To be honest, the alcoholic sections were generally quite I found as everyone has to leave for town by 10pm (and there is no drinking in exam period). Whereas if your in a non-alcoholic section you can hear everyone skyping their overseas parents till like 2AM.

Hahahaha awesome, can always use that argument if im desperate >.<

the sections of Carrington are VERY nice (in comparison to some other halls) so I would not be worried too much which section I get put in - other then the fact that there are one or two non-alcoholic villas that are REALLY excluded.

this too
cheers man