Keeley Zentgraf
'Not having the pressure of having to cook for yourself is very freeing. At meals, we talk and you can share your concerns with people who are in the same courses. I find it really motivating to study with others even if not they are not doing the same subject'.
I started my UniMelb degree at the start of 2021 and began looking for a place to live.
I applied to several private accommodation places, but they focus on very independent living and I decided that I would like more of a community atmosphere. I felt that coming to a college would help me to be successful at University, but I was worried about the cost. My Aunty recommended Medley because it was the smallest and seemed the most supportive, and I applied for, and got, a fee remission bursary.
The financial support has taken off a lot of pressure. I haven’t needed to get part time work, so I have been able to concentrate on studying, and it has taken pressure off my family. It’s been really great. SO much stress has been relieved.
I really love living here. When I first got to Medley, I was quite overwhelmed by the building, it was so big and nice looking. I’m still grateful to live in such a lovely space. Despite being very grand, it has a homely atmosphere. I’m so pleased that will be able to look back at my time at Uni and have memories in this space.
At school it was hard to socialise with my friends because we all lived so far away from one another, but here it’s so easy to get involved. If I wasn’t living at college, I would find it more difficult to attend events. Being small, it’s easy to organise things quickly with other people and being able to participate and contribute to events. For the Step Up dance competition, there was a lot of training, but it didn’t feel like it because the sessions were only a few doors away. I feel like I have made good friends here. Sometimes there are arguments about small things, like not doing the dishes, but that’s just life!
Not having the pressure of having to cook for yourself is very freeing. At meals, we talk and you can share your concerns with people who are in the same courses. I find it really motivating to study with others even if not they are not doing the same subject. When I’m working with other residents in the study room we have study breaks together. We also go to nearby cafes and study together which is nice.
I have been a bit unwell this semester, so next semester I’m looking forward to participating in more of the different activities that Medley offers. I was also looking at volunteering at the nearby exhibition building doing some archiving, and I’m thinking about joining debating which I did at school and loved.
3 Words to describe Medley: Community, homely and responsive.