RBC Residence Hall Student Perspective: Naomi
Posted On February 19, 2025
Naomi Kooy is a freshman enrolled in the B.A. in Theology program and majoring in Christian Thought. We recently asked Naomi to share how living in the RBC residence hall has impacted her experiences as a student.
1. What’s your favorite thing about living in the residence hall?
Since moving into the residence hall at the beginning of the school year, I think it’s safe to say my favorite part about living here is the community. It has been such a blessing to be surrounded by so many fellow Christian young adults. I have been able to meet so many wonderful people while living on campus.
2. Can you describe a typical day in the dorms?
A typical day in the dorms for me usually starts out by waking up and getting ready in my single bedroom. Next, I head into the kitchen to make breakfast and often to see my roommates for a bit before I head down to class. In between classes during the day, I typically head back up to my suite to make lunch or a snack, get some homework done, or just to rest and spend some time with my suitemates. At night, I usually cook myself dinner in the kitchen and then try to get some homework accomplished. However, once I have hit my homework goal for the day, I will either spend time with my suitemates and have a girls’ night or head out to the quad to play games with the other on-campus residents.
3. How has living in the dorms helped you build relationships and experience community?
When making the decision to move from my home in Michigan to come live on campus at RBC, I was a little fearful about what establishing new friends and relationships was going to look like. However, now that I’ve spent over a semester living on campus at RBC, I would say that the residence hall has been a huge help to me when it comes to making new friends. RBC matched me with four other girls to share my suite with and living with them has been a blast. From the first week of school until now, our friendship together has only grown. Along with my roommates, I have gotten to know so many people at RBC through the residence hall as well. The on-campus students are usually very good about getting together and taking time to do group activities, including things like playing soccer or volleyball in the quad or going to a friend’s suite to play a game.
4. What do you enjoy most about living alongside your peers?
Living alongside my peers has been such a great experience. It’s so nice to come home to people who understand how you feel because you all are going through the same RBC semester. Also, having Christ-centered friendships with peers has been such an answer to prayer when it comes to life at RBC. Knowing that we are all here ultimately to honor and glorify the Lord has been a great reminder and encouragement throughout the school year.
5. How do you balance your academic work with life in the dorms?
At first, balancing academic work and my social life in the dorms at RBC was a bit of a struggle. However, after about a month of living in the residence hall, I was able to find a good balance between the two. When trying to focus on getting schoolwork done, I fluctuate between studying in a group and studying alone. Having a single bedroom has definitely been nice to have for times when I want to study independently and the common space in my suite is a great place for group study. Also, living on campus means that you are just a few strides away from Founders Hall. During the school year, it has been so convenient to take a quick walk over to Founders to study in the main hall or the library, either alone or with friends. When the weather’s nice, my friends and I enjoy studying outside together on RBC’s beautiful campus.
6. Are there any unique traditions or activities that make living in the dorms special?
I would say that the hall events make living in the dorms special. Usually, an R.A. for the women’s floor will schedule a hall event for the students that are under her care. So far this year, we have had a game night, a tea party, and a painting party. These events can be a good way to get to know peers from other suites better and are great ways to make memories. The men’s and women’s open house events are another function that takes place in the residence hall at RBC once every school year. The men’s open house was this past October. At this event, the men’s floor opened their suites, and it was up to the residents to judge the men’s suites based on their food, presentation, and activities. This semester, the women got to host their open house event. Besides these activities, there are always little get-togethers and games happening either in the residence hall or on the RBC campus. These events have been a great way to make many new friends and new memories.
7. What advice would you give to someone moving into the dorms for the first time?
I’m not an expert at dorm living; I have only done it for a few months. But for an incoming student who plans to live in the dorms, I would suggest not being afraid to step out of your comfort zone and to try new things. Enriching myself in the community here at RBC’s residence hall has been very influential in my time at college. Getting to be in the presence of fellow believers, and fellowshipping and living with them has been such a great experience. It has also helped me get through homesickness at the beginning of the school year. I think it’s important in your time at RBC to really dig deep into what you are being offered. Take advantage of the amazing opportunities the Lord grants you in your life here at RBC.
Are you interested in learning theology for life at RBC? You can earn a Certificate in Theology, an Associate of Arts in Theology, or a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with our affordable on-campus degree programs. Contact our Admissions team with any questions.