“After a long day at work or uni or if you’ve gone camping for three days – when you come through the gates at Jane or walk through the dining hall – you get that feeling like you’ve walked through the door at home.”
Jeremy Southwell grew up on a rural property in Yass, an hour north of Canberra. He spent his first year of university studying Environmental Science in Canberra and moved to Earth Sciences at the University of Tasmania for his second year.
“I had a year living at home while going to uni – which sucked. It was hard to make friends, and I am an extrovert. My brother was at a college at the time, I was talking to him week by week, all the exciting things he was doing sounded intriguing.”
The excellent reputation of the University of Tasmania’s Earth Science Degree was the major drawcard to Tasmania, as well as the idea of living in a residential college to get a real university experience.
Jeremy didn’t know much about Jane and had never been to Tasmania.
“I had no idea what I was coming into; it’s been all good surprises, so enjoyable, and I love Tassie.”
Not having to worry about food was a selling point for Jane. Jane provides all your meals. And while Jeremy enjoys cooking, not having to worry about food while you’re studying, is a big thing.
“I had a gap year living by myself, I enjoy cooking, but with uni I thought it was one less thing to do - and having a meal with people you live with [in the Jane Dining Hall] is really nice.”
Since moving to Jane Jeremy’s grades have also gone up substantially. “I think it is because you are surrounded by people who are studying, so everyone feeds off each other, there are so many different options and locations for study at Jane.”
The Jane Student Club
Run by residents, for the residents, the student committee work together to organise events for all the residents. As president of the Jane Student Club, Jeremy leads the other 10 committee roles, which include a vice president, secretary, treasurer, equity rep, a male and female sports rep, a social rep, an activities rep and a publications rep. The events are designed to give a welcoming, fun and diverse college experience to the whole Jane community.
“It’s all so inclusive – I’ve never played AFL, soccer or table tennis, but everyone is welcome to come to the training, and then there are roles outside of the team. If you are the net inspector or ball polisher in table tennis, you’re on the team. If you come to training, you’re on the team. Then you get to go to post-game celebrations, it’s your reward for coming, even if injured or not good at the sport.”
Outside of the sporting events, there are Nerf wars, a Madis Gra and parties, especially in O-Week (Orientation week). There are plenty of activities that don’t involve drinks, like Jane’s Got Talent, the Big Morning Tea and an International Women’s Day picnic on the lawn. There is even Love Week, where residents are encouraged to leave notes all around the campus, writing kind messages to one another.
“Everyone knows everyone. You have micro communities in each of the three buildings, and then the floors within the buildings – you know each other and say g’day and chat about your studies, it’s nice.”
Being set up for leadership
In addition to helping foster the inclusive culture at Jane, Jeremy has appreciated the support and training provided by the management team in helping him to become a student leader. “It sets you up for leadership – makes you open your eyes to what is involved in life. One session on being aware of mental health issues, I found really helpful, to be able to recognise the signs that someone is struggling.”
Jeremy’s advice for people thinking of moving to Jane
“Just do it – it’s so fun. I did a year of uni at home so I can compare it to the alternative – Jane is 10 fold, the memories and the mates and meeting people from different backgrounds – studying different stuff… You won’t regret it.”
