RC DEVELOPMENT • 書院發展 2023 UMAGAZINE 27 • 澳大新語 69 Creating a Homey Atmosphere UM’s residential colleges (RC) are a vehicle for implementing community and peer education. Unlike ordinary dormitories, the RCs strive to create a home-like environment that goes beyond mere living and dining on campus and embodies the essence of UM’s educational philosophy. There is no doubt that entering university is difficult for any student. However, the academic studies that follow are challenges on another level. Students must develop their strengths for the future while navigating an increasingly complex life, and this may lead to exhaustion, frustration, low confidence, self-doubt, or even sadness. Even though these feelings are common among university students, if left unaddressed, they can contribute to dissatisfaction with society rather than the confidence in a better future that we hope to instil in students through education. In SPC, we hope students will think of the college as their second home, where they can find the care and comfort they need to cope with negative feelings. The college is also a place where students can share their joy from academic achievements, develop new skills, or make new friendships with fellow students and teachers. To help balance work and play, the college also offers a range of recreational and sports facilities, not to mention delicious food in the canteen, to help students relieve stress and recharge for their journey ahead. Creating a residential college that feels like home is certainly no easy feat. To thrive, students need to become active partners and trusted allies rather than passive recipients of care and support, and this is crucial to their future success. In today’s fast-changing and materialistic world, one often has to fight his or her own battles alone. That is why it is so important for young people to build meaningful relationships based on trust, support, and care for others, especially their family members and close friends. In this way, society may become more harmonious, and people’s lives may become more meaningful. A Home for Achieving Personal Growth The RC provides more than a home from which to weather the storm; it also creates an environment conducive to students’ personal growth. Since its inception in August 2014, SPC has developed its own approach to student development through years of exploration and experimentation. The college has implemented a series of long-term experiential learning programmes, such as the English Table, which develops students’ English language skills; the Choir, which cultivates artistic expression through teamwork; the SPC Dream Building Team, which encourages students to volunteer; the Debate Team, which sharpens students’ critical thinking and communication skills; and the Student Ambassador Team, which promotes respect and kindness towards others. Through weekly activities, these programmes aim to help students achieve concrete improvement in their behaviour, attitude, and character. In addition, the various lectures, floor-specific activities, House Association activities, and interest group activities available in the college also help to promote students’ holistic development. In recent years, SPC has stepped up efforts to provide support to help students achieve academic success. The college has transformed many of its premises 紹邦書院師生參與2022年國慶升旗儀式 SPC members attend a flag-raising ceremony for National Day 2022
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