REX NETTLEFORD HALL PT. 2

          You've asked and I have delivered. Many people have asked me about Rex Nettleford Hall and I have come to realise that, there is no where you can find out about the hall really, unless you speak directly to someone.
           The hall is "supposedly" 800 students, Now, this number seems like a lot but let me break it down for you. There are 8 and a half clusters (I say half because Cluster 3, has only half the number of residents the other clusters have, therefore they have joined with C4 to be Alliance). Each cluster has a particular patron and colours associated with it.

          There are as follows:

• C1: Walter Rodney- Green,black and white. 
• C2: Simon Bolivar- Blue and white. 
• Alliance (C3 and C4): Marcus Garvey- red, yellow, green and black.
• C5: Jimmy Cliff- Black and yellow.
• C6: Louise Bennett- purple, yellow and white.
• C7: Samuel Sharpe- red and black.
• C8: Touissant L'Overture- red, blue and white.
• C9: Fidel Castro- blue and yellow.

Activities on hall:

          During orientation you will find HIDDEN talents, trust me ! There are fresher sports, debate, dance and drama. Enjoy your orientation period, it is a learning process.

           There will be activities on the cluster level also, take part in stuff for your cluster. You DEFINITELY should take part in stuff for your cluster. It is a way to bond with your clustermates. I can say that I have socialised with my fellow Samurais (C2) by taking part in various activities. Not only are there sports, but there is fashion, cooking, etc. There is something for EVERYONE.

          Now, on a hall level, there are intramural competitions, PLEASE take part in something ! It helps to get back your room, the next year. No hall wants anyone living there who would have done NOTHING for the hall. Personally, I have done sports I would have never tried in my life. Lord knows, if Stephie (current hall gcc) didn't live on my flat and had the CUTEST begging face, I won't have left my bed many mornings, honestly. Though I grumbled the many mornings she woke me, I still got up and represented my hall in whatever way I can.

          As a first year there is a special program just for you, this is known as First Year Experience (FYE). FYE, helps you to transition into UWI smoothly, there are sessions held every week and you SHOULD attend. Attend a DECENT amount of sessions and you have the opportunity of a special treat (I won't say, just go attend and see for yourself).

Meeting People:

          Living on hall is a good way to meet people. I am honestly not a social person but that was slightly broken out of me by living on hall. The people you live with have a lot to do with that. I am the ONLY first year on my flat and the YOUNGEST on the flat, so my flatmates consider me the baby of the flat, they actually gave me the name "Baby Bajan" . When living on Rex, you must understand that not everyone will have the same upbringing as you, see everything your way, etc. It is people from all over who are now coming together to live in a shared space.

          During orientation is a good way to make friends, talk to the other freshers from your cluster, interact with the other freshers, it may even help to talk to your orientation committee. These same people maybe able to help you with your journey as a first year.

Cluster Structure:

          Each cluster has 4 blocks. These blocks are listed as A,B,C and D. Each block has 3 levels, currently the males live on the bottom floor and the females live on the middle and top floors. When you are given your key, you will see a set of numbers, an example would be 5432, this means CLUSTER 5, C BLOCK, TOP FLOOR, ROOM 2. The numbers on the keys actually mean something.

Flat Structure:

          Each flat has 8 rooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 showers. A common area with a couch and 2 single seats along with a dining table. There is also the kitchen with one refrigerator, a stove and microwave.
With respect to cleaning, you do not clean your flat, there are cleaners hired to do that, you are however, responsible to keep your stove tidy.

          There is a study table with a chair (if you're all back like me take my foolish advise and buy a cushion for that chair), a closet and chest of drawers that can be moved also. Your room will have one adjustable twin sized bed, adjustable meaning the height of the bed can be changed and also the bed can be moved. You may store your groceries outside in the cupboard if you wish.You are responsible for the cleaning of your room. Yes, yes the rumors you heard of our rooms being small is true, but guess what your small room is just way too comfortable at times. 

          NOW TO YOU PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO KEEP A LOT OF NOISE, THE WALLS ARE VERY THIN! YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE HAVING A CONVERSATION AND YOUR ENTIRE FLAT IS HEARING YOU  ! I BEG YOU TRY TO BE QUIET  IN ALL YOU DO. I talk to my flatmate with both of our doors closed and we have conversations across the corridor... a word to the wise in ENOUGH.

This is all I can think of to say for night now with regards to the hall. If you have any questions feel free to ask me in the comments sections below and I will try to answer as quickly as possible. I currently have exams going on so I may take a while to reply, but I reassure you I will reply to any questions. 

I end by showing you the bond I have made with these lovely ladies who live on my flat. I will always have love for each and every one of them ! I hope as a first year you have an amazing set of flatmates, who will not only guide you as a new student of UWI, but will become your sisters/brothers as these young ladies have become mine ! 233 !