This blog from student Eve has some helpful tips for your accommodation application journey.
It goes without saying that choosing university accommodation can be a rather stressful experience, especially when there are so many options and factors to consider. However, with all the right information, there’s no need to panic.
Where to start
First, it’s a good idea to work out what your initial priorities are and then work from there. When I was deciding which accommodation to apply for with the University of Exeter, although I wasn’t initially sure where I wanted to stay, I knew that living in a self-catered residence was really important for me. I wanted to learn how to live independently and I thought that cooking for myself was the perfect way to do that.
With that being said, whilst I can’t speak from experience for catered residences, if you think you would benefit from not having to worry about meal planning and taking the time to cook, then catered accommodation may be better suited for you. This is just one example of a decision you can make to further work out your ideal place to live!
To share, or not to share
Ensuite or shared bathrooms, price, location, size, are all other factors that can help too. Of course, this may seem very overwhelming, but when considering each one in turn, you will hopefully be able to narrow down your options!
Also, I found it really useful to get opinions from students who had lived in different accommodations, as whilst all the data available is useful, it’s so insightful to hear from people who had lived there first hand! This can be done in various ways, such as reading blogs from students (just like this one!), watching YouTube videos of people’s experiences, or talking to people you may know who have gone to the university. Even better if you can visit accommodation yourself, such as on an open day, to really get a feel for the different options, and ask any in-person questions you may have. If not, do not fret – there are plenty of virtual tours available online to explore!
By following these tips, the process of choosing your accommodation should not only be less stressful, but hopefully a lot simpler than it first appears! I wish you the best of luck!
Find more information about how to apply for accommodation on our website.