Hello everyone and welcome to February!
Last week we looked at the ins and outs of catered accommodation. Today, we’re looking at the other side: Self-catered residences. Love it or hate it, cooking is one of those skills in life that is quite hard to avoid! Whether you’re a budding Gordon Ramsay or a baked beans on toast kind of person, self-catered accommodation is a great way to get the real “grown-up” living experience.
What are the benefits of living in self-catered accommodation?
I personally discovered that I really enjoy cooking at University. After my first few weeks of Marmite on toast 3 times a day (B-vitamins, right?) I cooked a proper dinner and realised that it really isn’t as hard as I’d thought it would be. Shopping and cooking for yourself is a great skill to acquire for life post-uni. You learn a lot about budgeting, what you like to cook and when you want to eat. 
If you are living in catered accommodation you will need to stick to set mealtimes. Whilst there is some flexibility, you are generally restricted to the breakfast and dinner arrangements. These timings can be quite difficult during your first year, especially if you’re a late-riser or if you’re busy with activities in the evenings.
Another thing to consider is the choice of food available. Whilst our catered accommodation offers a fantastic variety of options, if you’re a fussy eater or have certain dietary requirements, then you may be better off cooking for yourself. This will include shopping and washing up, but you won’t need to worry about missing out on variety and will get more for your money!
What is available for self-catered accommodation?
A list of our self-catered residences is available here.
We have 3 options available: En-suite, standard and studio.
Shared kitchens (En-suite and Standard) have a cooker with oven, hob and grill, microwave, fridge/freezer, water boiler/kettle, dining table and chairs, and an ironing board. You will need to bring pots and pans, cutlery and crockery.
Studio kitchens have a microwave or combi-oven, hob, fridge with freezer compartment, water boiler or kettle. Our studios at Birks Grange Village and Lafrowda also have a dining table and chairs.
What if I don’t feel like cooking?
The University campus has a huge variety of food outlets across campus. You’re able to purchase one-off or a group of meals from our catered dining halls which is great if you’re not up for cooking or want to spend time with your friends in catered residences. You can additionally get food delivered directly to your residence and Exeter has a great variety of restaurants and cafes. 
At the end of the day, whatever you choose, you won’t go hungry! Have a good think about what will suit your catering needs best. Thank you for reading today’s blog and we hope you have a lovely week!
Accommodation Shannon