Student Issy shares her top settling in tips for arriving at University accommodation.
Starting university can be an exciting experience, especially because it means moving away and making a space truly your own! Settling into your accommodation is a really important step in making a smooth transition to university life, not just to get yourself settled but also for your flat mates as well. In this blog post, I’m going to share some tips to help you move into your university accommodation.
- First things first, get to know your flat mates.
When I did my food shop, I bought flowers for the kitchen – my flat mates made brownies to take around. Find something nice to bring and give yourself an excuse to introduce yourself. Building a relationship with your flat mates early can help make your living situation much more comfortable and enjoyable, and also make that first night away from home much easier.
- Next, personalise your space.
I decked out my room with posters, lights and plants and made sure I had lots of cosy quilts and lighting – it really made the space feel much more like mine. Adding decorations and photos can also be a good way to bring a little bit of home with you to uni!
- A weird one that I would definitely recommend – bring arts and crafts.
In East Park you have a chalkboard in the kitchen, and decorating it was a really fun way to personalise our communal space as a group. We also used foam letters to personalise our lockers and room doors and have used other arts and crafts to hang posters from nights out and decs from parties to make the lounge feel like home! It was a great way to bond as a flat and make the space feel more communal.
- Don’t forget to stay organised!
Keep your room clean, it’s so easy to let it slip. Making this a habit will be so useful in the long run and will also probably make you more popular with your flat if you’re not causing mess all the time. This will also help you feel more in control of your space, instead of feeling like your room is full of chores.
- Bring distinctive kitchen sets and communal kitchenware!
Distinctive kitchen sets make washing up much easier and finding and putting away your drying much less stressful. But – common misconception – just because there is a bad rep about using people’s things doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done! Bring a waffle maker, or toasties press, and leave it out for the whole flat to use! It makes lunchtimes much more fun and de-stresses the communal kitchen situation much quicker!
- Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
Whether it’s from your flat mates, reception staff or campus security, there are plenty of resources available to support you when you’re moving in!
Remember, settling into your uni accommodation takes time and effort. But with these tips, you can make the process smoother and more enjoyable. Good luck and have a great first term!