Moving into student accommodation is an exciting and interesting time in your life, and one that will bring you a wealth of incredible experiences as you head into the next chapter. And luckily, you’re by far not the first person to do it! Learn from the mistakes fellow students have made before you, and avoid the below to keep everything running smoothly…
Don’t overpack
Most student accommodation doesn’t have loads of space; while our Aspire student accommodation bedrooms are bright and spacious, you are limited to your room when it comes to your personal belongings. You don’t want to be taking over shared spaces! Because of this, be sure not to overpack. You don’t need your whole wardrobe, your entire book collection, 50 nail polishes… and so on!
Don’t forget the essentials
Overpacking isn’t great, but neither is forgetting the absolute basics! There are plenty of student packing lists out there, so be sure to have a read up and see if you’ve missed anything off your own list… It’s very easy to just not think about things like toilet roll, toothpaste, coat hangers and bin bags. There might not be time on moving in day to pick all of these things up, after all.
Don’t leave your application too late
When it comes to applying for student accommodation, don’t forget that there will be hundreds if not thousands of students looking for accommodation in university cities across the UK. If you have a pretty good idea of where you’ll be going before results day, it’s worth applying early. Visit different accommodation options on open days, too – this is a great way to get to know your potential new city a little bit as well.
Don’t forget to set yourself a budget
You’re experiencing independence for the first time, and your student loan just dropped. It’s very tempting to blow it all on takeaways, new clothes, multiple nights out and so on – but don’t forget that this money needs to last you until the next portion of your student loan comes in. Set a budget for each month and stick to it.
Learn basic cooking and cleaning skills
Don’t know how to make cheese on toast? Unsure to boil pasta? Never actually used the washing machine before? It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but it’s definitely worth getting to grips with the basics before you move out.
Don’t forget to greet your flatmates on day one
You’re going to be sharing a home with this group of people for an entire academic year – they’ll see every version of you, and you might need their help if you get locked out or run out of milk… Introduce yourself, say hello and be friendly. This will set you in good stead for forming fantastic friendships throughout your first year as a student.
Moving into student accommodation doesn’t need to be scary. While you might feel a little bit anxious about moving out, your world is going to really open up with so many new experiences. It’s time to get excited!
