Here it is: the big change. Hopefully, you’ve been here for a week already and you’re settling in swimmingly. You’re finally making the transition between being cooped up in your maternal home to being completely unmonitored in a flat of your very own, how exciting. But just to make your switch that little bit easier, we’ve put together a few top tips for life in your new halls.
LOOK FOR THE BARE NECESSITIES
So whoever helped you tote all your junk (err… precious belongings) to your new room has departed, and you have been left alone with an unmade bed and a suitcase full of clothes. I can guarantee you that you have neglected to bring at least three things that will be incredibly helpful over the course of the year. Just some suggestions of what you may be missing:
– A DOOR HANGER: want to hang your coat in a convenient place? NOPE! Not without a door hanger. Best get used to all of your hoodies accumulating on the back of your chair.
– COATHANGERS: #hangerproblems amiright? Maybe you thought you’d be provided with enough – IF ANY – but you were wrong. You were so wrong. Enjoy your floordrobe.
– PINS: what a lovely pin-board you’ve been provided with. Imagine all the photos of your fun-filled times you can put up on it. Too bad there aren’t any pins for you to actually use it.
– BATH MATS: this is for you lucky lot with an en-suite. Bath mats are an absolute saviour when it comes to stepping out of a steaming shower on a cold winter morning.
– DOOR STOP: imagine that everyone else in your flat has their door propped open in a very obvious display of welcoming, and yours is firmly closed. How very unsociable of you. A door stop is a brilliant investment for making friends with your flat, even a makeshift one will do. (Mine was a box of shoes that had to be stepped over to actually get in).
UNPACK
The sooner you can put all of your things into their new and rightful place, the better. Without the stress of knowing you have all of your clothes to unfold and hang up (providing you brought hangers, that is), you’ll be able to get on with the fun part of moving in, which is…
DECORATING
As if I haven’t already said it enough, this is your new home for the year. And over the course of the year, you’re going to have your fair share of visitors, so cover up those bog-standard, off-white walls and make it more you! Posters, photographs, fairy lights, cards, bunting, whatever you want. This is YOUR room. (Just don’t forget to read your tenancy agreement first…)
SNACK TIME
Whether you’re in catered halls or have taken the plunge and gone for self-catering, snacks in your room will be your saviour. Listen, sometimes you just won’t be hungry when it’s a “socially acceptable time to eat”, and this is where snacks come in handy. Sneaky packet of crisps at 2AM? Go for it! Full tube of Oreos before a morning lecture? We’re not going to judge you.
JUST WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK
You catered lot don’t need to worry about this quite as much, but for those of us who didn’t have a cleaner in every couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to make a cleaning rota. I can’t tell you how many passive aggressive Facebook messages are left between flatmates about the state of the kitchen sides or the steady mountain of bin bags collecting near the door. Agreeing to a rota and actually sticking to it will make your life in halls a whole lot easier.
GET OUTTA HERE
Yes, you love your new room. Yes, you love your new flat. Yes, you and your flatmates are already on your way to being BFFLs. However, it might be an idea to actually, you know, get out for a bit. Explore. Meet your neighbours. Chill out in the common area and go for a wander. You’re here for a year, start making the most of it.
And most of all, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. There’s nothing quite like living in halls, and it’s something you’ll never forget.
Leigh Campbell and Pollyanna Ward
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Photo Credits: risaikeda via Compfight cc, http://www.destinationvinylmation.com/2000/02/animation-2-released/, https://www.flickr.com/photos/lomodeedee/4633147526/in/photostream/
