A typical student bedroom with desk chair and bed
By Philippa Dobree-Carey, From High School to Uni
Moving into University Halls of Residence is a huge adventure for Freshers - perhaps their first taste of independence! First time managing a budget, first time cooking for themselves, first time organizing their lives with no assistance from parents. In addition, their new life may be in another country, with a different culture and customs, a new space with complete strangers, and it will take some time to adjust to the new environment.
To make this process less daunting, and help make the experience moving into Halls enjoyable, follow these tips below:
DO pack your suitcases efficiently. Before you leave home, organise your belongings into categories (like clothes, desk stuff, bathroom toiletries, shoes, etc.). This will make it so much easier to unpack efficiently and organise your room quickly.
DON’T lock yourself in your room whilst unpacking. Wedge your bedroom door open to say hi to other residents and get a chance to talk with your new flat mates immediately. The sooner you start chatting, the sooner you will start to make friends.
DO unpack your room straightaway as soon as you have picked up your key or badge from the University admin office. You will feel more settled and comfortable once you have your own space sorted.
DON’T drag out the goodbyes with your parents if they have dropped you off. It's normal to feel emotional when they leave, but don't let that stop you from enjoying your new independence!
DO be friendly and supportive getting to know your flat mates who may be shy. Invite them to join you for an exploratory walk around the university campus or go have lunch or dinner together in town.
DON’T isolate in your room. Whilst it is tempting to just curl up by yourself and watch Netflix, go out and get to know your flat mates. This is an exciting time - embrace the challenge!
DO discuss dietary restrictions Remember, some students may have different religions, habits, or allergies, so discuss them early on to identify if one of your flat mates has a potentially fatal nut allergy, and establish what the restrictions are in the kitchen, and what to do in a medical emergency.
DON'T avoid conflict You all have to live together fairly harmoniously so ask your flat mates about their sleeping schedules, (acceptable) noise levels, and cleaning routines. Everyone needs to pull their weight and be respectful!
DO have a group dinner all together on the first day in Uni halls. This is a great way to really integrate yourself into the flat mate dynamic, by all cooking together, vibing to the music and getting to know each other.
Overall, try to get to know all your flat mates, as well as taking advantage of the networking opportunities during Freshers Week to make friends with, a wide range of people. You may not like everyone, but you will likely develop some great friendships that could last a lifetime!
Author bio
Philippa Dobree-Carey is an adept project manager for an international organization in Geneva. Author of the award-winning student guide "From High School to Uni", Philippa successfully steers students step-by-step through the process of packing, preparing for and thriving in the university environment.
With a passion for helping others, Philippa's insightful blogs provide a wealth of practical advice, guiding students (and anxious parents!) with firsthand experience, tips, and insights. As a devoted mother of two university aged children, she understands the concerns of those navigating this transition. This firsthand perspective has driven her to create a library of well-defined, pragmatic resources aimed at facilitating the transition to university life. Discover a treasure trove of invaluable resources by visiting her website www.fromhighschooltouni.com
