Heading off to uni is a daunting time for any student. You might be moving out of home for the first time, you’ll have a ton of study to deal with, you’ll be trying to make new connections on campus and to top it all off, you’ll be moving into uni halls.
Living in uni halls or colleges can be a great way to make the transition from living at home to being out on your own far smoother. As opposed to flatting, this can be much easier. You’ll have a certain number of things taken care of for you so that you can just relax and enjoy the experience of starting university. Let us break down everything you need to know about moving into uni halls to make the process simpler for you.
Why Students Choose Uni Halls
There are a number of reasons that it’s a great idea to move into a uni hall during your first year of study. It’s a low-hassle, easy way to live and make new friends that you might have for the rest of your life!
No Stress
One of the main reasons that students choose to live in a uni hall is that everything is organised for you. You won’t need to worry about setting up internet and electricity accounts, having a landlord, or finding flatmates. Many of the colleges also provide food, so you don’t need to learn to cook just yet, though you’ll also find many self-catered options around. Ultimately, living in a uni hall allows you to just move in and focus on your study without the huge learning curve that often comes along with moving out of home.
Meet New People
One of the biggest concerns that people have when heading off to uni is how quickly they will make friends. At a uni hall, you’ll be around many other people in exactly the same position as you. They will also be moving out of home for the first time and learning to live on their own. Everyone moves in all at once and will be looking to meet new people too. Plus, the colleges often run social events and dinners to make it even easier to meet the others who live near you.
Many people’s university friendships last a lifetime, as you have connected over shared experiences and all of the crazy things that can happen in a hall.
What You Need to Bring
What you need to bring can vary depending on where you move to. However, you will definitely need far less than if you were moving into a flat. There’s no need to worry about pots and pans or larger pieces of furniture like a dining table or couch. This makes the upfront cost much lower, as you don’t need to invest in expensive items before moving in.
Some halls require you to provide your own bedding, but most will already have a bed in the room for you. Look up what you’ll need for the specific college you’re interested in to get a complete list of items required.
What You SHOULD Bring
We do have some advice on possessions that you don’t necessarily need but might help to make your room feel homier. Remember that the majority of dorm rooms start out looking the same, so it’s up to you to bring your personality in to freshen up your living arrangements.
First of all, bring your favourite art or posters to hang on the wall. Putting these up right away is a quick way to make you feel at home.
Next, you’ll want to bring some extra storage options. Most of the closets are single-sized, so if you have room for under-bed storage, make sure to bring some containers that slot in there. This will be invaluable for storing extra blankets, clothing, and textbooks.
One great way to individualise your new room is by purchasing brand-new bedding that you love. Go for something colourful and funky to liven up an otherwise cookie-cutter space. If you’re not keen on colour, there are plenty of other ways to show off your personality. Get some house plants, a stylish pen holder, or some notebooks that you love to put on display.
When you start studying and going out often, you might just forget to eat dinner. That’s why it’s an excellent idea to keep a secret supply of emergency snacks around. This is ideal for late-night sugar cravings while you’re studying or something to snack on as you’re running late for a class in the morning.
Start a medicine drawer – you never know when you’re going to get a headache or need a band-aid, and you no longer have your parents’ supply to fall back on. It’s worth buying some of the essentials, at least so you have them if you need them.
How to Make Moving into Uni Halls Easy
Hiring professional movers to help you shift your belongings can be really helpful. Doing so will result in a far less stressful moving day, as you can just go ahead and drive to your new home without worrying about bringing all of your stuff. Most uni halls are high-rise buildings with stairs to navigate, so if you do it yourself, you will risk dropping and breaking items or not being able to get your belongings safely up the stairs. When you’re starting university for the very first time, you already have enough other concerns on your mind. Why not make the transition as easy as possible for yourself?
Finally, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You’re at university to study and get a degree, but there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself as well. Moving into a uni hall is all part of the adventure and the fun of attending university. Your first few days won’t make or break your entire experience, so relax and make the most of it. You have years to make friends, learn about moving out of the home, and develop the best study techniques.
