Living in Halls: What you need to know
Date 4 February 2025
4.02.2025This is your guide to living in halls, telling you everything you need to know, according to Joe, a first-year student currently living on campus at UON.
If your first year at University is approaching fast and you are planning on living in Student Accommodation, it is completely normal to be nervous about moving. For most people, University is the first time they live away from home, and takes place in a town that is often unfamiliar. The transition to higher education is a massive step in your life, and is one that can only be made easier by having supportive flatmates.
Getting to know your flatmates
Many University students spend the majority of their free time in their rooms, or simply find friends outside of their flat and choose to exclusively hang out with them instead.
Whilst it is nice to have a varied group of friends, having a good relationship with your flatmates is incredibly important as well.
Whenever you’re having a tough time, they can provide you with emotional support, as they are always around to help.
Getting to know your flatmates is quite simple, as everyone is in an unfamiliar environment and trying to make friends. The simplest way to break the ice with a new flatmate is to introduce yourself and ask their name, where they’re from, and what course they’re studying. It sounds too easy, but this alone can often spark in-depth conversations about shared interests, especially if you know anything about their course! Shortly after this, invite the flat to go to a student life event together. At UON, we are lucky that there are several freshers’ events and general events each week. If it goes well, make it a weekly thing! The majority of my flat are close friends, and that is primarily thanks to us attending various events at the Waterside Bar every week and getting to know each other there.
Being a good flatmate
Enjoying your time living in Student Halls is not simply about building a rapport with your flatmates, but it is also about maintaining that relationship by doing your part in keeping the flat tidy. Are the bins full? Take them out! Have you spilt something? Mop it up! Are you done with the hob? Turn it off! It really is that easy to keep things clean and tidy, and people will be abundantly grateful to you because of it.
Cooking!
Making your own food is a fantastic way of saving money at University, especially when you shop for the best deals in cheaper shops such as Aldi, Morrisons and Iceland. One of the cheapest ways to eat well at University without having to over-work yourself is cooking with friends. That way, not only can you split the cost for groceries, someone can cook the food and others can help do the washing/tidying up afterwards. This is the main way I am able to save money at University!
Explore our accommodation at one of our Open or Discovery Days.
Joe is a first-year Popular Music student here at the University of Northampton, with a particular interest in creating scores for film and television, as well as writing and performing alternative rock music. Joe also works as a Student Representative for his undergraduate course, and is passionate about being involved within the University in any way possible.