What to expect from living in student accommodation on campus

Here are some tips on what to expect:

1)      Say hi to your flatmates: Even though it might be scary, give yourselves a chance to interact with each other. Be open-minded; you may make friends with them, you may not. It honestly is just potluck on who you are with. If you click with them, ask to do something social together like go into Brighton together or have a games night. If not, that’s okay, there’s plenty of opportunity to meet others outside of the flat.

2)      Create a group chat: Have a group chat between you and your flatmates so you can talk to each other about certain things in the flat.

3)      Personalise your space: Personalise your room so it feels homey. This can help ease homesickness.

4)      Explore campus: As tempting as it can be, try not to just stay in your room. Explore other places of the campus that you can go to in between lectures.

5)      Clean up after yourself: Make sure you’re cleaning up after yourself in the kitchen; also, don’t feel like you need to clean up after other people- it is their responsibility.

6)      Establish rotas: It may be easier to establish rotas for regular tasks like taking out the bins so it isn’t always the same person.

7)      Report issues promptly: Report any problems in the flat to the porter so they can be fixed.

8)      Keep track of your keys: Put your keys or card (depending on which accommodation you are in) on a keyring or lanyard or just somewhere that you won’t lose it and will remember to take with you.

9)      Resolve any disagreements calmly: It is natural to have disagreements when living in such close proximity. Try not to let it escalate.

10)  Get to know your Res Life team: Res Life Connectors plan activities that bring you and the people you live with together. You can also speak to the residential life team if you are having any problems and they can help.

11)  Use the laundry facilities efficiently: Know the location of the laundry facilities and when doing your laundry, you don’t need to sit in the laundrette the whole time, but set reminders so you can go there when it is done. You can use the laundrette using the circuit laundry app or card.

12)  Respect quiet hours: Try to avoid creating a lot of noise in the middle of the night when people are sleeping.

13)  Know the emergency procedures: It will be written in your room where the nearest fire exit is and you will practise what to do in event of an emergency. Also, do not prop fire doors open.

14)  Stay connected: Stay connected with your family and friends. Update them how you are doing and maintain that support system.

15)  Take care of your mental health:  Make time for activities that you enjoy and help you destress. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you are struggling.

Living away from home for the first time can be a positive experience, but there can also be hard parts. Make sure you are looking after yourself as well as respecting others.

Tugce studies Psychology with Neuroscience. She enjoys going for walks in nature and attending dog-walking society at uni. This blog was first published in 2024.