Leaving Home For a UK University Residence

Moving to a UK university residence and starting a new academic career is an exciting experience for the first time student. Although it might be daunting at first, the move to a new social and academic environment can be made easier by choosing the right accommodation to suit your needs as a student. With the right tips and guidelines, your UK university residence can easily become your second home. Choosing Your Accommodation When embarking on this stage of independence, you may have to choose between sharing a house with fellow students or at a university residence.rnWhile the independence of living in a shared house may be appealing, the benefits of living in a UK university residence include close proximity to designated study space and peer groups, 24-hour security, easy access to amenities and the Internet as well as the benefit of becoming part of a new community of fellow students. Keeping Safe The university takes every reasonable precaution to maintain your safety and security during your residence, but remember the following “don’ts” for your increased safety.

• Don’t leave candles burning unattended
• Never tamper with any fire safety equipment
• Do not ignore fire alarms
• Never cause obstructions to exits and escape routes

Making Friends Most universities allocate rooms on the basis of room type, gender, year of study, and contract length, and other preferences may include religion and interests. While you can indicate your preferences, room changes are still possible if an enquiry early enough by simply contacting the residence warden or a supervisor. When you are settled into your room at the residence, bear in mind the following tips for building good relationships with other students. Be Friendly It’s natural for most people to feel anxious when meeting new people but hide your tension behind a big smile. Friendliness is contagious and your smile will soon be perfectly natural. Remember that cleanliness is important Always make sure that when living with students you do your share of cleaning and tidying. Most UK university residences have a weekly or daily room cleaning services, a bit of courtesy for other students in public areas goes a long way. Respect and appreciate others The diversity at UK universities and student residences will give you the opportunity to understand other cultures and ways of life. Always respect your fellow students as they should respect you in return. Make sure that you do not offend them or interfere with their personal items or personal space. Stay out of trouble Free from the rules of your parent’s home, you may be tempted to stray from your regular good behaviour, but do pay attention to the rules that apply at your residence. Recycling and Saving Electricity Student residences will usually provide recycling bins for glass, paper and other items. It is important to do your part in saving the environment. Remember to turn off your lights and other appliances when not in use and rather switch off the television or computer when you go out, rather than keeping it on standby. Your stay at a UK university residence, whether you’re studying in London, Preston, Newcastle or any of the university towns, is an opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, and build life-long memories.