Accommodation

What it's (realistically) like living in halls

By Adrian 29 Jul 2022

Moving into halls soon?

Have a read about how my experience and you'll know what sort of things to expect...

Let me start but saying moving into halls was the best decision I made before going to university. I was initially really worried because I had taken a gap year so thought I may be older than everybody else. I chose a large hall of residence so that I would have plenty of chances to meet lots of different people.

It did mean sacrificing the best living conditions though as sharing a toilet between 5 people wasn't always easy and came with its challenges.

Everyone's experience with halls vary and I do feel like I was lucky. I did move rooms in Freshers Week due to some maintenance problems and was very grateful for the support that was there within the accommodation that allowed me to do that. If you're struggling, you must speak up - someone will always listen!

a group of people standing in front of a car

I think it was worth it because the people are what made it for me. We didn’t need to spend a fortune on socialising because we were there with each other constantly.

My favourite thing about living in halls? It sounds weird but just sitting in each other’s rooms. Because you all live so close together it's great - for me, this was such a novelty because I live in a tiny village and can’t just nip round to my friend's house. One of my friends said to me, it’s like having a year-long sleepover. And it is.

It’s an experience incomparable to anything I'd had before. You have so much freedom but you also feel so safe with the accommodation security so it really was the best of both worlds!

a couple of people posing for the camera

I met 5 amazing girls that I will be living with next year, I met my boyfriend and so many other amazing people that I will be friends with for life.

...and I hope your experience is just as great too!

Check out Amy's blog: amylindharrison.wordpress.com

Adrian is a medical doctor, the Student Health & Wellbeing Manager at the University of London and the Warden of Connaught Hall, where he has lived for almost 25 years.
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