Living in Halls

Before starting University, I had mixed emotions about going to University. One particular worry of mine was living in halls. Now, if you’re a second year reading this, you’re probably thinking “halls/being a fresher is probably the best experience of university”, and as a second year now, I totally agree!

I spent my freshers year in the “fancy halls” that is Chancellor, which is based on the City Campus. The reason I chose to live here was because it was literally steps away from where all of my lectures will take place. Also, there’s the pleasure of having an en-suite too!! Although this year was absolutely brilliant, I still can’t help but think what it’d be like living in St Johns campus, or Butlins as I like to call it!

In both halls, all people signed up to live in halls will be divided randomly into a flat. You will be sharing this flat with at least 4 other people, who you will not meet until that first awkward conversation you have with them asking “where are you from?” or “what course are studying”. Don’t worry; everyone is in this boat together, so although you’ll feel you’re fighting these worries on your own, you’re not. Eventually you and your newly met housemates will all agree there’s only one thing that will melt that awkward ice in conversations, alcohol! Your first night out in freshers is truly brilliant, and you’ll end the night thinking you want to be friends with these people for the rest of your life!

Well, sorry to burst your bubble reader, but this is unlikely. Throughout the course of the year, you will eventually grow tired of the behaviour of some of your flatmates. Yeah, they’re nice people, however little things such as taking the bins out, not washing up, not buying kitchen essentials will wear you down. Little arguments will occur, sides will be taken. However, you will meet lots more brilliant people in your halls! I now live in a house with people in the flat across from me, and also with one in the flat below.

All in all, the experience of halls is not one you want to miss! The late night talks, the spontaneous takeaways, the random conversations, the little arguments, it’s all worth it! You will learn so much more about yourself and it will make your Uni experience so much more worthwhile.