Living with friends in university halls for the first time can be a great experience, but it's important to agree on some basic, yet essential house rules to ensure everyone is on the same page and comfortable.
From respecting each other’s space to keeping the communal areas clean, here are five essential rules to follow that you may not have thought about when living with friends in university.
Everyone needs their own time and personal space, so it's important to respect that. Remember to knock before entering someone's room and to keep your voice down when walking around university halls. It’s also in your favour to remember that not everyone is a social butterfly, some people prefer peace and quiet and socialise less frequently than others. This can be the perfect opportunity for you to socialise, make other friends and make the most of your campus's communal areas. Respect goes a long way and when everybody is on the same page, your friendships and university life will go swimmingly.
Although not the most exciting of conversations, establishing a cleaning rota between yourselves or deciding that everyone will clean up after themselves is an important conversation to have as soon as you move in or even better, before. If you agree upon a cleaning rota, make sure you stick to your responsibilities, because nobody likes living with a slob! Plus, it takes a lot less time and much less money to clean up after yourself a little bit each day, than it is to get pest control out or to hire someone to deep clean at the end of your tenancy. However, if you know you are a clean freak and the mess of others will stress you out, look into university accommodation with your own cooking areas and bathrooms, such as a private studio apartment.
It is all too easy when you come in from a night out starving and not thinking straight to remember that one of your housemates has the food you enjoy in the cupboard. And before you know it, you’re on the floor with an empty bag next to you, feeling guilty.
No one likes their possessions being touched and when sharing a house together, it can be even more frustrating and difficult to navigate. The same goes for other personal belongings, just remember it never hurts to ask if there is something you wish to borrow. It’ll save any conflict later down the line and make sharing halls together a lot easier.
Be the most considerate housemate in your uni halls. Not everyone in your university halls will be on the same course as you. Therefore, everyone will have different deadlines for essays as well as various lecture slots. So if you decide to go out in the evening, remember to be considerate when coming home if you know one of your housemates has to be up in the morning for a 9 am lecture. Likewise, if you know one of your housemates is upstairs trying to complete their deadline, don’t be tempted to invite a bunch of people over, blasting music. This can cause friction with your roommates which can create a difficult environment to live in.
And finally, don't forget to communicate. It's important to talk about any issues you have before they become a problem. Be open and honest with each other and try to resolve any issues that arise in a respectful way. Not only will this be an essential skill for your future working life, but it will avoid friendship breakups and conflict.
This may be the first time you’ve ever had to live with anyone else other than your family and it can be hard to forget that not everybody has had the same upbringing as you. But if you start your year with an open mind, and stay considerate and clean, you and your housemates will have the best experience of your life.
So, now that you understand the essential rules of living with your new friends, it’s time to start looking at the perfect accommodation for you to all live and experience university life together.
Conveniently located near the lively Bournemouth town centre, Lulworth Student Company offers premium student accommodation at affordable prices. With first-class on-site facilities including a café, gym and sports zones, there are plenty of opportunities to meet new people as well as ensure you get the downtime you need.
Reserve your ideal University accommodation here or get in touch with any member of our team to find out more.