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One of the biggest parts of university is deciding on the right student accommodation, as after all, you will be spending a lot of time there!
You may be stuck on whether to choose a shared student flat or a studio apartment, so we are on hand to weigh up the pros and cons of each to help you make your decision.
Shared student flats
Shared student flats are a very popular option, particularly amongst first year students, as they help you to quickly meet new people. Student flats are usually comprised of 2-15 identical bedrooms, depending on where you are staying.
You will get your own room complete with a bed, workspace, storage and sometimes an ensuite, so you won’t need to share a bathroom! You will share communal spaces such as the kitchen and living areas with other students, who you will be living with for the year.
Pros of shared student flats
There are many benefits of living in shared student accommodation:
Shared cleaning responsibilities
Let’s face it, how many people actually enjoy cleaning? One of the best parts about living in shared accommodation is that responsibilities are shared. And, whilst you will ultimately be responsible for the cleaning of your room and ensuite, the kitchen and living areas can be tackled as a team.
We would recommend putting together a cleaning schedule so you can clearly see which jobs need to be done, by who and when. This way, your flat should always look in tip top condition and will make utilising the shared living space far easier!
More socialising
One of the best parts of living in shared accommodation is that you have far more opportunities to socialise, which is what uni is really about (other than studying of course)! Whether it be cooking together, having a movie night, or getting ready together before a night out, there is always someone around to spend time with!
Moving away from home can be tough, so living in shared accommodation can really help you to not feel lonely and will help you to meet new people quickly!
Of course, there will be times when you aren’t feeling so sociable, but you can always spend some time alone in your bedroom, whilst knowing there is always someone there if you fancy a chat. Shared student flats provide the best of both worlds!
Cheaper than a studio
If you are on a budget, then choosing a shared flat will help you to keep your expenses to a minimum. Of course, the price will depend on what type of flat you choose but sharing a flat with a group of people will keep your individual rent lower.
You may also save money in other areas, such as food, cleaning supplies and toiletries, as you can share some of these with your flatmates.
More space to have guests
If you are one to make lots of friends and will have people visiting, then opting for a shared flat will make hanging out with your friends far easier. Shared flats tend to be more spacious which means having friends over when the kitchen is not in your bedroom will make it that little bit easier.
Cons of shared student flats
Although there are lots of positives when sharing a student flat, there are a few things you should consider before making your final decision:
Noise
Sometimes, not all your housemates will be perfect! As the housemates you are assigned are often down to luck, you may find you are put with a particularly loud one! Or, you may find that your housemates enjoy nights out a lot more than you do, so you may have to deal with noisy pre drinks in the kitchen whilst you are trying to get some rest.
If you are someone who particularly likes peace and quiet, then this is something to consider when making your decision.
Different routines
People are creatures of habit and love a routine, and you may find that your daily schedule is completely different from that of your housemates. Some people are night owls and may be up watching TV until the early hours. On the other hand, you may be living with early risers who are up making breakfast whilst you’re trying to have a lie in!
One way to get around this is to consider others when you know they are sleeping or studying and try and make as little noise as possible. That way, people are likely to be considerate of your schedule and will return the favour!
Mess
Not everyone in your flat will be as tidy as you and sometimes your student flat may get a little messy. Unwashed dishing may pile up or bins may be left unemptied, both of which (amongst other things) can leave your flat looking untidy and smelling nasty.
As previously mentioned, we would recommend you introduce a cleaning schedule, to help you get on top of things and ensure that everyone takes responsibility for certain tasks. This can also help avoid unnecessary tension and keep everyone in the flat happy!
Arguments
You may not always see eye to eye with your housemates and sometimes arguments can happen. It may be as simple as a bicker about who last emptied the bins, but inevitably this can happen when sharing accommodation.
There are plenty of things to argue about, so try to keep everything fair to ensure they are avoided!
Student studio flats
Unlike shared flats, student studio flats are self-contained apartments, so you won’t need to share with anyone! They tend to be smaller than shared flats, but you will get everything you need in one space. This will include a double bed, desk area, storage space, ensuite and a kitchenette.
Pros of shared student studio flats
There’s lots of positives to opting for a self-contained studio, particularly if you are a mature student or someone who likes their own space:
Quiet & private
In a studio flat, you will have your own privacy, so it’s a great option for those who love their own company. Also, you can benefit from plenty of peace and quiet, so will be perfect for students in their final years of university where their priority may be studying over socialising.
Your own kitchen & less mess
Living in a studio means you have your very own kitchen, so you can cook whatever you like and tidy up after yourself. You won’t have to worry about a housemate leaving the kitchen in a state, so you can get on with cooking whenever you feel like it.
Living in a studio means the cleanliness is down to you, which could be a good thing, but maybe not so much if you aren’t great at keeping on top of tidiness!
Still lots of opportunities for socialising
Although the studios themselves are private, you still have the option for plenty of socialising. At Lulworth Student Company, we have ample social spaces and onsite facilities where you can mingle and meet people. Pay a visit to our communal areas such as the kitchen to cook with your pals and play a game of ping pong. Or if the sun is shining, you can visit our outdoor social area and chill out on the bean bags or play a game of basketball.
Then once you are done socialising for the day, you can relax in your own private flat!
Cons of shared student studio flats
Although there are lots of positives when opting for your own studio flat, there are a few things you should consider before making your final decision:
Loneliness
Although there are plenty of places to socialise outside of your flat, you won’t be able to just walk into the kitchen to see if anyone is around for a chat. Depending on your personality, you may feel a bit isolated, and it may become easy for you to shut yourself off from the outside world. However, if you a great at managing your social life and alone time, then this might be ideal for you.
More expensive
Something to consider when making your final decision is the costs involved. Inevitably, studio apartments will be more expensive as you are covering the cost of the living space alone. However, you can explore your options and find the right studio for your budget.
At Lulworth Student Company, we have a variety of student studio apartments available, each differing in size and cost, so you can choose the right option for you.
Smaller spaces
Depending on what studio you choose, it may feel small compared to a shared flat. With your bedroom, desk, storage and kitchenette all in the same room, it’s no surprise that it may feel a little snug.
A shared flat or your own studio, which uni accommodation will you choose?
As we have seen, there are pros and cons to both studio flats and shared student apartments, so ultimately, it’s down to you to decide which appeals to you the most based on your own personal preferences. When making your final decision, be sure to consider things such as cost, how much studying you will be doing and how much socialising you want to be doing. Whatever you choose, we are sure you will have an amazing university experience!
Choose your accommodation at our Bournemouth private halls of residence
At Lulworth Student Company, we have both shared student flats and studio flats available to rent so you can select the right student accommodation for you. Our quality, value-for-money university halls in Bournemouth are perfectly located just a stone’s throw away from Bournemouth beach and the local nightclubs. Our private halls are fully equipped with quality facilities and boast 24/7 security, Wi Fi and plenty of social spaces so you can build a special bond with the other students living here.
You can explore our room types by visiting our booking page or get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to help.
