Moving into halls is exciting but slightly nerve wracking. As an international student, settling into a new environment was a challenge at first, but living on campus made it so much easier. From making friends to having everything within reach, living in halls has been one of the best parts of my university experience.
The accommodation team provides a bunch of services to make life easier—study spaces, laundry rooms, bike storage, and our bills are all included too. Security is top-notch, with 24/7 coverage, private rooms with locks, and on-site support from campus wardens and flat reps if you ever need help. When I first moved to university, a lot of my friendships started through random everyday interactions from living in halls- late night kitchen chats, group study sessions or even just bumping into people in the hallways. Social events within halls also made it easier to connect with people beyond my flat mates.
Some tips from me for a smooth start to living in halls:
- Say yes to things! Stepping out of your comfort zone will help you meet people
- Keep your door open- both literally and figuratively, friendships start with a simple hello
- Balance social life with self-care. It’s great to surround yourself with friends but there is no harm in taking some time to yourself too
- Explore London! You are living on a campus in London, one of the most exciting cities ever
Living in halls is about friendships, independence, and making memories. Whether it was awkwardly knocking on my flat mate’s door that first night or arguing over which crisps are best (Walkers, obviously), these little moments made it feel like home. So, if you’re about to start your journey, don’t stress about the perfect start—just be open, put yourself out there, and take it all as it comes.
Syed- Student Life magazine