Moving into student accommodation is never an easy process, regardless of how many times you’ve had to make the big move before. But for those moving into student accommodation, however, this is the kind of move that can cause a little bit of anxiety. Whether it be knowing what the best accommodation option is, the right kind of people to move in with, or understanding the often-complex public transport systems of a new city, there are always things that make the move difficult. Thankfully, there are also a few things that can help you in preparing for the big move. In this article, we take a look at a few of them to help you get better prepared for your move into student accommodation.
Getting prepared for student accommodation
For international students who have had the unfortunate experience of moving into student apartments in Sydney that were more trouble than they were worth, there are a few easy things to remember to ensure it doesn’t happen again. But where should you start, exactly? The first thing you should probably be considering are all the options at your disposal. For example, you should be keeping in mind things like whether you enjoy spending time and meeting new people – if you enjoy your privacy, it might be a better idea to look for a space where you only have a bed to yourself, or just one roommate. If this is the case, though, you’ll also have to factor in your budget, as these kinds of places will invariably cost quite a bit more money. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind living with other people, it’s always a good idea to make sure that you stay in touch with them regularly. Getting along with people you live with helps everything run much smoother, and can help with organising things like bills and chores if everyone is on the same page.
Staying aware of your surroundings
It’s very easy for everything to fall apart if you don’t stay on top of your space. One of the most important things you should be doing is making sure that your stuff is safe. If you have anything that is valuable – whether it be of personal or monetary value – always remember to not leave it in shared spaces. If you do, it usually doesn’t take long for things to get lost, damaged or stolen. A big part of making the most of your space is also to be much more aware of the kitchen, even if you’re unfamiliar with cooking. Living in student accommodation represents a great time to either learn how to cook or improve your set of skills – this way you’ll be able to save huge amounts of money on food and it also gives you the option of alternating cooking days with people you live with. Another key aspect of space awareness – especially if you’re using the kitchen regularly – is to ensure that you clean up after yourself. Keeping your space clean (and also encouraging others to do the same) is the key to not letting things get out of hand.
Making your space your own
Although the other things are important, one of the best things you can do with student accommodation is to introduce a little bit of yourself. Making the space your own will increase your enjoyment of your time abroad significantly, and will make you far less homesick. With a little bit of a personal touch, you’ll have a home away from home.
