How to organise student accommodation

Living in temporary accommodation as a student can be a shock after the comfort and permanence of the family home. With minimal control over what you can and can’t do, it can take a while to adjust to life in shared halls of residence or a student house.

Your first day at university can be overwhelming, and it can be difficult to make small talk with complete strangers. Consider decorating your room with items that will break the ice; if you are a music or football fan then putting up a band or team flag on your curtain pole is a surefire way to get the conversation started.

Instead of throwing away old necklaces you could use them as curtain fasteners. Storage hangers can be purchased to hang from curtain poles, and used to keep shoes and bags tidily out of the way. Inexpensive fairy lights are also great to wrap around curtain poles, giving your room a cosy atmosphere without the need for a huge budget.

Hall of residence walls are usually plain and dull, so why not put up your favourite film or music posters – which can be purchased at any freshers fair at a discount. Sharing a fridge can often be a divisive issue – who hasn’t returned home to find that a sneaky housemate has eaten their favourite chunk of cheese?! Everyone should have their own section in the fridge, and clearly labelling your food can help deter hungry housemates.

Despite the challenges, it’s important to enjoy your time at university and remember that temporary accommodation can still make a perfect home.