Starting Uni Strong: 5 Tips for a Seamless Transition into Halls

Moving into accommodation is one of the most exciting yet daunting parts of starting university. Whether you are moving 20 minutes or six hours away from home, it is easy to focus only on whether you have remembered to pack a toothbrush and how you are going to decorate, rather than finding new ways to manage your mental health and building connections. However, without laying the foundations in this new environment, you may struggle to enjoy all the positive aspects of your fresh independence, the joys of (nearly) adult life and (kind of) living alone. With that in mind, this blog post gives you five things to remember about moving into accommodation to help get you on your feet.

1. Research societies and Beckett Sport

Starting fresh and making friends at university, and in accommodation can be challenging for everyone. It is completely normal to miss your friends from home and how easy it was spending time with them, so putting yourself out there to form new connections can bring on some nerves. Exploring societies and sports club is a perfect way to find people with similar interests to you, going through the same thing. Whether you enjoy art and design, football, K-pop or surfing, there is something for everyone!

Personally, I joined the Women students’ community, and I am looking forward to meeting others in the society soon! There are also many course-based student groups, encouraging collaboration and support within your course whether that be socially or academically.

2. Learn some simple recipes

As much as we all love pot noodles, they don't quite substitute for a balanced diet. It's understandable that with everything going on in this exciting new era that there is not the time to cook a complex three course meal, but having some simple, tasty recipes mastered you've got everything you need. Fuelling your body properly, will give you all the energy you need in your new sports club or that dreaded 9am lecture. A great way to get started with cooking is looking online or even on TikTok which has some great videos with easy to follow, delicious recipes to make your life in your new kitchen a bit easier. It's also important to plan what you're cooking so that when you go to do your food shop, you already have a list prepared of everything you need to prevent panic spending and help you stay in your budget and use that extra bit of money for the more fun things like nightlife or days out!

Some of my favourite quick dinners are creamy chicken and broccoli pasta, and batch made chilli with rice, a sprinkle of cheese and spoon of Greek yogurt (I highly recommend).

3. Be mindful of your flatmates

Whether you are with three other people or seven, your new flatmates may be similar or very different to you, so it is important to keep an open mind. Whether it is in your flat, your accommodation block or university as a whole, diversity is one of the most enriching parts of this next step and you need to embrace it. You don't need to be best friends with everyone you meet but being friendly and respectful goes a long way. Patience is also something to work on when you move in. You may have to wait your turn for the shower and hob or deal with noisy flatmates who love to make the most of the nightlife, so keeping calm is key. Just because their routines and habits do not align with yours, does not mean you can't peacefully coexist. Don't panic if friendships do not form with them instantly, everyone is adjusting at their own pace and a smile and "how was your day?", can make all the difference.

4. Be willing to ask for help

This next chapter in your life comes with a lot of changes but nobody expects you to have everything figured out. It is completely alright to struggle and need some help. This could be academically, mentally, or just being in need of some advice, and that is why we have so many support services.

The Residence Life team are your first port of call when you need anything to do with living in accommodation or adapting to life in Leeds. You can email in or there is in person support at Arena Village, Carnegie Village and Marsden House, if you book an appointment between 11am and 4pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The Student Welbeing team offer support if you're struggling with mental health, academic stress or any other personal problems which are causing distress. They provide appointments with a confidential space to talk and are able to refer you to any further resources or help you need. You can find all their contact information online.

5. Time management

Balancing an academic, social, and work life can be difficult for anyone but especially new students. Methods like to do lists, diaries, or a calendar whether its digital or paper can make life so much easier. By prioritising tasks based on urgency, while still scheduling in time for yourself, everything can be that bit less stressful. A good method to complete tasks, especially if you find it hard to keep focus, like many other people, is to break them down into more manageable chunks or time blocks which creates structure while still allowing for flexibility. At the start of everyday ask yourself and think realistically, 'what needs to be done today and what can wait?'.

By planning your day, you can save so much time wasted by procrastination and go to bed feeling like you've accomplished what you needed to do. However, everything comes in moderation. While keeping on top of lectures and practical work is vital, ensuring you have enough time to relax and recuperate is what will keep you going throughout the year.

So, to conclude, while shopping trips and hanging fairy lights are important when you move into accommodation, it's the non-physical aspects that will shape your time here. From staying organised, to having an open mind and being kind to yourself in this transition - these are the things that help you feel at home. As you settle in, we hope you enjoy the experience thoroughly and remember that its not just about what you bring with you, but also what you do with this clean slate.