How to make halls feel like home

For me, it was important to fill my room with colourful decorations to brighten up the space, especially since halls can feel quite plain at first. I covered a pinboard with photos of my friends, family, and memories from home, which served as comforting reminders of the people who mean the most to me. If I was missing home or had a busy week of lectures, having those pictures to look at really helped.

If you're looking to print photos without breaking the bank, I recommend the Free Prints app. You get 45 free prints each month, only paying for postage, and additional photos are also affordable—perfect if you're on a budget but still want to personalise your space. Over time your photos will start to include your new friends too which is really special. Another great tip for saving money is to check out charity shops or second-hand furniture stores. They often have unique and affordable items that can help make your room feel more like home instead of buying everything brand new.

When I moved into halls, I made sure to bring fairy lights to create a calm and cozy atmosphere in my room, while also adding a touch of decoration. Lighting, whether it's lamps, fairy lights, or LED strips, is a great way to make your space feel more comfortable. It’s especially helpful when you want to relax without the harshness of bright overhead lights.

I also brought blankets, bedding, and a few stuffed toys from home. It may not be something you immediately think about, but a familiar duvet cover, or soft blanket can be incredibly comforting. If there’s a particular scent you associate with home, like a specific air freshener or reed diffuser, consider bringing that too. Familiar scents can help soothe homesickness and make your new environment feel more like home.

Ultimately, it's important to personalise your space with things that you love. The more you make the room your own, the quicker it will start to feel like your new home, making the transition a lot smoother.

Freshers’ Week is a fantastic chance to get to know your flatmates. Building these relationships is not only important for understanding who you’ll be living with but also for potentially making new friends. Through Leeds Beckett’s accommodation system, I found most of my flatmates on social media and started messaging them a few weeks before moving in. This made moving in feel exciting as I already felt like I knew them. We quickly set up a group chat to coordinate our move-in dates and discuss flat matters.

If you're planning to attend the Freshers’ Fair, join a new society, or go for a night out, these are perfect opportunities to invite your flatmates along. It helps you bond and establish friendships early on. While you might see less of them as the year progresses and university life gets busier, laying a strong foundation at the start can help with building reliable support group.

Often, I enjoyed spontaneous chats with my flatmates while cooking in the kitchen together. These moments are great for asking questions and learning more about each other’s lives. They help turn your flat into a friendly and supportive environment.