If you are preparing for university in September, it may well be the first time you have lived in shared accommodation. But don’t worry. It will likely be a first for everyone else too. Here at Let Pads, we are Preston’s leading student accommodation provider, with multiple UCLAN awards too. So we understand how challenging it can be to start university for the very first time. As a result, we have produced this guide to preparing to live in shared accommodation.
Preparing to live in shared accommodation
Living in shared accommodation for the first time often brings its own set of worries. These include:
- paying the bills
- cooking and eating
- making friends
Paying the bills
Most student accommodation includes the price of the bills in the rent. But if yours does not, it will be your responsibility to pay them. This means that when you move in, you will need to set up accounts for gas and electric, as well as water, the TV licence, and Wifi. As soon as you move in, make sure you take meter readings. You don’t want to end up paying for the previous tenants bills too!
Cooking and eating
This is usually one of the sticking points of university life. Do you cook and eat together? Or do you all eat at separate times? And what about the dishes? Well, its usually better to talk about this with your new flatmates, and come to a decision together. But usually, whenever you cook a meal, you should do your own dishes soon after to avoid leaving a mess.
Making Friends
University is often thought to be the time when you make friends for life. And you’ll certainly spend a lot of time with your friends while you’re there. But making friends initially can be a challenge, as people can be shy and nervous when they are just settling in. So dont worry if you dont find your best friend overnight. After three years, you probably will!
If you are looking for student accommodation for September, take a look at what we can offer, here at Let Pads.