10 Ways You Could Have A Better Year at Uni

There’s nothing quite like having your own student studio. With student accommodation providers Unihousing, you can find yourself in a Selly Oak student studio for the new year. It’s your own space, an open plan living environment that has all that you should need, laid out in front of you. Allowing you to enjoy an uncomplicated, streamlined kind of student lifestyle, Unihousing’s newly-built Birmingham studios are also equipped with impressive kitchens and bathrooms as well as a Smart TV and high-speed fibre optic internet.

Do you want to improve your time as a student in the coming forthcoming academic year? We’ve listed our top 10 changes you could make to improve your student experience.

1) Better Budgeting

Easier said than done perhaps but having a bit of money for your use isn’t entirely out of the question if you improve the way you manage your cash. While you’ve probably been doing what you can already to budget effectively, simply cutting back on certain unnecessary things or indulging in them more sparingly, are good tips. Looking for deals and discounts and even getting into different habits such as making and freezing meals for dinners in later weeks are all possibilities for reducing your outgoings as well.

2) Replacing Your Items Affordably

Another issue concerning the issue of money, doing what you can to keep costs down when buying useful items for your place will make a difference, too. Internet searches and articles/blogs on this subject can point you in the right direction when it comes to finding a good deal on anything that needs replacing in your student home. Remember to make use of your student discounts as well!

3) Healthier Eating

It goes without saying that five fruit and veg’ a day is a good aim for healthy eating, but there are a number of other things to do and not do that will give your health a boost. It’s worth thinking about simply avoiding or limiting the eating and drinking of certain things in order to get healthier. For example, getting through a big block of chocolate may be great, but why not break off one half and put it away, and just enjoy the bit that’s left in your hand? While it’s not terrible to want to enjoy yourself, you will probably feel more energetic and positive if you take a conscientious approach to what you consume. These small changes will be hugely helpful to those who struggle with their weight too.

4) More Exercise

Alongside a better approach to better eating and drinking, is making a greater effort to keep active, even though that may not sound like a lot of fun to some people. That said, just twenty-five minutes every other day will make a real difference, both physically and mentally. It’s important you take care of your health and this is one way to do it. And there’s no reason why it can’t be fun, as there are many sporting activities that you could take part in. If you enjoy a team-oriented sport, try finding a local football or rugby club. Enjoy racket-based sports? The university has their own courts for your use. Alternatively, if you fancy more of a personal challenge, sign up for a gym membership, or take part in activities such as bouldering.

5) Social Circles

A complicated subject perhaps, our lifestyles and how we feel are inevitably going to be shaped by who we associated with and who we consider our friends. You may have already discovered that some of the choices you’ve made with your social groups weren’t the best. Being honest and good to yourself as well as others is important. Sometimes though, feeling detached from the social scene altogether can be the challenge you face. Keep talking, try and be understanding to those around you and you should be able to find what you need from your social groups and be a better friend to those who need you around too.

6) Getting-Out

Falling into the pattern of doing the same thing every week in your free time is easily done, yet it can be easily avoided too. If you find that what you do on a night out or at the weekend is becoming too repetitive, and not doing you any good, consider doing something different. You may be surprised at the impact it makes. Meet new people, discover new ways to enjoy yourself, save money and feel better overall- there’s no way to tell what you could find by trying something new.

7) Better Mental Health

In and out of the news with great frequency, mental health is an issue that affects everyone, so being open about it and staying informed on mental health-related issues is a good idea. Make things easier for yourself where possible, consider what it is that is making you feel good or bad and why, remember to talk to your friends and family, and don’t be afraid to look into the professional help services that the university provides.

   

8) Staying on Top of the Housework

Chores aren’t exactly what anyone wants to do, but the more you try to be regular with doing them, the easier getting them done will be. After this year living in student accommodation, this may be something you’ve learned. If you share a house or will be sharing a house, doing your best to keep the place clean and tidy is considerate, and maybe agreeing to a rota system for jobs would be the fairest and most efficient method going forward.

9) Dealing with Accommodation Issues Swiftly

There are pretty much always going to be occasions where something goes wrong in your apartment and some form of repair or maintenance needs to be carried out. Though it’s easy to get used to wear and tear after you first notice it, the sooner you get it dealt with the better. It’s expected of tenants to reports these matters to the lettings agent, too. So, it’d be good to have these things in mind as you progress into the next year of student living.

10) Improving Your Studying

Whilst pointing out that being studious on a University course might sound a bit silly, it’s a part of the academic experience that’s worth reviewing now and then. With the new academic year on the horizon, this could be the time to do it. By managing to find fresh new ways to change how you tackle your studies, you could make the new year a simpler, less stressful and more successful one. Learning from mistakes made, looking into new strategies and being more organised are all ways you could get more out of your studying.

A Studio for You with Unihousing

Unihousing’s Birmingham student accommodation is typically of a stand-out standard and their studios are no different. Incorporating everything needed for the contemporary student lifestyle and available for an affordable price, Unihousing’s studios are also notable for their excellent Selly Oak locations. Placing you within a short distance from supermarkets, amenities as well as restaurants, cafés, and a bustling nightlife, Selly Oak is well-served by public transport links and is an easy option for superior student living.

Get in touch with Unihousing today and discover what we can do for you!!

Best Utility Items To Get On A Student Budget

There are some items that make life a little easier. The student life might be seen by some as a first attempt at living as an independent adult. If so, there’s likely to be a period of adjustment to this new phase of your life and a lot to learn during this period. With that being said, anything that enables you to get from day-to-day as smoothly as possible will surely be a welcome addition to your student house or studio.

Here’s a look at some of those items that can be of assistance without being too much of a burden on the typical student budget.

Student Accommodation with Unihousing

If you are a student in Birmingham considering which student accommodation is right for you, Unihousing’s student studios and houses could be the ideal choice. Superbly located, Unihousing’s range of Birmingham student accommodation is spacious and suitably furnished for modern-day student living. Affordably priced, Unihousing are registered lettings agents that work to meet your requirements on a daily basis.

It’s worth noting that the majority of Unihousing’s student accommodation is furnished with all the student essentials. However, it is still a good idea now to give some thought to which items you know you will want in your place, and sometimes owning your own equipment can be nicer, especially if you can afford these items on a student budget. You can also think of it as future-proofing, as you’ll want all of these items when you move into unfurnished properties in the future.

Microwaves

Super-handy to have In any home, and particularly convenient for students wanting their meals to be ready quickly with minimal effort, microwaves are pretty much a must-have.

Supermarkets: You may be surprised to learn that supermarkets sell microwaves. Places such as Asda sell microwaves and ones that are very reasonably priced, too. Not only are they low in price, but, as they can be bought from a supermarket they should be easy to acquire and take back to your accommodation too.

ASDA George Manual Microwave Price: £39.00.

There’s also Argos. A Simple Value by Argos microwave is likely to cost: £34.99.

Amazon feature microwaves amongst their vast collection of goods, too. Their prices appear to range from £15 to £50. As with many things in life, the price is probably reflective of the quality, but with something like a microwave, which performs such a simple task, perhaps you don’t need to be so fussy with your choice. But do research and/or read reviews for the products where you can to make sure that you are not wasting time and money with your purchase.

Toasters

Toasters are of course very useful, but due to the fact that a grill on an oven does the same job, toasters aren’t completely necessary in the kitchen. Therefore, a toaster is something that you may have to provide. Luckily though, toasters tend to be fairly affordable. Some toasters include features or are of a size that you may not expect or need. You can pick up a good, simple toaster extremely easily on the student budget.

Morphy Richards 220023 Dimensions 2 Slice Toaster; Argos Price: £19.99.

-For slightly more cash and with a kettle as an added bonus, you can buy the more stylish Daewoo Stainless Steel Kettle and Toaster Set; Wilko Price: £26.00.

- Or, for a totally low-cost, totally basic buy from Wilko, you could opt for the Wilko White 2 Slice Toaster; Wilko Price: £6.

If you’re under the impression that with shared accommodation having a four-slice toaster is more appropriate yet imagine the price is too high, then it may shock you to learn about this- a JD Williams Breville VTT476 Impressions 4 Slice Black Toaster; JD Williams Price: £29.99.

Irons and Ironing Boards

While some may see this as superfluous in the context of the student lifestyle, there are surely going to be some occasions where your clothes need to be crease-free. Other techniques for doing this are not really going to give you the same results that a reliable iron will. Also worth mentioning here is it’s wise to ensure that the ironing board is reliable and of a good standard; an ironing board that lacks the sufficient padding on top will wear down faster and can lead to permanent marks being created on your clothes as you iron them.

A quick search online for ironing boards reveals that some are available for pretty low prices. On the other hand, for a little extra, you could payout for a board that could be better.

Here’s an example of a good-quality, higher-cost ironing board: Minky Printed Comfortable Black Ergo Patterned 152cmx38cm Ironing Board; Dunelm Price: £40.

At the other end of the scale though there’s this: Argos Home 118cmx34cm Ironing Board- Turquoise, Price £12. Smaller dimensions for this one perhaps, but the price and simple nature of it might be what you’re seeking.

It’s hard to forget Ikea when it comes to kitting-out student homes. Ikea does their own ironing boards and the price seems to fall somewhere between the two examples above, which may suggest that it’s something of a compromise in how well it works and how much it is, too. Dӓnka Ironing Board 120 X 37cm; Ikea Price: £19.

As for irons…

Why not go for AO? With free delivery on their items, it seems like an attractive prospect when getting things for your place. AO supply a selection of top brands so it could be a good idea to browse through what they have on offer.

A quick glance at their products demonstrates that you can get yourself a nice, cheap iron, such as the Russell Hobbs Light & Easy Brights 24840 2400 Watt Iron- Aqua; AO Price: £16.

Residing in student accommodation within a city should put you fairly close to a Currys. It’s there that you could discover a reasonably priced iron for you.

The Essentials C12IR13 Steam Iron Blue & White; Currys Price: £7.99.

The Tefal Ultraglide FV4043 Steam Iron; Currys Price: £34.98 (50% off).

The Braun TexStyle 3 SI3041 GR Steam Iron; Price: £29.99… these are just some picks from the range of irons to be found at this store.

For more options, you could always try Asda again. Asda George feature some further solutions to the problem of having creases in your clothes and do so at some very low prices. You can also come across something else you may need after using your ironing board for some time- an ironing board cover. One from Asda George should cost a minimum of £5.

Kettles

Another part of everyday life, after all, who doesn’t enjoy a good cuppa? Having a kettle is very handy for your hot drinks, and sometimes your meals. As with the other utility items covered in this blog, kettles vary in price and this can be dependent on quality, and they can be purchased from the kind of stores pointed-out above.

To give you an idea of what to expect here’s a couple of examples:

Tower Kettle Black & Rose Gold; B&M Price: £20.00.

Deik Electric Kettle 1.7L 3000W Light Weight with BPA- Free Auto Shut-Off & Boil-Dry Protection; Amazon Deal Price: £16.99.

Breville Impressions VKJ738 Kettle; AO Price: £27.

Birmingham Students and Unihousing

Aside from the high standards of their student accommodation, the Selly Oak locations of Unihousing’s student homes makes them an ideal choice for the Birmingham student. Positioned amongst both local amenities and nearby nightlife, Unihousing’s Selly Oak student accommodation is also conveniently close to public transport links and can make getting to other places of interest very easy. Choose from a Selly Oak studio or a house to share and enjoy the comfort and convenience of a student property with Unihousing.

Contact Unihousing today and find out what we can do for You!!

Houses, Apartments, Studios and Flats: A Tough Student Decision

As a student studying in Birmingham, having student accommodation which you can feel comfortable in is key to having a positive University experience. But choosing the right student property for you can be much harder than it first seems. Knowing what is right for you is the first step in ensuring that this year is one of the best as a student in Birmingham. 

Continue reading below to find out which student property is right for you, and how Unihousing could help to find you the ideal property for your next academic year at the University of Birmingham. When looking for student accommodation, there are generally 3 forms of property available. These are:

•             Student houses – usually shared between a group of peers.

•             Student flats/apartments – you can find both single and double occupancy student flats.

•             Student studios – ideal for those looking for privacy and independence.

The question is, what’s the difference between the three and which one should you choose? Well, let’s start by explaining the difference between the three.

Student Houses

A typical student house in Birmingham can be shared between a group of anywhere from 3 students. The normal layout will consist of a communal living and dining area, usually with some seated areas and a kitchen that is used by all the occupants of the house. This then is much like your student halls environment, except on a slightly smaller scale. The communal areas of a shared property require students to work together as a unit to keep the house clean and tidy. Consider a rota to help make this easier.

Advantages

More often than not, student houses will come with a small back garden offering students a place to get outside without leaving the house. Some properties are lucky enough to have a driveway for students who are able to drive, which can be very beneficial. Finally, students can group together to help save money on student utilities including washing up liquid and toothpaste. The same can be said for food if students choose to eat together.

Disadvantages

More frequently, shared accommodation students will find that their shared accommodation is not as clean as they would like it, usually because there’s always somebody in the group who doesn’t pull their weight. This can lead to aggravation between housemates. Finally, while all students have their own room, some students may find that the privacy offered isn’t on the same level as that offered by living in other forms of accommodation. Additionally, sharing a bathroom between several people can cause tension.

Student Apartments/Flats

Student flats and apartments are common in the local area and do offer a great place for students to stay during their studies. A flat or apartment will normally consist of a small living area including a cooking station and some form of seated area. Depending on whether you opt to share a flat or go it alone, most flats will come with a shared bathroom and two/three separate bedrooms while solo occupants will have a private washroom and a bedroom separate to the living area of the property.

Advantages

This form of property comes with slightly more privacy, especially when you think about having peers and friends’ visiting. You may often find that students living in a flat have slightly more room around the apartment, due to the fact they aren’t sharing with a bunch of other people. Finally, you’ll also find washing, cleaning and the general tidiness of the property will be easier. 

Disadvantages

Student flats generally forego gardens, which means that in the summer months it becomes harder to enjoy the sun without going out. Other negative points include having to share a bathroom should you be living in a pair or a three.

Student Studios

These are quickly becoming popular in Selly Oak for students at the University of Birmingham. This form of student accommodation is for solo occupants only. If you're living in a studio you can expect one large room containing pretty much everything you could need as a student. This includes a sleeping area, cooking facilities and a small living area, the only thing that will be separate to the normal living area is the washroom. This is ideal for students who live a fast-paced lifestyle, or for those who would like a more independent and private student living experience.

Advantages

The main advantage you receive from living in a studio is privacy. This home enables you to get away from the world and enjoy some time to yourself. This is often not a possibility when you’re living with others. Another benefit to living alone is you control the tidiness of your property, this means you don’t need to clean up other people’s mess, and you don’t need to put up with housemates not doing their chores. Finally, all studios come with their own private washroom, something which is a luxury to most students.

Disadvantages

Living on your own does come with the downside of a lack of social interaction. It’s important that if you do live in a student studio you make the effort to go out and interact with people. Student societies are ideal for this. Other negative also include no garden or outdoor space, and the fact that this can be a slightly more expensive way of living, as you can’t share the cost between several people.

Knowing What is Best for You

Now you know about each type of student accommodation in Selly Oak, but you still might not know what is best for you. Well here’s a brief rundown which should tell you everything.

Student House – This property type is ideal for a group of close friends, who are all comfortable around each other. This sort of living requires a team of friends that can work together to live in comfort. If you’re easily annoyed or like your own space, this may not be the one for you.

Student Apartment or Flat – Ideal for two friends or as a solo occupant who can live and work around well on their own or as a pair on a daily basis. This property is ideal for social people who like to invite friends over but still like to have the opportunity for privacy.

Student Studio – A student studio is designed for a fast-paced living style. This sort of property is built to house a sole person, and while it may not offer as much space as other types of properties, it still offers some space to have friends over for studying or pre-drinks. If your privacy and independence is important, then this is the place for you.

Student Accommodation In Selly Oak

So, by now you should have a reasonable idea about what it is you want for your next academic year. The only thing left to do is begin searching, and where better to start than Selly Oak-based Unihousing. Offering all three types of student property, they are sure to have the ideal location which makes you feel right at home.

Contact Unihousing today and find a student accommodation which is right for you and register your interest.