Wednesday, 30 June 2021
Student Housing in the City of Birmingham
Friday, 4 June 2021
Shared Accommodation and Learning to Live with Housemates
Living with housemates can be one of the best student experiences, with friendships that can last a lifetime. The goal when you are deciding on accommodation is to think practically about the kind of friends you want to live with. It’s ok to put more thought into who you want as your housemates, instead of being pressured into a living situation that is not ideal for your wants or needs.
Communication Is Important
This might sound obvious, but communication is key in any relationship and house sharing is no different. By establishing the freedom of open communication at the start, you and your housemates will be able to set ground rules, boundaries and voice your expectations to one another. In some instances, simply being good friends might not be enough.
Chatting about house rules,
cleanliness, groceries and any other issues that are important, will mean that
you and your housemates will all be on the same page, and will know what is
expected of each other. It’s also crucial to remember that everyone’s lifestyle
will likely be different. Some uni courses require more revising at home, while
others require more time spent on campus.
Not to mention that everyone
learns differently and might need more or less time to revise and study. If you
are a group that enjoys spending time together, don’t be afraid to have weekly
planned hangouts. You can also try rotating who cooks the meals or does the
grocery shopping, which would mean that each of you has more time during the
week.
Avoid Starting Unnecessary Spats
We are only human and
sometimes we get frustrated and overwhelmed. Try discussing issues with your
housemates, before they become something big and resentment builds up. It’s
always easier to put out smaller fires, than massive ones that have grown bigger
over time.
Another way to help prevent
big fires is to be open about any issues after you have cooled down. Everyone
can get heated at the moment, and sometimes, simply waiting a little bit helps
us put things into perspective. This could also give you and your housemate/s
the chance to have a civil conversation that leaves you both feeling good,
instead of in a fight.
Space Is Not A Bad Thing
As this will be most
student’s first time away from home, you might find that you need more time to
yourself, than you expected. University can be extremely overwhelming, and it’s
very common for students to start having a more chilled lifestyle as the year
progresses. Don’t be afraid of having your own space and learning how to be
alone. This is a great skill to have later on in life!
Be a Good Housemate
What we mean by this, is to
simply be nice and respectful to your housemates. It’s always good practice to
try and be aware of how your housemate is feeling so that you know when they
need space, and when they need a friend. Additionally, cleaning up your messes
and following through with your house commitments will go a long way in gaining
friendship and trust with your housemates.
Another idea is to try and
think of nice things that you could do to make your housemate’s day better, or
their life easier if they are having a hard time. In summation, be someone easy
to live with, and in return, you will likely also be treated well by your
housemates.
Don’t Be Afraid to Put Your Mental Health First
University can be an
overwhelming time managing your studies, home life and social life. It’s never
a bad thing to take time for yourself, to improve your mental health. This
could mean having more alone time in high-stress periods or seeking out more
social interaction. Don’t be afraid to be honest with your housemates, if you
aren’t feeling up to your normal standard. You are all going through a similar
experience together and it can be very beneficial to have people around who
understand what you are going through!
Searching for Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!
Unihousing is one of the top
lettings agents in Selly Oak, offering modern studios and houses ideal for
students and student life. All of our properties are fully furnished, with
necessary amenities including a fully fitted kitchen, stylish bathroom,
desk/study area, double bed and smart TV. Our student studios also have the
price of utility bills and 100Mb broadband included in the rent, to make moving
in easier for our students.
All Unihousing properties are
conveniently located near the University of Birmingham in Selly Oak and are
surrounded by various shops, pubs, clubs and food hotspots. You will always
find things to do in Selly Oak, and the City Centre is only a quick trip away.
Interested in the properties we offer? Contact our team today to register your interest and find your accommodation!