Last-Minute Gift Ideas for Friends and Family

With the holidays just around the corner, many of us will be running around trying to find gifts for our loved ones. If you have been struggling to decide what presents to buy for your friends and family this year or need some small last-minute gifts, we have put together some ideas for you!

Smaller pieces of clothing may seem ‘simple’ or ‘too boring’ at first, however many people will appreciate an extra pair of socks or gloves this season. Especially with the cold of winter and the increased cost of living causing people to use their heat less and wrap up more, gifts like these will be much appreciated!

Chocolates and or food items are quite a simple gift, but anyone is sure to enjoy them. Food is never a bad option for a gift, especially as an addition to a bigger gift. Almost everyone would be excited to see a large selection of chocolates or food.

Gift cards can be especially helpful for those who just can’t seem to make up their mind about what they want. By giving them gift cards, they have free reign on what they would like to have or they can use the money to put towards something that would normally be too expensive for them to purchase.

Taking them out somewhere nice for dinner is especially pleasant for your partner however, it is not limited to just that. Pretty much anyone would appreciate a good dinner especially when you’re paying for them. There can be so many places to choose from which makes this idea very applicable to any friend or family member.

Make your own treats and gifts! This is a great idea if you’re trying to cut back on spending or don’t seem to have the funds this year. It may sound daunting if you have little experience in cooking but not to worry, as there are plenty of cake and cookie mixes out there which require very few ingredients and come with clear instructions.

Candles may be small but make a big difference to those who love to smell wonderful fragrances around the house. These gifts are especially appreciated by those who may have just moved in, or even as a couple's gift to make their home happier for them.

Mugs and thermal cups will definitely be a winner for your tea and coffee lovers. What can be more appealing for this gift is there is a huge number of websites to choose from which will customise mugs with your design and text making them more personal to the recipient and more appreciated.

 

Find Your Ideal Student Accommodation with Unihousing Today

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodation. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Explore the Types of Accommodation Here at Unihousing

 Explore the Types of Accommodation Here at Unihousing

 

Here at Unihousing, we have a wide variety of housing that will suit all kinds of students. If it's been hard to decide which is for you then read further as we explore the different types of accommodation Unihousing has available for you.

 

 

Unihousing has a unique way of ensuring that it keeps all of its properties well-maintained and modern, by owning all of the property that it lets out. This eliminates third-party interference such as a letting agent, allowing quick communication between tenants and the people who influence them to make decisions. This is increasingly helpful with maintenance issues where you may need a quick fix or a new part to be ordered.

 

Our brand-new style studios are perfect for those who want to live in privacy comfortably as these studios are modern and fully furnished with students in mind. This means it has a study desk, bedroom, food-prep area and an ensuite bathroom. With everything available at your fingertips, this allows for a comfortable way of living for students starting their university life. Our student studios are affordable with utility bills included which is ideal for our current cost of living crisis and will relieve stress for new students.

 

Flats offer students a fantastic space of their own where they can thrive during their study lives. Our flats provide the personal privacy of our studios while still having room for guests, this is extremely ideal for those who love to spend time with their friends more often or student couples looking to live together. Each flat has a personal toilet and shower room which is a huge selling point to those who aren’t too keen on the idea of a shared bathroom. Many of our flats are fully refurbished every year meaning they keep their fresh and new feeling ready for our students to move in.

 

Student houses are wonderful for those who are looking to live with friends. With well-sized bedrooms, fully fitted and furnished throughout, shared houses and ideal for board game nights or even group study sessions. Each student house is outfitted with a kitchen with white goods, which reduces the stress of moving in or the need to purchase appliances that are essential to us all. Some of our houses even come with a rear garden making them the ideal location for summer parties and barbeques.

 

Private Student Accommodation is there for our students who have been living in halls for a year but would still like to keep a more social student life. These properties allow students to live with friends, meaning they can split rent with others and utilise their budget for doing things they enjoy while studying. Our private student accommodation also comes fully fitted and furnished which reduces any sort of stress with moving as there’s no consideration of having to move heavy furniture e.g., sofas or tables.

 

Find Your Ideal Student Accommodation with Unihousing Today!

 

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodations. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!.

 

 

Winter’s Coming, What To Do While at Uni?

With winter nearby it means excitement as Christmas is right around the corner, however you might be feeling confused on what to do for the holiday so here's some ideas on how to get you into the festive spirit:

Selly Oak

Selly Oak shopping centre will feel particularly festive at this time with all the shops outfitted with festive foods and items to buy. Best part of it all is that the stores are easily accessible to walk to and from. 

Within Bournville, right next to Selly Oak, there is the annual tree lighting on the 26th of December in which plenty of people and food stalls all gather on Bournville Green to watch the lights switch on the first time around the biggest tree on the green, this can be an amazing first time experience or it is a nice time to relax with friends and have good festive food. 

Birmingham City Centre 

Within the city centre there is something for everybody to enjoy, from food to sightseeing there isn't a dull moment in the heart of the city. 

One of the most popular things to do at christmas is to visit the German Market during the festive season with plenty of foods and gifts straight from Germany. the place is made especially special by the christmas lights all around the bullring making the market have a very festive feel. 

Upon christmas time it might be worth visiting the Bullring statue to see what the bull is wearing for christmas. so dont forget to check while shopping in the centre for all your gifts and food. 

For those who love to sightsee, the Birmingam Botanical Gardens won't dissapoint. With their 'Luminate Birmingham' event on during christmas you it'll be an amazing experience to the the gorgeous flowers and lights at the event.

What to do at home?

Maybe you're more of an indoors person, well there's nothing stopping you feeling the christmas spirit when theres so much to be enjoyed at home with friends or family. 

There is more christmas films than possible to count so there should be a christmas film for everyone to enjoy this winter, there is not much better than relaxing for the holiday and watching something festive.

Find Your Ideal Student Accommodation with Unihousing

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodation. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.
Contact Unihousing today to find out more! 

Choosing Your Student Accommodation with Unihousing

Whether you are looking for solo or shared accommodation, Unihousing offers a wide range of properties to suit various needs and budgets. Solo and shared living both have their perks, and it really depends on your own lifestyle and personal preference.

Regardless of what you choose, all of our properties are located in the student hub of Selly Oak and are only a short walk away from the University of Birmingham. This makes your journey to and from university extremely quick and easy. Keep reading to learn more!

 

Student Studios

Studios are a great option for any student seeking more freedom, as they offer you a private space and an independent lifestyle. Having your own personal space to live in is a great way to ease yourself into student life after moving away from home. Our student studios offer a quiet, open-plan living space, with an ensuite bathroom, which means you don’t have to worry about any schedule clashes or cleanliness issues. 

Additionally, as you are having to manage a smaller space, it is significantly easier to clean and maintain a studio than a shared house. You have total control over your own space. All of our studios come with a desk area, flat screen TV, food prep area and plenty of storage throughout, providing you with all of the necessities of a comfortable student life. Although you will likely be sharing a kitchen with 1 other person, our large-sized kitchens are fully fitted with the necessary appliances, including a washer/dryer, oven, electric oven and plenty of storage for dishes and food. 

 

Student Houses

There are many benefits to shared accommodation. Whilst some students will want a more private living space, many others thrive in the community environment that a shared house brings. Frequently, students will choose to live with friends they meet in their first year, which means they already know their housemates fairly well, making their student experience fun and exciting.

All of our shared accommodation offers students their own private bedroom with a desk space, double bed and storage. This gives tenants a place to hide away when they need a bit of alone time. In addition to this, you will also find a good-sized lounge and kitchen, which are great for hosting and spending time together as housemates. Students who are more social will likely thrive in a shared house, as they will have plenty of friends they can see when they want.

Another benefit of shared accommodation is the amount students can save on bills, groceries and cleaning supplies. Not only will you split all of the bills, but as a group, you could alternate who cooks meals and who buys various groceries and cleaning supplies. This will allow you to split things evenly between you, and it will likely cost you less.

 

How We Can Help

Regardless of the accommodation you choose, Unihousing are here to help you find the best fit for you. Our properties are all created with students in mind, to make their time at University as enjoyable and stress-free as possible.

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodations. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Navigating Group Project Work: Our Top Tips to Help You Succeed

Group work is a big part of most University courses, as it helps prepare students for most jobs that involve collaboration. There are so many good parts of collaborative work, as it’s a place where you can bounce ideas off of one another, split the workload amongst each other and constantly have people who are working alongside you throughout the project.

That bring said, it can sometimes be tricky navigating people’s personalities, work types and even personal schedules. We all have our own way of learning and many students will also be working alongside their studies, which will make their time even tighter. Here are a few tips to help you navigate your workload and optimise your group experience!

 

1. Understanding Your Group’s Dynamic

When you are first assigned group work, it is essential that you take the time to get to know your peers and understand the group dynamic. Your team will likely be made up of different personalities, strengths and weaknesses, but if everyone can be honest about what they are good at, as a group you can then navigate a way through the workload.

You will likely find that some of your peers will want to work all together, while others will want to buckle down and work on their own. Additionally, some people will have more confidence, while others might be a bit quieter, so finding a way to utilise everyone’s strengths will benefit you in the long run.

 

2. Focus on Clear and Smooth Communication

Dealing with all types of personalities and work types can be quite challenging at first, so having good and frequent communication is essential! Regular chats and updates will not only help the group feel more connected but will also help you stay on top of things.

To start, get everyone’s contact details and create a group chat, where you can all share your progress and ideas. Sometimes you might also find that certain group members aren’t great at responding, so it could be a good idea to contact them separately, in case the big group dynamic is something they find overwhelming.

Once you have had the initial discussions about roles, what people will be focusing on and the brief in general, it’s a good idea to write it all down in a shared document that you can all update. This way, everyone will know what their role is, and they can manage their own workload and the group progression too.

 

3. Create an Action Plan Together as a Group

Making a plan is not only a great team exercise, but it will also help you stay on track throughout the project. Your course leader will most likely be providing you with a project brief and a rough timeline, but chatting through your objectives and planning out the project as a whole is essential. Additionally, knowing your group goals will help prevent any unnecessary stress and anxiety building up, both individually, and as a team. Having your objectives for the project written out will also help to ensure you are ticking all of the necessary boxes to meet the criteria.

  

 

4. Meet Regularly and Track Your Progress

Once the project has kicked off, it can sometimes feel overwhelming staying on top of everything. Having regular group meet-ups to discuss the projects is essential to the success of the group, and it will also help you manage your stress levels. Knowing that you are all in this together is an important part of boosting the team moral too. You all succeed together, or fail together, which means you have a common goal that you are working towards!

To help track your group’s progress, there are various apps you can use, including:

Trello – Visually manages projects

ClickUp – Has customized task views

Wrike – Has spreadsheet-like features

GoogleDocs – Great for shared spreadsheets and documents

 

To Ease the Stress, Unihousing Can Help You Find Your Ideal Student Accommodation!

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodations. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Moving Into Student Accommodation? Here are a Few Things You Need to Know

 As summer draws to a close, and your move-in date for the fall term approaches, it’s good to know what to expect from the moving-in process. Whether you will be living in a studio or a shared house, our team will do all we can to make the process as smooth as possible.

Depending on the kind of property you are moving into, there are a few variables you need to consider, including the contract, whether the property is furnished, the location, and any extra costs that you will need to pay.

Location:

Where is Your New Property Located?

Before you sign the contract, pick up the keys and move in, it’s a good idea to understand the general location of both your property and the estate agent’s office. By visiting a few days before you move in, or do some research online, you can then discover all that the local area has to offer.

As all of our student properties are located in the student hub of Selly Oak, you will have plenty of amenities to choose from, including a plethora of shops, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment. Exploring your local area beforehand will also help you locate the Estate Agents office, which means you will know exactly where to go to pick up your keys on move-in day.

  

Thoroughly Look Over the Contract

Before moving in, it’s really important that you read the rental contract without skipping through it. It could also be a good idea to have a relative, guardian or teacher look through it for you, just to make sure everything looks straightforward, without any hidden clauses.

Reading through the rental agreement in full will also help you understand any relevant information regarding your stay at the property. Any details of the condition of the property along with an itemised list of items that need to stay in the property when you move out should all be included in your rental agreement. If you notice any damages in the property that are not stated in the agreement, it’s crucial that you report them ASAP, so that you are not held accountable later down the line.

What is the Deposit Amount?

When you are getting your budget ready ahead of time, it is quite easy to forget to factor in the deposit. Although you may receive the deposit back at the end of your tenancy, this is never a guarantee. It all depends on how the accommodation is left, and whether it is taken care of properly. Most properties will have the deposit amount written on the online description, but it is always a good idea to ask the lettings agent so that you are not caught off guard by an amount you weren’t expecting to pay.

Student Accommodation With Unihousing

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodation. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Top Tips for Saving Money on Your Student Shopping

As both the cost of living and inflation continues to rise, it's getting harder and harder to live on a student budget. Because of this, many students are doing all they can to be cash-savvy, by saving as much as possible, wherever possible. In this blog, we look at some top tips for saving money on your regular student shopping.

1. Make a Plan

Many people enjoy spontaneous shopping to get the ingredients for a meal, but this often leads to spending more than you would if you had made a plan. Instead, try making a plan each week for what you're going to eat, and what you need to buy. This way, you can prepare several meals throughout the week which use the same ingredients, or you could food prep by making a big batch of something early in the week, and reheating the leftovers.

Making a plan for your meals and reusing ingredients means you can purchase bigger packs, which are often cheaper relative to the weight. You will also avoid wasting food, as anything that is left can be used in future meals. Don't forget to make use of your freezer for any leftovers as well!

2. Choose Your Shop Well

It's important to pick the right shop to get the best prices. Student favourites (due to having great prices) include Asda, Lidl and Tesco. If you're particularly well prepared, you can shop around for the best price of each ingredient, and make a separate shopping list for each supermarket, allowing you to get the best deals.

If you don't have an affordable supermarket near you, it may be worth having a long walk to do your shopping, or you may even find that the cost of public transport is covered by going to the cheaper shop. Don't miss out on any special benefits of shopping at your chosen supermarket; Tesco's Clubcard and Nectar cards can get you discounts in the future, or other special bonuses.

3. Pick the Best Time

The time you go shopping may sound irrelevant, but it can give you some serious discounts. Visiting the supermarket when it's near to closing means you can buy some discounted food that they need to shift. While these may be close to their sell-by-date, if you're going to be making a big batch of something later that night, or freezing the item, it'll end up being much cheaper. Make sure to always check the bargain box at your supermarket!

4. Batch Cook

As previously touched upon, cooking a large batch of food will be much cheaper than cooking individual meals. You can do this by yourself and freeze the extra portions, or cook together with housemates, to feed all of you in one cooking session. Remember that you'll save on ingredients due to the economy of scale, but also on energy as you'll be using the oven less. It can also be an enjoyable social experience to have each person cook on separate nights.

5. Spice it Up

If your meals end up tasting bland, you're going to want to spend more on pre-cooked meals or takeout. Investing in spices means you can make your meals much tastier, which means you'll be more likely to want to cook yourself. Even when cooking something basic, some basic herbs and spices can give it a much-needed kick, making it enjoyable. Garlic, chilli, basil, thyme, rosemary and cinnamon are all great things to have available in your cupboard.

6. Don't Worry About Quality

It's easy to think that spending more on your ingredients when you cook will make the meal that much better. While this isn't incorrect, you don't need all your ingredients to be of the highest quality, and by using the previous tip, you can make basic ingredients taste great. By doing this, you'll be saving yourself a lot of money.

Looking for Student Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodation. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!