Summer Holiday Ideas for Students

Summer is here and in full swing, which means while you're on your holiday break, you should be making the most of this time to enjoy yourself. In this blog, we look at some tips and recommendations for making this summer one to remember!

Well done to all the first years who are experiencing their first summer holiday as a university student. While you may have some work to complete over the summer, it's time to enjoy yourself and relax before things ramp up in the second year. While you may be tempted to find a job or get an internship to improve your CV, you'll be much better off enjoying yourself and using your newfound independence to discover some of what the UK has to offer.

At this point in the year, it might be difficult to find short stay holiday lets in some of the more popular locations. Because of this, we recommend taking day trips instead; you can still explore much of what the country has to offer, without breaking the bank on staying somewhere. Bus or coach companies will be the cheapest way of travelling, but it may be easier or more preferable to catch the train. If you've read our money-saving guides, you should now have a 16-25 Railcard to make travelling by train much cheaper, and if you don't: get one!

We are lucky in the UK to never be too far from the seaside, nor one of the many resorts dotted along it. If you're sick of the city, a day trip to the coast could be a lovely idea, giving you a great opportunity to enjoy the weather on a beach, grab some drinks, go clubbing, or visit one of the piers or vintage markets. Because many of these coastal towns are geared towards catering for tourists, it's unlikely you'll be disappointed by the transport links or amenities there. However, for the same reasons they can be quite crowded, and could require a bigger budget.

If the thought of big crowds is a turn-off, but you'd still like to get to the coast, you could try a more rustic setting with a seaside village. This would be a great destination for those who enjoy long walks along the coast, or in a charming village, before enjoying something from an honest local business, such as a cream tea or fish & chips. Whether you find something more traditional or upmarket is heavily dependent on where in the UK you're looking. This can be a more budget-friendly option than the more tourist-focused resorts and can allow you to enjoy delicious local food. The downside is that reaching these places can be much more difficult, and they don't have quite as many things to do.

An old faithful for days out is the good, honest hike. With major locations across the UK such as the Lake District, New Forest, and Cotswolds, along with some smaller and more local options, you're never far from a lovely walk in the countryside. There are many apps and websites which can provide walking, hiking and cycling routes, so you'll always be able to mix it up. This is a great option for getting some exercise, without breaking the bank, and giving you some time in nature. The downside is that it can be tricky to get to some trails using public transport only, and those you can get to may be either too easy or too difficult.

Of course, your university town or city will likely have plenty to see and do as well, and now you don't have any studies it's a great opportunity to go out and experience all of these. Some ideas for places to visit include galleries, museums and restaurants. There may even be a particular part of town that you haven't had a chance to visit yet. You also have a chance to take part in some new activities around town, such as local board game meet-ups, climbing or dancing! The major problem with sticking to your local town or city is that you're not experiencing what the rest of the country has to offer.

If you're a little low on funds over the summer, it's not a bad idea to get a job in the local area, especially one that is customer facing such as a bar, pub or cafe. While the pay won't be incredible, you'll meet interesting people and learn a lot of important transferrable skills, including developing soft social skills for talking to customers. This isn't exactly a relaxing way to spend your summer though, so it's important to weigh up the different factors to decide what's best for you.

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!

4 Things to Look Out For When Moving Into Private Accommodation

Moving into private accommodation can be a great solution for students who are wanting to have a bit more control of their living situation. Some students will be looking for shared accommodation, while others might prefer solo living. Regardless of what you decide is the best fit for you, there are a few things you should keep in mind when moving into private accommodation.

Make the Location Your Priority

Although you might be debating whether you need to live close to your university, the further you live from it, the harder it will be to travel there and back each day. Particularly in your second and third years, you will likely be at your university for longer hours throughout the week, so adding long travel on top of that will just make your life more difficult.

Sort Out Council Tax

Unlike student halls, when you move into private accommodation like shared houses, you will start receiving council tax bills through your letterbox. The good news is, if you are a full-time student, you are likely exempt from paying council tax. Unfortunately, you still have to prove this to the council.

If you are living solely with other full-time students, as long as each of you can show that you are enrolled at university, you will not have to pay any council tax. If you are living with both students and professionals, you will still get a tax break, and the amount will really only apply to the individual who is not the student.

Check the Inventory at The Start of Your Tenancy

Before moving into any private accommodation, it’s important that you thoroughly look through the inventory for the property and take pictures too. This way, if there are any errors you will find them now, so they don’t cause you grief when you move out. You can also ensure you know what the property looked like when you moved in, which will save you the hassle of fighting with estate agents before you move out in the future.

Be Mindful of The Prices of Bills

Many student studios will have bills already included in the rent, so you might not need to worry about paying extensive amounts for heating. But, if you are moving into a house share, it will likely be your responsibility to handle bills. In the long run, gas central heating will work out cheaper than electric heating, so when looking for properties be mindful of what the heating set up is. All of Unihousing’s studios come with bills included in the rent, while our shared houses come with gas utilities included in rent. This will save students time, effort and money when they move in.

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!

Boost Your Student Finances by Cutting Back on These 12 Things - Part 2

Welcome back to part 2 of this blog on how to boost your student finances. Check out the remaining 6 things to cut back on to get more money as a student.

7: Buying Brands

Many supermarkets and shops will stock their own unbranded items, which are often only slightly worse in quality, but much cheaper. As an example, unbranded tomato sauce can often be picked up for £1 a jar, whereas a branded jar is likely to set you back £2 or more. While this doesn't seem like much, little savings like this can make a huge difference over time.

8: Gym Memberships

When searching through your bank statements for things to cut back on, make sure to check for anything that isn't a necessity, or that you've forgotten about. For example, gym memberships are a great expenditure to cut back on to save your student finances. Even without a gym membership, you can keep fit by going on runs or following home workout instructions on YouTube.

9: Excessive Drinking

This may seem sacrilegious to some, but going out most nights to get hammered is a surefire way to lose all your money. Especially if you are the sort to buy a round of drinks for the group. Either accept that you should be saving money and let others buy drinks for you, or limit the amount you can take out each night by not taking your card, so you don't overspend.

10: Hunger Shopping

Most people will have heard of the phrase "don't go shopping when you're hungry", the reason for this is because you'll be much more likely to pick up snacks and sugar-rich food. By having a meal before you leave the house, you'll be much less tempted to buy these things so you can save money. 

11: Disorganisation

Being disorganised can often lead to you spending more money. For instance, if you forget or run out of time to make yourself lunch, you'll have to buy some from the shop. If you don't bring your own water bottle or coffee flask, you'll probably buy a plastic water bottle or coffee from the cafe. Get organised by planning your day, so you can avoid unnecessary expenditure.

12: Non-reusable Items

Investing in reusable goods is a great way to save money. While the initial cost may be higher in some cases, over time you'll save a lot of money. You'll also be doing your part for the environment, as disposable items are often full of plastic. Once you've finished using your current plastic razors, invest in a bamboo or steel razor, meaning you only need to buy interchangeable heads or blades. There are also reusable options for makeup remover, drinking straws, and batteries. One last note; don't forget your reusable grocery bag when going to the shop, so you don't get stung for extra plastic bags!

What is 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!

Boost Your Student Finances by Cutting Back on These 12 Things - Part 1

Students are known for struggling financially while at university, which means any small savings or deal they can eke out is important. In this 2-part blog, we look at 12 things that students can cut back on to save money.

1: Eating Out

There are plenty of delicious meals that you can eat at various restaurants and takeouts, but you'll be paying a premium for these. The cheaper option is to improve your cooking skills and start making delicious homemade meals. You can even turn your cooking into fast food by cooking more than you need, and freezing the rest so you can reheat it another day.

2: Prepared Food

There is a big price difference between pre-prepared food and un-prepared food at the supermarket. For instance, chunks of pre-sliced mango at a popular British supermarket come out at £3 at the time of writing, whereas a fresh mango comes out at £0.75. Buying your food fresh and unprepared will not only be cheaper but will often be better for the environment.

3: Daily Takeaway Coffees

Many people have a take-out coffee as part of their daily regime, which can be more expensive than you'd originally think. A basic £2 coffee every working day is £10 a week, £40 a month, and £500 a year! Often these coffees have more calories in them than an average meal, so they aren't great for your health either. Instead, invest in a coffee flask and fill it up in the morning before you leave.

4: Undiscounted Food

While this isn't always applicable, making a change to when you go shopping means that you'll be able to take advantage of reduced-price items. Combining this with meal prepping means you can make a range of meals from reduced items to freeze and eat during the week. The best times to hit the supermarkets are early morning, midday and later in the night.

5: Buying New Clothes

Full-priced, new clothes are often a waste of money, and bad for the environment. You can save a lot of money by visiting thrift and charity stores for new clothes, which in turn supports those charities. You can find plenty of good, rare clothes, so get out there and start looking!

6: Travel Costs

Taxis and Ubers are a massive drain on your student finances, and while they may get you to your destination faster, it comes at a steep cost. Public transport such as buses and trains are convenient, and a fraction of the price. You can also save more money by getting a rail card or day pass. Or you can take the healthy option and walk everywhere.

What is 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!

How to be Sustainable as a Student

When you're living on a student budget at university, it can be very difficult to feel like you are living as sustainably as possible. This can be because of a loss of control when it comes to things such as budget when shopping, or with appliances in a rented household. While you may not be able to make the best environmental decisions in all aspects of your life, you can still make the correct decisions on the things you can control. In this blog, we suggest ways you can change your usage and disposal of things in your home to be sustainable.

Changing Your Usage of Products

One of the best ways of staying sustainable as a student is ensuring the appliances you do use last as long as possible. If you are lucky enough to have a dishwasher in your student house, then make sure you take good care of it if you do need to use it by checking the washing arm can move unhindered. With your washing machine, don't overload it with clothes and make sure you're using a good washing liquid. You can also try washing your clothes in colder temperatures. To look after your fridge, keep it clean and remove any spoiled food, in particular, ensure the seals around the door are clean.

You can make simple swaps with certain everyday items when living in a rented student property to be as sustainable as possible. Using a reuseable cloth rather than disposable wipes is a great way of reducing your waste, for example. You can even purchase zero plastic sellotape to make sure your study notes are kept together with no plastic waste. Reducing food waste is another great way to live more sustainably, a good way of doing this is to use multiple recipes that use the same ingredients, or even cook a larger portion and freeze the portions you don't eat.

Disposing Responsibly

You can make just as much of an impact on the environment by disposing of any waste responsibly. A good way of helping you to recycle is by splitting your waste into different materials such as general, glass, tin and paper. Products that can't normally be recycled by the council will often be able to be recycled by retailers or certain generous individuals in your local area. For example, batteries can be disposed of in special bins that can be found in certain shops that sell batteries, while inhalers can be taken back to some chemists who will recycle them. You can be more proactive with this by writing letters to shops or retailers who you feel should be recycling certain items if they are not. Do your research, and you may be able to find somewhere that will take items that won't normally be accepted for recycling.

Any old clothes that you have outgrown or have gone out of fashion can be taken to clothing donation banks, such as Heart UK or the Salvation Army. There may even be a local charity that will accept these as well. You may even be able to donate old shoes, belts, hats, towels, curtains and bedding. Meanwhile, if you have any dried, canned or jarred food that you don't need or have bought too much of, you can donate these to a local food bank. Even non-food items such as toiletries, face masks and detergents will generally be accepted.

Even when living in a rented property with a student lifestyle and budget, there are things you can control in your life to live sustainably.

What is 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!

Student Tips: How to Find the Time to Clean

After a long day of lectures and studying, the last thing most people think about is cleaning. It can be very difficult to gather the motivation to tidy and clean, especially when you're excited to watch another episode of your TV show or play games on your computer or phone. This often leads to a cycle of laziness, as the mountain of clothes grows bigger and the clutter on your desk spreads it takes more and more energy to clean it up.

In this blog, we look at some simple lifestyle tips that can help you fit cleaning and tidying into a busy schedule.

Try an App

Because you're likely to have your phone on you at most times, using an app to help you with planning your tidying and cleaning can keep everything manageable. Apps such as Sweepy, Tody, Unfilth your Habitat, Habits, Habitica, and Focusmate can be great if you struggle with visualising what needs doing and when, especially for people with ADHD.

Using Sweepy as an example, these apps let you set separate tasks for different rooms. Each task can be configured as a one-off or recurring task with either default or customised options, and can then be given a frequency needed to complete each task along with a difficulty. You'll then be given an average level of cleanliness for each room dependent on when you last completed each task.

Have a Place for Everything

One of the biggest causes of clutter build-up is a lack of places to actually store items. Picking up some storage boxes and labelling them can help you keep clutter to a minimum because everything should now have a place to live. You'll also be able to actually find what you're looking for because you've labelled up each box!

You can use any cardboard boxes that you may have from ordering things online, or you may find that buying cheap and handy storage boxes would be best for you. The Really Useful Storage Boxes range is a great choice that gives you plenty of options when it comes to size and combinations. It also makes it much easier to pack when you need to move out.

Clean and Tidy Early, Not Late

A tried and tested method for boosting motivation is to do your tasks in the morning, rather than leaving them till the end of the day when you're tired. Start by making your bed when you wake up, and you should find that you then naturally start cleaning other places. Starting the day by being productive and cleaning your area can have a tremendous impact on how you're feeling, boosting your mood and reducing your stress. This sets you up to have a great day, where you know that you won't be coming home to a messy room.

If it Only Takes 5 Minutes, Just Do It

This cognitive behavioural technique helps tackle procrastination, by breaking each task into just 5-minutes. Here's how the 5-minute rule works: set a timer or time yourself for 5 minutes while you do a task, after this time if you want to stop, you can. This means that each task is broken down into manageable chunks, and will often be done in those 5 minutes anyway.

Make the Most of Motivation

Motivation can be hard to come by, so when you do have a sudden urge to get things done, make the most of it and get as much done as possible. You may find that once you've finished one task you'll have the motivation to carry on and finish other tasks. As previously mentioned, you can do a lot in just a small amount of time, starting is often the most difficult part!

Listen to Music or Watch a Show

Cleaning and tidying can be boring, so to make it a little more exciting you can stick on some music or watch your favourite show. You could try playing one of your favourite albums and setting the challenge of only stopping once you've finished the album.

What is 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!

How to Maintain Good Health as a Student in 2022

Saying that your health is important is an understatement. Staying healthy is not only good for your longevity and happiness, but it can also help your brain retain more information - something very important for when you're at university. While this may seem like it may be difficult, with good habits and a little willpower it can be much easier than you may have originally thought.

In this blog, we take you through a brief guide on how to live a healthier day-to-day life.

Eating Your 5 A Day

You've probably heard it before, and you may even have tried it. As per the NHS website; almost all fruit and vegetables count towards your 5 a Day. You can have fruit and vegetables in almost any form, such as frozen, tinned or canned, cooked in various dishes, dried, or inside convenience foods such as ready meals and sauces.

Be aware though, that some foods that you buy that count towards your 5 a Day can also be high in salt, sugar and fat. Fruit and vegetables in drinks such as juices or smoothies can also be high in sugar, which can damage your teeth. As with most things; moderation is key!

Watch Your Calorie Intake

As a general rule of thumb; consuming more calories than you use will lead to weight gain while consuming less will lead to losing weight. Because of this, keeping a food diary and monitoring your calorie intake can be very useful, even if you're aiming to stay at the same weight. This may be something that you monitor and revisit over some time to find what works best for you.

Every day, men will require approximately 2500kcal, while women need around 2000kcal. These numbers can depend on a variety of factors such as age, size, and activity level. The most important thing to remember is that there's always time to change up your dietary plan and try something new to achieve your goals.

The Benefits of Fish

It's easy to forget that we need to eat a variety of different meals to get all the vitamins and minerals we need to be healthy. One of the most easily overlooked foods which adds a lot of benefit to us is fish. White oily fish (like salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines, pilchards, fresh tuna and herring) provide omega-3 fats which are important for preventing heart disease.

Most fish are also rich in various other vitamins and minerals, as well as being high in protein. The NHS recommends you eat a minimum of two fish portions every week, with an oily fish being at least one of those portions. Don't forget that you can play around with the meals you have fish in; a tuna sandwich, salmon and pasta, or even sushi, there are plenty of options.

Stay Hydrated

Many of the times when we feel hungry or otherwise out of sorts, can be attributed to being dehydrated. The Eatwell Guide advises that we should drink 6 to 8 cups/glasses of fluid a day. While water is perhaps the healthiest choice, you can also get a benefit from low-fat milk and sugar-free drinks such as tea and coffee.

While water may be the healthiest option, many people do not like the taste of plain water. If you fall into this category, why not try sparkling water or add a slice of lemon or lime. As mentioned prior, while juices and smoothies can contribute to your 5 a Day, they can contain either added sugars or "free sugars" which are released in the juicing or blending process and can damage your teeth.

Exercise Regularly

Keeping active and fit doesn't have to mean going to the gym. Exercising can be as simple as being active wherever possible. This can mean walking more instead of driving or taking public transport, or playing more sports with friends. The key is to maintain a healthy balance of exercise, including aerobic and strength every week.

NHS guidelines are that up to the age of 18, everyone should be completing at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day. This includes walking, cycling, running or sports like tennis. Additionally, three days of the week should be spent exercising bigger muscle groups or promoting healthier bones/joints. These exercises can include push-ups, running and jumping.

For adults aged between 19 and 64, you should be aiming for 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or brisk walking weekly. You should also be doing 2 days of strength exercises a week which focus on the major muscle groups, including the legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms.

Catch Some Z's

Sleep is a very important part of staying healthy. A lack of sleep can cause you to become irritable, can make you forgetful and unable to focus, as well as many other health problems. The NHS recommends that 8 hours of good quality sleep is a general requirement for most people, but you should work out how much you need as it can be different between people.

For a student, the typical causes of a poor night's sleep include late nights, going-out and studying. If you notice that you're starting to feel the effects of a lack of sleep, try establishing a bedtime routine that helps you feel relaxed and ready to sleep. This can include not looking at a screen half an hour before sleeping, keeping to your regular sleeping hours, and reducing your alcohol and caffeine consumption close to bedtime.

What is 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!