Hobbies to Pick Up While at University

 

When you’re a university student, it can be challenging to balance your study life with your free time. Although it is important to make time for your studies, don’t forget to take advantage of your free time too. Here are a few hobbies to do during your stay at the university.

 

Reading

 

Reading is easy to fit around your schedule and is a perfect hobby for your productivity. It boosts imagination and trains your mind to read more proficiently while widening your vocabulary. With thousands of books these days, there's a book out there for everyone

 

 

 

 

Running

 

Running is amazing for your health and is extremely versatile, as it can be done almost anywhere and at a time that suits you. The flexibility is very useful and gives you the freedom to study at the times you need and do something you enjoy when you have some spare time.

 

 

 

Sports

 

Most universities should provide facilities for sports such as football, basketball or volleyball, which are great to get into. Not only are they literally on your doorstep if you’re living near the university, but you also have the chance to meet new people and potentially gain scholarships if you are particularly good at your sport.

 

 

Music

 

Learning a musical instrument is great for your creativity and freedom of expression and you may even find that it reduces stress levels when playing. Another benefit is that you can play at all times without restriction to weather or time.

 

 

Painting

 

With painting your imagination is the limit and you have total freedom to express yourself and show your style of art, which can be calming and very enjoyable to get into. Art has thousands of ways in how it can be uniquely expressed, using all kinds of materials to achieve this. The ability to create art wherever you want also makes this hobby easy to pursue

at a time suitable to you.

 

 

 

Cooking

 

At university you will have to learn how to cook for yourself, so it’s very useful to make a hobby out of it and have fun trying new recipes and experimenting with your own. You can also try exploring new things while you cook, like using more unique ingredients, spices and techniques too. This adds a new element of fun and a sense of achievement when you make something of your own. With ample time to use this hobby, it is also essential to your independence at university.

 

 

 

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.

 

Tips to Stay Healthy While at University

 While staying at accommodation at university you may worry about how to stay healthy, especially when you are having to work around lectures and study time. Here are some ways to help get you motivated to eat healthily and stay active.

 

 

 

Set Goals for Yourself

 

First of all, before starting any exercise make sure you know what you want to achieve and set goals for yourself. Exercising without any goals will make it incredibly hard to stay motivated and could make you want to quit instead. Goals don’t have to be massive, just something that you can work towards. It’s also important to make them realistic, depending on what stage of exercise you’re in. If you have just started, your body will need a bit more time to adjust to this new lifestyle.

 

One of the most important things to remember when exercising is to know how much you can do and where your limits are. If you exercise more than your body can handle, this could cause strains or injuries, and you will likely have to take more time away from exercising than you would want.

 

 

 

 

Start small and work your way up very slowly once your body is much more accustomed to the exercise. If you make it too intense at the start it could make it a lot harder for you to keep going with it if it stops being enjoyable for you.

 

If setting a large amount of time to exercise becomes hard to do with tighter schedules, make sure you move around in any way you can throughout the day. Maybe if you take the bus normally and it's possible to walk to your university or local shops, you could start walking instead of taking the bus.

 

Get Into a Routine

 

Make a routine of exercising and try to do something active most days of the week, at a similar time. This will get you into the habit of regular exercise, making it easier for you to be motivated, and less likely to forget about exercising for the day.

 

 

You can also try recording your exercise in a journal and tracking what you have been doing. Not only will this help you form a routine around your day but it is a great way to see progress. Seeing progress will allow you to stay more motivated and feel a sense of achievement with your exercise journey.

 

 

However, don’t be discouraged if progress is slow or you seem to not be getting any better. It can take a bit of time at the start to see significant progress since your body is still adjusting. Once you stick with your exercise for a while, you’ll see much better results.

 

 

Change Your Eating Habits

 

Choosing healthier foods is just as important as regular exercise. If you aren’t eating the right foods, you won’t be able to keep up with your routine and you also won’t see much progress. Make sure you eat more often in smaller amounts to combat the feeling of being too hungry throughout the day and make sure you increase the number of vegetables within your food. You can eat a much greater volume of vegetables than the equivalent calories in more unhealthy food.

 

 

 

Invite Others to be Involved

 

Try getting your friends involved! This way, you can motivate each other and make it more of a fun activity for all of you. Parks are wonderful places to go exercise with friends or to go on a run, especially on a nice, sunny day.

 

 

Get Enough Sleep

 

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to make sure you get enough sleep, which will keep both your mind and body healthy. Getting around 7-8 hours of sleep a night will increase your mind proficiency and will allow your body to heal and strengthen as you sleep.

 

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!

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!