The day has finally arrived. After facing a difficult 18 months of online learning, rearranged exams, and just about every other obstacle, you’ve made it! Moving to university is an exciting time no matter when you do it, but in 2021, there’s an added level of freedom we’ve all been waiting for.

Leaving home and starting a new chapter of your life in a new place can be daunting, and here at Student Housing Lancaster, we understand this. Our student accommodation in Lancaster is safe, clean, and hassle-free, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about when starting your university journey. Just get in touch with our friendly team or browse our website to see what we can offer you if you’re moving to Lancaster this year.

There’s a lot to remember on the day you move. Did you pack your frying pan? Did you say goodbye to your Nan? Did you buy your freshers tickets? There are plenty of lists online regarding move-in essentials and things to keep in mind, but once you’re packed, what then? Welcome to our guide on getting settled into your university accommodation. We’re going to be talking you through everything you need to know to make your home away from home feel comfortable so you can focus on your studies in an environment you’re happy in.

Moving In Day Essentials

As mentioned, there are countless essential items lists online, but you would be surprised how little you need to bring with you on the day you move in. Here are the things you will need on moving in day:

• Important documents. Identification such as your passport or drivers’ licence, letters from your university regarding enrolling, information from your accommodation, bank cards and student finance documents.
• Clothes. Only pack essentials such as clothes suitable for lectures, nights out, interviews, pyjamas, and working out. Consider only taking winter clothing – you can bring clothes back and swap them at Christmas when you visit home.
• Toiletries. Taking a miniature travel set is a great idea to save space and money when you first move in. You can always buy larger bottles when you first go shopping, but the miniatures will last for your first week or so while you get settled in.
• Kitchen supplies. Don’t worry about bringing a big shop’s worth of food with you when you move in. Just buy a few essentials that will survive the journey, such as tins of soup and pasta and worry about shopping for food after you’re all moved in. The same goes for kitchen appliances. Ask your accommodation suppliers about what they provide and contact your new housemates to find out what everyone else is bringing. It’s a great way to save space in your boxes, and you won’t end up with five toasters in a flat of six people.

Getting to Know Your New Housemates

If you’re starting your first year at university, the thought of moving in with complete strangers might be a bit daunting. Keep in mind that everyone feels the same as you. Whether some people appear more confident is irrelevant – everyone has the same doubts, insecurities, and worries about the big change as you. Although you’re not going to be best friends with everyone you meet at university, it’s important that you get on with your housemates; otherwise, it could make things awkward further down the line. Here are a few tips to get to know your housemates in the first few days:

• Keep your bedroom door open as much as possible. Buy a fancy doorstop or wedge it open with some books – make sure you try and keep the door open as much as you can. This way, anyone walking past can pop by and say hello.
• Spend time in the communal areas. Whether you have a large open plan living space or a cosy kitchen, don’t stay cooped up in your room. Watch some TV in the lounge and make sure to eat in the dining space. You’re guaranteed to get chatting to whoever’s in there at the same time.
• Make a group chat. If you haven’t done this before moving in, do it as soon as possible. Not only is this super handy for staying in contact if you go on a night out or someone gets locked out, but you’ll get to know more about each other very quickly.

How To Make Your Room Feel Like Home

As much as we recommend fairy lights, plants, and tapestries – you’ll have probably been told all about that. To make your room truly feel like home, there are a few things you can do.

• Bring your home scent with you. Find out which detergent your family uses and buy the same one for when you move away.
• Try and avoid working from your bed. You should have a desk in your accommodation, so utilise it! Save your bed for sleeping, movie nights, and relaxing, not thinking about the stress of deadlines.
• Photographs. The cringey family selfies don’t seem so bad now, do they? Whether you frame them and put them on your wall with Command Strips or opt for the classic photo wall collage, make sure you bring some photos of home with you.

Why You Should Choose Student Housing Lancaster for Your Accommodation

We hope that this article has provided you with some valuable information about settling into your university accommodation and making it a comfortable home away from home. Here at Student Housing Lancaster, we aim to make our tenants feel as happy as possible in their accommodation. So, if you’re looking for student housing, whether that’s undergraduate or postgraduate student accommodation in Lancaster, get in touch with our friendly team. We can’t wait for you to move in!